made 4 u episode 5

8/14/2019 Made 4 U Episode 5

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Made 4 U Episode Five Memories

I stood in front of this wooden door with brown wavy lines going down each board and a

metallic sign that read, Dr. Jonny Anderson: Examining you heads first since 2002, for five whole

minutes. I was in downtown San Francisco for the second time today and I wanted this day to be over.

As I let out a huge sigh, my hand opened the door and my feet started walking in. My arms ached from

the stitches I was given since my no-denying, unsuccessful suicide attempt. Lame, I might add. The

hospital had bandaged my wrists up l ike I was the next Pharaoh being buried and apparently I had no

say in how much bandage to put on since I was unconscious for two days. Two whole days and two

whole nights! Now, on this sunny Monday afternoon, I am walking into a head doctors office. When I

entered, I noticed a jungle of books laminated the walls, a dark skinned male in a jet black suit with a red

tie, talking to a red haired white female, and how small and lonely the office was. I appeared to be the

only patient today. He was pointing something out to her in the book on her desk as she sat looking

confused. When I softly cleared my throat, her eyes glared at me.

May I help you? she asked with that annoying raspy voice people have when they wake up.

Kenneth Whitley! the dark skinned guy acknowledged.

You must have been waiting on me. I said half jokingly.

Im Doctor Anderson, and I memorize my planner. He laughed. The chick at the desk made a

face of disgust at him. I found his laugh really mesmerizing and I began to smile.

There we go, that smile is what I like to see. But dont smile too much, then I wont have a job.

And he laughed again. My smile got bigger and I couldve sworn I looked like a fourteen year old girlcrushing the boy around the way. He opened the door behind him and allowed me to walk in first. This

office was illuminated in sunlight, a rare commodity for October in the Bay Area, on the fifth floor of the

Bank of America building in San Francisco now dubbed as the 555 California building. His desk was facing

the window and a giant bookshelf mounted the western part of the wall. Two grey leather recliners and

the typical long bed looking sofa between the two. I looked at the books he had on the shelf and saw

they ranged from Psychology for Dummies, Oprahs Live Your Best Life and other novels by authors like

Marvin White, Harlan Coben, and E. Lynn Harris. I suppose it was safe to assume he was gay, or

dangerously close to becoming gay.

Please, have a seat. He offered, closing the door behind him and sitting in the leather reclineron the left. I threw out a heavy sigh and plopped on the bed sofa like a rock.

Why am I even here? I foolishly asked.

I would answer in the typical psychologist way but youve been through a lot. Dr. Anderson

started in a gentle tone, its California law that attempted suicide victims are seen by a doctor.


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I closed my eyes in pain like he had just socked me in the face with a baseball bat. Memories of

my suicide attempt flashed before my dark vision and I quickly opened them.

Kenny?

Yes?

Lets start with your personal life.

What about it?

Describe it to me.

And without hesitation, I began spewing my interactions with people. How I met Teddy Mathis,

Johnson Ross who goes by Junior and Tonya Brown my three best friends in the world. Our secret

meeting place in Muir Beach and the feud between Teddy and Tonya. I told him about my brother,

Malcolm, who I havent heard from since he left, my overly vindictive and extra-Christian-fied mother

who told the congregation she attends that she would rather see me dead than gay.

Really? Dead? That sounds harsh.

Well to quote word for word, I rather see him six feet under than a homosexual.

Wow.

I began describing my father, who was shockingly supportive of my lifestyle. I told him about my

college career in theatre that I never got to finish since my financial aid providers decided to decline my

co-signer in the middle of my second year without an explanation. What made it worse is that the school

I was attending did nothing to help. It was, Oh, you dont have financial aid anymore? Too bad, theresthe door. I told him in deep agony about my rape when I was younger by a bus driver who worked for

the city I lived in, and about how my lover, William Harrell, beat me when we first got together.

What do you remember about that night? my therapist interrupted in a slow but soft voice. I

tensed up trying to block the memories from flooding back.

Pain, I finally got out, "Excruciating pain."

Tell me about it, Kenny.

I shook my head slightly and inhaled deep. The vision came back vigorously like it had happenedthe other day, when in fact it was only just twelve months ago. I started spewing out details like it was

vomit that my body couldnt hold anymore. How I came home that night, William was on the couch in

the dark and how a feeling of terror shot threw me when I turned on the lights. He sat there, two empty

40 ounce bottles of vodka sat on the coffee table, with a knife in his left hand.

