Status Quo_The Last Ones Standing

by Monique Chanae

  At the mention of his mother's name Jason's anger turned into full-fledged fury as he began hauling ass from one side of the marina to the other to get to Harry whom he had just found out had been prostituting his mother. When Trent heard Harry's description of the woman he knew instantly that he was talking about Caitlin Hennessey because word around their neighborhood for the last year had been that she was a whore but Trent had put a stop to the rumors out of respect for his best friend. After beating the ass of a couple of guys spreading the rumors, word spread even faster that speaking the name of Caitlin Hennessey would get you a royal ass whooping. When he saw Jason take off, he too was in pursuit. Harry looked up from his phone just in time to see Jason bringing a steel pipe down over his forehead. The first blow caused an immediate concussion but Jason was not finished yet. He was beating Harry's ass for not only selling his mother to the highest bidder but for the drunken nights she would stagger home and not even remember who he was to her. After five minutes passed and Harry was no longer bleeding, Trent knew his best friend had killed him. Together they drug his body on top of the hood of the car, placed a brick on the gas pedal and watched as the car careened off into the water.

  The headlights of an oncoming vehicle snatched Jason out of his flashback and immediately refocused him on the task at hand. He got out of his car stood in front of it looking around to see if he could spot Jason. He double checked the time on his wristwatch to make sure he wasn't late and once he was sure he whipped out his cell phone and began calling him.

  "Looking for me?" Jason asked from behind, startling him.

  "Damn Jason!"

  "You're supposed to be on your toes at all times, never let somebody catch you slipping, you know that. So what's up, Rell?" Jason's was stern and his hands buried inside his pocket as he gripped the Desert Eagle. If this meeting didn't go as planned, he wouldn't hesitate to bless him with a third eye.

  "It’s about Serena."

  "You had me meet you here about a broad?" Jason’s face immediately scrunched up into one of disdain.

  "Nah man, Serena and Heaven were kidnapped. Somebody wants me to pay a ransom to get them back."

  "I hate to sound like a dick right now but what does that have to do with me?" he quipped.

  "In order for me to get them back they want me to help them take you down." Jason stared at Rell for a moment before bursting into laughter.

  "You're fucking kidding me right? Rell, I love you like a kid brother but right now I feel like you're feeding me bullshit so I'm going to need you to stop pussyfooting around and give me one good reason why I shouldn't give you this hollowtip." Jason pulled the gun from his pocket and shoved it into Rell's forehead. Tears began to form in Rell's eyes and before he knew it he was crying at the thought of never seeing his daughter again.

  "If I wasn't keeping it 100 with you I wouldn't have even called you to meet up with you. That heist shit from today wasn't me but I have proof that niggas is out to get you."

  "Oh yeah, take me to it then." Jarell told Jason in his pocket he would find his cell phone with the ransom message left on the voicemail. The call registered as Private and nine times out of ten it was from a burner phone. Jason threw Rell into his car and drove to Serena's house and the scene there corroborated Rell's story. The dishes were undone, the entire living room ransacked and hair and blood were scattered from the walkway to the front door as if she had been dragged by her hair out of the house.

  "Alright, Rell. Sit tight, I'll help you get your baby back but I'm gonna need you to help me figure out who wants war." At that moment the two men began concocting a plan to get them both what they wanted; Jarell would get his family back and Jason would get a body.

  Chapter 12

  By the time Jason left Rell's house night had turned to day and they were still no closer to finding out who stole their shipment. Jason went over the details in his head over a hundred times and things just weren't adding up. Taking his cell phone out of his pocket to shoot Chase a text message, he was sidetracked by an incoming call from Tari.

  "What's up Sis?" He answered almost immediately.

  "Just checking in. You straight?" She asked as her eyes were focused on the road and she weaved in and out of morning traffic.

  "Something like that."

  "I know that tone, meet me downtown on West Addison. You know the place?"

  "Like the back of my hand." And with that the pair disconnected their call.

