Sorry I took so long, Please enjoy Chapter 8. There is no samcedes in this chapter, but I might write a little something for them since I know people are more interested in Samcedes than Mercedes and Drew. And yes, Drew is still around and will be for the next few chapters. She will put up with more from him to the point where you will question her sanity. But I promise she will mature and get her shit together. So please enjoy and I appreciate everyone's reviews.

whoknowstv- Thank you for hanging in there. I know Cedes is making terrible decisions, but I love your rants.. And I'm sure more will come because she still will be dealing with Drew and his antics.

And to everyone worried about Mercedes career as a lawyer, just because she got arrested, doesn't mean her career is over. Cedes is a strong willed person and very smart. She'll find away.

Anyway, enough of my ramblings. I hope you enjoy this chapter... you probably won't but I promise things will get better.

While they waited on the paperwork to come over from the courts to the jail so Mercedes could be released, the deputy sheriff informed Gina that it would be approximately three hours before Mercedes's discharge. Gina left and went to Regency Square. She brought Mercedes an outfit along with some Nike sneakers. She wasn't sure if Mercedes would be able to even wear the jeans because she had lost so much weight. Mercedes was wearing a size 14 before she went away to jail, so Gina got one size smaller. When Mercedes went to court, the outfit she wore was falling off of her. It would have been easier for Gina to go to Mercedes and Drew's house to get some sweatpants or something from there. When Mercedes called the night before informing Gina on her court date, she specifically told Gina not to tell anyone, not even Drew. Gina immediately called Ukrop's and ordered a "Welcome Home" cake, as well as balloons. She wanted to do more, but she was trying to get back to the jail on time so she could get the deputy to pass the new clothes to Mercedes.

Mercedes was in shock riding in the car. She rolled down the window, something she never did because she always rode under air conditioning. Today she wanted to smell fresh air and admire the trees. The little things we take for granted and never appreciate, she thought to herself. Her mother took her to Hooters. Mercedes loved Hooter's chicken wings. Gina wanted to spend the rest of the day out with her, but Mercedes only wanted to go home and take a long hot bubble bath. Gina understood, and she took Mercedes to the bank to let her cash the check the jail had given her for the balance of her inmate's account. She then dropped Mercedes off at home.

"Mommy, make sure I get in before you pull off. I don't know how Drew is carrying it since I've been locked up. I hope he hasn't changed the locks. You know how men are. They'll switch up on you in a heartbeat."

She said to her mother as if it was a joke, but her mother knew she was serious. Gina tried to be very selective of her response because she didn't want to ignite an argument with her daughter who had already been through enough.

"Sweetie, you know you don't have to put up with no man's shit. I've always got a place for you. You're never too old to come home."

"I know mommy I love you, and thanks for everything. I am sorry for all the heartache and embarrassment I've caused you." Gina could see the tears forming in Mercedes's eyes.

"Baby, don't feel bad. Don't start dwelling on the past. You've already paid your debt to society and the bottom line is, it doesn't matter if you'd murdered sixty people. I am still your mother and will always be here for you. You hear me?"

"Yeah mommy I know. I just hate the fact that you can't live your life due to the fact you always have to come and rescue me from my constant drama."

"Honey, please. I've got a life and have been living it out to the fullest. Even got a man who loves me and wants to marry me." Gina boasted as Mercedes cut her off in surprise and astonishment.

"Back up mommy. What do you mean you got a man, who loves you and wants to marry you?" Mercedes put her hand on her hip and waited for Gina's answer.

"Yeah, Larry and I are dating exclusively and he wants to marry me. I told him I am not sure because I don't know how you'd feel about me divorcing your father after all these years. And I..." Mercedes interrupted.

"My father? Mommy, I don't care about you divorcing my father. As far as I'm concerned, you guys were divorced a long time ago. Mommy, I just want more than anything for you to be happy. I would like to meet this 'Larry' person though . You've got to give me the low down on him." Mercedes was curious about this mystery man who had her mother glowing.

"Mercedes, he's a good man! Oh, my goodness, he's a God fearing man." Mercedes could see the exhilaration all over her mother's face "He's wanted to meet you from day one. He's been so supportive to me throughout your whole detention term. I felt accountable because my husband, and my daughter both in jail. I blamed myself."

"Mommy, how dare you point the finger at yourself? You had nothing to do with any of our decisions."

