by Honey
“Miss Gypsie, you woke up.” Gem hugged her around her waist. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too, darling.”
Gypsie closed her eyes and basked in the love and affection her little divas were pouring all over her. It felt good to be loved. Oh, how she adored the little girls. They meant the world to her. The fact that she hadn’t given birth to them didn’t diminish her love for them one bit.
All of a sudden, Gypsie felt like she was being watched. Her eyes popped wide open and skidded over to Josiah. As expected, he was standing quietly taking in the love fest between her and his daughters. Still, without a word, he smiled and walked away toward the master suite.
Chapter Thirty-nine
“I’m glad we were able to reach an understanding on this issue, Dr. Bah. Attorney Gutierrez was shocked and very disappointed that the anti-bullying policy here at EUPA hadn’t been updated to include stricter punishments for verbal abuse and taunting. The board of trustees and the fundraising committee called for immediate action when I brought it to their attention.”
“I know,” she replied flatly with a roll of her eyes.
Josiah detected that the headmistress was quite pissed with him, but he didn’t give a damn. No child should be subjected to cruel ridicule and teasing. And if he or she did experience verbal abuse from another student at the prestigious private school, the culprit deserved to be punished.
Josiah became livid when he learned the little girl who had been mean to Gem had not been reprimanded. So, even while he was in Montana visiting Mink, he’d made time to reach out to the chairman of the academy’s trustee board and its chief fundraiser—both strong political supporters of his. Attorney Miguel Gutierrez and Professor Shanika Brown had assured him that they would handle the situation as expeditiously as possible, and they had.
“As I’m sure you’re aware, words can often slice deeper than a razor to the wrist. Some people’s tongues are so sharp that their victims would prefer a beating from them over a verbal assault.”
“That’s true, Mayor Bishop. Some psychologists say harsh words can be more hurtful and intimidating than a punch in the face.”
“Well, you should know all about that. Your words regarding the situation in my household disturbed my administrative assistant a great deal the other day when she came here on my behalf to attend to Gem.”
“But . . . but . . . I-I . . . I meant no harm, sir.”
“Yet, you upset Miss Robinson terribly. Not only were you out of order for broaching the subject of my personal life with my employee, but you were also downright insensitive to make the statement in the presence of my already upset daughter. Professionalism definitely escaped you that day. But that’s a subject Attorney Gutierrez and Professor Brown will take up with you later on today.”
“Today?”
“Yes. They’ll be here at one o’clock this afternoon with a few other board members to discuss the matter with you.” Josiah checked the time on his watch. “I have an important lunch meeting to attend. Have a good day, Dr. Bah.”
* * *
“What’s up, J?” Josiah sat down in the chair across the table from his brother.
“You tell me. You’re the one bouncing around smiling like a little boy on his birthday.”
“Life is good, man. What can I say? I just left the girls’ school handling business. Gem and Treasure will return to classes tomorrow.”
“Did you go in on that snobbish headmistress?”
“The trustees and chief fundraiser promised me they’d take care of her.” Josiah smiled at Jeremiah. “I saw the polling reports. We’re looking good in the final stretch of the campaign, bruh. And donations are stacked high. I’ll be able to help out fellow Democrats during the midterm elections with the surplus.”
“Yep.” Jeremiah nodded. “Tell me about your trip. How is Mink?”
“Mink is good, man. She’s grinding her way through recovery one day at a time. The girls and I enjoyed spending time with her. I hated to leave my baby up there, but she needs to complete the program. I plan to visit her again right before Thanksgiving.”
“Well, you know Mink and I have never been close, and we never will be. But I’m rooting for her to get her shit together.”
“Yeah, I know you’re not a fan of hers. And I get it. She’s caused major damage in my life, and because we’re identical twins, all those times she hurt me, it affected you as well.”
“Correct.”
“Well, that’s all in the past, J. Mink will be a different woman when she leaves Montana and comes back to the A to the girls and me. You’ll see.”
