by Red Snapper
Chapter 18 – Tangie
May 1989
Olathe General Hospital
Olathe, Kansas
Grandma filled her glass with ice cubes and poured cranberry juice over them. She tried desperately to relax as they waited in my maternity room as she was pacing the floor. I’d been in labor for at least three hours as my Grandmother and my Papa tried their best to come to grips with me having this baby. I told myself, by the time Grandma finished her cranberry juice, I would have delivered this baby, once and for all. But she drank the cranberry juice, the ice cubes melted and became tepid water, and I continued to lie in my hospital bed, in extremely pain. LaVette had her baby girl about two weeks ago in Atlanta where she now lives with her cousin. She named her baby girl Vikki…yeah…Vikki Reynolds is a beautiful name. She sent me pictures of her and I must say that she is really adorable. I didn’t see any resemblance of Roscoe though but it’s still too early for that. I’m just glad she and the baby made it out healthy and strong. Roscoe told me once that if he ever had a son that he wanted to named him Wayne, because he felt that was a stronger name for a male then Roscoe Junior. I don’t know what I’d do it I have a girl. I haven’t really put much thought to a girl baby’s name, but I know that this is a possibility. Although, if I did have a girl, I wouldn’t mind, because I would love her and cherish her, making sure she wouldn’t have to go through the same kind of shit that I’ve been through. Trust me…when I get up out of her I will take my baby and raise her right.
As the pain increased, I tried to endure it. I wanted to have my baby without any medication. I wanted to do it all natural like my mother did for me. I was determined to do this and I knew that this would make me cherish my baby more. I already loved my child and I haven’t seen it yet. I don’t know what I’d do if I lose this baby. Suddenly, I started to feel an excruciating pain in my lower abdomen and I screamed to the top of my lungs. I knew something was wrong as my Grandmother ran out the room to get the nurse. When she came in she looked at my Papa and said, “The baby is turned wrong…we need to do a Caesarean section!”
He looked at her confused as he responded, “A what…whatcha want to do to my daughter?”
“Sir…a Caesarean section is a surgical procedure in which incisions are made through a mother's abdomen and uterus to deliver one or more babies.” “It is usually performed when a vaginal delivery would put the baby's or mother's life or health at risk!” “We have to get this baby out of her now…she’ll die or lose the baby if we don’t get her to surgery now!”
As soon as she finished her sentence, the doctor came rushing in as he asked the nurse about my status. He immediately came over to my bed and said, “Ms. Laurie I need you to relax, I need you to try to breath a normal as possible.” “I have to get your permission to take the baby…it is our only chance for you and the child to survive.” “What do you want me to do?”
I was in so much pain I could hardly comprehend what he was saying as I replied, “Doctor…please don’t let me lose my child!” “Please promise me that you’ll save my baby!”
He shook his head in the affirmative as they prepared to take me into the delivery room. I could hear my Papa ramping and raving about saving me instead of my child, I knew he didn’t really want me to have this baby, especially because it was the child of a hustler and pimp. I could hear him faintly in the distance as he yelled, “Doctor…save my daughter…I don’t care if the baby doesn’t make it, but you BETTER save my daughter!”
All I could do was let the tears fall as I closed my eyes as a sharp pain streaked through my body. I grabbed the nurse’s hand squeezing tightly until the pain subsided. As we arrived into the delivery room, I remembered the Anesthesiologist as she placed the mask on my face and began to administer anesthesia. I was trying to keep my eyes open as I tried to tell them, “Please don’t let my baby die...don’t …let my child…!”
I when immediately into this trance as the doctor and nurses delivered my child. As I lay there in pure oblivion all I thought about was Roscoe, I really wish he could have been her with me for this moment. I know he would have enjoyed this moment, seeing his child being born. I drifted in and out for what seemed like hours before I could come to grips with myself I heard the cry of my child as it began to get faint and I tried to get out of the bed. I was just too weak to raise my arms or legs. The shadow of my baby of one of the nurse’s carrying my child to another room was vague but I could tell it was my child. I wanted so desperately to see the baby and to hold it but the nurse would not give me the baby. I knew something was desperately wrong when I heard a voice say, “Take the baby girl down to the holding area and wait for further instructions.”
I tried to yeah out but I couldn’t get my voice to come out of my mouth as I drifted into a deep sleep.
*****
I woke up feeling extremely tired as the first person I saw was my Grandmother standing over me. I looked up at her and asked, “Where’s my baby?” “Where is she?”
She smiled as she replied, “Calm down baby…you need to relax…you’re had a tremendously tiring three days.”
I sat up slowly as I replied, “THREE DAYS…I’VE BEEN OUT FOR THREE DAYS?”
Sonja stood up from the chair she was sating in and slowly strolled over toward me saying, “Tangie…you were in extreme pain, it was for the best that you got your rest.”
I looked at her and said, “Who let this bitch in here…she ain’t family…GET HER OUT OF HERE!” “Where’s my Papa and where’s my baby?” “I want to see the doctor I need to see somebody NOW!”
