BEING THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE

chapter twelve

Nathaniel bounce backwards after Timmy's fist landed hard on his cheek bone but before he stumbled to the ground he manage to balance himself and send his right foot in to Timmy's thigh before he recovers he land a punch with his left hand Timmy fall back and ended up on the ground in a sitting position Nathaniel right foot press in his neck one of them pull a gun point it at Nathaniel
"I'll shoot you" he said
"Shoot him" Timmy said "go a head kill the son of a bitch" Timmy said 
Nathaniel foot hold tighten and Timmy cough trying to ease it a way,
"I am not looking for trouble" Nathaniel said, never was I'm going to walk away if that's ok with you men"
Neither of the three made a move until Nathaniel move his foot from Timmy's neck and turn to walk to his truck, Timmy got off the ground and rush him from behind with a busher knife stabbing at him, Nathaniel turn and kick him the knife flew from his hand landing on the ground one of them pull his gun point it at Nathaniel but he kick it from his hand knock the other that came flying towards him with a pocket knife,
Cecilia cover her face when she saw Timmy laying on the ground once more and before long they all were Nathaniel gather the knifes and the gun and left them there,
"Oh my you alright Timmy" Cecilia said running to him he was embarrassed so was she for she never saw it coming,
"The way Nathaniel drove off from the spot he park his truck clover husband thought he flew from there,
They all got on their bike and he knew they would be heading to aran's he too got in his car for his wife was there,
Clover and her children got to Tiana's just a little bit a head of her husband, they were together on the front lawn when he step down from his bike,
"Get in the fucking house" he said with a slap to Tiana's face push her and shove her,
"No Tiana scream holding her face,
" Move, move" he shove her harder
" Aran what happened?" Clover ask
"You don't know?"
"Would I be asking?"
" It's none of your business it's between me and my fucking wife" he told clover  looking at Tiana " get in the fucking house" he said fisting her it land in her face,
"Aran I didn't do anything" Tiana cries
"You call fucking with your tenant nothing, if it's nothing to you it's a lot to me"
" Tiana felt her heart stop beating for she thought about Nate what will happen to him now,
"No Aran please"
"Daddy no!" Rihanna said holding on to his arm trying to stop him from slapping her mother again he shove her from his arm and slap Tiana once more another face lick, Tiana stumbled and Aran kick her with his heavy boots in her chest above her breast,
Niccane cried calling out for his mother, while clover children stand a far clover tries reasoning with Aran who told her to stay out of his family business,
The sound of the bikes  came blaring up in a speed kicking dust as they came to stop  at the gate after taking the old bike road off the main and  got here quick, Aran felt his strength on seeing them,  a few of the neighbors came out to see what was going on after hearing the noise,  it wasn't long after the truck came up and Nathaniel barely park before he jump from his truck, he saw them the bikers surprised they got there before him but didn't stop to wonder how, clover saw her husband pull up behind Nate  and her children ran to him,
Aran pull his gun point it at him,
He look at the others wondering how comes they leave this boy unfinished,
"Let her go man" Nathaniel said
"You're telling me?" Aran ask
"I'm telling you" Nathaniel said
Aran laugh " who's going to make me?" He ask
"I am if you so lay another hand on her I'm going to Fu..., I'm going to  shoot you"
"Shoot me ah! " Aran laugh, "I'm the one holding the gun or you, you don't even know a gun to use a gun" Aran laugh more,
"Try me, just try me" Nathaniel said
Aran laugh lift his hand to strike Tiana one more time Nathaniel pull his gun from his waist and fire it close to his foot but not to hit him Aran jump letting go Tiana who stumbled and fall on the step, both clover and the children ran to her, the gun which Aran held in his arm fell from him and Nathaniel kick it away from him then took it up put it in his waist , Aran land a fist at him but Nathaniel site it and Aran loss his balance and fall face down, Nathaniel  kick him in his side he roll to his back and he held him down with his foot to his chest,
"Tiana you and the kids grab some stuff you need" he said tiana got up but didn't move
" Rihanna go, go inside and grab some things"
"Rihanna grab her  brother and rush to the porch " mom let's go" she said, Tiana look at her husband on the ground and the men his friends who stood looking and at Nate holding a gun at him and his foot to his chest preventing him from leaving,
"Mom!" Rihanna called
"Go on" clover said pushing her slightly, Tiana went with the two children and began packing she pack all the two suitcase could carry and be sure to pack her sexy lingeries she wasn't sure the journey now or the destination,  but she was getting out of there ,
"Get in the truck he said when they came out the house they stop only to say goodbye to clover and her family to
"Please call me" clover said tearfully, rubbing Tiana's face with one hand and hugging the children with the other, Tiana and the children were in the truck when he took his foot off aran's chest empty his gun then gave it back, he did the same with the other gun throwing it next to Aran  wave to clover, her husband and kids he catch one glimpse of Cecilia before walking away he got in his truck and they watch him drove away unable to do nothing at all, clover grab his children and her husband then they went home, much as clover would miss Tiana she was glad she was getting away from Aran,
Tiana look at Nathaniel who only watch him from the corner of his eyes as he focus more on the road, they turn out of fort Collins bypassed Wyoming road and turn on to Pin-gree park road Tiana observe the road she could see the children looking out the window as they travel passing mainly farms with horses and cows, they later pull into a yard and on the sound of the truck a woman came out,
"Son"  she said when Nathaniel got out the truck,
"Mom" he said meeting her
"You're here now is everything ok?"
