But this was just disrespectful. This was his only sister’s funeral. She was dead, and they needed to prepare to have her properly buried. Uncle Bobby was being ridiculous now.
“His phone is still going straight to voice mail. I think something’s wrong. Uncle Bobby is a trip, but he has always taken care of Mama.” Francine sounded a little worried.
Tameeka was still upset, so she wasn’t trying to hear it. “Whateva. I say let’s go. We can go, make the arrangements, and just tell him how much it’s going to cost.”
At that instant, Francine’s phone rang. She answered quickly, assuming it was Uncle Bobby, finally.
“Hello.”
“This is Frank Harris. I’m Robert Taylor’s attorney. Is this Francine Taylor?”
“Yes. What’s up with my uncle?”
“Mr. Taylor was arrested at the airport when he departed the plane. The warrant stated he was being charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to sell and transport drugs, and international drug trafficking.”
“What!” Francine’s scream got the immediate attention of Tameeka and Sha’Ron.
“What’s wrong?” Tameeka asked.
“What happened?” Sha’Ron asked.
“What do we need to do?” Francine asked the attorney.
“There is nothing you can do. He has not gone before a judge yet, but those charges will not allow bail of any amount. The district attorney seems to have a very good case; wiretaps and video surveillance. I’m going to have my work cut out for me, but I’m going to do my best. It will be a few days before you will hear from your uncle.”
“But our mother, his sister, just died. Will he be able to attend the funeral?”
“I highly doubt it, but I will see what I can pull off. Just make the arrangements and give me a call. Your uncle is still paying the bills. Don’t worry about that. By the time you all get back to me with the amounts, I should have more information for you.”
Francine disconnected the call but held the phone, staring at it as if it were the actual object of all the stress she and her family had endured for the past two-and-a-half years.
“Frannie, you’re pale. What the heck has happened now?” Tameeka asked.
“Uncle Bobby is in jail.” Francine explained everything to them as Mr. Harris had explained it to her.
“This is not happening. This is not freaking happening. Not today. Shaun is dead. Mama is dead, and Uncle Bobby is about to go to prison for the rest of his life, so he may as well be dead too.”
Tameeka stormed from the dining room and back toward the bedrooms. Sha’Ron just sat silently in his chair wondering what would happen next.
“Come on. Get your coats and let’s go. We still have a funeral to plan for our mother,” Tameeka said angrily.
Francine and Sha’Ron sat staring at Tameeka for a moment as if she had lost her mind.
“Come on! We can’t help Uncle Bobby, so sitting here feeling sorry for him or for ourselves is not going to help anybody. My mama deserves a proper burial. So let’s go and plan one for her before the funeral home closes.”
Tameeka left the dining room and headed out the door as if she would go without Francine and Sha’Ron if they didn’t get it in gear. Obviously they believed she would because they grabbed their coats and followed her quickly.
The Vincini family was in the car leaving Dr. Hooper’s office. They decided to have dinner first at the Olive Garden Restaurant; then they would see whatever PG-RATED film they could find at the theater.
Dr. Hooper explained to Lindsay and Cody that grief and even anger after death are normal. But the extra drama like the fighting and the paternal family’s hatred of their mother moved the negative emotions of these kids to dangerous levels. Dr. Hooper’s first suggestion was that she talk to the kids on a weekly versus biweekly basis for the time being. Second, she suggested that they keep things at home as healthy, normal, and happy as possible. The kids needed a little extra care in order to balance the chaos they would experience up to, and even beyond, the funeral. Third, Dr. Hooper suggested the kids attend the funeral, but Lindsay should stay as far away from the Taylors as possible. The kids did not need to witness any more of that negativity. Lastly, while the adults could not control what the Taylors said about Lindsay, they were not to say anything negative about the Taylors in front of the kids.
Lindsay thought about how good God is as the family drove to the restaurant. The Holy Spirit had already given Cody and Lindsay guidance on how to best deal with the children. God also gave them the insight to prearrange their outing even before they saw Dr. Hooper.
