What Da Lick Read? The Triple Cross

by McCray, Sevyn

  Table of Contents

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter 1: Still ain’t forgave myself

  Chapter 2: All white err thang’

  Chapter 3: Mr. Miyagi

  Chapter 4: Moment for life

  Chapter 5: Now who else wanna fuck wit Hollywood Court?

  Chapter 6: What’s understood, don’t need to be said.

  Chapter 7: Gorgeous, Gorgeous, Gorgeous

  Chapter 8: Friends, how many of us have them?

  Chapter 9: Dirty Sprite

  Chapter 10: Something, Something, Something, Something…..Just ain’t Right

  Chapter 11: Trained to go

  Chapter 12: Sister, you been on my mind

  Chapter 13: Smile in yo’ face, all da time they tryna take yo’ place…..Backstabbers.

  Chapter 14: The streets ain’t safe

  Chapter 15: Somebody’s watching me…….

  Chapter 16: One plus One

  Chapter 17: All I ever think about is you…

  Chapter 18: Blame it on the Alcohol

  Chapter 19: This is for my homie…

  Chapter 20: Spend my life with you…

  Chapter 21: Hit em’ with da flex

  Chapter 22: Just me and you… Just us two

  Chapter 23: Now I’m missing you

  Chapter 24: Four hundred degrees

  Chapter 25: Heads will roll…

  Chapter 26: Two for the price of one

  Chapter 27: The biggest boss you have seen thus far

  Chapter 28: The streets are talking

  Chapter 29: Seeing Ain’t Believing

  Chapter 30: King Kong ain’t got shit on me

  Chapter 31: Poker Face

  Chapter 32: So you see what happened was…

  Chapter 33: Same Face, Different Paths

  Chapter 34: Beautiful Disaster

  Chapter 35: Angel in Disguise

  Chapter 36: Can’t we all just get along?

  Chapter 37: Bout to go H.A.M

  Chapter 38: You miss me?

  Acknowledgements

  What Da Lick Read? - The Triple Cross

  By

  Sevyn McCray

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously.

  What Da’ Lick Read-The Triple Cross. Copyright 2011 by Sevyn McCray

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without the permission of the publisher except in the case of using brief quotes for reviews or articles pertaining to this work. For information, contact Sevynth Heaven Publications P.O. Box 466 Red Oak, Georgia 30272-0466

  This ebook is for your personal enjoyment….. So please ENJOY!!!!!

  Cover art: Brittani Williams- A Pretty Mess Graphic Boutique

  Interior Design: Tina Nance- Perfect Prose Editing

  Editing: Tina Nance - Perfect Prose Editing

  Dedication

  I must start off by dedicating this book to all my love ones that are not here with me to share in my dream coming true, my grandmother Christine Price and my aunt Barbara Jean (Brilliant) Price. Thank you for all that you did to make me the person that I am today. Can’t no feet fill your shoes. Continue to smile down on me from heaven. My stepfather James Edward McCray, the first man to show me what a REAL MAN is supposed to do. Thank you for being my earthly angel and when I had no one and nowhere to go you were my Super Man. If I’m blessed with a man half as good as you, I will have a good man indeed. In your words “The only steps are the ones that lead you to the front door.” My auntie Vanessa Pitts (my Van) who always had a listening ear, a kind heart and real words. My cousin Adrain Smith, you were like my other big brother, they took you from us way too soon. Ronald Price, you became my confidant and close as a father should be. I still pick up my phone to call you. I’m so happy that I got to know you in that light. My friends and brothers in heaven Amin ‘Mint’ Stallworth, Keith Walton, Gary ‘Pookey’ Rodgers, Demario Allison and Larry Webb, My nephew Sheldon 8ball Atchison Sr. continue to watch over us all, you’re missed but your presence here is continuously felt. Rest in Paradise to all my heavenly angels, I know you are looking down on me. You all will never be forgotten and always will reside in my heart. My brother-father and my first love Santos Price Sr… what can I say? Without YOU there would be no ME. You sacrificed half your childhood and all of your adult life making sure that I was safe from these streets. Thank you for being my rock, my sword, and my shield. I thank God for you each and every day. Until you are released from behind them walls…. I LIVE AND BREATHE FOR YOU AND ME!!!!

  Prologue

  Perry Heights Atlanta, Georgia 1992

  Two things a child will always remember; the precious moments with their parents and the things that change their lives forever. Both happened in the same night.

  Beloved walked around the house, closing the windows even though the night air felt so good. It was a Friday night and her neighbors on the Hill were outside partying under the tree as usual. They were playing all the good stuff; N.W.A., Too Short and Kilo. But she wanted to chill out and relax. It would be quiet soon, because she smelled the rain in the air and that was sure to drive all the partiers inside.

  Beloved had just put Honesty in the room with her other two sleeping daughters. She’d come home a little while ago, took a bath and put on some music. Diana Ross was playing in the background as the water splashed around in the bath tub.

