“Don't look where you fall, but where you slipped.” African Proverb
Nine and half weeks had come and gone since Fancy and Hezekiah’s divorce was finalized. Fancy still had bouts of momentary depression. Living alone was taking getting used to. She had come to enjoy having girlfriends. Victoria and Tara helped take her mind off the demise of her marriage.
Not being around Holy Rock every day of the week was another something she had to get used to. Since Khalil was swiftly learning more about the inside operations of a church like Holy Rock, he didn’t call on her as much. He and Xavier made her proud. Both of them had stepped up to the plate and the operation of the church was moving full speed ahead. The television ministry was booming, the congregation was growing, and the money was flowing.
It amazed Fancy at how mature and responsible her sons were. They were about their business. Dem McCoy boys were a force to be reckoned with and it made her proud to be their mother. Too bad their father was missing out on all this.
Fancy finished getting dressed for her date with Winston. They had been spending quite a bit of time together. Khalil and Xavier didn’t question her much about Winston. All they wanted was to see her happy and enjoying life.
Winston was charming, a good conversationalist, and quite adventurous in and out of bed. He pushed her out of her comfort zone to try new things. They’d gone hiking and camping in Far Creek, Tennessee, something she never imagined she would do. They’d even gone to a Beyoncé concert, of all places. She was beside herself when he presented two lower level tickets to the concert in Nashville. He was always doing something to surprise her and she loved it.
He visited Holy Rock a couple times, but hadn’t become a member. Fancy didn’t push the issue because it was a personal decision he would have to make on his own.
Fancy wanted an easy relationship that allowed her to do what she wanted to do when she wanted to do it, without feeling the pressure of questions and explanations about her comings and goings. Since she had to start her life anew, it was not going to be the same as when she and Hezekiah were together. She stepped into her stilettos just as the doorbell chimed. She smiled, knowing it was Winston.
George, Detria, and Hezekiah, sat outside on the grounds of the Federal Prison. They purchased food from the commissary store and had something of a picnic. It was a hot day but not as hot as it could have been in the month of July. August would be upon them in another week and George was counting down the months before he would be outta this place. He had little less than a year to serve on his sentence.
“What do you have to tell us about the McCoys?” George questioned Detria.
Hezekiah looked sternly at her, waiting to hear what she had to say. She never seemed to have any relevant news to share. Either she was lying or Khalil was smarter than the average bear. He opted that it was more than likely the latter.
“There’s nothing to tell.” She was almost too high to speak clearly. “Y’all already know Khalil’s television ministry is a success. He says he’s raking in money hand over fist.”
“How often do you go to church?” Hezekiah inquired.
“Not too often. You know the church scene isn’t my focus.”
“Yeah, your focus is on getting Khalil to walk you down the aisle. But a word of advice—if you plan on being first lady again, you’d better get on your hustle. You should be up in that place every chance you get,” George urged.
“Not that it would make a difference. No way will my son ever marry someone like you. Let’s be real,” smiling wickedly, Hezekiah said almost clearly and with the slightest slur.
Detria rolled her eyes and appeared crushed. Was Hezekiah right? Maybe I am being a fool for believing Khalil will marry me one day. He hasn’t been coming over that much lately. But that’s because he’s busy. There’s a lot to running a conglomerate like Holy Rock.
“You’re useless,” Hezekiah said.
“Yeah,” George countered, “what do you need her around for?”
“Good question, George.”
She suddenly sounded sober for a minute. “Don’t do this, Hezekiah. Where would I get my stuff?”
“A woman with as much money as you, I’m sure you’ll find someone who’ll supply you with as many drugs as your little heart desires. You get how much a year?”
Detria didn’t open her mouth. She let her eyes do all the talking.
“You and that kid you never spend time with are set for life.”
“I’ll try to find out more. Just don’t tell Benny to cut me off,” she spoke up and pleaded like the dope fiend she was. “And keep my son out of this.”