William, what are-?


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Who is Clark?

My mind swam suddenly. He was obviously drunk, but that name stung me like an angry hornet.

Who? I stalled but he sensed it and shot up, staggering a bit.

Dont fucking play games with me, Kenny! Who...is...Clark?

I turned and rushed toward the front door, but as I opened it, Will iam had thrown his body on it

to slam it closed. Now, he was inches away from me and I was looking at his empty hands. My breathing

felt heavy and I wanted to tell him the truth, but instead I chose another avenue.

A friend. I lied and turned around to walk to the kitchen but as soon as I had done that, I

immediately regretted it. It wasnt his footsteps that I heard, but the removing of the bottle from the

coffee table. When my attention snapped in attention to his direction, I felt my nose being crushed by a

flying object causing me to fall into the wall behind me. Then, he started kicking me profusely and

violently while he slammed my head into the wall during his breaks from kicking me. It had all happened

so fast that I didnt even have time to panic. The brief, deathly brief, moment he took to screamsomething that was garbled, I took the bottle that had hit my nose and when he charged at me, I

crashed the bloody object into his right temple. I heard the thud of his body but had not seen it since I

was starting to panic now. When I tried to get up, his hand grabbed my ankle and all I could think about

was how I ended up in this Lifetime Movie situation.

How did you escape? Dr. Anderson asked. Thats when the tears broke free and I clutched my

sides, hugging myself.

After I got up, I told him in such agony, After he grabbed my ankle, he picked me up and

threw me out the window.

I could feel the look of horror on his face and when I looked over, my assumption was correct.

How many stories were you? He finally got out.

Two.

But in defense of the story I told about William, I wanted to inform him that this man was evil

once, but never again. We had our shares of arguments and fights but I wasnt weak. When he would

yell, I would yell. When hed raise his fist, I raise a cast iron skillet. One time, I took his clothes threw

them out the bedroom window and while he was screaming for me to stop, I grabbed his work files,

threw them in the bathtub and lit them on fire. But all that to say, he was never physically abusive to me

again. Verbally abusive was another story. He always found a way to make me feel low about myself.

And the night I came home from the hospital after my suicide attempt was no different.

When I had unlocked the door to the apartment I have in Downtown Oakland, I noticed all the

lights were on; the kitchen light, the light above the stove, the living room light, all the lamps in the

living room, and the bedroom light. I never made it to see if the bathroom light was on, because thats

when I began to hear movement. My feet scurried across the floor and a smile broke across my face

when I knew it was my lover in the bedroom. He stopped me in my tracks by coming to the door with a

blank look on his face. I saw that the bathroom light was on and four suitcases that had been packed


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Jonny Anderson, my head doctor, just tapped his pen against his temple and inhaled deeply. I

heard him scribble something on his pad and inhaled again.

So who is this Clark guy?

I dont want to talk about it. I replied coldly but softly.

Okay. He held onto the O a little too long, What happened after the incident when yourlover threw you out the window?

I moved here.

More fucking scribbling. He was about to say something else but was interrupted by a knock at

his door and then his receptionists head popped in.

Doctor Anderson, your three oclock is early and I tried to get him to settle but he was hell bent

on me telling you now. She spoke as soft as she could while rolling her eyes. Dr. Anderson smiled.

Thanks, Emily. Tell him I will be with him as soon as I can.

Emily gave a thumps up and shut the door.

You know Doctor Anderson- I protested while sitting up.

Please, call me Jonny.

Okay, It was my turn with all the Os, Jonny, I can just go if you want me to.

I saw him laugh and smile again.

No, but thanks. You are my priority right now. I have people make appointments for a reason.

I nodded, exhaled, and laid back again.

So, he began again, is any of your family here?

That time I let out a huge sigh. I answered that my family was all back home in Miami and I got

the same tired reaction I get from people who dont live there. Why did I leave such a beautiful place?

They think that Miami is some sort of heaven on earth compared to everywhere else when in truth; thenatives hate outsiders also known as tourists, the highways are beyond congested between the hours of

two p.m. and 7 p.m., and natives think that stop lights are just caution signs. If you look hard enough

you will see that South Florida is segregated. Cubans live in Miami, blacks and islanders live in Fort

Lauderdale and whites live in Palm Beach. However, I just went with my original come back for this sort

of reaction.

I wasnt happy there.

