CheckMate (Play At Your Own Risk) (14 page)

Tears began to fall from Nancy’s eyes as she continued to point her gun and talk. “I wouldn’t hurt you or that unborn child, no matter how much its existence pains me. I thought you had an abortion, but my husband wasn’t being totally honest with me, as usual.” Nancy mean mugged Will. “But, I chose to believe him for some reason this time because this situation seemed to be more serious than any other time he’d lay up with some whore.” Nancy giggled as if she was going insane. The gun was moving back and forth from Will to Ebony. “I bet that is probably not even Will’s baby, is it? It damn sure wouldn’t surprise me. But, if it is, you’ll be raising your precious son alone because our daughter is already grown.” Nancy turned the gun to Will. “You’ve hurt me for the last time.”

Will stood there speechless as he saw the hurt in her face. “I can’t take this anymore. I pray that our daughter will someday forgive me,” Nancy calmly said as she pulled the trigger and shot Will in the chest. He fell to ground, unable to speak as she shot him again.

Ebony screamed out loud while Nancy slowly turned, then walked to the door and opened it up. She didn’t even look back. She headed toward her car and got in. She sat in the driveway and screamed out as she began to cry. She hit the steering wheel, screaming out in pain of shooting her husband and losing her sanity. In a trance she backed out of the driveway and headed to the police station to turn herself in.

Over at Catherine’s house, Candy and Mona sat in the living room watching TV and talking about Will’s fuck up as Monty entered.

“Hey, babe,” said Monty. He walked over, leaned down, and gave Candy a kiss.

“Hey, baby. I was waiting on you to get back.” Candy kissed Monty back.

“Why don’t y’all get a room,” Mona said quickly as she frowned.

“Oh shut up, sis.” Monty swatted at Mona, who dodged his lick. “Where is Mama?”

“She’s in the back watching TV,” Mona said as she flipped through the channels.

“What or who were y’all talking about? It looked like y’all were in a deep conversation. I hope it wasn’t about me.”

“Nobody was even thinking about your stank ass. We were talking about Mr. Will,” Mona said as she sat the remote down.

“What has
Will done now?” Monty asked as he looked over at Candy, who wasn’t smiling.

“He got Ebony pregnant,” Candy said as she got upset.

“Damn, are you serious?”

“Yeah, I’m serious, but she had an abortion about two weeks ago. My mom told me all about it today.”

“What?” Monty said in shock. “How is your mom?”

“She’s doing a lot better than I thought. I just can’t believe my dad would have been so careless this time.”

Catherine ran down the hall. “Put the TV on CBS. Hurry up! It’s a breaking news story on.” Mona grabbed the remote and put the channel on CBS as the reporter was talking.

“We are at Ebony Temple’s home as there has been a shooting,”
the reporter said as he continued to talk. Candy, Mona, Monty, and Catherine watched in a daze.
“Apparently, a man has been shot by his wife who is not on the scene right now. She was in this house for some time before shooting her husband, and then leaving the scene.”
The reporter pointed back at the big, two-story house lined up with yellow tape as he stood in the front yard.
“The man has been rushed to the hospital. The witness was Mrs. Ebony Temple, who is too distraught to speak about it. We’ll be back with more details as this tragic story unwinds.”

Candy looked nervous as she leaned down and put her head in the palm of her hands. She sat up, quickly reached in her pocket, and pulled out her cell phone to call her home. She got no answer. She then called Nancy’s cell phone, but it went straight to the voicemail. After that, she called Will’s cell phone, but it went straight to voicemail, too. Candy began to think the worst while her eyes welled up with tears.

“Calm down, babe,” said Monty as he tried to comfort her. It’s probably not as bad as it seems. I’ll drive you home. Your mom is there. I’m sure of it. She probably didn’t hear the phone ringing.”

“Yeah, take her home, Monty, and call me when y’all get there,” said Catherine. “
It’s gonna be alright, honey.”