"Mom I brought company, companies at least please don't ask any questions now"
His mother look in the truck as he went back to get Tiana and her children,
They got out the truck and Sophia smile on seeing them but her smile disappeared on seeing the battered look on Tiana face,
"Good Lord" she said, "Rosa" she call to the maid make some tea and fetch some warm water and clean wash cloth"
" Yes mam" the other woman said with out coming out the door,
" Come, come on  in, dear, you kids hungry?" She ask
Tiana suddenly remembered she left dinner on the stove, and the children haven't eaten since they got home she barely set dinner on when clover came over and told her her husband didn't explain but he said come now and she did, Tiana can't believe Nate beat her husband he must be really embarrassed now none of his friends couldn't do anything he just lay there helpless, Rosa came in with the water and the rag to give Sophia "Rosa fix these children something to eat please"
"Yes mam" Rosa said inviting the children to come to the kitchen,
"you hungry too son?" Sophia ask
Tiana didn't notice Nate still stand in the room until the woman spoke to him, she turn and saw him they make eye contact and he left the room, he was away until the water got cold Tiana got up to look in the mirror,
"It could be worst darling" Sophia said
Tiana nod, "thank you"
"Should I let Rosa get you something other than tea?"
"No I'm ok with tea  for now"
Nathaniel came back carrying their suitcases
"I'll fix a room" Sophia said taking the stairs Tiana was left a lone with Nathaniel when the woman left he came to her and Tiana hug him "thank you" she said
"What for?" He ask
"For helping me"
"it's ok you're good now we can talk about it later ok" he said he kiss her forehead head then disappeared once again, Tiana was now a lone with her cup of Ginger mint after it was brought to her,
The children later came back after eating they join their mother in the living room, they sat together Tiana rub both their face and smirk they both hug her,
"How will we go to school tomorrow?" Niccane ask
"Don't worry about that now we can always stay here tomorrow then we figured what to do next" Rihanna said
Both Tiana and Niccane nod Sophia later show them where on the upstairs they will be staying and the two children took a shower
"It's nice over here" Niccane said
"It is" Rihanna agrees looking around the bathroom,
"Do you think we'll stay for ever ah mom?" Niccane asked
" I don't know honey" Tiana said
Niccane look to his sister who wasn't sure if they will,
they later settle down and Tiana read them a story they fall a sleep before she went to her room, wishing to see Nathaniel before she falls a sleep but it was in the morning she heard him and look out to see him talking with a man who held a horse, she went to the bathroom but by she got out he wasn't there, she woke the children and as they were coming down Rosa came to say she serve breakfast,
"Morning" Sophia said
"Morning" they replied
"My son just step out for a short time said he'll be back soon"
Tiana nod as they sat at the table,
For half the day Nathaniel was out he came back late afternoon, he walk in to find the two  children busy with Rosa and his mother, "I see you two getting to know your way around" he said Rihanna turn and grin at him " aunt is teaching us her bake chicken recipe, and miss Rosa is teaching us how to make corn bread isn't it cool"  she said
"yeah it is when you're interested in making corn bread" he said frown
Niccane giggle,
"He hates corn bread" Sophia said to the the two children in a whisper, "I see you went  shopping?" Sophia said when he was seen with the bags,
" Yes we might be here for a while and we have to eat" he said resting them on the counter,
" What's for dinner?" He ask
"Bake chicken and corn bread we're fixing some boil potatoes for you unless you want something else"
"No mother" he said Niccane look up at him as he walked by him Nathaniel reach for his head and ruffle his hair,  "you guys like it here?" He ask
Both children nod,
"You will go to school tomorrow" he said
"To our school?" Niccane ask
"Yeah where else?" He ask walking out, he went to take a shower he noticed he didn't see tiana thinking she must be in her room, he figured she might not want to see anyone at this time, so she's keeping away much as possible, he hate seeing her with her face bruise and her husband seems to beat her in her face at all times, he wish he had broke his arm and want to go back and do so, he sigh took a deep breath as he pull the sweat over his naked body with a t-shirt before going back to the kitchen,
