“Yes, I am the owner. Charles Campbell, thanks for getting here so quickly.” Charles extended his hand for a handshake and it was returned half heartedly.
“Yeah, well it looks like a lil’ brush fire that got out of hand. You folks been burnin’ yo’ trash? You know that’s against the law around here.”
The term “you folks” lingered in the air as Charles shook his head no.
“Well, it looks like it’s not gonna do much damage, there was some kind of accelerant used to ignite it. It smells like lighter fluid. Sometimes teenagers do this type of stuff as a prank. Definitely, I would call the police to file a report for your insurance claim. I will give you a report to give to them.”
Without waiting for Charles to respond, the fireman disappeared into the group of fireman that had extinguished the fire in the rear of the house. Charles looked at Ilene to gauge her emotions. He couldn’t read the blank expression on her face. It almost appeared to be measured vengeance. He would attempt to diffuse the situation.
“Honey, kids do this dumb shit all the time. Our insurance will cover it. Did you notice any of them hanging around here lately? I see them all trying to look like thugs around the neighborhood. What a joke, those little clowns have no idea of what struggle is.”
Ilene remained stoic. When Charles wrapped his arms around her shoulders, she was forced to provide a response.
“I know Chuck, but this is so low class. We paid $750,000 for this house. Hell our homeowner association dues are $500 a month and this is the shit we have to deal with.”
Charles was impressed that Ilene even bothered to take note of the monthly expenses.
“Well, we’ll definitely address it in the next meeting. If I wanted to stay in the hood, I would move to SWATS.” Charles said.
The reference to that area of town reminded Ilene that her vendetta with Paul Cummings had just reached a new plateau and it was now time to wage her war. She decided to make a trip to Kinko’s the next morning when Charles left for work. Her days of playing were done. She meant business and he was going to understand it one way or another.
Chapter 20 Marc
Life was beginning to resemble normalcy. After resigning to the fact that Sherise would indeed bear his child, Marc began to prepare for the inevitable. He still resented the pregnancy, but decided that hating Sheris was not the answer to his problems.
He and Reggie shared strained conversations about Marc’s absence at the gym and standing Friday happy hour outings. He was decidedly secretive about his pending child and made few concessions with Sherise as she insisted that they spend more bonding time together for the sake of the baby.
Marc noticed her persona change and wondered how much of it had to do with the fact that she was having a baby. Hardly two weeks had passed since Marc agreed to attend the first doctor’s visit with her and she was already pushing him to let her move in. Though he knew that would never happen, Marc decided that he would make sure that she was in a safer environment.
He had been meeting with a realtor to get her into a condo in Laurel, Maryland, a suburb about twenty minutes outside of DC that was quiet and known for their great schools. He reasoned that a change of environment would at least give the baby a fighting chance, even if it’s mother was the scheming hood rat that he thought she was. It was also a good insurance policy because it would be damn near impossible for Sherise to pop up unannounced.
Marc remained absolute about his desire to control the fate of his life. He wasn’t going to be one of the men who got suckered into marrying women just because they get pregnant. He did not want Sherise and wasn’t going to settle for the mediocrity she offered him.
Marc often tried to contain his contempt as Sherise would site her goals of leaving the salon to pursue a degree in international business. She would occasionally leave college admissions booklets haphazardly when she visited, though Marc never witnessed her reading them. She appeared to be more interested in reading Sista 2 Sista and Black Hair magazines. His anger was worsened by the fact that Marc felt that the comments of a professional career were made solely for his listening enjoyment and knew that Sherise had truly believed that she had cashed in her lottery ticket when she announced her pregnancy.
Nonetheless, he forced himself to be supportive and to stop making hateful comments to her. Today was particularly challenging because he had been getting pressured by Sherise to introduce her to his family so that they could start getting to know each other “for the baby’s sake”. He reluctantly promised her to take her down south for his mother’s retirement celebration.
Today they were meeting at the doctor’s office and then going to dinner so that they could discuss Sherise’s living arrangements. Apparently, Sherise’s mother received a notice from the housing authority that she had exceeded the number or tenants allowed to reside in public housing and had to have any unauthorized persons living there gone by the end of the month or she would be evicted. Sherise swore that her mother’s nemesis, and fellow welfare recipient neighbor, Ms. Donna, had called and reported the infraction since her mother had not sold her any of her food stamps this month. The whole situation made Marc nauseous and regretful that he had impregnated the poster child for ghetto fabulousness.
Marc had already started talking to a realtor and had a few condos lined up. He was sure that Sherise would jump at the chance to live like white folk on someone else’s dime.
“Uhm, you think you could help me with this?” Sherise’s voice startled Marc as he stared at the aquarium filled with expensive luminescent tropical fish and white rocks in the doctor’s office. Shopping bags from Nordstrom, Lord and Taylor, and Bloomingdales overwhelmed her as she struggled to balance herself in her three inch Jimmy Choo-ish sandals.
Marc moved quickly to help her as he didn’t want her to have a reason to revive the attitude she was undoubtedly nursing.
“Sorry about that. I would have met you at the train station if I knew you were going shopping.”
