Vengeance

by Mychea

  Damir could clearly envision the bodily damage he was going to inflict on Emeri. It’s was clear to him that even a court system can’t control Emeri’s crazy ass. The girl kept popping up everywhere. Coincidence, doubt it. When the shootout first went down at his birthday extravaganza, Damir had wanted to murder Emeri. It had taken a lot of prayer and his parents stepping in to help him get through. Seeing as they had also lost a child to a senseless occurrence, they knew exactly what he was going through. His Mother was thrilled when she discovered that Damir had named his baby girl Alanna. She had been such a blessing to him, especially since Alanna no longer had a mother figure around; his Mom had been a Godsend and Copyright © 2010 Mychea

  33

  Vengeance

  Mychea

  Alanna adored her, the two of them have their own special bond. Alanna offered his Mother an opportunity to have a chance to right the wrongs she had made with Damir’s little sister.

  Copyright © 2010 Mychea

  34

  Vengeance

  Mychea

  Chapter 6

  Interlude

  Today Mama is working late again. I tried to stay as late as I could at school but all of my study sessions are over now, there was nowhere to go but home and all I want to do is cry. Mr. CT

  would be waiting for me…again. It was already going on seven o’clock and school let out at three. I’m sure he has to be wondering where I am.

  Slowly walking up the porch steps to the front door, Mr. CT was waiting when I walked in.

  “It’s late. Where have you been?” he asked as he beckoned her to the kitchen to eat dinner.

  Removing my backpack and placing it on the floor, I eased my way over to the dinner table.

  “I had a study group after school today. When it ended, I came straight home.”

  “Ok, well eat up. We have a long night ahead of us.” I cringed at his statement. I knew exactly what kind of long night he had in mind. My Mama and I prayed to God every night and she was a firm believer in him. But if he was real, why was he allowing this to happen to me?

  Maybe he hadn’t heard my other prayers. “God, if you are listening and if you are real, please stop Mr. CT from what he is doing to me. Please. Amen.”

  After dinner, I was trying my best to stay busy. I had washed all the dishes and the kitchen was clean. Now I was in my room sketching a photo of me and my friends. I love to draw; it puts me in a zone and takes me away from the real world, sort of like a retreat. No sooner had I gotten my outline of us down on paper good, there was a knock at my door. I didn’t want to let him in, but knew I didn’t really have a choice.

  “Come in.” I said as unenthusiastic as possible hoping he would get the hint to leave me alone.

  Entering with two wine glasses and a bottle of white wine, he grinned at me. I was disgusted.

  “Care to have a drink with me?”

  “Mr. CT, why do we go through this every time, you know I’m not old enough to drink.”

  “Oh, come on now. I won’t tell your Mom if you won’t.”

  “I don—”

  “Emeri, you’ll have a drink. Do you understand?” He said interrupting me. Gone was his pleasant demeanor he was all business now.

  Copyright © 2010 Mychea

  35

  Vengeance

  Mychea

  Pushing my artwork to the side, I grabbed the wine glass he was offering me. There was no sense in fighting the inevitable. Anything I did Mr. CT used against me and to his advantage.

  Last time I fought him, he left bloody teeth marks down the left side of my stomach.

  Smiling as I took the glass, he said, “Good, I’m glad we understand each other.” Walking over to my iPod sitting in its base, he turned on some slow jams. Coming back over to join me on the bed he raised his glass of wine and took a sip.

  “How about a strip tease for me tonight?”

  I must have looked at him like he had lost his mind because he back handed me so hard I swore my eye balls were two seconds from popping out of my sockets. Though I didn’t drop my wine glass, there were now drops of wine running down my hand and the front of my jeans.

  “Drink up so you can dance for Daddy.”

  Daddy my ass, I hope that he is no one’s “Daddy”. A real Daddy would not act like this, I’m sure of it. I may not have one, but I’ve seen my friends with their fathers and it is nothing like this. Lifting my glass of wine and sucking down the whole thing, I asked for another, to which he promptly filled it to the brim. Maybe if I drink as much as possible I will have no recollection of tonight and it will be over before I know it. After downing the second glass and holding out my glass for more, he refused me.