As Monty and Candy got up to walk out the door, the breaking news came back on. They stopped to watch and listen to the updates. Mona sat very quietly. She was in total shock.

“We are returning with the breaking news just reported. There are now some more shocking details to reveal,”
informed the reporter.
“The wife of the victim has turned herself in.”

The camera then showed Nancy in front of the police department being handcuffed. Candy screamed out. “No! This can’t be for real.” Catherine and Monty tried to calm her down as the reporter continued to talk.

“Mrs. Ebony Temple is now being escorted by the police out of her home. They are taking her to the station to identify the woman being accused.”
Candy watched in silence as she watched a pregnant Ebony walk to the police car, as she was crying hysterically.

Candy was in shock.
What could have happened?
she thought. “I’m going to the police station. No, I need to go to the hospital now!” Candy was confused. She didn’t know what to do.

“We’ll go to the hospital first and check on your dad, and then we’ll go to the jail and talk with your mom,” said Catherine. She rubbed on Candy’s back. “There has to be a reasonable explanation.”

“We have the victim’s name that died at the Memorial Hospital. His name is William Smith,”
said the reporter. Candy screamed out.
“The shooter is said to be his wife, Nancy Smith.”
The news station showed a picture of Will, who was smiling while standing up by a bookcase. Candy wasn’t familiar with that picture, but she knew it was her dad’s loving face. She screamed out loud and covered her face.

With Monty driving, they arrived at the hospital in no time. Candy was shaking hysterically. Mona and Catherine were trying to comfort her as Monty walked around and opened the passenger door for her. Mona and Catherine got out from the back, as they all shed tears from the devastating news. Monty was being strong for them as he led the way into the hospital while holding Candy’s hand.

When they made it to the 5
th
floor, the nurse asked if she could help them. Catherine began to explain the whole ordeal, and then the nurse asked if Candy could identify her father. Candy broke down, but agreed to see him. The nurse walked her to a room and began to open the door up. Candy’s heart felt like it almost stopped. She stood in the doorway and noticed the body lying on the gurney with the covers pulled over it. She shook as she was very nervous, but decided to walk in with only the nurse to say her goodbyes to her daddy. She felt as though she was being a burden on Monty, Catherine, and Mona.

“It’s gonna be alright. I’m here and I’ll stay here as long as you need me to.” Monty wished he could erase her pain.

“Monty, you just don’t know how much you being here like this means to me. I’ll never forget it.” Candy walked in behind the nurse and Monty went over and sat next to Catherine. Mona just stared out of the hospital window and continued to cry. Monty’s phone beeped, letting him know he had a text message.

Can I see u later… Jay

Can’t I’m busy… Mo Money

Call me when u can… Jay

Monty ignored her last response because he didn’t want to upset Candy if she walked out and had to deal with his pawns texting him at a time like that.

Candy walked in the room as the nurse lifted the covers back. Candy gasped for air. She couldn’t believe she was looking in her daddy’s face and he was dead. She began to cry over him, asking why.

“No, not my Daddy,” Candy cried out. She shook Will as if she was gonna wake him. “Daddy, please get up.” The nurse comforted her as she sobbed. Candy touched his face in dismay. She was still very shocked. His skin was cold to the touch and she was devastated. She began to pace, then turned to Will with questions like he was going to answer her. “Daddy, what happened? You had to do something, daddy. I had just left mom and she was fine. She was happy that you both were working on y’all's marriage. What happened, Daddy? What happened?” Candy cried as she wrapped her arms around Will’s neck, almost lifting him up. “I love you, Daddy. I love you so much.”

The nurse had to break the grip Candy had on Will so that they could walk out the room. Immediately, Candy ran into Monty’s arms. He stood there holding her tight while trying not to let a tear fall.

“It’s gonna be alright, baby. Calm down,” Catherine said, but broke down as she remembered losing her husband. Mona hurried over to hug and comfort her. All of them felt Candy’s pain.

