Page 20

It was almost time for my meeting with Poetic and I was ready. The fact that I was missing him was real crazy to me since we had just started out as friends. My mama said it wasn’t nothing wrong with liking someone early into the relationship or friendship. I wasn’t young and we were grown, so I didn’t feel too bad. My mama’s conversations had gotten me through this long week and I was ready to sit down with Poetic. I was even ready to tell him how I was feeling about him despite knowing what he’s going through. The sound of my office door opening brought me from my thoughts. I looked up and Josh was walking in.

“Good morning! Are you feeling any better?” Josh asked. I had took some time off and told him I had the flu. I was at my mama’s catching up and feeling miserable about Poetic. I couldn’t tell Josh what happened because he would have wanted me to air a story and I just couldn’t do that to Poetic. He’s already hurting; not to mention he has a lot going on. I couldn’t get the sad look on his face out of my mind; seeing a man of his stature crying made my heart ache.

“Hello and yes I’m good.”

“Do you have anything yet with this Carol Peterson story?”

“I’m still working on it, why what’s wrong?”

“You’ve been spending so much time on this. We need a story I appreciate the story about Poetic and Dashawn, but you know the type of stories you do and they keep the ratings up. They love messy and you are the main one that delivers that.”

“Josh I have a lot going on but if you give me some time I got you.” I said being honest.

“OK, not a problem and it’s good to have you back in the office.” He said while heading out of the door. I knew what Josh wanted and I wanted to deliver, but I just didn’t know how anymore. I had feelings for Poetic in such little time and I wasn’t sure if I had it in me to do the story how I was going to do it from the beginning. I didn’t care at first how anyone was going to feel especially Carol Peterson, but now I couldn’t even picture hurting Poetic more than he was already hurting. The sound of my phone alerting me that I had a text message grasp my attention. I picked it up and there was a message from my mama.

Mama:

Good morning baby, I know today will be hard. But you got this and remember Trent is watching over us at all times. As long as your angel is around you got this.

Me:

Thanks mama! I love you!

My mama came right on time, she just don’t know how much I needed the text message. I had a couple of hours til it was time to go see Poetic. I had a couple of things to catch up on since I was out of the office for a week. So, I did that to kill some time.

* * *

I was sitting in Poetic’s lobby twiddling with my fingernails. I was a ball of nerves and prayed I didn’t trigger anything to make him kick my ass out of his office.

“Hello, Ms. Reece Poetic, is ready for you to meet him in his office.”

“OK, thank you.” I smiled while getting up and making my way to his office. I headed down to his office which wasn’t far from the lobby. The walk seemed so long even though I knew it wasn’t. I knocked on the door and he opened it. We stared each other in the eyes for what seemed like forever until he spoke.

“Hey beautiful come in.” He smiled and moved to the side to let me in. I could still see sadness in his eyes but he seemed to be in a good mood at the moment. He didn’t cancel our meeting so I assumed he wasn’t having a bad day. I stood off to the side until he told me I can have a seat.

“You can sit down and make your self-comfortable.” He said while sitting next to me.

“I didn’t know what I was going to say once we saw each other again. Hell, I still don’t know what to say or how to start this conversation off. I just really need to know are you ok?” He asked.

“Poetic, the last time I saw you was a lot, but I still feel myself wanting to be around you. I’ve been okay the whole time I just been worried about you. Are you ok?” I asked.

“I’m good Tatum.” I tilted my head to the side and gave him a look letting him know I wasn’t believing him one bit.

“Poetic, I wouldn’t be myself if I didn’t come here today with good intentions and to keep it real with you. I wouldn’t be true to myself. I’m not buying that you’re ok and not being ok is fine. You don’t always have to be strong considering what you’ve been through.” I said just above a whisper knowing this conversation was about to get real.

“Tatum what are you talking about?”

