by Jazmyne
“Nigga that’s what friends are for,” Boog said before they got down to business.
Chapter 13
Ace hadn’t been to the hood in a while. It kind of felt funny but he saw that some shit would never change. Niggas was still using an old crack head named Larry crib as a trap spot. Nothing really went down but cooking, bagging, and stashing a few bills here and there throughout his house. Larry was always too high to think about stealing anything from anyone, plus he was a loyal crack head. He knew as long as he continued to rent his home out to the local drug dealers he would stay high and that’s all that really mattered to him.
Ace got out his ride and walked around to the trunk. Reaching inside he pulled out two large duffle bags, closing the trunk he headed inside. The men and woman standing on the porch were standing there speechless. They hadn’t seen Ace in years, well the ones who knew him or who knew of him. The expression sitting on his face had them a little confused. They didn’t know if they should speak or move out his way. Ace had made up his mind. He wasn’t about to sit around and wait for anyone to tell him what to do or when to do it. His wife life depended on him.
“What’s good, mane?” Jay asked as he came out the house. He saluted Ace before taking one of the bags from his hands.
“Back to getting this money,” Ace said looking around at everyone sitting on the porch.
“Welcome back to the mothafuckin’ jungle!” Jay said dapping him up.
“I never left I just fell back for a while,” Ace answered finally looking back up at Jay. “If you ain’t selling shit I need for you to leave now.” He said looking around again. No one moved as their eyes shifted from Ace to Jay.
“Y’all heard the man. If you ain’t selling shit bounce,” Jay said waving his hands around. Everyone slowly started making their way off the porch.
“What’s really good?” A guy by the name of Leo asked. “Today is a slow day who is this mothafucka to be coming ‘round here giving orders?” He asked pissed. He had plans on taking the bitch who had just been sitting on his lap in the bathroom to get some pussy. Everyone stopped moving to see what was up.
“There’s never a slow day when you out here grinding. If the money ain’t coming to you, you go out and get the mothafucka!” Ace said. “Now if you have a problem with what I just said you can bounce too.” He finished as he walked into the house letting Leo know that the conversation was over and done with. “Who the fuck was that clown, anyways?” Ace asked Jay. Jay laughed as he tossed the bag onto the kitchen table.
“That was that nigga Leo. He’s quick to run off at the mouth, but he knows when to shut the fuck up,” Jay answered opening the bag.
Ace turned back around and headed back outside. “I’m the mothafucka who has been supplying you for the last few months. That’s who the fuck I am,” Ace said looking Leo dead in his eyes. “Now like I said before, if you ain’t supplying the local fiends there aren’t any reasons for you to be here.” He finished once again before walking back inside the house.
“Is there any word on that nigga, J’vion?” Ace asked walking back into the kitchen while taking a seat.
“Oh shit I know that ain’t Ace?” Larry said stumbling into the kitchen.
Ace shook his head with a smile on his face. “It’s me,” he said as the two embraced.
“What brings you out of retirement?” Larry asked taking a seat at the table. He tried to take a peek inside the bag but Jay smacked his hands away.
“Damn, mind ya nosey ass business,” Jay huffed as he closed the bag back up and removed it from the table.
“I never retired. I just fell back, but I’m back,” Ace said.
“What, you’re back to reclaim the throne?” Larry said drooling and nodding.
“The throne isn’t what I’m checking for. I have personal issues that need to be handled and addressed,” Ace said taking a seat.
Ace leaned back in his seat as he stared Larry in his face. He never did understand how a man as smart as Larry could get strung out on drugs. He wasn’t judging, but that was something he always wondered. Larry was the man back in his prime who could have any bitch his heart desired but he had found the one he wanted, but the day she died was the day his life took an unexpected turn.
“Ace, some things aren’t meant to be understood and everyone cope with stress differently,” Larry said. “Smoking is my escape from reality.” Ace nodded his head up and down letting Larry know he understood completely. “Ace, it’s good to see you. I know you’re back for a reason, but don’t lose yourself trying to accomplish something you can’t accomplish,” Larry said getting up and patting Ace on his back before he left the kitchen. “By the way, how are those girls of yours?” He asked stopping to turn around to look at Ace.
“They are wonderful,” Ace answered smiling.
“That’s good, remember you have them to look after, no one is gonna take care of your kids the way you are. They need their father.” He said in final.
Ace thought about what Larry had just said and felt guilty. It had been weeks since he last seen his baby girls. When he found time he would creep into the house late at night to watch them sleep. Aaliyah had caught him a few times and the both of them would sit for hours watching his girls sleep as they talked and before the sun would come up he would be gone again.
Ace sat in the rocking chair watching as he girls slept. He wanted to smile but he had nothing to smile about. He was once again in the game and wasn’t sure if his wife was really dead or alive. He wondered if he was doing the right thing.
“We miss you around here,” Aaliyah said standing at the door bringing Ace from his thoughts. Ace smiled as he looked over his shoulders while waving Aaliyah over.
“I miss y’all too,” Ace said just as Aaliyah took a seat on his lap. “I just had to come check on you three.” He said before kissing her lips.