  Honesty never slept hard when her momma was at work, most of the time she didn’t sleep at all. Beloved had promised her that she would never stay out working after one o’clock.

  Ever since Honesty had turned six years old, her momma told her that she was a big girl. She knew how to read and write, and she knew her address and telephone number. Beloved had taught her oldest child what to do in case of an emergency. Honesty also knew how to make sandwiches, fix cereal and how to change a diaper. She was the big girl.

  Since school had let out for the summer, Beloved would leave the girls at home by themselves under Honesty’s care. She told her not to answer the phone unless it rang in a certain pattern. The door, she was taught, was off limits because the only people who were supposed to be in the house already had a key.

  Honesty and Loyalty shared a bed while Reality’s baby bed was in the corner. Honesty got up to go use the bathroom. She had been laying in the bed hoping the urge would disappear because she knew that she would get in trouble for drinking too much Kool-Aid when her mom was gone.

  She crept down the hallway and went into the bathroom. Beloved had just gotten out of the tub and was standing in the mirror applying her Queen Helene Mint Julep facial mask to her face as she did every night.

  “What you doing up Honesty? All that Kool-Aid you drunk got you up in the middle of the night.” She asked as she lit her Virginia Slim cigarette.

  Honesty sat on the toilet and looked at her mama. She was so beautiful. She really did look just like Diana Ross, and everyone told her that. Beloved took it to heart because she dressed like her and even walked like her. When you come into the apartment, the only music you are going to hear being played is Diana Ross or Michael Jackson.

  Honesty got up and wiped then flushed the toilet. She pulled her panties up and her Strawberry Shortcake nightgown down. Beloved turned around, and picked her up and sat her on the counter.

  “You know you are momma’s big girl. You’ve helped me out so much. I don’t know what I would do without you. You want me to polish your nails?” She asked as she turned on the water in the sink so that Honesty could wash her hands.

  The
little girl looked at her mother with eyes that mirrored hers and shook her head yes. After drying her hands on the towel that was hanging up, Honesty jumped down from the counter and ran into her mother’s bedroom. She reached up on the dresser and grabbed one of the many bottles of Theons number five nail polish. She jumped on the bed happily because she was excited about the alone time that she was spending with her mother.

  “You hear the thunder, Mommy? God is sad about something.” Honesty said to her mommy as the thunder rolled outside of the window.

  “Yes baby, I hear it. It’s bout to storm. We need a good rain to wash away the dirt of the earth. Whew, you sure did drink a lot of Kool-Aid. Yo’ lil’ ass around here bouncing off of the ceilings. I see that you didn’t give Loyalty and Reality any, because if you did they would still be up with you. Smart girl, I bet you know that too.” Beloved laughed as she started to polish Honesty’s toes first.

  Honesty lived for the times like this when it was just her and her mommy. Her sisters seemed to take up so much of her time because they were really still babies. She helped out as much as she could and she loved them to death. Beloved finished her toes and started on her hands. “You be still, because I don’t want any of that polish getting on my bedcovers.”

  She painted Honesty’s toes candy apple red. It was so pretty; this was the only color polish Beloved wore. She had at least ten bottles of it on her dresser. Just as she finished up her fingers, there was a loud knock on the front door. “Be careful don’t mess up your hands. Go lay back down in your room. Let me see who is at the door. Then, by the time I come to tuck you in your hands and feet should be dry and you can get under the covers.”

  The knocking turned to banging as Honesty lay on the bed frightened. Something didn’t feel right to her; she felt scared. She looked up as her mother pulled the door closed. Honesty heard her rush down the hallway with her slippers on. She then heard her taking the chain off of the door and twisting the locks open.

  “Bitch, who told you to leave? You were supposed to stay on the corner until my whole bomb was gone. I know you didn’t sell all those rocks that fast. Let me find out your ass is giving my dope away again and I’m going to kill your ass. Get over here and suck my dick, then go and get all my money you made me today.” He uttered gruffly as he barged into the small apartment dripping wet from the rain.

  Honesty had heard this man’s voice before. She didn’t know his name but he never said anything nice to her Beloved when he came over to her house. She had never seen his face. She pictured him being tall and dark with black eyes; big hands and feet, and nappy hair. Honesty called him Mr. Meany.

  Chapter 1: Still ain’t forgave myself

  “Sit back and relax, it’s late. What is your rush? Let me get you a towel to dry off. Do you want something to drink? I got some Remy. I just got out the shower and I don’t have anything on under this robe. You know you love the way I look naked. Plus, you love the way that I feel even better.” Beloved murmured fast and seductively as she dropped the robe in front of her.

  “I don’t want no damn pussy, I want some head and my money. You know what? I don’t even want no mutha fucking head. I just want my money. Go get my money and hurry up. I still got some moves to make before I take it in.” Mr. Meany shouted in a loud whisper to my momma.

  “Today was slow, come tomorrow I will be back on the block early cause I’m going to get the lil’ girl across the walk way to watch the girls. They are too young to be here by themselves like that all the time. I be so worried that I can’t even focus on the hustle. That’s why I came home early.” Beloved said with her voice shaking slightly.

