Chapter 3 #3
I turn and see Mrs. Lynn waving me over, making these hoes even fucking madder.
Why y’all mad, though? One thing about Chauncey is that it’s not one bitch he’s dealt with who didn’t know he has a wife.
These bitches still decided to fuck him, and vice versa.
I strut past these bitches, smiling because they know what time it is. Mrs. Lynn pulls me in for a hug.
Tight.
Familiar.
Safe.
It’s been a minute since I last saw her, and it feels good for her to embrace me.
“I’m glad you’re here. I’m sure it was hard for you, but Chauncey needs you.”
“It was,” I admit.
She studies my face.
“I will be honest with you, Rhyan. It’s not looking good for my son, but I refuse to count him out, and I won’t give up on him.”
“Mrs. Lynn, Chauncey is a fighter; he’ll pull through. Trust me.”
I love Mrs. Lynn; despite the little bullshit her son and I are going through. She’s always kept it real with me. Mrs. Lynn never chose Chauncey over me.
She raises an eyebrow. “So, it’s Mrs. Lynn now?” I smile.
“I know that’s not all you heard.”
Mrs. Lynn looks at me, clacks her teeth, then leans closer, her voice carrying just enough.
“Listen, Rhyan, I don’t give a fuck how many whores you see in this waiting room who think they mean something to my son. I’ll say it loud for the whores who’re listening in the cut.
Rhyan, you’re his wife, and I’m your mother-in-law. These whores will never get the chance to sit with me or sip tea. These whores can’t stake any claim to my son; they have no fucking position, so play yours,” she finishes.
Mrs. Lynn just cleared all these bitches.
“Ma—” I start.
“I will always let it be known to these bitches that Rhyan is my daughter-in-law, until my son tells me otherwise… And as of last night, he has not. Rhyan.” Her voice softens. “I cannot stay here all night. I was only waiting until you got here.”
Mrs. Lynn is getting older. I’m sure she’s tired, so I wouldn’t expect her to sit out here all night to see what’s going on with Chauncey.
“Thank you, I’ll take it from here.”
She cups my face.
“Rhyan, now that you’re here, I know he’s in good hands.”
I nod. If Chauncey got banged up as badly as Simmy and Mrs. Lynn are making it out to be, then Chauncey’s condition is the only thing that will keep me from fucking killing him. The last time we saw each other in person was bad. I’m praying the last time wasn’t the last time.
“I will make sure he’s okay.”
“I know Rhyan. I trust you, and I know you will make sure these doctors and nurses do what the fuck they must do to save my son.”
“I will.”
Despite the shit that Chauncey and I have going on, I will make sure he’s straight, and after that, I’m getting the fuck on.
“Rhyan, his life is literally in the palm of your hands. Please make sure they take care of my son.”
“Ma, he’ll be fine. Have you heard anything?”
“No, not yet. Do you have your nursing license on you?”
“Of course.”
I pulled my license out of my Marc Jacobs tote bag.
“Do us both a favor and walk back there to find out what the fuck is going on with your husband, and call me when you hear something?”
“Okay.”
“In the meantime, I will handle your dirty work and send all of these whores’ home.” Bianca and I both started laughing.
Mrs. Lynn doesn’t give a fuck about calling out these cheap-ass sluts. Somebody had to do it because I was about to say something, especially since these bitches are looking at me like I’m stepping on their toes, and I’m not. I’m married to Chauncey; they know this, so let’s not fucking pretend.
“Ma, be nice.”
Mrs. Lynn looked at me and rolled her eyes. She started talking even louder. All eyes were already on us. Chauncey’s sluts looked in every other direction except ours because they knew she was talking about them.
“I’m not. Chauncey is married.”
“Ma, they don’t care.”
“They probably don’t care, but today they fucking will.”
It takes two. If Chauncey hadn’t entertained any of these women, they wouldn’t be here trying to see what’s going on with him, and we wouldn’t be in this situation. But here we are.
“Ma, it’s not that serious.”
“It’s not serious for you, Rhyan, but it is for me. I don’t give a damn what Chauncey does in the streets because I’m not in the streets with him, but while I’m here in this setting.” Mrs. Lynn pointed around the hospital’s waiting room.
“I need these whores to move around and show some goddamn respect before I get really disrespectful.”
“I hear you.”
“I hope you’re listening.”
“I am.”
“Before I leave, Rhyan, I need you to do us both a favor.”
“Okay.”
“Please list Chauncey under no information. I don’t want any of these WHORES calling up here to get any information about my son and putting his business out on the street.”
“I got you.”
Mrs. Lynn kissed me on the forehead, promising to call me in the morning to check on me. I said my “see you later” to Mrs. Lynn and Bianca. It’s time to get down to business so I can get back home. I pushed past the receptionist and strutted to the back.