"I know, baby, but I can't help but wonder where I went wrong?"

"Mommy, where did you go wrong? I could never ask for a better mother. You were the perfect mother, and don't you dare blame yourself for my poor judgments and mistakes. As a matter of fact, I don't think I'm ever having kids because I could never fill your shoes."

"Oh, Mercedes, that's so sweet." Gina blushed as she wiped the tears out of her eye. "Did you tell Larry that I was in the clinker?"

"Yeah, I shared it with him. Larry has been by my side . Every single time I came to visit you, he waited patiently in the waiting area with his cell phone and agenda book taking care of his business until I was finished visiting you. I always knew that he had more important things he had to do but he felt being with me right then and there was far more significant than any business proposal. I knew you'd be uncomfortable meeting him under those circumstances, and I promised him that I'd introduce you two when you came home."

"Mommy, I am so happy for you, and I can't wait to meet him. You deserve this. I am going to call you later to get details because I can't believe you were holding out on me. Right now, I gotta go. Love ya much!"

Mercedes shut the door and walked up the sidewalk to her house. When Mercedes reached the door and put her key in, it opened the lock. She walked into the house. The first thing she spotted were her pictures still in place. That's a good sign she thought to herself. She thought again. Pictures of me don't mean shit. That has no bearing on them shiesty hoes. Most of them are just trying to get theirs and cutting throat any way they can. So my picture still being up, what the hell does that mean? She walked over to the telephone. The caller ID held eighty numbers. She got a piece of paper out and wrote down every single number. Any number on there two to three times, she put a star by the number. Any number showing up more than three times, she put a question mark beside it. She also put down the names of each person showing on the caller ID, and took the paper and tucked it in the back of her wallet behind a picture of her Godson just in case she might need to recall the numbers at a later date.

The trash was running over. It was smelling so she took it out. Half empty opened Heineken and Corona bottles were all over the house. When she looked in the refrigerator there were only beers and sodas. Then she looked in the freezer. It contained frozen, microwavable foods, pizza, Eggo waffles and Hot Pockets; no meat, no veggies. Next, she went into the bedroom and found price tags from new clothes Drew had bought, empty hangers and plastic from the dry cleaners all over the place. The hamper was running over with dirty boxers, socks and wife beaters. In the closet, there were a lot of club gear. From the looks of things she could tell he had been going all out on the club tip. He always dressed real classy anyway. Her clothes were exactly how she'd left them. She noticed a Fur coat bag hanging up and opened it. There was a full-length black sable mink coat dangling there. She took the coat out and tried it on. While she was admiring it in the mirror she noticed that it had been engraved in the inside. To My Mercedes, All My Love, Drew. How sweet she thought to herself. On the closet floor there was a hatbox with a mink hat inside and behind that box, was another one containing a mink collar and the gloves to match. Then she noticed a few Versace suits with the tags still on them. Mercedes hugged herself all wrapped up in fur as she admired the coat in the mirror. Drew had been thinking of me while I was away.

Mercedes stripped the sheets off of the bed and replaced them with clean ones. She dusted and vacuumed because she could tell it had only been done once or twice since she'd been gone. She cleaned the house thoroughly. She wondered if she'd run across any bobby pins or anything that would indicate a female presence. She went through that house with a fine-toothed comb. She washed his clothes and got the house back in order to her liking. There was not one indication that any female had been there. She even looked under the bed to see if there was any underwear there. She remembered the first time she stayed over Jamal's house. Just to be spiteful, she left her underwear under his bed. She knew how women think. They're scandalous. It's their way of saying "Oh yeah, you aren't the only one fucking your man. Here are my panties for the evidence bitch!" What better proof?

After the house was spotless she lit Glade rain shower scented candles throughout the house and took a hot bubble bath. She sat there for a while to try and gather her thoughts. As soon as she got out she wrapped herself in her pale pink terrycloth Victoria's Secret robe. Just then, she heard Drew coming through the door. He knew immediately that Mercedes was home. But how did she pull this off? He wondered to himself. He didn't care. He was just glad she was home.

"Mercedes!" There she stood with her robe hanging open with nothing on under it. He dropped his keys, the bags he had in his hand, and his mouth fell open from the sight he had not seen in so long. He picked her up and spun her around. He could smell the scent of the "Exotic Bouquet" Victoria's Secret fragrance as he hugged her tight.

