Family Values (6 page)

I am in Birmingham on a business trip. Come on just take her and when I get home tomorrow I will make it up to you.

DWIGHT

Call her and tell her I will take her. Give me an hour.

MADISON

Thanks. This will also give you two time to talk.

DWIGHT

I am so looking forward to it.

             
I laid the phone down on the nightstand to go take my shower. Lord knows that I didn’t want to take her and I know that she felt the same about me taking her.

             
After a quick shower I threw on some jeans and shirt. I dragged myself to my rental car and sat there looking in the rearview mirror for a good minute. I was dreading driving down to the ranch.

              Upon my arrival I sat in the car and called Landon. Not surprised, he didn’t answer his phone.

             
I went up and rang the doorbell. I thought that it was funny that a family member would have to ring the doorbell at their family house.

             
Grandmother opened the door dressed as though she was going to a country club social. “Old southern money” I thought. She would never let anyone see her dressed down. She grabbed her purse and a sun hat. She never spoke a word. Not even a simple “good morning”.

             
We got into my car and headed towards the cemetery.

DWIGHT

How are you Grandmother?

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

I am fine. I was wondering when you were going to speak. I know that I raised you better than the way you act.

DWIGHT

Gran, I came to your house. You should have…you are right. I was wrong.

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

I am surprised you are not back in Seattle.

DWIGHT

No ma’am. I am going to leave on next week.

GRANDMOTHER ELLA (gruts and clutches her purse)

Hummmm.

             
I wanted to ask what that was for but used my better judgment.

DWIGHT

So gran, how have you been since Grandfather’s passing.

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

I have been okay. Some days harder than others. But I’ll make it.

DWIGHT

You know that we are here for you if you need anything.

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

Madison and Landon are here. You are going back to Seattle. Not that I would call you for anything anyway.

DWIGHT

Why are you so hard on me? I have always done any and everything that you and Grandfather asked of me. Honor student in high school and college, clean around the house without being told to, never got into any trouble. Just because my father is not your son? How do you think all of this makes me feel? My mother is dead just like your husband. She is not coming back. I feel that I don’t have anyone to talk to, hold me, tell me things are going to be alright. Yes, you and grandfather gave me a great life. I am thankful for all of that. But when are you going to let it go and treat me like I am a part of this family.

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

You are about to miss the turn to the cemetery.

             
I slammed on the breaks. If she hadn’t had on her seatbelt her head would have hit the dashboard. I turned into the cemetery and hurriedly found Grandfather Davis’ grave. I jumped out of the car and opened the trunk. I saw the bag that Grandfather gave me on his death bed. I started to open it but I heard Grandmother getting out of the car. I then remembered him saying not to tell anyone that he gave me that bag. But what was in it I wondered.

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

You can’t help an old lady out of a car.

             
I let the trunk down and walked over to the passenger side of the car. As we walked to the grave Gran held my hand. This was totally a surprise. I looked out of my peripheral to see that she was wiping a tear that was falling.

             
As we reached the grave Gran pulled a towel from under her right arm and gently placed it on the ground. I helped her kneel down beside Grandfather’s grave. She looked up at me and told me go away. I decided that I would visit with my mother again. I knew that it would be awhile before I visited her again.

GRANDMOTHER ELLA (playing with the flowers on the grave)

Well Davis, I came as promised. (sighs) The house feels so empty without you there. I walk around trying to find things to do. I go to the country club for lunch and go out shopping with Ethel, Maggie, and Dadie. Although I did that same thing before it is different knowing that I am coming home to an empty house.

Bobby called yesterday. He is still over in Kabul, Afghanistan on tour. I know that it tore him up that he could not make your
home going service. The grands are doing okay. Dwight is still here. Davis, I want to talk to him and just pour out my heart but I can’t. But a side of me can’t forgive his mother. Why am I blaming him? His mother married Bobby to pull herself out of that trailer park. She saw money and an opportunity. Maddie and Landon are doing well. Maddie is out of town right now on business and Landon is back in school. (sighs) Oh I almost forgot, we are reading your will next week. You never showed me the final version. You better not have something crazy in it or else I will meet you sooner than you think.

DWIGHT
(walking over to Gran)

Gran, are you ready? It looks like it is about to rain.

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

I guess so since you walked over here interrupting me.

              I took Gran by the hand to help her up. She grabbed her towel and folded it neatly and placed it back under her arm. Suddenly a loud clap of thunder rolled across the sky. I counted the seconds before seeing lighting to measure how many miles the storm was away. I got to one and there it was. I knew that we would not make it home before the storm hit.

The rain was coming down so hard that you could feel the splat on the car. I pulled into the garage and entered the house through the kitchen.

