I'd Rather Be With You

by Mary B. Morrison

  “I’ve been asking myself the same thing. To answer your question, I thought you were a nice person, but I was wrong.”

  I was ready to move on. She’d said what I wanted the jury and judge to hear. I was a nice guy. She left out that I was funny too. Women loved my sense of humor.

  The judge said, “Explain.”

  Now my lips were pressed together. I realized I was slumping, so I stood tall, pushed my shoulders back, and waited to hear her response.

  She calmly said, “Granville Washington has four protective orders against him.”

  “I object, Your Honor. That has nothing to do with this case.”

  “Overruled. How do you know this, Ms. Lovelace?” Judge Owens asked.

  What she asked that for? She was the judge. Didn’t she know my background? She was trying to set me up and make the jurors go against me.

  “I went out with him for three weeks. We were on our last date. He tried to give me an engagement ring. When I refused to accept it and told Mr. Washington I didn’t want to see him anymore, he angrily followed me to my car. I saw police and asked for assistance. The police ran Granville’s license and told me he had three protective orders and advised me to file one too. Mine is number four. Before I filed, he kidnapped me, and my so-called friend Madison Tyler refused to help.”

  “I’m going to remind you, Ms. Lovelace, that you are under oath.” The judge looked at me and said, “Next question.”

  Good. I didn’t care what made the judge remind Loretta, but I was glad she did. Loretta had started this. Now I was going all in.

  “Ms. Lovelace, you say you were kidnapped. Did I force you into my car?”

  “No.”

  I had to hurry with my questions before the judge gave Loretta more time to explain. “While you were in my car, did you give me Madison Tyler’s business card, knowing Madison was engaged to marry Chicago?”

  “Yes,” she said, heaving.

  “Would you tell the jury why you gave me Madison Tyler’s card? Was it because you knew how fast I fell in love with you, and you wanted to set me up to fall in love with Madison? Or were you so jealous of Madison that you wanted to ruin her engagement?”

  Loretta answered, “I am not jealous of Madison. She’s a grown woman. She had sex with you because she wanted to.”

  Hearing that made me feel good, but I had to say, “You didn’t answer the question, dear.”

  Loretta stood. “Stop calling me that! I’m not your ‘dear’!”

  “Ms. Lovelace, sit and don’t get up until I say so,” Judge Owens said, then continued, “Mr. Washington, I’m warning you.”

  “I apologize, Your Honor.”

  “Continue, Ms. Lovelace,” the judge said.

  I expected the judge to scold me again. She was becoming predictable. But what I really wanted to do was make Loretta madder. I deepened my scratchy voice. “Would you kindly tell the jury why you gave me Madison Tyler’s card?”

  “She already told you. We had a bet.”

  “A bet you initiated?”

  “And?”

  I wobbled my head. “And admit it, then.... You’re in love with, and wanted to marry, Roosevelt DuBois.”

  She stared hopelessly at the prosecutor. He didn’t say a word. Was dude holding out to slam me at the end?

  Loretta glanced at the faces in the courtroom. I didn’t bother looking over my shoulder. I knew where everyone was sitting. I was glad Precious had listened to me and hadn’t come. She would’ve dragged Loretta off that stand by her cross. Precious didn’t need convincing to defend my honor. I wished Madison felt that way about me. None of this would’ve happened.

  Loretta’s eyes lingered in Roosevelt’s direction.

  She whispered, “Yes.”

  “Speak louder so everyone can hear you,” I said.

  Loretta stood. “Yes! Yes! You satisfied?”

  Banging her gavel, the judge instructed, “Be seated, Ms. Lovelace. I’m not going to ask you again.”

  “I understand your pain,” I said. “Because of your jealousy, I fell in love with an engaged woman, who left me for her fiancé. So who is really the victim here?”

  “It’s not time for closing arguments, Mr. Washington. Do you have any further questions?” Judge Owens asked.

  “Yes. One final question.”

  A puff of air blew from Loretta’s nostrils into the microphone. “Thank God.”

  I expected her answer to be the same as the others, but I had to ask: “Ms. Lovelace, did you have a gun in your possession at the time of the shooting?”