Tiana hang up from clover after their long chat clover was very happy to know that she was with Nate now, now she will stop getting beat and she won't have to tolerate Aran anymore,
Tiana walk in to the living room just as Nathaniel was coming from down the hall they bumped into each other Nathaniel  caught her to keep her from stumbled
"Sorry" he said letting her go tiana took notice of him from the looks and sent of him he only a few minutes step out the shower, she overall him and to the way his sweat pants look she was able to tell he wore nothing beneath, she grabs as she thought of his nakedness he look down and smile at her then walk ahead of her, dinner was been set on the table when they walk in, "mom" the child said they came over and she hug them both,
Dinner was at six and they eat for forty-five minutes then fifteen minutes to settle by seven thirty they got ready for bed then eight they were getting under the covers, Tiana kiss them both before leaving for her room, she could hear Nate talking in the living room what sounds as if he's on his phone, she thought she might go down and meet him but then she heard his mother's voice she just went to her room,
The children were up early since they were told they would be going to school,
Tiana came to the kitchen to find them dress for school, "why are you dress for school?"
"I thought they should go to school, it's no use missing out" Nathaniel said walking by her to the counter to grab some coffee,
Tiana didn't object to him making them go to school, thinking it's the best thing she didn't want them missing out either, they finish breakfast and brush their teeth Nathaniel was waiting out front for them and instead of the truck he took his car,
"Wow...!!!" The two children said on seeing the fancy car they look at each other and grin both running to get in, Sophia and Rosa smile at them then at Tiana
When they drove off Tiana went back inside with the two ladies,
Rosa went her way and Sophia took Tiana on a small tour around the house which she find fascinating for the house was great a picture on the wall caught her eyes it was one just as it Nate has back at the house, if this hasn't been bigger she would have said it's the same a blonde hair woman around Nate's age it makes her wonder and her though went back to the ring on his finger she knew He's married but he never admit to it never talk about it the older couple was in the wall too he figured they are his parents for the woman he call Mom, but she haven't seen the man around,
They later took the walk outside to the men working with the horses out back, it was so pretty the lawn clean and the place fresh, Tiana like the patio,  the air was mighty fine as she breath it in, Sophia introduce her and the men look at her holding a firm stare and she knew it was the scars her husband left on her face, she use her hand to shield her face then turn away Sophia follow her and they went back to the house,
Tiana stayed a bit with Sophia but soon  went back to the room she was there when the car came and she heard Sophia said you're back she felt it to be Nate but didn't try to move from where she was she didn't heard him again wondering where he had disappeared to once more, she look out the window only to find that he wasn't there, she couldn't heard the sound of his foot steps coming up the stairs the sound of the door click  when she turn he was in the room standing behind the close door,
She smile at him one he returns,
"You comfortable?" He questions
"I think thanks again Nate" she said sighing as she came to put her arms around him,
" Did you get in touch with your friend?"
"We did talk"
"Good" he said turning out her hold and started walking to the door, "by the way the kids are ok you don't have to worry I'll get them from school later, school gets over at three right?"
Tiana smile and nod,
He pull back the door to go out
"Wait" she said coming to him she close the door step in his arms and kiss him raggedly with her fingers caressing his neck she was pressed against him where she could feel him hard she pause to look in his eyes, then down to his manhood,
"Not now tiana" Nathaniel said
"But why?"
" I like loving you when you're at your best not when you're battered and distorted"
"we did it when my tongue was sick"
Nathaniel laugh " I know but I did that and I'm sure when you get over this you have no worries of facing it again"
"you think he'll give me a divorce?"
" We won't ask him Tiana soon as you're ready we'll go get it"
"will today be ok?"
