Trouble In Paradise (11 page)

“We’re ppprrrr” he stuttered, “preggg. . . . Who?  Wait, . . .” 

He took a step back and dro
pped down onto the bed.  In her face he took a deep breath. 

“Girl, w
ho is WE?”

Danielle put her hands on her hips and her eyes bulged.  “Who do you think?” she said snapping her fingers pointing to the side of her temple and back to her stomach.

“Joshua’s duh.  Why would I be coming up here to tell him the news about me having someone else’s baby?” 

It all made since
Leon thought.  The crazy way she is acting is mood swings. 

“How pregnant are you?” 

“Three and half months,” she said as matter of fact. 

“Are you sure it’s his?” 

Danielle gasped. 

“Oh honey BOOM!” Leon yelled.  “Don’t even give me that Miley Cyrus innocence honey ‘cause you ain’t her.  I know you gets what you want child.” 

Danielle smiled and her eyes squinted. 

“Shut up,” she said playfully swinging at him.  “This is Joshua’s baby and we about to go tell him.” 

“We who?”

“Me and you,” she said pointing to herself and then to Leon. 

He smacked his lips,

“You can’t go half-dressed so put your clothes on so we can do this thang.” 

He stood up. 

“Where’s the gun?” she asked. 

He paused, then walked over to his bag opened the front zipper and pulled out the forty-five.  It was all black and a little heavy for Leon’s taste which is why he never carried it.  He took the clip out of the bag.  The bullets were already in place.  He put the clip in, cocked the gun and put the safety on.  She reached for it, he put it in her hand and stood at attention looking at her, trying to get a read on what he thought her mind was processing.  She inspected the gun turning it around in her hand and looking at every angle. 

“There isn’t anything attached to this gun is it?” she said with conviction already in her voice. 

Leon’s face scrunched up like there was a foul odor in the air. He just knew this girl was not asking him if he had any bodies on this gun. 

“Girl no, who you think I am double O seven?  Not in this lifetime, not in the next and you ain’t about to put nothing on it either, please, child.” 

She smirked, “just checking.  Give me fifteen minutes and I’ll be ready.”

Chapter 15

Detective Sanchez had been sitting in his car for four hours.   A blue Dodge Durango came down the street driving at a snail’s pace as if it was checking out the neighborhood.  The same truck circled the block again but kept going.  He sat there and waited to see if the truck would come back around and surely enough it did, this time it was moving so slow Detective Sanchez was able to make out what looked to be a woman and a man in the truck.  They didn’t stop; they kept going.  Detective Sanchez had seen many incidents like this before.  Usually the victims don’t have the upper hand as much knowing there stalker is around and he knew just by that fact that whoever this was, he or she was very amateur. 

He was ready to g
et this over with because he promised his wife and kids he would be home early enough to eat dinner.  It was ten p.m., way past dinner time; he already phoned once to let his wife know he would still try and make it home before twelve he was irritated.  Almost home free at a normal time today until this call came through.  Whoever this guy was, he seemed to have connections because in real life the detective doesn’t come out to take the statement, the police do that and the big boys come in later.  That’s how it works.  For some reason this guy has special privileges and now I’m stuck here.  The condominiums were very expense this was the one hundred thousand neck of the woods.  Paradise Condominiums were just built two years ago.  Detective Sanchez remembered seeing the sign on a billboard over I-95.  He would love to have a condo here but not on a Detective’s salary. 
Maybe I shouldn’t have told my wife she could stay at home and take care of the kids and we could afford one of these,
he thought.  Then he chuckled and shook his head. 
What am I thinking
? 

The same Dodge Durango came down the street but this time they parked in front of the condo.  There was some commotion in the car and then the passenger side door opened.  The radio crackled and then a voice came through,

“Detective would you like to proceed?” the voice asked.

  Detective Sanchez picked up the radio and clicked the switch to talk,

“Hold your positions, we have to make sure this person is the threat first, everybody hold your positions.” 

The detective saw long legs come out of the truck that when up into curves you would see on Broadway.  The woman stepped out and closed the door.  He whistled,

“Who framed Roger Rabbit?” he said in a hushed tone to himself. 

She had long red wavy hair and slanted eyes, she wore a cold smile and Detective Sanchez had a feeling she was the threat.  He looked down at his notes; her name was Danielle Shumaker.  He clicked the radio,

“Ok, everybody hold still.” 