  CHAPTER 33

  Loretta

  Why did he have to ask me that?

  Madison knew I owned a gun, but Tisha was the only one other than me who knew the answer to the question. Suddenly I regretted opening my purse in the dressing room at church and showing Tisha my gun on Madison’s wedding day. I wasn’t that tough now. When Madison told her assistant to hire security, I should’ve let her do that.

  I wished I could question Granville. Congratulate him on kidnapping Madison on her wedding day, and then ask how did he screw it up? If Madison hadn’t shown up, Chicago wouldn’t have gotten shot, and I would not be sitting on this stupid stand answering questions for this idiot!

  Madison was two hours late for her wedding and Chicago waited for her. We all waited for her.

  Look at her, sitting there with sunglasses on. She didn’t have to tell everyone in the courtroom that I was the one who had hit her. I should tell them she had started it by pulling out my hair. There was so much during a trial that needed to, but was never heard.

  I prayed Tisha didn’t hate me enough to rat me out. I got the gun to protect myself from Granville, but the only time I used it as a threat was when those women were taking pictures of Madison, Tisha, and me at that steak house restaurant. I wanted to send them a clear message not to mess with us.

  The gun made me feel powerful. I dared anyone to disrespect me. Even when I didn’t have the gun on me, the knowledge that I owned one gave me courage to do bold acts, like tip my glass toward Raynard’s ass and punch Madison in her face.

  I sat quietly.

  “Ms. Lovelace?” the judge said. “We’re waiting. Answer the question.”

  I should’ve been prepared for this. He’d asked it of Chaz and Chicago. But I didn’t think he’d ask me; and at the moment I couldn’t recall if he’d asked Madison. Guess my eyes and ears were too glued to her sex video. Obviously, Madison was enjoying cheating on Chicago. Granville’s dick was the biggest I’d seen it. He could barely stay hard for me.

  Suddenly, I noticed the woman seated on the last row with the gigantic red Afro was the sex therapist I’d sent Granville to. Was she here to testify?

  “Ms. Lovelace,” the judge said, “I’m not going to ask you again.”

  Inhaling, long and slow, I thought I was going to faint. Maybe that was my answer. Fake passing out so I won’t perjure myself.

  I don’t know what made me say “no,” but I did, thinking it would end like the other responses.

  “That’s a lie, Loretta, and you know it!” Tisha shouted.

  “Be seated! This is my courtroom,” Judge Owens said.

  Maybe if I’d gone to the clinic with her to have her abortion, she would’ve kept quiet. Perhaps if I’d been a better friend and hadn’t gone to the hospital and hit Madison in the face when she was in her bed recovering from surgery, our friendship bond wouldn’t have been broken.

  Madison had forgiven me for all I’d done—except when I’d hit her. And although she hadn’t pressed charges, I still hated her. Look at her. The glow on her face outshined the mark I’d left on her eye. I prayed that was Granville’s baby inside her and not Chicago’s.

  If I would’ve focused on the man in front of me instead of wanting the one Madison had, I know Tisha would’ve kept quiet. Chaz wouldn’t have dogged me out if I hadn’t fallen in love with his brother.

  “She’s telling the truth. Loretta did have a
gun in her purse. We know because she showed it,” Madison said.

  Now who was lying? I’d never shown Madison the gun during the wedding or reception. Tisha must’ve told her. Or was Madison’s outburst payback for what I’d just said about Chicago? Or was God teaching me a lesson?

  Raynard stared at me. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but I was sure he was hoping Tisha and Madison weren’t telling the truth. His wife wasn’t going to be happy raising our daughter. If I ended up doing time, he’d probably end up divorced.

  “You be quiet. You’ve given your testimony,” the judge said to Madison, then looked at me. “Loretta Lovelace, I’m going to give you one more chance to answer the last question truthfully.”

  I looked at Chicago, held my head down, then answered, “Yes, but I didn’t shoot anyone.”

  “You’ve lied on my stand. I can’t believe any of your testimony, Ms. Lovelace.” The judge looked to the deputy and said, “Arrest her for perjury.”

  Raynard stood. “Your Honor, I have a videotape of the shooting.”