“So, what, now you care? I didn’t know I had to check with you every time I make a move.” Sherise spat Marc, refusing to mask her contempt for him and their current living arrangements.
“I am not saying you do. I just thought you said you didn’t have any money when we talked this morning.” Marc instantly regretted the tone that he took and knew that Sherise would capitalize on the opportunity to revisit their previous conversation.
“Well, if you recall, Marc, I also asked you could me and the baby stay with you for a while and your answer was “no”. You didn’t seem concerned about what I was gonna do then, so don’t be now. And anyway, I needed some maternity clothes for MY baby and I wasn’t about to ask you for shit.”
Marc rolled his eyes in the back of his head and kept them closed as he spoke slowly and deliberately to Sherise.
“I thought that we agreed that I would help you find your own place and help with the bills. That way, you can have your privacy and I…”
“And you can be a fucking whore like nothing ever happened, right? Puh-lease, okay? I am not going for the okey-doke. You must think I am one of those simple assed Howard broads, right? My baby deserves a family and the fact that you want to run around like a stankin’ assed ho’ makes me sick.” Sherise punctuated her statements by rolling her eyes and pointing her manicured fingers in Marc’s face.
“Look, I already told you we are not a family. You have this stupid pipe dream and it’s not gonna happen. I am doing the responsible thing and trying to treat you like a lady, but I can see you’re not used to that.”
Sherise’s eyes widened.
“Treat me like a lady? How? By fucking me and then refusing to tell your family and friends you got me knocked up? I’ve been with niggahs that treated me way better than this played shit. And you don’t even…”
Marc’s irritation soared.
“Well why don’t you take your project-prone ass back to the hood? Maybe Pookie or June Bug might be able to help you out. Oh tha
t’s right, they don’t have shit either. I am sick of this simple assed bullshit with you, girl. You acting like I wanted you to get pregnant…You want the truth? I got caught up with your ass and regret like shit that I ever brought you back to my place that night.” Marc shocked himself at how cruel his words were.
“Not half as much I regret dealing with your wanna be white, uppity fucking attitude. You fucking make me sick.”
With equaled venom, Marc returned, “Well, die and prove it.”
Tears welled in Sherise’s eyes.
“I fucking hate you, you son of a bitch. I wish I never met you.”
“Finally, we agree on something.” Marc said as the two waited on opposite sides of the ob/gyn office to meet with the doctor who would let them have their first peek at the baby that lived in Sherise’s body and in Marc’s regrets.
Sherise sobbed quietly as Marc peered into the fish tank wishing that his life was as simple as theirs. He didn’t want to fight with Sherise, but found it impossible to find a middle ground between them. How could she feel so entitled to him? He had no say if the baby would be born, and she fully expected him to be overjoyed at the thought of it. He hated her because she controlled everything in his life at this point. He stared deep into the fish tank wishing he was anywhere but there.
Just as he was about to escape, an overweight nurse badly in need of teeth whitening called Sherise’s name. As prompted, she stood up, straightened her gypsy skirt and turquoise tube top and started walking towards the examination room. She massaged her belly that now resembled a small cantaloupe and looked in Marc’s direction as she walked. She stopped at the door and rolled her eyes.
“You coming?” She said it to him but the question seemed to singe Marc as he reluctantly got up and walked to the examination room.
The two waited in silence for twenty minutes for Dr. Elkins to come in. He had a great bedside manner and addressed them like they were a couple who had been trying to pregnant for years.
“So ladies and gentlemen, would we like to see our beautiful bundle of joy for the first time?” Marc managed a half hearted smile as Sherise grinned from ear to ear. The nurse flicked off the lights and told them to look at the ultrasound machine. Marc noticed Sherise reaching for his hand and chose not to embarrass her around strangers for that particular moment. As they held hands, a muffled but rapid beating sound filled the room. Marc remained motionless while the object of his past dread became a real person as he listened. He was suspended between emotions and found it difficult to form an expression. Sherise, sensing how tense he became while holding her hand, jerked it away in disgust. Marc was noticeably bothered by Sherise’s action, but in the interest of decorum, elected not to make a scene. Clearly, Sherise was not of the same mindset. Sensing the thick tension in the air, Dr. Elkins attempted to diffuse what promised to be an ugly exchange.
“Guess now you can go out and get one of those God awful minivans.” He punctuated his statement with a chuckle and patted Sherise’s leg. Distracted by the doctor’s comment, Sherise offered a manufactured saccharin smile.
“Okay folks, everything looks good for now so I guess I will see you again in a month. And it’s been a pleasure meeting you, Mr…?”
“Campbell. Please call me Marc.” Marc answered the doctor wishing that he didn’t leave him alone with Sherise.
“Okay then Marc, then I will see you in a month as well?” The doctor asked.
“No.” Sherise replied angrily and peering at Marc.
Marc, desperate to recover from the pending disaster replied, “we’ll see.”
At that, the doctor impatiently made his exit. His surgically enhanced face defied him and allowed his discomfort to show.
Marc was thoroughly embarrassed. He knew that Sherise was primed for battle. This time, he would not back down. As soon as the door closed, Sherise launched her assault.
