Page 85 of His Four Leaf Clover

“Nothing has changed with me or them. Just be thankful that I came to the house for the rest of my things. You could have bled out and died.”

“Thank you.”

Trudy wanted to say more but she decided against it. She assumed that her husband and kids would have at least put their differences to the side at least for a little while. She almost lost her life but holding a grudge was obviously more important.

“I called your family and they should be here any minute now. Melissa went to pick your mom and sisters up from the airport. I suggest you be honest and tell them everything. I’m not gonna be here and I’m sure they’re gonna be wondering why.”

Melvin had already told his family, so there was no need for her to keep hiding it from hers. His lawyer was already working on having her served with divorce papers.

“What about Trent?” Trudy asked, more out of fear than concern.

“Wow. You almost died and you’re still worrying about what’s happening with the person who almost killed you.”

Trent’s picture had been posted on every news station and paper. He was considered armed and dangerous, as well as mentally unstable. Trudy’s worst fears had come to fruition and she could no longer pretend. She wanted so badly for people to think that he was normal but, now, the entire world knew that he wasn’t.

“I didn’t mean it like that. Was he arrested yet?”

“No, but they’re looking for him. He took your car, so there’s an all-points bulletin out on it. I had to put a freeze on the bank account too. I guess he took some checks or cards and withdrew some money. I suggest you find somewhere else to stay when you get released. Going back home is not the best idea right now.”

“I can’t believe he did this to me,” Trudy cried.

“I don’t know why when I told you that he eventually would.”

“You were right, okay. Can we please not do this right now?”

“I’m leaving so we don’t have to.” Melvin walked out of her hospital room without a second thought or backwards glance.

A few seconds after, her room door opened and her mother and two sisters walked in.

“Oh, baby. How do you feel? We got here as fast as we could.” Trudy’s mother rushed over to her bed and embraced her. She could tell that she had been crying because her eyes were red and swollen.

“A little sore but I’ll be okay. My mouth is so dry.”

Trudy’s sisters hugged her before one of them grabbed the hospital cup that was on the tray. She rushed out of the room in search of some ice and water. When she came back, she helped Trudy sit up to drink some. She almost drank it all but she felt so much better when she did.

“Why would Trenton do something like this? The last time we talked, you said he was doing better. According to Melissa, he’s gotten worse. I didn’t know nothing about him getting beat up and catching seizures.”

“And why isn’t your husband and daughters here? We just saw Melving getting off the elevators and walking to the parking lot. What’s going on, Trudy?” one of her sisters asked.

“A lot.”

Trudy sighed as she prepared to have a difficult conversation with her family. She’d pretended long enough, and it was draining. For once in her life, she was about to tell the entire truth, no matter how bad it made her look. Perfection wasn’t realistic and pretending was doing more harm than good.

“Bitch, he got crazy people eyes. Sam was a fucked up mother but I ain’t never tried to kill the bitch.” Cash frowned as she read the article about Trent that was posted in the paper.

“I’m not even surprised. I remember how his daddy used to be going on and she would be coddling him like a baby. Now that I think about it, she tried too hard to make him seem normal,” Amina replied as she fed her baby girl a bottle.

She and Fonzo had finally moved into their house and they had a small gathering earlier that day to celebrate. Just about everyone had gone home, but Clover, Cashmere and Iva were still there. Diva was almost done cleaning up and the men, including Cash’s husband, Montez, were sitting out back smoking.

“I know you don’t really like talking about the Trent situation, sis, but I have questions,” Clover said.

“Girl, fuck Trent! You can ask me whatever.” Amina was over letting somebody else have control over her feelings, especially a nigga that she wasn’t with. God had blessed her with an amazing husband and beautiful daughter. Trent and nobody else was gonna steal her joy. She refused to let them.

“How did you and Trent even meet? No offense but you don’t really go anywhere. Well, you do now but not before.” Amina was a homebody and she admitted that herself.

“No offense taken. But you know what happened with my brother being killed and stuff. I had a rough time coping with his death and I started seeing a therapist that just so happened to be Melvin Latimer.”

“Bitch, I know you fucking lying! That must be the only way he can meet women. You know his mama was my divorce lawyer. His retarded ass probably can’t meet women any other way.” Clover was shocked but it all made sense to her.