“He is the best chance Berkeley has. Either watch Daniels destroy this beautiful city or get out there on foot, helping bring these votes in. Sitting here bitching and moaning won’t win us this election. Action will.
“No one cares about these scandals. It’s all bullshit. I know it and so do you. Your skeletons won’t stay in the closet forever. Tread really fucking lightly when it comes to this one. He’s mine. And, not even the Lord Himself will be able to save you if you are anything but accommodating until this election is over. Now,” I cleared my throat and slammed the day’s paper on Ishmael’s desk.
“If you’d excuse me. We have things to discuss.”
Caldwell was up on his feet in a flash. Henderson was right behind him.
“Oh, and, Henderson,” I called out.
He paused, turning around.
“Tell Evelyn and your son, Evan, I said hello. Didn’t Evan just celebrate his third birthday?”
Henderson’s pale skin turned a shade of red I’d never witnessed before.
“See, the difference between Ishmael and you is–well,” I paused. “You vowed a life of honesty when you married Torri. You’ve been living a lie since that very day. You’re one family photo away from losing everything you’ve scammed to become.This man… he’s nothing like you or anyone else in this political circus.
“Put on your clown suits and prepare to perform, because we’re winning this fucking election. I’d drag my naked body over a pool of sharks during my menstrual cycle before seeing Daniels take another term. Goodbye.”
I waved them both off. The same hand flattened against Ishmael’s desk. I peered down. He wore his nerves on his sleeves.
“My ba–”
“What the fuck is this, Ish?”
“Royce.”
He wasn’t talking fast enough. And, I wasn’t getting the answer I needed quick enough.
“I asked you– I asked you if there was anyone I had to worry about. You looked me in my face,” my voice cracked as the words riddled the room like bullets, “You looked me in my face and said there was no one.”
“Because there isn’t. There wasn’t.”
“Then who the fuck is having your baby?”
He shook his head, attempting to rise from his seat. I lifted my skirt and removed my Glock from the holster. I laid it on his desk, never taking my finger off the trigger. He retreated. Hands lifted.
“I don’t want no smoke with you, my baby.”
“Then you better start talking, Ishmael.”
“She’s someone I’ve had relations with.”
“Claiming to be eleven weeks pregnant?”
He nodded. “It’s fucked up, my baby. I underst–”
“Do you fucking understand? Hm? Because I have been in your life for three fucking months.”
“Royce, I’m sorry. I–”
“You’re not saying enough right now, and I’m not sure if it’s her picture on the front page after all thegoodwe did this week or your lack of regurgitation that’s making my trigger finger itch the most.”
“I know her. Her name is Asia. She lives in the building next to mine. Whenever I needed someone to satisfy me, she was the person I called. She was mere feet away. Always picked up. Always was prepared to–”
“Until when?”
“My baby.”