Chapter Twelve

M

M
onty decided it was time for them to leave the hospital. It was nothing more that they could do there. Candy agreed as she called her Aunt Linda to break the news to her. They drove to the police station, but the dispatcher told them that Nancy would not have a bond set and couldn’t have any visitors until the weekend, which was three days away. However, the dispatcher did inform Candy that Nancy would have phone privileges the next day.

As they were about to leave the police station, Ebony walked out with one of the sheriffs as he was about to take her home. She was still upset as she rubbed on her huge belly. Candy watched while Monty opened the passenger door for her, yet, her feet were glued to the ground. She began to put two and two together. Monty looked over and realized that Candy was watching Ebony. Catherine instructed them to get in the car just as Ebony noticed Candy watching her. She dropped her head and got into the front passenger side of the police car.

The ride was silent and all you could hear was sniffs from Candy and Mona. Catherine tried to be strong for the girls while Monty drove. He reached over with his right hand and gently touched Candy’s thigh before pulling up to the curbstone in front of their apartment. He looked back at his mom.

“I’m gonna take her on home now.”

“Yeah, take her on home. Candy, please call me if you need me.” Catherine got out.

“Candy, give me your keys. I’ll be over in a little bit.” Mona reached in the front seat as Candy handed her the keys to her car. She then got out as Monty drove off.

Monty pulled up in the driveway and got out of the car. He walked around to the passenger side to help Candy in the house. He felt bad for her and could relate to her emotions. Candy got out, and then she walked up on the front porch. She reached under the welcome mat, picked up the spare key, unlocked the door, and walked in.

Immediately, she smelled her mother’s perfume in the air and began to miss her already. She walked straight down the hallway into her parents’ room and stood in the doorway, clearly in pain from losing both of them in such a short period of time. She hurried over and fell out over the plush bed, and then began to cry again. She missed her dad and her mom both. She knew she would hear from her mom again, but never from her dad, while that thought sent chills up and down her spine. She grabbed his pillow to smell his scent.

Monty continued to console her and promised that he would not leave her side until she was better. “Do you want something to eat? I can tell Mona to get us some food before she comes over.” He felt the need to take care of her and make sure she didn’t get sick.

“You can order me whatever you get,” Candy said as she continued to bury her face in the covers.

Monty called Mona and told her to bring them a number one from Chick-Fil-A before coming over. He then got up and went into the bathroom to take a leak. His phone beeped again with another text message.

I gotta big appetite for some steak and Monty 2nite… Paris

Can’t I’m busy… Mo Money

I got 800… Paris

Not tonight… Mo Money

When then? Paris

Don’t start dat fuckn shit… I said later! Mo Money

I’m sorry. Just missing u… Paris

Damn, I’ll be glad when she stops aggravating me like that. Rico need to go head and distract her crazy ass,
Monty thought while he deleted his messages and silenced all ring tones before exiting the bathroom.

“Baby, are you alright?” Monty asked. He sat down beside Candy, who was still crying. “Don’t worry, I’m here. Go ahead and let it all out. He’s in a better place now and your mom is feeling real bad about it. I bet.”

“She was under some terrible stress and something had to happen to make her snap. I can’t wait until she calls me. I need to hear her voice,” Candy responded. She held her head up and rested it on Monty’s chest.

“Candy,” Monty called out, but she lay on him unresponsive. “Candy,” he said again, then had to shake her because she was spaced out. He shook her one more good time and Candy snapped back to reality, but burst out crying in Monty’s arms. A tear almost fell from his eye. But, he knew he had to be strong for Candy in order to help her close the hole that had been left in her heart. Monty lie there as Candy fell asleep on his chest until his phone vibrated with an incoming call.

“Hello,” Monty answered quietly so he didn’t wake up Candy.

“Hey, bruh, I heard what happened to Candy’s folks. Man, I’m so sorry to hear that. That shit is crazy,” Rico stated. “Mona and I are on our way there with y’all food. You don’t mind, do you?” Rico asked.

