Nearly ten minutes passed before Selena and Charrise heard shuffling towards the front door, followed by the sounds of the door closing and locks turning. Brianna made her way into the living room and settled in on the opposite end of the sofa, creating a Charrise sandwich.
“What are you sitting here pouting about?” Brianna asked her sister.
Before Charrise had a chance to say anything, Selena jumped in. “I think she’s jealous cause everybody’s booed up but her.”
Brianna smirked. “You too?” she asked Selena.
“Yeah, I can’t let you get all the action,” she responded with a laugh.
“Ok, we need to get a double date on the calendar!”
Charrise exhaled loudly, interrupting the conversation between Brianna and Selena. She had heard enough. If they were going to gloat about their love lives, Charrise didn’t want to hear about it. At least not until she found a man for herself.
“Aiight… my bad. What’s up?” Brianna asked.
“I think Hakeem shot Jonathan,” Charrise blurted out and completely changed the tone of the conversation. Negative energy seemed to cloud the room the moment Hakeem’s name was spoken.
Brianna quickly sat upright. “Why you say that?”
Charrise shrugged. “I don’t know for sure if it was him, but the way Jonathan described the guy that shot him, I can’t think of nobody else.”
Selena chimed in. “Actually, that is the word on the street.”
“You and Kasy went scouting for info?”
“Yeah, and all trails lead to Hakeem.”
Brianna shook her head while she tried to wrap her mind around what the girls were saying. “What did Jonathan say?”
“He said that he had gone to the bar to get a drink and when he was walking back, a short guy with dreads bumped into him and made him drop his drink. He was like, even though the guy had bumped into him, the guy was pissed about it. He said they exchanged a few words, and the next thing he knew, they were brawling. The bouncer came and scooped him up quick because they weren’t supposed to even be in the club in the first place. Right when they got to the front of the club, he heard somebody yell ‘gun’ right before he felt the bullet.”
Brianna visualized the scene in her mind. The face and the stature of the shooter was Havok’s. She had spared his life, even when he didn’t have the decency to spare her own, or Tre’s life, the man that had been closer to him than a brother. In that moment, she knew that she’d made a huge mistake in sending Hakeem to jail instead of to the grave.
“So Herman was right. If Hakeem did do this, it’s my fault.” Brianna said, sinking back into the sofa with tears falling from her eyes.
Charrise shook her head fiercely. “Don’t say that!” she yelled.
“Why not,” Brianna yelled back, “it’s true isn’t it?”
“No! It ain’t nobody’s fault but Hakeem’s! I’m not going to let you blame yourself for this, B! That ain’t right!”
“Whatever Charrise. I don’t wanna sit here and argue the point with you.”
Selena interjected. “Blame is beside the point. We need to figure out what we’re going to do to alleviate the problem right now.”
“What do you have in mind?” Brianna asked quickly.
“It seems to me like there’s only one good option left.”
Brianna and Charrise both nodded in agreement and understanding. It was just that simple. His life, or theirs. He’d made that clear by shooting Jonathan. Brianna was not going to allow Hakeem to kill off all of the people who she was closest to. Although she wasn’t thrilled about taking anyone’s life, she wasn’t against it in this case. As far as she was concerned, he had it coming, and she was the best woman for the job.
Just before Brianna got up and left, she remembered what she’d forgotten to tell the girls.
“Ooooohhh yeah!” she said, “I didn’t even get to tell ya’ll about what happened to me on my way to the hospital.”
Charrise nodded. “I was wondering what was taking you so long,” she said, remembering that she’d been watching the door for her sister’s arrival the night before.
“I got pulled over for speeding, and when they checked my ID, they told me that I was wanted by the Feds for questioning.”
“The Feds?” Selena said in shock.
“Yes girl! I was shook. I even thought about speeding off, but I knew that wasn’t going to do me any good.”
“What’d they want?”
Brianna exhaled loudly. “Girl, where do I even begin with that? It’s too much to even try to repeat right now, but now that I know that Hakeem is up to no good, it all makes sense. The only way he got out early was to snitch, so ya’ll know he told them about me.”
Chapter Twelve
After the leaving the hospital at the crack of dawn of the new sunny day, Herman decided against sleeping in for the remainder of the morning. Instead, he elected to jump in the shower and put on some clothes, then head out. Lorraine didn’t think much of this. Lately, Herman’s normal morning routine had consisted of him sleeping well until afternoon. Then he would get up and throw on some clothes, usually the same ones from the previous day, and walk up to the nearby corner store to purchase his daily medicine, which was any hard liquor that was the cheapest or on sale. As long as it kept him drunk and numb to everything going on around him and inside himself, he was happy with the tonic.
The one thing that did draw a small level of suspicion was the fact that he had taken a shower this morning and had clean clothes laid out. It had been many years since Lorraine had worried about her husband committing some form of adulterous acts, and truth be told, at this point, she couldn’t care less. In fact, if it would put her husband in a more pleasant mood, she would iron the clothes for him to go meet his potential extracurricular activity. Hell, Lords knows I’ve thought about it lately, it was not like they were being intimate. But deep down inside, Lorraine knew that was never Herman’s personality. Her mind drifted back to its somber mood once she heard the door shut, signaling that Herman had exited the house.
