by Carl Weber
I promise one day the tables gonna turn on Tori’s fake ass. She knew I liked Vance. I told her I thought he was cute, and she still went after him, but that’s okay, I’m gonna be good. It’s a special place in hell waiting for li’l Miss Perfect Tori. Females like her always get theirs in the end! I should’ve stopped the wedding when the damn minster asked the million-dollar question. Shit!
“Bae, shhh, come on now. Please, you have to be quiet. I’m not playing around with you.” Glancing at the closed bedroom door, which still had a poster of Usher, her teenage crush, taped to it, she squirmed, fighting to keep a straight face. “Come on now, boy, I’m serious. You’re gonna mess around and let my parents or Tami hear us. Then what?”
“Then it’s whatever. Let ’em watch if they want to. You belong to me now, girl, and you know I can’t slow down once I get started loving my queen. I be in my zone!”
“Oh my God! Vance, you know you straight crazy, right?” Tori playfully teased, whispering in his ear.
“Well, let a brother just be crazy then!” With one thing on his mind, he was determined to have his way. After all, it was their wedding night, and what else were they supposed to do but bang like there was no tomorrow?
Ignoring Tori’s pleas, Vance’s strong hands groped in places his new wife never knew she had, causing her to shiver. “And besides, queen, I know you love this here I got for you. I can tell by the way you been looking at me all day. You wanted this meat. You liked seeing a guy flossing all high profile in a tuxedo.”
In the midst of Tori giggling, Vance once more kissed her neck, running his fingers through her expensive one-day-only hairstyle.
Feeling as if she was fighting a losing battle, Tori ultimately gave in to his wishes. Allowing her man to have his way with her, she silently prayed her overly protective father was fast asleep and wouldn’t come busting through the door acting like Rambo on a mission.
“Bae, I wish we wouldn’t have missed our flight. We could have been on our honeymoon, on a beach lying underneath the stars and the moon instead of being so hush-hush in my old bedroom, like we kids sneaking to do it.”
This was the night he’d been waiting for since originally meeting Tori and her older sister at a temp agency. Amazingly to some, six months after he and Tori started dating, Vance knew it was time to settle down and make it official. She was the one for him, and he wanted the world to know. Despite opposition from a few of his lifelong friends sworn to be bachelors, the once wild womanizer popped the question, and without a moment’s hesitation, Tori accepted.
“Look at you, girl, all sexy in this twin bed,” he teased, mocking their current situation. “With your main man Usher on the back of the door, watching us about to get it on!”
“Shut up, silly, and tell me you love me.” Tori admired the diamond ring she’d been blessed with and smiled. Stroking his perfectly lined beard, her eyes lit up. Living in the celebration of being someone’s wife, her world seemed perfect. Feeling as if Vance was her knight in shining armor, the new bride felt safe, as if nothing could ever bring harm or separation to their bond.
“Vance, tell me this is gonna last forever. Tell me you got me no matter what. Please tell me again. I love when you say it.”
Vance smiled, showing the small gap between his teeth. “Come on, girl. I love you from the left side, right here.” He closed his fist, pounding it twice against his chest. “Sweetheart, if it ain’t gonna be me and you for a lifetime, then it ain’t gonna be shit. Trust me; I’ve got your back the long way. Ain’t another woman walking these streets who can take your place in my heart.”
I can’t believe he’s in there saying all those mushy, meaningless things to that tramp he should be saying to me.
Tami grew enraged. In her heart of hearts, she believed if Tori had just fallen back for once, giving her the opportunity to at least try making a play for Vance, it could’ve been her wedding everyone in the family was celebrating earlier, not the other way around. Ripping the cheap satin-like dress from her body, she let it fall to the floor.
Tori got him fooled just like everyone else she comes in contact with. She’s nothing but a conniving manipulator. She fumed as her thoughts took control. This truly can’t be life. It’s not fair. I swear I can’t stand that girl!
Failing to see the true inner as well as outer beauty she honestly possessed, the visibly thick Tami kicked what she looked upon as her badge of dishonor or a second-place trophy. The dress with a broken zipper landed clear across the room. Not quite done with her tantrum, she threw her maid of honor bouquet against the wall while rolling her eyes.