I was really furious and I wanted to see my baby girl! I knew it was a girl because I heard them say it as they took her away from me. The nurse came rushing in as she came toward my bed. I looked at her and said, “Where’s my baby…what did ya’ll do with my child?”
The nurse looked at me with a surprise look on her face as she replied, “Ms…you must calm down…let me get you something to relax you.”
“NO DON”T GAVE ME NO MORE DRUGS…I WANT TO SEE MY BABY!”
I tried to get out of bed as two other nurses came into the room and held me down. My Grandmother and Sonja were both just watching as the nurses strapped me to my bed. I shook my head back and forth as the nurse took out a syringe with some type of sedative and began to stick it in my saline drip tube. I looked at my Grandmother as I began to feel the effects of the drug taking over me. She walked over toward the bed and said, “Your Papa knows what’s best for you Tangie…your child will be taken care of by someone who will love her and see that she has everything she needs.”
At that point...the hate in my heart for my Grandmother escalated as she laughed and then grabbed Sonja’s hand as they walked out of the room. All I could do was lay there as the sedative took control of me. I was high as a kite as I drifted into hallucinations, seeing Roscoe walking in the room with me, standing over me as he said, “Damn baby girl…what did they do to you?”
Just as I was about to speak to him the nurse walked in carrying my little bundle of joy as I slowly raised myself up to hold her. As I took my tiny little girl in my arms I knew then that I would never give her up. I immediately fell in love with her all over again as I looked into her little hazel eyes. The nurse smiled as she asked me, “Does she have a name?” Miss…what is the baby’s name for the records?”
I looked at my child and smiled as I replied, “Her name is going to be Waynell… Waynell Elaine Laurie.” The nurse wrote the information down on the documents and then asked me to sign them.
I asked, “What are these documents…is this for the birth certificate registration?”
The nurse smiled as she replied, “Why yes…yes Ma’am.” “These documents will be signed by the doctor then sent downtown for processing a birth certificate for your baby girl.” “I must say she is quite a sweetheart!”
I looked at her with delight. I was so happy to see my child that I didn’t take time to read those papers. I just signed them and
quickly gave the clipboard back to the nurse.
Suddenly my Papa strolled into the room, walking over toward my bed and grabbing my hand. I knew immediately something was wrong when he bend down ensuring I could hear his voice as he said, “Baby…I know you don’t understand right now, but when this all ends you’ll be better off…hell you might even be glad that I put your bastard child out.” “We don’t need this in our family and I know what’s best for you…you’ll see!”
“You tricked me…YOU TRICKED ME!” “PAPA HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME…HOW COULD YOU?”
He just stood there letting out a sinister laugh as he and the nurse strolled out the room. I was totally devastated as I lay back down on the bed crying my eyes out. I hated him and everyone associated with taking my child from me. I felt like I was dying as I told myself that I would get my revenge for them taking my child. I vowed to get her back if it took the rest of my life doing it, I would do it. The one thing that kept me from losing my mind was the fact that they allowed me to name my child. I would always remember her name and I would search the ends of the Earth to get my baby back!
Her name kept running through my mind as I lay there, “Waynell Elaine Laurie…. Waynell Elaine Laurie… Waynell Elaine Laurie.”
That’s when I knew…that’s when I decided to put my plan into action. I was going get my baby and my revenge on everyone who fucked over me! This was all I thought about…this was my driving force.
*****
Several weeks passed since that awful day at the hospital. I stared out the window of my room, trying to decide what would be best for me to do. LaVette, I thought. LaVette could advise me. Impulsively, I reached for the telephone, dialing LaVette’s number. As I waited for her to answer the phone I thought, “I need to get Sonja to turn against Big Momma and Papa, but how?”
Suddenly, LaVette answered the phone, “Hello.”
“Hello…LaVette…it’s me Tangie!”
“Girl I have been so worried about you…what’s going on…why haven’t you called?”
“Well, girl…I’ve been going through some stuff since we lasted talked.”
“You told me you’ll gonna call me when you had the baby…what happened?”
“Well, I had my baby…it’s a girl, but LaVette you’re not going to believe what my Papa did…he took my child from me!”
“WHAT…HE DID WHAT?” “Where’s your baby Tangie?”
“He tricked me into signing some temporary custody papers, turning my child over to some couple who lives in an undisclosed location.” “So, now I have to find her so I can get her back!”
“Whatcha gonna do girl…you gotta get your baby girl back!” “What’s her name?”
“I named her Waynell Elaine Laurie”
“That’s a beautiful name…whatcha need me to do?”
“Nothing yet…I’ll let you know as soon as I initiate my plan!” “I’m getting off this phone now…I’ll be in touch!”
Quickly hanging up the phone, I quickly strolled over to the mini bar and poured myself a glass of Cristal. I slammed it down my throat and quickly poured another glass when suddenly there was a knock at my door. I frowned as I slowly strolled toward the door and asked, “Who is it?”
The voice from outside replied in a very sensuous tone, “It’s me…Sonja…can I come in?”