"I missed you so much." He grinned and brought her closer to engage in a passionate French kiss. As his arms were around her, he lowered them and felt her naked, soft, round, tender, smooth behind. When she placed her arms around his waist, he realized just how much he'd missed her. He started fondling her breast. He slowly moved from the breast down to her navel. Drew dropped her robe on the floor then laid her in front of the wood burning fireplace. She started to quiver as he kissed her inner thighs. Both could feel the temperature rise and started to feel dizzy. She was trembling about to burst into her climax when Drew looked into her eyes with burning desire.

"Please don't stop," She moaned.

"Hold it baby, please don't cum now. I'm not ready for you to cum yet."

He immediately moved from her upper body and proceeded to kiss her knees. He then slowly ran his tongue up and down her calves as he reached his hand to grab her right foot. He eased her Victoria's Secret bootie off and then slid off the left slipper. He slowly and methodically kissed and massaged her feet. The room began to spin as she was blazing with desire. She was yearning for him to insert his large penis. As he entered the tight, wet threshold, she tensed up.

"Be gentle with me, baby, you know it hasn't been tampered with in a while," she whispered in a seductive voice.

He was gentle as he moved in and out, on top of her as he caressed her neck. She moaned closing her eyes trying to enjoy these few moments of pleasure, what she'd been missing while locked away. As he stroked her faster, her eyes popped open while she reached to grab his back trying to hold on. He gazed into her eyes and she into his. She saw tears of passion, tears of love, as he was about to explode.

"I can't take it no more," Drew groaned. "I'm about to bust."

"I don't want you to, baby ," she said as Drew shook his head, with sweat dripping on her as he slowed down until he couldn't hold it anymore. His eyes rolled in the back of his head as he sighed. He laid on top of her for a few minutes, then licked sweat from her dripping, wet body. They took a shower together, and Drew decided he needed a nap. Mercedes laid down beside him. He fell off to sleep .

Mercedes sat in the bed flipping channels . Drew's eyes popped open at the click, click of the T.V. He felt bad he left her awake. He sat on the edge of the bed, got up and stretched. He told her to get dressed so they could go out. Mercedes didn't know what to put on. So much weight had fell off of her while she was in the clinker. She knew that the style had changed, so she didn't know what to wear. Then she realized one thing, when she shopped she bought classy attire, not faddish clothes. Fads are in today, gone tomorrow. On that note, she dressed. Drew took her to the mall. He wanted to take her out of town to shop, but it was too late. Drive to Georgetown, spend the night, and go shopping and come back the next day, was what he suggested. She said "no," she wanted to sleep in her own bed her first night home from the clinker. They could do that the next morning.

They ended up going to eat at Outback Steakhouse. Drew watched as she ordered her food and he thought to himself how much he had truly missed the little things about Mercedes while she was gone away; her charisma, her bubbly personality as well as her classy ways. When they arrived home, Drew had arranged for the whole living room to be filled up with balloons along with "welcome home" streamers and banners. He had a path of rose petals leading to the bedroom. When she reached the bedroom the fireplace was going. He made passionate love to Mercedes while lying in front of the fireplace. This was the best sex they'd ever had. After the lovemaking they laid awake in the bed whispering sweet nothings in each other ears. He stressed to Mercedes how much he loved her and how she was a soldier. On that word, soldier, she sat up in the bed and gazed dead into Drew's eyes. He hit her with the pillow, to break her crazed gaze.

"What is it? Why you looking at me like that?" Drew said.

"Please don't call me a soldier again. I'll never consider myself a soldier. Soldiers are expendable, and I've long out-grown that position. If you want to address my strengths call me a warrior, a champion or a survivor. But never, ever refer to me as a soldier. No offense taken, just please never call me that again."

Mercedes laid back down, turned on her side, with her back facing Drew, and pulled the covers over her shoulders. Drew put his arm around her.

"Baby, I apologize. I love you so much. Good night."

The next week was almost like a fairy tale. He took her shopping, and spent every second with her. Never did he leave her sight, only to use the restroom. After being up under Mercedes for a whole week nonstop, he told her he had an appointment the next morning. She didn't want to go with him. Rest was all she wanted. He told her he'd be back by 1 p.m. so she needed to be dressed. A long velvet box was what he placed on the bed for her before he left.