Chauncey has been here for a few hours. We should know something by now. If his condition is as serious as they fucking claim, he should be in the ICU or undergoing emergency surgery. I need to know what’s going on.
The triage nurses and a few ER doctors tried to stop me. I kept walking. I know my way around Teflon Hills Memorial Hospital. I did my clinicals here. I felt a hard tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see what the fuck they wanted with me.
“Excuse me, Ms., but you can’t be back here.”
“It’s Mrs., and I can.”
“I’m sorry, Mrs.; I didn’t catch your last name.”
“My last name is Benyier. My husband, Chauncey Benyier, was admitted here a few hours ago, and no one has told my family or me anything. I’m a registered nurse, and I know someone needs to tell me something ASAP.”
I showed my nursing license, and they reviewed it.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Benyier. We’ve been busy tonight, so it’s been hard to speak with all the families.”
“I understand, but that has nothing to do with me and everything to do with the staff you have hired. I hope that, given the staff shortages, my husband is getting the best fucking care.”
“I can assure you he is. Mrs. Benyier, could you please wait outside the emergency room for me? Please give us at least 30 minutes. I will let the doctor in charge know that you’re a registered nurse and that you would like to be by your husband’s side.”
“Thank you.”
I walked back to the emergency room to take a seat. There are still a few people out here. I pulled out my phone to shoot Bianca a quick text. I will call Mrs. Lynn in the morning. It’s way too late to call her; she may think something happened.
The last thing I want is for her to worry any more than she already is. I could already tell Mrs. Lynn is on edge because she was popping the fuck off. I can only imagine what it was like before I popped up.
Me-
Bianca, this is Rhy. Lock me in.
The little bubbles start appearing instantly. A smile spreads across my face. I know Bianca is on her damn phone. I’m not surprised, but I’m glad she’s available. I need Bianca right now, more than she will ever know. Shit, we need each other. I know Simmy is finna smoke the city out.
Bianca-
Locked in, I need to pop my shit one more fucking time, and then I’m done.
I burst out laughing. Bianca is crazy. I missed this. I swear, it’s always something with this girl. EXTRA as fuck.
Me-
Nope, Bianca said you were done earlier, popping yo shit. We’re putting the past behind us and moving forward.
Bianca-
Nope… Fuck that… Bitch you changed area codes. It’s 319 for life; hoe fuck you mean? I wouldn’t have had to lock you in if I had had this number a year ago.
Me-
True… It’s not my fault; you were riding with my OPP, no matter what.
Bianca-
True. The OPP you married. I’m praying Chauncey pulls through. I would lose my mind if something were to happen to him. My nerves are a wreck, and I miss my fucking husband. I know Simmy is about to terrorize our city, and if I’m honest, this time feels different from any other time.
No matter how this shit plays out, Simmy is going to terrorize the city; that’s just who he is. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of niggas are getting to the money in this city, but Chauncey and Simmy are extremely well-connected.
They have mob ties, so whoever had the nuts to get down on Chauncey is up and stuck. I know Simmy, True, and Coop are finna get on these niggas’ ass. If this nigga and me weren’t beefing, I would probably wet some shit up, but I will keep it cute for now.
Me-
I love you, Bianca. I appreciate you so much. Thanks for caring. I’m praying that Chauncey will be okay. I haven’t heard anything yet, but as soon as I do, you will be the first to know. Listen, Simmy will be home soon, trust me.
Bianca and I finished texting. It’s great to be back in the city.
I’m looking forward to seeing my momma and grandma soon.
My phone buzzed, alerting me to another incoming text.
A small smile tugged at my lips. I bit down on my bottom lip, just thinking about this nigga, damn.
When my phone rang tonight, I thought it was him, not Simmy. I was expecting his call, but I wasn’t.
Potential-
Rhyan, can I come and lie with you?
Damn… I would not mind lying up under Kosh’s fine ass tonight. I cannot believe I’m only a few feet away from Chauncey, and I’m texting another nigga. Got damn, a lot has changed in a year. How should I respond? I feel like I’m cheating.
Me-
I’m not at home.
Potential-
Oh yeah, come lay with me.
I knew this would be next. Shit, if I were in the city, I wouldn’t mind driving to him and waking up next to him.
Me-
I cannot.
I don’t think I’ve ever said no to him over the past eight months that we’ve been dealing with each other.
Potential-
Damn, Rhyan, you got a lot of excuses tonight.
Me-
I don’t; I’m just not in the city right now. I had to catch a red-eye flight back home to handle some business.
Potential-
Is everything okay? Do you need anything?
Me-
I don’t know yet.
Potential-
You want me to come out there.