I thought, “What the fuck is she doing up here…maybe this is my chance to get this bitch to do what I need her to do!”
I straightened my blue Shawl Collar Satin Robe as I slowly opened the door glaring at her, “You got some nerve coming up here…whatcha want?”
She smiled as she replied; “Now Tangie don’t be like that…I just wanted to come and apologize to you for everything that has happened…I feel really awful!”
I left the door open as I strolled back toward the bar. She sauntered into the room wearing this black sheer illusion gown with a pair of Crisscross Sandals with rhinestones straps and 4” stilettos heels. Her hair was flawless and her make-up looked as if she just came from a glamorous photo shoot. I glanced at her as she strolled toward the couch and sat down, crossing her sexy curvy legs, ensuring that I could get a clear eye full.
“Do you want something,” I asked as I poured myself another drink.
She shook her head in the affirmative and said, “Yes…I do.”
“What would you like?”
“Whatever you want me to have…it’s your…bar.”
I looked at her like she was crazy as I just smiled and then poured her a glass of Cristal.
Putting the bottle down on the bar, I slowly strolled over toward the couch with both glasses in my hand and then sat down next to her. She turned toward me slightly taking the glass and thanking me as she began to sip from her glass seductively.
I must say that her lips looked appetizing as she placed them softly on her glass. I wanted to hate this woman, but I was so intrigued with her I couldn’t stand it.
I looked at her and asked, “What are you doing here?”
“I just wanted to know if you had time to think about my little proposition that we talked about several months ago.”
I looked at her puzzled as I replied, “You know you’re gonna have to refresh my memory…what proposition?”
She handed me a card that had inscriptions in Creole. On the front it read, “Laissez l’amusement commencer.” (Let the Fun Commence) I turned it over and on the back it read, “Une fois que vous allez noir vous ne reviendrez jamais"(Once you go Black you never go back!)
As soon as I saw the card that conversation immediately refreshed in my mind as I looked at her and said, “Yeah…that special meeting...what about it?”
She gazed at me with a serious expression as she replied, “I want you to come with me to this special meeting.”
“When?”
“In about two hours.”
“What…in two hours…this meeting is in two hours; you didn’t give me any time huh?”
She smiled as she replied, “You’ll be really surprised when you see what’s really going on.” “Just trust me okay?”
I looked at her as I thought, “I know this is some big meeting with some freaky people, but I’m game…besides this will be a chance for me to get her to tell me where my baby is.”
“What time are we going,” I said as her face immediately lit up with delight.
“I’ll get the driver to come around in an hour…meet me out front then…I know that you don’t care for me but I thank you for trusting me.” “I promise you won’t regret this!”
I smiled as we walked over to the door. As I opened the door to let her out she quickly kissed me on my lips, which startled me. I glanced at her as she smiled and said, “It’s gonna be fun!”
An hour passed as I made my way down to the limousine. As soon as I got to the front door of the mansion, the driver immediately opened the car door allowing me to enter. As I got in Sonja was already in the car, with a glass of Moet in her hand. She quickly poured me a glass as the limousine began to move down the winding driveway. We drove around town for at least twenty minutes before we finally stopped at this discreet little mansion on the city’s west-side. It sat just to the end of this cul-de-sac toward the left. As we approached the villa, I felt myself getting a bit warm as I asked her for another glass of Moet. I was getting extremely hot and I didn’t know why. I felt myself as now feeling extremely horny, drinking down the glass of Moet, trying to quench my thirst. I gazed over to Sonja as she just smiled and asked, “Are you alright my dear?”
I begin to giggle uncontrollably as the limousine stopped directly in front of the mansion entrance. I tried to get out of the car before the driver could get around to opening the door as Sonja grabbed my arm.
“Tangie…just relax…were going in together okay?”
I nodded my head in the affirmative as we got out the limousine and strolled up to the entrance. She showed the doorman the card and he immediately opened the door allowing us to go in the buildi
ng. Once inside I noticed that the place was extremely dark in the halls. The only light in the area was from the small floor runner lights along to hallway. We continued down a long corridor until we reached a dressing room. Sonja walked over to the closet and took out some very sexy lingerie and said, “We can relax in here for a while…change into something more comfortable and then we’ll join the rest of the guest shortly.” The way I was feeling right now, I didn’t care. I just wanted to get out of my dress and into something silky as I looked at the lingerie Sonja picked out for me. I removed my sundress and my panties and slipped on this white very sexy lace and fishnet Chemise with matching G-String which hugged my crotch perfectly. I slipped on a pair of white satin bow slippers which had 3 ½ inch heels and walked over to the mirror to look at myself.
After a few minutes I heard Sonja coming back into the room as I turned around to face her. She smiled and reached her hand toward me as she said, “You look absolutely fabulous!” “Come…let us go and meet the rest of the guests.”
We walked down the hall a little further until we reached a large room that had low lighting. We stopped to talk to the bouncer that was stationed just outside the room. After Sonja spoke with him he smiled as he said to me, “Welcome to the Guild…it is an honor to have you here this evening.” “Enjoy!”