"Here put this on. We're going to lunch, and I'd like to see you in this." He arrived back earlier than she expected. Laying across the bed watching Mercedes get dressed, he fantasized, as she put on her teal Christian Dior thongs with the bra to match. He fantasized about all the good times they had the past week. He loved Mercedes so much he wished that he could be the man that she needed and deserved. He wondered to himself.

Damn, I'm a cruddy nigga. How in the world did God manage to bless me with such a submissive woman? He knew in his heart he wasn't deserving of Mercedes. He prayed that she'd never draw those conclusions. Once Mercedes was dressed, he told her that they were going to the Fisherman's Wharf for lunch in Virginia Beach on the water. She loved seafood. As they left the house she noticed a SUV parked across the street with a big red bow tied around it with thirty-day temporary tags on it. She glanced at the truck, and made the comment of how somebody was blessed to receive a new truck. She mentioned to Drew,

"That must be the new body style BMW, and it is tight"

"Yeah, it's the top of the line baby. Only two other people in Richmond got one besides you," Drew said and handed her the keys, on a keychain that said, "I love you."

Bracing herself she was full of astonishment. She'd been given an array of cars, but this was top notch. She jumped in the truck. She displayed her tender thanks with oodles of hugs and kisses.

"It was the least I could do. You're worthy of more than this. That's for sure, sweetness," Drew said as he kissed her and smiled in a modest way. When they reached the Fisherman's Wharf, she caught sight of a chartered bus.

"If you want, we can go somewhere else to eat. I know how impatient you are, and it looks as if it may be a lengthy wait," Mercedes said.

"Sweetness, I don't care about a delay as long as I am waiting with you," Mercedes said as he kissed her on the forehead. "I love you, baby."

As they walked in, the hostess immediately took them to a back reserved section. As the door opened she heard voices in a harmony.

"WELCOME HOME, Mercedes."

People started to clap. She observed all the familiar faces such as her mother, her aunt and practically her whole family. Her Godson's mother, Cara, was there as well as Rita, the deputy sheriff, Stephanie and loads of friends. Gina made it known to Mercedes that Drew had arranged everything. The chartered buses to transport everybody to Virginia Beach, the decorations, the guests, the photographer, and paid in full for everything.

"Mercedes," Gina grabbed her arm, "I'd like you to meet somebody, a dear friend of mine." The handsome, light complexion, clean-cut, conservative looking man wearing small, oval shaped brown Fendi frames with freckles on his face interrupted with his deep voice.

"Oh, I'm just your friend, huh?" Gina's face glowed.

"Pardon me," as she held her hand over her heart. "This is my fiancé, Larry, and Larry, this is... my Mercedes." Mercedes smiled as she watched her mother blush. She extended her hand to shake Larry's hand. He took her in his arms and hugged her.

"Mercedes, I'm glad to see you home." Mercedes embraced him back.

"Thanks for being there for my mother, Larry, I owe you big time." Mercedes said in appreciation.

"No, you don't have to thank me. I love your mother."

"Judging by the look on her face, I would say she loves you too." Mercedes moved in closer to Larry and spoke to him in a lower tone. "I can't recall when I've ever seen my mother glow over a man. To be honest, I've never ever seen my mother with a man." Larry laughed.

"Mercedes, you have a room full of people here to see you. Don't you think you should tend to them?" Gina interrupted with an embarrassed look on her face.

"Larry, it was very much a pleasure meeting you." Mercedes looked at her mother and smiled then looked over to Larry. "Don't worry, Larry, we'll talk soon," she winked and walked off.

After Mercedes greeted all her guests. She opened her arms and embraced Drew, to show her appreciation for everything. For the next two weeks, everything was peaches and cream between Drew and Mercedes. She fully understood that Drew had business to attend to in the streets and she tried not to blow up his cell phone while he was away from home. She was completely aware that in the street life, he can't trust a living soul, every bush shakes and it's easy for somebody to make a mistake. As far as Mercedes was concerned, there was no room for any errors regarding Drew.

