Jay-Roc broke off a small piece and handed it to her. She quickly grabbed her stem and put a small piece of the rock in it.
I watched closely. I had never seen anyone smoke crack up close and personal. Of course there were the times when I would be coming out the house and run down the stairs and catch a base-head in the hallway, but they would always run away. Mrs. Baker stood right there in front of us and lit her stem. It sizzled and I watched as her eyes got big like they were going to pop out the sockets, her mouth curled up and twitched then she nodded her head up and down letting us know that it was good.
Once she put the stem down she became extremely fidgety. She wouldn’t stop moving and she kept saying, ''That’s the butter right there, nephew! Make sure y’all get a lot of that!''
After we found out the product was good we celebrated with a pound and a smile. We had the best crack on this side of Brooklyn and we were getting it for a cheap price. We never brought ready-rock again.
Jay-Roc told me to let Rico know that he had new business partners and that we would be bringing him a lot of money.
Each time we would re-up we cooked it ourselves. I got pretty good in the kitchen. I was whipping up whole kilos in no time. Mrs. Baker had taught me well.
We came up with a plan to move into the few spots that we didn’t have yet. The work spoke for itself just like Mrs. Baker said. We put it out there and the customers flocked to it. Anybody who didn’t get down with us would have to lay down.
Once we established our new connect the money started rolling in like I had never seen before. Anything I wanted, I got. Me, Jay-Roc and Lou went and bought brand new cars straight off the lot.
Jay-Roc copped a black, Mercedes Benz with candy apple red interior. I got a white, 550 Ferrari Maranello with peanut butter colored seats, and Lou killed it with a silver Lamborghini Diablo with black, ostrich leather. After that day he told us he was changing his name to Lamborghini Lou. We were doing it.
In June of 1997 I graduated high school, unfortunately my grades dropped from A’s and B’s to D’s because I was no longer attending as much as I should have. I was too busy chasing a dollar. I still had plans to enroll in some type of college and pursue my goal of obtaining a business degree. I just didn’t know when or where.
Asia, on the other hand managed to stay focused and graduate with honors. She had a few academic scholarships to different schools. She was very interested in attending Iona College up in Westchester County. I had been looking for a house up in that area as well.
I still loved to play basketball whenever I got the chance to, which wasn’t very often. Jay-Roc and I discussed getting a summer league team to play in Harlem at the Rucker Park games, but we never took the time out to get it done.
With more money came more problems. Ever so often we would have to administer an ass whipping or two to some wannabe tough guy who either didn’t want to abide by the rules or was just trying to be something that they were not.
We had to take an unexpected trip out to Baisley projects one night because one of Lou’s workers was late with a payment. Lou had his Young Bloods track the dude’s whereabouts and they found out where his mother lived.
When we got there they had her tied up inside her apartment.
''Shut up bitch!'' Reemo said, slapping the woman across the face. ''We gon’ see if your punk ass son love money more than he love his mama!''
Reemo picked up the phone and dialed the number she had given him. Someone answered on the second ring.
''Hello?'' He asked.
Reemo put the phone to his mother’s ear.
''Tyshawn, help me please! They’re going to kill me!'' She screamed out in fear.
Reemo hung the phone up and twenty minutes later we heard a key enter the lock on the front door. When Tyshawn came through the door one of the Young Bloods hit him over the head with a pistol.
He fell to the floor crying out in pain. ''No...please don’t shoot...wait!'' he begged.
Me, Jay-Roc, and Lou sat back and watched while Reemo grabbed Tyshawn by his braids and lifted him off the floor.
''Where that paper at, nigga?'' He asked, pointing a black, .40 caliber carbine in Tyshawn’s face.
''I got it...it’s right here,'' he responded, pulling a bag from the inside of his jacket.
Reemo ripped the bag open and counted the money. He tossed the stack of hundred dollar bills to me then he looked at Lou and asked him what to do.
''Burn this shit down.'' Lou replied nonchalantly.
I turned to Jay-Roc and he nodded his head to let me know it was time to go.
