Charlotte pulled into the parking lot of the roach motel where Dooney had told her to meet him and waited. She wasn’t sure if he was planning to stay here or not, but she didn’t like what she saw. People who looked like prostitutes and drug addicts. Actually, since he lived in Chicago, she wasn’t sure how Dooney even knew about this place, which was about twenty miles east of Mitchell, but there was no telling with him. No telling at all and she would be glad when their business with each other had come to a close.
Charlotte made sure her doors were locked and turned the radio to 106.3. The Michael Baisden Show was on and based on what the current caller was saying, she knew the topic must have been Pimps in the Pulpit, a topic Michael had spotlighted on a few occasions over the last year. She listened and couldn’t help thinking about Curtis and how it was only going to be a matter of days before listeners everywhere would be calling their local radio talk shows, discussing Curtis, Tabitha, and their baby. Everyone was going to have an opinion and Charlotte cringed at the thought of it all.
She listened for a few minutes and while she loved Michael’s show, she switched the channel to an XM music station and gazed through her rearview mirror. “How disgusting,” she said out loud when she saw some trashy-looking woman and man standing in front of a room with their hands all over each other. Both of them looked as though they hadn’t showered in weeks, and Charlotte wished Dooney would hurry up.
Thankfully, her phone rang and it was him.
“Where are you?” she asked.
“About fifteen minutes away. I’m runnin’ a little late.”
“That’s fine, but I hope this isn’t where you’re planning to stay because this place is horrible.”
“Of course not. But I figured no one you know would be out there, and that’s why I chose it as a place to meet.”
“That’s probably true, but how did you even know it existed?”
“I’ve done a little business in the past with some associates in Mitchell, and that’s where we made our transactions.”
“Whatever.”
“I’ll see you in a few.”
Not ever in Charlotte’s wildest imagination would she have thought she’d be teaming up with Dooney for anything. They were as different as Las Vegas and Peoria, Illinois, and they had been since childhood. They had nothing in common but right now, she needed his thuggish mentality—she needed his help with Tabitha, and there was no one else she could turn to. Of course, Charlotte did worry that if something happened to Tabitha, she and Curtis might end up suspects, especially now that Curtis was going public about the affair, but she had to admit it was a chance she was willing to take.
Finally, when Dooney pulled up, Charlotte left her vehicle and got into his tinted-window Escalade, which was just as new as Curtis’s.
“It’s about time.”
“Traffic was a trip. There musta been some sort of accident or somethin’.”
Charlotte pointed her finger. “Go right and then left at the light.”
“Cool.”
“I really appreciate you doing this.”
“That’s what family is for.”
“I know, but this is serious, and I hate involving you. Maybe you could find someone else to do this for us.”
“For what?”
“Because I don’t want you to get into trouble. I don’t want to be the reason you go back to prison.”
“Look, Cuz, I appreciate you carin’ about that and all, but I got this. Everything is straight. Plus, I’m not tryin’ to go back to the pen. Lockdown is nothin’ but a bunch of madness, so I’m definitely not plannin’ on gettin’ caught.”
“Does anybody plan on getting caught when they commit a crime?”
“Oh, I see. You got jokes, hunh?”
They both laughed. “All I’m saying is that I don’t want you to get arrested on my account.”
“And I won’t. Like I said, I got this.”
“Fine. Whatever you say.”
“But…just in case somethin’ does go wrong, you have nothin’ to worry about. The one thing I’m not is a snitch and to prove it, I turned down a DA twice when he tried to make a deal with me. He wanted me to give up one of my boys but there was no way I was doin’ that. Did eighteen months for somethin’ I didn’t even do, but that’s the way that sh…I mean that’s the way that is. Sorry. I forgot you’re a preacher’s wife,” he teased. “Can’t just be usin’ my usual words around you, now can I?”
“Shut up, Dooney, and just drive.”
Charlotte smiled to herself and couldn’t deny that Dooney made her laugh and she felt comfortable around him. He’d always been a fun person and even after his convictions and prison stints, his personality hadn’t changed.
“Turn here,” she said.
“So, Curtis really got himself caught up in some serious junk this time, hunh?”
“Yeah. He did. It’s bad and it’s only a matter of time before it all comes out.”
“Well, at least if we can put some fear in this trick’s heart, that’ll help tone her down.”
“That’s what I’m hoping. And thank you again for coming to help me.”
“Please. To be honest, I would have done it for free because I would never let some tramp mess up the good thing you got goin’ with Curtis. You got the most dollars in the family and the most bling, too, and we gotta protect that. I’m proud of you, Cuz.”
“That’s nice of you to say.”
They drove a few more miles and Charlotte told Dooney about the way Tabitha was stalking them and how she’d shown up during church service. Then Charlotte directed her cousin into Tabitha’s subdivision.