Fair enough. He commented, not looking up from his notepad, How did you end up in

Virginia?

William and I moved there after they stationed him at Fort Eustis.

Scribble, scribble, fucking scribble.

You from here? I asked, trying not to sound impatient.

No, he looked up briefly before scribbling again, Im from North Carolina. Back to you, why

California?


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Teddy sighed and then nodded.

You know I think youre innocent, I quickly blurted out. He smiled.

Thats all that matters. Thank you.

I let out a heavy sigh and bit my bottom lip.

William left me. I mumbled. Teddy didnt react.

About time.

What?

That man puts nothing good into your life. Im glad he left you, but I am sorry that youre

hurting.

Tears started forming and I retracted my hand to wipe my eyes.

If you gonna start crying in here, get your ass out. Speaking of which, why arent you at work?

I inhaled deeply and looked at the table in sadness.

They let me go.

They let you go? Doctor Anderson exclaimed. I sighed and nodded a yes.

Yes, as soon as I walked in.

Im sorry, well, back to your friend.

Those fucking bitches, Teddy yelled, Let me guess, they said it wasnt about you?

You know it, anyways, when is your next hearing?

Next month, Teddy sighed this time. He then began fidgeting, crossing and uncrossing his legs

and sighing, Look, I need you to do me a huge favor.

I looked at Teddy and he had this look of fear in his eyes. That look I hadnt seen in a very long

time. He knew something but he was powerless to do anything about it in here.

Anything.

I need you to go to my job and pick up my belongings. Junior already called and told them the

situation.


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And?

And, I need you to look up Eric Jones.

I crouched down and leaned in toward Teddys chest.

The guy who put you here? I whispered.

Yes, he answered with confidence. I shrugged and sat back.

Why?

There have been rumors in here that the rape of his son was just the beginning, that they will

do worse next time.

Who said this?

I dont know. Im in a jail, not really the yellow pages.

And you think these rumors are more than rumors?

Yes,

How?

I cant explain, just trust me.

I saw Doctor Anderson fall back into his chair. He had sat down his pen and paper and let out ahuge sigh. He placed his hand against his forehead and began rubbing. I didnt know how to respond, so

I sat with my arms in my lap and gazed at the ceiling until he broke the silence.

Eric Jones? Are you sure you heard correctly?

Yes, Eric Jones. The same guy who put Teddy in jail, I would remember that.

Do you think these rumors are true? He asked, softly.

I trust Teddy.

Why didnt he tell this to his lawyer?

Do you really think they would listen?

I sat up at this point and looked at the doctor. He lowered his head and shook it in disbelief.

You have a point.


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The doctor then wanted me to go into what happened at work today. The subject of Eric Jones

made him change his demeanor for some reason, but I wasnt in the mood to press it. My time was

almost up and I didnt want to waste any more time even though the state was paying for this. The

myths about being in a shrinks office were absolutely not true. I felt that Doctor Andersoner, Jonny

was actually caring about my well being. About why I was here and about what will happen to me after I

left. I had a lot on my mind and desperately needed someone to talk to. My friends were great but they

side with me most if not all the time. Junior would find the best of any horrific situation, Tonya would

bluntly tell me to get over it, and Teddy would make it seem that its smaller than what it is. This time, I

needed a neutral party. Someone to tell me just to talk and they not say anything. Especially with what

happened at work.

I had on my brown leather jacket and small Express bought shoulder bag as I walked into work

at Rogers and Barks Law Firm in downtown San Francisco. The bag was granite grey and it didnt go with

anything I had on, but I loved the bag. I noticed they had started to decorate the office building for

Halloween and everybody who walked down Market Street enjoyed what they saw around the Shell

Building. Even inside at my place of business had the office infested itself with stretched-too-thin cotton

balls that were pathetically made to resemble a spider web. They had put up Dollar Store bought

skeletons and witches and little plastic pumpkins sat at the receptionist desk. Margaret, my favoritefront desk warrior, was sorting mail when I walked by.

Hey sexy! she exclaimed, You had me worried when the doctor called here. You okay?

She had by this time abandoned her mail and had jumped in front of me. I rolled my eyes and

tried to maneuver around her. Margaret wasnt no skinny white bitch, so it was going to be tough.

I asked if you were okay!

Oh my, did you get your hair done? I remarked, dropping my bag and picking her hair. She

smacked my hand.

Dont try and shamelessly flatter me. I asked you a question.

