Vengeance

by Mychea

  But just because she is miserable does she have to take her crap out on me? I have enough on my plate; I have finals, and this job, ugh, the tragedy.

  Copyright © 2010 Mychea

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  Usually Camille kept her feelings to herself, but Haven was a skank as far as she was concerned. Any woman that would sleep with her best friend’s husband could not be trusted.

  Chris seemed content with dragging this situation out, but Camille was not having it.

  “You should be using protection with her anyway. If you had been, there would be no baby and my life wouldn’t still be on hold.”

  Chris looked at Camille incredulously, “How would I explain using protection with my own wife? Haven ain’t going for that.”

  “Baby, but what about me,” Camille pouted, “How long do you expect me to wait?”

  Sitting down in a chair and pulling her into his lap, Chris pushed her hair back so he could caress the side of her face. “Camille, you have been a great sport about this whole thing. Trust me; it won’t last too much longer. Just let my baby get here and then the countdown can begin.”

  Standing, turning to look down at him, “I’m giving you one year and then I’m gone. I’ve been waiting patiently for over five years. I’m missing my life, waiting on you to live yours and I’m done with this.” Looking him dead in his eyes so that he knew she was serious, she repeated for emphasis, “One year.”

  Seeing the sadness and anger in her eyes, Chris knew that she meant it, there was only a matter of time before she left him and he couldn’t really be mad at her, she was tired of the games. Running his hand over his face, he had to act and he had to act fast. Camille had made it very clear, he had one year. Let the countdown begin.

  Turning the television off in the family room, Haven looked up at the clock hanging above the fireplace. It was well after two in the morning. “Where in the hell is Chris?” she thought to herself. Kaven had been home, eaten dinner and was now in bed and yet, still there was no sign of Chris. “There is no way that he is still in the office,” she said out loud to the silence or God if he was listening. Haven dialed his cell one more time; once again, all she received was his voicemail. Chris was up to something. This wasn’t the first time he’s stayed out late or not come home at all.

  Still clutching the phone, Haven called Naima, she was so grateful to have Naima back in her life.

  “Hello.” A sleepy voice answered.

  “Hey Nai.”

  Copyright © 2010 Mychea

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  “Hey,” clearing her throat, Haven could hear her shifting on the phone, “Oh-oh, what’s wrong? Chris M-I-A again?”

  Closing her eyes and leaning her head against the phone, “I can’t believe I put this friendship in jeopardy, no one knows me like Naima.” Haven said to herself.

  “Girl, how did you guess?”

  “Why else would you be calling me after two in the morning? If your man was home, you wouldn’t be thinking about me.”

  “Very true. I just don’t know what’s up with him. Something is not sitting right with me about our whole situation.”

  “Well what’s wrong?” Naima sounded more alert now, “Do you think he’s cheating on you?”

  Haven took a deep breath, slowly releasing it from her lips.

  “I don’t know. I just have a feeling that he’s up to something. You know?”

  “Well, doesn’t he work long hours anyway? Maybe he’s still working.” Naima knew that there may very well be a strong possibility that Chris was cheating on Haven. He was showing all of the classic signs, not returning phone calls, not coming home at night, or if he did bother to come, he came very late and offered no explanations. Naima didn’t want to have an “I told you so moment” but Karma can be a real “B”. Haven had done so many foul things in her life that there was bound to be something that would come back and bite her in the ass.

  “Yeah, he does work long hours. But sometimes I feel as if he uses his job as a cover up.”

  “Haven, worrying about this will drive you crazy. At eight months pregnant, you really don’t need this stress right now. If Chris says he’s working then until you have proof that he isn’t, let it go. Trust me,” Naima continued, “it’s so much better for your sanity that way.”

  Haven thought about what Naima was saying for a second. She hated to admit it, but Naima did make sense, but she wasn’t buying it. Chris was definitely up to something and if anyone should understand, Naima should. Seeing as she would not be making any head way tonight, Haven decided to drop the subject. “I guess you’re right. I don’t want to stress and mess around and go into labor early about something I can’t do anything about right now anyway.”

  “Good for you.” Naima said, yawning over the phone, “Get some rest. If things keep going as they’re going, don’t worry, what’s done in the dark will come to light eventually.”

  “Aight girl, thanks for listening. I really needed to vent.”

  “Haven, I’m always here for you, only a phone call away.”

  Copyright © 2010 Mychea

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  Hanging up the phone, Haven still had an unsettling feeling, but in all actuality, what could she do with no proof? Maybe it was best to take Naima’s advice, Chris couldn’t cover up whatever he was doing for long, and eventually everything would come out into the open.

  Copyright © 2010 Mychea

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  Chapter 2

  Interlude

  Squeezing her eyes shut, Emeri wanted to yell out so badly. It took everything in her to concentrate on not screaming. There is no way she could ever tell her Mama, she wouldn’t know what to do. Emeri felt as if she went through so much already. This would break her and she didn’t want anything bad happening to her. He had told Emeri if she ever said a word that he would kill her. There was no way Emeri could let that happen, nothing bad could ever happen to her mother, she’s all Emeri has in the world. Without her, there is nothing.

