BRUTHALY LUV -36
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34 year old Milton Howard sat inside a jail cell, NOT regretting his actions after punching out the reverend Malcolm H. Holmes. It only took police 30 minutes to track him down in his car, after eyewitnesses named him as the one who brutally attacked the good Reverend of The Church Of Families Of Christianity.
After fingerprinting and mug shots, Milt was taken down to lockup in handcuffs, where he was placed in a holding cell with about 15 other guys, all awaiting a Monday morning trial to determine their fates. With Milt being a first time offenders, he wasn't too worried about any jail time sentencing, however, looking around at some of the criminals he had to share a cell with was a bit daunting. He picked himself a seat on one of the benches, and tried to blend in (becoming just another black man behind bars), the last thing he wanted was to stand out of the crowd, to be fingered and targeted as another Marlon...
Word of the attack quickly hit the airwaves as reporters stormed the Precinct, wanting exclusives on the attacker. With Reverend Holmes currently running as candidate for Mayor of The City Of Philadelphia, any attack was considered front page news.
Milt's name was being withheld until police could formally investigate the charges. Reverend Holmes himself had been taken to The University Of Pennsylvania Hospital where he was treated for a broken nose and a concussion. He would be kept overnight by doctors for observation, just in case...
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Word of Milt's arrest reached his family with Milt's one phone call. His sister had to break the news to his parents, informing them where he was and why he was arrested. John and Melissa Howard (Milt's parents) were devastated by his actions, but rushed down to the Precinct as fast as they could to support him. However they were unable to see their family member, pending further investigation.
Word got back to Demecee, who in turn called Charmaine, who spoke to Crystal, who informed Marlon...
"Milt HIT reverend Holmes...?" he asked almost in shock, sitting with his small family in the living room of their rented house after coming home from a PG-13 rated movie with their daughter (Rachelle). "Why...?"
"Well..." said Crystal, sending Rachelle upstairs to her room as she and Dan took a seat to join Marlon. "...apparently Milton found out that Demeece's been having an ongoing affair with her Reverend ever since she was 17...!"
Marlon's jaw dropped, having had no idea his sister was fucking their reverend. "THEN Linda suggested to Milt at a dinner party, that Deme didn't know WHO her first born child's father was...!" Marlon's eyeballs nearly popped out of his head when he heard that statement. "THEN Milt demanded she have a DNA Test to determine if HE was Jannetta's dad..., and he isn't...!"
"Oh my god..." gasped Marlon (covering his mouth in shock), knowing Milt had to be devastated. "...poor Milton...!"
Dan (sitting beside Crystal) listened to his two sex partners show of sympathy over this MILT person, and didn't like it...
"Milt and Demeece were the husband and wife I met at Charmaine's Christmas Party 6 months back, right...?" he asked (chap-2). "The guy YOU slept with...?" he asked, looking at Marlon. Marlon nodded `yeah'. "Then WHY'RE you two so surprised she didn't know WHO her baby's daddy was...? They both seem to be having affairs...!"
"Milt wasn't having an `affair'..." defended Crystal, unaware of the true depths of Milt and Marlon's supposed ONE TIME tryst. "...he accidentally slept with Marlon after the two of them had been drinking too much one night...! DEMEECE'S the one that's been hiding an ongoing affair..., AND lied about who the father was when she KNEW damn well there was at least half a chance it was someone else's...!"
"Better than HALF a chance..." said Marlon, thinking back. "...she wasn't giving Milt ANY sexual play at that time...", `...that's why Milt was fucking me!' –he wanted to add, but didn't.
"Typical Demeece..." said Crystal, shaking her head. "...pointing fingers at others while covering up her OWN shitty mess! Acting like HER shit don't stink!"
"Well you can't BLAME her for that, can you...?" asked Dan, "...I mean, who's going to admit to a fuckup if they can get away with it...?"