  “Oh, great,” Granville said. “Just when things were going my way, you show up with a tape.” He covered his mouth. “Oh, my bad. Did I say that aloud?”

  This was starting to resemble an episode of Judge Joe Brown, where everyone was talking out of order in the courtroom.

  This was one time I was glad Raynard was here. After the judge saw the tape, they’d see I was telling the truth.

  The deputy approached me. “You have the right to remain silent. . . .”

  Why didn’t I think of that before I’d lied? I should’ve pleaded the Fifth.

  CHAPTER 34

  Chicago

  Un-be-liev-able!

  I felt like a fool. She had a gun? At my reception? Was she planning on shooting or protecting Madison? The confession that she was armed meant she knew something was going to happen. If Granville hadn’t shot me, was Loretta going to kill my wife? Right now, I didn’t know what to believe.

  Watching Loretta being handcuffed, I thought the judge was being too hard. I waited, hoping to hear the judge say, “Let her go.” She didn’t. She allowed Raynard to meet with the prosecutor. I wasn’t sure if they were going to accept his video as evidence, but I wanted to bail Loretta out before she was booked—but not before I saw that tape.

  Why did Raynard hold on to evidence that long? They should charge him with obstructing justice. What made him decide to turn it over? Now that Loretta was suspect, maybe he wanted to prove she was innocent. Perjury was one thing, but if Loretta was involved in the shooting . . . She couldn’t be.

  After all she’d done to help me, I felt guilty for not being more sensitive. Once, Madison came home unannounced—I considered my condo Madison’s place too—and I’d dismissed all that Loretta had done to help me recover. I’d let her walk out—more like get thrown out by Madison—and I never confronted Madison or apologized to Loretta.

  Had I misled Loretta? I picked up on her feelings for me the first time I’d gone to her house. If I had known Loretta had initiated a bet for Madison to fuck that crazy guy, Granville, I wouldn’t have asked my brother to go out with her. I wouldn’t have cared about Loretta at all. There was a reason she’d attracted that man, and there was a reason he’d tried to kill me. Or was it Loretta who had fired the shots?

  Since we were both Christians, I didn’t want to condemn Loretta. She had things in common with me that I’d never have with Madison. Yet, Loretta could never be Madison. Had I known how deep Loretta’s jealousy toward Madison was, I would’ve never befriended Loretta. Never.

  You can’t choose your fiancée’s friends, but your fiancée’s friends sure can screw up a good thing. The attraction Loretta had to me, I reluctantly confessed to myself, was mutual. But mine wasn’t the kind that wanted to leave my wife for my wife’s best friend. It was flattering, but I’d never interfere with what I’d thought was my brother’s pursuit of happiness with Loretta. That would’ve been doggish. I prided myself on being a man my community and fans around the country admired. Most men strayed sometimes, but there were varying degrees. When a man’s character was exemplary, regardless of his actions, most people still loved him. I was blessed that I was that kind of man.

  What Madison had done—that was the bitch type of doggish. I’d never cheated on her. I had justification to treat Madison like shit after she’d left me for dead; but again, it wasn’t about her. Just her luck, she married a real man.

  My grandfather Wally, who’d come to court today, told Chaz and me a long time ago, “When you have the choice to take the high road or the low road, always do what’s right. No one can fault you for doing the right thing. Real men don’t dog, stray, act like a bitch, or tuck their tail.”

  What the hell was wrong with Loretta? She ruined my marriage because she wanted to be with . . . I shook my head, then headed out of the courtroom.

  “Roosevelt, you got a minute?” A deep masculine voice resounded from behind me.

  I knew who it was. “How can I help you, Johnny?”

  “My daughter. You know she was framed, and not in her right state of mind. Please find it in your heart to forgive her,” he pleaded.

  Too bad Granville hadn’t subpoenaed Johnny Tyler. I knew Johnny didn’t pull the trigger. But he didn’t know that I knew he was the one who’d encouraged Madison to sign the authorization. He was the one who thought I’d be dead by now. Would he be cool if Rosalee was the one in the video cheating on him?

  Ready to move on, I asked, “That’s it?”

