by Mz. Robinson
“Freaking idiot,” I yelled, looking in my rearview mirror.
“Where’s a cop when you need one?” I got back in the left lane. The car followed. I eased on to the gas, hoping to put some distance between us, they sped up as well. I got into the right lane and floored it. I was blessed that there were no cars in front of me. The last thing I wanted was to have a collision, from trying to weave in and out of traffic. When I saw my exit coming up, I breathed a sigh of relief. The car suddenly swerved into the other lane, pulling up next to me. I slowed down preparing to exit and that’s when they swerved into my lane. I swerved to avoid hitting them but ended up getting off on the exit too fast. My car jerked to the left towards the concrete divider going around the curve, and I scrambled frantically to straighten my sedan up but only made things worse. I slammed my foot on the brake pedal, as my Infiniti began to spin around recklessly. The sound of glass shattering and metal crushing echoed through my head as my car slammed into the concrete. My body attempted to jerk forward but my seatbelt locked slamming me back against the seat. My air bag deployed blocking my view. I had no idea what was ahead of me or what direction I was facing. I didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was that I was alive. I was scared breathless but I was still alive. The entire driver side door was folded in against my body. There was a shooting pain running from my ankle up to my thigh. I tried to move my leg but it was pinned under crumbled metal. I looked down and saw a gash on my leg with a small stream of blood trickling out. I looked closer and saw the bone in my ankle sticking out under my skin; I knew my ankle was broken. Suddenly it became harder and harder for me to breath. I tried to take a deep breath in through my nose but my chest felt like it was caving in. I opened my mouth taking short quick breaths as everything around me faded to black.
Chapter 21
Three days later, I was recuperating with a cast on my left ankle and twenty-one stitches just below my calf. When I saw the pictures of my car, which was totaled, I thanked God that my injuries were not worse. I passed out just before HEMSI arrived at the scene but according to their report they were called by the police. According to HPD, they received an anonymous phone call, reporting a one car accident. The police had a ton of questions about what happened but I was little to no help at all. The whole thing was a blur to me. The good thing is that there was another car on the road behind me who witnessed the other driver swerving into my lane. They gave the police a description of the car but unfortunately, according to what I was told, there was not a tag on the back of the car so they could-not provide a license plate number. It was like finding a needle in a haystack, so I charged the whole incident to the game. Meaning I took it as a loss and presumed the authorities would never find the psycho who had an obvious case of road rage.
The cast was an inconvenience in more ways than one. First of all I couldn’t wear my cute stilettos or heels. Second, I couldn’t walk up a flight of stairs, which meant that I could not stay in my apartment. There was no way I could make it up three flights of stairs while on crutches, without busting my ass. So, I had to find an alternate place to stay for six weeks. Naturally, Mama insisted that I stay with her. I willingly agreed. I loved being around my mother, especially whenever I was sick. I may be a grown woman but Mama always treats me like her little girl. The only downfall was that I wasn’t going to be able to get my dick like I wanted to. I may be grown but Mama is not having any laying up in her house, unless she’s the one doing the laying.
Damon returned from Atlanta early Sunday morning, and his first stop was by Mama’s house to see me. I hadn’t spoken with him since I had my accident but I presumed Mama or Daddy had. The three of them had become extremely close over the passing months. After reassuring Damon over and over and over again that I was alright, the two of us sat in my mother’s den, stretched across her suede sectional, cuddling.
“What are you going to do about your car?” I didn’t even want to think about my car. I had only two payments left, before having my car paid in full. Three years early! I had been making double payments each month since I purchased it and now I was going to have start all over. The fact that I had full coverage with Alfa did not make me feel any better. They were only going to pay the final two payments off. I was still responsible for buying a new vehicle plus my $250 deductible. They were getting off pretty damn cheap if you ask me.
“I’m going to rent a car, until I find another one I like.” I said. I was laying on my back with my legs propped on the sofa and my head resting in Damon’s lap. He stroked my hair gently.
“I was thinking that maybe you should stay at the hotel with me.” He said. “I could rent out the corporate apartment for the two us.” What? My facial expression must have been speaking for me because he immediately began to explain.
“The Hilton is only five minutes away from the Ambiance,” He said. “And ten minutes away from my office.”
“It’s a forty-five minute drive from here to there.” He reminded me.
“What if something happens at the restaurant?” He asked. “Wouldn’t you want to be closer?”
“Nothing’s happened in the last two years,” I said, looking into his dark eyes. “ And nothing will.”
“Maybe you’re right,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “But I hate that your mom is going to have to drive you back and forth for the next few weeks. Especially with everything she has going on,” he said.” “And the fact that I’m willing to help in any way.” He had a point, Mama had a lot on her own plate and I really didn’t want to add any more to it. At the same time I didn’t like the thought of being dependant on Damon or any other man.
“If I have to I’ll take a six week vacation,” I said. “But thank you for the offer.” He kissed me softly on the lips. His lips lingered on mine, causing flutters in my panties.