“Mom, should I call Sha’Ron to check on him and the funeral arrangements?” Shauntae asked.
“Sure, sweetie.”
Shauntae placed the call, but by the time Cody parked the car at the restaurant, she was visibly shaken. She disconnected the call with her big brother after never uttering a word between “hello” and “talk to you later.”
“Mom, there’s more bad news. Uncle Bobby got arrested today when he got off the airplane. Sha’Ron said the charges against him will probably land him in prison for life. He won’t even be able to go to Grandma Pat’s funeral.”
Lindsay and Cody looked at each other shocked. Neither was very upset or surprised at Uncle Bobby’s arrest, but they were both thinking that it could not have come at a worse time.
“I’m not that upset about Uncle Bobby, Mom. I hardly knew him. I’m just worried about Sha’Ron.”
“I’m sorry about this for Sha’Ron too, but, honey, Uncle Bobby is a big drug dealer. You can only get away with doing bad for so long before it catches up with you.” After Lindsay had spoken, she hoped her words hadn’t qualified as the negative Dr. Hooper had said they not speak against the Taylors.
“I understand. The funeral will be Friday at 10:00 A.M. at Swanson Funeral Home on Six Mile Road,” Shauntae said solemnly.
“All right, we’ll make arrangements for you and your brother to be there with the family.”
“I think we need to pray before we go into the restaurant,” Cody said. “Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes.” Everyone complied. “Father God in heaven, we come before you, Lord, with praise and thanksgiving on our lips. Lord, we come to give you thanks, Lord, for how you have kept this family through all of the tragedy of these past few days. We are praying, Lord, for our children who have had bad reports and witnessed depressing actions. Lord, they have had to deal with death and devastation in their family. I come, Lord, praying that you give them divine comfort for their spirit and souls. Help Lindsay and me to be for them what they need us to be. I come praying, Father, for the Taylor family as well. They too are being persecuted on every hand. Touch them, Lord, as well. And, Father, I pray that they find the miracle of the free gift of salvation in all of this pain and suffering. We ask that you bless this food we are about to partake of. Remove from it all impurities and allow it to strengthen our minds, bodies, and spirits in Jesus’ name ... Amen.”
The family said in unison, “Amen.”
Chapter Fifteen
Sha’Ron had just changed his clothes. He had put on the suit he wore to church last Sunday to wear to his grandmother’s funeral. Then he realized that the funeral was not going to be in a church and his grandma was never a very formal type of person. So he dressed for the memorial in a style more befitting of who she was.
He threw on a pair of Rocawear blue jeans, a yellow, long sleeved Rocawear Polo shirt, and a pair of yellow and white Air Force Ones. He looked at himself in the mirror and smiled for the first time since his grandma died.
“I’ve got you, Grandma.”
As Sha’Ron emerged from his bedroom, both Tameeka and Francine stared at him a little oddly.
“Boy, what do you have on? This is your grandmother’s funeral, not your girlfriend’s house party,” Tameeka exclaimed.
“I’m representing my grandma. She was not all flash and glam. She was neat and understated. She ne
ver fronted for anyone.”
“Don’t give him a hard time, Meeka. It’s not that important. At least he looks neat.”
Both Tameeka and Francine looked the part of grieving family in their black dress and black skirt suit respectively.
“Whatever. How are Shauntae and Li’l Shaun getting over here so they can ride with us in the family car? And why do they still call him Li’l Shaun? Can’t they just call him Shaun?”
“Tameeka, calm down. Keva is bringing Kevaun, Shauntae, and Li’l Shaun over here, remember? And don’t worry about what they call him. Let’s not make mountains out of molehills, not today.”
“Whatever.”
Francine decided to just ignore her sister. She assumed this was just a part of her grieving process. She was probably anxious to get this whole thing over with.
“Shauna is riding in the family car too, right? Tawanda better not be late like she always is. And there is not enough room for her in the car.”
