I was awakened by the sun beaming in through the curtain. I knew it was daytime, and I needed to get up. I had to find my daddy; all we had was each other. I showered, got dressed, and grabbed my purse and car keys. I was heading home to find my daddy!
The streets were scarce with cars, so I used that to my advantage. At times, I touched 100 miles per hour. It took me five-and-a-half hours to get to the Lincoln Tunnel and into my home state. My entire journey, I begged God to protect my parents. I knew I wasn’t close to God, but I needed him, and from the little that I knew about him, he was very understanding.
I entered the city, and five minutes later, I pulled into my parents’ driveway. I saw the nosy neighbor peeping out the front window. I paid him no mind, but something caught my attention. Both of my parents’ cars were in the driveway, and the newspapers were piled up on the doorstep. That was also strange. Every morning, the first thing that Daddy did was get dressed and got the newspaper from outside. He would then sit at the table reading the morning news and drink a cup of coffee. This was his daily routine from as far back as I could remember. I rang the doorbell multiple times. There was no answer, so I started to bang on the door.
“Daddy, it’s me. Open the door.” I banged harder.
“Mama, it’s me, Shayna. If you’re in there, open the door.” The entire plea was in vain.
I walked over to the neighbor’s house, and he opened the door before I could even ring the bell.
“Hello, pretty lady,” he said with that crooked smile.
“Hello. I was wondering, have you seen or spoken to my parents lately?”
“I haven’t seen them come or go for ’bout a week. I just figured they were gone up to Peekskill. You know they usually go up there ’round this time of the year.”
“Doesn’t that strike you as strange, since Daddy always asks you to watch the house while he’s out of town?” I asked.
“Right! Right! I saw them come home from dinner, but I must’ve missed them when they left.”
“Did you call his phone?”
“Yes, I have been calling him for a couple of days, but the calls are going straight to voice mail.”
“Well, I’m going to go over and see if I can get in.”
“Oh, hold on! I have a spare key that Aubrey gave me.”
He went inside to get the key. I didn’t like the old pervert, but he was being helpful at the moment.
“Here you go. I’ll walk with you over there just in case you need me, pretty lady,” he said while he batted his grey eyelashes at me.
I wanted to smack that old, wicked, perverted smile off his face; instead, I ignored him and walked out of his yard and into my parents’ yard. He followed closely behind. I used the key and opened the door. Instantly, I was greeted with a foul odor. I pushed the door opened and step foot inside. The place smelled like an animal had died in there. I took a quick glance around—that’s when I saw the most horrible sight in my life. There were two bodies on the ground, with body parts beside them.
I ran out screaming, snatched my cell out of my purse, and called the police.
“9-1-1, what’s your emergency?”
“I found two bodies in my parents’ home. Please hurry, send the police,” I screamed in the phone.
“Ma’am, what’s your parents’ address?”
“It’s 2015 Vahorn Street. Please hurry,” I pleaded.
I got down on my knees on the cold concrete. My feet wouldn’t hold my weight. I was trembling so hard, I didn’t hear another word that the operator was saying. I just kept screaming and screaming.
Within three minutes I heard police sirens, fire trucks, and the ambulance coming down the street. I tried to get up, but I couldn’t. The old man wrapped his nasty old hands around my waist and gave me support so I could stand up.
“Ma’am, is this your residence?”
“No, my parents live here.”
“OK, ma’am, can you give me your name and the names and ages of your parents?”
I pulled myself together long enough to give him the information. There wasn’t too much I could give to them. All I knew was that I’ve been calling them for a week and got no reply. There were police everywhere; crime scene investigators also pulled up. I was no expert, but I knew they were dead!
I was too scared to go inside, even when they asked me to identify the bodies. The neighbor was nice enough to do that part. I already knew in my heart it was them. The detective told me that they’ve been dead for quite a while, but he would wait on the coroner to confirm the exact time of death.
“Ma’am, do you know of anyone that would harm your parents?”
“No, not off the top of my head. Daddy is a retired judge, and Mama stayed at home.”
“Do you live here?”
“No, I live in Virginia. I’ve been calling them and got no answer, so I came up here to check on them.”
“I’ll need to get some more info from you; your whereabouts, etc.... other family members and close friends who have access to the home.”
“OK, whatever,” I said with an attitude.
I would never harm my daddy, but then again, the detective would never understand the relationship between me and my daddy. I didn’t care about his investigation. Someone killed them, and I want to know who and why.
“This is a murder investigation. I’ll wait on the medical examiner to give me the exact cause of death and time; then I’ll proceed. My guys are searching for evidence right now.”
“What do you mean? Some asshole came up in here and killed my parents, and you want to drag your feet? Fuck that. I need to talk to your boss.”
“Ma’am, I’m following procedure, and you yourself couldn’t even identify the bodies. I know you’re upset, but let us handle this. Trust me, we will find the killer or killers responsible for this.”