“Poetic, I explained to you what happened to my brother. So, I know what happen to you. You’re an inspiration to so many because you were able to keep going and pursue your dreams while others weren’t that strong. I know this is a touchy topic, I know you don’t want to mess up your image. I get all of that, but at the same time you’re still letting Carol win and I hate this for you.” I said being honest. He didn’t say anything he just sat and listen to what I said. I knew it was starting to hit home when his eyes started watering.

“Why does everyone want to hear my story? Why do people want me to relive that hurt? Why can’t I just go on with life and sweep this shit under the rug? Why is this shit so fucking hard?” He broke down crying causing me to do the same. I got closer to him and pulled him in for a hug and we cried together for what seemed like forever. I then pulled out of his strong hold and stared in his eyes.

“I’m sorry, I brought all of this up. Me and my mama need closure. My brother left us a letter, so we never got to actually talk to him in person about what he went through. We have been suffering with not being able to say anything for years without having proof. I know you’re a big deal out here and you don’t want your business aired out so I understand, but getting this story out is something that I need to do. I love our friendship and the last thing I would ever want to do is hurt you. The sound of heavy knocking on Poetic’s office door brought us both from our thoughts.

“Are you expecting anyone?” I asked.

“Hell, no and I’m going to fire Taylor’s ass for even letting anyone get back here.”

“I’ll go open it while you head to the bathroom to get cleaned up.”

“No, let them knock they will eventually go away.” The minute those words left his mouth the banging continued. Then a loud voice could be heard on the other side of the door.

“I’m carrying too my nigga.” Made Poetic get up to answer the door. He opened the door and Dashawn was standing there with a mean mug on his face.

“What are you doing here?” Poetic asked with his eyebrows scrunched together and a crease in his forehead.

“We need to talk and I didn’t like the way you stormed out this morning.” Poetic moved to the side and let Dashawn and closed the door.

“Hello Tatum, sorry to interrupt.” Dashawn spoke.

“You’re good Dashawn it’s nice to see you again. Poetic we can meet up for dinner if you like at my house.”

“We can do dinner at your house later, but you don’t have to leave. Dashawn can benefit from this meeting as well.” Poetic said shocking the hell out of me.

“Hold on man, don’t speak for me.” Dashawn snapped.

“Nigga, calm down, you said you want to get Carol Peterson together, right?” I didn’t know what Dashawn had going on but I was down to listen to see what they both had to say. We all sat back down, I sat next to Poetic while Dashawn sat across from us.

“Now tell Tatum what you told me earlier.” Poetic told Dashawn.

“How do I know she good people?” Dashawn asked.

“You saw how I reacted to you earlier? Do you think I’m just going to talk to anyone about this. I trust her, now tell her so we can get this all out.”

“Dashawn, my brother went through some shit with Carol Peterson, but instead of him being strong like you and Poetic. He ended up taking his own life leaving me and my mama all alone. So, truth is I want Carol Peterson to suffer just as much as you two do.”

“Damn, man I’m so sorry to hear this. Yeah, this bitch need to be underneath the fucking jail. So, lets figure this shit out. I was telling Poetic earlier that Peterson hit me up to meet with her about a week ago. I wasn’t going to go but my wife told me to go and she went with me. I moved here with a plan to work with Poetic, but when I realized Peterson was still here I had another plan to take her ass down while I was here. See, she doesn’t know who I am due to my mama taking her hush money and moving away. Once we moved away she changed my name, so I could still follow my dream as an actor. I’m not mad at my mama for changing my name, because that was the best thing she could have done for me. I’m mad at her for taking that bitches money and not getting her ass put away. If she would have been put away she wouldn’t have been able to touch Poetic or your brother.” Dashawn said through sad eyes. The room was quiet for a minute until I spoke up. I knew today was going to be a lot for the both of them, but I admired them both for talking to me and entrusting me with this information.

“Wow, I don’t even know what to say or where to start. I don’t want to be burden and blow your lives up for a story. At first Poetic that was the plan to get in your head and find out whatever I needed to get; to blow this bitches life to pieces. But once I talked to you and got to know you I just couldn’t do that to you. Even though your story and Dashawn’s story is exactly what I need, I just wouldn’t feel right watching you hurt. I hate how she messed up so many lives and here she is still living her best fucking life.”