You did get your hair done? Its so elegant. I love how the curls swivel down your neck

Kenny!

I laughed.

Yes, I am okay. Just had a rough week last week. I answered picking up my bag, Can I go to

my office?

Margaret smiled and walked back to her desk.

And yes, I did get it done. Thanks for noticing.

I returned the smile and walked down the hall into my office. Before I reached it, I had stopped

at the conference room I had officially met Chris in. My mind ran back to that day and I abruptly

snapped back to reality. My office was cold and a mess. Apparently a temp had been hired to work while


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I was out and it made me a tad bit upset. These people didnt have the slightest decency to clean up

before I returned? But then again, it didnt baffle me too much given who was in charge. Disaster and

uncertainty thy name is Frank Hudson. I threw my bag on the floor beside my desk and then threw

myself into my chair. It felt so good to be back at work and as I smiled and cut on my desktop, I noticed a

stamped document with Gary Stapletons signature on it. A laugh came out and I tossed it aside. Thats

when the knock came at my door. It was Frank.

Good morning, Frank. I greeted, still smiling. Frank nodded and walked in, closed the door and

sighed.

First, how are you feeling? he started softly and slowly.

First? What is this, the number game? Im good, have an appointment with a psychiatrist this

afternoon.

Good, Im glad to hear you are getting help.

Yes, yes I am. Did you need something? I thought there was a second?

Frank sighed again and then pulled out some papers from his back pocket.

Second, before you get too comfortable, it came to our attention that you dont have a degree

in law.

I leaned forward on my desk with the most confused look on my face.

You knew that when you hired me.

Well, HR is cracking down on us to have the proper documents for our employees.

Proper docu- wait, are you firing me?

I stood up and walked over to face Frank.

Kenny, we cant afford any type of liability.

You mean to tell me that for the week I was off, you found someone to do my job and because

I tried to commit suicide with a failed attempt obviously, you dont want that liability that I may do it

again. Let me guess, Gary put this in your mind?

This has nothing to do with your job performance or Gary at all.

Really? I blurted out, walking to my desk and holding up the document I found, Then why

was he in my office?

Frank didnt speak. He just walked to my desk and placed the papers down he was holding and

took a pen from his chest pocket and placed it on top. I stared at the papers that read, Termination of

Employment. Frank was saying something to me; some bull about it has nothing to do with my life. I


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just stared of the papers and got a glimpse of Gary slowly walking by my office. Anger rose in my blood

and I completely stopped hearing Frank. Abruptly I took the pen, signed all the papers, picked up my bag

and walked out the office. Margaret was on the phone when I stormed passed and she looked like

someone just killed her dog. When I got on the elevator, I was alone. I had to go down a few floors, so I

dropped my bag, hugged myself and cried.

Wow, you have any idea what you are going to do next? the doctor asked. I shook my head.

Until now, I wanted to sue those bastards but I didnt have the energy to go through all that.

Just find something new.

How about you go back to school?

I sat up in amazement and looked at my head doctor.

School?

Yes, finish the degree you were going for. He started, Or go for something new. Its great to

have a degree in these days. The percentage in people with degrees who are unemployed is four

percent.

How will I pay for my rent?

File for unemployment and start looking for a new job, while you continue your education.

I looked at my doctor for a second, took in a huge sigh and hugged myself again. For once, I had

a plan and it seemed to be one that would work well for me. I looked at the clock and noticed that my

time was officially up and so I raised my body up and smiled at Doctor Jonny Anderson. He looked at mewith a bit of astonishment and then returned the smile.

You feeling okay to go? he asked slowly. I stretched and nodded a yes. He then stood along

with myself and extended his hand.

Thanks for the help, doc. I ended as I met his hand with mine.

Anytime, and remember that you have friends that care deeply for you. No matter what.

I never thought of how my suicide attempt actually affected my friends. They seem to have

kept their opinions and feelings to themselves to spare my feelings, I suppose. As I was escorted out the

office and into the lobby, I saw the man who was agitated he had to wait for his appointment to arrive.

This short fat and balding white man pushed past me and right into the doctors face before I could say

good bye. Before I cursed him out, I saw Jonny look at me; smile and wave then shut his door.

He has a boyfriend. Emily coldly remarked, not looking up from her computer. I gave her back

a puzzled look and proceeded out the door. I got to the elevator and started remembering Juniors

conversation with me after I left work. When the elevator door chimed, I was in a trance.


