by Dutch
It’s going to cost you everything you love, he again remembered Ms. Sadie’s words.
The old woman suggested he let Cat rest. He knew he needed to call her parents and let them know what was going on. They were on the next thing smoking. There was nothing else for Vee to do but wait until the morning.
Vee spent the entire night in the parking lot. His team grumbled, but no one openly protested. They knew it was futile. At 6:30, Cat’s mother and father pulled up to the hospital and called Vee. He met them in the lobby.
Cat’s mother hugged him tight, and her father shook his hand firmly. They could tell by his disheveled appearance that he had no sleep and the pain in his eyes told the story of his heart.
“Victor, I know this is hard on you. I loved my grandson dearly, but we need you to be strong. Cat needs you,” her father told Vee. He knew what Vee did for a living, but he respected how he cared for his daughter. Besides, he had been around too long not to know how to swim upstream himself.
They got a hold of the doctor who approached them timidly.
“Thank you for accommodating us so quickly, doctor. We’d like to know how our daughter is,” Cat’s father inquired.
“Yes, ahhh,” he looked down at the memo in his hand, “Mr. and Mrs. Richards, there seems to have been a problem.”
“What kind of problem?” Mrs. Richards gasped.
“Your daughter is gone. She left the hospital on her own some time this morning,” the Doctor replied regretfully.
Vee dropped his head. Something deep inside told him he’d never see Cat again.
The week since Guy’s recovery had been bittersweet for the Simmons family. They rejoiced in the fact that Guy had recovered and cried bitterly about the death of Kev—Gloria especially. She had prayed in earnest for Guy to live, vowing to God that she’d give anything. She knew the saying, “be careful what you pray for,” but never in her wildest dreams did she think she would lose her only child. So in a spiritual sense, Gloria felt responsible for her son’s murder. They had to keep her heavily sedated because her mood varied from severe depression to fits of wild bereavement, and they feared she would harm herself.
Debra felt Gloria’s pain sincerely. She had even embraced Gloria during one of her fits. After all, she had a son, too. So despite the fact that because of Kev’s death Ty’s ascendancy would be undisputed, she never wanted it at the expense of Kev’s life.
Ty’s mind was focused on revenge. He was relieved that Guy had recovered, but he felt somewhat distant from Guy. He too respected Guy for raising him as his own, but the bond would never be the same. So instead of dealing with the emotional confusion, he focused on the one emotion he knew best: anger.
The Wolf Pack and all their lackeys became the targets, the targets he used to take out his frustration on for not being able to find Vee. Once he found out from Brooklyn where Vee laid his head, he had his crib staked out 24/7.
Three teams alternated the task but Vee never showed his face. But Ty was determined. He kept the spot watched and intended on doing so until Vee lay dead in his own blood.
But the rest of the crew was no match for Ty’s team. He all but shut down all of the Wolf Pack’s spots and murdered anybody that repped the symbol. The carnage increased the police presence, but Ty didn’t care. Until Vee was dead, he was ready to murder any and everybody even remotely connected to him.
Karrin was the only one that felt relieved across the board. She loved Guy like a father and she was glad to see he had pulled through. Kev on the other hand, was a different story. Theirs had been a marriage of convenience for her. She loved Kev, and human compassion made her regret his passing, but deep down she felt that the only obstacle between her and Ty getting back together had been removed. After their few fleeting moments of passion, Ty once again stopped taking her phone calls. His hot and cold streaks were driving her crazy and made her want him even more.
They rode in the funeral procession in separate limos. Ty and Debra in one; Guy, Gloria and Karrin in another. Debra understood why Guy rode with Gloria, so she didn’t object. Plus, it would give her a chance to talk to Ty, because between the funeral arrangements and the war in the street, they hadn’t had a chance to talk.
“You look tired,” Debra commented, Dior shades protecting her eyes from the sun.
“I’m aw-iight,” Ty replied dryly as he peered out at the streets, his reddened eyes hidden by the Versace’s.
