by Kiki Swinson
7
I was leaving Paulette’s condo to attend Richard’s memorial service when Scotty ran up on me again. He scared the shit out of me, and I almost shit my pants. I had never seen him lurking. He grabbed me from behind like he was hugging his long-lost girlfriend. “My baby. Just the beautiful woman I was looking for,” he chimed.
I wrestled away from him, whirled around, and looked at him like he had lost his fucking mind. I was too shocked to even get my words out right away.
“What’s up, Melody? Or Mrs. Goldman, the grieving widow,” Scotty said, smiling snidely as he grabbed on to the back of my arm. I looked at him evilly and wrestled my arm away from him. If he only knew I was wishing the devil’s fucking wrath on his ass right about then.
“Stop fucking touching me, Scotty! What are you doing here right now?” I growled, unable to make my eyes go from round as marbles to their regular almond shape. “Get out of here before my sister comes outside,” I hissed, looking around nervously.
“Nah, you got the situation fucked up. Why haven’t you been answering my calls to the phone I gave you? Seems to me like you tryna avoid a nigga. I did the deed. Now it’s time to pay up,” Scotty responded roughly.
He was seriously blowing mine. How fucking hungry can you get? I rolled my eyes. “Look, I’ve been busy planning this funeral and trying to get the check from the insurance company. Why are you being so paranoid, Scotty? I mean, you are putting us both out there. You being here right now is going to blow the whole shit out of the water. Why can’t you just relax and wait?” I said gruffly.
Scotty’s facial expression was stoic. I swear, it was like I was speaking to a two-year-old who couldn’t understand English. He let out a maniacal laugh. My heart was racing so fast I felt light-headed. I could see now that I had fucked around with the wrong gangsta for sure. That was my greed.
“See, the way I figure it is you was using a nigga and now you finished wit’ me. For real, for real, I think you had this shit mapped out from day fucking one in the club. Spilling your drink on me, flirting and fuckin’ me like you did. What was that all about? Roping a nigga in, huh?” Scotty snapped, his lips bunched into a pucker.
I swallowed hard and shifted my weight from one foot to the other. He was reading my card. There was no way I could risk him going against me. He was already a loser used to prison; I don’t think I would look good in the prison clothes bunking with an inmate named Big Martha.
“That’s ridiculous. Now is not the fucking time to discuss your feelings about me not returning your goddamn phone calls, Scotty. You coming around here is not good. Now get the fuck out of here before you bring unwanted attention to us,” I growled, standing my ground. Showing any signs of weakness to a street dude like Scotty was a big no-no—even I knew that.
“Nah, you can’t get rid of me that easily, baby girl. I’ma be at your husband’s funeral. I’ma be right there when that undertaker calls you in the office to sign off on them papers . . . you know, the insurance release papers,” Scotty gritted. “What? You thought a nigga like me ain’t know the process and shit. C’mon, you so used to fucking with the perfect gentleman that you was sleeping on Lil Man,” Scotty said snidely.
He wasn’t as dumb as I had pegged him to be. My legs were shaking. I squinted my eyes into slits and moved closer to where he was standing. I reached down low into my lungs to find my deepest breath. “If you keep coming around, people are going to start talking. Your ass is already fucking lucky we getting the money at all since you fucked up and cut the fucking brakes on his car. That wasn’t the plan. You don’t think that shit looked suspicious to the cops? Then you shot Christina—what fucking part of the game was that?” I hissed through clenched teeth, my breath hot on his face. He didn’t have a chance to respond before Paulette seemed to be up on us all of a sudden. I was too enmeshed in chastising him that I had not even heard her coming. Scotty stepped back from me a few feet like I had scared him. Then I noticed Paulette; he had obviously seen her coming. I inhaled and swiped the front of my black dress down. I stepped back from Scotty and placed my dark shades back over my eyes. I softened my facial expression, back to grieving wife. This up and down with emotions was starting to make me really crazy. I suddenly had an instant headache.