Mercedes felt that when Drew was in the streets, he needed to be totally focused on what he was doing. She never distracted him unless it was an emergency. Drew would check in on a regular basis anyway. They'd always eat dinner together. After dinner, he may go back out for a little while, but he'd always return home at a respectable hour. However, one particular Friday night, she'd been out all day shopping with Cara. Cara and Mercedes checked in with Drew, and he mentioned that he was not feeling well, and would probably beat her home. When she arrived home at 12: 35 the house was empty. Drew's number wasn't on the caller ID. She took a shower, jumped in the bed and fell off to sleep. When she rolled over to hug Drew, there was no Drew and now it was 5: 26 a.m. He wasn't in the den, and his car wasn't in the garage. What the hell? This was so unlike Drew, so she began to worry. She called his cell phone. He didn't answer. The voice mailbox was full and he didn't answer at the shop. She immediately began to imagine the worst. Was he locked up? Was he hurt somewhere? Had he been in an accident? Or even worse, was he dead. Oh, my God! Lord, please. Mercedes called the Richmond city jail, Henrico, Hanover and Chesterfield county jails. She called MCV, St. Mary's, Henrico Doctors, and Chippenham Hospital. None had heard of Drew Whales . Mercedes felt panicked. She didn't know whom else to call. All she could do is wait. After all, she was his next of kin, so if anything happened; they'd have to notify her. She began to pace the floor. She sat down on the couch, turned the T.V. on and flipped through the channels. Her mind couldn't focus on anything, wondering if Drew was dead or alive. Tears started forming in her eyes, when she pondered the fact that she'd been incarcerated for seven months, totally separated from Drew, and now that they'd finally been reunited, she'd couldn't deal with the thought of Drew being removed from her life. Just then the phone rang. She hesitated. Was it a nurse from the hospital, a homeboy of Drew's calling to present her with bad news of Drew's whereabouts? Her heart was racing. Her palms sweaty as she grabbed the phone she saw it was Drew's cell phone number. Oh, Thank God, he's alive, she thought. No, maybe it's someone else using his phone.

"Hello?" she said, into the phone receiver holding her breath.

"Hey baby, it's me." Drew said.

"Are you O.K.? I've been worried sick!"

"I am O.K. now. I am on my way home. I'll explain everything when I get there."

Mercedes began to breathe again. After hanging up the phone with Drew she started to cook breakfast. When Drew came in, Mercedes ran over to him and exploded in his arms. But when she smelled the strong scent of Irish Spring soap, a soap that they didn't use, she knew there was someone else. The whole time he was out, never once was she worried about Drew being with another girl. His well-being was her only concern. The nerve of him, to have me up worrying myself to death. If he wanted to stay out all night, all he had to do is pick up the phone and call to let me know he was staying out. Her body stiffened, and in response, he intuitively began to run down a well-rehearsed version of where he was.

"I stopped by Tank's house for a drink. I ended up having a few. I was drunk as hell. I laid on Tank's sofa and fell asleep, and when I woke up, it was light outside. I jumped up and came home."

She looked as the words fell clumsily out of his mouth, studied every facial expression and memorized it in her mind. Damn, does he really think I am that dumb to believe this bull? Yeah , I might've been lovesick and stupid enough to throw my whole life away for him, but, trust and believe, brother, I am not as naive as you perceive me to be. This dude don't believe shit stinks until he's knee deep in it. As bad as I want to jump out of this chair and throw a freaking "Mercedes attack" I will not. I will keep my composure. And guess what, Mr. Drew? I will teach you a lesson about being inconsiderate and playing on my intelligence as well. These words that Mercedes wanted to say to Drew, she kept to herself. She would bide her time.

Mercedes recalled something she'd overheard Sam tell Tank. "When somebody does you wrong and you feel they need to be taught a lesson, you don't always act right then. You play your position. Make them get so comfortable with you not reacting. They start slipping because they think you are weak. Then you react by doing the same thing to them. But you do it in a keener way, the way that it should have been done in the first place. Once you make your move, the cat won't know what hit him."

Mercedes laughed to herself thinking this joker is wild. She recalled the initial phone call. She realized what that was all about. It was a "vibe call". He was only calling to check the vibe, to see if I was upset at him for staying out all night, and so he wouldn't be caught off guard, and he could prepare on the ride home. She was not mad because she played cool. Now she had the upper hand. She could look in his eyes and see he felt guilty and guilt will make you TILT! Drew continued to play his hand, saying whatever he thought Mercedes wanted to hear. "

Baby, we're going to Regency Square Mall to Fink's Jewelry to look at a Rolex. I want to buy a new one for myself and we need his and hers Rolex's anyway."