“Whatever, Tameeka.”
The doorbell rang. Sha’Ron opened the door to find Shauntae, Li’l Shaun, Keva, and Kevaun on the snow-covered porch. Sha’Ron opened the screen door and let everyone in.
“Sha’Ron, why haven’t you shoveled that porch and walkway?” Keva asked.
The entourage entered the house kicking snow off of dress boots and high-heeled shoes. Everyone in this party was dressed in traditional funeral gear.
“Don’t come in here giving my nephew orders, Keva. He is not your child. He never was. His daddy never married you,” Tameeka griped.
Keva bucked her eyes at Tameeka’s very rude comment. Back in the day she would have cussed Tameeka out even in front of the children. She truly considered doing so now, but praise God, she was a different person now. Francine was not as tolerant of her sister’s rudeness, however.
“You know what, Tameeka? Maybe you need to go and lie down until we are all ready to leave. I’m thinking you are not feeling very well this morning.”
“Whatever, Frannie. You ain’t my mama. My mama is dead, remember?” Tameeka made that her parting snide remark as she went to do what her sister suggested.
“I’m sorry about that, Keva. Tameeka has been on one all morning, in actuality, she’s been on one all week.”
Francine approached Keva for a warm hug. The two ladies used to be best friends when they were teenagers. In fact, Francine was a key factor in hooking up Shaun with Keva while he was involved with Lindsay.
“It’s cool. I know she’s grieving,” Keva replied.
Everyone found a seat around the living room and dining room as they waited for Tawanda and the limousine to arrive. The kids seem to gravitate toward one another, leaving Francine and Keva in the dining room out of earshot of the kids.
“So tell me how you and the evil queen Lindsay became such fast friends? Last I remember, you two hated each other. Every time you were in each other’s presence there was bloodshed.”
“That was a long time ago, Frannie. I would hope that all of us have matured since then. Nay-Nay and I have children that are siblings. We need to get along for their sake.”
“I hear you. But I don’t know if I can ever forgive her for killing my brother. Shaun may not have been perfect or a perfect boyfriend or husband, for that matter. But I don’t believe he deserved to die.”
“Frannie, you’re right. Nay did not have the right to kill him. But she did. And she did her time. Believe me, she is sorry. She’s lost a lot too. Her best friend was killed during that whole mess.”
“Don’t defend her to me, please, Keva; especially not today.” Francine became instantly angry.
Keva understood Francine’s disposition. Not wanting to escalate the tension she simply said, “Fine. Let’s just drop this whole conversation. Let me call Tawanda to find out where she is. I’m going to ride to the funeral with her.”
The doorbell rang as Keva dialed the first three numbers. Francine got up to answer the door.
“Dang! Why ain’t nobody shovel the dang snow?” Tawanda complained as she entered the house and handed her daughter to Francine. Francine, Keva, and all the kids laughed.
Tameeka came stomping out of the room at the sounds of joy. “What the heck is so funny? Why are you all out here having all this fun on the day we bury my mama?”
“Tameeka, hush and go get your coat. It looks like the limo just arrived. Everybody, let’s get ready to go. Tameeka, please bring that Bible you found in Mama’s nightstand.”
“No. You get it.” Tameeka left the room to get her coat and returned without the Bible. Then she walked out the front door.
“Oh, that girl.” Francine went to the room to retrieve the Bible herself. She returned and everyone filed out of the house and into either the limo or Tawanda’s car to head to the funeral home.
They all arrived at the funeral home, followed protocol, and viewed the body as a family of children and grandchildren. Sha’Ron took it the hardest at the casket and again when they closed the casket. He broke down and cried uncontrollably in front of his younger siblings and cousins. He allowed himself this moment of weakness, and it actually felt good.
Shauntae sat closest to Sha’Ron on the chapel pew. She cried as well, both for her grandmother and the pain her brother felt.
