Chapter 24 #2
“What the fuck that got to do wit’ me?” he asked, sliding his head in my direction while pointing at our son.
“Whatever going through yo’ head, remove that shit.
I ain’t been drinkin’ or fearful of our son’s life anymo’.
I’m motherfuckin’ activated ‘cause I’on know how to handle him.
I’on know what to say to him after being date raped.
I’m angry ‘cause Momma an’ nobody else told me how to take care of this situation.
This shit mostly happen to females. I was gung-ho on tellin’ him to pay attention to a female’s body language when shit got hot an’ heavy so he wouldn’t cross a line of no return.
I was stern an’ clear that he better stop when a female say stop, no matter how good that shit feelin’ or how horny he is.
I stressed to my boy that rape ain’t cool unless the rapist gettin’ his fuckin’ dues!
An’ here we is, dealin’ wit’ the fuckin’ tables flipped on him. ”
Thankful his growls had stopped, and he placed his eyes on the duo who would be in the truck soon, I said, “Sit in the back with him. Hold him. Kiss his forehead. Let him cry and vent because he’s going to do it. He needs to do it. Don’t talk. Just listen.”
“Yeah,” he replied dryly as I came to a halt.
Ignoring his tone since he returned high, I placed the gearshift into park and opened the door.
A softly smiling medical official pushed our head down, son, to the back passenger door.
I wanted to tell him to lift his head, but I couldn’t find the strength to say it.
I knew what shame, humiliation, and fear did to the mind and body.
It wore it down like heavy, shiny armor.
Once he and Germoney were safely inside the vehicle, the ugliest, deepest, and most heartfelt cry sounded from an 18-year-old kid whose future of being one of the greatest basketball players hung in the balance because of a ratchet, good-for-nothing, didn’t like to be told no ass bitch.
With tears pooling, I dropped the gearshift into drive, looked at Germoney, and lowly said, “Where does that bitch lay her head?”
“At our dorm,” Germoney whispered, sliding the seatbelt over her body and fighting the welling tears.
‘Put the school’s address into the GPS system. When I get to this dorm, you will take me to her,’ I mouthed, driving from the hospital’s entrance as August Junior’s wails disturbed me so badly that my stomach felt as if someone was twisting it.
“Mona,” August Senior held out desperately as our son cried harder.
Zipping off the hospital’s property, I steadied my voice greatly to give August Senior the strength he needed to be strong for our son.
Holding onto the steering wheel tight with destruction on my mind, I soothingly breathed.
“I hear him. He’s hurt and confused. Be his rock as you’ve always been.
The thoughts that you have about yourself and everything we are dealing with as an ex-couple, put that shit to the side.
Like I said before, be the man who said he only has one child. August Junior.”
“Oh, shit,” Germoney gasped lowly, sneaking a peek at me.
“Your children over everything, Germoney. Always remember that when you become a mom and wife. Never put a man or y’all’s situation over your kids. Ever,” I confessed, following the GPS system’s directions to make a right turn.
“Yes, ma’am. Um, they found my mother’s body in a river a few days ago,” she whispered, giving me great news about the bum bitch.
“How do you and your siblings feel about that?” I asked, needing to know what to say so I wouldn’t offend her.
“We are okay with it. She never loved us, so it doesn’t hurt,” she offered, causing me to smile.
“Good deal. What’s the happenings with your father?” I quizzed as the GPS system informed us about the distance to our destination.
“He returned home a week ago. We haven’t seen him.
Talked to him when he returned. Barely can be understood.
The first four teeth that come in are missing.
He was told he’s not allowed to communicate with us ever, since he didn’t do his best to make sure that we weren’t mistreated,” she answered, fumbling with her thumbs.
Recognizing the signs of nervousness or fear, I asked, “Are you worried about your siblings and you making it in life?”
“Yes, ma’am. I must work extra hard at work and school.
I’m exhausted, Mrs. Mona. Grishla’s going to a school overseas, and she’ll be out of my reach to ensure she is okay.
George is older than me, and I still must micromanage him.
I have no time to myself because I’m too busy making sure he’s doing his schoolwork, getting to class on time, and keeping up with his hygiene.
” She exhaled as August Junior’s cries wound down.
Giving my son’s lungs were simmering, pleasing me, that allowed me time to change plans. I needed to speak with George Junior. Looking in the backseat, Germoney warmly said, “I’m glad the relaxing medicine has finally kicked in. He needs a peaceful nap.”