  He cleared his throat. “Can we meet later? Based on my lawyer’s recommendations, I’d like to propose a revised business contract.”

  “Not happening. What you need to do is be happy you still have a job working for my company,” I said, then started walking away.

  “Papa, let me handle this. Roosevelt, wait.”

  I turned to see Madison. Her dad went in the opposite direction, shouting, “Tyler Construction is my company!”

  Obviously, he was so eager to get the check I’d given him, he hadn’t read the entire contract. Directing my attention to Madison, I saw that pregnancy agreed with my wife. I did not.

  If I had seen that video for the first time today, maybe we could exit this courthouse, arm in arm, to confront the salivating reporters outside, all waiting to quench the media thirst for the breaking news. However, I’d watched part of the video before; and sitting in the courtroom today, seeing my wife enjoying sexing a man—who she lied and told me was someone she’d slept with before we met—it was the first time I’d seen all of it, and all of her. She was so hot, if the accident hadn’t happened, she would’ve kept coming.

  Chaz put his hand on my back. “Let’s go.”

  “Chaz, please don’t interfere,” Madison said. “That’s rude. Roosevelt can speak for himself. Stay out of our conversation.”

  “What, Madison?” I asked, staring into her eyes. Seeing my wife’s bruise made me not give a damn about Loretta. But how could I not be there for Loretta?

  “I know I hurt you,” she said, lowering her eyelids midway.

  I shook my head. “Embarrassed me? Yes. Hurt? No. There’s nothing else you can do to break my heart. When I get on my knees at night and pray, I pray for you. I pray that God will keep you and the baby safe and healthy. I ask Him to give me strength to deal with you in a positive way.” I cupped the palm of my hand to my nose, then slid it over my mouth and down to my chin. I blinked hard, trying to force my tears not to fall.

  “I’ll meet you at the house,” Madison said confidently.

  When I was in love with her, her confidence was attractive. Now it was annoying. Respecting Madison didn’t mean I had to obey or accommodate her. Why I’d allowed her back in my house? I wasn’t sure.

  “Please don’t come to my house tonight,” I said. “I’m not asking.”

  Trailing me closely, she cried out, “Why shouldn’t I come home?”

  I shouted in her face, “Really! Aft
er what everyone in the courtroom just saw, you need to ask me that! You—” The embarrassment from the video suddenly hit me hard. “Stay away from me right now.”

  Madison gripped my arm. I firmly moved her hand. I squeezed her wrist tighter than I should have, then immediately let it go. I said, “I apologize,” but I didn’t want her touching me.

  For the first time in my life, I wanted to hit a woman.

  CHAPTER 35

  Chicago

  Chaz refused to let me keep talking with Madison. He told me, “I don’t care what Loretta has done for you—you’re not bailing her out of jail.”

  He’d insisted that I wasn’t indebted and she had parents, a baby’s daddy, and friends, if one could consider Madison and Tisha that. Plus, Chaz made me admit, “You’re right. Loretta is not completely innocent.” Her hands could indirectly have my blood on them. What if Granville, Madison, and Loretta were scheming to get my money and it backfired? Maybe Raynard was somehow involved.

  “You’re doing the right thing,” Chaz said, parking his car at Eddie V’s valet stand.

  This time we sat at a private booth, near the bar. We sat side-by-side in the center so we could see the entire room and enjoy the live music.

  For a moment we were both quiet.

  Breaking the silence, I said, “There should be a reality show called The Biggest Fool, and I should be on it. This would’ve never happened to you.”

  Chaz’s eyes watered. “Nah, don’t say that, man. I admire you. Not many men would respect a woman like Madison. Don’t dog her out now. Stay close to her until the baby is born, then create distance. If it’s yours, it’s all about my nephew. File for physical and legal custody. If not, you’ve got to cut all ties with Madison—the same way I did with Loretta.”

  I smiled. “What do you know about physical and legal custody?”

  “Man, I stay ahead of these women,” he said, laughing. “Actually, I almost dated a girl with kids once, until I heard all the mediation drama between her and the father. She broke it all the way down on the first date. I didn’t want to go in her house or get any. I couldn’t wait to drop her off.”