  I knew he would be back for more. He always came back. He acts as if he can’t stay away from me. I feel caged. I do everything I can to remain normal and do what is required of me, but inside I am dying. My soul is aching, why can no one see what he is doing to me? He’s slowly killing me. My spirit is tormented.

  Men are all the same. Always wanting what they want, never thinking or caring about anyone’s feelings but their own in return. He would not continue this assault on me forever. One of these days, he is going to pay. I don’t know how, but it is coming and much sooner than later.

  I have had enough.

  *

  *

  *

  *

  The sooner Emeri could get out of this fuckin’ place the better. “I swear,” she thought, “if I have to be housed in here with all these crazies another minute, I really will be able to be categorized as one of them. I’m just over this whole experience.” The judge had sentenced her to five years in the psych ward of the prison. She was set to be discharged the following morning and it couldn’t come soon enough. Who knew, there really was a God. Cause Lord knows, if she had to talk to Coleen one more time, she was going to lose it. For the life of her, she couldn’t understand why Coleen was chosen as her therapist. It’s as if they knew that jail in the psych ward wasn’t enough, she had to be punished even further. Well they had succeeded. Emeri didn’t think it could get any worse than Coleen. The court system had the nerve to say, that she had to report to Coleen until they felt she was no longer a threat to society. If anything, Coleen’s ass was a threat to them in here.

  Kenneth was on his way for their weekly Thursday therapy session, ever since Emeri had been put in there, this had become their routine. She thought that he was trying to forgive her, Copyright © 2010 Mychea

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  trying to get to a point where the two of them could have a relationship. They had been doing these sessions so long; Emeri had come to love and loath them. On the one hand, she was happy that she finally was getting a chance to know my dad after all of these years; all she ever wanted to have was a Dad. She believed the sessions had actually brought them closer together. On the other hand, she hated how they are trying to make everything seem like it was her fault. It was never her intention to hurt Naima. Emeri was hurt too; she lost her mother, someone she loved too. It wasn’t her fault that Naima had jumped in front of the bullet marked with Damir’s name on it. As far as Emeri was concerned, for the most part, they could all suck it.

  Serves Damir right, now with Amber and Naima out the picture, maybe he could forgive Emeri for the birthday incident, she didn’t think he would really stay angry with her forever? The sooner he could let go and let God, the sooner they could get their life in order. Emeri had heard about the birth of his baby girl on the night of his party. What an incredible way to enter the world. It’s unfortunate that she lost her mom, but look at the plus side; she was here against all odds and in the midst of adversity.

  Sighing deeply as she stood to go to therapy, Emeri glanced around her solitary padded, white room. She had been deemed unfit to have a roommate, which when she first arrived she had appreciated. Now though, she missed not having someone to talk to. With only Coleen and Kenneth to have any form of communication with the outside world, she was losing the little bit of mind they thought she had left. Smiling to herself, tomorrow they would definitely see a new her. She would finally be free of this place.

  *

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  *

  “So Emeri,” Coleen began, raising her perfectly arched eyebrow at me. Already she was irking Emeri, speaking to her with the slow patient voice as if she were five. “How would you like for today’s session to go?”

  “I’m not sure what you mean.” Emeri responded, leaning her head to the side and staring at her. She knew exactly what Coleen meant, but she’s the one with the PhD, let her figure Emeri out.

  Shifting her notepad to her lap giving Emeri a dead on stare, “Emeri, don’t you know that if you willingly participate in our sessions, I will be able to give the judge an accurate accounting of your behavioral changes and just maybe, you won’t have to endure counseling with me any Copyright © 2010 Mychea

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  longer? The choice is yours.” Rising from her chair next to Emeri, she went back and sat at her desk to go over paperwork, dismissing her as if she no longer existed.

  Sighing indifferently, resigning to her fate, “What would you like to know?”

  Raising her eyes above the papers she was reviewing, Coleen looked at Emeri long and hard before she spoke, “I am trying to help you. If you don’t want my help, there’s the door.”

  Looking back down at her papers, she dismissed her again.

  Narrowing her eyes and breathing heavily as she pressed her tongue to the back of her teeth, Emeri wanted to bash Coleen’s skull in. Coleen knew goodness well that she could not leave and that she had to see her in order to remain outside of jail. Who did she think that she was kidding?

  “Coleen, if you are willing, I would like to proceed.” Emeri said as graciously as she could muster through gritted teeth.

  Dropping her papers completely down on the desk this time, Coleen rose from her chair grabbing her notepad and went to sit in the seat next to Emeri that she had vacated not too long ago.

  “I’m glad that we are coming to an understanding. I am not the enemy, I know it may seem that way, but I really want to help you succeed, so that you will be able to regain your life and be able to move on.” Coleen’s imploring eyes stared at Emeri’s, “Let me help you Emeri, I want to.”

  Emeri looked at Coleen as if she were an alien from another planet. Did this broad think that she was delusional? Coleen didn’t want to help her. All she was concerned about was her paycheck and making herself look good. Counseling Emeri just offered her an opportunity to boast about turning a judge-an- jury-deemed “insane” person around. Emeri would not be a part of her bullshit.