  Nefertari was the first to arrive at the parking structure and wait for Jason. A few moments later she saw him pulling onto the structure and the two drove until their cars were side by side in a corner of the parking garage. Jason exited his vehicle making sure the coast was clear before he hopped into the passenger seat of Nefertari's car.

  "What's the word?" Nefertari asked.

  "Well I got with Rell on that whole missing shipment thing."

  "And?"

  "And he gave me some info about it... Looks like I'm walking around here with a target on my back and if I don't hand over power of Sven to whoever these jokers are, they're going to try and kill me and takeover that way."

  "What? Jason you're joking right?" Nefertari scoffed and looked over at her brother. When she saw the seriousness etched in his face she knew he was all too serious and shit had gotten entirely too real for her liking.

  "What all did Rell say and what are our next moves?" Jason retold the story to Nefertari the same way it was told to him and she too agreed that Rell was telling the truth.

  "You're not the only one who found out some things. You know that tech guy I hired, Kumar? Let's just say that man knows his stuff. Nehemiah and Alistair are cousins which we already know but what we didn't know was how to find Nehemiah until now... Nehemiah Meyers is a petty hustler. He used to jack cars back in the day but these last couple of years he seems to have raised his stakes to stash spots and robbing petty hustlers. A quick hack into his cell phone records and email told us he's working for somebody else who's calling all the shots and pulling all the strings. But the two cousins you got yesterday, they were childhood friends of those two and they considered each other family. Whoever hired Nehemiah also enlisted the help of the other two. Everything we've gotten on him so far leads to a dead end but he's getting ready to run out of options."

  "What do you mean sis?"

  "There's something Nehemiah likes more than OPP -- Skip and I are going to pay him a little visit. And before your start protesting, don't worry I've got this." Nefertari looked over at Jason who she could tell was getting ready to blow a gasket.

  "I don't feel comfortable with that, Tari."

  "I'll be careful, I promise. You have alot on your plate right now. Find out who's putting a bounty on your head and make that fucker beg for mercy!" Jason studied the look in Nefertari's eyes and knew there was going to be no stopping her. She was too determined.

  "Check in periodically, T."

  "I will. I love you, Jason."

  "I love you too, sis." The two embraced in a hug for a few seconds before Jason hopped out ad jogged back over to his own vehicle. Once inside he said a quick prayer to Trent to keep Nefertari, Kiyan, and Chase safe. He waited a few moments for Nefertari to pull out of the parking structure before he too pulled out and headed in the opposite direction.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Nefertari got home and immediately fell into her bed. She was beyond tired but everything she was doing was in the name of avenging her husband's murder. She continuously reminded herself that this was for family and that mantra alone was what helped her get through it...

  A little after noon, Nefertari was awakened from her sleep by the incessant ringing of her cellular phone. The ringtone was generic so she contemplated not answering but the minute it stopped ringing, it started up again and she knew then that something had to be wrong.

  "Hello?" She answered, her voice mixed with panic and aggravation.

  "Hi, may I speak with Mrs. Stevens. This is Ms. Barber
calling from Einstein Academy in regards to her son, Kiyan." At the mention of Kiyan's name Nefertari's heart dropped to her feet as she asked the teacher what was wrong with her baby.

  "Kiyan got into a fist fight with one of his classmates today. We need you to come in and speak with a counselor."

  "A counselor? Why do I need to meet with a counselor? And who hit my child?" Nefertari quipped throwing on a pair of jeans and a tank top.

  "I assure you Mrs. Stevens we'll explain everything to you once you get here."

  "Say no more, tell my son I'm on my way."

  Chapter 13

  Nefertari marched straight into the main office demanding to see her son. When the receptionist pointed over to the corner where Kiyan was sitting in a chair with his arms folded across his chest, Nefertari rushed over and dropped to her knees in front of him.

  "Baby, what happened? Where did they hit you?" She asked moving his face from side to side trying to spot bruises.

  "He didn't hit me." He mumbled under his breath.

