“I’ll be right over. Tell Anthony I’m on my way.”
“They’re doing some tests so I’m downstairs in the lobby.” I got in my car and headed straight for the hospital. I could see Lucinda standing there waiting.
“Lucinda, how was he when he woke up?”
“He was a little out of it, but I think he’s going to recover, the doctors will know more.” We hurried to get upstairs, I walked in, but they were still running the tests.
“Doctor, is he going be ok?”
“Yes, Mrs. Long, I think he will be ok with some extensive therapy. You can talk to him now. He’s been asking to see you.”
“Anthony.”
“Hey honey. What the hell happened to me?”
“You fell and hit your head, Anthony. You’ve been in the hospital for about two weeks.”
“Two weeks? Where are the boys?”
“Don’t worry. They’re ok. Kim has been staying with them while I’m here.”
I was so glad Anthony was getting better. It had been two weeks since he’d woken up. The doctor was releasing him today. He still had no memory of what had happened the night he’d fallen.
Doctor Owens was in with Anthony. “There will be a physical therapist in place three times a week, Mr. Long. You need to use them if you intend to get back on your feet.”
“I will, Doctor, we’re in the middle of the off season and I need to get back I shape.”
“Listen, don’t rush your progress, just take it slow. Everything is in order for you to leave. You’re free to call me if anything changes.”
“Doctor, is Anthony ready?”
“Yes, Mrs. Long, and take care of him.”
“Thank you, Doctor Owens. The car is downstairs, Honey. Are you ready?”
“You know it. I can’t wait to see my boys.”
The boys were just as glad to see their father. “Easy does it, Champs. Your old man is still recovering.”
~~~
Anthony was having a hard time doing effortless tasks, but was determined to get back in shape. I felt sorry for my 6 foot 3, 230 pound husband. I kept trying to help. “Sabrina, stop trying to baby me, I can do this.” I knew he was right, and he needed to do this himself if he ever wanted to play ball again. Since I’d known Anthony, all he had ever wanted to do was play football.
It was Monday and Anthony’s therapist was there to exercise him. He had been terribly depressed over the weekend and nothing I did seemed to lift his spirits. How was I going to get Anthony back to himself?
His best friend, Rae Shawn, came by. I was hoping this would get him back on his feet. “Rae Shawn, you have to talk to Anthony.”
“What’s been going on with him, Sabrina?”
“He’s hasn’t been himself since he got home from the hospital.”
“I’ll see what I can do. But don’t worry. I know the big man and he’ll snap out of it by the time the season starts.” It must have been something Rae Shawn said because he was up and raring to go the next day. He was even playing with the boys in the yard.
I walked outside to see if they need anything. “I need to talk to Sabrina and it’s extremely serious. Boys, you can play in the pool.”
“What’s going on, Anthony?”
“I’ve been hearing some things I hope aren’t true.”
“Really? What are these things you’re hearing?”
“What I don’t want you to do, Sabrina, is to lie. Do you know Stevie Watson?” The tears and shock in my eyes told Anthony what he wanted to know. “Ok, I see you know him. Now what is your relationship with him?”
“Anthony, first let me say that I never meant for this to hurt you. Stevie and I kind of slept together, but that’s all.”
“That’s all? Don’t you know I could divorce you for this?” He started yelling. “But you know what?” Anthony was calming back down. “I have a few secrets of my own and I love you. So we’re going to get past this. I know our lives have been one gigantic roller coaster, but I’m willing to change if you are.”
“I want nothing more than for us to work it out, Anthony. I want a simple life again.”
“The word on the street is this nigger has been threatening my family. This man is a notorious gangster from what I hear. How did you get involved with this dope dealer, Sabrina? It’s unhealthy for you, and it could be harmful for the boys. This fool don’t know me though, I’ve dealt with his kind all my life. And he better not let my fame fool him.”
“Anthony, Stevie’s not going to make any serious trouble.”