“I’m-I’m sorry for keeping it from you so long,” Debra said, but Ty didn’t respond, so she continued. “I feel so bad for Gloria. No matter the history she and I have, I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. I keep thinking how easily this could’ve been you,” her voice broke as she finished her sentence. She turned to the window and a tear fell from behind her Dior’s.
She had thanked God many times that it hadn’t been Ty. It would’ve killed her if the one person that she set off these terrible events for, was the one she lost because of it.
Ty hated to see his mother cry, so he reached over and took her hand.
“I ain’t goin’ nowhere, Ma.”
She squeezed his hand and kissed it. “I never wanted this for you, Tyquan. I wanted to see you do well in school… go to college… I don’t know, maybe I should’ve been more persistent, maybe—”
“I made my own decision, Ma. You couldn’t have stopped me anyway,” Ty replied
Debra chuckled. “I know, Mr. Taurus the bull. So headstrong, just like your father,” she said, but the look he gave her made her drop her head. “Guy.”
Gloria rode holding Guy’s hand with both of hers, which rested on her lap.
“You know I love you, right?” Guy told her sincerely.
“I know you do, Guy,” Gloria answered.
“And you know that, no matter what, we’re going to find the bastards responsible for this.”
“It-it won’t bring him back.”
“But he’ll be able to rest in peace,” Guy countered, and she could hear the rage concealed in his tone.
Gloria squeezed his hand. “There’s nothing I’d like better than to know that my son’s killer didn’t go unpunished, but right now… I-I just want peace. I want this to be over,” Gloria whispered, holding back the tears that came with being a wife of the game. She had practically been raised in the game, but all the money, the jewels, cars and fancy houses in no way amounted to the price she had paid for it. Her brother, her son and almost Guy several times.
“It will be,” Guy assured her, “I promise you that!”
Karrin sat and listened without appearing to do so. She smiled to herself at the way Guy always catered to Gloria. It made her wonder why they even got divorced. It was clear to anyone with eyes that they still loved one another. Sometimes love isn’t enough, and the thought made her think of her and Ty.
“You okay? You haven’t talked much the whole ride,” Guy asked Karrin, leaning across the aisle to pat her knee.
“I’m-I’m okay,” Karrin assured him.
“You sure?”
Karrin nodded her reply.
“You know, Karrin, you’ll always be a part of this family. I love you like a daughter. Never forget that and never forget you’re a Simmons,” Guy smiled.
“Thank you, dad,” Karrin replied, “You don’t know how much that means to me.”
She and Gloria’s eyes met momentarily, and it made Karrin look away. Gloria didn’t trust Karrin. She felt that she was a nice girl but she could sense another side of her, just beneath the surface.
The line of limos and Escalades looked more like a presidential envoy than a funeral procession. Tito Bell had come down with his mother and Gloria’s sister, though they were still estranged. The twins were still in town, so they rode with Tito. Many of the old players, Mason and southern politicians came out to show their respect to the Simmons family.
Ty watched as they lowered his brother into the ground. Kev had a closed casket wake because of the nature of his death, but Ty had slipped i
nto the back of the funeral home and slid a bullet into Kev’s hand. It was his way of vowing to his brother that he would avenge his death.
Guy had to attend the funeral in a wheelchair because he was still a little weak. The doctors didn’t think it was a good idea, but there was no way he wasn’t going to attend the funeral of his son.
After the funeral, Tito approached Guy and Ty. He bent over to hug Guy in the wheelchair. “How are you doing, Uncle Guy?” Tito asked.
Guy shrugged. “As well as can be expected, nephew. It’s good to see you,” Guy replied. Tito was the spitting image of Eddie, except Tito had more of a physique and kept his hair short and wavy.
Tito shook Ty’s hand and gave him a hug. “Peace, Fam. I hate that the first time I came to see you was under these types of circumstances, but like I told you, whatever you need, I’m here,” Tito assured him.
“I appreciate that, T,” Ty responded.
