Family Values (5 page)

LANDON

How the hell is he going to say that he doesn’t know me?

ROMAN

By moving his damn mouth. So if you wanna leave the way you came in I suggest that you don’t say another word.

LANDON

He is going to see me.

             
By this time a man that was the color of charcoal entered the room. He stood 5’9 and he had a cane in his left hand. He didn’t use the cane for walking but he just carried it. He noticed Landon standing behind Roman. Their eyes met for a quick second. The man used the cane to direct Landon to the back. Landon immediately walked in front of him.

             
The man kept the cane in the middle of Landon’s back. He directed Landon into a room and immediately closed the door. With a quick flick of the lock he punched Landon in the stomach with the cane. Landon fell to the floor holding his stomach. The man kneeled down beside him and placed his hand on his back.

APOLLO

Where the hell is my money?

             
Landon tried to speak but was too weak. Apollo took the cane and chopped Landon across the back. Landon laid flat on the floor. Apollo pulled Landon by his dreads.

APOLLO

Where is my money?

LANDON

I don’t have it right now.  But I need a quick fix until tomorrow. I promise you that I will have the $7,500 that I owe you.

APOLLO

What type of fool do you think that I am? Do you know that I can kill you right now and no one will ever find you?

LANDON

I promise you Apollo. I will have your money in the morning.

APOLLO

You tried to be slick around my boys by giving them a fake ass name. You know what I am going to give you this. But if you don’t have my money in the morning I am coming for you.

             
Apollo pulled out a safe and grabbed a bag with several different color pills. He place ten pills in a small clear bag. When he put the safe up and walked back to Landon. He placed the bag on Landon’s chest and patted it.

APOLLO

I want $10,000 by 8 o’clock in the morning. If it is not here I am coming for you.

LANDON

I will have it for you.

             
Landon grabbed the bag from his chest as he picked himself up from the floor. He took two pills from the bag and popped them in his mouth. He threw his head back to make sure that the pills went down his throat. He placed the bag in his pocket and walked out of the room.

APOLLO

Make sure that you are here in the morning or I am coming for you.

             
Landon looked at Apollo and smiled.

____________________________

              Landon walked into his grandmother’s house. The house was completely dark except for the light that was coming from down the hall. Landon walked towards the light. He noticed that the light was coming from his grandmother’s room. He knocked on the door to see if he would get a response.

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

Come in.

             
Landon opened the door and entered slowly.

LANDON

Gran are you awake?

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

Yes. I am just reading some cards from the service today.

LANDON

How are you feeling?

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

I am good. How are you?

LANDON

I am good. Gran I have a question. What time is the will reading tomorrow?

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

It won’t be tomorrow. I called the attorney and put it off a few days because your sister has to go out of town.

Madison was in her bedroom taking off her clothes from a long day with family and friends. It was strange that her husband, Trenity, didn’t attend the service. He loved her family as his own. Madison sat on the edge of her bed and dropped her head into her hands. She sobbed uncontrollably.

Her continuous sobbing caused her
to grow weak. She managed to lift herself up and walk to the bathroom. As she looked in the mirror at herself her mind pondered on Trenity and the burial of her grandfather.              Trenity and Madison have been married for six years. Madison has always wanted children but has been unable to have them. Trenity owns a very successful pharmacy in Waynesboro.

Madison
was putting on her nightly facial when she heard her doorbell ring. She ran her hands under some water to wash off the excess cream. When she reached the door she peered through the peephole and saw that it was Dwight. She opened the door and pulled Dwight close to her. They held each other for a few minutes without saying a word.

After releasing each other,
Madison took Dwight by the hand and led him to the couch.

MADISON

You care for something to drink?

DWIGHT

Yes, whatever you got strong.

             
Madison walked over to the bar in the corner and poured two glasses of brandy. She passed one to Dwight as she took her seat.

MADISON

What brings you here?

DWIGHT

I came to check on my older sis before going to my room.

MADISON

Why are you staying in that hotel? You know that you could have stayed…

DWIGHT

You know Grandmother Ella don’t want me at her house.

MADISON

I wasn’t going to say that. I was extending the invitation here.

DWIGHT
(smiling)

No. I am good in my room.
Besides you and Trenity need your space. Where is he anyway? I didn’t see him at the service.

MADISON
(getting up to refresh her drink)

I don’t know where he is. Maybe still at work.

DWIGHT

He did know that the service was today, didn’t he?

MADISON

Of course.

DWIGHT

Do you remember when we were younger and we used to talk about growing up and starting families?

MADISON

Yeah. You wanted to marry
Kelly Rowland, move to Arizona, have three kids and manage her career.

