“Terrell told me you didn’t want to go shopping with him.”
I didn’t want to explain that I thought he had an attitude towards me, and I didn’t want to deal with him. It sounded childish actually. So, I kept it to myself.
“You’ll need clothes for the funeral, Angela. Terrell will stop wherever you want along the way. Make sure you get what you need. He’ll pay for everything.”
“Thanks, Poppy. I really appreciate everything you’re doing for me.”
“You’re welcome, Angela.” She smiled and hugged me gently. “Don’t watch too much of that stuff on television. It’ll drive you crazy.”
“Too late for that.”
I went back to my bedroom. I wanted to be alone. I wanted to reflect on my past. It wasn’t the best thing to do at the moment, but what else was there? Thinking of my mistakes was a form of punishment, and I deserved it.
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2009
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Terrell showed up at Poppy’s house around 7:30 in the morning. He met me at the bottom of the steps in the foyer. He didn’t seem so bothered to be around me anymore. We walked together to the front door, and I noticed there were men standing around. These guys were in black suits, and they had a serious look on their faces. They never stood still. One guy disappeared into the hallway and another guy would appear from another room. I didn’t see them yesterday, but I guess they could have been around. Maybe, they were in rooms I hadn’t seen yet. I wondered why she had so many strange men walking around in suits.
Poppy met us at the door and handed me a brand new phone. She said, “This is yours to keep. My personal cell is programmed into that phone. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me.”
The phone still had the protective plastic cover on it. “I’ve never had a phone like this before.”
“Terrell will show you how it works.” Poppy looked closer at the bruises on my face before continuing, “How do you feel?”
“A lot better than yesterday, but I’m still an emotional wreck.”
“It’ll take time, Angela. This trip will give you closer. It’ll help you move on with your life, and that’s what you need the most right now. You guys drive safe. Terrell, you know to keep in touch.”
He nodded without saying a word. He led the way to his red convertible, and he opened the door for me. I wasn’t expecting such chivalry. Maybe, he did it because Poppy was watching him. I threw my backpack in the back seat before getting in.
We were quiet for the first hour of our trip. The radio was playing Hip Hop, and Terrell was keeping up with the lyrics. He was in a good mood, bobbing his head to the beat. I was relieved because I didn’t want to deal with the awkward quietness or his bad attitude. It was going to be a difficult journey if he was going to act like an ass the entire trip. I closed my eyes, hoping the distance would pass quickly. I couldn’t wait to get to Fredericksburg.
It wasn’t too long before I felt the car stop unexpectedly, and when I opened my eyes, we were in front of a women’s store.
He asked, “Will this do?”
“Yeah,” I remarked.
Honestly, I wasn’t very excited about shopping, but there was no doubt I needed clothes. I picked out all kinds of dresses, shirts, skirts, pants, underwear, and shoes. I didn’t try on a thing. I wasn’t trying to be cute or trying to impress anyone. I just wanted comfort. Terrell found a seat in the store and remained there until I was done. Before I could pay for anything, he handed the cashier money.
“I’ll pay for my own things.” I stated.
“Stop being so stubborn,” Terrell remarked.
I was too embarrassed to say another word because the cashier was listening and watching us. She gave him change back, and we left the store. He carried all of my bags to the car, and he put them in the trunk.
We got back on the highway moving south at a good pace.
Terrell turned down the music and asked, “Where are you from?”
I was surprised he wanted to talk to me. I answered, “I’m from Colum, Alabama.”
“You never did tell me who hit you.”
“It’s none of your business, and it’s over with. I took care of the problem anyway.”
“Is it someone Poppy knows?” Terrell was trying to dig information out of me.
“No, she didn’t know him. I’m not going to talk to you about that, and don’t ask me anymore questions, please.”
“Angela, in this family, we take care of one another. We look out for each other. If one of us is hurt, then it affects all of us.” Terrell spoke seriously.