Everybody was holding still, as still as they could and if the detective gave those orders again they would turn into statues. 

Danielle rang the doorbell.  The light in the kitchen came on.  The door swung open.  Joshua stepped out onto the porch.  Detective Sanchez could see them began to argue.  He clicked the radio,

“Ok move in slowly behind me and I’m going to take her down, if I have any problems then you know the routine.”

“Ten four, roger that,” he heard back.

He opened the car door and quickly walked around it and across the street.  Joshua
could see him approaching behind Danielle.  Detective Sanchez took out his gun and cocked it.  As he drew near her he heard Danielle say,

“I’m here to take you home with me, I know you just want me to show you how much I love you and I do, to no end.  I have a big surprise for you and I hope you will be as happy as I am.” 

Joshua looked at her inquisitively. 

“What are you talking about?” he asked. 

Detective Sanchez held his hand back behind him as if to say to the other officers, “Hold your positions.”  They were out in the open now but Danielle still hadn’t noticed.  Whoever was in the car was already being questioned.  Victoria came out the door.  Danielle scowled. 

Victoria ste
pped in front of Joshua, “You have some nerve,” she said, “this is my man ok, better yet my HUSBAND, get your mind right you’ll never have him again.  It’s over, this psychotic show of yours is over, your pathetic, stupid and a disgrace to all black women you stupid cunt.”

  Victoria continued to lash out Ludacris insults at Danielle and she was eating it up. 

“You have the nerve to come to my house, disrespect me and try and steal my HUSBAND after I put these hands on you today?”

At that moment Danielle screamed and lurched forward, she caught a touch of Victoria’s shirt before her hands were behind her back and being put into handcuffs.  Danielle screamed and tried to resist. 

“What is this?” she screamed. 

“Danielle Shumaker,” Detective Sanchez said, “you have the right to remain silent, anything you say or do can be used against you in a court of law.”

Danielle gasped, “What the . . .  ?” 

She looked at Joshua. 

“You had them waiting on me?” she said with sadness in her voice that made Joshua want to break.

Oh brother,
he thought.  Why did it have to come to this? 

“Dummy
yes,” Victoria stated.  “Psychotic cunts are not welcomed here”.  

Danielle coughed up a wad of spit and mucus, threw her body forward and
spit; it landed on Victoria’s chin.  Victoria jumped forward and Joshua grabbed her.  The policed pulled Danielle back and she screamed

“IM PREGNANT
!” 

Danielle started to laugh. 

“Yes,” she said.  “THE BABY IS YOURS!” she continued to scream. 

The police put Danielle in the back seat and closed the door.  Victoria had dropped to the porch by this time.  She and Joshua were both sitting, trying to take in what they had just heard.  Neither one of them spoke.  Victoria wiped her chin and shuttered. 

Detective Sanchez walked up. 

“She’ll be booked dow
ntown, but she could just post bail.  The longest I could hold her really is twenty-four hours unless you press assault charges for her spitting, then when she’s booked, she will more than likely post bail so I thought I would just let you know.  We didn’t find the gun you spoke of earlier.  Maybe you should tighten up your security.  You did get the restraining order taken out on her so that’s what she will be charged with tonight, violating the restraining order, harassment and trespassing.” 

Joshua nodded stood up and shook the Detective’s hand.  “Here’s my card.  Call me if you need me,” he said and walked away. 

Joshua turned around and looked down at Victoria.

“Tell me it’s not possible,” she said. 

Joshua stuffed his hands in his pockets.  He had on a set of jogging pants, an undershirt, and sandals slid onto his feet. He was even sexier with that plain look.  He let his head hang low.  He squeezed his brown eyes shut and took
in a deep breath.  Victoria started to sob.  He knelt down to her and took her in his arms.  She put her face in her hands and sobbed harder. 

“It’s true isn’t it?” she
said.  “You’ve been cheating on me,” she sniffled, “and now she’s having your baby.” 

She sobbed uncontrollably and began to beat him on his chest. Joshua held her tight.

“This isn’t love!” she screamed continuing to beat him, “this is pain you son of a . . . .” 

She sobbed harder, she began to shake and scream,
and she felt like she was having a nervous breakdown.  Joshua was her world and she could not imagine it being torn down this way, the whole idea of it had Victoria about to go over the edge.  She continued to cry, scream and shake.

