Authors: Carl Weber

Lookin' For Luv (44 page)

BOOK: Lookin' For Luv

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Kevin hung up the phone and raced to his car.

At Alicia’s apartment Trevor was in a psychotic rage as he tore through the living room, smashing everything in sight. The bat that Michael had mentioned to Kevin was actually a plastic wiftle ball bat, but with Trevor’s powerful swing, it was still enough to inflict damage. He’d been on this rampage ever since Alicia told him that they were through and asked him to return the key to her apartment. He’d been drunk, and the request sent him into violent rage.

For the few weeks prior, Trevor had sensed something was wrong with their relationship. Especially when Alicia had refused to make love to him and told him that she knew he had not sent the gifts he had taken credit for. The only thing Trevor could think of was that whoever had sent the gifts was now back in her life. He had repeatedly accused her of cheating on him, and although she denied it, her request for her key was all the proof he thought he needed. Without another word he had walked calmly into Michael’s room, found the bat, and came out swinging. Alicia was knocked to the ground with the first blow.

“Bitch! Do I look like a fool to you?” he screamed, swinging again but missing her.

Alicia was certain she would be dead if the bat were made of wood. She scurried away from Trevor, screaming for Michael to get help. Images flashed through her head of beatings Trevor had inflicted on her in the past.

God,
why the hell did I ever let him back in my life,
she thought as he swung the bat, just missing her as she scrambled into the bathroom and locked the door.

“You really think I’m stupid, don’t you? You’ve been trying to avoid me for two weeks! And now all of a sudden you want your key back?” Trevor tried his best to break down the door but to no avail. “Who is he? Tell me who you’ve been fucking, or I swear I’ll smash everything in this damn apartment!” Trevor began swinging the bat wildly but stopped when he heard Michael come out of his bedroom and scream.

“Leave my mommy alone, Daddy! You’re nothing but a big bully! I hate you! I hate you!” Michael picked up an ashtray and threw it at his father.

“I’m sick of you, ya little pain in the ass. You gonna learn to respect me.” Trevor’s eyes got small, and he threw the bat down to remove his belt. He chased Michael until he got close enough, then swung the belt. It landed with a smack on Michael’s back, and he let out a howl.

“Mommy! Mommy!” Michael screamed as his father hit him again and again.

“Stop it, Trevor!” Alicia screamed, racing out of the bathroom.

“Why, you ready for your ass whuppin’ now?” Trevor took a few steps toward her.

“No, but I’m ready to give one out, you fucking bastard.” Alicia took a deep breath as she moved into karate stance.

“What the fuck you doin’?” Trevor laughed. “You been watching
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
again?” Trevor tightened his grip around his belt and walked forward.

I hope this shit works,
Alicia thought as she waited for Trevor to come within striking range. When he did, she let out a loud “hi-ya!” as her foot traveled quickly into Trevor’s stomach and knocked the wind out of him. Instinctively she followed the kick with a flurry of karate blows around Trevor’s head, finishing him off with a swift kick between the legs. He dropped to the floor like a piece of lead.

Oh, my God! It worked, it really worked!
She wanted to jump in the air with her fists raised but swooped the trembling Michael into her arms instead.

Kevin pulled his new car in front of Alicia’s building exactly seven minutes after he had hung up the phone with Michael. It wasn’t the Ford Expedition he had wanted but, rather, a 1997 Honda Civic. Still, he was proud of it, especially since he paid for it himself, without the help of Denise.

As he pulled up, he noticed several police cars in front of the building. He jumped out of his car and ran to the building. As he went down the hall, he stared angrily at a badly beaten man in handcuffs being escorted by two police officers.

Oh, no,
Kevin thought when he recognized Trevor from pictures he’d seen.
If he looks like that, what does she look like?

Kevin ran to Alicia’s apartment expecting the worst.

“Uncle Kevin! Uncle Kevin!” Michael ran across the room, flying into Kevin’s arms. The boy was still shaking. Kevin’s eyes widened as he peered across the living room that looked like a battle zone.

“Where’s your mom?”

“Right there.” Michael pointed with a trembling hand. Alicia was walking out of her bedroom, followed by a female police officer.

“You okay?” Kevin was relieved that she didn’t look too seriously hurt.

“My hand’s a little sore but I’m okay. What are you doing here?” It was evident from her voice that Alicia was glad to see him.

“Michael called me. He said you needed help, but judging from the looks of Trevor outside, he was the one who needed it. What the heck happened?”

“My mommy beat the shit out of my daddy.” Michael said, burying his head in Kevin’s shoulder. Both officers laughed.

“Michael, what did I tell you about that word?” Alicia looked at the two officers. “I’m sorry about his language.”

“It’s all right. It’s not like he lied,” the male officer said.

“Ms. Meyers’—the female officer approached—“I think we have everything we need, for now anyway. Once you get together a list of the broken items, we’ll see what we can do about getting you some restitution.”

“Thank you, officer.” She walked them to the door, then turned to her son. “Michael, this has been a very long night for both of us, and I think you need to get some rest. Come on and I’ll help you get ready for bed.”

“Can’t I stay up and talk to Uncle Kevin a little longer?” Kevin let Michael down. He could tell by Alicia’s voice that she was emotionally drained.

“No, it’s time for bed, kiddo,” Kevin told the boy. “Now, go ahead in your room and your mom will be in there in a minute.”

Kevin gave Michael a high-five and said good night. He watched the boy walk into his room and then turned to ask Alicia, “Hey, I know it’s none of my business, but you wanna tell me what’s going on around here?”

“I stood up for myself, Kevin. For the first time in my life I stood up for myself. And you know what? It felt good.”

