There's Levels To My Thug

by Judith Tamalynn

  We arrived at the dorms around 7 pm I was feeling a little edgy because Darrin had been blowing up my phone with calls and text messages since I got out of class. I kept sending him to voicemail. I even answered one of his messages letting him know I was busy and needed to talk later.

  The last messaged I received from him said.

  “I don’t like to be ignored SAVANNAH! I’ll be seeing you soon…”

  I didn’t think to say anything to Dragon at first. I figured I could handle it on my own. Boy, I was wrong. I put my phone down on the charger. I grabbed my shower bag, slipped on my shower shoes and headed to the bathroom. As soon as I stepped out of my room all I remember is being busted on the back of my head. Waking up in a dark room tied to a bedpost.

  *Chapter Three*

  Dragon

  Waking up the next morning something just didn’t feel right. I instantly reached over for my cell to call Savannah like I would do any other morning. Strangely she didn’t answer I tried her a couple more times before I made my way over to her dormitory to see what was up with her. I buzzed up to her dorm but didn’t receive an answer. I knew she should’ve been up there because her classes didn’t start until 1 o’clock this afternoon and it was only 7:45 am. We made plans last night after I dropped her off to have breakfast this morning.

  I waited on the front steps 20 minutes before someone even came out the building that I somewhat recognized.

  “Hey excuse me miss have you seen Savannah last night or even this morning?”

  I asked one of the girls coming out the dorm.

  “Yes, she left in a gold Souped up Saturn around 6 am.”

  One of the other girls in the crowd yelled out as they walked passed me. This shit really didn’t feel right at all. The only person I knew with a gold Souped up Saturn is Darrin. Savannah and I had one rule. That is she’s not to go anywhere with him without notifying me. I hopped back into my ride and shot right down to Washington Heights where Darrin is known for hanging at down on 156th St. So I thought I’d lay low and keep an eye out for his Saturn or one of his trap boys. One way or another someone was going to lead me to Savannah. One thing everyone knows is Darrin’s car. I knew his stash house was somewhere in Manhattan which wasn’t too far from there so I figure I’ll follow his ass until I found my babe.

  It was almost 8 pm and I was just about to pull out until one of Darrin trap boys sped passed me busting a u-turn and parked up. When he stepped out the car, he walked over to the house and went in. I could see a shadow in the car but couldn’t make out if it was Savannah or not. I crept up on the side of the car and this dumbass Nigga left the doors unlocked but there was no Savannah. Whatever the hurry was he must have forgotten to lock the car. I took it upon myself to do a once over on the car but it was nothing there that I wanted. I crept back over to my car and waited for this Nigga to come out so I could follow him.

  Almost three hours and forty-five minutes of driving around in circles following this Nigga around for nothing. This Nigga Darrin was nowhere to be found. I ended up following his trap boy to a house in Delaware but the address wasn’t one of the addresses Savannah had. I parked four houses down. About ten minutes later Darrin ass pulled up. Once inside the house, his trap boy came out fifteen minutes later. I hopped out my ride and cased the crib to see how many Nigga’s I would be up against. Luckily for me the house was quiet. The glare from the television made it a little easy for me to see into the living room. I scanned the living room. There was no one in sight, not even Savannah.

  Trying to keep my cool all sorts of things started to race through my mind. As I stood there, I could hear a muffled noise coming from towards Darrin’s ride. The closer I got I could see a shadow in the backseat of the car. I jumped in front of the car with my 9mm drawn. I had so much rage in me trying to find my Babe that I didn’t realize it was her in the backseat. This motherfucker had my baby arms legs and mouth taped up and left her ass in the fucking backseat.

  I cut the tape off her she kissed me and grabbed the gun off my hip and said.

  “Babe this Nigga is out his fucking mind talking about taking over and taking you out. This is the cash spot babe and his ass is in there alone.”

  Savannah gave me the head nod winked her eye and whispered

  “Baby let’s go BLAST this Motherfucker!”

