Repeat Offenders Read online

  “A few?” I laughed.

  “A few,” she repeated. “But you both did a great job raising me.”

  By the time we finished with our ‘I love you’s’ and disconnected our phone call, I was grinning so wide that my cheeks were hurting as I entered the job.

  “Looks like you’re having a good day already,” Coach Gordon greeted me as I walked in the building.

  “I just talked to Shaunie, so yeah, I am,” I nodded.

  “How is she? Still running, I hope.”

  “She’s great, Coach…and yeah, she is. She’s actually training for the U. S. Team tryouts in a few weeks.”

  “That makes me proud,” he said, and I could see the pride in his face.

  “Me too,” I agreed.

  “’Mari, look, I hope you know that you’ve always been like a son to me and Evelyn. And we’re gonna do everything we can to help you get up and on your feet. I know that the situation with the duplex is sketchy, but we’re gonna work everything out, I promise,” he said. “Leah’s had a rough time of it, and she’s dealing with…”

  “Coach, you have done more than enough for me. And you don’t owe me an explanation about the duplex. I have faith enough to know that I’m gonna get a place. It’s okay.”

  “You’re a good man, ‘Mari. You remind me of myself in a lot of ways. Trust me when I tell you that you will get everything that you deserve, and I mean that in a positive way. You deserve a whole lot of goodness in your life, and it’s coming to you.”

  “Thanks, Coach. Now let me get to work before I get fired by the boss,” I laughed.

  A few hours later, just as I was about to go to lunch, Coach Gordon came and asked me if I would help him out with something.

  “Sure thing, Coach, what do you need?” I asked.

  “I feel kinda bad asking you this, but do you mind going along with me to help Leah get moved in? Evelyn just called and said they could use a hand.”

  Ain’t this a bitch? I thought to myself. This chick doesn’t want me to be her neighbor, but she has no problem with me helping her to move in.

  I couldn’t help but laugh, and Coach Gordon looked at me strangely.

  “No problem, Coach. I’d love to help.”

  We pulled up to the duplex. A large delivery truck was parked outside, along with Mrs. G’s car. We walked inside and found the two ladies hanging curtains and directing the delivery men.

  “That dresser goes in the bedroom to the left,” Mrs. G, stood on a chair, pointing, then smiled. “Hey, Omari, how are you?”

  I walked over and gave her the usual obligatory kiss on the cheek, which she was leaning down to receive, “Hey Mrs. G. I’m good. Hey, Leah.”

  “Hey, Omari,” she said and gave me a curious look.

  She was probably surprised I came to help.

  “What do you need us to do, Evelyn? You know I got poker tonight and ‘Mari’s gotta be back at…he…uh…look, we ain’t got all night,” he said, looking at his watch.

  “Can you get the stuff out the back of my car and take it into the kitchen? That’s a good start,” she told him. As I was walking out the door behind him, I heard her mumble, “They should be able to handle the simple tasks until we finish here and can be there to supervise.”

  The two ladies laughed. I told myself the faster we got done, the sooner I could leave. I tried not to allow my eyes to wander to the other side of the duplex that I had hoped would be my home. The day Coach G showed me around, I had already envisioned myself lounging in my living room, watching Sports Center on the plasma tv I had been saving up for, some homemade chili simmering on the stove. But now, like a lot of the other visions I had for my life, that one was gone…poof…in a heartbeat. For the first time, I was at the point that I wanted to give up, because it seemed hopeless.

  Think positive, Shaunie’s voice said in my head….You’re gonna get what you deserve, it’s coming, Coach G’s voice echoed behind hers. I fought off the negative vibes that had started to consume me and walked over to Mrs. G’s car. Coach passed me a box of pots and pans. Just as we were about to head in the house, another delivery truck pulled up from the furniture company.

