Vengeance

by Mychea

  Naima smiled, “I will, I promise.”

  Kaven came running past her at full speed trying to get out the door, “Ah, excuse me,” Naima said playfully putting her hands on her hips and pouting, “Are you just going to run out the door and not hug your God Mommy goodbye? Shame on you. You’re not too big for hugs already are you?”

  Immediately reversing, he came back and gave her a hug. “I’m never too old for hugs from you.” He told her, “but you know my Mom hates to wait. I don’t want to get left.”

  Copyright © 2010 Mychea

  100

  Vengeance

  Mychea

  Laughing at him, Naima had to agree. When Haven was ready to go, she was ready to go and if you didn’t want to get left your best bet was to be at the car standing there waiting on her.

  Boy, you ain’t never lied. Go ahead and run out there before your Momma leaves you.”

  “Ok, love you God Mommy.”

  “Love you too.” Naima responded to him as he ran out to the waiting car.

  People were finally starting to leave and Naima had never in her life been so happy to see people go. She knew they meant well, but the family had business to tend to that couldn’t be done in a house full of people.

  At long last, around ten that night, she waved the last well wisher off. Kaden joined her in the foyer as she was closing the door. Noticing the exhausted look on her face, she still was the most beautiful woman in the world to him.

  “How you holding up Mocha?”

  Before she could acknowledge him, Naima had to kick off her shoes and massage each foot.

  Effortlessly lifting her off the floor into his arms, Kaden kissed her on the forehead while leading her to the couch. Sitting her at on end, he moved to the opposite end so he could massage her feet for her, he looked at her expectantly, “You didn’t answer my question.”

  Thoroughly enjoying her foot massage Naima let out a tired sigh, “I’m sorry baby, what did you ask me?”

  “I asked you how you were holding up.”

  “I’m doing. How is Emeri? I meant to check on her and got distracted.”

  “She was pretty riled up when I took her out of here earlier. I’m not sure how she’s doing now. I left when Tyson came in.”

  “Speaking of him, where was he when she was in here trying to practically kill Coleen?”

  Kaden shrugged, “Don’t know, but he reappeared to check on her, so I rolled.”

  Naima rubbed her aching temple. “Baby thanks for the massage. I needed it.”

  Unenthusiastically removing her foot from his miracle working fingers, “I have to check on Momma and see how she’s doing. She just wasn’t herself today. I’m worried about her.”

  Kaden was not happy to have his massage session with her cut short. “Mocha, she just lost her husband, of course she’s not herself.”

  “True, but Daddy passed away almost a week ago and she didn’t behave like she did today.

  She was straight up rude to Coleen. Momma never behaves so poorly.”

  Copyright © 2010 Mychea

  101

  Vengeance

  Mychea

  “She probably found out that Coleen and our Dad were having an affair and that little boy of Coleen’s is actually our brother.”

  Kaden and Naima’s heads turned in unison toward the doorway. Neither had heard Emeri approach. Naima was the first to regain her composure, “What,” she whispered, “that can’t be true. Daddy would never.”

  “It is true dear sister and don’t say Daddy could never, because if that were the case I wouldn’t be standing her now.”

  “Isn’t that the truth?” Naima said to herself.

  “Oh no. Coleen must have come here to tell Momma that. No wonder she was being so rude to her.” Dropping her head into her hands, Naima felt a migraine coming on; she was beyond disappointed in her Dad, “Poor Momma.”

  Copyright © 2010 Mychea

  102

  Vengeance

  Mychea

  Chapter 14

  Running down the dark alleyway, frantically trying to make sure she didn’t trip and crack her face, Haven was beyond terrified. All she knew was that somehow, some way, he was going to make it his business to kill her. She could see it in his eyes, when he first began chasing her, this time there would be no moment of return.

  Taking a quick breath as she awakened from her nightmare, Haven rolled over to Chris staring her in the face, which was just as unsettling as her dream had been. Body still trembling from the range of emotions that it believed itself to have gone through; Haven couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that something about their whole situation wasn’t right. As afraid as she was for her life, there iwas no way to get away from it. Chris was like a time bomb waiting to ignite. He wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary per se. It was just that there seemed to be a dark side within him. Some place inside him that not even God himself could reach. If nothing else, she did accredit him with getting her back into church. She needed God on her side more than anything, so she could survive her life.

  She was becoming uncomfortable in her own skin. Ever since Camille’s death, Chris was damn near impossible to deal with. If he wasn’t moping around, then he was watching Haven.

  And the way he watched her made her skin crawl. The house was mostly quiet now with occasional interruptions of Kadir crying and Kaven’s noisy banter. There were no words between her and Chris however. At first Haven was perfectly fine with the quiet, but now his silence was deadly. It was like walking on eggshells in this place.

  Kadir’s sudden cry over the baby monitor offered Haven the perfect excuse to get out of bed away from Chris. Jumping up immediately, she went to the aid of their baby.