I doubt it, big brother, but for the sake of your sanity, I hope you’re right.
Jeremiah kept his opinion about Mink to himself for the remainder of lunch at Mama Fannie’s Kitchen. It was his and Josiah’s favorite soul food restaurant in Atlanta. The brothers focused on the last days of the campaign and the victory party that Gypsie and the rest of the staff were planning. They also brainstormed over some key points that would be included in his election-night speech as they devoured Southern fried chicken, collard greens, and baked macaroni and cheese. At the end of the meal, Josiah reached for his wallet, insisting that he treat Jeremiah for lunch. His face creased when he counted the thin stack of bills in his hand.
“What’s wrong, JoJo?”
“I think I lost some money.”
“Seriously? How did you do some careless shit like that?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t spend any money while I was in Montana because we never left the premises. All of our meals and activities were covered under my insurance and out-of-pocket payment plan.”
“When did you last open your wallet?”
“I remember opening it Saturday afternoon in the facility’s financial office when I put a lump sum on Mink’s expense account. I can’t have her walking around without her hair and nails done. And you know women need perfume, makeup, and girlie products.”
“True.” Jeremiah rubbed his chin. “Did you pay the cabdriver in cash after you and the girls arrived at the airport Sunday?”
“I did, but I paid him from the loose bills I had in my pocket. I didn’t touch my wallet.” Josiah exhaled. “Anyway, it’s all good. Let’s get out of here. Connor is probably clowning because we’re MIA while he’s running down the convention bureau’s income report.”
* * *
Mink looked around before she entered the supply room. She quickly closed the door behind her.
“So, now you know me again, huh?” Greg sneered. “Your old sugar daddy is gone bye-bye, so now, you’re back in my face.”
“Greg, I was just kicking it with Norm M. to get what I wanted. You know I wasn’t trying to diss you.”
“But you did. You hopped off my dick to ride his because he’s rich. You didn’t have any use for me no more. And then when your husband came, you really stuck your nose in the air. That was fucked up, Mink.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You ain’t sorry. Your ass is desperate. You need a fix. That’s how low-down dopeheads like you operate. You use people to get whatever you want.”
“Okay, you’re right, damn it! I’m in a bad way right now. I’ve been running on willpower, but that shit ain’t working no more. What you got? Norm M. told me he was going to hook me up through you. Do you have some coke?”
“Yeah, I got some. What you got for me, though?”
“Hold up now. Norm M. said he would make sure you had whatever I needed and all I had to do was come and see you.”
“As I said, I got the powder, but I ain’t about to just give it to you for free.”
“You evil bastard!”
Greg doubled over, laughing before his face turned as hard as granite. “I’m in control, bitch. If you want what I got, you gotta give me what I want.”
“I’ll give you $200 for a quarter ounce and a pint of liquor.” Mink reached inside her cleavage and pulled out the $540 she’d stolen from Josiah’s w
allet. She peeled off two crisp hundred-dollar bills and tucked the rest away in her bra. “Take it,” she said, offering Greg the money.
He snatched the cash and stuffed it in his pocket. “I’ll take your husband’s money, but you’re gonna have to get on your knees too.” Greg unzipped his pants. “You fucked with my pride. Money can’t make up for that.”
“Come on, Greg. I don’t want to do that. Take another hundred dollars.”
“Bitch, bow down.”
Tears pooled in Mink’s eyes, but she assumed the position because her body was craving cocaine. It wasn’t heroin, but it was the next best thing inside the center. And she needed it like she needed air to breathe. The crying baby had kept her up most of the night before, and she needed the booze and coke to help her relax and eventually put her to sleep.
“Ouch!” Mink wailed when Greg grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her face toward his exposed crotch.
She opened her mouth, and he shoved his stiff dick down her throat. She slowly began to suck as tears spilled from her eyes. She didn’t want to blow Greg after spending such a wonderful weekend making love to Josiah. Her husband had been faithful to her while she was jumping in and out of bed with different men for drugs. Mink had thought the arrangement Norm M. had made with Greg regarding her would put an end to her tricking days, but she’d been dead wrong. How had she been so fucking naïve?