  “Damn, how much furniture did they buy?” Coach asked the same thing I was thinking. The delivery men had already brought into Leah’s apartment an entire bedroom set; a living room set; and two televisions, much like the one I wanted for my place. There didn’t seem to be room for much else other than a kitchen set, which I noticed them already unloading. The guys lifted the gate of the second truck. I was shocked to see that it was full of furniture. There had to be a mistake, because there was no way all of that was gonna fit into Leah’s apartment.

  We were standing there, looking at the truck and silently wondering what the hell was going on. Shortly Leah and Mrs. G came outside.

  “Why are y’all just standing there? I thought you all were constrained for time?” Mrs. G asked.

  “Evelyn, how much stuff did you buy? That’s ridiculous,” Coach pointed at the second truck which they were starting to unload. “You have truly gone overboard. There’s no way all of that is gonna fit into Leah’s apartment. Sometimes, I just don’t understand you.”

  “Victor, what the hell are you talking about? You know what, just be quiet and take the boxes into the kitchen. I know what I’m doing,” Mrs. G told him.

  “You’re wasting money, that’s what you’re doing,” Coach mumbled and headed inside.

  “What? What did you say?” Mrs. G demanded.

  Being the smart man that he is, Coach just answered, “Nothin’,” and continued.

  Being the smart man that I am, I was just about to follow behind him.

  “Wait,” Leah stopped me, “Those aren’t my pots and pans.”

  “They’re the ones that were in the trunk,” I told her, looking at the box I was holding.

  “Wait,” Mrs. G called out to one of the men unloading a chaise lounge and taking it inside, “That doesn’t go in there.”

  “Sorry, ma’am. Where do you want it to go?” The man asked.

  “It goes in the apartment next door,” she told him. Mrs. G looked at me and said, “And so does those pots and pans. You can go ahead and take them inside too.”

  Instead of throwing the box down like I wanted to, I took the box into the kitchen. This was too much. Not only did I have to suffer the humiliation of helping Leah move into her apartment, but I also had to help whoever was moving into the apartment I hoped would be mine. I put the box on the kitchen floor and turned to see Leah standing there, holding another box.

  “Here you go,” she said, passing it to me, “Bathroom stuff, I hope you like green and brown.”

  I took the box from her and wondered what the hell she meant. Before I could ask her, she walked out.

  “How do you want us to set this stuff up?” One of the guys asked me.

  “Huh? Oh, I don’t know man, it ain’t my place. Let me go get the landlord, she can tell you.”

  I rushed next door and told Mrs. G she was needed.

  “What’s wrong now?” She asked, somewhat frustrated that I had interrupted the process of adjusting an area rug.

  “They need to know how about the other furniture,” I told her.

  “What about it? You don’t like it?” She frowned.

  “It’s fine, I guess,” I answered. “They need to know how you want it set up.”

  She looked over at Leah, then to Coach, who was still mumbling under his breath, and shrugged, “It’s up to you.”

  “Mrs. G, I’m not trying to be funny, but I think you should come and tell them what to do,” I tried to remain calm.

  “I don’t understand why you can’t just tell them,” she said.

  “Fine,” I said and went back to the apartment where the men were waiting. I directed them and showed them exactly where I thought everything should go. Within thirty minutes, everything was unloaded and in place; including the kitchen set, both bedrooms, and the living area. I w
as admiring the feng shui when Mrs. G and Leah returned.

  “See, you did a good job. It looks really nice,” Mrs. G told me.

  “It really does,” Leah agreed.

  “So, are we all done?” I asked, checking the time. I had a seven thirty curfew at the halfway house, and it was already almost six, “I still have to get back to the plant and get my truck before I get home.”

  “You wanna do the bathroom before you go? I think you have time,” Mrs. G asked, “Where is the bag?”

  “Come on, Omari, let’s get going,” Coach walked in and said.

  “Ready when you are, Coach,” I said, relieved.

  “Victor, can we at least do the bathroom before you leave?”

  “Evelyn, now you’ve gone too far. I refuse to have this young man hang around here and help decorate somebody else’s bathroom…”

  “What?” Mrs. G whined, “Victor, why are you being so difficult?”