Possessing a fiery attitude that could be easily divided among ten angry black women, Tami stood in front of her full-length mirror. Mentally stressed, she snatched the multitudes of hairpins out of her once perfect French roll. Pouting, lace bra and panties only, the irate female stared straight ahead, second-guessing her life in general.
Why me of all people? I’m a good person. Damn, I deserve happiness too. It’s not fair! Ever since we were kids it ain’t been fair around here. She’s always had to be the one getting her way.
“Tami, why would you eat all that ice cream?” Mr. Lewis yelled, snatching the cone from his Tami’s tiny hands. “I told you to save some for my little princess! But you are always so hardheaded with your big, greedy self.”
“But please, Daddy.” Tami stood with tears streaming down her face. “Mommy said it was all mine. She said so.”
“Look, girl, I don’t know how many times I have to tell you, your mother don’t run anything around here. It’s about time you and she both learned that.” With evil intentions toward Tami, he handed the remaining portion to her younger sibling, who happily accepted. “Besides, you’re way too fat anyway. You need to go run around a park instead of chasing behind an ice cream truck. Look at how small and pretty your sister is. You need to be a little more like her.”
No matter how many times Tami was talked down to, humiliated, berated, or forced to play second fiddle to her stepfather’s biological daughter, she tried being strong. The fact that her mother married her stepdad when she was barely one year old meant absolutely nothing to him. He still hadn’t grown any sort of true attachment to her. No matter how hard she’d try to initiate conversation or call herself trying to get close to him like most daughters did with their fathers, he was not receptive. He would use that as a reason to mentally abuse her more.
Never having any true knowledge of her real dad, Tami was told he’d abandoned her and her mother early on. She was led to believe that her stepfather was some sort of a hero who swooped in and saved the day, making an honest woman out of her mother. Maybe to others he was indeed that, but not to her. He was the original source of her resentment of Tori, the little bitch that could do no wrong. In Tami’s small world, they were both monsters she wished would just go away.
Depressed, the sister to the perfect bride wanted to swallow a handful of sleeping pills, just to ruin Tori and Vance’s night. She spitefully snatched the always present bottle off her nightstand. However, the way her luck was going, Tami felt she might actually mess around and die from an overdose, trying to seek attention. Instead, the troubled female dropped the bottle, reaching for her journal. In tears, she climbed in the bed, jotting down her vengeful frustrations as the therapist at the free mental health clinic suggested she do. Line by line she detailed her overwhelming hate and resentment not only for Tori, but her parents as well.
CHAPTER TWO
Oh my God! What in the hell is going on? Am I dreaming or what? Tami fought like hell to open her red eyes, still puffy from the night before. Oh, shit! Is that Mommy’s voice I hear?
Loud, piercing screams from her mother’s normally calm voice snatched her out of a sexually charged fantasy starring her sister’s new husband. Quickly gathering her thoughts, Tami kicked the sheet and thin blanket off her legs and feet. Jumping out of the bed, she stumbled over her torn bridesmaid dress while slipping on a pair o
f old, stained jogging pants.
Damn, what in the hell is going on around here?
Hearing her mom yell out once more, she pulled a T-shirt over her head and swung her bedroom door wide open. Seconds after stepping in the hallway, the bewildered daughter was met with her stepfather half dressed, running down the stairs as if the house were on fire.
Trailing behind him like a lost child, she wiped sleep out of the corner of each eye. Now fully awake, seeing him with wallet and house keys in hand, Tami’s curiosity increasingly grew.
“Daddy, what’s going on? Why was Mommy yelling? What’s happening? What’s wrong?”
“Just hurry up, Tami! Hurry up and get dressed!” he demanded, stuffing his wallet into his rear pocket. Grabbing a pair of shoes from the front closet, he lifted up, turning to face her. “Look, girl, your mom is already out in the car waiting. You have to drive your own and meet us down there. So like I said, hurry up and put on some damn clothes. We have to go!”