"But she didn't get away with it...!" argued Crystal. "She got caught! And hiding the identity of her baby's REAL father could be dangerous...! What if Jannetta had some kind of hidden birth defect that runs in the Reverend's side of the family, not Milt's? What if she needed a blood transfusion and only her REAL father's blood matched...? Deme would have had Milt and Jannetta living lies just to keep her own secrets safe!"
"Where's Milt now...?" asked Marlon, curiously.
"In jail...at least though the weekend...!" said Crystal. "Charmaine said the family's going down to City Hall Monday for his trial in support...! I think we should ALL go!"
"Definitely!" agreed Marlon, unquestionably. "And I don't care if Deme wants to see me there or not...!" added Marlon, realizing he and Milt might still be together had she not lied about her pregnancy...!
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UNIVERSITY PENN HOSPITAL
Reverend Malcolm H. Holmes was surrounded by a horde of medical staff and police officers, all taking great care to aid his injuries and keep him (a prominent political candidate for Mayor) protected from any further harm.
In true `Diva Form', Reverend Holmes screamed for the blood of his attacker, vowing to see Milton Howard "burn in hell" for accosting him on "the lord's property!" Police were disbanded to find this ruthless criminal, and to bring him in with force (if necessary), dead or alive.
It was after the crowds of well wishers and benefactors dispersed that Holmes' assistant Brian Dunn stepped in with some words of wisdom...
"How are you feeling, Reverend...?" asked Dunn as the last nurse left the room, leaving the two men alone in the O.R. unit.
"He BROKE my nose and gave me a concussion with that sucker punch...!" informed Holmes, furiously. "I want that man UNDER the jail when they catch him...!"
"Yeah, uh..., you might want to reconsider that once you've calmed down..." said Dunn.
"Reconsider WHAT...??" asked Holmes, seeing red. "That son of a bitch ATTACKED ME unprovoked...!"
"Unprovoked..." agreed Dunn, "...but not unwarranted...?" he asked.
Holmes looked cross. "I've done some checking..." added Dunn, "...Howard doesn't have any criminal history...! In fact, he's been a long time member of your church for the past 6 years!"
"He DOESN'T attend regular church services...!" corrected Holmes. "He only joined to get married there..."
"Never the less..." said Dunn. "...you wouldn't want the media getting hold of the story that one of your congregation members went haywire and punching out his supposedly beloved reverend because the reverend got his WIFE pregnant...! Would you...?"
"Wh...where did you hear that...?" asked Holmes, wondering who else knew?
"Doesn't matter if it's true!" said Dunn.
"It's just rumor..." said Holmes, confident no one else in his congregation knew. "...nothing more, nothing less!"
"How many women have you had sexual relations with in the church...?" asked Dunn, causing Holmes to sweat. "How confident are you that once this story hits the air..., that there won't be a slew of women coming forth claiming they've had similar affairs with you within the congregation, or had children out of wedlock...?"
Holmes' face looked pained as he thought about how many women he'd slept with over the last 25 years. Dunn wasn't sure if it was because of the pain, the medication, or the memory of all the possible lawsuits that could come about if this incident went public? "Drop the charges..." suggested Dunn. "...say it all was just a misunderstanding...! Be the bigger man!"
"But that son of a bitch HIT me!" complained Holmes, wanting to see something done to Milton to compensate for his loss.
"You sired a child with his wife, THEN left it for him to rise...!" said Dunn, calling Milt's trump. "I'd say you're even...!"
"Alright...dammit!" said Holmes, not liking the idea of Milt getting off scott free. "But there's gonna be some CHANGES when I'm Mayor...!"
"I'm sure there WILL be..." agreed Dunn, `...and not all to your liking, I'm sure!' he thought to himself.