  “Because, Evelyn, this entire situation is trying enough as it is. He didn’t even have to come and do this, but he did. And you just keep pushing and pushing.”

  “Well, I did want him to be here when we did all of this, Victor. I mean, I know I may have been a little presumptuous when I picked out the furniture and decor, but I at least wanted him to help get things moved in. I know it was last minute, but I just found out this morning when we went to the furniture store that they could deliver everything at once. You should at least appreciate my initiative to get everything done as quickly as I did, dear.”

  As usual, Coach and Mrs. G were having it out and didn’t seem to realize they weren’t alone. It was funny, yet strange. I just stood back and waited it out.

  “Having us help Leah is one thing, but to have him help the person moving into here….”

  “Wait, a second,” Leah interrupted him, “You do realize who the person moving in here is.”

  Coach looked at me and I looked at him, still confused.

  “My Lord, Victor, do you ever listen when I’m talking to you? I called you this morning and told you that Leah and I talked. She’s fine with Omari moving in. You all just needed to be here to help,” Mrs. G folded her arms and stared at Coach.

  “Evelyn, you said Leah was fine with Omari moving her in and we needed to be here to help her.”

  “So, this is my place?” I said, wanting to make sure I was hearing things correctly.

  “Yes, Omari, it’s your place,” Leah nodded.

  I looked over at Coach, and the grin I had was bigger than the one I wore that morning. He walked over and gave me a bear hug, lifting me off the ground. I was so overcome with emotion that tears came to my eyes. He finally released his arms from around me, and it was Mrs. G’s turn to embrace me.

  “Thanks, Mrs. G,” I whispered into her ear. “You don’t know what this means to me.”

  “Just pay it forward, Omari, and if anyone deserves it, you do,” she replied.

  I looked up and saw Leah staring at us and thought how crazy we must have looked.

  “Thank you,” I mouthed the words to her.

  She seemed surprised and didn’t react for a few seconds. I wondered if I had done something wrong or been too quick to assume that this was something she had willingly agreed to. A soft smile spread on her face, and I knew that she had.

  Good Behavior

  Leah

  “Wow, Leah, this is amazing!”

  “Thanks, Anna,” I said, standing back and admiring my masterpiece in progress. I was still working on the mural I was painting on the building of the child care center. After I completed the sign that Evelyn hired me to design and paint, I suggested that maybe I could add a little flair to the large, white building. She didn’t hesitate and immediately agreed for me to do the work; she gave me free reign to be as creative as I wanted. Painting had become my therapy. Becoming engrossed in the colors and turning the visions I had in my head into visions others could see kept me busy, and at the same time, allowed me to think. Without fail, Evelyn would pick me up each morning and bring me to the school, where I would grab my supplies and go about my work. Soon, the building was covered with colorful images of children laughing and playing with rainbows and butterflies, reading books, and smiling. It was as if I was trying to evoke happiness and peace with every stroke I painted. I would watch parents bring their children to school; my soul would ache for the child I had lost; and I would paint the pain away.

  Even though I insisted that she didn’t owe me anything, each week I was paid, and she still refused to allow me to pay any rent or utilities. I saved my money, and soon had enough to buy a Toyota Camry from one of the parents at the school. It was a far cry from the sleek, gold Jaguar I was driving in my old life. But it was clean, in excellent condition, and more importantly—it was mine. Days turned into months, and slowly, my new life began emerging. My artistic talents weren’t limited to painting the child care center. Mr. Gordon had referred some of his paper clients for me to design logos. I also did an oil painting for one of Evelyn’s friend who was dedicated to her cocker spaniel, Peaches.

  “So, how are you doing?” Anna asked.

  “I’m okay. I’ve been staying busy,” I shrugged.

  “I can see that. I know that’s what you’ve been doing, but how are you?”

  “I’m starting to have a new life here now. It’s nice.”

  “Leah, going through the motions day after day is not a life. Have you met any new friends? Gone anywhere other than work and home? You have a new life, but you’re not living. Let me ask you this, how are you feeling?”