Joshua held her tight.

“We don’t know if any of what she’s saying is true, she could have blurted out anything,”

He knew
it was a last attempt to save face because he was drowning in self-pity.  The outcome of this would not be good. 

She pulled away from him, chest heaving, face completely wet from having her tears in her hands and her hands in her face she gathered strength to speak. 

“Is that supposed to make it all better Joshua, because it doesn’t?     You didn’t deny that you haven’t been with her, so if she’s lying or not, you still have been unfaithful to me do I understand that correctly?”

She scowled
at him, getting more strength in her bones as her sadness slowly turned into anger.   She knew she needed to get out of there before she did something that would come with regret later.  She stood up.  He stood up too. 

“Baby listen let me explain,” he started. 

She folded her arms, “Now you’ve got more explaining to do?” 

She shook her head and sucked air through her teeth. 

“I do remember asking you if you had anything to tell me and you told me ‘no’ like I was being
paranoid.  Now I got this girl popping up on our doorstep, my fiancé’s and I, just in case you don’t remember who lives here, telling us that she is pregnant with yo baby!  Here I am thinking you’ve been faithful to me this whole time and you’re just as bad as the rest of them.  So you still been sleeping with her no protection at that, and bringing that right home to me.” 

He took a step forward.  She took a step back. 

“That’s trifling Joshua, real trifling.  Honestly, I didn’t know you had it in you.” 

She turned and ran into the house.  He followed.  She went up the stairs and started putting clothes into an overnight bag. 

“Where are you going?”  He asked. 

“Wh
y? It doesn’t concern you, seriously Joshua do you really expect me to stay?” 

“Baby I understand that you’re upset but I don’t think running from this will make it any better.” 

“So you suppose I sit here and do what? Look at your disgusting face knowing that you have betrayed me in the worst way?”

She wiped tears from her face.
 

“I love you, that was months ago, I haven’t been with her lately, I swear . . . I . . .,” his words trailed off. 

She smirked, “Months ago huh? . . . Exactly how many months ago are we talking Joshua?” 

Joshua swallowed back a lump in his throat.  He stu
ttered, “About four months ago . . . baby please,” he pleaded.  

“Oh this just keeps getting better,” she said. 

“So we have been in a relationship for about six years and you just stopped sleeping with her four months ago?”

Victoria’s nostrils flared and she shook.  She steadied herself against the bed, Joshua tried to help her steady herself but she swatted at him slapping him once, then twice, then a third time he finally stepped back.  She grabbed her overnight bag, her purse, her tote, and her Burberry designer outfit she had just purchased yesterday and headed to the front door.  Joshua didn’t even bother following her. 
She kept the ring on
, he thought.  That’s a sign of hope, he hoped.  He heard the garage door going up and the car backing out.  He heard the zoom echo of her car bounce down the street, the sound seemed to knock on his front door as if saying bye bye. 

*****

“This is a collect call from ‘Danielle’ from Cooks County Jail.  This is a free call.  To accept press one, to block this caller from. . . .,” beep the operator was interrupted as Leon pressed one. 

“Hello,” Leon said.

“Leon!” Danielle screamed. 

“What’s up girl you alright?
” 

“As alright as I ca
n be.  Can you believe this?” she said.  “This sucker actually had the police waiting on me.” 

“How did they even find out you were coming?” Leon asked. 

“Probably because of what happened earlier,” she said not wanting to get into too many details while she was on the jail phone. 

“Well how much is your bond?” 

“Your guess is as good as mine.  They haven’t even booked me yet.” 

“What w
hy not?” 

“Probably because they want me to sweat it out in here, Joshua’s got connections and I know this is all his doing.  I can’t even believe he would do this to me.  After all we’ve been through.” 

She pressed her forehead up against the phone.

“Well Danielle maybe he’s really moved on hun, maybe you’ve gotten your answer and you should just let things go.  I mean is it really worth going through all of this?” 

“I am in love with him.  There is no way I can just walk away from that.” 

“See, the thing is you’re not just walking away.  You’ve gotten your answer Danielle you’re in JAIL!” he screamed. 

He was fed up.  This
had gone about as overboard as it could go. 

“Now when they book you call me back, I’ll come down and bail you o
ut.  In the meantime sit back and where is your key card?”