Authors: Akilah Trinay
On the ride over to the hotel, she couldn’t help thinking about Charles. For some reason he was pulling on her heartstrings. Most of the time, she awaited his call because it was always on time with some sort of request of deliverance. She dialed his number from her Bluetooth that made driving and handling business calls more convenient when she was pressed for time. His phone rang a few times before his voicemail picked up.
“You know who this is and you know what to do. Holla at me at the beep.”
Beep
!
“Hey Pook! It’s Mama. You were on my mind so I called. Well I guess you are busy, probably with some heifer. Don’t bother calling back. I’ll be out. Come by and see me tomorrow. Love you son.”
The Marriott was just the way she left it the last time she had a late night rendezvous. She parked in the guest overnight parking to avoid having to valet in the front of the building. It was nobody’s business why she was there or who she was there to see. She conducted her final face and breath check, inhaled all of her frustrations, irritations and disappointment and exhaled her guilt and regret. This night was predetermined, necessary. She whispered a quick prayer to herself.
Lord, you know all about it. I’m not perfect, but I gotta do what I gotta do. Just watch over me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
She grabbed her silver Michael Kors clutch to match her silver pumps. She checked to make sure her pepper spray was still tucked away in the crevice of the inner pocket to use in the event of an emergency.
Luckily, the lobby remained primarily inactive. The hotel was selected for its proximity to the downtown area, if the desire was to go out for a night on the town full of drinking and dancing. The best part is that it catered to those traveling for business. It was very unlikely to run into locals that would ask a million questions about why you are staying in a hotel within the city that you reside. It would make one think to themselves why they are so concerned considering they are in the same predicament. Raquel made her way to the elevators. She pressed the button to go up to the seventh floor to room 731 just as she was instructed to do. She admired herself through the reflection of the elevator doors.
Damn, I look good!
“Raquel? Girl, is that you?” She was discovered, but by who? What were the odds that of all the nights she would run into someone she knew, in this hotel and this late? “Raquel, I know that is you.” The voice rang out.
Raquel slowly made an about face to greet the all too familiar voice. “Hey Lydia.” she greeted with as much enthusiasm as she could muster up, which wasn’t any.
“You look…” she looked her up and down fishing for the words to complete her sentence.
“I look good! I know that is what you were trying to say.” The sass from Raquel was beginning to emerge.
“I see you haven’t changed any.” Lydia added an extra perusal of her countenance and cut her eyes. “What brings you out so late? Still bed hopping like you used to do back in the day?”
“First of all, that is none of your business! I am a grown woman and make my own decisions. Be clear, I am not ashamed, which is more than you can say for yourself.” Raquel felt herself getting upset, taking her back to a time in her life that she worked hard every day to move away from.
“I’m just kidding with you Rocky. Calm down. We are grown women now and just like you said, all that is in the past. I don’t even speak to Charlene anymore. You have probably heard more from her than I have. After I had Lance, or when I found out I was pregnant, I stopped coming around as much. I didn’t want her to feel some type of way since she was having her own issues getting pregnant.” The elevator chimed to let Raquel know it was ready. She decided to let it go on. This was a conversation she needed to have.
“Well that makes two of us. I only speak to her when I have to or when Ed makes me. Considering our boys are so close, you would think that even
we
would have a better relationship.” Lydia sighed.
“Well, we all know you ain’t never had no man stick around, so the jury is still out on your miracle baby.” Raquel laughed at her own humor. “Now, since you are all up in my business; why are you here?”
“The only men my world revolves around are my son and my Jesus. I don’t need nobody else!” She looked up to the sky and waved her hallelujah hands. “But, anyway…Bank of America is having a conference here at the hotel and I never go away, so I decided to use this as a mini-vacation staying at the hotel overnight like an out-of-towner.” Lydia was proud. It was clear that she was unable to travel and get away much. Since she was often consumed with Lance’s life, she felt she might miss something; or worse, something happen and she wouldn’t be right there to save him. “Let me not hold you up though. By the looks of it, I don’t want you to keep that man waiting.” She smirked trying to maintain her serious face. Raquel only rolled her eyes in response. “By the way, how is Charles? I overheard Lance talking to him the other day when he came by the house. Is everything all right? Although I may not care for you at times, I do love your son like he is my own.”
“I bet you do.” Raquel tried her best to be polite and courteous, but she did not care for Lydia and her sneaky ways. She tried to put on to the world that she was a new woman, saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost, but Raquel knew otherwise. However, it was true, their sons were like brothers and she had the same love for Lance. “Charles is good. He got himself into a little trouble, but nothing that can’t be fixed.” The chiming sound of the elevator reminded her of her task at hand, and with that, Raquel hurried into the open elevator just in time for her to make her exit. She didn’t bother saying goodbye. Lydia was more than capable of knowing that their conversation was over.