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HOLDING CELL
The holding cell at the police precinct (that Milt temporarily called home) was one of three. Each cell had a double digit number of criminals waiting to be processed. All 3 cells aligned side by side, with benches holding 8 to 10 men aligning the back wall and along 2 barred sides of each cell. In the corner of each cell was a public toilet, sitting out in the open with no walls for privacy. The toilet in Milt's cell happened to be broken, and already smelling with a brim full of clogged shit and piss. Whenever anyone used it, the awful odor would waft through the 3 cells, causing men to feel ill as they covered their mouths and nose to filter the scent from their lungs.
The first night was horrible, with Milt having to sleep on the bench sitting up between two other men with his back against the wall. Saturday morning the men were awakened to bologna sandwiches and Juicy-Juice cartons. In most cases the sandwiches were nasty (one flap of meat between two pieces of hard bread), but since most of the men were starving, they ate it. Milt noticed one big guy targeting another smaller guy for his food and juice, snatching the items from the timid man's hands and leaving him to go hungry. No one came to his defense, as a holding cell was `only the strong survive'.
By mid afternoon more men were being added to the already crowded cells, making it that much harder to find a seat on the bench. By Saturday night there were nearly 25 men per cell, all angry, hot, and hungry. Some men had to sit or sleep on the floor, as if they were staying overnight in a train or bus station. Milt was lucky to find another bench seat, but he saw men fighting for placements, with one really tough guy evicting all the men on his bench so he could lie down and get some sleep.
Sunday morning they were awakened to more bologna sandwiches and juice boxes, but now the men were so hungry that they gobbled the food down in seconds, hardly complaining about the stale bread or lack of meat. By Monday morning, they couldn't wait to get out of the holding cell and into court for sentencing.
The men were escorted one by one (in single file) to police vans in the Precinct parking lot (according to date and time of arrest). Milt were among the first group to be escorted to City Hall where they waited for a judge to decide their cases and fines. Milt could see his family and supporters in the back of the courtroom (waving and praying for his speedy release), but wasn't allowed in speak to them or interact with them. If family got overzealous they would immediately be exited from the premises and facing possible charges themselves for disrupting justice.
When Milt's turn for trial came up, a representative for Reverend Holmes stood up and spoke on the absent reverend's behalf, informing the court that the whole incident was a misunderstanding' and that the reverend Malcolm H. Holmes had no intentions of pressing any charges' against Milton M. Howard. The judge determined Milt `free to go', and Milt's family and supports cheers with relief.
As Milt's handcuffs were being unlocked and he was taken away to sign the necessary documents for release, he was approached by Brian Dunn...
"Mister Howard...?" called the well dressed black man (Milt automatically mistook for a lawyer). "Hi..., I'm Brian Dunn, assistant to The Reverend Malcolm Holmes..." he introduced, holding out his hand to shake. Milt looked the man over wearily once he learned he was associated with Holmes. "...I was wondering if I might have a word with you in private...?"
"Sure..." said Milt, signing the documents before being set free.
"Well as you know reverend Holmes decided NOT to pursue the charges against you..., but I'm afraid we must ASK for something in return...!"
Milt smirked, knowing there would be a CATCH to his freedom...
"Yeah...?" he asked, "What is that...?"
Dunn moved in closer...
"I understand the...delicacy the Reverend has placed your family in..."
"He FUCKED my wife..." corrected Milt, harshly. "...then tried to pin her daughter on ME!"
"I understand..." whispered Dunn, still trying to keep their conversation private. "...but I NEED you to keep a lid on all of this while the Reverend is running for Mayor...!"
"OH..." laughed Milt, seeing the irony. "...so the ONLY reason why Holmes dropped the charges was because he was afraid the story would get out as to WHY I sucker punched him...?!" he laughed.
"Well..., yes THAT...and he wanted to show some sort of compassion to your family for his part in the situation...!" explained Dunn.
"If he wants to show some compassion..., then he needs to step up and help take financial care of his daughter...!" insisted Milt.
"Oh of course..." agreed Dunn. "...compensation in already in motion!" he added, hoping to smooth things over. "Are you..." he started, knowing it was a difficult moment to ask. "...are you going to continue raising the girl as your daughter...?" he asked, wondering what role Holmes might have to play in the child's life?