“Ah, shit! Suck this dick, bitch. Suck it good, damn it. Aaaah . . .”
All of Greg’s moaning and cussing made Mink’s stomach churn. She was nauseated as hell and on the brink of throwing up all over his dick. Visions of getting high motivated her to finish the job, though, but it didn’t overshadow an idea she had in the back of her head. In the middle of the blow job, Mink came to a split-second decision that this would be her last time ever dealing with Greg for as long as she lived.
Chapter Forty
“Are you okay, baby? You sound tired.”
Mink released a frustrated breath. “I didn’t sleep much last night because I miss you and the girls so much. I couldn’t stop thinking about y’all. And today was a long day. There was a guest speaker in the afternoon group session, and I had a late appointment with the psychiatrist. So, I’m about tapped out.”
“Why don’t you take a long hot shower and turn in?”
“That sounds like a good idea, JoJo. I think I’ll do that.”
“What time will you be able to call tomorrow? I’m sure the girls would love to speak to you.”
“I . . . I . . . I’m not sure right now. Just kiss my babies and squeeze them tight for me. Tell them that Mommy loves them deeper than the bottom of the ocean.” Mink shivered from a cold flash as the salty taste of fallen tears settled on her tongue. “And I love you too, JoJo. I love you more than you’ll ever know. Always remember that.”
“I love you more, baby. No matter how rough things have been over the past two and a half years, I’ve never stopped loving you, and I never will. Go take your shower now. We’ll talk tomorrow. Good night.”
“Good night.”
* * *
“Shannon, please don’t scream,” Mink pleaded in a soft and calm voice.
“Uuugh!”
The midsize car swerved over into the left lane and skidded back to the right one with a jerk. Drivers in both lanes honked their horns and flashed their lights as tires screeched. Shannon looked in her rearview mirror with eyes as wide and as round as a pair of compact discs. She couldn’t believe that Mink was crouched on the floor in the back of her car. The sharp pain in her chest made her feel like she was in cardiac arrest. Warm urine saturated the driver’s seat and cascaded down her thighs and legs as a result of pure shock.
“How the hell did you get in my car?”
“I sneaked in early this morning before your shift ended. I had to get out of there, Shannon. Greg was driving me crazy. He’s an evil piece of stinking shit.”
“How did you get past the security cameras?”
“I paid that fat-ass security guard to turn them off for two minutes and turn his head while I ran out and jumped in your car.”
“Look, I don’t want any trouble, Mink. I’m going to turn around and take you back to the center. I can sneak you back into the building before anyone even notices you left. Everyone should be on their way to the cafeteria for breakfast right now. They probably think you slept in. I’ll turn around.”
“No! I’m not going back!”
“And I’m not about to lose my fucking nurse’s license because of you! I’ve worked too damn hard to get where I am. My children need me to keep a roof over their heads and food in their bellies. I need my job to do that, so I’m going to take you back right now.”
“Wait, Shannon! Wait! Just wait a damn minute! Um . . . um . . . Okay! Don’t take me back to Serenity Springs. It’s too fucking corrupt there. I can’t go back. Damn it!” Mink dropped her face into the palms of her hands. “Okay, take me to the airport. Yeah . . . um . . . Just drop me off and go. I swear I’ll never tell a soul you drove me there. You have my word.”
“Okay. I’ll take you to the airport. It’s over an hour away, but shit, I’ll take you to save my ass. But if you ever mention—”
“I won’t. I promise, Shannon. I won’t tell anyone.”
* * *
“In closing, I encourage each of you to reach up and grab your rightful portion of the vision of a stronger, more productive, and prosperous Atlanta.” Josiah turned around and faced Gypsie with a twinkle in his eyes. He smiled at her as her fingers clicked away on her iPad. “And as we move forward together in solidarity, let us—”
The door opened, breaking Josiah’s word flow. Jeremiah stepped into his brother’s office and closed the door behind him. “You know I wouldn’t have interrupted y’all if it wasn’t important, bruh.”