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The elevator opened and Junior and I walked in. I was carrying a cardboard box with Teddys

belongings and he had a plastic bag full of crap, if I may say so myself. I stood along the right side of the

elevator as he leaned past me and pressed the button that had L on it. The elevator chimed again and

closed the doors, leaving us the only two in there.

So much for the silver lining. I started, breaking the ice.

It can only get better. For all of us, that is.

The elevator chimed that it was passing the next floor, eleven.

Do you think he did it? My heart raced from asking the question.

Yes, I do. Junior answered not breaking stride.

What?

He did do it, there is no doubt about it, He looked at me in the eyes now, sensing I was

confused at his response, But, I know he is not guilty. That boy was saved and it was because Teddy

was there.

I sighed and rested my forehead on the box as I heard the chime go off again.

Hes going to be put away for life wont he?

Junior then fell silent.

Never mind, I cant think about that right now. I recanted, I need to start worrying aboutgetting another job, which is going to be hard in this stupid ass economy.

You ramble when youre scared. Junior interrupted, All you need to do is pray.

Prayer is something I havent heard of in a while. I wasnt scared at the fact that God wouldnt

hear my prayer; I was scared that when he did, I would get an answer I didnt want. We reached the

lobby level and when the doors open, I inhaled deeply and waddled out first. The box was a bit heavy,

but I was a man and could take it. Laugh out loud to myself. My arms were burning from holding this

anvil. I dropped the box and panted. Junior stopped and looked at me.

Too heavy for the princess?

Fuck you. I hissed.

Junior laughed.

I was wondering when you were going to say something. Lets switch.

No, no, I got it. Justneed to catchmy breath first.


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I saw Junior roll his eyes and he handed me the plastic bag full of crap. When I grabbed it, it felt

like wind in my arms. He picked up the box and we started back walking toward the front doors. I would

miss this building, and Teddys job at Senators Loan and Trust; they had the best employee parties. We

walked out the Providian Financial Building, just down the street from my old job and directly beside

Juniors place of work which was on Main Street, when Junior spun around to face me. It was magic how

he did that without dropping the box full of bricks.

You are more selfish than anyone I know! he stated, softly but sternly. My eyes were open

wide in attention and confusion.

What-?

I know what suicide can do to the people who care, and you apparently forgot that little bit of

information.

My face started turning red and I lowered it in shame. I had forgotten his sons mother had

committed suicide and it took a toll on Junior and his son, Madison.

Whats worse, you got out the hospital and didnt say shit to anyone! Juniors voice was

louder now. I crept closer to him as he stepped backwards.

Junior, Im sorry but you have to understand that I was going to call you guys but-

But what? Tonya got a call. So again, but what?

So you know?

Of course I know, and it serves you right. Secrets hurt more than yourself, Kenny.

I didnt know how to respond, so I just looked with a blank expression at my friend. He inhaled

deeply and turned back around.

I take it that you will drop these things at Teddys house? he asked, dejectedly. All I could do

was nod, but remembered that his back was to me.

Yes, I got out, After I leave the shrinks office.

Fine, where did you park?

The elevator door flew open and the sound of the doors against the metal snapped me out my

trance. Tears had swollen up in my eyes, and my nose was stinging. All of my might was telling my body

to turn around and walk back into the office and demand to wait on gay doctor Jonny Anderson, but my

mind made my feet walk into the elevator. After dreadful traffic, an hour and a bridge later, I walked

into Teddys apartment on the corner of Shellmound and 64th

. I carried the two ton weighing box up

two flights of steps and slammed it down in the living room. When I cut on the lights, I sighed. I wished

my apartment was as stylish as his. He had African paintings hung over the entertainment system; which


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housed a flat screen, a stereo system and three different types of game systems. His color of choice was

to match the building outside, Maroon and gold. I walked into the bedroom, which was matching with

the living room; a king size bed, vanity mirror, long oak dresser and a mirrored wall. A laptop computer

was nestled under the bed, a secret I have always known, and I quickly pulled it out and logged on. It felt

good to stretch across a big bed and even better when it was by myself.