She went along, fixed his breakfast, straightened up the house, dressed and accompanied Drew to the mall where he purchased the watches plus a new Movado watch just for every day, kick around wear. He spent the rest of the day with her, but it was clearly timed. He informed her he had one vital run he had to make. He claimed it would only take an hour. Mercedes did not object. That was perfect. It was just enough time to execute her plan.

Mercedes gathered some things threw them in an overnight bag and left the house. She was hurt and didn't want to leave, but as she contemplated, one thing came to her mind that gave her the inspiration to walk out of that door "A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!

ON THE WAY BACK HOME:

Rochelle was very pretty. Some said she and Mercedes favored each other a bit, physically. They both had the same complexion and smooth skin. Rochelle had recently streaked her hair with bronze color exactly like Mercedes. Their builds were the same. The only difference is, Mercedes was more shapely and about two inches shorter than Rochelle. Rochelle was an upscale freak, and boy, could she give a blowjob. She had a nice set of false teeth; she would take them out when it was time to give her, "state of the art blowjob." With her having no teeth, she could suck the chrome off of a 64 Chevy. He never took her anywhere. He only saw her at her apartment. Occasionally, he helped her out with bills, as well as gave her pocket change. One hundred dollars was her maximum. He'd never give her, or spend more on her, more than that at one time. One hundred dollars was nothing to him. He wiped his butt with that chump change. Rochelle tried her hand with Drew every time she saw him. It was the same conversation, day in and day out.

"Drew, can I have $ 500?" Drew would laugh hysterically and look into Rochelle's face, holding his stomach as if what she'd asked for was so funny.

"Rochelle, now be real, how am I going to get $ 500.00 worth of pussy out of you when I'm a two minute brother and my girl is at home straight taxing me? I gotta make sure home is taken care of, first and foremost. You can take this hundred dollars or I can keep it in my pocket."

As he continued to drive, he reflected over the stunt Rochelle had pulled last night when he told her that he couldn't be bothered with her anymore. Like a champ, she accepted the rejection, but only had one request. She wanted to freak him one last time before he walked out of the door for good. She did everything humanly possible. After she finished, she asked him did he still want to call it quits. He said, "yes," although he wanted to give her a standing ovation for the encore performance she had just put on. Instead of her cussing and fussing, she freaked and sucked on him, until he fell asleep.

When he looked at the clock, he dozed off to sleep. He hadn't realized that this scandalous broad had set the clock back so he wouldn't realize the real time and leave. When the sun started to beam through her window, he woke up, and looked at his cell phone for the real time. He cussed her out, smacked her around, took a shower and raced home to Mercedes. Rochelle was history, a Done Deal!

What else could I do to make this up to Mercedes? He asked himself. I bought her a Rolex, plus I am going to take her to a bed and breakfast this weekend. She'll get over this. She loves me. It ain't like she is going to leave me. Leave me? Yeah right, where she going? Who's going to treat her as I treat her? Who's going to provide for her as I? Sam? But where is Sam? Locked Up! And he's seven hours away. Yeah right, she can't run to Sam. She'll be O.K. in a few days when this blow over, he convinced himself. He drove up to a street vendor selling flowers and bought the whole bucket. Back at the house he didn't see Mercedes's truck in the driveway. He walked in the house. No lights or T.V. was on. His immediate thought was that she ran to the store. He cut the light on in the bedroom and saw a note in the middle of the bed.

Drew,

There's no need to worry. I will be back. Don't know a definite time. No need to go through the hassle I went through calling all the jails, and hospitals, because I am just fine.

XOXO,

Sweetness

"That Bitch," he screamed, dialing her cell phone, but the phone starting ringing in the house. He looked on the night table and the phone was there on the charger. He flipped through every single contact in her cell phone, and he called every number on the caller ID looking for Mercedes. He called Cara, but Cara hadn't heard from Mercedes since the day before at "Awful Arthur's". Suspicious of Cara , he rode pass her house to see if Mercedes's truck was parked anywhere in the vicinity. Mercedes nor the truck was nowhere in sight. He called Gina, and of course she's going to say she didn't see Mercedes. Later he drove pass Gina's house at 4 am to see if Mercedes's truck was there. He even parked three houses down the street, walked to Gina's house, and crept around the back to see if Mercedes's T.V. was on in her old room. He knew Mercedes couldn't sleep without the T.V. on, so if the T.V. was on, she would be there. There wasn't any T.V. playing, which meant no Mercedes.