  "What? Your teacher called me and said you got into a fist fight." Before Kiyan could reply, Mrs. Young the school counselor stepped out of her office and called Nefertari's name. When she motioned for Nefertari to join her in the office, Nefertari kissed the top of Kiyan's head and asked the receptionist to watch him and she assured him she would.

  Nefertari stepped into the office and was greeted not only by the school counselor but by Kiyan's teacher.

  "Why don't you have a seat, Mrs. Stevens?" She offered to which Nefertari obliged.

  "Can somebody please explain to me why I am here? My son said nobody hit him but Ms. Barber called and said he got into a fist fight."

  "This is true, Mrs. Stevens." Ms. Barber began. "Earlier today in class we were talking about members of our families and Kiyan made mention that he didn't have a daddy anymore. Some of the kids began to snicker and one of them began to taunt Kiyan. I told him to stop and I thought he had. A few moments later when they paired up in groups, the students said the other little boy began teasing Kiyan once again and Kiyan responded by punching the little boy in his face." Nefertari's mouth fell open and tears began to roll down her cheeks as the teacher relayed the story of what had transpired.

  "Mrs. Stevens, we all know that your husband was murdered. And you all have our deepest condolences. Has Kiyan talked with anyone about his father's death?"

  "No." Nefertari responded honestly. "I wasn't sure how to have that conversation with my six-year-old. I know he knows what death is but I'm not sure if he fully understands the concept."

  "That's understandable, Mrs. Stevens. You're not alone – a lot of parents aren't sure how or when to sit and have those conversations with their children. But Kiyan is exceptionally bright and he is aware. Him hitting that little boy was his way of releasing his anger he's built up since his father's death. I have a support group I think would be good for you both but I also have another suggestion if you don't mind."

  "No go right ahead."

  "If Kiyan went to his father's burial, take him back to the plot. Let him see you talking to your husband's plot and allow him to do the same. Let him know that while his father is physically not here he can still feel and hear him. It's a definite start." Mrs. Young explained and offered Nefertari a smile. Nefertari couldn't help but unleash her tears that she didn't even realize she had been holding back. She had kept herself so involved with Sven that she barely got time to grieve herself, let alone help Kiyan. Nefertari thanked both women and exited the office once she got herself together.

  Kiyan looked up at his mother as she stepped back into the hallway and ran to hug her. For a moment nobody else in the room mattered as mother and son embraced and Nefertari knew in that moment, Kiyan needed his father. The drive to the cemetery was mostly silent aside from Nefertari making small talk with her son. The moment they rode through the gates, the memories of Trent’s funeral overcame them both and in almost a whisper, Nefertari heard Kiyan say something.

  “I miss my Dad.”

  “I do too, baby.” Nefertari stopped the car and stood outside waiting for Kiyan and together they walked over to Trent’s plot.

  “Do you want me to leave you alone?” Nefertari asked. Kiyan looked up at his mother and down at the dirt on top of his father and shook his head no.

  “Hey Dad, I miss you… I got in trouble at school today. I didn’t mean to hit that boy but he made me mad. He was teasing me because you’re gone. It’s not funny. I won’t do it again though, I promise.” As if on cue, Kiyan began to cry as he stared down at the plot. Nefertari wrapped her arms around her son and allowed him to weep into her lap. This was only the first step in their healing process but together, they planned to get through it.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Later that night after Nefertari had tucked Kiyan away in bed, she lay awake in her own bed thinking about the day’s events. After leaving the school and the cemetery she took her son back to her old neighborhood in Rockford and told him the story of how she and Trent first met. Where most kids might’ve thought the story was mushy and corny, Kiyan was actually interested in hearing about his parents back in their day. Looking over at the nightstand where a picture of herself and Trent on their wedding day sat, Nefertari grabbed it and spoke to him.

