Loyal Snakes

Free from the drama of the love triangle, Larry could focus on elevating his business plans with help from Zak, who was preparing him for the pharmaceutical field. The money from a few investments had Larry sitting in a comfortable place financially, and for the first time in his life his mind was clear enough to see ahead. He bought a three-bedroom home on the west side of town for Victoria, who was now his wife. He was going to make sure both she and his daughter would never want for anything. Victoria exited the car and gained her balance. She took in a deep breath and surveyed her surroundings. Everything was perfect, from the mid-winter landscaping to the high-end porch furniture. Larry hurried past her, balancing the car seat and unlocked the front door of the house. He placed the baby seat down and headed back out to the car to retrieve the rest of their bags. Victoria sat on one of the soft patio chairs. She did not care how cold it was outside because she never owned actual porch furniture. She imagined chilling on the front porch with her best friend Sarah. But became sad because Sarah was jealous of Victoria’s new life and did not care to celebrate it with her. “Come on inside baby, so you can relax. You have all the time in the world to admire your new home,” said Larry with bags in hand. He helped her from the chair and guided her inside the door before closing it. When inside, Victoria was taken aback by the fully furnished house, compliments of Roxanne. Although Roxanne did not care much for Victoria, she did not think twice when Larry asked her to decorate it from the front yard to the back. Although Roxanne was team Sasha, Larry was still family and there was no changing that. “Damn, baby, sit down, you look like you’re going to pop a stitch,” said Larry wrapping his arms around Victoria’s full-figured body. The feeling of her full shape made him wish she were ready for bedroom action. He kissed her on the neck as he thought about giving her a week before trying. “You think I get some head in a few more days,” said Larry grinding on her. Trying to be faithful in this situation was giving him blue balls and the women at “David’s” was starting to look good. “No, baby, remember what the doctor said so keep it in your pants,” responded Victoria before giving him a kiss and slowly making her way to the plush cream-colored sectional. Larry could tell she was in pain, so he hurried to the kitchen and grabbed the prescription bottle along with a glass of water and returned to the living room. “Zak flew back in this morning and picked up your pain medication, so take it easy. Take one of these and relax, I got the baby and don’t worry. When she gets hungry I will just pop one of your tits out and put it in her mouth but don’t be surprise if I steal a little bit for myself,” joked Larry handing her the pills and glass of water before going to the car seat to get his baby. Victoria smiled and took the meds and relaxed on the couch. After all the struggle, she was finally in a place of bliss. She married the man of her dreams, was welcoming a newborn daughter, and now had her first home. Things could not be any better she thought as she took a moment to reflect on her journey. She and Larry shared the same struggles. They both came from broken homes and persevered through it all. She remembered some days she wanted to just give up on him but her heart would not allow it, and now things were paying off. Suddenly Victoria’s thoughts were interrupted by a female voice. “Now look at the happy family,” said Sasha revealing herself from inside of the coat closet holding a semi-automatic with a silencer attached. “What the fuck are you doing here?” responded Larry, reaching for his .45 that was not in the usual spot on his hip. He gritted his teeth remembering he left his gun in the car and his other weapons were in the back bedroom locked in the safe. Victoria sat in silence, remembering the female she had numerous confrontations with and she did not want a piece of Sasha with or without the gun. “Damn, I see you without your piece, this playing house shit got you off your game,” said Sasha pressing the gun to the back of Victoria’s head. Larry’s displayed disgust, “So I see you haven’t been healing, you’ve been growing psychotic,” he spoke. Sasha revealed a smirk and pulled the trigger sending a shot through the back of Victoria’s head. Larry watched his wife’s body slump over on the couch and the blood began draining from the exit wound in her forehead. “Bitch, you think you’re really going to get away with this shit?” Yelled Larry, he clinched his teeth while trying to hold back his tears. The site of his love dead on the couch sent him into a rage, he wanted to take a leap toward Sasha but had to think about his baby. Sasha trained the gun on Larry; there was no turning back. She knew he was dangerous and she would not allow a chance for him to gain the upper hand. Larry could see through Sasha’s dead eyes and he knew this would be his lesson. Coming to terms with his fate he began to reflect. Over the years he learned and accomplished so much. However, he had to consider all the bloodshed and tears he caused. Just when Larry thought life was on his side, it only gave him a small taste of happiness and now Sasha was here to take that away. Larry remembered his father analogy on death and realized that he would not have the privilege of dying of old age. He shook his head feeling naive for thinking life was going to be great and all his dirt would stay in the past. “So, you are the person that will teach me a lesson.” Said Larry as he stepped away from the infant seat accepting his fate. He said a silent prayer that his daughter would make it out and get a chance at life. He knew Leona would be good and have the best life with her godfather Zak if she made it out alive. Sasha observed him walk over to Victoria before taking a seat beside her. Larry pulled Victoria’s limp body into an upright position and spoke. “Dam baby, I fucked up and got us in some shit.” He spoke before pressing his head against Victoria’s not caring about the blood dripping from the exit wound. He kissed her gently on the lips before holding her and talking to her as if she were still alive. “Just in case God does not let me into heaven I want to let you know that I love you and I am sorry.” Larry finished. One thing he was going to do before he died was reinforce the message to Sasha that he still loved Victoria no matter what. Without looking at Sasha he spoke. “Sasha I’m not going to apologize or explain why I did what I did again. But I just ask that you not harm my daughter,” his heart was pounding at the thought of speaking his final words. There was no point in procrastinating, Larry was going to die and the sooner his baby got out the better. If Sasha spared her life, she would only be alone for a couple hours before Zak arrived he thought. He looked at Sasha with mincing eyes to match her before speaking, “Fuck it, finish what you came here to do! My queen awaits me on the other side,” he spoke through clinched teeth as he braced himself for the bullets. Sasha’s body trembled. The loyalty and love Larry displayed for Victoria was unbreakable. Listening to him confess his love in his final moments was like twisting the knife that already pierced her heart. Sasha gained her balance and took in a breath before speaking. “Dam you didn’t even acknowledge your son in my stomach. Tell your queen I said fuck her.” Said Sasha before pulling the trigger twice sending two shots to his head.