  “I think you’ve had enough of that. I want you to be able to focus on dancing for me.”

  Pushing me to my feet and laying back on my bed, I had his undivided attention. This was the first time he had asked me to dance. I had no idea what to do.

  “Come on, what’s the problem. Don’t you know how to dance? Move your hips to the beat of the music.” Tears started rolling down my face as my hips slowly found the beat.

  “Unbutton your shirt as you move.” Closing my eyes so I wouldn’t have to look at him, I did as I was told. Reaching the last button, I left it open and continued to sway to the music.

  Getting off the bed to stand behind me, Mr. CT grabbed my shirt pulling it down my arms until it hit the floor. Moving my hair to the side he kissed the back of my neck. Eyes still closed a fresh wave of tears made their way down my cheeks. I was a prisoner inside my own body.

  Turning me in his arms to face him, he undid the button of my jeans and pushed my zipper down.

  Backing me onto the bed he pulled the jeans down my legs, past my colorful undies that said Tuesday, though it was Wednesday.

  Copyright © 2010 Mychea

  36

  Vengeance

  Mychea

  Why couldn’t my Mama come home early just once? Just one time so she could save me. Mr.

  CT’s breathing began to change, I could tell that he was getting excited. Consumed in my own thoughts, I didn’t even realize that he already had me out my cute little undies. Lowering his head to lick the inside of my thigh, I tried one more time to plead with God. “Please, please God, make him stop. I’ll stop picking on Nicole in school. It’s not her fault that she looks like a praying mantis. I’ll do anything; just make Mr. CT leave me alone. Amen.

  God must have been on vacation because my prayer went unanswered that night. Once again, Mr. CT got what he wanted and no one could rescue me. As far as I’m concerned God does not exist because if he did he would have saved me and he did not. I’m done with prayer and I’m done with God.

  The light from the computer monitor illuminated Emeri’s devious smile. She could not believe her good fortune. She had finally cracked the code and hacked into the court’s case files.

  “Damn,” she thought, “I am a fuckin’ genius. The FBI needs to recruit my ass; I could teach them a thing or two.”

  Visibly pleased with herself, Emeri began searching for her information in the systems database. “Ah, here we go,” muttering to herself as her eyes lit up like a Christmas tree when she found what she was looking for. “Let’s see what they have in here about me.” Scrolling through the records, she pulled the most recent notes from her sessions with Coleen. “Hmmmn, let’s see what the good Doctor has been saying.”

  Coleen’s Notes: (Enter Date) 11:00 AM Session Emeri seems to be regressing. She refuses to take responsibility for the actions that resulted in her incarceration and is in a state of denial. I am of the opinion that Emeri is suffering from a deeper issue that we have yet to tap into. Growing up without a father in her life has caused her to lash out at almost everyone around her, with the exception of her stepmother Cynthia Vaughn. Cynthia seems to hold a place in Emeri’s heart that no one else can reach. This could be a result of the loss of her mother and needing to identify with that motherly in
fluence in her life.

  Copyright © 2010 Mychea

  37

  Vengeance

  Mychea

  I am also of the opinion that Emeri suffers from an advanced stage of sibling rivalry. For whatever reason only known to her, she has declared war on her half sister Naima Fairchild. There is an underlying sense of resentment between Naima and Emeri because in Emeri’s mind Naima grew up with everything that Emeri images a family is supposed to have.

  After evaluating Emeri Castado during this last session, it is in my doctor’s opinion that Emeri needs to be monitored till further notice.

  I do not believe she is ready to rejoin society and is a threat to herself and to others.

  Emeri could not believe what she just read. No that evil witch didn’t. So Coleen was trying to get her put back into the psych ward at jail. She would not stand for it. Coleen would have to be dealt with and immediately.