  “Baby I’m trying to keep it together. I’ve been so wrapped up in keeping Sven on track I forgot all about checking on Kiyan to make sure he was alright. I guess I figured because he never asked questions he didn’t have any. I’m not going to lie though, I’ll be glad when we can put this search to rest though. Once that’s done, everything should be back to normal. I love you, baby.” Nefertari planted a kiss on top of the picture’s frame and sat it back on the dresser. Before long, Nefertari had drifted off to sleep, her mind moving to a memory of not so long ago…

  “Trent, you’re going to scare my baby when he walks in the door.” Nefertari said as she crouched down behind the couch with Trent waiting to surprise Kiyan.

  “Oh girl hush, you worry too much. Come down here with me and give me a kiss before my little man comes through the door and steals me away from you.” He teased as he grabbed her hand and pulled her on top of him for a kiss. Today was Kiyan’s birthday and as far as he knew, Trent was still out of town on a business trip. He had no idea his father had flown home early to surprise him. Nefertari’s parents had gone to pick him up from school and then took him out for a movie, giving enough time for Trent and Tari to set up and surprise their son. As the Stevens became wrapped up in one another’s lips, they heard three car doors open and then close simultaneously and they knew Kiyan had arrived.

  “Mom! Look what Pop Pop and Nana got me!” he yelled as he raced through the front door holding onto the new Spiderman action figure his grandparents had bought for him.

  “Mommy! Mom, where are you?” Kiyan yelled as he raced from room to room. Nefertari could hear her parents giggling from the doorway of the living room.

  “Come on, Kiy. Set your toy down on the couch and come here so I can help you take your shoes off.” Adele said patting a spot on the couch. Kiyan shrugged his shoulders in defeat before plopping down on the couch beside his grandmother. Once both of his shoes were on the ground Trent leapt from behind the couch and screamed, scaring Kiyan half to death.

  “AHHHH!”

  “Ahhhh!” Kiyan screamed jumping off the couch and turning around to see what had scared him.

  “Daddy! You’re home!”

  “Of course little man! You know there’s no way I’d miss King Kiy day!” Trent smiled picking his son up and planting a big kiss on his cheek. Nefertari stood up from her place behind the couch and watched her husband and son. She was literally living the life she had pictured as a teenager and the sight before her made her heart fill with infinite joy.

  Thinking back to that day just a few months ago made Nefertari’s heart heavy. She had been so consumed with Sven that she forgot her family always came first to Trent. If she wanted
to step into his shoes, she had to stop her tunnel vision and learn to expand her train of thought.

  Chapter 14

  Nefertari spent the next two weeks getting her life back in order. She had minimized her time with Sven and refocused on tending to both her and Kiyan’s needs. She had signed up and started attending grief counseling sessions per Mrs. Young’s suggestion. Kiyan had called his grandparents earlier in the week and asked them if he could spend the weekend with them and they were more than happy to come and get him.

  When she awoke Saturday morning, she did her usual morning regimen and fixed herself a quick breakfast. Halfway through her coffee her cell phone began to ring and she knew from the music that it was Chase.

  “Hey chica!” Chase sang into her phone. Nefertari giggled and greeted her best friend.

  “What are you and Kiyan doing today, lady?” Chase asked as she moved around her bathroom putting on makeup.

  “Kiyan’s with his Grandparents for the weekend and I’m off. I don’t have any plans.”

  “Well now you do, woman so get up, get dolled up and we’re out. Jason is already out in the streets and I don’t have any sessions today. You down for a girl’s day?”

  “Oh gosh, I haven’t had one of those in so long.” Nefertari said thinking back to when they used to go out and hang on a regular basis.

  “I know it’s been a while for you because it’s been a while for me too and to be honest, I’m tired of being cooped up in this house. I’m almost ready so I’ll head over to you when I’m done.”

  “Cool, see you in a bit.”

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Almost an hour and a half later, Chase and Nefertari were out and about. Their first stop was to Dita Day Spa and Hair Salon. They pampered themselves with mani-pedis, facials, full body massages and hair care. Nefertari loved her locs so she just got them washed and deep conditioned while Chase was feeling bold and decided to get her naturally long and wavy hair cut into a shoulder length bob.