“Amir the girls are starting to ask questions. What am I supposed to tell them?” Aaliyah asked. “They are used to it being just the three of y’all.” She finished.
“I’ll try to make it back to spend time with y’all tomorrow,” Ace said.
“Don’t try, I need for you to make that happen. Amir, you can’t forget that you have daughters that need you. They should always come first.” Aaliyah said. Ace sighed instead of saying anything because he knew he had been neglecting his fatherly duties for the last few weeks and that wasn’t like him at all. He missed spending time with Aaliyah, Serenity, and Savanna.
“Amir I’m not worried about you and me spending time together. When it’s our time to spend time together we will. Ya girls need you and needs to know that you are still around,” Aaliyah said. “Please don’t take them through unnecessary bullshit.” She finished.
“You know I will never take them through unnecessary bullshit and I want you to know that I love you,” Ace said looking her in her eyes. Ace could never compare Sunshine to any other female and he couldn’t compare Aaliyah either. The both of them were truly on a planet of their own.
Ace felt if he was in a relationship with a basic female she would have ran for the doors a long time ago knowing that he was out in the streets trying to find out if his wife was really dead or alive. But Aaliyah stayed around when she could have easily walked away. She was in his girls’ lives and they adored her just as much as she adored them.
“I know and you should know that I love you too,” she said. “Go on and get out of here but I do expect to see you tomorrow,” she said getting off his lap and helping him from his seat. Ace stood to his feet and kissed Aaliyah once again before walking over to his daughters and planting kisses on their foreheads. He whispered the words I love you before walking away. Ace could have sworn he saw Savanna smile in her sleep.
Aaliyah walked him to the door neither of them speaking another word. “Lock up and set the alarm. I’ll call you when I can.” He said
before turning to walk way. Aaliyah watched as he jumped into his ride and started it up before she closed and locked the door as he had instructed her to do. After making sure everything was safe and secure, Aaliyah headed for bed, instead of her getting into the bed her and Ace shared she decided to get in the bed with the girls.
*
Ace sat in the driver’s seat of his car stuck. He couldn’t remember the last time he had an ounce of any type of sleep and it was really fucking with him that he went from spending every day and damn near every hours with his daughters to only seeing them maybe once or twice a week, if that. Ace cut the car off and stepped out and headed back inside. Missing a few hours wasn’t gonna hurt or stop anything.
Ace unlocked the door and quickly punched the code in to deactivate the alarm system. He locked the door and headed upstairs to his ladies. He found that his bedroom was empty and knew Aaliyah had decided to sleep with the girls tonight. Ace headed for their room and picked them up carrying them to his bedroom before going back for Aaliyah.
When he picked her up she began to panic. “Relax,” he whispered in her ear.
“Ace, I thought you left,” she whispered as she relaxed in his arms. “I decided that the streets can wait.” He answered as he laid her gently across the king size bed. Aaliyah smiled as she opened her eyes to find Ace coming out of his clothes. When he climbed in the bed next to her she snuggled close and quickly fell asleep in his arms.
“What the fuck are you over there thinking about?” Boog asked bringing Ace back to here and now.
“My daughters,” Ace answered as they slapped hands. “Roll something up,” he said.
“Shit, nigga I’m already on it,” Jay said holding up a few blunts and weed.
“When was the last time you spent time with your babies?” Boog asked. Boog asked because he knew how it could be. He had two little boys at home, himself.
“Shit it’s been weeks,” Ace said shaking his head. Boog shook his head.
“Not good, homey,” Boog said.
“Trust me I know, but have you heard anything from, Moony?” He asked changing the subject.
“Nothing, I’ve been calling and texting that nigga but he has yet to respond,” Boog answered.
“Fuck that nigga,” Jay said. “I’m tellin’ y’all niggas this now; when I spot that nigga I’m shooting to kill. Moony of all people know that loyalty is what we built our friendship on. This nigga get money hungry and turn over, fuck they do that at?” He asked pissed off.
Boog and Ace nodded their understanding. “Sometimes that’s how shit goes,” Ace said shrugging his shoulders as Jay passed him the lit blunt.
“Mane, what’s really hood with ya brother?” Boog asked taking a seat at the table. “I ran into that nigga a few days ago he looks like he got himself together.” He said. It wasn’t a secret that Adam use to be a drug addict and just like every other addict; Adam would rob, lie, and steal to get his next hit and that included, Ace and his niggas as well. Niggas looked out for Adam on the strength of Ace.
“I’m proud of him for getting himself together but something in my gut is tellin’ me he’s up to no good,” Ace said while running his hands over his face, before he got into telling his niggas how his brother knocked on his door asking for help.
“Not to change the subject or anything but, Ace what if Sunshine is really dead?” Boog asked. He knew it was a fucked up question to ask but he needed some type of understanding.
“The only thing I can do is take it as a loss, but until I know for sure I’m gonna continue doin’ whatever it is this mothafucka wants me to do,” answered Ace.
“What if she’s alive?” Jay asked. “How are you goin’ to deal with her and Aaliyah?” Jay asked. Ace sighed deeply as he once again ran his hand over his face.