“You don’t know this Stevie as well as you think. I hear he’s the king pin down in West Memphis and they don’t play over there.”
“Anthony, let me try and fix this on my own. I got us in this, I can get us out. You said you have some secrets. Now that you know what mine are, let’s hear yours.”
“Sabrina, I’ve had some affairs on the road, but I’ve left them right there. I’ve never let anything or anyone disrupt my family life. You and the kids are worth more than even football and you know how much I love it. But just for safety measures I’m going to hire some security. Because Stevie just might think because I’ve been sick, he can run up in here. I’ve got something for him if he does. I’ve got to check on my boys, you just take care of this before I do.”
Anthony was all wired up over this Stevie mess. I needed to take his mind off it with some R&R. We hadn’t had sex in sometime. I was going to ask Sandra to watch the boys. They always liked playing with Justin. Then I would go to the Boutique to get something sexy, have a lovely dinner prepared, and see if we couldn’t make that baby girl.
I needed to talk to Stevie pronto. I left Anthony with the kids and headed to West Memphis. I knew he would be up there conducting business. I called him, “Stevie I’m in West Memphis. We need to talk.”
“Now you want to talk? What’s going on with you and your husband?”
“He’s doing well, but this is not about Anthony.”
“So where you want to meet?
“Let’s meet at B’s Barbecue up on Poplar.”
“Ok, I’m headed there now.” He seemed unmoved about everything.
I got there before Stevie. I always had to wait on him for one reason or another. He finally walked in with two other guys. They went to the counter while Stevie came over to the table. “What’s up, Boo? Sorry I’m late. Business, you know. Talk. You called me down here so talk.”
“Stevie, Anthony knows all about us now so you can quit making threats.”
“Here I thought you wanted me to come down here to make up.”
“Well you were wrong. Anthony and I are going to work on our marriage.”
“Well I’m good for you, and I still want to see you.”
“Did you just hear what I said?”
“Yes, but I honestly don’t care about you and Anthony. Look, Sabrina, you started with me and there is only one way out.”
“And what might that be?”
“You can leave when I’m though with you or leave in a pine box, you choose.”
“Are you serious right now? This is crazy, Stevie.”
“You know what, Baby? I have never been more serious in my life. And if you want your husband to play this season, you will be meeting me every Tuesday and Sunday, my place. You know where it is.”
“I’m not meeting you anywhere.”
“It’s your choice, my way or yours. I’m tired of this conversation. I have business to take care of and time is money. That’s right, Bitch. And guess what tomorrow is. Tuesday. I’ll expect you at noon, buck naked and ready for Stevie.”
I just sat there as Stevie and his friend walked out the door. Now what was I going to do about this? I got in my car and cried. I had thought he would be reasonable, but I wasn’t dealing with a reasonable person. I had to think of something. What if Stevie tried to hurt Anthony, or worse, my kids?
I had to think about this later. Tonight was for me and Anthony. I got my hair and nails don
e, picked up a nighty and headed home. I called Chef Renaldo to fix our dinner, had fresh flowers sent over and called Sandra. “Hey, Sandra, how are you? I have a tremendous favor to ask of you tonight.”
“What’s that?”
“Can you keep the boys for me tonight and maybe later tomorrow?”
“Sure. Justin would love to see Chris and Anthony. By the way, how is Big Anthony since he got home?”
“He’s healthy, working out every day.”
“That’s good, maybe you and Anthony might want to have dinner with us sometime next week.”
“That will work, just let me know when.”
“Are you and Anthony going out tonight?”
“No, we’re staying in. I’m having dinner catered at home.”
“That sounds like a date, I’m glad things are going OK with you. Hey, whatever happened to that guy Stevie, did you tell Anthony?”
“I didn’t have to, someone else did it for me, but I’m going to take care of it.”
“Just be careful, Sabrina, you know his type.”
“It’s all under control so don’t worry.”