All that damn talking didn’t mean a thing to me. I wanted my daddy back. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Mama and all, but my daddy was my everything. He was the only one that never judged me. He accepted my flaws and all. He never raised his voice at me and was always there to tell me everything was going to be all right. Just the other day when we talked, I told him about Alijah and the feds’ investigation. He comforted me and was getting ready to buy me a place out in Phoenix, Arizona.
I was overcome with grief, and my thoughts were all over the place. I never imagined burying my parents, but I had no choice. I spent the next two hours talking with the detective and watching them bag up evidence from the crime scene. The coroner removed the bodies, and they left.
I still couldn’t go in, so I locked the door and drove to the closest Marriott. I needed to be alone in a dark room where I could let all my emotions flow without interruption. I walked through the door and threw my key and purse on the bed. I crawled in the bed; then this song popped in my head: “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.” This was Daddy’s favorite song that he used to sing to me when I was a little girl. I sang the entire song as the tears poured out. My heart was burning with grief.
Life wasn’t supposed to be this hard. I needed all the pain to go away. I wished that I was there to protect my daddy. Instead, I was cooped up in a hotel room while my daddy was being tortured. What animal would cut them up like that? I couldn’t imagine!
* * *
I received a call from the detective. He called to inform me that the coroner confirmed it was my parents. That wasn’t a surprise. I already knew that. He also notified me the autopsy will be done in a few days; then the bodies will be released to me. I notified a few family members. Most of them didn’t care; they only cared about what my parents could do for them. For everyone else, Channel Seven News brought the story, so I’m pretty sure they saw it.
I decided not to have a funeral; instead, I would cremate them. I also had a lot of business arrangements to take care of. It hit me that I was the sole beneficiary of all Daddy’s
money. I had to make sure I go through all the finances and contact all his business partners.
The next few days were very hard for me. I called a cleaning company so they could clean out the house. I couldn’t return until all the blood was gone. I planned on selling the house when everything calmed down. I couldn’t live in there after what happened.
The coroner stated that Mama’s head was chopped off with a sharp knife or machete, and she was also beaten severely. Daddy was tortured, and his legs were cut off. And if that wasn’t bad enough, he was shot twice in the face. The detective called the killing personal and gruesome.
A quick thought popped in my mind when he mentioned machete. There was only one person that I knew that owned a few, and that was Alijah. I was with him on a few different occasions when he bought them. With that bit of knowledge, I felt my body shiver. I wondered if he was responsible for this. Were their killings revenge for me giving him up to the authorities, and was this a way to get my attention? Daddy did tell me that Alijah called a month back inquiring about my whereabouts. If my suspicion was true, I knew I wasn’t safe. He might be lurking around just waiting on the right opportunity to present itself.
I knew I was no match for him and his goons, so I need to be extra careful. I dialed Sanders’s number to inform him about the death of my parents and about my suspicion. He wasn’t of much help. He told me to come to VA. Really? Did that son of a bitch hear anything that I said to him? I think not! Fuck him, fuck the feds, fuck the crackhead bitch, and most of all, fuck Alijah and his bitch.
I was going to get myself out of all this chaos, but first things first. I had my parents’ bodies cremated and put into matching purple urns. Purple was Daddy’s favorite color. I can take them with me wherever I plan on moving to. That way, they won’t be alone, and I’ll have my daddy close by, just like old times.
Everything was wrapped up in a few days. Then I headed back to VA. I had a few loose ends to tie up there; then I planned on making my grand appearance when I testified against my husband. I will then buy me a one-way ticket out of the country. I was thinking the Cayman Islands. I heard they were beautiful. After all, I will be rich and will be able to live my life the way it should be lived.
Sierra Rogers
Jeanette finally called me and said she was ready to take me up on my offer. I went to pick her up. To be honest, by the time she called, I was starting to have doubts. I didn’t know how it was going to work out between us, but I was determined to try.
I arrived at Whitcomb, and she was waiting outside with her black garbage bags. Ironically, it was the same kind of bag that she had when she left me many years ago. I felt my emotions trying to creep down that dark memory lane, but I quickly shook off the feeling. I popped the trunk, and she threw her bags in and got in the car.
“Hey, girl, thanks for picking me up. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this, and I promise I won’t let you down.”
“I’m too old for people to let me down. But I’m warning you, don’t bring no drugs in my home, and the first time I feel any type of feeling that you’re using again, I am throwing yo’ ass out. You hear me?”
“Sierra, God is my witness, I am clean.”
“That’s what all crackheads say,” I mumbled under my breath before I pulled off.
I showed her around the house and led her to the fully furnished room she’d be living in. I watched as her eyes lit up as she entered the room. She rubbed her hand across the forty-two-inch plasma TV that was on the stand beside her bed. I left as she began to unpack her clothes.
That night, she asked if she could cook dinner. I didn’t see any reason why not, so I agreed. She made baked chicken with baked potatoes, gravy, and green beans. This was my first time eating something she cooked, or more like the first time that I remember. I had to give credit where it was due, she did the damn thing in the kitchen, and the food was so good. My pregnant ass ate and went back for seconds. I could really get used to this, but I had to be careful. I didn’t want to put on a lot of weight. I need my hourglass shape back as soon as possible after I dropped the baby.