“The twins don’t wanna leave ‘cause they say it’s hot and heavy down here, and they hate to start something and not finish it.”
“I feel you, but I’m good. They more than showed me why you sent ‘em,” Ty smirked.
Tito nodded. “I told you, B. Pitbulls in a skirt,” he said then turned to Guy. “I realize this is neither the time nor the place, but I would truly appreciate it if I could meet with you before I leave,” Tito inquired.
“My door is always open for you, nephew, but it would do better to speak with Ty,” Guy told him then looked at Ty, “He’ll be makin’ a lot of the decisions while I recuperate.”
Ty felt a lump in his throat. Tito smiled at him with pride.
“That’s what it is then, Unc. Ty, I’ll be stayin’ in Wilson. Whenever is good for you.”
“I’ll see you tonight,” Ty told him.
They shook hands then Tito walked off.
“What do you think of this deal?” Guy questioned, watching Tito go over and hug Gloria.
“I think we stand to make a lot of money without assuming a lot of risk,” Ty surmised.
Guy nodded. “A man only wants a partner for two reasons. One, he’s weaker and he needs a protector or two, he’s stronger and he thinks he can swallow you,” Guy said then looked at Ty, “Do you know what destroyed Rome.”
“No.”
“It got too big to keep together. Everything else was just side issues. The man that put me on my feet told me that. With this deal, you’ll be takin’ us deeper in. Less risk? No, because Tito’s issues become our issues, we take on his burden. I don’t like it, but I’ll support you whichever way you go, because the day will come when you’ll guide the direction of this family,” Guy explained.
Ty felt a mixture of guilt and pride, but he vowed inside not to let the family down.
“I got you, Pop,” Ty replied.
Ty pushed Guy over to Gloria then went to find his mother. He had a lot on his mind and he needed solitude to weigh it all out.
“Ty. Can I speak with you?” Karrin asked as Ty made his way across the cemetery.
“Not now, Karrin,” he replied dismissively.
She grabbed his arm and stopped him from walking away. “Then when? You won’t return my phone calls or my texts and it’s like you don’t even live in your apartment because you’re never home!” Karrin fought to keep from raising her voice.
“I been busy, okay?”
“Bullshit! You’re avoiding me and I want to know why!” she demanded.
“Look, Karrin, let it go, okay?? It’s over… I don’t want to see you again,” Ty spat, meaning it for the first time.
Tears welled in her eyes. “But why? What did I do to make you treat me this way?!”
“I-I gotta go,” was Ty’s unfeeling reply.
“Tyquan, don’t walk—” she started to say with her teeth gritted, but Ty snatched himself away and a few people walked by with curious looks on their faces. Karrin gave a fake smile and moved the hair out of her face. Once they passed, she stared daggers in Ty’s back as he walked away.
The people at the cemetery weren’t the only ones attending the funeral. Young Hardy and his man Dro sat across on a side street facing the cemetery. Young Hardy was behind the wheel of a grey hooptie and Dro was in the passenger seat. They both had AR-15s on their lap. Young Hardy gripped the steering wheel so tight, his knuckles turned red. All he could see was himself stumbling to the crib only to find it burnt to the ground, surrounded by police, a fire truck and a coroner’s van. His whole family had been burnt up in the fire and young Hardy’s heart along with it.
“Fuck that! I’m goin’ in,” Hardy hissed, tired of waiting.
“Yo, dawg, we’ll never make it. You see them nigguhs got four guards at the cemetery entrance and ain’t no tellin’ how many shooters inside,” Dro tried to reason.
“We about to find out,” Hardy replied, starting the car. He went to put it in gear, but Dro grabbed it, “Ay yo, Dro, if you don’t move your hand—”
“Hardy, listen to yourself! You ain’t thinking! This ain’t no goddamn Rambo movie, nigguh, shit is real! Ain’t no way we gonna be able to make it inside and murder them nigguhs before we get hit or knocked or both!” Dro barked.