  “Coleen, let’s be honest. This is just a job for you, no more no less. So please spare me the dramatics. All I want is to do my sessions and be done with this.”

  “Until I feel that we have made progress, you will continue with these sessions. They can take however long or short a period, as you would like them too. The decision is ultimately yours.”

  Continuing her vocalization to herself, as far as Emeri was concerned, “A parole board already vouched on your behalf that you are able and ready to reenter society. These sessions are just to ensure that you stay there.” Placing her notepad on her lap, “All I can do is offer my help, you are the one that has to make the difference.”

  Copyright © 2010 Mychea

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  “Ok, fine. Let’s start.”

  Remaining silent a moment longer, she began, “Ok, how about we take some time to talk about the night that put you in here with us.” Emeri could already feel her face getting hot as Coleen continued, “I think it is time that you and your sister have a talk. A significant amount of time has passed since the shooting; this will give you an opportunity to sit with Naima and deal with the situation head on, not just go off of what your father has been telling you.” Raising that infamous eyebrow again, she continued, “I know part of you is curious to see her, if for no other reason than to appease your curiosity. This can begin the road of healing for both of you. What do you think?”

  Slowly rubbing her temple, Emeri tried to hear Coleen out, but wasn’t feeling her. “I think you’re the crazy one and maybe I should be counseling you.”

  “Emeri, I’ve had enough.” Snapping her neck to the side, Emeri was in shock, she couldn’t believe that Kenneth had spoken to her in that terse tone of voice.

  “Excuse me?”

  Standing up so he could look down at her, “You heard me, I’ve had enough. You have taken leave of your senses for too long. It is time for us to get to the bottom of whatever issues you are having.”

  “No offense Kenneth,” Emeri began while slowly rising to my feet, “but it’s a little too late to be taking on the parental role. I managed just fine without you for the first twenty-four years of my life, what makes you think I need you now?”

  “That’s your problem. You want to prove to the world you don’t need anyone, when it’s so obvious that the need and want for someone is gradually killing you.”

  One thing Emeri did know was that Kenneth had better calm his ass down, talking to her as if he has lost his mind. It would do him good to remember who he was dealing with.

  “Kenneth,” she paused for emphasis, “Please stop this charade. The only person I ever needed was my Mama and she’s no longer here. Don’t be fooled, I don’t need you or anyone.”

  Taking on a softer tone, “It is not my intent to come into your life and try and tell you what to do. But you have come into my life wrecking havoc since you first walked through my front door.” Taking Emeri’s face into his hands so that she had no choice but to look at him, “If I had known about you I would have been there every step of the way, I would have seen you graduate at the top of your class and been at all the school plays. I would have been there.” Emeri could Copyright © 2010 Mychea

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  see the moisture building in his eyes, “In spite of what you think, I need you in my life. I need us to somehow, some way make our world right, a world that can include you, Naima, my wife and me. I long for that, even if you do not.”

  Averting her eyes from his, Emeri refused to cry. She’d be damned if she would let him get to her. She wasn’t stupid by any means. She knew deep down that it wasn’t his f
ault that he didn’t get to see her grow up. She knew it was her Mama’s fault, but unfortunately for everyone, her Mama wasn’t around to blame and Emeri had to blame someone. Naima came to mind. She knew Kenneth wanted them to be one big happy family, but Naima would always be the one that was privileged to have what Emeri had longed for her whole life. Nothing could ever change that.

  Nothing could change the fact that Kenneth was selfish enough to have an affair with a young girl and leave her high and dry once things worked out in his marriage. He had discarded her Mama as if she was a toy that he had outgrown. That is also a reality that cannot be changed and Emeri would never forget. The price for what he did would be paid.

  Gently removing her face from his hands, “Kenneth, I don’t know if that will ever happen.

  But if it will make you happy, I am more than willing to try.”

  His face lit up and his whole demeanor changed. That’s when she saw it, the gleam in his kind eyes when they crinkled gently at the corner as he smiled.

  “This is wonderful progress.” Emeri rolled her eyes at the ceiling as Coleen began to speak.

  Ugh, just the sound of Coleen’s voice annoyed her. “What the two of you have accomplished here today is great. I, however, would like to be in attendance when Emeri has her first meeting with Naima.” Coleen turned to face Emeri, “Emeri, I want you to understand that for a while Naima may not want to be bothered with you. Considering what she has endured over the past few years because of something that is a direct result of what you did, can be overwhelming for her to deal with at first. All I ask is that you practice patience and not get discouraged.”

  Seriously, Coleen could have saved her breath and words for someone that gave a damn. As far as Emeri was concerned, Naima did not exist in her world. She would do what was necessary to appease Kenneth for the time being, until she could put some type of plan in motion.

  Copyright © 2010 Mychea

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  Chapter 3

  Looking up as Kaden and Kalani come through the door, Naima couldn’t help smiling. Namiyah might have been a spitting image of her dad, but Kalani got it all from his Momma and at seven years old, he wasn’t her little baby anymore. Eyes watering slightly, he was getting so big, so fast; too fast, she thought.