The elevator seemed to take an eternity to reach the seventh floor. She glanced at her watch to see if the time was far later than she planned to arrive, and it was. Everything was already set in motion, no need of turning back. Three light taps on the door was all it took and the door was opened. Rose petals painted the pathway of the modestly sized suite, leading to the king-sized bed.
“I almost thought you were going to stand me up.” The deep, gentle voice sent immediate chills through her body. She was reminded why all of this was necessary and worth the hassle. He poured her a glass of red wine to calm her nerves. It was apparent that she was a bit uneasy about the whole ordeal that transpired downstairs. He gently kissed her forehead and moved down to her neck and shoulder.
“Your Honor? Hold up one moment.” Things were moving so fast it slipped out. Things were going faster than she expected. His soft touch was a bit overwhelming, but appreciated.
“In here, you can call me Fred. I’m not judging the case in here. It is just us, so no formalities. I’m not ‘Your Honor’ or Judge Price. None of that.” He removed the glass from her grip and placed it on the nightstand next to the bed. He used his hands to alleviate the tension in her shoulders. In between massage patterns, he placed light kisses on her neck and ear until he could feel her body begin to synchronize to his body rhythm. “I know this may be a little difficult for you, but trust me. When your son is cleared of all the charges, it will be all worth it. Plus, I like you. This doesn’t have to be a one-time agreement.” Raquel zoned out. His words became a faint sound in her subconscious catapulting her into a quiet place of relaxation and ecstasy. She laid back, closed her eyes, and let him take full advantage of her.
“Housekeeping!” Raquel lifted her head above the covers to check the time. All of her released tension exhausted her body and she didn't realize that she slept fully through the night. It had been her practice to get out of dodge before the rising of the sun if she could. To her surprise her late night lover had beat her to the punch. Judge Price had cleared the hotel room, leaving a note behind on the nightstand accompanied with small breakfast and a cup of black coffee.
It was nice. Thank you! You took care of me, so I will take care of you!
Fred
Although she felt a little cheap on the inside, it was well worth it. Judge Frederick Price was the ideal man to commit this type of crime with. He was tall, dark and handsome and knew exactly how to use what God gave him, even if he did not give it to him to be used in that way. Raquel smiled to herself knowing that she could check off one less problem, considering her son seemed to always fall at the top of the problem list. It was imperative for her to clean off her sins before leaving the hotel. She turned on the water to the hottest temperature she could withstand and hopped in. She whispered another word of prayer as the water ran down her body.
The faint sounds of DMX’s voice sounded through the bathroom walls. Charles had finally decided to call her back. However, with all of the activity from last night and the fact she was a little tipsy, he could have called her back then without her knowledge. She grabbed her towel after she was thoroughly clean and checked her voicemail.
“Mama…Elijah is dead! I am trying my best not to bust a cap in someone’s ass. I can’t promise what I might do. I think I know who did this. It’s all my fault. Don’t call me back…I love you!”
Charles meant business. When he spoke in that manner, there was no convincing him otherwise.
How is it that I get him out of one situation and he falls into another? I can’t do this anymore!
She immediately called back to be directed to his voicemail. Again and again, she attempted to get him to pick up.
Voicemail. Voicemail. Voicemail.
She even aimed to get Lance on the line, but all she received was a disconnected message. It had been a time since she tried to reach him, so she figured he probably had his number changed. She had no other choice than to make that unwanted call.
Her hand trembled as each ring reverberated in her ear. She dreaded the day when she would have to call for his help. After all, he made no attempt to be there for her or his son after Edmond became a staple in her life. This time it was not for her to call on Edmond and jeopardize his whole family because of Charles. Now was time for his father to step up and shut all this mess down once and for all.
When it appeared as though the voicemail trend was going to be the theme of the day, he answered.
“Hello…Calvin…it’s me Rocky. I’m calling about your son.”
Chapter 8
They pulled up to the quaint 24-hour diner nestled on the corner of West Grand and Broadway. It was just after midnight and both Jamie Lynn and Lance were exhausted and hungry. The events of the evening created a void in their stomachs that was yearning for fulfillment. She turned down the evening’s soundtrack of slow jams, pulled her vehicle up into the open slot that was awaiting her arrival and placed the car into park. She held back a brief period before engaging Lance. For her this fared the perfect opportunity to talk without any interruptions, no engine rumbling and no crazy women.
"What was all of that about back there? That girl was crazy if she thought I was going to get out the car and fight her. I stopped fighting chicks in high school.” She spat out her question, following each word with a twist and turn of her neck ending with her arms folded and her lips pooched out to the side.