Nathaniel smile at her kiss her once more, "I only use said when you're ready" he told her then left out the door soon as he did tiana could heard his mother calling,
"I'm coming mother" he said on the stairs,
"I'm sorry I didn't know you were up there hope I didn't cut in on anything" she said
"Like what mother?" He ask
" Oh nothing  special" Sophia said makes Tiana smile
"What is it you want?"  Nathaniel ask
"Come over here please  and offer the old woman some help"; Sophia said
When Tiana couldn't hear them again she  figure they went out from the living room,
She spent some moments to herself and get to think she hope to God she'll get a divorce from her husband and hopefully move on the life with Aran wasn't suitable and since she got the opportunity to leave him she has no thoughts of looking back.
In the afternoon Rosa call said that lunch was serve Tiana sat in the kitchen with Nate and Sophia to have it, Tiana wonder if it was just her but Nate has a tense look on his face as he sat silently having his lunch, she wondered what their conversation was about if it had anything to do with her and her two children, she was sure his mother won't appreciate him with a older woman, Tiana wonder if she warned him not to get involved remembering how he didn't want to make out earlier,
"Just this morning I was looking around the patio and was thinking of changing the color" Sophia said
"why mother is there a reason you want to do that?"
"the color look old"
" Then repaint it use the same colour" Nathaniel said
"But I want to change the color"
"Mother it's not that you're not free to do what you want but that colour had been the primary colour since I can remember myself why try to get use to a new colour now"
Tiana look from one to the other,
" Just because it's been in the family for so long doesn't mean it can't be change, what you think tiana?"
" Don't drag her into this mom it's your house"
" Does mean I can't get a second opinion"
" Aren't I second opinion?"
"I know why you don't want to see this color go but son some things have to be change and reason being some one has to move on,   and wether or not you like it I'm still changing it"
Alex came here first and fell in love with the patio before she fell in love with the house she had believe it was the perfect ideal colour and Nathaniel was sure to put the rose pink and Ash grey on his home, much as he was refurbishing he decided on not changing the color he love things to remain the way Alex had love it, he look at his mother then got up and walk away,
"He's a stubborn boy" Sophia said
Tiana look at Nathaniel walking away  but she didn't add a word  a matter of fact she didn't look at Sophia, she didn't want to get involved in family matter, when lunch was over she went back to the room from the window she could see Nate walking around the patio looking at it for half the day he was there until the children were due to come  home,  he disappeared once again after he got back from picking up Niccane and Rihanna,  when  Rosa made dinner with the help off the two children and send to get Nate he was no where to be found, he skip dinner and after they all went to bed he have it by himself,
Tiana lay in bed wondering what his mother was talking about when she say she knew why he didn't want to see the colour go but something has to change and reason being someone has to move on, she didn't understand who needs to move on she or Nate, she didn't see the man yet who's on the wall picture with  her,
He didn't came to breakfast in the morning but was waiting by the car when they went out, he held the door open for them Tiana get to ride next to him as they drove off she saw them wave,
Since Rosa was busy and Sophia was on the phone Tiana walk out to the patio to talk with clover,
"I hope it's not the color that has you drawn to this old patio" Sophia said as she came out
Tiana smile as she face the older woman, Sophia put her in mind of that older lady who was Amy's mother in judging Amy, Tyne Daley that pretty old lady who has a calm spirit and charming personally, yeah Sophia was just like her from her hair to her body, 
"I've got ice tea" she said
"Great I'm thirsty thanks" Tiana said helping herself as soon as Sophia laid the tray down on the table, Sophia sat down, and Tiana walk around looking at it the rose pink was nice but it really was old she figured it could be changed in to a different colour,
"I call the paint shop I want to see some samples of any thing new"
Neither ladies were paying attention to see Nathaniel as he came out
" I always think lime green with  purple were ideal colours for my home it goes well with gold streke, but since my husband wanted something else I couldn't argue with it"
" They can be like that when they work and spend the money"
" Yeah I know"
" So what happened between you and him?"