Dumbfounded, Tami was still in search of what had her parents in such an uproar. “Down where? Daddy, what’s going on? Please slow down and tell me what’s the matter.”
Now also panicked but not knowing why, Tami raced out to the driveway to question her mother. Finding her shaking with a face soaked with tears, Tami wasted no more time. “Mommy, please, what’s going on? Tell me please,” she begged, watching her father rush off the porch, trying to button his shirt. “Why were you screaming like that and where are you two going? Please tell me.”
Small bits of gravel slid in between Tami’s manicured toes as she slowly strolled barefoot back up the driveway. Knowing she should’ve been moving faster, like her parents, she was now also in shock.
Wow, sweet Jesus, I can’t believe this. It’s like I’m having a dream and a nightmare at the same time. If I am having a dream, I hope I stay asleep forever!
In the midst of all the shouting, yelling, and questions, she’d not once thought about where Tori and Vance were after the abrupt disruption of her morning sleep. She’d not noticed her sister’s bedroom door was wide open and their luggage, left by the front entryway the night before, was gone. After hearing her mother’s sorrowful voice echo throughout the house, Tami was totally thrown off her square.
Her main objective at that point was to find out the source of her mom’s pain. Less than twenty-four hours ago, her parents were all smiles and handshakes at her baby sister’s wedding; now this. Tami was at a loss for words as her thoughts raced through her mind.
I gotta get myself together. This is crazy. I mean really crazy.
Walking through the eerily silent house for the first time in years, she stared at the framed elementary-age picture of herself and Tori that sat proudly displayed on the mantle.
I gotta get some clothes on and meet Mommy and Daddy. Oh my God! Tori and Vance!
Tami’s body trembled as she held on to the handrail, climbing the stairs. Before going to get dressed, she solemnly paused at Tori’s room. Standing in the doorway, she couldn’t believe what her mother had just told her.
Okay, Tori, that’s a personal blessing from God Himself, but Vance? Not him of all people. He doesn’t deserve it. He’s just a confused brother.
Still moving at her own pace, it was like she was still asleep or hadn’t heard correctly. This was an emergency, and Tami was moving with a casual attitude. Taking a deep breath, she went over to her sister’s twin bed. The reality of what was told to her in the driveway was starting to sink in. Lifting the single pillow off the bed, Tami smashed it to her face, taking a long whiff of what she knew was Vance’s signature cologne.
Damn, boy. This is so messed up. I wish you were here with me right now, kissing me and holding me like you did that no-good Tori last night.
With no guilt about the family turmoil that was going on, she slipped the case off the pillow and left her sister’s room. After placing it in the lower drawer of her dresser, Tami threw on a clean tracksuit. Taking her time, brushing her teeth then washing her face, Tami finally texted her mother, informing her she was on the way.
“Tami, hey, we’re over here.” Mr. Lewis signaled to his stepdaughter from across the waiting room area. Consoling his hysterical wife, he gently rubbed her shoulder, reassuring her everything would be fine.
“Mommy, Daddy, I got down here as soon as I could,” Tami easily lied, knowing she’d stopped at McDonald’s for two Egg McMuffins and a small coffee. “What are the doctors saying? Is Vance going to be okay? Is Tori still alive? What’s the update on the situation?”
Her parents’ mood was obviously solemn. The unexpected, tragic call received about their youngest daughter and new son-in-law’s car accident had taken an immediate toll. Tami’s demeanor, on the other hand, was sinisterly indifferent. Getting the impression her bitter-filled prayers on the drive to the emergency trauma room had indeed been answered by God Himself, she looked into their worried faces, searching for clues. Her one hope and constant desire was for Tori to be removed from her life once and for all. Not temporarily, like when she’d go away to summer camp, spend the weekends at some of her equally-as-shallow friends’ homes, or get taken on some impromptu shopping spree courtesy of her father. Tami wanted her sister erased from the face of the earth.
“Oh my God,” her mother cried out as the tears poured from her eyes. She was frantic not knowing what the immediate future held for her beloved youngest daughter.