Alicia looked like she was about to cry, so Kevin walked over and wrapped his arms around her. Alicia felt as if she could hold on to him forever. She had stood on her own tonight, and now it felt good to have a little support.

“Mommy! Mommy!” Michael called.

“Let me go check on him.” Alicia reluctantly let go of Kevin. “I still need to talk to him about everything that’s happened tonight.”

“Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.” Kevin bent over to start cleaning up the mess.

Several hours passed before Alicia was able to calm Michael enough for the child to fall asleep. Kevin checked in on them several times, but for the most part he waited in the living room, cleaning up, while Alicia comforted her son as only a mother could. When she finally left Michael’s room and closed the door, Kevin stood and reached out for her hand. He helped her get settled on the couch.

“Kevin, I really can’t thank you enough for coming here. There’s not many brothers who would do that after the way I treated you.” She hugged him tightly.

“Most brothers don’t feel the way I do about you, Alicia. You’re very special to me.”

“I can see that now.” They shared a peaceful silence before Alicia changed the subject. “Michael is really terrified that Trevor might come back. I just know he’s going to have nightmares all night.”

“You know, Alicia, he might not be so wrong. There’s no telling if Trevor is gonna make bail.” Kevin knew the words were frightening, but he wanted her to be prepared. “No offense, but he might have killed you if that was a real bat.”

“I know”

“Look, why don’t I stay, spend the night on your couch in case he does try to come back?”

“I’d like that” The relief was evident in her voice. She had been unsure if she could ask Kevin to stay but knew she would feel much safer with him there.

They stayed up for another hour, though neither of them had much to say. Just being together was healing enough for the moment. After a while Alicia headed for her bedroom, hoping she would be able to fall asleep. Kevin stayed on the couch with a small blanket to cover him.

A few hours before dawn Alicia came back into the living room and stood beside the couch.

“Kevin,” she whispered, “are you awake?”

“Mmm-hmm” He rolled over and squinted his eyes to see her in the dark. “Are you okay?”

“I still can’t sleep. And I keep thinking about you out here on this uncomfortable couch.”

“I’m fine, Alicia.”

“Do you want to come stay in my bed with me?”

Kevin sat up, a little surprised.

“I want us to get back together, Kevin. I’m not saying it has to be today. The truth is, I need a little time to get myself together.”

“I could probably use a little more time myself,” he replied. She held his hand as he stood up. Gently he put his arms around her.

“Come to bed, Kevin. I just need you to hold me.”

“Are you sure about this?” he asked.

“After all the mistakes I’ve made, I know I’m right about this. This is where you belong.”

Under the covers with his arms surrounding Alicia, Kevin felt something he never had with Denise. He felt the warmth of love. They both had things to work out on their own, and it was going to take time before he and Alicia could repair their damaged relationship. He’d probably have to go to counseling with her, but it was all going to be worth the wait.

TYRONE, SYLVIA, AND MAURICE

Sylvia stomped up the stairs to the Alternative High School for Boys with the intention of confronting her husband. She had come to inform Maurice that she was divorcing his sorry ass, the sooner the better. Checking her watch, she was happy to see that it was only 12:30 P.M. She knew this was Tyrone’s lunch hour, and he would not be at the front desk until after his workout. She wanted to do this on her own. Entering the building, she walked down to the office and smiled at Mrs. Rogers, the school secretary.

“Hi, Mrs. Rogers, how are you?”

“I am blessed, Mrs. Johnson, how are you?”

“I’m going to be great in about fifteen minutes. Is my husband in?”

“Yes, he’s been expecting you ever since you called.” She knew it wasn’t her place to ask what Sylvia’s last comment meant.

Maurice was sitting on the comer of his desk, looking at a file, when Sylvia walked in.

“Sylvia, I’m so glad you came. I’ve really missed you.” He tried to hug her.

“Don’t put your hands on me.” She pushed him away and sat down in a chair in front of his desk.

“Look, I know you’re still upset about last week. But I just want to apologize. I had no cause to treat you like that.” He tried to sound sincere.

“You were going to fucking rape me! Do you really think your apology is going to make me forget about that? Fuck you, Maurice.”

“Sylvia, it was the alcohol that made me act that way. Just come home with me, please. I’ll do whatever it takes to make our marriage work. I’ll go to therapy, a marriage counselor, whatever you want me to do. I just want you to come home, sweetheart. I need you.”

It was so unlike Maurice to beg, but he was desperate to have his wife back.

“Look, we need to get away, be a family again. How about you, Jasmine and me go away for two weeks in Paris? Come on. You love Paris this time of year.”

He walked around his desk, opening a drawer, and handed her three tickets. Sylvia glanced at the tickets, then up at Maurice. She was amazed to see genuine tears glistening in his eyes.

“Sylvia, I’ve done a lot of stupid shit over the years. But since you’ve been gone, I realize that I really need you, baby.” They both turned when they heard a knock on the door.

“Mrs. Rogers said you wanted to see me, Dr. Johnson?” Tyrone stuck his head in the door. He did a double take when he realized it was Sylvia sitting in the office.

“Yes, Mr. Jefferson, come on in and have a seat.” Maurice wiped his eyes and smiled as Tyrone walked in. “This will take only a second, Sylvia.”

Tyrone’s nervousness was apparent as he walked slowly into the room and took a seat next to Sylvia. A few days before, Sylvia had dropped the bombshell that Maurice was her husband. Now Tyrone was afraid that in her mood of revelations, she might have told Maurice about their affair.

“You know my wife, don’t you, Mr. Jefferson?” Maurice was back to his old self, smiling devilishly as he leaned back in his chair.

“No, I haven’t had the pleasure,” he answered as perspiration began to form on his forehead. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Johnson,” he said stiffly.

BOOK: Lookin' For Luv

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