"He changed and all,  this was all he offered since of late" Tiana point to her face and exposed her shoulder and chest,
"I'm sorry" Sophia said touching Tiana's cheek, "Good think these scars will go a way soon,  Men! They change,   especially when they believe that you are in the relationship long, and they found fresh meat that's what they call it you gave them all you can but fresh meat is what they want"
Tiana giggle,
" So for how long since you two been in the relationship? Sophia ask
"Over fifteen years my daughter is eleven Niccane is seven"
" I have been married for forty  years"
"Forty well that's nice, the man  on  the pictures is your husband right Nate's father"
"Yes,  He past some years long, he was a very good man never use one indecent language strictly a man of God, teaches his son good morals and I know my boy grumpy and stubborn as he is he would not lay a hand on a woman"
Tiana smile,
Nathaniel clear his throat, "grumpy and stubborn is all you find ah ma?" He ask
Sophia giggle and Tiana smile,
"is that lemonade?" He ask
" Mm-h" Sophia said
Nathaniel took her  glass and help himself to a drink, "so you really want to change the colour?" He asked after he settled
"Yes son I want to change the color"
" Then who am I to stop you"
"she was saying lime green with purple" Sophia said
" Doesn't sound bad" he said he refill the glass and left them there, they sat down together,   once more they  discuss the painting job tiana agree to help her paint,
"Nathaniel call his contractor who picked up at the first ring,
He was glad he caught up with him when he did for he was at the paint shop about to purchase the paint he requires, Nathaniel want to work with the lime green and bright purple with the gold stripe, or the gold streke which ever, if tiana was going to live in his house he wants her to have total comfort as he believes she deserves.
Clover ran in to Aran Thursday afternoon as she was doing a little shopping she was yet to pick up the children from school, clover went by him and his men and try not to look his way, she noticed she saw the one goes by the name Timmy wearing a sling around his neck, it was obvious that after the fight with Nate, her husband had filled her in with what he had saw, she came to remember after her husband told her how he fought them viciously she had told Tiana when she was worried that her husband would hurt him, that she gave him too much credit now she was sure he didn't deserve it good for him she thought, he look distorted, but clover believe it to be embarrassment a man like Aran big strong and mighty fall at the feet of a man Nate's size she was reminded of the David and Goliath story the says was never judge a book by it's cover, and the small axe chopping big tree was a nother example Nate was that small axe and Aran was the big tree she still picture him on the ground under Nate's foot really it was a sight  to see, she ran in to the girl who was seeing Nate the one who nearly got him and  tiana killed good thing Nate could defend himself and manage to take Tiana from Aran for he would send her to the hospital she was sure she did,
Nathaniel got to school right on the bell, just as clover came down from her car Nathaniel saw her and went to say hello the children came out and ran to them both, clover was glad to talk to them for some time  before they said their goodbye.
Both children were glad to tell their mom that they talk to aunt clover, Tiana was glad to know they ran into her, it's been only three days but yet she miss her she knew that at any time they could call and talk to each other but it's a bit more distance now they weren't able to hang up and rush over to each other's place saying I'll be there in twenty minutes this is like over an hour drive,
"You miss her don't you mom?" Rihanna ask,
Nathaniel look at her and saw her face fall she look a bit sad " yes, I miss her" she said and Nathaniel felt pity, he was use to seeing them together most of the time, wether  she visited or at church she might stop over to drop her children at school, she came in the middle of the night when her husband beats her they were that close, he yet to find a friend such as that, he and his wife were close but obviously not enough for he would have observed her more to know what was going on and  know she was pregnant and stop her from going on that field mission that day,
"I came to request some help in the kitchen" Rosa said
The two children didn't wait to run off,
" Remember your homework" Tiana called
"Yes Mom" they both called and disappeared behind Rosa"
Sophia look from her son to the woman standing before him it seems they needed space so she excuse herself and went inside,
"You ok?"
"You ok?"
They asked both at the same time, Nathaniel smile
"I am" Tiana said
"So am I...?" Nathaniel said with another smile
"So you live near the beach? " Tiana ask
"My mother never like the beach, too much water she said, but don't worry we can go to the beach on Sunday"
Tiana frown she was in no position to go out no where not when her scars haven't been heal,
"Maybe the following Sunday"
Tiana nod Nathaniel smile at her, he  was leaning against  his  car with his arms fold across his chest, as Tiana observe him she felt as  if she has seen  this day before, She was always picturing a day she saw with Nate before in  the present day, she can't for get when she first met him she thought he was nice and like him right away but never knew a day like today would come she got rescued by him, he had  taken her  away from her husband's beating, he defended her, stood in the middle,  he gave her romance, sweet romance, romanace she wasn't sure comes with the deep affectionate love she had develop for him, he said he  loves her not that she didn't believe him  but she wasn't sure of  how much, her husband before marriage got  her thinking his love  was genuine, but  she has not the slightest idea now where her journey will end,  but she knew exactly where it begins the exact day, the exact time,  and hopefully she will never face another day like she has in the past, there's a saying one day better will come and she was standing up in front row waiting for that better day!.