  Coleen was irate with what her lawyer told her. Kenneth had neglected to change his will once Justin was born. He had changed it when he found out about Emeri, but no dice when it came to Justin. She was tempted to contest it but her lawyer told her unless they could find a loophole in the document somewhere, there was nothing that could be done. Don’t get her wrong, it’s not that she couldn’t take care of Justin on her own, because she could more than afford to. She just wanted him to be able to have some mementos from his father’s life and the way Cynthia had reacted, Coleen was more than sure she would not be parting with anything that belonged to Copyright © 2010 Mychea

  103

  Vengeance

  Mychea

  Kenneth anytime soon and there was no one on the inside to fight on her behalf. She knew Emeri wouldn’t, that crazy hoe. If she wanted any help, Coleen knew Naima was probably her best bet, so she would focus her energy on her.

  Switching her thoughts over to more pressing matters, Coleen was on a mission to prove that Emeri was involved in Camille and Kenneth’s murder, but she needed help. Picking up her phone she called the one person who she was more than sure would be as broken up about Camille’s death as she was.

  “Yes.” A flat unemotional voice answered.

  “Hi Chris, its Coleen.”

  “Hey.” He replied with the same amount of enthusiasm as he had when he answered the phone.

  “You sound the way I feel, so how about us doing something about it?”

  “Do something about what?” Coleen ignored his question.

  “Why don’t you come over? I think Emeri had something to do with Camille’s death and I figure between the two of us, we should be able to figure out a way to prove it.”

  What Coleen was saying instantly peeked Chris’ interest. “Do you really think she had something to do with it? That doesn’t make sense, why would she be against Camille?”

  “When has Emeri ever made any sense?” Coleen asked Chris, he must have forgotten who they were referring to, “If you come over, we can talk about it. I don’t really want to say too much over the phone. Emeri is smart, who knows if she has the lines tapped and what not.”

  “Aight, I’m on my way.”

  “Ok, see you when you g
et here.”

  Coleen practically ran to answer the door when Chris arrived. She had been impatiently pacing the floor for the last hour anticipating his arrival.

  “Goodness, I see you finally made it.”

  Chris gazed at her with indifference in his eyes. As far as he was concerned, he was here like she wanted, who gave a shit how long it took him to get there.

  “I’m here right? So tell me the deal.” He said as he walked past her into the living room.

  Coleen closed the door and followed him to the living room. Chris sat on the sofa and looked at her expectantly.

  “I know this will probably devastate you, but Camille and Emeri were more than friends.”

  Copyright © 2010 Mychea

  104

  Vengeance

  Mychea

  Chris frowned his face up. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “Well, it means they were more like kissing friends.”

  He jumped up off the sofa when she said that. “You’re lying!”

  Coleen gave him a pointed look, “Chris, don’t you think I know what was going on with my own sister?”

  “Camille would never do that to me, she loved me.”

  Coleen nodded her head in affirmation, “Yes, she did love you, but you are married, what was she supposed to do when you were home with your wife and children?”

  “She was supposed to wait for me. We had a deal and set plans on a life together.”

  Coleen looked at him in disbelief not understanding Camille’s attraction to him or Emeri, both were extremely selfish.

  “You’re talking craziness, but either way, you’re losing focus on the issue at hand.” Coleen proceeded to elaborate, “I made a mistake and told Camille that Emeri had threatened me and that’s why I was no longer counseling her. I think she may have tried to confront Emeri and Emeri retaliated by setting her house on fire to get her out of the way. I just have to find a way to prove it.”

  Chris was astonished. This was a lot more information than he had anticipated taking in this afternoon. He looked over at Coleen, “So what do you propose we do about this situation? The police are already investigating; we can’t interfere with a crime scene or case.”

  Coleen’s eyes sparkled as her speaking became animated, “Well, I have a little background information on Ms. Emeri,” Leaning into Chris as if about to tell a grand secret she continued,

  “Turns out her issues run deep. Camille told me Emeri confided in her once and said that she was molested as a child.”

  Chris didn’t think it was possible for him to be any more shocked than he already was. He stood corrected. His mind flashed back to his own demented childhood. He had never told anyone about the sexual abuse his father had inflicted on him as a child. When his mother found out she immediately kicked his Dad out and divorced him and his Dad had moved to New York somewhere. Chris remembered vowing to hunt his father down when he was able to do so, but he’d never gotten the opportunity. His father had been found murdered in an alley his throat slit.

  As far as Chris was concerned, that death had been too good for his father. Chris wished he would have suffered more. The only thing he hated more than that was he had his Dad’s name.

  Copyright © 2010 Mychea

  105

  Vengeance

  Mychea

  Chris Thomas Jr. All the kids around the neighborhood used to call his Dad Mr.CT and they called him little CT.

  That may be the reason Chris could never forgive Haven. Of all the things she could have sent him to jail for, she had claimed rape. Just the thought of it disgusted him. After the childhood he’d lived he would never rape anyone. The false accusation and serving time for a crime he didn’t commit was too much for him. He would never forgive her.

  Shaking his head trying to clear his mind of his hated memories, he turned his attention back to Coleen.

  “What does that have to do with her causing a fire?” He asked her.

  “It shows a pattern of her mental instability.”

  Chris wondered what school Coleen received her PhD from, because she sounded dumb.