DWIGHT

Pretty wild thoughts, huh?

MADISON

Not really. You could have made it happen. Well without Kelly.

DWIGHT
(taking a pillow off the couch and hitting Madison in the face)

You got jokes.

MADISON

I am serious.

              Dwight got quiet for a minute. He rubbed the rim of his glass. Madison noticed that he was looking down.

MADISON

What’s wrong?

DWIGHT

Can I tell you something?

MADISON

You know that you can. What is it? What’s wrong?

DWIGHT
I am same gender loving.

MADISON
(looking puzzled)

What does that mean?

DWIGHT

Huh? You do know what gender means right?

MADISON

Yes…Same gender loving…oh, oh (putting her hand on
Dwight’s shoulder) You’re gay!

DWIGHT

You can say that.

MADISON

Oh wow.

DWIGHT

You want me to leave now.

MADISON

No…you are my brother. I love you no matter what.

DWIGHT

What do you think grandmother would say?

MADISON

Now that is a horse of a different color. Do you have to tell her?

             
By this time, Trenity entered the house. He saw me and Madison sitting on the couch. He came over and kissed Madison on the lips. He reached over and hugged me.

TRENITY

Long time no see Dwight. How have you been?

DWIGHT

Doing well. How about you? How is the pharmacy business?

TRENITY

All is good. How long are you going to be here?

DWIGHT

I think that I am leaving tomorrow.

MADISON

You can’t.

DWIGHT

Why not? Grandfather is buried and Grandmother doesn’t want me here. What other reason do I have to stay here?

MADISON

The reading of the will.

DWIGHT

I am not in the will. Grandfather told me that the day I arrived.

TRENITY

You can’t be serious?!

DWIGHT

As a heart attack.

             
Trenity pulled Dwight from the couch and hugged him tightly.

TRENITY
Dude, I am sorry to hear that. You have been through a lot. (Releasing Dwight) Well look it has been a long day. I am going to take a shower and hit the bed. Dwight I hope to see you again before you leave.

DWIGHT

I am sure we will.

             
Trenity walked up the stairs to prepare for his shower.

DWIGHT

Look, I am going to head to my hotel and get some rest myself.

MADISON
(getting off of the couch)

I love you. Think about what I said. Don’t leave so soon.

DWIGHT
I will think about it.

             
Madison locked the door as soon as Dwight left. She turned off all of the lights in living room and kitchen. She proceeded to walk up the stairs. When she passed by the wedding portrait of her and Trenity, she stopped and rubbed it while smiling.

             
She grabbed the knob to the bedroom door and turned. As soon as she entered the room she was met by a fist. Madison grabbed her mouth where she was hit. When she pulled her hand down she saw blood.

TRENITY

You know when I come home I want to make love and then eat.

MADISON

Trent my brother stopped to visit.

TRENITY

I don’t care. Get your ass over here.

              Trenity grabbed Madison by the hair and threw her on the bed. He jumped on her and pounded her head into the mattress. Madison struggled to break loose. She finally got her hands free and clawed his face. Trenity punched her in the face several times after that. Madison finally kicked Trenity between his legs. He fell to the floor holding himself.

She leaped off the bed headed towards the door. Trenity grabbed her left ankle and she fell to the floor. He crawled over to her and ripped her blouse open. The more
Madison fought back the harder Trenity fought. He snatched on her skirt so hard that the zipper split causing a cut on her side. Trenity unzipped his pants. Madison knew what was about to happen. This was not the first time that she had been in this situation. He forced her legs apart. With his arm pressed against her neck she knew there was no turning back. She felt his flesh force its way into her. The pain of him entering her caused her to scream. Trenity gave her a quick slap across the face.

TRENITY

Shut the hell up.

             
The pain increased as his rhythm picked up. Madison tried to break free but Trenity’s 5’11, 235 solid muscular frame would not allow her too. He pushed harder and harder, while his inhuman grunts filled the stillness of the room. She knew then that he was close to climaxing. Trenity let out a loud scream releasing his juices inside of her.

TRENITY (collapsing on top of her)  

Well you always wanted a baby – there you go. Now go clean up.

             
Trenity arose from her. His manhood was still erect as he walked out of the room. Madison laid on the floor wondering why she allowed herself to stay in this situation.

DWIGHT

Hello.

MADISON

Dwight
, are you still here?

DWIGHT

Yes, why?

MADISON

Can you take Grandmother to the cemetery? She wants to visit Grandfather.

DWIGHT

Why? We just buried him three days ago.

MADISON

Dwight, this was her husband. They spent over forty years together.

DWIGHT

Why can’t you take her? You know that she don’t want me to take her.

MADISON