“What’s going on?”
“I answered a call on your private number since Gypsie transferred that line to my office phone. It’s a staff member at Serenity Springs. I put the woman on hold. Do you want me to kick the call back to you in here or would you rather take it in my office?”
Josiah looked at Gypsie and then refocused on Jeremiah. “I’ll grab it in your office. You and Gypsie can finish my speech.”
Josiah left his office and made his way to Jeremiah’s. A warning bell went off inside his head as he closed the door and made timid steps toward the phone on the desk. It felt like the room was spinning slowly, and the air was stiff and thick. He picked up the phone with a trembling hand and pressed it against his ear.
“This is Josiah Bishop.”
“Mr. Bishop, my name is Meredith Glanville, social service director at Serenity Springs Rehabilitation and Mental Health Center. Regretfully, I have some unpleasant news to report about your wife.”
Josiah swallowed the huge lump in his throat. “Just tell me.”
“Mrs. Bishop has left the facility, sir. We don’t know when she left or how she was able to exit the premises without our knowledge. But she’s gone, and most of her belongings are too. I assume she hasn’t reached out to you since you didn’t notify us.”
“No, I haven’t spoken to my wife since last night. Apparently, she left the center after our phone conversation.”
“We aren’t sure about anything at this time, sir. Our chief of security and his team are investigating the situation as we speak. I’ll update you as soon as more information is available.”
“I would appreciate that.”
“It’s our obligation to keep you informed, although Mrs. Bishop hasn’t broken any laws by leaving. She entered treatment at Serenity Springs on a voluntary basis. Residents that seek care at our facility on their own free will may leave at any time. But, of course, they place themselves and their guarantors at great financial risk.”
“I know.”
“Our staff is still very concerned about Mink, though. We’ll even accept her back into treatment here if she returns voluntarily within twenty-four hours of th
e time we discovered her missing.”
“That’s good to know. In the meantime, what can I do to help you find my wife?”
“You could contact her relatives and friends to see if she’s reached out to any of them. And let us know if she calls you.”
“I’ll do that. Thanks again.”
“You’re welcome. Good luck, Mr. Bishop.”
Josiah hung up the phone and immediately loosened the knot in his tie. He found it nearly impossible to take in enough air no matter how deeply he inhaled. Suddenly, Jeremiah’s office felt like the Sahara Desert. Every inch of Josiah’s skin was drenched profusely with perspiration. A sudden pain on the left side of his chest caused him to lose his balance and stumble forward. It was as if someone had driven a sharp dagger into his heart with unbelievable force.
Even as the world seemed to be spinning recklessly on its axis with the speed of light as dimness enveloped the room, Josiah remained cognizant. He clutched his heart with one hand and leaned forward onto Jeremiah’s desk for support. He gasped for the tiniest bit of oxygen while tears rolled down his cheeks against the excruciating chest pain. He tried to call out for help, but unfortunately, his dry, cottony mouth and the shortage of air robbed him of his ability to utter a sound.
Vivid images of Gem and Treasure’s smiling faces danced through his psyche. God, please don’t let me die! Have mercy on me for my daughters’ sake, please! Help me, Lord!
Something was terribly wrong. But God was merciful, allowing Josiah to have a split second of clear thinking even as a veil of darkness began to cover him gradually. He reached inside his pocket and removed his cell phone. Panting for every breath, he managed to steady his shaking hand enough to press the number 3 on his speed dial list. Josiah silently prayed that his lifeline would answer soon as sweat dripped from his brow, blurring his vision. Another piercing pain struck his chest, and all of the air instantly swooshed from his lungs. Josiah fell forward, knocking over a framed picture that crashed into a sterling silver clock. A loud clattering noise bounced off all four walls, rising above the phone ringing in his ear.