  “Coleen, everyone already knows Emeri is mentally unstable. She plead guilty by way of insanity in a murder trial. Doesn’t take a genius to see the girl has issues.

  Coleen thought about that for a moment. Chris had a point. Emeri already had a pattern of being psycho. Biting down on her lip, she was at a loss of what to say.

  Feeling like their conversation was concluded; Chris stood to make an exit. Kissing Coleen on the forehead, he said, “I know you want to blame Emeri, but without proof or motive you have nothing to go on. Let the authorities do their job. If she’s guilty they will handle it and this time I’m sure they won’t let her loony ass out.”

  Tears slid down Coleen’s face. “I miss my sister, my son doesn’t have a father. I know Emeri did this.” Wiping the tears with her hand, “I know she did,” she whispered again.

  Pulling her into a hug Chris held her as he released his own tears for their loss.

  Chris couldn’t believe what Coleen had told him earlier that day about Camille and Emeri. He never would have guessed anything was up with the two of them, he just thought they were friends. The fact that Coleen also suspected Emeri of being connected to the fire that took Camille’s life was crazy, but believable, because who knew what Emeri was capable of.

  Coleen knew Chris had a point. Without any real proof, she couldn’t wage a full out war with Emeri. She had a child to look after and knowing what Emeri was capable of, she needed to relax. She was still concerned about the fight they’d had on the day of Kenneth’s funeral. She had no idea what came over her that day. But back to back funerals for Camille and Kenneth Copyright © 2010 Mychea

  106

  Vengeance

  Mychea

  must have had her on edge and Emeri’s smug face was too much for her that day. That whole scene was completely out of character for her, completely out of character.

  Naima had just said goodnight to Kalani and was closing his bedroom door when Kaden let her know she had a phone call. Hoping it wasn’t Haven with more Chris drama, she braced herself, answering the phone cautiously.

  “Hello.”

  “Hello Naima.” The person responded back. Naima waited patiently for them to continue since she was not readily able to identify the voice on the other end of the phone.

  “It’s Coleen.” Naima groaned inwardly. She did not feel like any drama tonight. She just wanted to go to bed with her husband and that’s it. Was that to much to ask?”

  “Hi Coleen. What can I do for you?” Naima asked rather coldly. Women like Coleen offended her sensibilities. They were the women that she had been fighting to keep out of Kaden’s life for as long as she could remember. These women set the whole women’s movement back by centuries with their foolish behavior and not finding fault in sexing and loving married men that would never be completely theirs, ruining lives with their unbelievable selfishness.

  Coleen knew she was treading on thin ice with Naima, but she had to try.

  “Naima, I know I’m probably the last person on earth you want to speak with, but I’m just asking that you hear me out.”

  Giving Kaden the evil eye for handing her the phone to begin with, Naima went into their room and sat on the bed so she could give Coleen her complete attention.

  “I’m listening.”

  “I know, you’re probably as upset as your mother about this whole ordeal. I’m asking if we could put all differences aside and focus on Justin. He is the innocent here and I want to do right by him.”

  Naima almost laughed out loud. How could one do all the wrong things and then turn around and try to make all those wrongs seem right?

  “I do agree that Justin is the innocent in this crazy situation,” Naima began slowly, “but, I’m confused as to what you want me to do.”

  Clearing her throat Coleen responded. “I was hoping you could talk to your mother about
a possible inheritance for Justin. I want him to have something of his father’s when he gets older.

  Copyright © 2010 Mychea

  107

  Vengeance

  Mychea

  Naima shut her eyes in exasperation. “Coleen, I cannot promise you anything. My mother will do what she wants to do. But, what I can say is she’s always fair, right now she’s angry and hurt.

  She needs time to heal. I’m sure she’ll contact you when she’s ready.”

  “But that’s no guarantee.”

  “Nothing in life is a guarantee. We just take the cards we’re dealt and play them to the best of our ability, rolling with the punches. You’re a therapist, you should know this.” Naima could not believe she had let this woman counsel her child.

  “It’s a little different when you have to apply it to your own life.”

  “I’m sure it is. Was there anything else that I could help you with?”

  “Well,” Coleen proceeded with caution, “I was wondering if you would be willing to spend time with Justin? You are his older sister; I would love for him to get to know you.”

  Naima shook her head, rubbing her hand over her face. She was tired of this crazy rollercoaster ride of a life. Why was life never simple and so complicated?

  “Coleen, you never sought out our interaction before, why do you want to now? He’s been my brother since he was born.”

  “I know, but his father was around. Now he doesn’t have that. I want him to know all of you and thus be able to understand his Dad when he’s older.”

  Naima finally did laugh then. “I had thirty-two years with my Dad and don’t understand what was going on with him. I doubt Justin will be able to since he’ll never know him.”

  “Please Naima.” Coleen hated to sound like she was begging but what choice did she really have?

  Naima was softening. How could she not? She had a three-year-old brother that was too cute not to spoil.

  “Ok Coleen, you can bring Justin by sometime. I won’t mind. But as far as my mother is concerned, that whole situation is between the two of you. I have nothing to do with it.

  “Ok, fair enough. Thank you so much for agreeing to be a part of Justin’s life.”