“Melody, I am really sorry again for your loss. I just came by to give you a card and send my love,” Scotty fabricated on the spot. He handed me an envelope, which I was pretty sure didn’t contain a fucking sympathy card. I reached out with shaking hands and took the card. I could only imagine what the fuck Scotty had inside. Paulette eyed him up and down evilly. Then she sucked her teeth and chuckled at Scotty in disgust.
“What? You didn’t expect a nigga like me to give the grieving widow a card? Gangsta niggas have hearts too,” Scotty snapped at Paulette before he walked off with his usual bad-boy swagger. I exhaled a windstorm of relief. I held my head up high, trying to get my equilibrium back from my nerves having me shaking all over. Scotty’s behavior had been spooking me out. I was starting to think paying him that amount of money was a bad idea. Judging from how bold he had been coming around, I wasn’t so sure he would be able to hide where he’d gotten that large amount of money. Scotty would probably take a million dollars back to the hood and show off so bad the police would definitely come sniffing. I surely misjudged his ass. The plan may not have been that well thought out after all. There was no turning back at that point. During the entire ride to the memorial service, my mind raced with ways to get rid of my little problem that they called Lil Man. First things first, I had to go buy myself a gun. That was the one good thing Richard had taught me—how to shoot. I had spent lots of days at the gun range just to pass time, but I had begun to believe all of my practice was going to come in handy, probably sooner than I had anticipated.
Scotty kept good on his threatening promise. He showed up at Richard’s service and sat in the back of the funeral chapel with dark shades covering his eyes. I could feel the heat of his gaze on me the entire time. Maybe I was paranoid, but I could’ve sworn some of the other people scattered throughout the room were some of Scotty’s thug friends. I couldn’t be sure. I mean, some of Richard’s clients were similar to Scotty in appearance too. The detectives also showed up at the service. Let’s just say I wasn’t doing too well being surrounded my piercing gazes and suspicious smirks. Everyone there thought I was sick because I’d lost my husband; I knew better. I was sick because the heat in the room was too much to handle with my hired hit man and police detectives sitting only a few feet away from each other.
After the memorial service, I was ushered out of the chapel to the funeral director’s office. I had told them I’d rather take a few minutes to sign the paperwork while everyone loaded into the limousines for the burial rather than come back. I wanted the process started as soon as possible. I could see out of my peripheral vision that Scotty had followed us into the hallway. I caught a quick glimpse of him watching me before I stepped into the office. This nigga was playing hardball for real. The funeral director kept asking me if I was all right, if I needed water or something. My hands were shaking so bad I could hardly sign the papers. But I finally made it through the process. I nervously signed the release paperwork for the insurance check and obtained original copies of Richard’s death certificate. I needed those to close the deal on several of his bank accounts, the house he had tried to sell from under me, and a few other assets he owned. I was about to claim what was rightfully mine all along.
It was so much to handle and if Richard weren’t already dead, I think I would’ve killed his ass again.
When I left the office, Paulette was waiting for me so we could get into the limo to the cemetery. She had a funny look on her face. I already knew why too.
“Melody . . . this guy Scotty is starting to spook me. He is waiting outside again. Is there something you want to tell me?” Paulette asked, stopping in front of me. She gave me a look that said she was growing suspicious.
“Don’t be silly. H
e is just being there for me. I know he is a little rough around the edges and he is not the type of man you’re used to me dating, but I really think you’re overreacting, Paulette,” I quickly answered. She was getting on my nerves with all of this motherly behavior. I had one fucking mother and I hated that bitch. I was thinking Paulette better stop the bullshit before I put her ass in the same category.
“Well, Trina called me last night. She said he might be going around spreading rumors that he knows what really happened to Richard,” Paulette whispered. “I think he is trying to say you might’ve had something to do with Richard’s accident, Melody.”