Once outside, Herman placed the car in neutral, so that he could crank it up. The fact that he had to go thru this every time he started his automobile made his blood boil. He could remember the days when he had only the best of everything, when small problems like this would lead him to purchase a brand new car. Instead, here he was on what felt like the tenth turn of the key, with hopes of the engine finally turning over. All this and the sweat building up on his forehead from the interior heat of the car reminded him of his stepdaughter, and all the wealth she had decided to hold back from him and her own mother.
“Who do this little bitch think she is? And last night she had the nerve to talk back to me and make a loose threat! I’ll show this little red nigga,” he spoke to himself.
Finally, he heard the roar of the engine. It only took him 30 minutes to arrive at his destination. Ten of which were used on him stopping to grab a bottle of Mad Dog 20/20.
Herman got out the car and stared at the old sign that had begun to pull away from the white brick building. He fumbled through all of the keys that were attached to his belt key ring until he found the one for the door that led into his very first, and only currently operating restaurant. It had been weeks since the last time he had it open for business, and the smell that ran through his nostrils upon opening the door was a grave reminder of that fact.
Herman made his way to the back room and to the gray metal panel that controlled all the lights and electrical fryers. He moved each black switch from the off position to the opposite side. The whole place lit up and the sounds of the oldies but goodies radio station came blaring through the old building.
“Something’s going on. Someone’s on the phone, three o’clock in the morning. Talking bout how she can make it right.” Herman immediately began singing along and popping his fingers. “Man when this was out I know I was the shit!” he yelled out while thinking about the good ole days once agai
n. “Love and Happiness!” He screamed even louder, while walking back into the large freezer, where he grabbed some bags of freezer burnt fries and hamburger patties.
Herman’s restaurant sat on the corner of LaSalle and Beatties Ford Rd. where all the hustlers, thieves, and addicts went to exchange their goods. So even though the restaurant hadn’t been open in a long time, it wouldn’t matter once all the natives awoke and needed something good to eat. Herman had what was called the Poe Boy Special which consisted of a large patty burger with fries piled on top and his signature secret sauce, which was nothing more than mayonnaise, ketchup, and barbeque sauce. But for the low price of $2.99 it was hard to beat, especially since it came with a drink.
Several hours had passed and Herman was really feeling better about himself. He had already made close to $300.00 and it wasn’t even 5:00pm.
He thought to himself. Shit this ain’t bad, considering all I had was some old fries and burgers and a few can sodas.
His thoughts were interrupted by the jingle of the door chime, beckoning his attention towards another customer entering the small establishment. The dark long dread headed man stood and looked over the inside of the place, like a potential buyer of the property. Herman and the potential customer locked eyes for what seemed like an hour before the young man spoke.
“Hey Olehead, you the owner?” the man asked nonchalantly.
Herman wasn’t sure how to respond. Normally, he would say no, just in case it was a bill collector or worse someone from the city tax or health department. But based on the way the young man was dressed, and all the jewelry hanging from his body, Herman was sure that none of it could have been purchased on a government salary.
“Yeah, I’m the owner and who wants to know?” he asked with a defiant tone.
“Chill old man, I’m about to make your day, hell, probably your year with what I need to talk to you about.”
“Oh yeah, and what would that be?” Herman asked hesitantly.
“Let’s just say you and I have two common enemies, and one can help us remove the other.”
“Huh?” Herman exclaimed with a look of curiosity, “I don’t even know you, what possible enemies could we both have?”
The dread headed man simply smiled before he continued speaking. “Yea, like I said two common enemies, one is money or the lack of it and the second is your stepdaughter Brianna.”
Herman’s eyes lit up and his attention fixated on every word the young man spoke thereafter. “So why don’t you make me and yourself one of those Poe Boy specials and come have a seat so we can discuss this further. Oh, and by the way, my name is Hakeem.”
__________
Brianna’s heart warmed when she saw the bright smile on her brother’s face as she entered the roundabout in front of Carolinas Medical Center. She released a sigh of relief, not only because he was alive, but also because it was clear that he wasn’t blaming her for being shot.
She quickly parked and got out of the car. Jonathan was seated in a wheelchair with the hospital escort positioned behind him. Brianna walked to his side and leaned over to give him a hug. Jonathan winced with pain as his sister circled her arms around him.
Brianna quickly released him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you!”
“Chill sis,” he said, putting her nerves at ease. “If I can take a few bullets, I sure as hell can live through a hug from you.”
With the help of the escort, Brianna got a weak Jonathan into the car.
No sooner than Brianna placed her bottom in the driver’s seat, she started in with questions. “How are you feeling? Has mom been back up here to visit? You’re ok with staying with me and Charrise, right?” Brianna rattled off question after question in a rapid pace. There was so much she wanted to know.
“Do I need to tell you to chill again?” he said, laughing. “I ain’t never seen you this nervous. Are you okay?”
“No. I’m your big sister and I’m worried. You can’t fault me for that. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you. “
“True, true. I’m actually happy that you’re letting me stay with you. Charrise told me about what Dad said to you when you tried to come visit me. I don’t even want to see him right now. I can’t believe he’s trying to blame you for this.”
