Family Values (14 page)

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

Are you finish?

BRIAN

Dwight let’s go.

             
I looked at Brian with tears forming in my eyes. I didn’t know what to do or say. I wanted to do this for my family as well as myself.

DWIGHT

Brian – You know that I love you. But I am going to need you to understand. I can’t return with you to Seattle. I have to do this.

             
Brian broke down and began to cry. I tried to console him but he pushed me away. I didn’t know what to say. Brian quickly raced out of the door.

MADISON

Now that he is gone I….

DWIGHT (looking at Madison)

Don’t be such a bitch

              I sat on the edge of my bed. I heard a diesel truck pulling up to the house. I walked over to the window and pulled the curtains back when I spotted the delivery truck. I wondered as to what could be coming. I quickly raced down stairs and opened the front door. When I opened the door there stood a woman dressed in blue pants and a red shirt that had the initials F.S.E.S embodied on the left hand side.

DELIVERY WOMAN (with a smile hold
ing a clipboard)

Good afternoon. I have a delivery for a Mr. Dwight
Cove.

DWIGHT

That’s me.

DELIVERY WOMAN

Sign right here sir.

             
I took the clipboard and began to scribble my name on the paper. I thumbed through the papers to see where this was coming from. I knew that I had not ordered anything. Once I got halfway down the page I saw Brian’s name on the paper.

             
The woman walked back to her truck and unloaded several big boxes. Another truck pulled into my grandmother’s yard. This time two more women and a man jumped out of it. They began to unload furniture and boxes, placing them in my grandmother’s living room.

             
I released my phone for the belt clip and called Brian.

BRIAN
I take it that you got your things.

DWIGHT

Why are you doing this? I didn’t call you to tell you to send my things here.

BRIAN
Dwight this is best. You are getting married in a few days and I can’t go on living like this.

DWIGHT
This marriage is for my family not me. I love you.

BRIAN
If you loved me then you would not be doing this.

             
Suddenly there was no sound from the phone. I looked down and read
CALL ENDED
on the screen. I knew Brian did not hang up on me. I dialed his number again.

BRIAN
Don’t call me anymore. Go ahead and live your life.

DWIGHT
Don’t do this.

BRIAN
Dwight, I love you and will always love you but I will not be second to no man and especially not a woman. Be happy ok. I will send you a wedding gift. Good bye.

             
I felt my stomach flip several times. “What am I doing?” I thought to myself.

DELIVERY WOMAN

Mr. Cove we have unloaded everything from both trucks. Do you want to check this manifestation form with the boxes in the house?

DWIGHT

Ah, no…no…I trust that everything is here.

             
I pulled my wallet from my pocket to tip the workers.

             
I turned and walked into the house. I studied everything that was happening as I scanned the boxes. I heard my grandmother approach me from behind.

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

What is all of this?

DWIGHT
My things from Seattle. Brian sent them to me.

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

Well…I guess that you will be placing these things in storage today.

DWIGHT
Yes. I can’t believe that he sent them.

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

He knows what’s best. I am about to go to the cemetery to visit Jefferson Davis. Make sure that you go into the office today. There should be some papers coming for signatures. Read them carefully before signing them.

DWIGHT
What are they concerning?

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

The wedding, you getting married, and what stake of this family you might get.

DWIGHT
I can’t believe you are making me sign a contract.

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

I have told you before I am protecting my family first. In order for you to get something from me you will have to give something. You have already given up that life with that boy, you have moved back home, and you are getting married.

             
I stood there pondering why I was letting her control my life.

DWIGHT

I am going to get a storage cabin today to put all of this in.

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

Great. (walking over to me and placing her hand on my shoulder). Trust me, I am doing this for your own good.

DWIGHT

Yeah, right.

              I was going through some papers at the office when I heard a noise. The noise started to get faster and louder. I quickly pulled my pistol out of the bottom desk drawer. I checked the clip to make sure that it was loaded. I eased my way around my desk to the direction of the noise. I held my gun out in front of me as a walked down the hall. Once I got to my grandmother’s office, the noise and rambling was intense. I quickly opened the door and there stood someone dressed in all black.

             
Whomever it was – was going through the files so hard that they didn’t notice me as I approached. I cocked my gun and pointed it directly at them.

DWIGHT

I don’t miss. Not at any range.

             
They quickly fired at me and took off running. With the bullet missing me I followed behind. The perpetrator went to jump out of the window when I fired my gun. The bullet struck them in the back. The person fell to the ground. I walked over to them and kicked them. No movement came from them. I pulled the hood off and noticed that it was Apollo who came to the hospital to visit Landon. What was he doing in our office? What was the real connection he had with Landon?

