Chapter 17
Crocodile Tears since she is no longer with us, everything is going to her next of kin.”
“Raymone Hernandez left Rudy Williams two million dollars and his lake house in Smyrna, Georgia.”
“Raymone Hernandez left his vintage car collection—which is at the house in Smyrna—three million dollars, and his car auction company to Clover Hernandez.”
“Raymone Hernandez left four million dollars to Donny William.”
“Wow, I’m surprised I made the will,” I said, wiping my crocodile tears.
“I’m pretty sure he loved you dearly, Ms. William. With you being his wife and not Ms. Davis... sometimes, as men, we think with the wrong head. Well, not me, I’m a grown man. I understand you’re grieving your husband. If you ever need someone to talk to—I mean ever—here is my card,” he said,
staring deep into my eyes.
I nodded at him as he got up from the table, kissed my hand, and walked out the front door.
“What the fuck was that?” Donny asked.
“I don’t know, and I don’t give a fuck. Raymone just took care of us more when he was dead than when he was alive.”
“I’m shocked for real. He really left me something. Donny, you can have the lake house, baby.”
“Thank you, mommy,” Donny said. I just nodded at him.
“Let’s celebrate this motherfucker’s death. Clo, mama wants you on the grill.”
“Donny, I want you to go get some rest for now and go tell Trent to come here,” I said.
Donny left the kitchen. Five minutes later, Trent came in dressed nice.
“You look good, nephew. What you got planned for today?” I asked.
“I met this bad lil' chick named Dream at the club, so I’m supposed to go chill with her tonight,” he said.
Clover sucked his teeth. “I know damn well you ain’t talking 'bout Silk’s sister?”
“Yes. She’s badder than a motherfucker. Shawty look like something out of a magazine. I’m on that real bad.”
“Well, nephew, I need you to do your aunt a store run. I need eight slabs of ribs, a case of beef burgers, five packs of Georgia Boy sausage, four boxes of macaroni noodles, two five-pound bags of cheese, a pint of sour cream—I mean, six cans of Bush’s baked beans—and a bag of corn on the cob.”
“And bring a pretty Dream over here. I haven't seen her since Christmas.”
“Damn, y’all like her like that?” he asked.
“Silk’s been my baby’s friend since high school. Of course I know Dream.”
“Okay, auntie, I’m 'bout to go ahead and leave. I’ll call you when I get to the store,” he said.
“Hold on, let me get you the money,” I said.
“Nah, auntie, I got it. You know your nephew just got his insurance check,” he laughed and walked out the door.
I poured myself a glass of wine, sat in the living room, and listened to Michael Jackson play through the stereo:
“There'll be no darkness tonight Lady, our love will shine Lighting the night Just put your trust in my heart And meet me in paradise Now is the time”
I couldn’t even think about the bad times with Raymone—only the good ones.
That man was so good when we first met; he didn’t show me who he really was for real until Clover’s first year in middle school.
His death hurt worse than I wanted to admit.
But the truth is, the old him had been dead since he stopped dealing and became the king.
It was once real love for me. That man would have moved mountains for me.
When he started getting real money, he stopped coming home.
He had more than a few women, and then he moved out and forgot me and my babies existed.
I’ll forever cherish Raymone; he gave me my two biggest blessings. But I would have been damned if I let him take them away.