“Naw, man, you know I don’t mind.”

“How is Candy doing?” Rico asked.

“She’s resting for now. She’ll be alright though in due time.”

“Well, we are on the way over there.”

“Y’all be careful. I believe I’m going to just let Candy sleep. I’m tired, too, so I’m going to take a lil’ nap myself. See ya when y’all get here.” Monty looked down in Candy’s baby face.

You’ll be alright because I’m going to take care of you. I’m not going to run around in the streets forever, but long enough to be able to invest in some big things, make some major moves, and start up my own business. I know it may not seem like it, but I’m falling for you and I can’t help myself. You’re that down chick that every man wish he had, but it’s only one man who got you and I ain’t gonna never let you leave me like that if I can help it,
Monty thought. He rubbed Candy’s hair and watched her rest peacefully.

Monty heard Mona and Rico walk into Candy’s house and eased Candy’s head off of his chest to quietly get out of the bed. He met them in the entertainment room.

“Shhh. Candy is finally resting. I’m not going to wake her.”

“I’m glad she’s getting some sleep. She’s been through a lot
today. Here is y’all food,” said Mona as she handed Monty a bag and sat down. Rico sat beside her.

“It’s all kinds of talk going around about what happened,” Rico stated before he bit into his chicken sandwich.

“Yeah, I bet. This shit is crazy. We was just sitting around at our house talking about it when mom ran in the living room telling us to turn the channel to the news,” said Monty. He took his fries out and put ketchup on them.

“Mona, didn’t Candy say that Ebony had an abortion a few weeks ago?” Monty asked out of curiosity as he ate.

“Yeah, she did. But, when we seen Ebony she was still pregnant, and I mean big and pregnant. I’ve just figured Will must have been lying and his lies caught up to him between the time Candy left to come over our house until Nancy shot him. I just wonder how it all went down?” Mona asked in disbelief.

“Well, Candy will find out when her mom is able to call her. I just hate to see her going through this.”

“Mom called Linda when we went into the house and she is coming here early in the morning. She just can’t believe her brother is dead. She says she has to get her nerves together before she gets on the road. She’s gonna make all the other calls to the family and come home to make the funeral arrangements with Candy.”

“Well, that’s good. She needs to be surrounded by family who loves her and knows what she’s going through.” Monty took out his chicken sandwich and bit it. “I haven’t eaten all day.” Candy walked in the entertainment room and Monty stood. “Oh, baby. You were sleeping so peaceful, I didn’t want to wake you, but Mona bought you something to eat. Are you hungry?”

“Naw. I’m just not in the mood to eat.”

“Candy, you gotta eat something,” said Mona as she walked over and handed Candy her chicken sandwich.

“No, Mo, I’m serious. I’m just not hungry.”

“Alright, well let’s go in your room and lay down. I’ll get you two sleeping pills and that’ll help you relax and get some rest.”

“Yeah, that’s not a bad idea, babe. I’ll be sitting in here talking to Rico. I’m not leaving you, though. If you need me, just call my name.”

Candy turned and walked down the hallway to her room as Mona followed her. Monty looked over at Rico as he felt bad for her. He dropped his head and shook it from side to side.

The next morning, Monty woke up on the sectional. He got up and stretched his arms out. He looked around, noticing his surroundings. “Damn, I’m still at Candy’s house. I almost forgot about yesterday.” He got up and walked down the hallway into Candy’s room. She and Mona were snuggled under the cover and Monty could see the closeness they shared. He was glad Mona could be there for her, too. He began to shake Candy to wake her up. Candy rose and looked into Monty’s eyes. “Wake up, sleepy head. How are you feeling?”

“All I can say is that today is another day,” said Candy as she began to get out of bed. Mona still was sound asleep.

“Well, babe, Mona is here with you and I need to go to the house for a little while. I will be back over. But, if you need me before then, just call me.”