My eyes dimmed and I could feel blood filling up in my face. “Don’t believe that jealous bitch Trina,” I whispered back harshly. “Now either move out of my way or come on. Please, Paulette. Stop with this shit. Now is not the time or place. Can I go bury my husband without all of this drama?” I snapped, pushing past my sister. Paulette immediately looked apologetic. She was hot on my heels and didn’t bring the subject up again. My ears were ringing. What the fuck is Scotty out there doing and saying? I thought. He was definitely a problem that was getting out of hand.
8
Within a week, I was in New York at the National Benefit Life Insurance Company collecting my check. It was a little less than three million after Richard’s memorial service and burial fees were subtracted. I didn’t care because once I finished liquidating all of his accounts, the house, and the cars, I knew I would be coming out way on top.
Once the check was in my hands, I felt overwhelmingly powerful. I felt vindicated, although I had to admit I still had mixed feelings about Richard being dead. I mean, he had done me wrong, but deep inside, I still held on to the fact that he was the first man I really loved.
With my check in hand, I had gone into the ladies’ room at the company and did a little dance. I even kissed the check. It was all mine, every red fucking cent that Richard owed to me for the years I had given up was finally in my hands. There were no more mixed emotions, no more sorrowful thoughts about Richard and his bitch Christine.
I immediately thought about Paulette. I felt bad about how I had to sneak out on her while she was at work. I did leave her a note. I explained that I was forever grateful for everything she had done for me and that I was not going to leave her high and dry ever again. I promised her that as soon as I cashed the check, I would repay her for all that she did and then some. I told her that I couldn’t tell her where I was but that I would contact her soon.
I really meant what I had said too. I was going to hook my sister up; that’s for sure. I was eternally grateful for how she had bailed me out and stood by me when things were really grave for me. It was more than I could’ve asked for. I even thought about just buying Paulette a beautiful house and paying off all of her student loans. That idea came from the fact that I couldn’t stand to think she would be giving my evil mother some of the money if I just sent Paulette a check. I was definitely spending the money before I got it. I felt so good. I slipped the check into my bag and smiled at myself in the oversized bathroom mirror. “You are one bad bitch, Melody Goldman.” I smirked.
I had to give myself a lot of credit. I had been very good at thinking on my fucking toes. The fact that I had managed to get out of Virginia to come to New York without Scotty’s ass following me was just one prime example of how smart I was. That bastard had followed us to the cemetery, to the restaurant where I held the repast, and back to Paulette’s after Richard’s services. The only thing that ran Scotty away from stalking me was when the detectives came by Paulette’s condo a few days later to ask a few more questions. I guess Scotty got spooked when he saw the cops. That was the little opening I needed. I had been waiting for one small window of opportunity to give Scotty’s ass the slip, and it came in the form of two pain-in-the-ass Tidewater police detectives.
When the detectives left Paulette’s house that morning, I had jumped into her car and followed them out. I knew Scotty was watching me like he had been doing for days. I also knew he wouldn’t dare follow the police or me, so long as I was following them. Once I lost his ass on the streets, I rushed to an Enterprise and rented myself an ugly-ass minivan. It was the most unsuspecting car in the lot. From what Scotty knew of me, he would’ve never guessed I would be caught dead in a minivan. With my nerves on fucking edge, I drove all the way to New York City without even stopping to take a piss. It was a close call too. The whole drive I thought about how mad Paulette was going to be with me. She would think I was just a selfish bitch who used her during my time of need. She would be halfway right. I needed to use her for a little while, but this time I wouldn’t forget what she had done for me. I promised myself and God that I would call Paulette or send her another note letting her know where her car was once I got everything settled and done with. Then I thought better of it. She was a big girl; once she reported her car missing, it would be found and returned to her. I was just going to repay her for what she’d done for me and send her a little something for herself. She could either be happy with that or fuck it.
I checked myself into a swanky boutique hotel in downtown New York City after I left the bank. Good thing I had taken a few bucks from Paulette’s stash. Another grimy thing I had to do as a means to an end. She wouldn’t even miss it after I sent her some money. There was so much red tape trying to open up an account without anything except a driver’s license and old credit cards bearing my name. There were at least fifty telephone calls to verify shit. But after all of the jumping through hoops, the bank manager helped me open a few accounts that would separate the money that I was going to use for everyday living and the money I would save.