“Just bring the boys whenever. I’ll be here.”
Anthony was down in the workout room. I made sure that everything was going as scheduled. I had Kim drop the boys at Sandra’s, showered and made myself pretty. One more thing to do before I forgot. I went to Anthony’s closet and got his nine millimeter from the safe box and put it in my purse.
I sprayed myself with Dior and headed downstairs. Everything looked fabulous. The food smelled delicious. All I had to do was get my husband in the mood. “Anthony, can you come up here? I have something for you.”
“I’ll be right up, give me a minute.” I poured myself a glass of wine and checked with the chef to make sure everything was perfect.
“Sabrina, what’s going on?” By the look on his face, the plan was working. “Sabrina, you haven’t changed since high school. Do you remember the night we first made love?”
“Yes, I do. That’s the plan tonight. But I need you in the shower.”
“Yeah, Baby, you know I was working out. I’m going upstairs right now and take care of this, so wait right here.”
“I’ll be right here. Just don’t make me wait too long.” He kissed my forehead and dashed up the steps.
I sat on the couch and thought over tomorrow’s events. I was not going to let this thug ass fool mess up nothing. He didn’t know who he was dealing with either. I was a queen, this was my castle, and Anthony was my king. This was about to end one way or the other.
Anthony came down looking as fresh as the day we’d met ten years ago, moving slower, but looking fabulous none the less. “You need to come over here, Baby, and give Big A some loving.”
He kissed me, all tender. “What, is that all I get?”
“Wait until after dinner. I’ll show you. I might have been in a coma but some things are like riding a bike.” He laughed his big bear laugh. I loved the deepness of his voice.
We had a couple more glasses of wine and sat down eat. “Hey, Sabrina, let’s just have the chef take his assistants and leave, so we can get down to business. I’m looking at all I want to eat right now.”
“That sounds like a plan, I’ll be right back.” I sent everybody home and took care of my husband.
He took the chocolate syrup I had for the strawberries and poured it all over my body. Then he licked if all off, from head to toe. It felt so incredible. I wanted to return the favor. I licked and sucked him until he begged me to stop. I laid on the dining room table, spread eagle, “Now come and get what’s yours.”
He slid inside me, moving with such rhythm I could almost feel him in my throat. He hit corners I’d forgotten I had. We were all over that dining room table. He was so deep in me, I knew a baby would come from this one. We climaxed and just lay there trying to catch our breaths. “Sabrina, it’s been too long. But this you can count on, you will never have to wait again. Ever.”
We kissed and Anthony laughed, “Baby, I need some water after all that. Do you need anything? A glass of wine? From now on, I’m at your service, Mrs. Long.”
Anthony slept through the night. I just slept off and on.
The next day Rae Shawn came to take Anthony to his sports therapist. He was going to see if they couldn’t do something more about his motor skills. Things were working out to my favor, he would be gone most of the day.
I showered and called Stevie to make sure we would be alone in the house. I didn’t need his buddies there when everything went down. He’d already left me three messages.
I put on low heels, so I could move fast, and something a little revealing to keep his attention. By the time I had driven the fifteen miles to his condo, I was sweating bullets. I was almost there when I decided to get a rental. My car was too flashy and would stand out. I turned off the Jackson exit and got a Chevy Impala at the rental place.
There was no guard on post when I pulled into the gated community. I parked my car about three condos down and walked. I had my hair under my silk scarf and my dark sunglasses on. The only car there was Stevie’s. Good.
I rang the doorbell and waited. “What up, Girl? Have a seat.” He was busy on the phone with someone. This might be all for nothing or just a test run. I sat down and waited while Stevie finished his conversation. Whoever he was on the phone with was pissed. He covered the phone, “Would you like something to drink?”
“Sure, give me some water.” I had to relax or he might think something’s not right.
“Girl, you’re looking fabulous but I have this business matter I have to take care of first.”
“Stevie, I don’t have all day. I have to get home.”
