Water **** Chapter Ninety-Six

Askew, I had leaned toward my own acumen---the sound of distant water had awakened me but I'd been deficient in finding its source. I opened my eyes to find the mint julep tea still in its glass, the perspiration on it indicated I'd only taken a nap, I hadn't known the hour. Sure, I had my phone but it had been hard to tell night from day, somehow time stood still. I only remembered dinner, and hadn't consumed the tea.

The chef had prepared the Fenugreek Curry, a Pakistani dish. She was renowned and generously compensated. Martin had asserted Melize was desperately sought after so he had to keep her salary his priority. I hadn't been fond of her presence and the child I carried would not allow me to digest the meal. I last remembered being escorted to the large guest bedroom on the bottom level of the home, its Babylonian themed walls related to my childhood visuals of The Garden of Eden, my mother would read the passages. I commiserated with Eve---even as a child. She'd never been given a chance.

An original painting of Jan Van Essings Resting Lioness hang on the wall, transverse the Ron Rophar Lion Family painting hanging in its Italian hand carved frame. The sound of the rushing water ceased when I opened my eyes to see Kie standing before me, the stethoscope still hung from her neck even though she now wore a different sweater. Perturbed, I sat up and propped myself on my elbows, trying to adjust my focus on the native housekeeper, her Haitian descent was salient.

"Mr. Poindexter asked that I awaken u---I didn't mean to frighten u."

The mint smell invaded my nose, as I looked at the glass I'd left behind on the dinner table. A bad case of nausea had overcome me suddenly upon trying to eat the meal, the fresh blackberry glaze hadn't appealed to my sense of smell, though I couldn't wait to taste it.

Kie reached to pull back the covers and after realizing I'd rudely snatched them from her hand I apologized and said I had to pee. I'd stood and become lightheaded, since I'd arrived it had felt as if a cat had lightly leaped onto my back, and held me around my neck. I prayed silently as I sat on the bidet. I knew I needed to gather my belongings and leave. I would borrow the books if he was willing to allow me to take them. I washed my hands and splashed water on my face before entering again into the large bedroom, I now noticed the back wall, its hanging vine decor solidified my notion. The wallpaper depicted Willows and various tree varieties resembling the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World. Nebuchadnezzar soon came to mind as I disregarded Kie's presence and walked past her noticing Troy had called twice. There was a voicemail but it had only been a partial automated recording with instructions on how to accept the call. I dialed Von's number, again there was no answer. I knew I had to soon return and looked for Martin to ask about Kerri.

"Mr. Poindexter will be down soon," Kie said as she followed me, the curry still slightly lingered and upon looking at the date and time I'd determined I'd been asleep a whole day. IMPOSSIBLE! I turned around in a panic deciding I would just ask for the books and leave, where was Martin!

I hadn't paid for my suite, I panicked even more and I gripped my toes on the marble floor, in case I became lightheaded. I needed to call the hotel! Also, how the fuck had that glass still perspired? There had to be a logical explanation! Kie assured me Martin would be down soon, I looked upstairs through the wounded staircase and could see the photos that aligned the wall, there was a black and white picture of —-Emily Orchards? Why would he have a picture of the orchard?

I noticed Kerri still hadn't come, I inquired again of her whereabouts but heard Martin's voice as he emerged from a bedroom upstairs, he accompanied a gentleman slightly younger than he himself, tall and dapper. As they wound the staircase downward and stood in the entryway I recognized the gentleman whom he was speaking to. He had been my own judge after Terrell's case had been reopened. He sat among the other two in Federal Court and hadn't addressed the matter at all, but had agreed with the other two on grounds for dismissal.

Martin squeezed his shoulder as he headed for the door, he stopped in his tracks and allowed the salt and pepper haired man to tuck his tie. "I see u have decided to join the rest of us," Martin said to me as he escorted the man to the door before opening it. He frowned against the sunset.

"I really need to leave Mr. Poindexter, thank u for everything." My knees were becoming weak again, this time with extreme fear and I didn't know why. I wanted to take Kerri and Ayden home, that had been my mission but surely she'd known I was there, why hadn't she come back?! I somehow felt betrayed as I had when she changed her number immediately after my release. I soon figured out why Josh was killed and had known she'd played part in spending the money he'd taken from Redd's account, Terrell's money---Martin's money. She had gotten rid of my son for the luxuries.

He closed the door and extended both hands outward, I embraced his salutation out of fear. He smiled, walked to the piano bench and sat down, I didn't know the tune but he elegantly began to play.

"Aaaah, listen; Saint-Saens Danse Macabre, a classic." he said basking in the melodic tune of the Steinway. His model, more---modern than Veronica's had been.

The sounds filled the atmosphere and as much as I tried to keep my stern attitude, I eventually humbled myself and determined he hadn't caused me any harm at all, but had only been hospitable. I hadn't eaten but was not hungry. He continued the song and closed the piano lid before rising from his seat, "Ballad is a lovely name. Follow me."

