Because of her emotional state, she was not aware of her surroundings as she said these things. At that moment, they were passing a group of thugs posted under the awning of the liquor store on 9th st and avenue D! Loudly they began laughing and making fun of him. “Damn ma, I would never cheat on you like he did!” one of them said laughing as another added, “Since you’re done with him, you wanna come be my sexy bitch now? No entanglement and I’ll spoil ya ass?”

        After that comment, everyone's attention turned towards the guys who just made that rediculous comment in misbelief.  Quickly to her defense, the offended Jeremiah turned his attention to that commenter, “Yo homie, fuck you talking to like that? Don’t ever disrespect my wife!” Knowing his temper, she jumped in front of him holding him back to avoid any  esculation, so he turned his attention back to her then continued, “What the fuck, just come on and let’s get away from here!” As she attempted to calm him down she saw the guys approaching. Automatically she pushed him out the way, balling her fists up, placing herself in front of her man. That made him momentarily happy as she stood by his side.

        “I will not let y’all jump him!” she shouted as they were now surrounded.

        The main instigator spoke again as he lifted the side of his jacket showing his gun, “Nigga, Yo bitch don’t even want you, I suggest you leave her to the real men. Shit, she has them nice lips too. Damn she got them nice lips!” 

        When Jeremiah saw the gun he stepped in front of her, “All I wanna do is fix things with my wife!” 

        Another stepped up and told them to hurry up off that corner before things get ugly. “Okay no problem!” Jeremiah agreed as he stepped backward with her behind him not letting his ego get in the way of their safety. “Come on babe, let’s get out of here,” he said while closing the door to the passenger’s side after connecting her seat belt. Putting her head down she searched the glove compartment looking for tissue to remove the remaining rain, tears, and snot off of her face. As he closed her door and ran to the other side to get in the driver’s seat she heard two loud noises. The sounds made her quickly lift up her head just to witness his body collide with the car.

        As Jeremiah was leaving, the coward who was talking the most shot him in the back. Instantly everyone scattered after the shots were fired. While running the shooter was told, “You’ve got to be the most stupid nigger on this planet. Why in the hell did you shoot that man? He did nothing to you, you asshole! Matter of fact... get the fuck away from me. Go that way!”

        In disbelief Tiffany screamed as tried to getting out the car but fussed with the seat belt until she finally released herself. Witnessing his body jerk as he struggled to move, she spoke in shock, “Baby get up, get up! You can’t leave me! You made me stop, you made me stop!” She got on the ground placing his head on top of her leg as she continued speaking trying to convenience him to get up. Trying to laugh and smile without crying she said, “Baby I stopped, look babe, I’m here, and I stopped for you! It’s ok it really is, were gonna be alright!”

        He attempted to say something but it couldn’t come out, but in its place was blood. When she saw the blood emerging from his mouth, she nervously panicked screamed repeatedly, “Baby, stop talking, I know you love me, I, I know you love me, I, I love you too! You’re gonna be ok!” She said this until she was overwhelmed by her crying as she by choked but continued to rock him, not even having a voice to speak anymore. Before long sirens screamed and the area was blinded by the lights of the ambulance and police cars. Though it began pouring outside, a huge crowd was generated, sadden as they continued to watch his blood mix with the water.

        A short time later in the hospital a doctor entered in which a couple of Jeremiahs friends and family were waiting. “Family and friends of Jeremiah, I have some good and bad news. He made it through the surgery but unfortunately from his massive blood loss, he fell into a coma. From this coma, there’s a strong possibility he may never return!”

        Their faces dropped as they heard the news. Tiffany, still wearing her blood stained clothes stood in disbelief. After a few seconds after, the doctor continued, “I will need someone to come and sign for his property. He had some items in his possession.

         Chris, Jeremiahs younger cousin being optimistic as usual smiled while pushing Tiffany’s arm saying, “You might as well go sign it. We all know that you’re gonna be the first one he sees when he wakes up! Stop fronting, go ahead girl and just sign it!” he demanded followed with a laugh trying to hold his tears back.

         Slowly she walked to the table the Dr. stood behind. After signing, she opened the bag skimming through it. His wallet, chain, change, and a receipt were present. The receipt had something written on it so naturally she looked. It read in large engraved letters, Tiffany loves Jerry! Instantly she had flashbacks putting two and together. She remembered once when she was getting out the shower and heard him whisper on the phone, Love Jerry. A second time was when she was snooping around and found a small jewelry box with a ring in it, hidden in the far corner of his draw.

         “Tiffany? Oh Tiffany, I’m soooo soo sorry!” was proclaimed by a Hispanic female walking towards her. As she walked closer and gave her a hug, Tiffany stood motionless and confused. “This might sound a little funny but I’m Wanda. Jeremiah and I have known each other for years, very old classmates. Recently we’ve gotten back in contact. He was telling me about how much he loves you and when he told me that he was going to marry to you, I offered my discount from my jewelry store! His plan was to propose to you after he got his next pay check.” She awkwardly giggled while wiping her tears off her face and continued, “He wanted everything to be perfect, but called me earlier telling me what happened and asked me to bring the ring today. Baby girl, he really was not cheating on you!”

         After hearing that, Tiffany softly bumped Wanda as she began to walk away. After two steps, she stumbled almost falling but Wanda caught her. Not much bigger than Tiffany, Wanda attempted to balance both their weights with her high heels on, but she also panicked when Tiffany let out a terrible cry.

         Through everything that recently transpired, finally her emotions reached a new height. Pain, anger, sadness, and self-blame overwhelmed her as they all at once pounded on her head and heart. Hyperventilating she tried to speak, “All this, all this, this time I thought he, I thought he was cheating on me! It’s my fault he’s here. It’s my fault he’s like this. He tried explaining! I, I didn’t listen. I, I did this! I did this to him! 

Lord please don’t, please don’t take him away!” As her weight became too much for Wanda, they both fell. Everyone immediately came to assist them off of the cold hospital floor. Hopelessly she screamed at the top of her lungs, “Lord take me, please take me instead!” Everyone there tried calming her down but in her mind it was too late. It was all her fault and hers alone