Hezekiah thought about the similarities between Detria and Isabella. They were actually two peas in a pod. Both dope fiends, both of them needy and insecure women. While Detria could have any and everything money could buy, Isabella was a down on her luck kinda girl. The difference was Isabella adored her kid and her drugs while Detria enjoyed her drugs and her drugs—oh and his son, Khalil.
“What’s Winston been saying?” Hezekiah asked George, reverting his attention from glassy eyed Detria.
“He says she’s feeling him. He’s supposed to visit me tomorrow, but from what he says, your ex is giving it up like there’s no tomorrow. He’s handling his business, getting her just where he wants her. Soon, she’ll be praying to the good Lord of hers to become the next Mrs. Washington.” George reared his head back and laughed.
Hezekiah still felt some type of way hearing that another man was smashing his wife, but hey, Fancy had messed things up in their relationship. She deserved whatever Winston got out of her. When George came up with the idea of setting up his friend, Winston, to meet Fancy, Hezekiah balked at the idea at first. The more he thought about it, he began seeing that it would be just the thing he needed. He banked on Winston getting Fancy’s gullible behind to fall in love with him, maybe even marry him if that’s what he wanted, and then drag her ignorant behind through the mud while keeping Hezekiah in the loop about his family and Holy Rock. It would serve her right.
“What about Khalil?” Those thugs of yours screwed that up,” Hezekiah said as Detria sat quietly in her own drugged out world.
“They scared him enough to make him move, so mission accomplished,” George replied.
“Mission may be accomplished for you, not for me. I still don’t have my money that boy stole, and I need my money. If I don’t get it, then Miss Lady, you’re going to have to hand it over out of your own personal stash. You got that?”
Detria answered with a show of silence.
“Did you hear me?” With his good strong hand, Hezekiah reached over and twisted her right arm until Detria screamed beneath her breath and tears shot from her eyes.
“Yea…ahhh, yes,” she squealed.
“When I talk to you, I expect you to answer. You understand?” he yelled, still holding on to her arm.
She shook her head and looked around like she was looking for a prison guard who happened to be nowhere in sight.
Hezekiah released her, and snatched his hand away. “Now, like I was saying, I want my money.”
“And you’ll get your money back. Gimme some time. I’m working from behind these steel bars, you know.”
“Man, you doing gravy time in here. Look around you. This place looks like a luxury resort instead of a federal penitentiary. I bet they’re plenty young boys you got your sights on in here.” Hezekiah looked around the yard full of prisoners. “Probably got the pick of the litter up in here.”
“Nah, it ain’t like that. Believe me, it’s a long way from being a resort. Anyway, I’m not done with that thinks he so smart eldest son of yours. Not by a long shot. He’s going to get what’s coming to him. He’s going to give you your money back and then some. While we’re on the subject of money, what about that other baby mama of yours? You heard from her? She sent out any more fake Wills lately?” George leaned back and laughed while Detria looked like she was zoned out in another world.
“You got jokes, huh. Anyway, nah. I don’t know where she is with my kid, but at this point I have bigger fish to fry. She’ll turn up sooner or later since she ain’t getting money from me. I’m glad you brought her up too, ‘cause I don’t need her popping up on me with none of her drama. Know what I mean? Just like she sent Fancy that fake Will, she’ll do anything. That fool is crazy. Let’s just hope she stays ghost for a minute until you get out of this place. I’ll decide what I’m going to do about her when the time comes. You feel me?”
“Humph,” Detria said and looked off in the distance at some of the other men prisoners passing by.
“You got something to say?” Hezekiah turned and scowled at Detria.
“Huh, what?” Detria replied.
“Man, let her be. She in her own time and space. Benny got her feeling good, huh?”
Hezekiah and George both laughed. “Yeah, he does, and if she wanna keep feeling that good she betta get her act together,” Hezekiah said and gave her an if looks could kill stare.