“I told you she liked you.” Dashawn chuckled causing me to smile.

“This supposed to be a serious moment and here you go.” Poetic smiled.

“This is serious, but that don’t mean we can’t lighten the mood. I used to be just like you until I met Symphony. My wife and my kids are the best thing that ever happened to me after all this bullshit. The one thing I did right was open up to her it helped me in so many ways.”

“How were you able to open up to her and not be embarrassed about what happened to you?” Poetic asked.

“When I realized I can talk to her and not be judged. When she told me she had my back no matter what. She made me feel comfortable around her and that was it for me. I’m still the man of the house a run shit, but the times I need to be vulnerable she allows it. For example, when I received Peterson’s email my world was at a standstill for a second until my wife said. You can do this as a matter of fact we can do this. I’m going with you, so let’s get dressed. See a lot of times men feel like they can’t cry or open up in front of women because it’s a sign of weakness. I don’t pay that shit no mind, I’ll sit on a couch weekly to discuss my life and cry in front of my wife any time as long as it makes my mental straight. I need to have my head in the game at all times to take care of my kids. Now Tatum whatever you need from me I’m down. I just have a couple of stipulations which are, I don’t want my face seen and I don’t want my new name revealed, but I will tell my story. So, in the interview you will address me as Desmond Collins.” Dashawn had me and Poetic all in listening to everything he told us. I was so happy that he turned his life around for the better, it was so refreshing seeing that he didn’t let what Carol did stop him from a great future.

“However you want to do it is fine. I’m greatly appreciated for this.”

“As for me this is a lot. I’ve went on for years with a private life and not wanting anyone to know what happened to me. I hate my mama for taking the money for my silence. Our stipulations were for her to keep her mouth shut and to keep me quiet. So, it went on for years whatever happens is between us. So, it continued til I was about seventeen. Actually, until I got old enough to refuse her. I hate my mama for her allowing this lady to do this to me. I ask myself all the time why didn’t I just runaway. I started to feel like maybe I liked it and that’s why I stayed.” Poetic said while the tears ran down his face.

“Don’t say that man. You didn’t deserve what was done to you, it was not your fault.” Dashawn spoke. I grabbed Poetic’s hand and held it while he continued to talk.

“Dashawn is right, none of this is your fault. I don’t need you to get into details at all I just want to ask you straight up. Did Carol Peterson molest you?” He looked at me like he was scared to answer, so I squeezed his hand letting him know it was ok for him to answer.

“Yes, from the time I was ten until I was about seventeen. It started out as touching first, then her putting her mouth on me. Then when I turned thirteen was the first time she actually made me penetrate her.” Poetic managed to get out in between sobs. He was crying hysterically hell at this point it wasn’t a dry eye in the room. It was like we were having a therapy session.

“Alright y’all I think we had enough for the day. I’ll get back to y’all when I’m ready to air the story. Now let’s discuss what we going to do with Carol Peterson’s nasty ass.” I spoke changing the subject just a little. I was starting to get a headache and I had just about enough crying.

“Well, you know our case is old so we may not be able to get her locked up. So, maybe we should look into the escort service she’s been using. I also know where she take her tender roni’s at. I had been stalking that bitch since I been back.”

“Oh My God! So, that’s been you all this time. She thought it was me.” I laughed while shaking my head.

“Also, you know when the story break I’m sure more people will come out.” Poetic spoke.

“Yeah, people like to feel like they’re not alone.” Dashawn said and we all agreed. This meeting started out to be a lot but the more we all talked it felt like we were getting comfortable with each other. One thing remained the same through the whole meeting and that was we all wanted Carol Peterson and it finally looked like her days were finally numbered. We bounced some more ideas off each other for a little more time. Then Poetic and I decided on still doing dinner tonight after he went to see his therapist.