“Okay, I’m going to go in here and take a shower. I need the water to just run over my face while I try to wrap my brain around what happened yesterday.”

“Make sure you eat something. If you don’t, you might get sick.”

“I will, babe. Go on home and call me later.” Candy kissed Monty on the lips.

The doorbell rang as Monty was about to leave. He and Candy walked toward it as Linda used the spare key and walked in. She spoke to Monty, and then hugged Candy around the neck. Her nose was red and her eyes were puffy from crying. Monty walked on out to his car to let them have their alone time.

“Hey, baby girl. How are you feeling?” Linda asked as she looked into Candy’s eyes.

“I feel better to see you here.”

“I’m so sorry I didn’t come yesterday, but I had to get myself together. I couldn’t drive because I was too hurt. I’m still hurt
about my brother and your mother because she didn’t ask for this no more than he did.”

“What do you mean, Aunt Linda?” Candy asked out of curiosity.

“Well, I’m not sure if you knew about the affair your dad was having with the widower.”

“Yeah, I knew all about it. Mom was explaining the whole affair to me yesterday, right down to Ebony being pregnant by daddy and having an abortion a few weeks ago. That’s why this is so strange to me. When I left her, she was about to lie down and rest while daddy was over to Don’s house. The next thing I know, they’re both on the news.”

“Well, I can give you a little clarity,” said Linda as she sat down. “Have a seat, honey. You’re gonna need it. I assume that you haven’t spoken to your mom, yet?”

“No, they wouldn’t let me talk to her, but she should call home today.”

“Well, that’s good.” Linda paused. ”Don’t be upset with her. Even though Will is my brother, I understand why she did what she did now.”

“What do you mean?”

“I got a call from Ebony last night. She got my number out of your father’s phone. He apparently had it when he was over to her house during the incident. She stated that she didn’t mean for any of this to happen and it wouldn’t have if she hadn’t called your mom. She said she didn’t mean any harm, but Will wasn’t being honest with her or Nancy, and she thought Nancy should know the truth. She just never thought Nancy would have taken the news as hard as she did. She explained that after she called here your mama went over to her house only to find Will there. To make things worse, she’s still pregnant. Will had been lying about Ebony having an abortion. But, really, the home wrecker was about to have their baby anytime now.” Candy shook her head in disbelief. “He had me fooled, too, when he came to Atlanta to beg for your mama’s forgiveness. Ebony informed me that Will wanted her to move back to Jamaica so y’all would never find out and he would still take care of her and the baby boy.”

“It’s a boy, huh?” Candy became teary eyed that her father could be so secretive and hurt so many people. She just couldn’t believe how he had all of them fooled. She jumped up and grabbed the phone to look through the caller ID. Sure enough, she saw Ebony Temple. “That’s what happened. I knew something had to set mama off.” She looked over at Linda. “Aunt Linda, she was too calm when I left her here yesterday.”

“Yeah, well that’s what it was. I told Ebony that she was wrong for calling your mama. She better be thanking God that she’s still alive. Oh yeah, that picture of Will shown on the TV was taken in her home. I was shocked that she’d even give the police that picture, knowing she was just the other woman. She says they had been together for three years. Can you believe it? I just don’t know what to believe anymore. I did tell her that we’re having a blood test done when the baby is born. She acted like she didn’t care, but I’m definitely going to do that.”

“You better, Aunt Linda, and if that baby ain’t daddy’s, she better hope I don’t find her and beat her ass myself because she started this mess. Even though daddy wasn’t being truthful, she still knew what she was doing by messing around with a married man.”

“Yeah, she didn’t care about that. She even cried over the phone, acting like he meant so much to her. I just don’t know what to believe. But, I know your mama wasn’t in any kind of condition to deal with all of that at one time. Ebony says she’s moving back home when she have the baby, though. She’s not even staying in her house. She’s in a hotel downtown. She wouldn’t tell me where.”