“You have as long as it takes. You’re on my time.” Not for long I thought.
“Just calm down,” he said into the phone. He covered the phone again, “I need you to go in the back for a few minutes. Just make yourself comfortable. I won’t be long at all.” I grabbed my glass and went to Stevie’s room.
I heard a knock and figured it must be some of his drug dealing friends. I was a fool to get mixed up with Stevie. I heard Stevie yelling. What the hell was going on I wondered. “Man, you trying to cheat me out of my money?” asked another voice, this time in Spanish. I really couldn’t understand, but I did know it was about drugs.
There was a loud crash of broken glass. I grabbed my purse and got under the bed, sliding all the way up towards the head board, wishing I was invisible. I heard footsteps going from room to room. They were tearing up everything. As they came into the bedroom I put my hand on the trigger of the gun just in case. They were trying to find something and they weren’t going to give up until they found it.
“Man, we better get the fuck out of here.” I knew that voice. It was Black, Stevie’s guy. This was a set up, but this was the life he lived.
Then I heard the Spanish guy, “You want to join your friend?”
“Nah man, we got it, let’s just go.”
Thank God. I was praying like never before and somebody was listening. I stayed put for another two hours before I finally climbed slowly out from under the bed. They had torn the place apart. It was the power of prayer that’d kept me alive. They’d cut up every pillow in the house and the mattress.
I didn’t want to go into the living room because I knew Stevie was dead. I was so shaken by the whole thing. I had to get myself together. When I got to the living room, there Stevie was, shot through the head, laying in the middle of his glass coffee table. I hated this for him, but I had to get the hell out of there. Karma is a bitch. I was going to kill, but it ended up being his so called best friend.
I took the glass with my water in it and grabbed a towel form the counter to open the door. I had to get as far away from this as I could. Outside I didn’t see a soul. I had to fight the urge to bolt to the rental. Just stay calm, Sabrina.
I got in the car and almost passed out when someone knocked on the window. I rolled down t
he window, “Yes?”
This old white lady was nosing around, “Is this your car, Girl? You left your lights on for a while. Do you think it’s going to start?” I didn’t say a word. I just turned the key and it started right up. I rolled up the window and pulled away.
My whole body was wet from sweat. You would have thought I’d gotten hosed down. I kept to the speed limit until I got to the freeway and then gunned it. I dropped the rental off, got in my car and headed back to Memphis. This was turning out to be my worst nightmare. If I got out of this, I wasn’t ever going to leave home again.
I got home about 4pm. Anthony was still out with Rae Shawn. I grabbed the bottle of tequila from the bar. I wanted to drink straight from the bottle, but poured it in a glass. I drank about four shots before I could finally got the edge off. I didn’t sit on the couch, I fell on it. What the hell did I just witness? I couldn’t go to the police. They would wonder how I knew. I would let some of his boys find him.
For the next couple of days, there was nothing on the news about it. Then on Friday it was the breaking news. It was all they talked about. But what caught my attention was when they said there were three men on the surveillance camera located on the property. I almost fainted. Even worse was when they said an unidentified woman was seen leaving the building. “If you have any information, please call the Memphis Police Department.”
Anthony was down in the weight room and then suddenly he was up the stairs looking at me crazy. “Sandra, tell me the woman on the news isn’t you.”
What could I do but tell the truth? The lies were what got me here in the first place. “Yes, Anthony, it was me. I told you I was going to take care of things with Stevie.”
“What the hell went down out there? You know someone is going to know it’s you on that camera.”
“Anthony, I didn’t kill Stevie.”
“So why were you at his house?”
“He was making threats about you and the kids. I couldn’t let him hurt my family.”
“You know the police will be here. It’s just a matter of time.”
“I know, but I’ll be able to tell them the truth if they ask.”
“Why was my gun missing when I went look for it? Did you take it there? And for what?”
Black Lies White Lies Page 13