Tainted Ground **** Chapter Ninety-Nine

I was accustomed to having blackouts but they were becoming more frequent since I'd left the hotel, Kie had suddenly begun to be conveniently near when I would come to. I would be in bed as if I had just taken a nap, covered. Her hospitality was peculiar.

I decided I needed to visit an obstetrician, my last two pregnancies had been complicated and I feared the worst because of my fragile mental and emotional state. Also Troy wanted a son so bad and I was so fragile and dependent because of his neglect.

I'd texted him audaciously and consistently, he would only respond when he desired to. I didn't know what happened between he and his uncle but Martin despised him. If so, when and how had he spoken highly of me? I needed to know about the relationship between he and Veronica, also I would inquire about Pam.

I wanted to see the large picture of Emily Orchards hanging at the top of the staircase, but had no strength to climb. I'd called every towing service in New Orleans to inquire about the Honda, none had record of towing one fitting the description from Windsor Court, had he brazenly lied? I called the hotel, the valet attendant informed me they still had possession of the vehicle, "One of the attendants reported seeing u leave with a gentleman, said u had checked out and forgot your car! We'd had the plates run---and did u know there is an apb out on ya?"

What? Why would an---? I said thank u when I figured it out and knew I had to get to the car and haul ass, but had no ride. I ended the call with confirmation Martin was not to be trusted and decided to pretend I hadn't known it was yet there. That explained the attendants expression as I stood dumbfounded in the lobby.

The divorce papers also hadn't made any sense, Trenton was dead---he had distinctly filed for divorce before he was killed, hadn't he? Why had he killed me and then filed for divorce, that would have been one hell of a divorce hearing. I needed to know the date they were filed and called Mama but only got Pastor Givens' voicemail.

Bitch.

No matter how much Martin abhorred Daddy, he seemed to have genuinely cared for Mama once, besides she had given birth to his child and he'd called her faithful. I'd sensed sarcasm but eventually retracted that insinuation.

"U have met my son," Kie boasted while balancing her stethoscope around her neck.

Fuck yo son.

I got my helpless ass out of bed and walked to the bathroom dragging my legs, I was sore as hell. Maybe I'd been in one of my carnal slumbers, but how if Troy didn't give a fuck anymore. Had I desired him? The erotocism would be beyond endurance, my sudden dismissal would be obvious sometimes. I longed to be pleased and like a cat in heat I attracted Dario, his darkness reminded me of Martin's the day he removed the oxygen mask. The night I'd come back to the home Dario's presence had been powerful enough to interrupt one of my lustful spells, Troy loved me, I knew he did and that was proof. I decided to use Dario's curiosity to my advantage and ask him to take me in the vicinity of my car. His topaz eyes had frightened me as he watched, he stood relaxed against the wall as if he had stared at me until I'd awakened. He only put his hands in the pockets of his Ralph Lauren corduroy trousers and leaned, he hadn't even been abashed by his indisputable erection.

Surely he would return me to my car, I would only take the necessities. I hated Martin and would return and kill him. I entered into the breakfast room and sat on the nook stool. The smell of Dutch apple beignets made my mouth water but digesting them would have been a task, I sat and wondered if Daddy had testified against Martin why hadn't he killed him when he was released? I had known he had to have been still working for Martin after I was born but was it an obligation? I'd found an article where Martin had been under investigation for a bank robbery and had resigned from all Federal Court Duties, it was years after I was even born and he was sentenced to prison time shortly after.

He entered into the Breakfast Room wearing a magenta monogram Saint Laurent Jacquard robe, the initials MDP oriented the lapel. He smoothed the thick robe belt and said, "The morning is enriching, the sun shines radiantly, beautiful day for sail boating. I can recollect yachting in the Mediterrain--"

Why had he lied, I couldn't trust him! Why had he spake like I was a resident of his home, I was becoming obviously upset as the voices rattled on. Didn't he know I would kill him! I had to, the child inside was in turmoil as always when he was near! I forced a smile as he offered me the beignets and declined, he left out announcing he was retreating to the Poker room. I just wanted my car, I texted Troy and gave him his ultimatum while I visualized killing Terrica. I didn't give a fuck if he liked it or not, I was too far gone.

He soon texted back, intimidated by the fact I said I would kill him, this time he knew I was serious. He tried to explain what I was up against but I was free. I'd told him everything and he hadn't even responded---until now. "I told u not to fuck with Martin, that nigga is untouchable."

