the perpetrator should have to stand in front of a firing squad so they can feel the agony of being gunned down just before the executioners fire their weapons. What did Afrika do to deserve this?”
Victor felt a chill run through his body. He wanted to get as far away from Trevor as possible. Hearing Trevor talk that way made him extremely uncomfortable. The deed had been done, and now he felt like crap. He didn’t want to kill Afrika; he simply wanted Mimi to go away. He pulled out of his trance as Trevor continued to drone on about the punishment he should receive.
“For real, I hope they catch the son-of-a-gun real soon and put him away for life…in solitary confinement without food and water.”
“You have strong feelings about this.”
“Yeah, it happens every day, but I’ve never known anyone it has happened to. I really like Afrika. So…what are you doing with a gun, Dad?” Trevor said, changing the subject.
Trevor managed to invade his comfort zone again. “Trevor, what if I told you that I got it for protection…for us…the family?”
“If that’s the case, why were you trying to hide it? It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me since no one has tried to break into our house.”
“Well, this is in the event that someone gets the urge to. Have you picked up a newspaper lately, Trevor? Crime is all around us. We’ve got to protect ourselves from the elements.”
“Whatever.”
“You need to grow up, boy. Your mother has been so over-protective of you and your sister all of your lives. Out in the real world, beyond the high school you attend, are people from all walks of life, with their own agendas, many looking to get ahead in life, some aspiring to do great things, and some with criminal intent and malice in their hearts. With the economy in the shape it’s in, even those in high places with the seven and eight figure salaries are committing high-collar crimes to save themselves and their families. We can’t be too careful.”
“What does all of that have to do with you having a gun?”
“Look, Trevor. You are too trusting.”
“You’ve never talked about having a gun in the house before. Can’t blame me for asking.”
“Where’s your mother?”
“I told you, she wasn’t here when I got home. Maybe she went to the hospital to see about Afrika; especially since Asia and her other cheerleading buddies went there.”
Victor mulled over what Trevor had said. Trevor was his alibi. There was no way to connect him to the shooting…or even to the gun. Thank God for this moment with Trevor. He was safe for now.
THE WAITING ROOM WAS FULL—CHEERLEADERS, MIMI, BRENDA and John. Mimi paced back and forth, the soles of her shoes making black marks on the tile. Brenda and John watched Mimi…watched her anguish as the seconds, minutes, and the hours flew by.
“You want some coffee?” John asked.
Mimi shook her head and began another trek back and forth across the room. There hadn’t been any word from anyone about how the surgery was going. Mimi stopped as her BlackBerry rang. She looked at the caller ID.
“Hey, baby,” she said, moving over to a corner of the room for privacy.
“How is the surgery going?” Raphael asked.
“No word yet. My nerves are on edge and I have the onset of a headache.”
“Believe, baby. You are the one who tells me all the time about prayer. I’ve been praying to the rafters, and I know God heard my big mouth.”
“You are so strong, baby. I’m not going to be able to get through this without you.”
“Well, I’ll be there before you know it. I’m catching an early morning hop to New Jersey. The closest I can get to Durham is Fort Bragg. Don’t worry about picking me up; I’ll catch a taxi if I have to.”
“That’s good news. I can’t wait to see you.”
“Look, hold on and be strong for Afrika. She’s going to be all right. I can feel it. Gotta run.”
“Okay, Raf. I’ll see you when you get here.”
“I’ll come directly to the hospital.”
“Okay, baby. See you tomorrow.”
Mimi ended the call and relaxed a brief moment. She saw Brenda walk her way. Seeing her brought the reality of what had occurred back to the forefront of her mind. Mimi couldn’t shake the thought that Victor may have had something to do with Afrika being shot. She pushed it from her immediate thoughts as Brenda approached and patted her on the back.