Don't Run From the Call

“Roxie, I don’t want to scare you, but I think someone is following us. I’ve been watching in the mirror and, every time I turn, they turn.”

“’Landa, I’m scared. What should we do?” She grabbed onto the door as Yolanda began to swerve a bit from watching in the mirror so closely. Yolanda turned down a street at random and the car also turned.

“Sweet Jesus, please help us,” she prayed. “Roxie, I’m scared to go to Nan’s, because I don’t want Darrell to know where she lives. What should I do?”

By now Yolanda was driving faster and turning every which way down different streets. As she drove faster, the car behind her drove faster, and the two of them were in a panic. They prayed to God to protect them. Roxie was practically holding her breath the whole time, and Yolanda was skillfully moving the car down different streets. She had always been a slow and cautious driver but, under duress, she handled the car pretty well. She turned down a busy street and speeded up and the light turned red.

“Yolanda!” Roxie exclaimed. “Red light! Girl, you are going to kill both of us.” As Yolanda screeched to a stop, the car behind her slammed into her and then they heard sirens and saw red flashing lights.

Yolanda was hysterical and shaking all over, and Roxie was unsuccessfully trying to calm her down. They both got out of the car, and neither was hurt, just terrified. They watched as Detective Gregory and his partner grabbed Darrell and slammed him up against the unmarked police car. Thank God, they had decided to follow them to Nan’s. Roxie was trying to convince Yolanda that she needed to go to the hospital and get checked by a doctor, even though she wasn’t hurt. She was concerned for the baby she was carrying. Detective Gregory contacted RayRay and assured him that the two girls were all right.

Nan insisted that Yolanda go to the hospital just to be sure she was all right. RayRay had the car towed and then joined them there. Roxie was relieved, but still nervous. She hoped that they wouldn’t let Darrell out, and Detective Gregory had given her his card and told her to call him if she had any questions. The doctor checked Yolanda thoroughly, and discharged her to go home. They all went to Nan’s house afterwards, and RayRay picked up Cinnamon and Jonathan, took them home with him and let the girls stay at Nan’s. Everyone was breathing a little easier now. Everyone but Darrell.

He never thought anyone would connect him to Deacon Price. Roxie didn’t even know that he was out of jail. He and Reverend Williams were related, though no one knew. Reverend Williams had kept in touch with him the entire time he was incarcerated and, at first, counseled him regarding his hatred for Roxie. Then, when the Rev found that Deacon Price had changed his will, and was no longer leaving everything he had to the church; Reverend Williams had other plans and wanted Deacon Price out of the way. He hadn’t intended for Roxie to get hurt, but she had been at the wrong place at the wrong time. He decided he would keep his mouth shut until he heard from the Reverend. Maybe he would be able to get him out of the tight spot he was in. But if he couldn’t, Darrell didn’t plan to fall alone.