“That’s it,” she said. “The tan-colored brick ranch.”
“Cool.”
“Now, just so we’re on the same page, I better say this again. I don’t want her hurt. I just want you to scare her. I want you to let her know if she doesn’t leave town, something bad is going to happen to her.”
“Okay, but what if that doesn’t work? Then what?”
“Let’s just hope it does.”
“Yeah, but what if it doesn’t?”
“We’ll worry about that only if it becomes necessary.”
“Well, if this trick is as bold as you’ve been telling me, I might not have a choice. This might have to get physical. I’m not talking about ending her life or even sending her to the hospital, but a few bruises might be in order.”
“We’ll see. But what are you planning to do first?”
“Haven’t decided for sure, but she’ll get my message loud and clear.”
“Maybe you should run it by me beforehand.”
“Cuz, I’m tellin’ you, I got this. Don’t worry. I’m givin’ you a money-back guarantee.”
“Fine. Let’s go.”
Dooney drove out to the main street and headed back toward the motel. “So how’s Anise and Aunt Emma?”
“They’re good. I don’t really talk to Anise that much anymore, but I do visit Aunt Emma.”
“What happened to you and Anise?”
“It’s a long story.”
“What you mean is that it’s none of my business.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to.”
“I just don’t want to talk about it.”
“She was older than you, but you guys used to be as thick as thieves.”
“I know.”
“Actually, we all used to have the best time. Our family was close.”
“We really were. And it’s too bad that we’re all spread out in different areas and we don’t get to see each other that often.”
“At family reunions, but that’s about it.”
“Or funerals.”
“Yep. Or when husbands cheat on their wives.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Well, if Curtis hadn’t cheated, would you have called me?”
“Probably not.”
“See.”
Charlotte chuckled and so did Dooney.
“So which hotel are you planning to check into?”
“Haven’t really decided. But I think I’ll just find one in Elgin or Dundee.”
“That’s thirty to forty minutes away.”
“Yeah, but the farther away the better, because I don’t wanna run up on anyone in Mitchell. Can’t take the chance of somebody tryin’ to ID me. That’s also why I asked you to drive outside of the city limits today. It’s also the reason I’m usin’ this cell phone I got here. It’s not registered in anyone’s name. It’s totally rigged, but you shouldn’t call me that often because you don’t want the number showin’ up in your records way too many times.”
“That makes me feel a little more at ease.”
“I keep tellin’ you, I got this.”
Charlotte pulled an envelope from her handbag and passed it to him.
“What’s this, a down payment?”
“No, it’s the whole 3K.”
“Thanks.”
“And you be careful.”
“No doubt.”
Charlotte heard what he was saying, but she still worried about the outcome. She worried that Dooney might get caught or worse, the police could easily connect him and her as relatives. She did believe him when he said he’d never implicate her but even still, she knew that might not mean a thing if the police did their research.
She worried, but on the other hand, Tabitha had to be dealt with.
And this was the only way.
Dad, why can’t I go stay at David’s this weekend?”
Matthew and Curtis were sitting in the family room, watching SportsCenter on ESPN and waiting for Charlotte to get home so they could have dinner.
“Because you spent the last two Saturdays with him and we want you home with us this weekend. Plus, don’t you want to see Alicia?”
“Yes, but I could spend the morning with her and then I could go with David in the afternoon and stay until Sunday night.”
“But Alicia hasn’t been here to stay an entire weekend with us in over a month.”
“But, Dad, she’ll understand that I have something else to do this time.”
Curtis wasn’t sure how to respond. He was trying to see Matthew’s point of view, but he couldn’t forget David’s threat of full custody. He didn’t want to keep Matthew away from his father, but there was a part of him that now felt the same as Charlotte. He was hesitant and didn’t know if it was a good idea for Matthew to spend so much time with David. Not to mention, he really wanted Matthew home this weekend because of everything that was about to happen, specifically the confession he would be offering to the church and public.
“We’ll talk about this when your mom gets here.”
“But you already know what she’s going to say. She doesn’t want me seeing David at all.”
“That’s not completely true.”
“Yes, it is, Dad. You know it. And I don’t understand why.”
“This isn’t an easy situation, son, but we’ll work it out.”
“Well, it’s not my fault that she slept with David behind Cousin Anise’s back.”
“Matthew! You watch your mouth.”
“Sorry.”
“Look. You listen to me. Don’t you ever talk like that about your mother. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, sir.”
Curtis left the family room and went into the kitchen. Not once could he remember Matthew speaking so negatively toward anyone and certainly not toward his mother and this bothered Curtis. Matthew had always been a good kid and this change in attitude was so unlike him. It was almost as if his being with David was the most exciting thing in his life. He was acting as if nothing else was important.