“There’s nothing anyone else can do about it, Terrell. Take my word for it.” I turned away hoping he’ll get the message that conversation was done, at least, for me.
“Poppy has talked about you before.”
“What did she say?” I asked with renewed interest.
“She wanted to reach out to you and your sister, but your mom wasn’t having it. From what I understand, she changed her phone number.”
“How do you know that?”
“Poppy didn’t tell you?” Terrell asked as he adjusted the air conditioner.
“We haven’t talked a whole lot.”
“Well, she should be the one to tell you what happened between her and your mom.”
“Did she tell you?”
“I’ve only heard bits and pieces, but if you want the whole story, you need to speak to Poppy.”
“I will.” I stated.
“So, where is Colum, Alabama?”
“It’s a small town west of Montgomery, Alabama.”
“Poppy used to live down there.”
“How did you meet her, Terrell?”
“Your dad introduced me. In a way he saved my life.”
“How did he do that?” I asked ready to hear this bit of shocking news.
“My mom tossed me out when she married her boyfriend. Two grown men couldn’t live under the same roof. That’s what he told me, and he was right. I hated that dude. Anyway, I was homeless, hustling on the street to get a dime, and I kept running into your dad. He told me if I wanted to get on my feet the fast way, I needed to hook up with Poppy. He introduced us.”
“She took you in just like that?”
“Yep, she knew my mom. I wasn’t a stranger.”
I asked, “So, what is it that you do for Poppy?”
“I do whatever she asks.”
“And what exactly is that?”
“If you stick around long enough, you’ll find out. How long do you plan on staying?”
I answered, “As long as she lets me.”
“You’re her niece, Angela. She’ll let you stay forever. She’s a true believer in family, and she’ll take care of you.”
Since he was opening up about Poppy a little, I asked, “Terrell, what is she really like?”
He looked straight ahead, thinking before he answered, “Poppy is a Nubian queen in my book. She has class. She’s a proud lady, very smart, nothing gets passed her. She’s on the real. She doesn’t mess around. When she wants something, she gets it without question. Everyone that works for her respects her and loves her. There are people that will die for her in a heartbeat.”
“It sounds like you love her more than your own mother.”
“I do.” He said with a deep conviction. “She’s treated me ten times better than my own blood.”
Just as he was about to say something else, his cell phone started ringing. “Holla,” he said. Terrell listened to the person and then answered, “Kenia, I asked Poppy, and she said no.”
My interest was heightened. Terrell was talking to my sister, and I actually wanted to speak to her. But his easy going demeanor disappeared. I had a feeling the conversation wasn’t going well.
“What you want me to do about it? I asked her, and she didn’t want you to go.” Terrell cut his eyes towards me as Kenia spoke again. “Stop nagging, girl. It’s going to be cool. I’ll call you later.” He closed the phone.
<
br /> “Is Kenia your girlfriend?” I asked.
“Yeah,” He said as the phone started ringing again. He turned it off.
“She wanted to come with us?”
“Yes, she did.”
“Poppy didn’t want her to go?”
“Kenia can be an issue sometimes,” Terrell carefully admitted.
“She’s my sister. I would have loved for her come along. I wished Poppy would have let her.”
“Believe me Poppy did you a huge favor. Kenia isn’t exactly a loving sister. You’ll have a chance to get to know her, and when you do, you might hate that she’s related.”
“That’s a nice thing to say, Terrell.” I remarked sarcastically.
“But it’s true,” he quickly added.
“She’s your girlfriend, right? Why you bad mouthing her?”
“I’m not bad mouthing Kenia at all. I’m just stating the facts, and despite how she acts towards everyone else, she’s got my back every step of the way. We’ve been in some serious shit together, and she stood beside me the whole time.”
Why couldn’t I have someone that will stand by me every step of the way? There was a chance with Brandon, but he wasn’t the right guy.