  “You either gonna be a hustler and get this money or you gonna be a housewife without a husband. Didn’t nobody tell you to have all these lil’ girls anyway. Shit we don’t need no mo’ damn lil’ girls in dis world. Too many of y’all bitches running around, waiting for a nigga to do something for ya’ as it is. Give me what money you got and the rest of my dope, I can sell that shit on my way home. Call me in the morning to get you another package.” He moved toward the door dripping water everywhere.

  “Wait right here, let me get you the money. Don’t worry I will have the pack sold in the morning before noon. I will call you and meet you for the re-up. I can give you the rest of your money then” she said picking up her robe nervously.

  “I want my dope and my motherfucking money right now. Bitch, do not play with me.” He shouted at Beloved as he balled his fist up at his side.

  “Be quiet before you wake up the girls. Wait right here; I will bring you the money. Tomorrow night, maybe when you finish working you can come by and spend a little time with Reality. You haven’t seen her in a month and she is looking just like you. You always come so late you never get to see her.” Beloved whispered quietly trying to think of some way to tell him that she didn’t have the dope.

  “Didn’t nobody tell you to have that baby and now every time I turn around you are trying to throw her in my face. Man, I make sure you have dope so you can take care of all your rugrats. You can’t make me be her daddy. Get my dope so I can leave” He said reaching for the door knob.

  Beloved finally said it. “I left da work in the trap. I got somebody to work it for me. You will have your money in the morning. I got you baby, I promise.” She turned and started to walk toward her bedroom.

  He lunged across the room in two giant leaps and grabbed her by her long hair. She screamed out in pain and he pushed her down on the sofa. He jumped on top of her and put his hand over her mouth. He began talking through clenched teeth. “Da last time, I took a thousand dollar loss fucking with you ‘cause you let your junkie ass friend Solitaire steal the bomb. You know I don’t play ‘bout my mutha fucking money. You ain’t no boss! You don’t have nobody working for you so I know my money is just gone.”

  She struggled under him but he weighed at least 250 pounds and he was sitting on her chest. She writhed back and forth. Her breathing was shallow and the weight of him was hurting her. He removed his hands from her mouth; she took a deep breath and a pain shot through her chest.

  Beloved then told him “I have been down for you since you were strung out on dat boy, without a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out. You think ‘cause you got some money and you selling the dope now that you don’t owe me. Once a junkie always a junkie. Get off of me and get the fuck out of my house.”

  Beloved’s words enraged him. He wrapped his hands around her neck and squeezed. She kicked and kicked, trying to toss him off of her by moving her torso back and forth. He weighed too much so this was only tiring her out. He applied even more pressure. Her body went limp as her eyes bulged out of her skull.

  He stayed in that position on top of her staring at her beautiful face. Everything about it was perfect as if he had sculpted it himself. He loved her but he could never tame her. She had rescued him when he was doing dope in the streets. She wanted to be with him when he didn’t have anything. He never could play second and he knew that as soon as that nigga Khalil came back and swept her off her feet that he was going to be just a memory. He was back on the dope and she was the last person he wanted to find out. “Once a junkie always a junkie” would replay in his head forever as the last words she ever said.

  He jumped up and looked down at her laid out on the sofa with her robe open. He killed her for no reason. The blood running through his veins had always been cold, and this was the perfect example. He ran toward the front door and paused. As he looked back, he saw her oldest daughter Honesty, who was the carbon copy of her mother coming up the hallway. He shut the door and ran to his car at full speed.

  Chapter 2: All white err thang’

  He parked down the street in the driveway of the empty house and walked up the street. He had on all black and at this time of night, the neighborhood was quiet and calm. He approached the house in silence, creeping around the side so that he could get a good look at what was going on inside. He had been following Honesty
for the last three hours and she had finally led him to the jack pot; or so he hoped.

  The three siblings sat around the table. They hadn’t spent any real time together in the past week. If you looked at them, you couldn’t tell that they were related at all. They shared no similar features, size or personalities. But once you’ve seen them in action, there is no doubt that they are sisters.

  Honesty sat at the head of the table emptying the contents of the cigarillo so that she could roll her up a Kush blunt. “Man, I swear this is dat real gas pack. Imma’ be high as a fool. It pays to know people that know people… and baby, I know people.”

  “Bitch, I hope you ain’t finna smoke dat strong shit in here. I don’t want that in my clothes and I damn sho’ don’t want it in my hair. I got a date tonight with the nigga that I met in Magic City. He is the one that play football.” Loyalty said as she got up from the table.

  “Sit yo punk ass down, you’re gonna have more than a lil’ weed smoke on ya. I got a lot of dope that needs to be broke down tonight. I miss y’all but you know with me its M.O.E. money over everything baby! Killa’ will be here in a minute. I suggest that you call your date and ask him to make it a breakfast date; it’s gonna be a long night, lil’ mama.” Honesty told her younger sister as she looked at her dressed like she was fresh off of a catwalk.