"Okay. I see you, Miss Sassy!" Lance chuckled a bit at her attempt to be forceful. To him she seemed so delicate. Her sophisticated appearance and aura made it difficult for him to believe that she even got into verbal spars with anyone. Yet he was impressed by the way, she maneuvered the car and had his back when she barely knew him at all. "I like your style."
He reached over and put his hand on the back of her neck massaging and rubbing her smooth soft skin. He stared at her with his soothing brown eyes, captivating her attention, attempting to look deep into her eyes to read her energy. She was such a beautiful woman, Lance thought to himself. Any man would be lucky to have her in their arms. He thought about how he reacted to his mom earlier and how she had done him a solid by requesting her to meet him down at the bar. The moment was magical. He could feel that she was into him, but he knew it was best to take things slow. He was always so hasty with getting intimate with the women he entertained. In fact, the only reason he entertained the women in his life thus far was for the sex. It was his release, his getaway from the trials and tribulations of life. Yet and still an obvious weakness.
Jamie couldn't help herself; her blushing and slight jitters gave it away. She was digging him. For her it was more of a treat because he was desired by other women and in her eyes, he was choosing her, even if only for the moment. She was a reserved type of girl, but in the hands of the right man, she would transform to be his every fantasy.
Her value and worth was important to her, so she was hesitant to jump in the bed with men she was not in a committed relationship with. She had seen so much in her lifetime that it made her cautious when dealing with men. Her father never married her mother and he brought around woman after woman with no desire or intention to live in holy matrimony. He revealed to her the mind of the man and the manipulation that they were capable of.
Men only want one thing and if they tell you otherwise, it’s a lie.
His words constantly rang in her mind. Although she was abreast of the game, it was still difficult to deny her emotions, her desires. His touch made her comfortable. For some reason, he calmed her soul. However, she remained committed to her game plan.
"What's on your mind?" Lance broke the silence as if he could read her thoughts still caressing her hair and neck.
"I'm just hungry. Let’s get in this diner so we can eat." The moment was too good to ruin it with talk about his previous relationships and poor taste in women. She tabled the conversation for another day and didn’t press the fact that he avoided her questions all together. Jamie Lynn motioned to open her door. When he stopped her, promptly hopped out to be the newly revived, chivalrous man and open the door for her.
His personal cell vibrated in his pocket. He closed her door and took a quick glance at the caller ID. Seeing it was Charles, he sent him to voicemail. He couldn't afford any more interruptions this evening. His time profited him to be occupied with his new lady. He gracefully slipped his hand into her hand, locking fingers as he escorted her into the restaurant as a message to any eligible bachelors in the vicinity that this woman was off the market; even if he had not purchased yet. He didn’t want to give her any more ammunition to blow off this evening before it had truly gotten started. He vowed to give her his undivided attention for as long as possible.
Once more, his phone vibrated, this time his alternate phone. The Metro PCS phone he gave out to the hoodrats he met. Charles again. Charles had a rule about being on the phone with another man. If it didn’t involve moneymaking or hustling, it was an emergency. Lance took the risk, sending him to voicemail again, hoping he would just leave a message for him to check later once they got settled inside or at least after, he secured that the evening would not bring about a nightcap. The phone chirped alerting him that Charles did, as he preferred.
They found a nice quiet booth in the diner and made themselves comfortable. The diner wasn't too fancy, more urban chic. The reviews described the place as a late night hot spot for good food at a decent price. Lance was a stickler for good food. If his mama wasn’t the chef, it had to be Grade A. The price was not a concern of his, as he made it a point to treat his ladies to the finest of dining.
There were a few couples scattered about the place engrossed in conversation over half-eaten meals, waiting the chance to devour the remnants once they reached their key point. In order to expedite the ordering process, Jamie Lynn excused herself to the ladies’ room to freshen up. She instructed Lance to order her something he thought she would like with an ice water and lemon. Now alone, Lance counted this the perfect opportunity to check his message from Charles.
"Lance, they shot him! He's dead. Elijah is dead! Bruh, where you at? I can't believe this is happening…Meet me at the crib when you get this message…Gone."
Click.
You could hear the outrage and desperation in his voice. He was fighting back tears, gagging on his words. The message didn’t provide answers. It was broken in meaning. There were too many unanswered questions.
Lance froze. He replayed the message repeatedly to ensure he was not having a nightmare. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Each time the message produced the same outcome. A tingling shot up his back, in his hands and feet. He didn't know how to receive the news he was hearing.
Straightaway, he got up and started pacing back and forth. He was shaking his head switching his hands from his head to his side with balled up fists swinging through the air. He grabbed glasses, silverware, napkin holders, salt and peppershakers; one by one from his table as well as nearby tables and flung them across the room. His anger was out of his control. He no longer had a grip on his emotions. He located the wall and hammered his right fist through the drywall, leaving a melon-sized hole.