The next day the headline in the Post read: Mother and son set ablaze in housing projects.
Chapter Eight
The lifestyle we lived was a heartless one. You had to have ice water running through your veins to stomach some of the things I’ve seen.
I never did understand why they had to murder his mother. I didn’t believe she had anything to do with it, but I soon learned that this game is a merciless one and there’s a code that you have to live by and anyone who disobeys that code or breaks the rules has to deal with the savage consequences, which was usually death.
We continued our reign on top and never once second-guessed any moves we made.
A couple months later Shareeka gave birth to an 8 pound 7 ounce baby girl that she and Jay-Roc named Tiana. She was gorgeous. She looked just like her mother and had Jay-Roc’s eyes.
Lou and I stood out in front of the hospital with Jay-Roc.
''Congratulations, my nigga!'' I said, giving him a hug.
''Yeah, it’s time to slow down a bit and handle your family business now,'' Lou said.
''I know man...I got someone besides myself to live for now, homie.'' Jay-Roc replied.
I had never heard Jay-Roc talk about anyone like the way he talked about Tiana. You could see the love all over his face. I was definitely happy for him and Shareeka.
Jay-Roc’s twenty-first birthday was approaching and Lou and I were planning a big party for him. We rented out some space in the Tunnel nightclub, which is located in the Chelsea section of Manhattan on 12th avenue. The Tunnel was a premier spot in New York because of the celebrity clientele, the unisex bathrooms, and multiple party rooms on several floors. We planned on doing it real big for my boy. Asia and Shareeka handled the guest list and we made sure we kept it a secret because we wanted it to be a surprise.
The big day arrived, it was September 1st, 1998, and I was at Asia’s house, rushing, trying to get dressed so I could meet Lou and the rest of the team at the club.
Earlier in the day I stopped by the jewelry store on Broadway and copped a 24-carat Cuban link chain with the illest medallion ever. Once I laid eyes on it I knew I had to have it. It was a king’s crown that was made of 18 carat, yellow and white gold outlined in white diamonds and red rubies.
The jeweler told me he made it for one of his close friends a few months back, but unfortunately he was killed and never got the chance to see it. He said he had just decided to put it on display early in the morning. When I told him that I wanted to buy it he gave me a look like he thought I was playing.
''What about this piece right here, it’s a lil’ cheaper kid,'' he said, trying to get me to buy some 10 carat bullshit Jesus piece.
''Nah, man...I want that one and it don’t matter how much it cost. I got money!'' I told him reaching into my pocket and taking out two stacks of bills that totaled fifty-thousand cash.
His eyes widened at the sight of the money. ''It’s thirty-thousand with the chain, but I’ll give it to you for twenty-five.'' He said placing the chain around my neck.
That shit had to weigh almost ten pounds, it was heavy as hell. As soon as he put it on me I felt like a king! Nobody in New York was rocking shit like this. My shit was better than those rapper’s chain’s that they wear in the videos.
I counted out twenty-five thousand, paid the man and bounced.
Asia was screaming at me to hurry up so t
hat we wouldn’t be late. I was wearing a Ralph Lauren, white, crush linen, short sleeve top with matching pants and a fresh pair of white, Gucci sneakers. When I pulled the chain out to put it on, Asia went crazy.
''Oh my God, Deon when did you get that chain?'' She asked. ''It’s beautiful!'' She grabbed it and put it around my neck. ''I’m gonna call you King from now on.''
She smiled and gave me a long intimate kiss. I loved Asia unconditionally. Over the years she blossomed into one of the baddest females on this side of the earth.
I stepped back and admired her sexiness. Back when we first started dating her body hadn’t been the most noticeable, but she was the prettiest thing walking. Now she had a body that would stop traffic for a mile. Her cinnamon, brown skin looked glazed and her almond shaped, light, brown eyes gave her an Asian look. Her long, black hair hung down past her shoulders and it was all real. She had nice, juicy lips, lovely round c-cup breast and an amazing ass.