Suddenly she looked up and saw a man standing at the casket wearing an orange jumpsuit that said Wayne County Jail on the back. Immediately she recognized the man as Uncle Bobby. He was locked in chains at the wrist and ankles, and he looked shabby, unshaven, and frightening.
“Sha’Ron, come here, Nephew.”
Sha’Ron wiped his eyes and stood up to join his uncle at his grandmother’s closed casket. Two armed security guards stood just off to the side in the chapel.
“Uncle Bobby, what are you doing here? Your lawyer said you wouldn’t be able to make it.”
“Man, don’t worry about all that. What you doing crying over there like a little girl? You better man up, boy.” Uncle Bobby said that loud enough for the other family members to hear him. Then he lowered his voice when he dispensed his next advice. “How you gon’ be a soldier with them tears in your eyes? You got a task to complete, soon. I’m wondering if you can do it now since you over there acting like a female.”
Sha’Ron stepped back and eyed his uncle carefully. He was locked in chains, facing the possibility of life in prison with no parole, yet he was still trying to clown him and treat him like a punk. Sha’Ron’s already raw emotions exploded in anger.
“What, dude? You standing there in somebody else’s clothes, with yo’ little nannies watching you from over there, and you calling me a female? I cried because I loved my grandma and she died. That’s normal. Standing there in your clown suit with your matching clown jewelry is not. Kick rocks, jailbird. I got this. I’m gon’ do this my way from here on out.” Sha’Ron stormed out of the chapel.
Shauntae stood to follow him, but Keva stopped her.
“Let his aunts handle this.”
Shauntae started to defy her. Her big brother needed her. But she knew if she disobeyed and disrespected Ms. Keva, her mother would knock her out.
Francine and Tameeka both followed Sha’Ron out of the chapel. He was waiting inside the limousine, wishing he had driven instead so he could leave.
“Sha’Ron, you have to come back inside. The funeral is not over yet,” Tameeka said.
“I’m good. I said my good-byes. I’ll just wait in the car. Leave me alone.”
“All right now, boy, we know you’re upset with Uncle Bobby, but you won’t be allowed to disrespect us. So watch your tone,” Francine said.
“Look, my mama is dead. My daddy is dead. My grandma is dead. My uncle is a jailbird forever. I’m thinking I’ve run fresh out of relatives who can tell me what to do. So leave me alone!” Sha’Ron said even more emphatically this time.
Tameeka moved as if she were about to get in the car to attack Sha’Ron for being disrespectful, but Francine stopped her.
“C
ome on, Tameeka. Let him have this one. He’s hurting and grieving. He’ll apologize when things calm down, I’m sure.” Francine’s words were more of a declarative than an assumption.
The two women left Sha’Ron sitting in the limo and went back into the funeral home chapel.
Sha’Ron sat in the car thinking about the scene Uncle Bobby represented. Seeing him all shackled and enslaved threw him for a loop. Then to have him looking powerless yet still trying to throw his weight around was infuriating. How could someone who would never see the light of day again unless someone else died tell him what to do? No. He would have to figure out how to kill the witch on his own. He would actually start plotting today. He would follow Keva when she took Li’l Shaun and Shauntae home to find out where Lindsay lived. It was time to get this party started. He had lost too many people he loved. Now it was time for payback.
At the burial site Sha’Ron remained in the limousine. He did not want to be in the presence of his uncle. Now that the cars were pulling up to the house and he was assured that Uncle Bobby was back behind bars, he couldn’t wait to get out of the car. He felt like it had become his prison since he ran from the chapel.
He looked up and down the street for Tawanda’s car, but he didn’t immediately see it. No worries though. Keva’s car was still parked across the street, so they had to come back eventually.
Sha’Ron followed the small crowd into the house. His grandmother didn’t have many friends or any family outside of her brother, her children, and grandchildren. There were about twenty-five people total at the funeral, and that included Uncle Bobby’s attorney and the two security guards that were assigned to him.
Lindsay's Legacy Page 17