             
I quickly picked up the phone and called the police.

_____________________________

              I explained everything to my grandmother and Madison when they arrived at headquarters. We sat and pondered what really was going on.

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

What have you done?

DWIGHT
Tried to protect this family business.

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

As your grandfather used to say, “Blood may be thicker than water…but oil is thicker than both.” Landon has bought shame to me. I am glad that he is dead. There is no telling what he was into.

MADISON
Grand…how can you say that about my brother?

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

I have a family and a business to protect. There is no way that I will allow you, your brother or Dwight to bring shame inside this circle. Now if he hadn’t killed himself I would have killed him. I knew that Landon had a drug problem. I have sent him to rehab several time.

             
I sat there listening to this woman talk about my baby brother. I knew in my heart of heart that Landon was her baby. But to listen to her turn the tables was astounding. 

MADISON

Grandmother…

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

Madison…never pass up a good chance to shut the hell up.

             
Madison threw her purse on her shoulder and exited the room. I sat there alone with Grandmother Ella. I didn’t know what to say or if I should say anything.

              On his way to the theatre, Trenity stopped by Madison’s house. Madison escorted Trenity into the kitchen.

MADISON
You care for a glass of wine?

TRENITY

Yes sure. Chardonnay. SO how have you been?

MADISON

Good. And you?

TRENITY
Doing well. I have some papers here I need you to sign.

MADISON
So you really want this divorce.

TRENITY
I think that it is best.

MADISON
What if I decide not to sign?

TRENITY

I don’t what to go through this. We have talked about it. You and I agreed on this.

             
Madison pulled the papers from the clasp envelope. She was thumbing through the paper when Trenity’s cell phone buzzed. Trenity picked up the phone and saw Noah’s name appear. He pressed
END
and turned the phone face down.

MADISON
What is this about me paying you spousal support?

TRENITY
Well for one you make more money than I do. I have been good to you and your family. I want part of the oil money that you and your family will be getting on the new oil wells that you all have coming. Now after the barrels start rolling you will convey 10% of all profits.

MADISON
You must be out of your damn mind to think that I will give you anything. I am the one that caught you with your dick inside of someone else.

TRENITY
We are not here to discuss that. I was accustomed to a certain lifestyle. I do well with the pharmacy but I have to keep up with what I had when I was with you.

MADISON
I cannot believe that you are this trifling.

TRENITY
What do you mean?

MADISON
You will not get any monies from me. You left this marriage for someone else. I will give these papers to my attorney. We will draw up something and present it to you.

TRENITY (taking the sip of his wine)

Now there are almost one billion barrels of oil in this.

MADISON
That’s correct.

TRENITY

Well, just to make sure that we are on the same page…if that oil should happen to stop flowing for any reason…If you were to become incapacitated – you are still my wife and all that you have will come over to me. Now I suggest that you study long and hard about any decisions that you make.

MADISON (leaning over to Trenity)

Let me tell you something. The best way to understand me is to talk to my friends….and my enemies. My friends are in the state house. My enemies are going to be hard to find.

             
Trenity stood from the table.

TRENITY

By the way the little deal that you and your grandmother got going with Robin, think long and hard before you execute anything else.

MADISON
What are you talking about?

TRENITY

You trying to kill Brian by having him run off of the road, your grandmother paying Robin to marry Dwight so that he can gain what he thinks will be part of the family’s business.

MADISON
How do you know this?

TRENITY
Ah baby, you don’t know who you married? That sixty grand that you promised Robin – I want it today. So write me a check – NOW!

MADISON
I am not writing you shit.

TRENITY

Okay.

             
Trenity picked up his phone and dialed a number. He looked over at Madison and gave her a wink. He picked up the empty glass from the table and handed it to her to refill. Madison poured him another glass of Chardonnay.

TRENITY

Dwight…what’s going on brother-in-law?....Really…Look I am over here talking with your sister about some things. As you know we are going through a divorce. Everything seems to be going okay but I need to sit and talk with you about something…Great, great. I can meet you then. See you soon.

             
Trenity ended the call and placed the phone on the table.

TRENITY
Now are going to write the check or do I need to go ahead with my plans.

MADISON
You are one sick bastard.

             
Madison pulled the checkbook from her purse that was on the counter. As she was writing out the check Trenity stood over her. She tore the check from the book and handed it to him.

             
Trenity looked at the check and smiled.

ROBIN

How old were you when your mother passed?

DWIGHT

About twelve.