“She’s extremely jealous of you, Angela. She knows you’re here with me, and she knows who you are. But her main problem is trust, and you haven’t earned it.”
“It’s a shame she has to be that way. We have the same father. We’re sisters.”
“And you’re an outsider.” Terrell noted.
I decided to close my eyes. I was done talking about Kenia. If she was going to be that way, then so be it. I wasn’t going to worry about it any longer.
Terrell turned on the music to wash away the sound of the tires on the road. The music wasn’t rap, but easy going soulful R&B. I fell asleep, glad to escape once again.
CHAPTER TWELVE
I remained in the car scared to death of facing Olivia’s father. I really felt like her death was my fault. There was no other explanation for her murder. I had this deep feeling that Roscoe had something to do with it, but I couldn’t connect how he was able to find her. My mind was shot to hell. What did I know, anyway? Nothing, really. Maybe, her murder had nothing to do with Roscoe or me. Maybe, it was a fluke. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and it was a crime of opportunity.
Terrell broke my train of thought by saying, “You can’t stay out here forever, Angela.”
“Will you come in with me?” I was surprised the question came out of my mouth, but I needed an ally. I wasn’t so sure how Tony would react being face to face with me considering how Olivia and I parted with one another the last time I was in Colum.
“I don’t think so,” Terrell remarked uneasily.
I begged, “Please, I don’t want to go in there alone.”
“You really don’t need me, Angela.”
“Please,” I said as I grabbed his arm.
Terrell stared at me and finally, he opened his car door. I breathed a sigh of relief. I wiped my face with my hands before getting out. I had to mentally prepare myself.
We went to the door, and I knocked softly. A lady with long brown hair and hazel eyes greeted us with a warm smile. She asked, “How may I help you?”
“My name is Angela. I’m here to see Dr. Tony Turrino.”
“Oh, that’s right!” The lady lit up and opened the door wider. “I’m Abigail, Angela. I’m Tony’s sister.” She wrapped her soft hands around mine and continued, “It is so good to finally meet you. Come on in.”
We walked into a small foyer. There were people in the rooms to the left and the right, but no one paid attention to us. Everyone was talking softly in their own groups, and most of them were wearing dark clothing.
“And what is your name?” Abigail asked.
“Terrell,” he answered.
“Very nice to meet you, Terrell. I’m Abigail. I’ll take you both to see Tony. He’s in the study.” Abigail said as she closed the door.
“How is he doing?” I asked her.
“He’s doing better today, Angela.”
We entered Tony’s study. He was sitting on the sofa talking with a lady. He stood when he saw me, and he opened his arms to greet me with a hug. I was a little taken back, but I gave him a hug anyway. The moment called for compassion, for understanding.
Abigail said, “We’ll leave you alone. Maxine and I will check on the guests. You want me to close the door, Tony?”
“Yes, thank you, Abigail.”
The women stepped out of the room softly.
Tony was glad to see me, and I was happy to see him, too. He asked, “How was your trip?”
“It was good. It went by quicker than I thought.” I answered.
“It takes over twelve hours to get here.”
“I came from Pennsylvania.”
Tony was surprised, and he nodded. He turned to Terrell and offered his hand. He remarked, “Dr. Tony Turrino.”
“Terrell,” he said as he gave him a firm handshake.
“Nice to meet you, Terrell. Where are you two staying?” Tony asked. He had bags under his eyes, and his face was sunken and colorless. He looked like he hadn’t slept in years.
“We haven’t checked into a hotel yet.” I answered.
“You’re welcome to stay here if you want. I have plenty of room.”
“I don’t think-”
Tony cut me off and said, “Please, I don’t mind at all. You’re Olivia’s sister, and I’m sure she would want you to stay.”
“Actually, I made reservations at the hotel in downtown Fredericksburg. I can’t cancel.” Terrell remarked. I didn’t know he did that.
“I insist, please stay. I want you both to stay.”
I touched Terrell’s arm and said, “We’ll stay, Tony.”