Guilt started to creep into Brianna’s heart as she listened to her brother. She knew that he didn’t deserve to be going through this. She shook off the feelings of guilt, knowing that rather than blaming herself, she should be blaming the menace to society who did this.
“I’ve got your room all set up so you can be comfortable.” She said, but what she was really thinking was that Jonathan would be much safer in her home, than in the home of her parents.
At this point, she didn’t quite know what to expect out of Hakeem, but she knew that if he would shoot her baby brother in front of hundreds of people at the club, it was just the start of his plot for revenge. It was clear to her that he had no limitations and it was time for her to work on a plan of her own, to stop him in his tracks.
She kicked herself for not having him killed right along with Andre. He’d already left a hole in her heart by killing Tre, and it made her sick to her stomach to think that she could have lost Jonathan. Murder was the only way to deal with somebody like him. She knew that if she didn’t kill him, he’d never stop trying bring her down.
Breaking away from her thoughts, Brianna asked, “So what did mom and Herman say when you told them that you were going to stay with me?”
“I didn’t tell him yet.” Jonathan responded.
“Ooooooo,” Brianna teased. “You gone be in trouble!”
“Whatever! I’ll call’em and tell him right now!”
Jonathan pulled out his cellphone and dialed his dad’s number.
“Put him on speaker,” Brianna suggested.
“Hello?” Herman’s raspy voice came through the receiver.
“Hey Dad!”
“Hey J! When are they letting you outta that hospital?” Herman said, sounding chipper.
“Actually, they released me today.”
“Ok, you shoulda said something! I’ll be on my way to get you.”
“No need,” Jonathan told him. “Brianna picked me up.”
“Oh,” He said, his voice turning cold. “Well you might as well have her take you back. I don’t want her around this house anymore.”
Brianna shook her head in disgust and rolled her eyes. He had some nerve.
“Nah Dad, I’m actually going to stay with her and Charrise.”
“What that hell you mean you staying with Brianna and Charrise? Now do like I told you to do and tell her to drop you back off! I’m coming to get you now!” Herman screamed.
“I meant what I said Dad. I’m not moving back in over there.”
“Now how are you going to turn your back on your sick dad?” Herman asked, playing the guilt card. “We need you home!”
Jonathan didn’t back down, “That’s not your decision anymore, Dad. “
“What? Who do you think you’re talking to like that?”
“Look,” Jonathan shrugged. “I’ll still come check on you. But it’s time for me to move on.”
Venom coated Herman’s words as he continued to speak, “I hope you know that it’s Brianna’s fault you even got shot in the first place. I can’t believe that little bitch is taking you too! Well you know what? Fuck her and fu—”
Jonathan hung up before Herman could finish his sentence. He looked over at Brianna to see how she was taking the harsh words Herman had dished out. He put his hand on her shoulder. “You know…”
Brianna shook her head. “No need to make excuses for him lil bro. I’m used to it anyway.”
Herman’s words no longer affected Brianna the way they had when she was a child. After her last interaction with him, it was clear that he was a bitter old man. Brianna couldn’t be happier about the fact that his health was steady declining due to cirrhosis of the liver. She’d washed h
er hands of him, knowing that he was digging his own grave.
Charrise greeted Brianna and Jonathan at the door of their home with open arms. She showed him to his room that had been redecorated in his favorite colors. His new bedframe was made of black leather tufted with large buttons. A plush solid red duvet set with fluffy pillows welcomed him as he laid his aching body onto the thick mattress.
Jonathan lay in the middle of the bed watching his new 60 inch flat screen TV with his two sisters flanking him.
“How are you feeling?” Charrise asked.
“Great. Ya’ll are treating me like a king. I may never leave,” he said grinning from ear to ear.
“Well sit up for a second so you can take these pain meds.” Brianna instructed him as she passed him glass of water and two hydrocodone pills.
Jonathan did as he was told while his sisters watched over him lovingly until he drifted off to sleep.
Brianna and Charrise tiptoed out of Jonathan’s room and headed towards the living room.
“Have you heard from Selena?” Brianna asked Charrise.
“She’s booed up, as usual.” Charrise responded.
“Ok, well I’ma text her cause we need to have another meeting tomorrow.”
“Oh yeah, about what this time?”
“It’s time to start plotting on Hakeem. We’ve done enough of talking about all the havok he’s causing in our lives, and it’s time we put him down for good.”
“Aiight! You know I’m down. But why wait? We can probably get her to come over tonight, and Kasy too.”
“Nah, it can wait till tomorrow. I got plans tonight, anyway.”
Charrise looked at her sister knowingly. “What kinda plans?”
Brianna couldn’t help the grin that automatically spread across her face. “Let’s just say that Selena ain’t going to be the only one booed up tonight.”
“Yeah, yeah. Go get you some.” Charrise said, trying not to be a hater. “I’ll stay here and watch out for Jonathan. But tomorrow, it’s time to get to business.”
“Yes ma’am.” Brianna answered as she walked out the door. She headed down the block to spend the night with Brandon. She was starting to like him more and more.
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