NO WEAPON PROSPERED........
On a rainy Saturday morning, Kristine Bradley gazed out of the window waiting for her mother to return. Kristine was a 17 year old high school senior. She was anticipating going to the mall with her friends Shane and Gina. Prom was approaching and she didn't want to miss the perfect opportunity to go dress shopping with her friends. Kristine stood in front of her mirror. A tall and slender girl who was more into basketball shorts and tee shirts wanted to be a showstopper at prom. She glanced at a photo of herself, Shane, and Gina that was sitting on her nightstand. Shane was about 5' 6, dark brown eyes with shoulder-length hair. Gina was the shortest of the three of them standing at only 5' 2. She always kept her hair in braids, which made people wonder about her real hair. Kristine adored the way Shane and Gina looked in their clothes. In her eyes they had the perfect body. Beside her friend's picture was a picture of her dad. Kristine took the photo and stuck in her drawer. There was a knock at the door. It was Kristine's 8 year old twin sister's Kara and Tara."What do you two want?" Both twins in unison asked where was their mother? Idk, Kristine stated, but I really wish she would get here soon. Kristine heard a car door slam. Finally!, she exclaimed! The girls' mother entered the house carrying a bag from her old antique store. Ariane, a 38 year old dark-skinned, hazel-eyed mother of three had owned an antique shop, but it was burned down. Hurriedly, Ariane went into her room to put away the bag. Kristine tells her mother that she is on her way out to go dress shopping with Shane and Gina. Her mother tells her to be safe and to call whenever she reaches her destination. Kristine received a text from Shane to let her know she was in front of the house. As Kristine is leaving, her mother tells her that she should really consider going to see her father. Kristine replied, whatever and exited the two-story 3 bedroom home that was once shared with her father Jason, herself, and her mother. Jason Bradley, a six-five 36 year old caramel complected car dealership owner turned criminal had married Ariane Jones a year after she graduated high school. Kristine was also born the same year. Jason, still a senior in high school when he proposed to Ariane knew that she was the one. Married life for the two was heavenly. Jason was very successful with his dealership, so successful that he wouldn't allow Ariane to work. Ariane was very adamant about owning her own antique shop, but Jason insisted that she focused on caring for their daughter. Ariane followed suit with her husband's commands. Everything seemed to work out until she received that dreadful phone call. Jason had been arrested for a strong armed robbery. After making a huge sale at his dealership one day with a local drug dealer, Jason had started to socialize with a group of bad apples. It was Dexter Johnson, the local drug dealer who robbed a gas station and was accompanied by Jason. The two were both caught and sent to jail. Ariane was devastated. She didn't want Kristine seeing her father behind a glass. Jason received an early release from prison, but the events you're about to witness will show you why he will go back. Possibly for the rest of his life.
Ariane had went into deep depression. Her husband was in jail and she didn't feel complete. Two weeks before Ariane's 30th birthday she decided to pick up the pieces and do the one thing she had always dreamed. Ariane strolled downtown Philly to scout out potential spaces for an antique shop she was wanting to open. She laid her eyes on the perfect spot. It was then that she knew her dream was about to come true. Ariane's grand opening had fallen on the perfect day. Her 30th birthday! The store was a big hit. She had so much to celebrate so she threw a huge party. The party was going so well with dancing and lots of food and drinks. It was starting to get really hot inside of Ariane's Antique's, which is also the name on the moniker. Ariane had stepped outside for some air when she was approached by a light-skinned handsome man with dreadlocks. He was about six-one and she couldn't take her eyes off him. Hi, is this your store?, he asked. "Yes, yes it is Ariane said excitedly. Hi, my name is Dewayne King. Ariane, still staring at him deeply said nothing. I assume you're Ariane? Finally snapping out of the daze, she laughs and says, yes. He proceeds to ask why was she standing alone at night on a dark Philly street. Ariane explained that she had gotten too hot inside and needed some air. Quite a crowd you have in there, as he peeped through the open glass windows. Ariane tells him the reason for the celebration. Dewayne congratulates Ariane on her store and also wishes her a happy birthday. She thanked him and abruptly turned towards the door. Ariane was trying to prevent herself from asking this stranger that she had just met inside to her party. Well I have to go, stated Ariane. It was nice meeting you. Likewise, stated Dewayne. Ariane went inside, but she stopped and glanced at Dewayne until he was out of sight. The party crowd started to grow and everyone was having such a good time, especially Ariane who had just had her 10th shot of vodka. The Isley Brother's was blasting through the speakers and Ariane was indeed feeling herself. As she was dancing she noticed someone staring at her from outside of her store. Her focus wasn't clear, but from the dreads she knew it was the handsome man she had just met earlier. She motioned with her finger for him to come into the store. Dewayne pointed to himself as if he was saying "who me?". Ariane nodded her head yes. Dewayne entered the store to find everyone grooving to the sweet sounds of The Isley Brother's Between the Sheets. Dewayne was now face to face with Ariane and what she did next would be the start to this crazy rollercoaster ride.