“Nigguh, I ain’t got nothin’ to lose,” Hardy said from the heart. They had taken away his only source of peace forever.
“Yeah you do!”
“What I got to lose?!”
“A better opportunity,” Dro replied simply. “I feel you, dawg. I know you don’t give a fuck about death or jail, but if you want to get these nigguhs instead of lettin’ ‘em know you wanna get ‘em then we need to do it right! You feel me? All we can do is go in there making a lotta noise. Fuck that. Let ‘em have they day. The next funeral is on us!” Dro explained, and young Hardy saw the wisdom in his words.
“Your daughter… is very unstable. We felt it necessary to have her speak to a staff psychiatrist to determine whether or not she should be placed in our psychiatric ward for further evaluation. Unfortunately, it took some time to get the psychiatrist, and it was during that interval when your daughter escaped.”
Vee thought about the doctor’s words, as he drove through the woods leading to Ms. Sadie’s house. They had spazzed on the doctor, threatening to sue the hospital for negligence, then they spent the rest of the day and into the night looking for Cat throughout the city. Her parents even went to the police so they could be informed if and when Cat was picked up.
They hoped Cat had gone back to North Carolina, but she wasn’t at her parents place nor was she at the apartment.
“Did you know that your neighbors had been murdered, Victor?” Mrs. Richards (who’s Mrs. Richards, the neighbor?) had informed him, because he didn’t go to the apartment.
That confirmed for Vee that he could no longer rest his head there. He headed out to Ms. Sadie’s to get his head together and see if she could help him find Cat.
When he pulled up, the sun was just setting, giving the woods around him an orangey hue.. The front door was closed. This was something that Ms. Sadie rarely did, unless it was bitter cold. He tried the knob, found it was open and went in.
“Mama, I’m—” those two words seemed to echo around the room because the place was empty.
Vee stared around in shock because every stitch of furniture, every artifact and picture had been removed. The old floorboards creaked with every step, showing their age. A spider had even spun a web over the front picture window.
“Mama!” he bellowed, going room to room, refusing to accept what his eyes told him was true.
Ms. Sadie was gone. Deep down Vee feared that she was dead. He knew that people who dealt with roots didn’t want anyone to know where they were buried, so many would go off and prepare in advance to die.
“Mama!” he screamed again in anguish. It seemed like his world was coming apart at the seams. “Why didn’t you tell me,” he whispered as the tears slid down his cheeks. “Why didn’t you tell me???” he yelled, referring to the dream about the pool.
He sat on the floor with his head bowed, allowing his soul the cleansing it needed. He was all alone in the world. No one to love and no one to love him. This was the punish-ment for the choice he made. It was then that he thought about the dreams about his mother. They hadn’t stopped since he told Ms. Sadie about it. They varied, but they always involved his mother and the ring.
“The ring represents wealth and power. Once you get it, the bloodshed will ensue, but death will assist you in defeating your enemies,” he remembered Ms. Sadie telling him.
Vee stood to his feet. He had to find out what it really meant, and the key to the woman that had abandoned him. He had to find her. If wealth and power were all he’d ever obtained, then he decided to live that to the fullest.
“Fuck love,” he mumbled in an attempt to convince himself as he headed out the door.
He already knew his mother’s name, and in this day and age it isn’t difficult to find someone, no matter how far removed. But when he Googled her name, nothing came up. Her last name was prevalent in the Fremont area which was a few miles from Goldsboro. He aimed for the oldest names, hoping that one was the matriarch and could tell him where his mother could be found. The first lady was unrelated, but the second was an elderly blind woman. She lived alone but had an attendant to help her get around. Vee sat down across from the lady.
She said, “Would you like something to drink?”
“No, Ma’am,” Vee smiled, “I won’t take up too much of your time. I just wanted to know if you knew a Shantelle Braswell.”
The old woman smiled. “Well I should, since she’s my youngest daughter.”
Vee’s heart jumped; excited to know he was on the right path. “Does… does she live here with you?”