I surfed online for a moment; checking my email on yahoo, seeing who messaged me on BGC-

Live (the chat site for black gay men), and Facebook. All these endeavors served to be fruitless. No one

said anything to me but it was to be expected. My popularity had dwindled over the months especially

when I got a man. The URL found the page Google after I typed it in, and I searched for Eric Jones

which resulted in over forty two million results. I refined my search to Eric Jones in Oakland and got

over three hundred thousand results. The first one was a golf site, which was clearly not what I needed. I

strolled past the Eric Jones on Twitter and MySpace and then it jumped out at me like a spider in a

corner.

Minister Eric A. Jones; co-pastor of Solid Rock Baptist

I clicked on the link and up came a profile of this minister that put my friend behind bars for nogood reason. He was nice to look at I immediately noticed, with his coco brown skin, rectangular glasses

and award winning smile. Those teeth were whiter than snow, ironically speaking. I read past his having

a family, serving the lord and savior Jesus Christ at the tender age of four, being ordained at fifteen and

all that nonsense. The only contact information for him was a link to email him at the church. I cussed

and swiftly opened Whitepages.com. When I searched for him, nothing came up and I lowered my head

in defeat and shut the laptop in anger. What could Teddy possibly know anyways? I should be going to

the police not searching for his homophobe (Im assuming) online. I slid the laptop back under the bed

and my hand touched a crumpled piece of paper.

The hell? I questioned, pulling it out and opening the ball.

HourMan.com helps you find the best escorts in the Bay Area.

I rolled my eyes, crumpled up the paper and threw it back under the bed. I knew Teddy got into

stuff like that, and there was the proof. But it didnt concern me at the moment since I was startled by a

knock at the door. I opened the door in confusion, since everyone I knew that knew Teddy, knew he was

locked up.

I presume you are Kenny Whitley? asked a Tyrell Carter looking male in a brown suit.

Good bye, I snapped, shutting the door. The Tyrell Carter looking person slid his foot between

the door and the frame.

Im Theodores lawyer, Jacob Bellums.

I swung the door opened and smiled.

How are you doing? Thirsty? Need a drink?

May I come in?


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Hell yes! I blurted out inadvertently and immediately turned red. Jacob smiled, blushed and

walked in. He came and sat on the maroon cushioned couch and smiled at me.

He told me that he was worried about you. He started.

Im fine, I responded, walking to sit beside him, He really is a good friend.

Jacob nodded and gulped really hard, which caught my attention.

He is on this kick that Eric Joness son is in danger.

You dont believe him? I asked, coldly as my ass found the couch. Jacob shrugged and looked

down at the floor.

There is no proof to support his statement, and the police wont even investigate since Mr.

Jones is a big figure in this area. They dont want people to find out his brother was a rapist.

Or in their mind, a fag who rapes.

Something like that. Jacob then looked up at me, I could use that drink.

I shot up and paced to the kitchen asking what he drunk. To my disappointment, he wanted

water. Even as I tried to sell some wine to him that Teddy had opened recently, he declined. I shrugged,

grabbed a bottle of water out the refrigerator and handed it to him. Somehow, a glass of wine found me

at the couch and was being sipped as Jacob spoke.

The Jones family is going for the death sentence but I am trying to fight that case off and this

half thought scheme of Theodores wont help. He gulped some water, But to be honest,

He looked me in the eye.

I think it is worth looking into. I was told your brother is in the armed forces?

Yeah, but he isnt answering his phone for some reason. My mom doesnt speak with him so

she isnt any help and my dad doesnt even know him. I have no way of contacting him expect by

phone.

Well, when he does, try and see if he can look up this Eric guy.

I nodded, fished my phone out my pocket and opened it up. I had missed a text message from

Tonya asking if we were meeting at the Mount today, I replied Yes and began texting my brother,

Malcolm Whitley to call me ASAP. There was an unsettling silence then and I gulped down the rest of my

wine and sighed. Jacob just sat there, clapping his hands together.

Do you have somewhere to be? I asked, impatiently. He shot a look of disgust in my direction.

Im off the clock now.


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Shouldnt you be going home?

Jacob nodded slowly like he was thinking it over and stood up.

If you do get in contact with your brother, tell him to contact the wife, Kathy, she seems more

likely to listen to anyone.

I looked up at him with a blank expression. The thought of contacting the wife had never

occurred to me.

Kathy?

Yes, Jacob started for the door and I followed him. Unexpectedly, he spun around and hoisted

me onto the wall sucking on my lips. This unwarned kiss got a deserving reaction. I wrapped my arms

around his waist and pushed him back. I wiped my lips in disgust and then shot the same look of disgust

at him.