  “I’m feeling…” I didn’t really know how I was feeling. There were days where I was content and things couldn’t have been better for me. Then, there were the days where I felt as if my entire life had been ripped from under me, and I wondered if I had made a mistake. After all, life with Kellen wasn’t that bad when he wasn’t putting his hands on me. Maybe my leaving had been impulsive. I had even thought about calling Kellen and talking things out; maybe he’d even get some help for his behavior, something I didn’t give him the chance to do. I had never even suggested that he talk to someone about his aggression, so in a sense, this could have been all my fault and I had been negligent in my duties as a wife. Confused was truly how I felt, but I didn’t dare say that to Anna.

  “Let’s go somewhere and talk,” Anna suggested.

  I put my supplies away, and we went to the Starbucks down the street, opting to enjoy our coffee on the outside patio.

  “I talked to your mother the other day, Leah,” Anna said.

  “You didn’t tell her where I was, did you?”

  “No, I would never do that. When you’re ready for her to know, then you’ll tell her yourself,” Anna assured. “But, she’s worried, and so is the rest of your family. I’ve told them over and over again that you’re fine, but I got a feeling that until she can confirm that fact for herself, she won’t be satisfied. And I guess, I kind of don’t blame her.”

  “I emailed her last week,” I said. Thinking about my mother worrying about whether or not I was okay made me feel even worse. Guilt weighed heavy on my heart.

  “I know, but that’s your mama. You think she’s satisfied with an email?” Anna laughed, then reached into her purse and pulled out her cell phone, handing it to me, “Call her.”

  My hands trembled as I took the phone and dialed my mother’s number. It had been months since I had talked to her. Even before I left, we only spoke maybe once a week. My focus had been on making sure that she, my aunts, and my grandmother were taken care of financially—as long as that was being handled, we really didn’t need to talk.

  “Hello,” my mother’s voice answered.

  “Ma, it’s me,” my voice was barely above a whisper.

  “Leah, baby….oh my God, it’s so good to hear your voice,” and suddenly she broke down, sobbing.

  “Mama, please don’t cry. I’m sorry…please…please don’t be mad at me,” it was my turn to cry now.
/>   “I’m not mad, Leah, you didn’t do anything for me to be mad at,” she said.

  “I left, and I didn’t say anything…to you…to anyone. But, I couldn’t stay there…I couldn’t…I thought…”

  “Baby, I know. I understand. You did what you had to do. Everything here is fine. Grandma is back at home, and we are all pitching in to take care of her. Things are good, especially now that I’ve at least heard your voice.”

  I wanted to make it up to my mother and I knew I had to do something. “Mama, I’m gonna fix this. I’m gonna come home. I can call Kellen and…”

  “You WILL NOT!” she yelled. “You will stay as far away from that maniac as you can. I won’t allow you to. Now, you want your mama to be mad, you call him, and then I will be mad.”

  “But, Mama, we need him…grandma’s care…the nursing home…”

  “Grandma came home because she wanted to come home. You know she didn’t like that place anyway, and we had put the plans in motion to bring her here before you even left. As a matter of fact, Kellen is probably still paying the bill because he doesn’t know she’s gone from there. When he called me the other day, I didn’t mention it, and neither did he,” she laughed.

  “You talked to him? What did he say?” I became nervous at the thought of Kellen calling my mother, demanding to know where I was.

  “He said that the doctors at the facility you were being treated at said you were doing fine and needed a little more time and therapy and that he was just calling to give me an update.”

  “Facility? Treatment?” I asked.

  “Girl, yes, that fool has told everyone that you suffered a mental breakdown after your fall and losing the baby and that you were being treated at a center in Nevada who specializes in things of this nature. Had the nerve to say it was even featured on Dr. Phil.”

  “You’re kidding,” I said, stunned. Here I was thinking that Kellen was looking for me, and he was lying to everyone to cover up the fact that I had left. He wasn’t even thinking about me.