  Reaching for the phone on her desk as it began to ring; Emeri was not pleased with the interruption. “Hello.”

  “Emeri!” Camille said as soon as she heard her voice on the other end of the line saying hello,

  “Why haven’t you called me?”

  “Camille calm down and don’t be yelling at me.” Emeri took the phone away from her ear looking at it in disgust. Camille must have lost her mind talking to her like that. Least they all forget who I am she thought.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell. I just haven’t heard from you since you’ve been out of jail.”

  Emeri could sense that she was two seconds from pouting, “Did you forget about me?”

  Not in the mood to deal with Camille’s sob fest at the moment, Emeri wanted to scream, I have more pressing things to do. “Camille, seriously, I don’t have time for this. You have got to get a grip. I’ve been busy.” Her patience was thin. Even though Camille had been one of her only visitors in jail, Emeri didn’t feel as if she owed the girl all her time.

  “Well fine, don’t allow me to take up any more of your day.”

  Emeri hung up without responding, wondering if Camille was going to be a problem. She seemed harmless enough, but sometimes you never know about people.

  Shifting her thoughts back to Coleen, she tried to think of what to do about Coleen. Not that it wasn’t easy enough to change her notes in the database it was just that once notes had been entered into the system Coleen had it set up that they automatically got sent to her parole officer Copyright © 2010 Mychea

  38

  Vengeance

  Mychea

  as well, so any attempts to change the notes would be futile. But it was obvious that Coleen was against her, maybe it was time to pay the good Doctor a visit.

  After trailing Coleen for the past couple of weeks, Emeri finally had enough ammunition to set her world on fire and she couldn’t wait.

  Walking through the necessary security points, it felt good to be on the other side of the system looking in. Even still, Emeri hated everything about the jail, though she was out on parole, she would rather not have to come to this place, but this is where Coleen was and so this is where she would be as well.

  Coleen was exactly where Emeri knew she would be, in her office going over paperwork.

  Standing in the doorway undetected observing her, Coleen looked like she was about to pass out.

  Reaching in her desk drawer to pull out a cigarette and lighter, she leaned back in her chair taking in a massive puff from her cancer stick. That puff must have given her extreme pleasure; her face displayed one of pure ecstasy.

  Stepping into the office and shutting the door behind her, Emeri watched as the ecstasy previously displayed on Coleen’s face was replaced by one of shock.

  “Hello Coleen.”

  Immediately putting her cigarette out and sitting up in her chair, she gave Emeri her full attention.

  “Emeri,” she started, while shifting paperwork to locate her desk calendar, “I don’t have you scheduled for an appointment today, and so what do I owe the honor of this visit?”

  Making her way to the empty chair in front of Coleen’s desk, Emeri took her time answering as she made herself comfortable.

  “Well Coleen, I’ve been thinking,” stopping to give her the once over before continuing, “you shouldn’t be my therapist anymore.”

  “Oh, is that all,” Coleen waved her hand in the air blatantly attempting to disregard Emeri,

  “Unfortunately Emeri, I was court appointed. You don’t have a say in the matter, though I will gladly put a note in your file.”

  Laughing in spite of herself, Emeri thought Coleen was too cute, because she honestly thought that she had a choice.

  Copyright © 2010 Mychea

  39

  Vengeance

  Mychea

  “No see, I think you misunderstood,” raising her eyebrow, Coleen remained silent as Emeri continued, “You will tell the judge that you are no longer able to work on this case due to conflict of interest issues.”

  Slowly rising to her feet, Coleen was beyond pissed off, but she was well trained to deal with the Emeri’s of the world and so remained calm, “I have no idea what you are talking about, but if you’ll excuse me,” she pointed toward the door, “I have an appointment coming in momentarily that I need to prepare for.”

  Emeri rose as well. Leaning across Coleen’s desk till their faces were inches apart, “You know exactly what I am talking about,” she hissed, “You should really give some serious thought to the actions you take moving forward.” Pulling her sunglasses out of her purse as she gathered the rest of her things, Emeri headed toward the door, turning before she made an exit, “You’ve been warned.”