Are you serious?

I saw the look in your face when you opened the door. He said, innocently, You wanted me.

Did you see the first look I shot you when I first opened the door? Thats how I feel now. Good

bye.

Im sorry, I didnt mean to. I naturally thought you were in the same business as Theodore.

Whoring?

Thats not what I mean.

What is it you mean?

Jacob didnt reply, he lowered his head and speedily exited out of my site. When the door

slammed shut, I was left standing in the light, looking dumbfounded. William had left me, but was I

really ready to start doing the nasty that soon? I shook the thought off and noticed that it was almost

five and I still needed to find this church. It would be a good start, I thought.

Solid Rock Missionary Baptist was the official name of the two story, pearl stoned chapel with a

silver roof cross at the top. It was surprisingly close to Teddys house, only a seven minute drive down

Powell Street (which became Stanford Ave) and there sat the church snuggled between Lowell and

Stanford with trees and houses as its fortress. I parked on the street, slid on my sun glasses and walked

into the main building.

Well bless your heart, sweetie, how can I help you? a gentle, feminine voice bellowed out of

nowhere as I stepped foot into the hallway. The first thing I saw was a huge golden cross with a replica

of Jesus hanging from it. When I looked to my left at who was talking to me, it was an elderly black

woman with silvery hair that was in the style of a mushroom, or something sitting in a chair reading, you


17/21

guessed it, the Bible. She wore half moon shaped glasses with beads to hold them onto her body if she

took them off. She smiled tenderly as I approached her and removed my sunglasses.

I was looking for Kathy Jones. I said tenderly, not sure how to ask for the wife of the co-pastor.

Oh, Evangelist Jones? She is in the library; you are welcome to go back. Here, the lady stood

up, Let me take you.

We walked down what seemed like an endless hallway of huge bibles, scriptures, pictures of the

people in the church and golden crosses.

Im Ella, are you from here? Ella asked as we turned down a hall filled with more pictures.

No, maam,

Maam? Oh, my you must be from the south.

I blushed and smiled.

Florida.

You saved, son?

From what?

We stopped in front of two wooden doors and she looked up at me over her glasses.

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal savior?

Wow, what a question to ask a stranger. But to bypass any further conversation with Miss Ella, I

lied.

Yes maam,

Ella beamed with joy.

Evangelist Jones is in there. And with that, she opened the door, Kathy, this handsome guy is

here to see you.

I saw Kathy look back from placing books on the shelf. She reminded me of a younger Clair

Huxtable, but much shorter.

Thank you Ella, Ella departed, Come in, whats your name?

I stepped in and shut the door.

Kenny, Mrs. Jones.


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Oh call me Kathy. What can I help you with? Membership?

I shook my head.

Your son. I responded quietly.

Confusion swept across her face very quickly.

Joey?

I never got a name, just that I should talk to you about his safety.

Kathy placed down a book slowly, lowered her head and sighed.

The guy we are pressing charges for, hes your friend? she asked with a mix of hope and fear.

Yes maam.

Abruptly, she looked at her watch and headed for the door.

I am late to pick up my son from the BART. Meet me there, Ashby Station. She ended quietly,

and walked out.

I found Kathy standing in a grey shawl wrapped around her shoulders and arms. My sunglasses

were on my forehead now, and I was still in the same brown leather jacket as I had been in at work. Her

face had fear written all over it and when she saw me, it multiplied. She walked toward the gates and

looked off in the distance. There werent many people there except for the man that walked into the

bathroom and the station agent which I think that helped her settle down.

I never wanted to press charges, she started without warning, It was Erics idea. Said God

hates homosexuals. He beat Joey that night when he thought that it would make Joey gay.

My friend, Teddy, thinks that your son may be in more danger. He hears in the jail hes in that

the rape- Kathys face squeezed shut at the thought, -sorry, but it was planned.

Kathy looked at me now, unable to hold back the tears.

You cannot scare me into dropping the charges on your friend.

Im not, I pleaded, honestly, I am only a messenger. I was unconscious when all this

happened.

He was visiting you that night? Kathy turned around and stared off again, Jesse stopped by

unannounced that night and said he wanted to take Joey to the lake for his birthday. Joey loves Merritt

Bakery.

Her voice was trailing off in silence and then her head lowered.


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What kind of trouble should I look out for?