“I want you to know…I’m here for you,” he said, giving me that look of his. “And I’ll do anything…anything for you.” I smiled.
“Thank you,” I said, sincerely. My eyes were becoming far too heavy for me to keep open. I snuggled into Damon’s body then closed them.
I woke up three hours later, tucked safely in my bed, with my leg throbbing and my ankle itching at the same time. I sat up in the bed then slowly swung my legs off the edge. The itching, I could deal with at the moment but the pain was kicking me in the ass. I’ve never been big on prescription drugs but this time I was willing to make an exception. I grabbed the pair of metal crutches propped against my nightstand then slowly hobbled my way out of my bedroom, down the hall to the kitchen. As I approached the kitchen I could hear the voices of my mother and father. I entered the kitchen and found the two of them sitting side by side at the kitchen table, holding hands and laughing and talking. I smiled. This is exactly how family is supposed to be. Minus- your twenty-seven year old daughter having to move back in because she broke her ankle when some mysterious psycho ran her off the road and the fact that your mother and father are dating but can’t officially get remarried until your mother divorces her current husband, who just happens to be addicted to strippers and escorts, and who also slept with the mother of the church. Other than those tiny little details, this is how family is supposed to be! I was thinking way too hard. The more I thought about it the more my life was beginning to sound like a ghetto soap opera.
“How you feeling?” Daddy asked, getting up from his chair. He walked around the table then held out a chair for me.
“Okay,” I said, sitting down. “Just a little pain.”
“I’ll get your pain pills.” Mama said, before getting up.
“You need to eat something first.” She said, opening the fridge. She pulled out a foil covered plate. She removed the foil then walked over to the microwave.
“Damon told me to tell you, he’ll check on you later.” She said, sliding the plate full of food into the microwave.
“Yeah, he said he had some business to take care of.” Daddy added.
“How’d I get in
bed?” I asked, already knowing the answer.
“Damon.” They said, in unison. I looked from one to the other, they were both grinning. I laughed, shaking my head.
Mama brought the warm plate of baked chicken, greens, and corn over to the table then sat it down in front of me, along with the bottle of Percocet the doctor had prescribed for me. Daddy got up and poured me a glass of orange juice then came back and sat back down. I popped one of the pills in my mouth then took a long sip of my drink. I bowed my head, said grace then dug into the meal Mama had prepared.
“Your mother tells me, you knew the girl they found dead in her apartment.” I had forgotten all about Sasha.
“Yeah, I met her right before she died.” I said, in between bites.
“They got the autopsy back,” Daddy said. “They say she died from a heroin overdose.”
“Really?” I asked, staring at my father.
“She didn’t take me as the junkie type.” I said. I remembered how healthy and beautiful Sasha looked that night at the club.
“She may not have been an addict.” Daddy said. “Maybe it was her first time and unfortunately it ended up being her last.”
“It’s sad,” Mama shook her head. “Our children are killing themselves with that poison.”
“It’s even sadder that there are assholes out there selling it to them.” Daddy’s anger was etched all over his face. He was passionate when it came down to the war against drugs. My father served on the Huntsville Police force for ten years then owned his own private investigation firm for another eight before he finally retired and opened up his own auto repair shop. In the years he served on the force he saw the cause and effects of drug abuse in our community. That’s why it’s still hard for me to grasp the fact that he was once an alcoholic. There was a brief silence between the three of us.
“So how is everything at the restaurant?” Daddy asked.
“Business is good,” I said, proudly. “So good that I may expand.”
“Open up another Ambiance?” Mama asked. I had barely finished eating before she stood grabbed my plate and began walking to the sink.
“Lene, I’ll get it.” Daddy said, following her. “After all these years your mama still doesn’t know how to rest.” I agreed.
“So where are you looking to expand?” Daddy asked, while motioning for mama to sit down. She reluctantly obeyed then came and sat back down at the table.
“Maybe a second location here,” I said. “Then eventually some other cities.”
“That would be good.” Mama said. “Maybe you should sit down and talk to Damon.”
“I’m sure he could give you some great advice on expanding.” I gave mama the evil eye. Lately it seemed like every conversation we had, she slowly involved Damon.
“Don’t give me that look.,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I was only making a suggestion.”
“Charlene leave my baby alone.” Daddy said, wiping his hands on a towel. “If she wants Damon’s help she’ll ask him for it.” I licked my tongue out at my mother then grinned. She shook her head and smiled.
“How about the three of us have game night?” Daddy suggested, walking back over to the table. “I’ll run out and get some butter pecan ice cream and root beer.” He suggested.
“We’ll make us a couple of floats and play a couple rounds of monopoly.”
“Just like the old days.” Mama said, smiling. Memories flooded my head of the three of us having game night when I was a child. I smiled.
“What do you say baby girl?” Daddy asked, putting his hands on my shoulders.
“You can be the top hat.” I leaned back, looking up into my father’s brown eyes.
“Okay.” I said. Daddy leaned down then kissed me on my forehead.
“I’ll be right back.” He kissed Mama’s cheek, and then grabbed his keys before heading out the front door.