  As soon as the door was completely closed, Coleen fell back into her chair. She wondered if Emeri knew what was going on or bluffing. After counseling Emeri for the past five years, she wasn’t exactly the bluffing type. Having an unsettling feeling about the whole thing, Coleen wondered what she knew. Picking up a picture frame off her desk, the one of her and her son at his recent birthday party, she lovingly ran her finger over his chubby cheeks, I can’t put my son in danger. Picking up the phone, she called the judge’s assistant and asked to be reassigned as Emeri’s therapist. Hanging up the phone after confirming the switch, she still couldn’t rest easy; something Emeri said didn’t sit right with her. What exactly did Emeri know?

  Copyright © 2010 Mychea

  40

  Vengeance

  Mychea

  Chapter 7

  “Just a few more steps, come on, you can do it. You’re almost there.”

  Sweat was profusely sliding down Naima’s body, but she willed her legs to listen to what her brain and physical therapist were telling them to do. Though walking was definitely getting easier, she would be lying if she said it still wasn’t painful. Goodness, sometimes she wondered which was worse, childbirth, or this. Thinking about childbirth made her sad. She would never again know the joy of being pregnant and feeling her baby move and kick inside her belly for the first time. Emeri had stolen that from her.

  “Naima,” her therapist yelled, snapping her back to reality, “You’re not concentrating.”

  What was she talking about? She was concentrating. Maybe not as hard as she was when they originally started, but she still was.

  “Good job.” Her therapist said when she reached the ending point. Naima was exhausted. For the life of her, she couldn’t ever remember it being this hard to walk. Amazing how something that used to be a mindless action now caused her anxiety just thinking about it.

  “You’re doing a lot better. How would you feel about trading your walker in for a cane?”

  Naima thought her ears must be deceiving her, as her eyes began to water. Was she really telling her that she was finally going to be able to kick her hated walker to the curb? Oh, God is so good. Next thing you know she would be walking without any assistance. Yes! She was all about it.

  “Oh,” Naima said breathlessly, “that would be
wonderful. Please tell me that this is not a joke and you are serious.”

  “I am very serious. You are making excellent progress, won’t be too long from now that you will no longer need the cane either. You’re well on your way Missy.”

  She was standing close enough to her that Naima could reach out to her and place a kiss on her cheek.

  “Oh, thank you, thank you, and thank you so much. I cannot wait till I can move around again unaided. Just the idea of being able to run around the yard with Kalani is enough to make me smile. I cannot wait!”

  Copyright © 2010 Mychea

  41

  Vengeance

  Mychea

  Sitting at the dinner table later that evening with Namiyah and Kalani, her mind couldn’t help but wonder where Kaden was. Old habits die-hard and his were beginning to speak very loudly and become questionable again. This is how it always began every other time it turned out that he was creeping in the past and her gut was telling her that this time would be no different. She wanted to believe otherwise, but reality is reality. Kaden would never change. Her mind knew it; her heart was always trying to make up for it. Maybe that’s why she didn’t feel as bad about kissing Damir back that day. Though by no means was he any better than Kaden, after getting caught up in Emeri’s crazy triangle, but something about his calm spirit spoke to her and seeing him with his little girl had been enough to make her heart melt.

  After seeing to it that the kids were settled in their beds for the night, Naima went down to her study to call Damir, she shrugged and figured why not, boredom was kicking in and Kaden was nowhere to be found. She smiled when he answered on the first ring. It was almost as if he had been expecting her call.

  “Damir here.”

  “Hi, it’s Naima.”

  His tone softened when he realized who was on the other end of his phone line.

  “This is a surprise. How are you?”

  “I’m good. A little on the lonely side, but otherwise all is well.”

  “Lonely? Kaden isn’t there to keep you company?”

  “No, he’s never here anymore. The last time I saw him was this morning. Since then I haven’t been able to reach him through email or phone. Did he come into work today?”