I have no clue, again, I am only the messenger. I resenting saying, wishing I had more

information. There was a distant sound of a train braking underneath us and an automated voice

booming,

Ten cartrain for San Francisco now boarding, platform two.

Thats Joeys train. Kathy whispered.

Where is he coming from?

School. He plays basketball for his school.

Of course, I muttered.

People began to crowd the station as they came up the stairs and escalators. It was the end of a

rush hour, and many business people with their suits, ties and brief cases slipped in their tickets in thegates and zoomed past us. A teenager in yellow and white shorts and a number twenty five jersey

walked up.

Hey, ma.

Kathy touched his face from the other side of the gate.

Joey,

You okay? Whos he? Joey exclaimed, shooting me a look.

Yes, Im fine honey, this is a future member of the church. She lied. Joey nodded and I saw his

jersey had a yellow jacket on it.

You go to Berkeley High? I asked, excitedly. Joey nodded disgusted that I asked, Do you know

a Madison Ross?

Yeah, hes the captain of my team. Joey looked at Kathy, I have to pee, ma.

And with that, he ran to the bathroom inside the station, and the sound of the door slamming

was echoed. Kathy turned to me.

You become more and more closer to my family dont you? she asked with a sense of humor

in it.

Can I help who I know? I smiled.

I will talk to Eric tonight about dropping the charges. This newly found hatred of his needs to be

brought before God and if I have to, the senior Pastor.


20/21

Thank You. I exhaled in relief, and she put her arms around me in a hug.

God bless you, Kenny.

But before I could respond, someone was yell ing her name franticly from outside. My heart

dropped when the thought of it being her husband, but it was quickly replaced with confusion when I

saw it was Chris. He was waving and running as if a dog was chasing him.

Chris, baby, whats the matter? Kathy asked, with so much worry that it frightened me. Chris

braced his body on his knees and panted.

Wheres Joey?

Kathy looked at me in horror and then at Chris.

Why? I asked and Chris looked up at me like I had just arrived.

When did you get here? He asked. Kathy jumped between us.

Hes in the bathroom, but like Kenny asked, why?

How long has he been in there? Chris asked.

I turned my head to the line that was forming outside the bathroom that Joey went into. Kathy

had said something to the effect of Not long ago and Chris demanding to know how long. Something of

a trance over took me and I pushed the bike gate open to enter the station. Abruptly, the station was

yelling for me to pay but I wasnt listening to her. My heart began beating like rapidly and my trace walk

became a trance sprint. I tried to pull open the bathroom door, but of course it was locked. Something

like a police officer was called as I franticly called out Joeys name to open the door. Thats when a crashwas heard inside. Before I knew it Chris had appeared, pulled me back and the officer unlocked the

door.

The first thing I heard was the scream of a nearby person. A woman. Then Kathy screaming.

After that, I collapsed to the ground, hyperventilating. All sound was muffled and the site of more

officers running to the scene became blurry as my lungs closed up. A passenger handed me a brown

paper bag that his lunch was held in and kept repeating to me to breathe deeply. I saw Chris stare down

at me in remorse as he cradled Kathy who was screaming at the top of her lungs. The blood started

flowing into the lobby from the bathroom and from the almost headless Joey. His head leaned to the

right off his shoulders and it was apparent that his legs had been broken. I didnt see enough to see

where this killer got out but I heard someone say an air vent.

Somehow I drove to Muir Beach in another trance of fear and utter misery. The sun had begun

to set and the fiery images of the ocean didnt affect me like it normally does. I walked up on Junior and

Tonya laughing with Madison, who were all seated on the edge of the cliff. The Mount didnt seem like a

happy place to me today and my expression showed it. Junior heard my footsteps first and turned

around.


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Hey, cheater, the sun is almost done setting. He started, I brought Madison to be Teddys

replacement.

I just stood there in shock and had no idea of what to say.

Teddy pays for sex.

I just said Madison was here, Junior remarked, coldly. My trance was broken and I noticed

Madison looking confused.

Are you okay, Uncle Kenny? he asked. As I shook my head, I looked around at Junior and

Tonya and told them about what had just happened and how Teddy had heard of this plan in jail. I

informed them that Joey went to Madisons school and that there was indeed a killer in the Bay Area.

Junior tightened his hold on Madison without breaking his aim on me, and Tonya sat in disbelief. The

dreadfulness was the last thing I saw on everyones face as the sun completely vanished and darkness

swallowed us up.

End

made 4 u episode 5

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