When that was solved, I hit yet another snag in my plan to take my money and run out of the country. I didn’t have my damn passport. Everything had been left inside of my house when Richard had padlocked me out. I had to go about the process of reapplying and getting a new passport. An almost impossible feat without my birth certificate and Social Security card, which now I also had to reapply for. Good thing most stuff could be done over the Internet these days because there was no way I could risk going back to the Tidewater area to get a birth certificate and Social Security card. Needless to say, it was going to be a few weeks before I could run out of the country. I could only imagine what Scotty was doing. I pictured him rounding up a posse of thugs to hunt me down. The idea made me shudder. But the thought of all the money being mine cleared away my fears.
After two days in New York, I thought it would be best for me to hop to another city. I decided to drive to Washington, D.C. I figured it was as good a place as any to set up a post office box so I had an address for the government to send me my birth certificate and Social Security card. I didn’t think Scotty would think to look for me there either. I mean, he knew the insurance company was in New York, so being there was risky. He had been blowing up the phone he’d given me. I finally decided to listen to all of the messages he had been leaving. I pulled out the Trak phone and began listening to the full voice mail box. I closed my eyes as I heard Scotty make a million threats. But the last message he left sent a cold chill down my spine.
“Melody, you fucked with the wrong nigga. I’m outside your sister’s house right now, and I guess if I can’t get to your snake ass, I’ll have to get to your bitch-ass sister. You better get in touch with me or else the next time you see this bitch she’ll be pushing up daisies,” Scotty barked. Hearing him threaten my sister took my breath away. My heartbeat sped up and I couldn’t even think straight. I was a nervous wreck. I didn’t think Scotty would ever go there. I should’ve known, though.
“Shit,” I cursed to myself. I needed to contact Paulette right away. I was going to tell her to stay away from her condo for a while, demand that she go stay with Diane. In a risky move, I called her house from the W hotel in D.C. I was pacing the floor as the phone rang. My stomach was in knots.
“C’mon, Paulette, answer, please,” I whimpered as I walked
circles into the rug. “You finally decided to check on your sister,” a voice filtered through the line. I almost fucking fainted when I heard Scotty’s voice come through the telephone. I quickly hung up the phone and dropped onto the floor. There was no way I could let him hurt Paulette. I would just die if I put my sister in danger after everything she had done for me. I was sobbing trying to figure out what I would do. I came up with the idea to call him back and tell him I would bring him the money. I needed to act like I was never trying to give him the slip. I exhaled a few times, trying to will my nerves to calm down. I swallowed hard and dialed Paulette’s phone number again. The line connected.
“Melody! You have to help me! He said he is going to kill me if you don’t give him what is his. How could you do this to me, Melody?” Paulette cried into the phone.
Tears immediately began pouring from my eyes. “Paulette, I’m so sorry. I never thought he would hurt you!” I screeched into the phone.
“You fucked with the wrong one, bitch! I saw the letter you left here. You never had any intentions on giving me my paper,” Scotty growled into the phone.
I could still hear Paulette crying in the background. “Scotty, listen to me. I was going to give you your money. I just needed to sign the check and get it cleared. I only left town to do that. I was going to contact you, but I couldn’t risk the police seeing you or anything. Please don’t hurt my sister. I have your money, Scotty!” I yelled. The room was spinning around me. I flopped down onto the hotel bed. I couldn’t stand any longer. “Just tell me what you want me to do. I can come back to Virginia and meet you with your money,” I rasped out. If that was what I had to do in order to protect Paulette, then so be it. I didn’t have a good feeling in the pit of my stomach at all.
“Yo, you got twenty-four hours to arrange to meet me with my money. If I don’t hear from you, this bitch right here dies,” Scotty growled.