“Tell me, Mommy! What was said? What did they say? Please tell me.” If their glum expressions gave any indication of what the doctor had just revealed, she knew her baby sister Tori was no more. Bracing herself to at least act as if what should be dreadful news was not a joyful event, Tami fought back the appalling urge to smile. She wanted to jump up and down and celebrate her sister’s sudden demise, but she held her wicked emotions in check.
Holding several tear-soaked pieces of tissue provided by the hospital, her mother fought to regain a small bit of composure. She wanted nothing more than to tell Tami all was well. The constant caregiver since birth wanted to assure the world that Tori had walked away with nothing but small cuts, bruises, and abrasions; however, that wasn’t the case.
“Baby, I don’t know how to tell you, but Tori is in critical condition. They say your little sister lost a lot of blood and might have some internal injuries. They are saying that it’s bad, very bad.”
“Oh wow, Mommy.”
Confused, her mother cut her eyes over to the double doors the doctor had disappeared through. She wished she could’ve followed him and changed the prognosis.
Still as cold as ever, Tami continued to act genuinely concerned about her sibling. “I don’t know what to say. Have you and Daddy talked to her yet? How does she look? Is her face messed up?”
“No, Tami, we haven’t. She’s still unconscious they say.” Her stepfather somberly intervened, answering for his emotional, weary spouse. “The doctor just informed us they’re contacting a specialist and are still running needed tests. He said we can get a chance to see her shortly after that. At this point, we just have to wait and pray.”
Tami let the crucial realization of her sister’s current crisis roll off her back. It meant nothing to her in reality. Pressing her hand to her chest, the older sibling pretended to be relieved. Knowing she’d at least attempted to play the game, the preliminaries just for show were out of the way. It was finally time for the million-dollar question, the one that’d been burning a hole through her heart. Without fear of being too obvious, she inquired about the secret, unreciprocated love of her life.
“Well, dang, Daddy, what about Vance? What are they saying about him now? I know back at the house you said his injuries aren’t that bad, so can he have visitors? Can I see him? You know he’s family now too.”
“Well, I just finished calling your sister’s friends and Vance’s best man, Courtney, so they’re on their way. Plus I tried getting in contact with his aunt, but got no answer. At this point all we can do is pray for bot
h of them. Luckily Vance’s injuries weren’t as severe as Tori’s. I swear I’m going to sue the pants off that limousine car company!”
“Oh, all right then.” She backed off her small-scale interrogation of her grieving parents. Tami’s people were consumed with worry. Each failed to take notice of her overly sympathetic concern for Vance’s condition and whereabouts in contrast with their daughter’s. Not wanting to push her luck and be found out, Tami eased away from the waiting room area and her stepfather’s rants. Being accused of any sort of inappropriate compassion for her brother-in-law was not on her agenda for the day.
Out of eyesight and ear range of her mom and dad, Tami approached a nurse sitting behind an oval desk. She was determined to get answers to her questions. Her infatuation with Vance was beyond normal. It had crept up on being considered full-blown demented to her therapist, but who was she to judge? Without so much as a small bit of compassion for Tori, her main focus was finding out where he was. She had to be by Vance’s side. Embedded deep in Tami’s twisted mind, she knew her sister’s husband needed her in some form or fashion.
CHAPTER THREE
“I was terrified when my mother first told me what happened to you. I felt like a little piece of my soul shattered.” Lowering the hospital bedrail to get closer, Tami finally felt free to speak her mind. “Oh, sweetheart, I swear to you my heart was beating so fast I thought it was going to jump right out of my chest.” She nervously placed her right palm firmly against her breast. Exhaling, Tami shook off the chills. As the goose bumps prickled her skin, the drama queen lifted the thin white hospital blanket. Making sure no one was looking, she hoped to get a glimpse of Vance’s “thick and long” package she’d heard her sister brag so much about. Slowly easing back the blanket, a huge smile graced her face. Licking her lips, Tami was pleasantly satisfied with the bulge resting undisturbed underneath his hospital gown. Resisting the urge to at least touch it, she instead pulled the covers back up to his chest.