My feet were cool against the marble but I felt as if a fever had stricken me when he led me past the lion statuettes before entering into the law library. The books aligned three walls in a customized bookcase. I noticed a gap between two of its shelves and knew they separated somehow. His white beard had grown out to be more visible, and as he looked upward I'd seen a thin scar around his throat. It had to have been years old, it could barely be seen. He picked up a cigar from the mahogany desk and pointed toward a shelf of Law Books with blue hardback covers. "Federal Law, Statutes and Codes. Im sure u are unfamiliar with any of that but u have to start somewhere."

The spines displayed their content by titles and I was confused, I didn't even know what I needed to learn but I had to learn it. I'd known Martin could have Troy freed, he had power and willing to do whatever was my second option, I would apply myself and represent my man if need be... it hurt deep to know he felt I had betrayed him. "Your children's blessings have not been forgotten though u have been destroyed for lack of knowledge."

That passage had been embroidered on a cloth my mother had, except it was a scripture---Hosea 4:6.

"The law is for those who needs fulfillment, the enlightened exempts legislation, but is beholden to the superior, the judge of mankind is unequivocal to the predominant, an arbitrator to their own inconceivable grasp, without the negligent they would be impractical."

I hadn't understood but ran my fingers along the backs of the even lined spines, my expectation to collect dust on their tips had been impotent, he delighted in my intrigue. My child had become suddenly active, I stood before the books and could see. I became proficient as he spake, I had not even removed the books from the shelf. I'd had an awakening suddenly and had knowledge of law. I was confident as I turned to see Martin, he gloated my diversion. I absorbed the content from their spines and classified it by necessity. It was all clear somehow I would research online and hadn't needed his books, my child rejoiced. I felt competent where I had entered into the home being inferior.

Where was Kerri? Had she been enlightened?

I had only one undertaking but was bound unbriefed. Only out of conciliation had I not contravened when he asked me to stay but knew I had to quickly depart, the swooning as I stood the day before resurfaced in my thoughts.

"My suite has not been paid for," I said in defense, " and I have to leave, is Kerri not coming?"

"At the moment she is settling, she sends her salutations and is taking proclivity in acquainting her siblings, tell me---sound; it's much like sight...the physical sight can be superfluous, have u considered the deaf? As u know the mind is loquacious, it can hear sounds that are not manifest to belief, like flowing waters---imagine; now what do u hear?"

Was he being funny? I knew how it sounded to hear shit not real!

"Your suite has been tended."

I asked him to elaborate and became angry, how had he even known where I stayed. He stated, "I was concerned about the modest abode u selected to lodge when u hadn't awakened, I hadn't meant to vex your spirit."

That muthafucka had entranced me, I had never slept that long! I began to feel uneasy and I just wanted to leave! Why did I suddenly feel like he would try to stop me? The pendulum swung back and forth on the clock, I looked away toward the sword propped beside the door. Was that Veronica's sword?

"With all due respect, that was not necessary Mr. Poindexter. I could have paid."

"Yes, yes, I have made certain."

I watched him mimic blowing smoke from the unlit cigar, "Well, I must dress in my smoking attire. Stay as long as u like."

I turned back toward the shelves and looked at the Louisiana Law books, I collected information from their spines and retreated toward the door while glimpsing the sword. Martin had gone before I turned back around. My handbag and shoes were yet in the bedroom, I saw opportunity to get them and leave, I would text and thank him when I was gone. I wanted to see my sister and as I walked toward the room my phone vibrated from in my bra, the number from the prison was across the screen. After the third ring I answered and accepted the call. Prepared to explain I swallowed the lump in my throat and said hello.

"Yea, u talk to that nigga Von? He ain't answering my calls."

It hurt to be greeted in that manner, I told him no."

"I'm coming to see u---"

"I can't hear u, turn off the water."

What water?

"Troy! Im coming, I will get u out! I didn't set u up!"

The call ended, he called back. I could not hear him for the sound of water, I tried to adjust the volume and relocated in the home, with no result. As I

grabbed my keys and put on my shoes to leave out I found myself dizzy from the sudden movement, why couldn't I hear him! When I left out I ran toward the Honda and didn't look back. I went to the suite to wait on Troy's call, two days passed and I could not function, I was physically ill---I needed Martin to help me. I was in turmoil, the sound of water flowed constantly in my head, louder than the voices. I began to speak to the sounds, even in public. I only laid and waited. I studied but could not comprehend.

I began to feel him, he satisfied and consoled me throughout the night. I only wanted to sleep I needed him, it was so real and more pleasurable than reality. I functioned but hardly, after a while I wanted it quiet and was confined to the suite---the day Martin had shown up, almost two weeks had passed, I longed Troy I could not live without him, he had to do something I offered everything I had---even my soul. He only said, "U cannot recompense what I am already entitled."