              Once Gran opened the door she fell back and clutched her pearls. She gained her composure and walked back into the house. It looked as though a Mississippi Tornado had destroyed the entire interior. We walked slowly through the house not knowing what to expect. Gran tried her best to control her emotions but her face told it all. I pulled out my cell phone to call the police to report a possible burglary.

             
Gran walked all over the house to see if anything was missing. She called out for Landon a few times but there was no response. I wanted Gran to have a seat but she was determined to walk her house. I called Landon’s phone and still no answer. It was common for him not to answer but usually he would return the calls. My mind really began to ponder. My next thought was to call Madison.

MADISON

Hey Dwight, what is going on?

DWIGHT
I need you to get home quickly. The Ranch has been destroyed.

MADISON
(frantic)

What – a storm hit it?

DWIGHT

It looks like it. Someone broke in and destroyed it.

MADISON

I am on my way. Trenity is at home. I will call him and have him to come over.

DWIGHT

Okay. I am trying to…

              I heard Gran scream.

DWIGHT
(running to where I heard the scream)

Gran! What’s wrong?

              I found Gran in Landon’s bedroom. There was blood all over the room. I looked over the room in a 360 degree turn. I could not believe what we saw. I heard a bumping coming from the closet. I walked over and opened the door. Landon feel out all bound up. His eyes were covered with white elastic bands. His mouth was covered with gray duck tape. His hands were cuffed behind his back. His feet were tied together. There were bruises all over his face. His clothes were torn and pulled.

             
When I grabbed him he began to struggle to get loose.

DWIGHT

Landon it’s me. Calm down.

              I gently pulled the bands from his eyes only to find that they both were swollen shut. Gran just fell on the bed Covering her mouth. I turned and looked at her to make sure she was okay. I began to finish unbinding my brother.

DWIGHT

Landon, who did this?

             
Landon didn’t speak quickly. I noticed that when he opened his mouth blood dropped out. Knowing my brother could not see me I didn’t want a tear to fall.

DWIGHT

Landon. Does it hurt for you to talk?

             
He suddenly grabbed his chest and rolled to his side. I had to leave the room. Once I got out, I called for an ambulance. Before I could make another call the police was ringing the doorbell. I let them into the house and walked with them over the mansion. I wasn’t sure what was missing and what wasn’t. I went back into the room where Landon and Gran were. I asked Gran if she felt like talking to the police about the mansion. She obliged and walked with them. I stayed with Landon until the paramedics arrived. I called Madison to update here on things. Trenity walked into the room where Landon and I were.

DWIGHT

Trent just got here. I will call you back. Be careful on the road….Okay, I love you too.

TRENITY

How is he?

DWIGHT

I am not sure. I know that he has to be in pain. He can’t talk. He tried but nothing came out.

TRENITY

Landon, it’s me Trent. If you can understand me I want you to squeeze my hand.

             
Landon tried but the squeeze was weak.

TRENITY
Landon I don’t want you to move anymore. The paramedics are on their way.

             
Trenity looked over at me. 

             
Madison and I gazed the Meridian night skyline from the hospital window. She wrapped her arm around my waist and laid her head on my shoulder. I put my head on top of hers. This was the love that I remembered from when we were younger. I just wished that I was able to receive it from my grandparents.

             
I directed Madison to the couch across from where Gran sat.

DWIGHT

I am hungry. Does anyone want anything?

MADISON

I am good.

DWIGHT

Why don’t we go out to get something to eat?

GRANDMOTHER ELLA (looking sternly at me)

How dare you talk about leaving here when that baby is in ICU? You have always been selfish!

MADISON

Gran…Dwight is not being selfish. He is just suggesting that we go eat. Landon is stable.

TRENITY

You all go get something to eat. I will stay here. Here take my card (reaching in his pocket to get his wallet). 

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

I am not leaving Landon.

DWIGHT

Gran…

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

Don’t speak. You are the reason my house was broken into. There is no telling what followed you from Seattle. They beat that baby because they couldn’t find you.

MADISON

Gran! Don’t do this. Dwight had nothing to do with someone breaking into your house. You really need to stop abandoning him and blaming him for things that you know he didn’t do. One day you are going to need him and he just might turn his back on you.

GRANDMOTHER ELLA

How do you know?

TRENITY (walking over to Grandmother Ella and sitting beside her)

Gran…everything is going to be fine. We will find out who broke into your house and why. I promise.

             
Madison watched as Trenity consoled Grandmother Ella. Her mind flooded with the memory of him raping her. He took her hand and gave it a quick kiss and then rubbed it against his face. Madison rushed her way to the restroom.