“Angela,” Terrell tried to speak, but I cut him off.
“It’ll be fine, Terrell. We won’t be in the way.”
I really didn’t want to bum it in Tony’s house, but I didn’t have the heart to refuse him, either.
“Have a seat. Anyone thirsty?”
“Thank you, Tony.” I sat down, and I pulled Terrell down in the same motion. “I’m not thirsty.”
“I’m good.” Terrell answered. “I actually need to use the phone. Is there someplace I can make a private phone call?”
“The door over there led to the den. No one is in that room.”
“Thanks, man.” Terrell nodded and rushed out. Before he closed the door, he was dialing on his cell phone.
Tony sat down next to me and asked, “How did you find out?”
“I heard about Olivia on television. Is it all true? Was she found in Alabama?”
Tony nodded and said, “She left the house to go shopping at the mall. She never came back.”
“Do the police know how she got to Alabama?”
“There were no records of a flight, and I spoke with Helen. She didn’t know how Olivia got to Colum, either. The police believed she was kidnapped.”
“By who,” I asked.
Tony shook his head, staring straight ahead at nothing.
“Why didn’t you go to the mall with her?”
Tony looked at me strangely and answered, “Why would I? She wanted to go by herself, and I didn’t think anything would go wrong. She’s not a baby, Angela.”
I covered my mouth, thinking how foolish I was to ask that question. I said, “I’m sorry.”
“Did you speak to her that day or any day after that?” Tony asked.
“No, I don’t even know her number. The last time I spoke to her was the day before Andrea’s funeral, and that didn’t go very well.”
“She told me. You two were very upset with one another.”
That one little fact made me tear up. How I wish I could turn back time. I would do everything different.
“It was my fault,” I admitted. “I was being very stubborn and foolish.”
“She still thought about you, Angela. There w
ere certain things you did that she didn’t quite understand, but she loved you nonetheless.”
“Well, I hardly understand what I’ve done myself.”
Tony went to the portable butler to pour himself a drink and said, “So, is the gentleman in the other room your close friend?”
“Uh, no, we’re more like acquaintances. He drove down with me as a favor to my aunt. So, I wouldn’t be by myself.”
“You have bruises on your face, Angela. Did he do that to you?”
I touched my jaw and said, “No, it wasn’t him. I ran into some trouble.”
“Are you sure?” Tony glared at me.
“He had nothing to do with this.”
“He has no right to put his hands on you, Angela. If he’s the problem, then I can make him-”
I quickly explained, “It wasn’t him. I got into a fight with people I didn’t know, and it went badly. Terrell was nowhere around, and I didn’t even know him at the time. Strangers attacked me, Tony, and that’s the truth.”
He was convinced and he nodded accepting what I said. Tony remarked, “Well, that’s very nice of him to ride down with you. I take it you two need separate rooms?”
“Yes, please,” I answered.
A soft knock started at the door, and Abigail entered the room. She said, “Tony, the FBI is here.”
My heart nearly dropped to my stomach. I wanted to take off running, but I tried to appear normal. I started for the den. My hope was to escape the FBI’s company, but they came in before I could get across the room. The men immediately spoke to me and Tony. I tried not to panic. I had no reason to, but still the fact that I was in the same room with them made me real nervous.
Tony introduced me, “This is Olivia’s sister, Angela Gray. Angela, this is Agent David Logan and Agent Cole Benning.”
Agent Logan’s steel eyes looked into mine, and he extended a hand with a subtle smile. “Nice to meet you, Angela.”
I shook both of their hands firmly.
Agent Benning was the same height as his partner, but a little bit bigger. He wore a dark blue suit with a blue tie. He had blonde hair and a mustache that needed serious trimming. Agent Logan had on a black suit with a red tie. He looked sharper than his counterpart. He had a full head of dark hair and big blue eyes. He had a scar on his cheek that seems to take away his attractiveness.
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