At 5’8 she demanded attention whenever she walked into a room and she was all mines. I checked her out from head to toe. She was killing it with her short, tight fitting, Gucci skirt and strapless top. She wore matching Jimmy Choo open toe pumps that gave her an extra four inches in height.
Together we looked like a couple straight out of Essence magazine.
After meeting up with Lou, Reemo, and a couple of other dudes, we got to the club a few minutes after 10pm. Shareeka stayed in touch with Asia and confirmed that everything was on schedule. They would be there by 11pm. Shareeka had gotten Jay-Roc to believe that they were going out to party by themselves, so he had no idea what we planned.
The club was packed to capacity. Two burly bouncers escorted us upstairs to the V.I.P area. It was plush. Asia and Shareeka had the party promoter hang a banner across the back wall that read: HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY JAY-ROC! Balloons and bottles of Dom Pérignon adorned every table.
They sat us by the rear and introduced our waiter for the night. I ordered a bottle of Hennessy and the boys and I got it started.
DJ S&S had the party rocking. He played all the old school classics and mixed it up with some new joints.
A few minutes after eleven the promoter came upstairs and let us know that Jay-Roc and Shareeka had just entered the club.
I asked the waitress to bring me the most expensive bottle of champagne they had.
When Shareeka and Jay-Roc entered the V.I.P I could tell he was surprised by the look on his face. It was pure shock. His closest friends and family members were all in attendance.
Jay-Roc came in wearing a tailored, Ascot Chang suit and a pair of Prada hard bottoms. He topped off the outfit with a mean Fedora. At 6’2, 240 pounds Jay-Roc was a giant.
Shareeka looked fabulous also. She wore a cream colored; Dolce & Gabbana form fitting dress with some Fendi pumps. Shareeka’s body had always been crazy, but tonight her dress was showing all the right curves. Her and Asia were the finest females in the club.
The night was going well and it was the first time I got the chance to meet a lot of Jay-Roc’s family. The one who surprised me the most was his brother, Roger.
Roger is a pastor who owns a church in Brownsville and even though he disagreed with the way Jay-Roc lives his life, he still came through to show his brother some love. I also met his sister, Trina, her husband and a few of his aunts.
Everyone was getting tipsy enjoying him or herself, having the time of our lives, but as we know all good things must come to an end.
As I stood at the railing overlooking the dance floor, I recognized a familiar face that was not welcome.
I pulled Lou to the side and told him what I saw. I tried to keep it low so I wouldn’t cause a disturbance because the last thing I wanted to do was ruin Jay-Roc’s night.
Lou followed me downstairs and we pushed our way through the thick crowd of partygoers. I held a bottle of champagne in my right hand that I had been sipping from.
I approached the man wearing the black Coogie sweater.
''Yo, Ant...what the fuck are you doing up in here?'' I asked with a scowl on my face.
I tipped the bottle to my lips, took a swig and champagne dripped down the side of my mouth. I wiped it with the back of my hand.
Lou and I stood side by side staring Ant down while he ice grilled us with the best killer look he could put on.
''Fuck you, Deon!'' He said, words slurred from the alcohol he was drinking. ''You don’t own this motherfuckin’ club.''
I could tell by his speech he was way beyond his drinking limit. I gave Lou my bottle of champagne and quickly swung a wild right hook that connected to Ant’s jaw sending him to the floor immediately.
The next thing I saw was a flash of light. I felt a burning sensation in my upper body and collapsed to the floor. The crowd parted and everyone started screaming and running toward the exit.
Lou backed out his .9 millimeter and let some shots go into the crowd.
He kneeled down beside me. ''Ahh shit...Deon, you hit...fuck!'' he shouted.
I looked up and saw Asia, Jay-Roc, and Shareeka standing over me. I put my right hand on my shoulder and felt where the bullet struck me. Blood was everywhere soaking my white, linen outfit.
I closed my eyes.
''Deon, get up!'' Asia screamed, trying to lift my body from the floor.