I had intentions on coming to New Orleans and killing him, I found out about Troy's arrest after I was already on my mission---I had yet to believe he had saved Kerri, but why wouldn't he? The Orchard, I needed to get back. I needed someone to believe me and as I texted Troy I called the prison and asked for LaShonda Cox, I knew what she wanted in return. She answered and was surprised to hear me, she thought it was a hoax. I gave her my number and told her to call me when her shift was over---she was only a prison guard, right?

Troy had to see things my way and as I sensed his hard role was diminishing I watched Martin react to my relief. I ignored him and read Pam's response to my text about Martin---he'd had an influence on her to the point she was smitten. I mentally saw her pregnant as regularly as I had been and had known she'd felt outcasted back then---she would do anything to get even, her children had died one by one, why was she cursed?

Had Carmella been unhypocritical?

"Nathaniel tried to kill Martin, he swore he did and left him for dead. He tried to cut off his head but when Martin woke up in the hospital he never mentioned who did it. Nate---he just thought it was best he left town. My twin boys got tied up with him real young ya know---fucked their lives up. I was too busy trying to live the life I wanted when I was young, and he, ya know was giving me what Nathaniel wasn't here to give. Me and Sharon wasn't never that close, Claudette neither."

Oh yea, but what happened?

There were so many lies and so much deceit, I didn't know who I could trust. I was so heartbroken I knew I would give up soon but at least wanted to die knowing the truth. Martin wanted people to need him and was angry that I didn't. I wanted Troy and nothing would stop me from getting to him.

I wasn't afraid of Trenton but had to know if he was dead, Martin hadn't told me shit! All I knew was I had delivered him myself and if he was in New Orleans when I called who went and got him from that basement? Was he even dead! If not I refused to give him a divorce even though my infidelity was a factor but he had abused me and I would definitely see to it he rotted in prison. I wanted my boys and had no way to get in touch with Lawrence. The cigar smoke had followed Martin into the breakfast room I'd turned around to see him and hadn't even felt his presence. "Dario insists u get out a bit, maybe do some sightseeing. He will take u to see Kerri and my grandson."

That nigga Dario creeped me out, since the episode he would look at me like prey, I soon figured out why as Kie scolded him for looking at a woman too long on social media, I hoped my assumptions were wrong but why was he so---imprisoned?

I hadn't planned on being alone while pregnant and refused to do so, Terrica had to die, didn't she understand? I wanted to return to the Orchard and eat from the tree, I wanted to see---that was the only way I could defeat Trenton, it was life contrary to my beliefs apparently, had Mama seen? I called again as I headed back toward the room, there was so much more I needed to know, who was my father's father? She answered, why didn't she have a fucking cell phone!!!?

"I'd only heard of him," she began to explain through interference in the phone line, "he died a long time ago---said something got hold of him and---well he just wasn't right. Old man Ellis took his land and he fought for it and lost, he took it and named it for his daughter. When he died he left it to her, all I know and he didn't have no sons." Her drunken words slurred, "Wasn't nothing but a burial ground, said apple trees just started to grow out of nowhere long time ago. Percy knew it was supposed to be rightfully his but sometimes u gotta just leave it alone, everybody aint righteous. When the trees stopped producing one year they said the ground was dry. They almost lost it that year, whoever owned it, but eventually paid it off in 1984 I believe, the old man died, had a heart attack about 10 years later. We had just left the lake, 4th of July---don't know what become of it but that land was sacred once upon a time. That old man, Percy's father had it in his will that the first Grandson born in wedlock would inherit it, wouldn't leave it to your daddy said he was running with the devil and he would eventually taint it. I tried and tried to give ya daddy a son, I prayed and got u, he was angry! I regretted u wasn't Martin's child. We just married, so---young, Percy and I. Martin said we would get back together, I just was so naive! I didn't know no better, Baby u gotta believe me, we could have lived good! He living good!

I was prepared for what happened to your daddy, I had waited on it for years! He---the money, all the women, Im sorry Baby! I was so afraid, and Martin was in prison for a long time, Percy made sure of it!"

I tried to compute the shit she just said, "I need Trenton more than I need Trena."

As she spoke I allowed Martin to help me sit, my legs were shaking, my children had eaten the apples from that orchard, there had been large shipments exported to various places and sold as produce, but none from the tree.

Martin sssshhhhed me compassionately as if I was his daughter, as if he was concerned. "Sit, just sit---I'll get Kie to check your vitals, u need to make sure your son is healthy."

I was afraid to react. How did he know I was having a son?

I said I was fine after unknowingly ending the call, I refused to hear any more and was hopeless on all accounts. I saw myself picking up the sword in the law library and pushing it through Martin's heart, clean through to the other side. I pondered though---if it would in fact do any good.

I said, "The devil is busy---"

Martin replied, "When he fell from Heaven---where do u think he landed?"