The patrons in the restaurant just stood back and observed. They kept their distance sensing that he was capable of destroying anything that came his way. You could hear their whispers of disgust for a black man misbehaving in this manner in a public restaurant, without knowledge of the motive fueling his outrage. The owner of the diner wasted no time getting the local police on the line to assist in defusing the situation. With each toss of the table decorations, he shouted expletives, still punching the air space that stood in his path. His confusion overtook him. He was just with his friend moments before. He was his ride to The Shadow Bar to release his stress and just like that, he was gone. No goodbye or farewell. He was stripped of his opportunity of life. And just with a snap of a finger, he stopped. He dropped the contents that lay waiting in his palm for release. He had nothing left in him.
As soon as Jamie Lynn returned from the restroom, she sensed his change in demeanor. The fact that he had his back turned, standing with no movement startled her. She surveyed her surroundings. She cautiously approached him, but she stayed far enough to manage a safe distance away from his awkward behavior.
“Lance, are you okay? What’s wrong?” Lance didn’t speak any words to her. He stayed put with a blank stare. She ran to his aid, hoping he would answer and remove the distress she was experiencing on his behalf. He stood silent, his fists stilled balled. She had no other choice but to embrace him. His body instantly folded in her arms. His body weight overwhelmed her as she gently buckled to the floor with him still in her arms. He cried for the first time in years.
Most situations he was able to overcome without a flinch. This time was different. Elijah was one of his closest friends, his mentor, confidant, and brother. He was the last person he imagined something like this happening to. He didn’t have enemies. He worked too hard in the community to build relationships with the people around him. He was their protector though. He made sure that the enemies that wanted their blood, kept their distance. Jamie kept him in her embrace whispering
everything will be ok
as she caressed the crown of his head and wiped away his tears.
The police sirens were loud outside the diner. Three officers barreled in the establishment headed in his direction under the advisement of the owner. One officer had his gun drawn slowly moving in his direction, while the other officers trailed behind, ready for the command of the leading officer.
“Excuse me sir? Is there a problem we can help you with? We received a call that there was a disturbance.” The leading officer requested.
Lance didn’t budge. He remained in her arms hoping that they would get the hint that he had calmed down and depart to handle more important business.
“Excuse me sir, but I am going to have to ask you to leave. It looks like you have done some damage here and by the request of the owner; we need you to vacate the premises.” The officer was patient. He lowered his gun in recognition that he was not an imposing threat and provided wait time for Lance to comprehend his request and comply.
“Where were you when my boy got shot, huh? Did you even show up to the scene? But yet you are here giving me a hard time and I haven’t done anything to anyone,” Lance replied as his anger begin to well up inside of him.
Jamie Lynn interjected. “I’m so sorry, officer; but he is grieving. I will pay for whatever is damaged. Can you just give us a moment and we will be out of here? All of these officers are unnecessary. He is harmless.” She gave a look to the owner hoping he would honor her request and call off the dogs. The owner saw the sincerity in her and obliged.
“Thank you officers for coming down and responding, but I think everything is okay now.”
It was obvious the leading officer wanted to make some form of an arrest. It was written all over his face, but since the owner decided that he didn’t want to press charges they had no jurisdiction and evacuated the premises.
Lance still lay helpless in Jamie’s arms, as she remained clueless to the event that led to his breakdown.
“You gotta talk to me, babe,” she whispered to him. “I want to be able to be here for you.” Lance slowly lifted his head to meet her eyes head on.
“My boy Elijah just got shot. They shot him! He’s dead. He didn’t do anything and they killed him.” Jamie Lynn was even more confused. So many thoughts ran through her brain.
What was he really into? Was someone after them? Did she get herself involved in some mess?
“Who shot him?” she requested trying to get some answers that would provide clarity to the situation.
“I’m not sure, but I think I know who it was.”
“Who? Lance you have to talk to me.” Jamie Lynn was a bit frightened; it was more than she really bargained for. Multiple women in his life she could deal with, but death and violence was all too reminiscent of her childhood that she fought so hard to distance herself from.
“I don’t want to get you caught up in this!”
“I’m already in it. I’m here!” she pleaded.
“I don’t want to talk about it. Just get me out of here. I need to get to my boys. I wasn’t there when it went down. I wasn’t able to protect him like he has always protected me. Nah…I’m too busy tryin’ to smash.” He was beginning to work himself up again. The owner of the diner kept a close watch on him periodically glancing at the clock on the wall and the phone as if he was sending a telepathic message to Jamie that her grace period was about to run out. She was well aware and kick started “Operation Get Ghost.”