Jay-Roc and Lou helped her get me up. I had never experienced anything like this before. My insides were burning.
''Don’t worry, Asia...he’ll be all right. The bullet went in and out. Yo, Lou we gotta get him out of here before the cops come.'' Jay-Roc said.
I was laid up in the hospital for three days. When I finally did get home my mother wasted no time drilling me with a lecture about how I need to change the way I’m living. She told me I was becoming the man my father was and it wasn’t looking good. I paid close attention to what she was saying, but I was in too deep to turn back now. I had made up my mind the day I sold my first bottle of crack: I was in this until the end.
Asia stressed her concern also. She cried and tried to make me promise that things would change. In all honesty, I made the promise, but I didn’t believe it myself.
For the next week I was confined to the house and Asia made sure she stayed with me. She wouldn’t let me leave for anything.
Jay-Roc, Reemo, and Lou came by to see me one afternoon. I was lying on the couch with my shoulder wrapped in bandages watching Scarface, the movie.
''Yo, Deon...why you didn’t let me know what was going down that night in the club?'' Jay-Roc asked, taking a seat next to me in the recliner chair.
''I wasn’t trying to fuck up your night, Jay-Roc,'' I said, shaking my head. ''And look how the shit turned out. I fucked it up anyway. That was my fault my nigga.''
''Don’t even worry about that shit...as long as you all right, everything is good.''
''You know we gon’ get at that nigga, Ant. Word to Blood!'' Reemo cut in. ''Lou shot two of his peoples, but we gon’ make sure them niggas ain’t breathing no more.''
''No doubt,'' I said. I reached for my glass of water and took a sip. ''That nigga got to go.''
I had never backed down from a confrontation and I knew this was more serious than all the previous beef I had. I was about to get involved in the murder game.
''Yo, Deon...what’s up with that ill ass chain you got on? I meant to say something at the party,'' Jay-Roc asked, reaching for my necklace. He held the medallion in his hand and looked me in my eyes. ''This is what it is huh...King?''
From that day forward, the streets would recognize me as King. I wore the crown around my neck and protected it with my life. It symbolized money, power and respect!
As soon as I hit the streets there were all types of rumors going around about what had taken place at the club. Some people were saying it was a hit that didn’t go right, or something else I heard was that it was a botched robbery attempt. It really didn’t matter what the speculation of the situation was; I knew the truth. The only thing on my mind was revenge.
Ant didn’t know who he was fucking with. He had taken a shot at the King and missed. Like a bad move in a chess game, that mistake cost him his life.
Chapter Nine
After the shooting at the club, Ant and his crew went into hiding when they found out that I survived. The police came to visit me at the hospital and tried to get me to identify the shooter, but I played dumb and acted as if I didn’t know what happened.
True to his word, Reemo sent his goons out in search of Ant, but after weeks of looking they came up empty handed. He had managed to slip away, but that wouldn’t be for too long because I was going to find him.
I put up ten-thousand dollars to anyone with some information on Ant or anyone he hung out with. A month later while I was posted on my block a black, Yukon Denali pulled to the curb and a skinny, light- skinned kid with braids jumped out the driver’s seat. I could tell it wasn’t any drama by the way he approached me.
''Peace, King,'' he said. ''My name is Rahmeek, I’m from Brownsville. I think we should take a walk so we can talk,'' he suggested.
I had heard the name before from some of my people out in the Ville and I was told the boy was a straight up killer.
''Anything you need to say can be said right here.'' I told him.
He looked Reemo and Lou up and down and plucked his cigarette into the middle of the street.
''You sure?'' He asked and I let him know it was okay. ''I know you looking for the boy Ant right?'' I shook my head yes. ''Well, I got the drop on son and I’ma bout to do him dirty. I didn’t come to you because I need the ten grand, because honestly, I’ma do it regardless. That man and I have a personal beef. I just figured why not kill two birds with one stone. I’ma smoke the nigga, you pass me the bread and everything is everything. You feel me?''
King Page 6