When Charlotte walked inside the house, she pecked Curtis on the lips and slipped off her leather jacket.
“So how’d it go with Lisa? Did you figure out what you need to say?”
“Pretty much. She’s drafting my statement and she said she’ll get it to me in the morning so I can look it over. Then, if I don’t have any changes or additions, which I’m sure I will, we’ll be ready.”
“Is the board meeting set?”
“Yeah. Elder Jamison called me about an hour ago, saying that everyone has been notified.”
“Did he tell them why?”
“No. He just told them that it was imperative that they be there and that was it.”
“Then I guess there’s no turning back now.”
“No, I guess not.”
“Where’s Matthew?”
“He’s in there. All upset about this weekend.”
“But I already told him he’s staying home.”
“I know, but he doesn’t understand why.”
“Well, he’s not going and David’s not coming here either.”
“I think we need to go talk to him right now, so we don’t have to discuss this again.”
They walked into the family room and Matthew looked at both of them.
“Matthew, your dad told me that you’re still upset about having to stay home this weekend.”
“Mom, I just want to go see where he lives. That’s all.”
“But you know Alicia is coming and you can go to David’s the next weekend.”
“I don’t wanna go next weekend, I want to go this one.”
“Okay, that’s it, Matthew. I’m not arguing with you about this. You’re not going and that’s final.”
“But, Mom—”
“I said, that’s final.”
Matthew rolled his eyes at her and turned back toward the television.
“Go get washed up for dinner.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“Then go to your room. And stay there until I tell you to come out.”
Matthew tossed the TV selector onto the sofa and left.
“Baby, what are we going to do?” she asked Curtis.
“I don’t know. But as much as I hate to say it, we can’t keep him from David. David has rights, and he’s already made it clear that he’s prepared to fight for them.”
“Maybe if I talk to him again, we can try to come to some sort of agreement.”
“I think you should. He said he wants to see him every weekend, but maybe you can get him to compromise. Maybe Matthew can stay at his house every other weekend instead of all of them.”
“We’ll see. I’ll call him in the morning.”
“Actually, you should try him tonight.”
“You’re right. I’ll call him after we eat.”
David, this is Charlotte.”
“How are you?”
“I’m good, and if you have some time, I’d like to talk to you about Matthew.”
“Okay.”
She looked at Curtis, who was sitting over on the chaise, and then said, “I’ve been thinking about our last conversation, and I was wondering if you would consider alternating weekends with us.”
“Meaning?”
“Matthew could come stay with you every other weekend, and he could be here with us on the opposite ones.”
“But that would mean I’d only have barely four days a month with him.”
“I know, but, David, you have to understand that we want some weekend family time with Matthew as well.”
“Which is what you’ve had for thirteen years.”
Charlotte could already tell that this wasn’t going to turn out as well as she’d hoped, so she decided to offer something she really didn’t want to.
“But every other weekend wouldn’t be all. You could also have him with you every other holiday and every other summer.”
“Unfortunately, that’s not acceptable to me.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s like I told you before, I’ve already lost so much time and I want Matthew and me to make up for it.”
“But do you think it’s right to take him out of his environment so frequently so soon after just meeting him?”
“Yes, because Matthew wants this, too.”
“Did he say that?” Charlotte knew Matthew did want this, but she was curious to see what he’d discussed with David.
“He did. As a matter of fact, he called me on my cell phone a little while ago, saying that you told him he couldn’t come here on Saturday.”
“But only because his sister is going to be here.”
“I don’t see where that has anything to do with my visitation time.”
“It doesn’t, but Alicia doesn’t come home all that often.”
“He can see her next time.”
“Yes, but that won’t be anytime soon because the next time she spends a weekend away from campus, she’ll probably spend it in the Chicago area with her mom and stepfather.”
“I understand that, but the bottom line is that I want to see Matthew on a regular basis.”
“Okay, fine. But, David, can you just please let us have this weekend with him? I can’t go into details, but we really need to have our family together.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“Please. I’m begging you. Just let us get through the next few days and then you and I can talk about this again. Please.”
Charlotte hated groveling to him this way, especially about her own son, but she could tell this might be her only solution.
“Fine. But if I don’t hear from you by Monday, I’m moving forward with my attorney.”
“I’ll call you then. And thanks for agreeing to this.”
“Good-bye.”
Charlotte returned the phone to its base.
“So what did he say?” Curtis asked.
“He’s fine with this weekend, but he wants me to call him by Monday.”
“Is he still talking legal action?”
“Yes.”
“Then that means we need to find representation.”
“I agree, but at least now we have a few days to do it.”
“Yeah, but trust me, Monday will be here before we know it, and then we’ll be dealing with David and the backlash from my announcement all at once. So the timing couldn’t be worse.”
“I was thinking the same thing. How our lives are basically going to be unbearable.”