Chapter 22
When I told Damon nothing was going to happen at my restaurant, I may have been speaking a little too soon. Before I could get out of bed good on Monday my cell began ringing. It was HPD calling to let me know that the alarm had been triggered at the Ambiance.
“There’s been a break in,” the female officer told me. I hung up the phone before she could finish her sentence, took a quick wash up then threw on a pair of cut-off shorts and a t-shirt. Mama and I hopped in her Jeep Grand Cherokee then punched it on our way to the city. When the two of us arrived at the Ambiance, I thought maybe the officer on the phone was mistaken. The inside of my restaurant looked fine.
“There doesn’t appear to be any damage.” The tall slender red head said to me. “Other than the back door was pried open.” I exhaled. I could have the door fixed in a matter of minutes. If there had been other damages things might have been worse. I hobbled to the back to check my office, with Mama right behind me. I held my breath as I unlocked the door. Everything was just as I had left it. I walked around my desk then pulled out my chair.
“Mama can you help me?”
“Sure baby.” She came over to where I was standing. I pointed to the rubber mat underneath my desk.
“Pull that back for me.” Mama got down on her knees then pulled back the mat, revealing the safe I had hidden in the floor. The lock and door looked un-tampered with, but I wanted to be 100% positive. I gave Mama the combination, then she opened the safe for me. All of the bank statements and the cash I kept stashed inside were still there. After Mama and I left my office we walked thought the kitchen, the lounge and even the bathrooms.
“I don’t understand.” I said, looking at the officers. “They didn’t take anything.”
“Probably just some kids pulling pranks.” One of the officers said. “We’ve had a lot of those lately.”
“Why would they go through the trouble of possibly getting caught without at least tearing up the place?” I asked. I knew that I should have been grateful that things weren’t worse but it wasn’t adding up.
“Ms. Ellis, who knows what goes through the mind of someone who is breaking the law.” The female officer looked annoyed with my questions but I didn’t give a damn.
“Maybe they had a change of heart.” Mama said.
“Maybe.” I shook my thoughts off then called Overhead Door Company to come replace the back door. I chalked the entire incident up as bad luck. Little did I know my bad luck would continue to come.
* * * * *
Two days later Amel called informing me of yet another problem at the restaurant.
“The men’s bathroom is flooded,” she said. “Water is everywhere.”
“What do you mean everywhere?” I asked, praying that she would not say the dining area.
“The water ran out of the bathroom into the hall.” She said. “The floor is covered with water and…”
“And what?”
“Feces.”
“Tell me you’re kidding!” The thought of shit floating in the hallway made me sick!
“We got most of it up but the odor is awful.” Amel continued.
“Did you block off the area?” I asked.
“Yeah, but there is one more problem.”
“What now? What is it?”
“The Health Department is here.” The image of the Health Department shutting me down and the restaurant score card running all over the news made me want to scream.
“Has the inspector already seen the mess?”
“Not yet,” Amel said quickly. “He’s still in the kitchen.”
“Okay, grab some deodorizer or something ASAP,” I instructed. “And call Roto Rooter.”
“I already did but the guy said it would be another thirty minutes.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.” I said. “Just do what you can.” I hung up before Amel could say another word. I was stranded at Mama’s house with no transportation. Mama was gone to the florist to give the final approval on the flowers before the wedding and Daddy was out on the boat with Uncle Leroy. My next thought was Damon.
“Damon Whitmore.”
“Damon I need a huge favor.” I cut straight to the chase.
“Anything.”
“There is a problem at the Ambiance and the health inspector is there.” I began quickly. “Amel says there’s water and shit floating around.”
“As in human shi…”
“Yes,” I cut him off. “And I’m sure if the inspector has his way I’m going to have to close for the day, plus I’ll have to wait a month for another inspection and he’ll give me a low score..,”
“Don’t worry,” Damon interrupted me.
“Did Amel call a plumber?”
“Yeah but it’s going to be another thirty minutes.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” He said. “I can meet you at the restaurant in about twenty minutes.”
“That’s the favor,” I said. “I’m stranded.”
“Where’s your mom?”
“Out taking care of some things for Daddy’s party.”
“And Charles?”
“With Uncle Leroy.. .fishing.”
“I’m only a few minutes from there,” He said. “I can come by and get you.”
“I’ll be ready when you get here.”
“I’m on my way.”
It took Damon less than ten minutes to make it to my mother’s house and after breaking the speed limit less than thirty minutes to get me to the Ambiance. The two of us walked in just as the health inspector was coming out the front entrance.
“You can’t have customers here with only one working restroom.” The familiar face said, handing me the inspection sheet.
“What about the places who have unisex bathrooms?” I asked, looking over the sheet. He had given the Ambiance a seventy, a failing score.
“They’re called unisex because they’re built for both men and women,” he said, looking at me like I was crazy.
“Sir, the plumbers inside working on the problem.” Damon interjected. After our phone call, Damon managed to get the plumbing company who handled his office to make an emergency visit by the restaurant.