Pulling into the first available parking slot, I removed the seatbelt and looked in the backseat.
My heart skipped several beats as I wasn’t expecting August Senior to have love radiating from his eyes as he looked at me.
My lips moved a mile a minute, but no words escaped.
Simply, I buried whatever I was trying to say and put my attention on Germoney.
“Call your brother and tell him to meet you at your dorm,” I ordered as she nodded.
“I’m sorry I hurt you to the depths of yo’ bones. If you choose him, I can’t be mad. I’mma swallow that shit,” August Senior breathed sincerely, causing me to shiver from the seriousness in his tone.
“Now, isn’t the time for that speech,” I offered as Germoney told her selfish, pacified, sorry ass sibling to come to her dorm.
“Yes, it is ‘cause a major move has to happen wit’ me. You’on see it, but I do. I feel it,” he answered as Germoney bickered with her hardheaded, scary brother.
Unwilling to have a much-needed conversation with my soon-to-be ex-husband, I used Germoney’s frustration to escape it. Wiggling my fingers for her phone, I was thankful I didn’t have to speak where her device was needed.
Upon placing the phone to my ear, I heard him bitching about coming outside when he didn’t have to be.
Seeing students floating happily around the well-kept campus, I growled, “You sorry sack of shit, don’t worry about coming to her dorm room.
I’m sure I can have your ass stuffed in a chest like your whack ass mother if you don’t get your shit together.
Germoney isn’t responsible for you. That’s all on you.
Get a damn job and support yourself. She’s at the age where she can leave and never return to this state or deal with family.
You aren’t going to hinder her or anyone else.
No one wants to take care of an able-bodied motherfucka forever.
You draining ass siblings need to get a damn life.
Your own. She shouldn’t have to tell you to wash your funky ass just to keep others from talking about you.
Hell, I wouldn’t give a fuck how stank you are.
I would let people handle you however they want.
As of today, if Germoney doesn’t want to do for you, she doesn’t have to.
Don’t worry about coming to my fucking face.
I might slap your ass to sleep and back woke.
I, Mona Abbott, am sick of you damn Henrys, minus your sisters. ”
“That baby gon’ be mean as fuck. I’m sorry fo’ that,” August Senior confessed as I ended the call without waiting to hear George Junior’s response.
Ignoring August Senior, I extended the phone to Germoney and said, “Get Deminika to this truck.”
“Oh, that’s easy.” She smiled weakly as I furrowed my eyebrows.
“How so?” August Senior and I asked curiously.
“August Junior.”
“Handle it an’ fast. Mona, get in the backseat. Then, me n’ you gon’ change places,” August Senior growled as I shook my head.
“Your sights are off big time. She will look in this truck. I’m sure she’ll keep up the appearance of not wanting to be a suspect.
So, I’mma climb in the back hatch. Germoney will hop in the driver’s seat.
I’ll be back behind the bitch when she gets in this truck, acting all innocent and worried about August Junior.
You will need to keep him from waking and spazzing until the bitch is in my truck getting choked out,” I told him, climbing onto the armrest. “Germoney make that call and get in the driver’s seat.
The goal is to get her in this truck. The backseat by the driver’s door. ”
“Yes, ma’am,” she said as I stepped on the space not far from the back of August Junior’s legs.
“Got my son stressed out more than he needs to be. Life just gotdamn starting, and it’s all types of fucked up,” I whispered, carefully climbing into the hatch.
My eyes darted to the bolts that I had installed in my truck when I first bought it. I patted August Senior’s arm. While he looked at me, Germoney played her part to the T to get the treacherous bitch to my vehicle.
Slowly, I pointed at the bolts and held up the securing rings that go to the latches.
Through a beautiful smile, I mouthed, ‘Deminika and her family will leave in this hatched bound as they are. I’ll bind the bitch in this truck.
She won’t see anything coming. Play your part so she doesn’t look back here. ’
‘A’ight,’ he mouthed as Germoney laughed evilly.
“The nut is on her way. I didn’t use August Junior’s name in case things went sideways. I don’t want him questioned about anything,” Germoney said lovingly, sounding as if she faced the back.
“Major brownie points, Germoney. Good job,” August Senior and I acknowledged as I slapped the hook that resembled a hook for a shower curtain into the steel rings embedded in my truck.
“Seems she wasn’t far,” Germoney voiced as I gritted my teeth.