Drew returned home to lay in the bed awake all night long. His mind started playing tricks on him as he laid there. He'd hear a noise as if someone could've been at the door. He jumped out of the bed; only to realize, it wasn't anything at all. He saw a light through the bedroom window. He got up to look, wishing it was Mercedes's car lights. Eleven a.m. Sunday morning, Drew got dressed to go to her church. If Mercedes did nothing else, every single Sunday she was at church, but this Sunday. Mercedes wasn't there. Maybe something happened to Mercedes. Did the truck get a flat? Mercedes doesn't know how to change a flat. Did she get car jacked?

Mercedes coasted down the street to scope out the house, after her long journey from seeing Sam. She didn't see Drew's car anywhere in sight. There was no need in calling him. She knew he would be bothered that she didn't come home the night before, especially since it was now 11: 15 pm the next night. That's exactly what she wanted. Now he's got a taste of his own medicine. She was a little frightened when she approached the house. She kept in mind that Drew was on the psycho side. He had never pulled any crazy stunts with her, but she heard rumors of him being abusive in his other relationships. He'd even admitted some of it to her. He'd promised her that he'd never put his hands on her. So far, he had kept his word. The walk up the sidewalk was a very long one. Mercedes's heart was beating three times its normal rate. She was prepared for whatever was about to happen. She had already drawn the conclusion that things were about to hit the fan. Men always try to reverse the charges and put everything on the woman when they are the ones who are wrong. This is exactly what she was expecting from Drew. She started laughing as the thought, he may fight, he may fuss, but nothing he can say or do, can take away how he felt laying in that bed lonely by himself worried about me! Mercedes entered the house. The kitchen light was the only light on. She walked through the living room. She could tell that Drew had a tantrum. One of her lamps was broken along with a couple of her crystal figurines. She proceeded down the hall and noticed a clothes hanger on the floor. She took three more steps. There was another clothes hanger. She walked in the bedroom. The bed was unmade. There were hangers and some empty shoeboxes all over the bed and the floor near the closet. She looked in the closet. All Drew's clothes were gone. She laughed to herself and came to the conclusion that if he took his things that was something he wanted to do anyway. Rest assured. It's not over yet. It's too easy. She smirked knowingly as she shook her head in amusement. They had too much invested. Drew could be unpredictable, but one thing she knew, he'd be calling. Maybe not tonight, oh, but trust and believe, Drew is going to call. He's going to want an explanation about where I've been. Mercedes unpacked her bag took a shower and pulled out a book, and began to read. At 2 am, the phone rang. She looked on the caller ID and it was an unavailable number. She answered. The caller hung up. Thirty minutes later, the phone rang again. She saw Drew's number on the caller ID. I knew he'd be calling. I know him like a book. She thought as she picked up the phone.

"Hello?" Mercedes said.

"Oh, you finally remembered where you lived, huh?" Drew said in a sarcastic tone.

"You moved out, so why do you care when I come home?" "

Yeah, I might've moved out, but the last time I checked, you had a routine, out by 9 in by 5, playing housewife and shit, so where were you? You got lost, took a wrong turn or what?

"What is this, the third degree? You wanna play 20 questions? I didn't bother to question you about the other night, did I?"

"On the real, you can't question me, I'm the man. I'm the one who makes all this possible. I pay the mortgage and every other bill and tab you run up."

"Yeah, you right. But keep this in mind, what's good for the goose is good for the gander."

"Mercedes, we're not going to get into a heated debate because there is just no win with you. The bottom line is, I was worried about you. I didn't know if you were dead or alive."

"It ain't so nice when the tables are turned. Reminds me of that old saying it ain't fun when the rabbit got the gun," Mercedes said.

"You always got something slick to say out of your mouth. Look baby, I'm on my way home." As upset as he was and determined to leave Mercedes, he just couldn't.

"Home? Look, Drew this house isn't a revolving door. Either you're here permanent or you can stay wherever the hell you are at." Drew returned home and Mercedes never had another problem with him pulling an all-nighter.