* * *
The day came when we got to find out the sex of our baby. I was praying for a girl, and Alijah was praying for a boy. We haven’t spoken much since our heated argument. This day was different. We walked into the doctor’s office like the proud parents that we were. Everything seemed fine with the baby, who was busy moving around. It was confirmed that we were having a boy. I was a little disappointed, but I was okay with it as long as I have a healthy baby. Alijah was gloating with happiness as he finally got his wish.
After the doctor’s appointment, he asked me to join him for lunch. I said yes because it was a happy day, and I didn’t want to rain on his parade by turning him down. Truth was, I really missed our closeness. Ever since I found out I was pregnant, I couldn’t stand to be around him or inhale his scent. There was something about his scent that made me nauseated. I really do miss the bond that we once shared. Maybe one day we could rekindle our flame that was so hot and bright once upon a time.
I was too caught up in my thoughts to realize that he took me to The Caribbean Pot, the same restaurant that we went to on our first date. We had not been back since then. The setting was still the same; it was cozy and comfortable. We were seated close to the back, which I believe he requested. I wasn’t sure why, so I left it alone.
We ordered our meal, and he ordered wine for himself and water for me. The waitress was on point, and we started to eat in complete silence.
“Why you looking at me like that?”
“Just looking at your beauty.”
“Really? I thought you been saw that.”
“Yea, I did, but some reason, you are glowing right now.”
“Mmm-hmm. I don’t feel like it. I feel so bloated.”
“Ain’t nothing wrong wit’ you, B. You are even more beautiful when you’re pregnant.”
“Boy, whatever. You haven’t paid me no mind, and then all of a sudden, now you can’t take your eyes off me.”
He reached across the table and grabbed my hand and held it in his. “Listen, B! I kno’ lately I haven’t been the best, but that don’t mean that I don’t love you. You’re the only woman outside of Mom-dukes that I love. I kno’ sometimes it’s hard to deal with me, but, shorty, I fucking love you.”
“You love me, but you’re fucking around on me. That ain’t love. I deserve better than you are dishing out.”
“I mean, I’ma keep it one hunnit with you. I’m a dude, so, yes, I do love to fuck different pussy, but I ’ont give a fuck ’bout none a dem hoes. Yuh a mi wife.”
“Wow! You believe that I am supposed to be satisfied with that? I’m not and can’t pretend. I am not going to act like shit sweet.”
“I’m not asking you to. Let’s admit it; we both fucked up, so let’s put it behind us and move forward.”
“Boy, whatever. I ain’t tryna hear that shit,” I said and tried to snatch my hand away from his tight grip.
“Sierra, leave with me. I need you and my seed. We can make a life together.”
“Alijah, you’re wanted. I can’t put me and my child through that. I just can’t.”
“Yo, B. You have me feeling some type of way, but I promise you that if you leave with me, I will give up the streets. I will give everything up. I swear.”
“Ha-ha! You are too funny. You’re not leaving the streets. Save that lie for one of your bitches.”
“Man, I am dead-ass serious. I put that on my li’l man. I need y’all in my life. Let’s raise our baby together.”
“You want me to just up and leave my house and my shop?”
“Fuck that shit. Leave the house with your mama, and I’ll buy you a bigger and better house.”
I wanted to go with him, regardless of how mad he made me. He was the only man that ever treated me like somebody. I did not want to lose him or risk my son not having his father in his life. I started to cry. Everything was so
messed up. I just want it fixed. I wanted to go back to when I first met him; the laughter and the happiness. I wonder if I let him go, how I would know if we could’ve made it to the place that we were before. I need to know! I have to know!
“OK, Alijah, I will go, but I want to have my baby here; then I need a few extra weeks to wrap up some things.”
“A’ight. Bet. I’ll wait until you have the baby; then you can come. Ma, I really appreciate you giving me another chance. I won’t fuck up.”
“You better not, because this is your last fucking chance. I will leave your ass the next time you cheat on me. I am dead-ass serious.” I gritted my face at him.
We talked for a little while longer, then he paid, and we left. I was happy that we had a chance to really talk. It was long needed; there was too much animosity in the previous days that was weighing heavily on both of us. I had doubts that he was going to leave the streets alone, but only time will tell if he does. I hope he meant it, because if he doesn’t, he will pay for lying.
We arrived home and saw that all the lights were off. I guess Jeanette went to bed early. I took a shower, and he took one after me. We both got in bed and held each other; no words, no sex. We bonded like we haven’t seen each other in years. I sure missed that feeling of just lying up with him.
* * *
I had the baby’s crib set up in my room. There was no way I was going to let him out of my sight. I ordered so many designer clothes for him, it was a shame UPS was making deliveries every day to the same address. Jeanette was helpful around the house. She made sure all the baby’s clothing was washed and folded. I figured she was feeling somewhat guilty that she wasn’t present in my life, so she was trying to do better this time around. I really thought that I would feel weird having her around, but I wasn’t. I did notice that whenever I was at home, she’d lock herself in her room. I guess trying to stay out of the way.
Even More Wifey Status Page 10