"I...don't know..." said Milt, still undecided.
"I understand..." said Dunn, letting Milt know he knew how difficult all this was. "...if you EVER need anything, or just want someone to talk to or to act as mediator between you and Holmes..., call me...! This is my number...!" he added, handing Milt his business card with his personal contact information written on back. "I may work for the Reverend on his campaign for Mayor..., but I don't agree with what he did to you and your family...! If I could help make things easier in ANY way..., please, don't hesitate to call...!"
"Thanks..." said Milt (believing Dunn's sincerity), putting his card in his pocket before being pulled away by family...
Milt was surprised to see some of his supporters (Marlon, Demeece, Dan, and Carl's GF Jasmine), but he was just happy to be out of trouble and free to get on with his life. His sister (Janice) and parents (John & Melissa) were among the first to hug him, genuinely happy to see him set free, followed by his brother (Carl) and his wife (Demeece). Everyone watched with bated breath as Demeece walked up and placed her arms lovingly about Milt's waist, pressing her head in his chest as she expressed how worried she was for him.
"The kids miss you so much..." she said, listening to his heartbeat in his chest. "...we all want you back home so badly...!"
"It's NOT gonna happen, D'..." he said, pulling away from her grasp.
Deme looked shocked as she stared up into Milt's face, embarrassed to have this happen in front of everyone.
"Milt...can't we TALK about this at HOME...?" she asked/begged.
"I think that's a good idea...!" said John Howard, wanting to keep the couple together.
"Dad..." said Milt, not in a mood to fight.
"FAMILY is important, Milton...! You can't abandon your family!" insisted dad.
"I don't have time for this right now..." said Milt, at his wits end. "...I just wanna shower, eat, and go to sleep..."
"Not at MY house you won't...!" said John Howard, much to everyone's surprise.
Milt looked at his father bewildered... "GO HOME...! Talk to your wife...!" insisted the older man.
"Not NOW, dad...! I CAN'T...!" yelled Milt, still frustrated and angry.
"Well I won't have you hiding out at MY house...!" said John, refusing Milt refuge.
Melissa Howard tried pleading with her husband, but he was determined to make Milt own up to his responsibilities...
"You can come home with US, Milt..." offered Crystal out of the blue, and much to her boyfriend's (Dan's) chagrin. Milt looked as surprised as everyone else standing around watching the drama unfold. His eyes instantly went to Marlon, who was standing behind the pack. How could the two men live under the same roof again, with their history?
"Crystal..." interrupted Dan, not wanting to see his castle invaded.
Crystal shoed Dan away, reaching out for a friend in obvious need...
"...for as LONG as you need...!" she added. "We have a 3rd bedroom upstairs in our house that's not being used..., you're more than welcomed to it for a day, a week, a month, whatever...!"
"Thanks Crys..." said Milt sincerely, touching Crystal upon her shoulder affectionately while Deme gave her the evil eye...
"Good, it's settled then..." said Janice, as everyone stood around with shocked expressions. "...let's get OUT OF HERE!"
As everyone moved towards the exits, Charmaine couldn't help staring at Carl and his new girlfriend, rolling her eyes in disgust as Carl walked with his arm about her neck affectionately.
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Everyone dispersed and went their separate ways outside. Charmaine followed Demeece home to the baby sitter's to pick up her own son (Charlie), while Demeece picked up a fatherless Aaron and Jannetta.
"What WAS that THING Carl showed up at the courthouse with...?!" asked Charmaine, unable to get the picture of Carl and his new mistress out of her mind. "Why would he bring HER to court...? What's SHE supposed to do to help Milt get out of jail unless she was there to suck the judge's dick...?!"
"I don't know..." said Demeece, her mind elsewhere at the moment other than on OTHER people's business.
"Did you SEE the way his parents looked at her when he introduced them...?" laughed Charmaine, recalling John and Melissa's surprised faces. "I could TELL they weren't `feeling' her like that...! They barely even spoke to her afterwards..., as if she wasn't even in the room...!"
