Restored **** Chapter Ninety-Seven

Martin's encounter had ended inconclusively, he scolded my untidiness upon entering into the suite but I had been unmoved by his acerbic remarks. His presence exacerbated the episodes, I'd begun to sweat and became reliant, he escorted me to the large bed before I collapsed to the floor. The trays of days old food still sat on a cart, I had not eaten and was weak. My domain had become a pigsty.

I could hear him speak and his voice traveled swiftly as sound would through water, five times faster than through air. His rant was implicit but I sensed his ill humor in the atmosphere that had become heavy, yet I hadn't been reluctant to allow him to enter even though he had held the key card between his index and middle fingers when I opened the door. I felt life had been sucked from my loins as he crossed the threshold.

His ingenuine concern humbled me at once, he was now essential to my well being---I needed Troy and he'd known I coveted his body in unrestrained mannerisms. I could not differentiate day from night, and he had not called in days. I tried to pull myself together to leave the hotel, it was simple, I was free, but something was hypnotically keeping me planted in the suite. Martin's assertions couldn't have been more frank, he ridiculed me for being intrepid. I weakly explained to him I would leave, and I needed Troy. I didn't know what he wanted, it clearly wasn't sex. After the dizzy spell I slid from the bed and felt for the floor with my toes, the ascot around his neck shimmered in the dimly lit room, it complimented the blue face Rolex, the green anchors against the ocean blue silk matched the Sapphire and emerald timepiece that had been customized to contour his wrist faultlessly. As he centered his hand atop his Fedora to remove it, he inquired of his own manners, the gems casted circles above on the suites ceiling. I had known he was angry I hadn't returned but hadn't even called. How did he know I was still in New Orleans?

He drew the blinds, I all but shrieked. Where was my sister? That muthafucka was evil, his presence sickened and cured me simultaneously. He had left home wearing a pair of smoking slippers, as if the decision had been sudden. I wondered if I was his child---naw seriously. Who had she prayed to on some either way shit? I was willing to do anything, I was so weak without Troy, I'd negotiated with my prudence; how could I feel I was dying? I had even been in love before but it hadn't felt like that. The lust was powerful enough to become tangible, I could feel him, I would lay and wait. The realization of it all would influence the suicidal tendencies, I needed Martin so I could live for my babies. I wouldn't be like the other bitches, I swore silently. I knew plenty who had sold their souls to the devil for a nigga and they had all neglected their children. Nope---not I.

I, I just needed Troy so I could function and we would be just fine. I opposed the consequences and asked almost lifelessly for the child I carried, "What do u want from me?"

He smiled, and said. "U have done enough. What is it u desire on my behalf, u have meandered in search of your sister but have seemingly had your own agenda disregarding---I should say, I have ensured she is safer than u are. Without obligation I have welcomed u to my home, are u aware of the danger u have left behind? Certainly you've figured Trenton out. With great prudence u should come with me."

He continued.

"U were not familiar with your grandfather were u? Your father's father---he was gone before u were conceived. We must talk over dinner soon. I will call Dario to get your belongings."

I mentally refused as he insisted I returned to his home, I prayed for Troy to call me, I needed to know more about Martin! Who the fuck was he! With his hands in the pocket of the knee length trench coat he had worn he awaited my response. I could not leave with that man! I had my own car!

"U were parked in a tow away zone, u had to have been hysterical when u returned. No worries, I will take care of it."

I had valeted the car! Hadn't I? I hadn't remembered, I was trying to get inside quickly thinking Troy would call back. I pressed my palms against my ears and the sounds of water would not cease! He inquired of my actions with concern as I felt the vibration of my phone, it was Troy, I knew it was. I fumbled through the week old sheets until I saw the lit screen, anxiously I answered without allowing the recording to give me an option to accept, "Your uncle is here! Troy baby!"

"What? Why the fuck u screaming? Who---fuck that call Von! Ima kill that bitch ass nig---"

"Your uncle! Please baby, just listen! I--I lov--Troy, I would never---I'm coming okay! Fuck this I gotta see---"

Martin watched me slide completely from the bed to my knees, I was weak. I didn't know why he sounded like he was talking through water, it reminded me of when I had drowned, the boy was talking to me as he pulled me from the water but I could yet hear him. My child had become active, he had been so happy! I cried as I heard anger in his voice, he believed I set him up.

"Bitch, just call Von! That nigga got all my shit! Ima see bout that nigga! I shoulda killed yo--hoe, just call Von, I'll deal with u---bitch I ain't even gotta deal with it! Ima let---FUCK U! Bitch u gone diiie! Call VON, CALL VON! BITCH!"

The tears poured from my chin onto the covers, "Same scenario---except now his chances are gone, I've helped him generously."

"I--Mr. Poindexter, I will do whatever! PLEASE! I will work for u, I will stay, just---I need him. There has to be something u can do! I KNOW U CAN!"

He grinned.

"Well well, anything can be overturned, but where are the grounds for dismissal?"

"I KILLED HEEER!"

"Oh, killed who? No names have been released publically as of yet..."

"U KNOW WHO I AM REFERRING TO! In exchange for his freedom I will lead u to Trena's body, I know where it is."

"There's no need, u are already highly indebted. Tell me---how many u have killed. Haven't u wondered?"

WONDERED WHAT MUTHAFUCKA! I didn't even remember!

I was so sick, I just wanted him free! I crawled to him on my knees, I knew what he wanted, I was a threat---he needed me but he wanted my soul more than anything because I was as close to giving it to Troy unknowingly as I had ever been. Sure I loved Redd, Twan and perhaps the Trenton I had met, but Troy? There was something about that nigga, I would kill myself if I had to go any longer without him, I didn't even want my children at the moment! He just looked at me with disgust, he didn't understand! I was willing to do anything, it was my fault he was locked up but I was in the situation because of MARTIN! I cried, my tears saturated the suede on his shoe, I bowed down at his feet with no shame, it was his own nephew! He showed no pity, I had to die! I couldn't take no more, I began to try to remember The Lord's Prayer, it was GONE! I still walked toward the window and looked down after I opened it, "I told u I would give u anything---I would have given u my soul," I whispered. I don't know if I meant it or not, I placed my knee on the chair, and stepped in the window sill to try to stand, he just watched as if I wasn't serious. He spoke but the sounds of water yet rushed through my mind and filled my ears. I held on to the chair, I just wanted to fall out of the window, I didn't have the strength to jump, he neared and stretched out his hand, I fought him---and as I had while standing with both feet on the window sill in the opened window he snatched me inside, I had almost fallen. I had been screaming but couldn't hear myself, people were knocking at the door. He carried me to the bed.

I was awakened hours later by the phone, I didn't know what explanation he had given the concerned residents but he was gone and it was dark. The curtains swayed in the opened window and my phone rang as the call from the prison pay phone came through.

"Where the fuck u at?"

"Huh? Bae...Troy" I could hear him? "In New Orleans...I'm, I'm coming! Are u out?"

"Im bout to kill this bitch ass nigga! I know he done ran off with my shit."

What shit?

"I'm coming! Just go home."

"Yea, Terrica on her way. I told u don't fuck with that nigga, u gone learn. If I were u though, straight up, I would stay there---can't nobody protect u now."