“Are you fucking serious? We here to see your baby, joe. You didn’t even say nothin’ when you saw the heartbeat. Your cell phone going off and shit. You can hate or love it, but the baby is here. For real, if you gonna act like that, then I don’t want you around me stressing me out and shit.”
Marc bit his bottom lip.
“So, you’re mother Theresa now? Like wearing those tight assed Seven jeans that you wear all the time are good for the baby. Not to mention that you are cussing like a sailor and the baby can hear that. Why don’t we talk about the fact that the baby needs a mother who aint hanging out in the club around all of that cigarette and weed smoke?”
“Marchevis, please! I haven’t been to the club since I found out. I am not about to be sitting here arguing with you. Either we gonna be together and you are gonna act like this aint a joke, or we out and you aint got to worry about what I am doing. And can you answer that fucking phone or are you scared it’s one of your little bitches calling?”
Marc looked down at his phone that had been ringing throughout the doctor’s visit. He didn’t recognize the number, so he sent it straight to voice mail. Sherise’s prompting and his own curiosity got the best of him as pressed “TALK” on the phone.
“Hello?” Marc asked with pronounced bass in his voice.
Sherise rolled her eyes.
“Reggie? What did you say? You did what?! I am on the way.” Marc continued to talk into his cell phone as he left Sherise and the building.
Chapter 21 Reggie
“Reginald Pritchard, you are under arrest.” The Prince Georges county police officer said as he removed his handcuffs from their holster in Reggie’s Silver Spring hi-rise condo.
“What! What the hell for? Man, I haven’t done anything, and I don’t need to be handcuffed like some criminal.”
“Apparently, Mr. Pritchard, you have a thing for under-aged girls. Damn brother, a fifteen year old?” The white ificer that accompanied the black arresting officer shook his head in disgust.
Reggie was immediately enraged by the attack on his character.
“I don’t know what the hell you are talking about. I have never done some ill shit like that. You got the wrong guy, seriously.”
The police officer chuckled at the very popular cliché that Reggie offered.
“Well, if that’s the case, Mr. Pritchard, all of this will be cleared up. You have a lawyer, don’t you?”
“I do. And I know that I am entitled to a phone call. This shit is ridiculous and you have the wrong person.”
“Do we, Mr. Pritchard? It appears that you are quite the Casanova. Maybe we should ask Melanie Evans and her parents about how innocent you are.”
“Who? I don’t know anyone by that name! Man, what the fuck is this – Punked?” Reggie asked hoping it was true.
“Sorry, I aint Ashton Kutcher and this aint MTV. Now, please put your hands behind your back, so that we can transport you downtown.” The officer stated as he grew annoyed by Reggie’s arrogance.
Aware of his pending arrest, Reggie attempted to bargain with the officer.
“Okay, fine. I understand that you have to do your job. Can I please call someone to let them know what is going on?”
“Sure you can.” Reggie smiled with confidence and knowledge that the officer had acquiesced.
“Thanks, brother.”
“You can make all the calls you want at booking. Right now, you want to place your hands behind your back before I am forced to restrain you.” The officer’s tone was serious and deliberately threatening.
Reggie couldn’t believe what was going on. It resembled an outer body experience and he was not clear how to stop it.
“Do you have any weapons or drugs on your person, Mr. Pritchard?”
“Man, hell naw. I know you know I am not a criminal. This shit isn’t even called for.”
“Mr. Pritchard, these are standard operating procedures. I am about to read you your Miranda rights. Officer Dougan and I will be escorting you to the substation for booking, fingerprinting, and your hearing with the commissioner. Do you have any blood-borne
or communicable diseases that you are aware of?”
“What! Now you are saying I got AIDS? Man, fuck you! Just take me down to the station so that I can make my phone call to my lawyer. Some heads are gonna roll for this bullshit.”
“Mr. Reginald Pritchard, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law…”
Chapter 22 Marc
Marc rushed into the 5th Precinct of Prince Georges County, where Reggie said he was held. The stench of stale urine and cheap cologne merged into a nauseating experience as Marc attempted to ascertain Reggie’s whereabouts and bail.
“I am sorry, but bail hasn’t been set yet. Mr. Pritchard hasn’t seen the commissioner yet to determine what charges will be brought against him.” The clerk answered Marc as he attempted to form a game plan to help Reggie out of the situation. He knew that somehow it involved a female.
“Can you tell me what the charges are? What was he arrested for?”
“I am sorry sir, but I can’t release that information to you.”
“Maam, I understand, but I am just trying to help out my friend. You can understand, right?”
The clerk gave him a half-hearted smile.
“Look, I wish I could help, but I could loose my job if I told you that he was arrested for something like statutory rape and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.”
“Thank you”, Marc mouthed as he stretched his eyes in amazement.
“What the hell has this fool done?” Marc asked an invisible respondent.
The clerk noticed the bewildered look in Marc’s eyes and attempted to put him at ease.
“It’s probably sounds worst than it is. These hot assed girls and their parents get mad when smooth talkin’ brothers walk away with more than a kiss. They fly down here and press charges before their neighbors get to talkin’ about her expanding stomach…”
A Price to Pay for Everything Page 17