"I guess..." said Deme, thanking the sitter while taking her kids to the car.
"He only brought her so I'd SEE her...!" surmised Charmaine, suspiciously. "Why else would he drag his new girlfriend off to court when he knew we'd all be there...?! I mean, it's not like Milton KNOWS her..., does he...? Has Milt ever mentioned her before...?"
"No."
"I know! No one has! Even Janice had never heard of her before! She looks like a former prostitute! What he go from screwing MEN to screwing hookers...?! He's such an asshole!"
"I'M SORRY CHARMAINE, I DON'T HAVE TIME TO LISTEN TO YOU GO ON AND ON ABOUT YOUR EX-HUSBAND'S CHOICE OF HOMELY GIRLFRIENDS WHILE MINE IS CURRENTLY TURNING HIS BACK HIS...! BUT I HAVE TO GET MY KIDS HOME TO AN EMPTY HOUSE WITHOUT THEIR DAD...!" yelled Deme (breaking down), unable to listen to anymore of Charmaine's chatter.
Charmaine put her arm around her good girlfriend...
"You're not the only one who's had to live with adjustments..." she reminded. "...I have, Linda has..., we've ALL had husbands that we thought would be there for a lifetime...! It'll get easier as time goes on...! You're NOT alone!"
"I know..." cried Demeece, missing her husband's security. "...I just want it to be like it was BEFORE...!"
"I still MIGHT be..." assured Charmaine, "...Milt didn't say no'..., he said not yet'...! There's encouragement there...! He still might come around to his senses...!"
"You THINK so...?" asked Deme, feeling vulnerable.
"Give him a few weeks without his family..., he'll be BEGGING to have you back...! ALL of you!" assured Charmaine with a confident smile.
"Thanks gurl..." said Deme, gathering herself together. "...I'd better get my ass home..., I still have to cook the kids lunch...!"
"I'll call you later...!" said Charmaine, as the two women went their one ways...
Dan drove Crystal and Marlon back home to their house in west Philly, trying to decipher why Crystal felt the need to invite another MAN to live with them in an already crowded home? "Milt's FAMILY...!" argued Crystal from the passenger's seat.
"Family hell...!" responded Dan, believing it hogwash. "His OWN family didn't want to have nothing to do with him...! His own father wouldn't let him stay at HIS house...!"
"That's because Mr John is trying to play matchmaker...!" explained Crys, "He thinks they'll patch things up faster if Milt's living under the same roof as Deme and the kids..."
"And he might be right...!" argued Dan, watching traffic on the way back home.
"He MIGHT be..." agreed Crystal. "...but if Milt feels he needs space before going back home to that lying, conniving, cheating, HORSE of a woman..., than WHO are we to make him...?! We have the extra room, why not let him use it...?!"
Dan shook his head, knowing Milt's presence could upset his setup in the Waters/Overton household. He happened to look in the rearview mirror and see Marlon looked out the window absentmindedly, and wondered...
"How do YOU feel about Milt coming home to live with you and Crystal, Marlon...?"
Marlon seemed to be pulled out of a daydream...
"huh...?" he asked, looking up into the front seat. "Oh..., I'm okay with it, I guess..."
"Why wouldn't he be...?" asked Crystal, confused. "He and Milt had a wonderful relationship before Deme twisted it into something it wasn't...!"
Dan and Marlon's eyes locked in the rearview mirror, speaking an unspoken truth as both men knew exactly what the other was thinking. Milt's presence in the house would definitely shake things up, making it harder for Dan to maneuver from one room to another in secrecy. The question was, how would Milt react when and if he noticed Dan sleeping with both occupants?
________________________________________ Written by NPhillydogg (aka) Eugene Marvin. Hit me up at NPhillydogg@aol.com for questions, comments, and suggestions, or, join me on Facebook for a list of updates.