“Honestly I really don’t know. Sunshine was the love of my life and I have fallen deeply for, Aaliyah,” Ace said.
“Bruh, you really need this shit,” Jay said handing Ace another rolled up blunt. “From where I’m sitting it looks as if the weight of the world is on your shoulder and your plate is piled and shit just keeps getting added onto it.” He finished shaking his head.
Chapter 14
Moony sat at the table waiting for J’vion to arrive. He checked his watch to find that he had been sitting there waiting for over an hour and he was starting to become very annoyed and pissed. “I should have killed that mothafucka!” Moony thought banging his fist into to table.
“Sir, is everything alright? Can I help you with anything?” The waitress asked stopping at the table.
“I’m fine. Can I get a double shot of Remy since ya ass wanna do something?” Moony growled with a deep frown on his face. The waitress nodded her head and quickly walked away. Moony looked down at his watch again. “I’ll give him a few more minutes before I leave.” He thought looking around.
Moony looked at his phone and ignored Boog’s call. Boog and Jay had been calling him nonstop for the last few weeks, but he never answered. When Ace called him a few times asking him what was going on he answered and told him that he had ran into a few minor setbacks with getting J’vion to him and to give him a few more weeks and he would deliver.
Moony had heard about Ace being back in the game and that only pissed him off more. He didn’t know who the fuck Ace thought he was to leave the game and return when he wanted, thinking everything was going to be the same. If he wanted to be back on top he would have to start from the bottom just like everyone else.
“Nigga you are always supposed to be on ya P’s and Q’s,” J’vion said bringing Moony from his thoughts as he took a seat at the table. “I could have killed you and you would have never known it was me.” He laughed; the waitress sat Moony drink in front of him while asking if he needed anything else. Moony snatched his drink from the table and threw it back slamming the empty glass back onto the table.
“Keep them coming,” he said keeping his eyes on J’vion. The waitress looked over at him and asked if she could get him anything.
“I’ll have whatever he’s having,” J’vion said winking at her. She smiled and walked off.
“I’m always on point,” Moony finally spoke. “Fuck took you so long?” He asked very much annoyed. “Plus, you aren’t that stupid to shoot up a crowded restaurant.” He finished.
J’vion shook his head, “You really don’t know who you’re fuckin’ with.” he chuckled.
Moony waved him off, “Where the fuck is my money?”
“In the duffle bag under the table,” J’vion answered kicking the bag closer to Moony’s feet.
“Is it all there?” He asked looking J’vion in his eyes. J’vion nodded his head up and down.
“Now, tell me who put a bounty on me and where can I find this mothafucka?” J’vion asked.
The waitress returned with their drinks. She wanted to stand there and flirt with J’vion but the killer look Moony was giving her caused her to quickly walk away.
“Do you know a nigga by the name of Ace?” Moony asked J’vion.
“I ran into him a time or two.” He answered.
“Well that’s who placed the bounty on ya head.”
“Where can I find him?”
Moony waved his hand from side to side with a smile on his face. “I hope you didn’t think I was going to give you that information just like that.”
“I did because that’s what the fuck I paid you for,” J’vion said. “And when I kill that mothafucka you’ll get the rest of your money.” He finished as he threw his drink back.
Moony sat there and explained how it was going to be easy for them to catch Ace slipping, when it was going to be a good time leaving out the place only because he didn’t want J’vion to go and do it without him. “I’ll call you with the details when they are set in place,” Moony said.
“Ayo, let me ask you something,�
�� J’vion said. “It seems as if you and Ace was cool at one point in time. So why turn on him now?” He asked curious to know why and what made him turn on him just like that.
“In this game you have no friends and money is the motive for me,” Moony answered as he reached under the table for the bag of money sitting there. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a few bills tossing them onto the table to pay for the drinks he had consumed. “I’ll be in touch.” He said as he saluted J’vion and he walked off. Moony had plans to kill two birds with one stone, the night of the set up.
J’vion watched as Moony walked out the front door of the restaurant all the while shaking his head. Moony was a prime example of a mothafucka who had no respect for the game or the niggas he got into the game with. J’vion wasn’t surprised at all. Niggas like Moony was the reason he had been facing 15-25 years behind bars, but like he had told Aaliyah, there was always loop holes in cases like his.
This is how he had won his appeal after only serving five years, five years was more than enough time served. J’vion could never get used to living in a small cell twenty-three hours a day, that shit was for the birds and he planned on never going back. He had made up his mind that he would die before spending another day behind the wall. J’vion thought back to the day he was being released and one of the dickhead COs walked pass his cell while he was packing the little bit of things he had consumed over his five year stay.
The CO stopped and looked at J’vion with a smirk sitting on his face and said, “You’ll be back. It may be a year or two from now but you will be back.” After he said that he walked away as he continued talking. “You sorry mothafuckas always come back and I’ll be at the door with open arms and a welcome home banner.” Was the last thing J’vion heard him say. He couldn’t resist and had to reply. J’vion rushed out of his cell and called after the CO. “Ayo, dickhead!” He called after him. The CO stopped walking and turned to face him still wearing that same smug smirk on his face.