  I guess whatever the rush was it must’ve been important because this Nigga forgot the keys in the door. Savannah and I crept in and sho enough this Nigga was in the Bathroom on the toilet taking a smash. I didn’t give that Nigga enough time to grab for his gun. I grabbed my 9mm from my waist and blasted his ass. I didn’t give two fucks about that Nigga. Come to find out word got out that Savannah was my Shorty and Darrin ass felt some sort of betrayal. Let’s just say this was a kidnapping that went wrong all on his behalf. Savannah and I cleaned out the spot for all the cash and diamonds anything valuable. After chopping his ass up into pieces and separating them in different corners of the house, we made our way over to the car. I picked up my cell and sent the mass text out to my goons letting them know everything was a go. My plans were to get my girl back while taking this Nigga out all at the same time. Within fifteen minutes all Darrin traps were up in flames. By the time the fire department reaches any of them, it will all be ashes to ashes and dust to dust.

  After cleaning her fingerprints off the inside of Darrin car, we walked over to the maxima with our two fucks giving. Wasn’t no way I could let this man live after robbing me and then so called trying to kidnap the love of my life. We made sure no one would be able to place Savannah or I at the scene of the crime or for that matter anywhere with Darrin. Knowing everything, he planned to do to me was actually being done to him.

  *****

  It was 5 months since that bullshit. I woke up this morning thanking God that I was able to wake up and kiss my Lady. With all that bullshit going on just almost a six months ago who knows where I’d be. All types of things went flowing thru my mind as I lay next to her.

  Savannah’s graduation was coming up and I had something big in store for her. I restarted my classes back up at F.I.T. and everything was looking up for us. I’m due to graduate 3 months after the girls are due to be born. Shit they never locked anyone up for Darrin murder either. Thankfully Savannah and I had the home of our dreams and she was even offered a job after graduation where she did her internship. After I graduate, I was thinking of just going ahead and opening my own store up instead of selling my designs to some uptight suit-wearing dude. I never gave anyone a chance to turn me away, that’s why I do for self and the ones I love.

  It was hard keeping Savannah’s surprise party a surprise since we lived together now. But it was damn sure nice coming home to the aroma of some good ass food being whipped up in the kitchen by my Baby. Savannah always kept the music up while either cleaning cooking or for that matter when she’s in the shower. I tried to keep her off her feet as much as possible when she wasn’t in class being as though she was supposed to be on bed rest. That girl stayed busy if she wasn't doing school work she was thinking of things to change up around the crib. I had the 40/40 club already locked in for her surprise party. I even had folks coming in town that she hasn't seen in years. I even purchased my Babe a 2016 BMW 7 series. With the babies coming soon I definitely wanted to cop Savannah an engagement ring but wasn't too sure if I should get her a 15 karat or the 7 karat ring she keeps posting up all around the crib.

  Savannah was never too much into materialistic things. I can't say that made me love her any less it actually made me want to do more for her. I sat up in the kitchen fixing her favorite breakfast dishes. I wanted her to see how much I appreciated her. The kitchen looked like a madhouse. Bowls pans and ingredients all over the place. I fixed Savannah some sunny side up eggs, cheese grits, home fries and beef bacon. A brother even got down and made some homemade fritters and some fresh squeezed Orange Juice. I could hear Savannah up and about I hurried before giving her chance to ruining her breakfast i
n bed setup. Once I got everything on to her tray, I added 3 long stem roses to finish it off and walked into the bedroom.

  "Good morning Boo figured you were hungry so I thought I'd make you breakfast in bed."

  I said while placing the tray over her lap.

  "Babe I been thinking about us moving to Philadelphia. You could open some stores there and I could look into some marketing companies. You know something new and a fresh start for all of us."

  Savannah said with a smile as she sipped on her orange juice.

  Surprised that she would even consider moving after all the money, we put into the crib but whatever makes my lady happy. Savannah put a lot of thought into this move. She had print outs of homes she'd researched on the internet. She even had some retail spaces printed out for me. Nevertheless, there were things I still needed to clear up here in New York. After everything is said and done. I needed to be free and clear of all ties in this drug game before moving.

  I knew the surprise party was going to be over the top shit I don't think I'm going to be able to top this. I had less than 4 weeks to get both our families here without being caught. My right hand man does security for her favorite artist. I'm even trying to work that in some way. Shit all the things Savannah and I have been through she deserves the fucking world. I planned on giving Savannah the type of home I grew up in. I watched my Pop pull the red carpet out for my Mom even when he was mad. He’d say “Son when you know you have a good woman you do anything and everything to keep her happy. And when you think you’re right even when you’re wrong she’s always right”.

  *Chapter Four*

  Savannah

  It was a couple of weeks before graduation and I was so excited even with being 8 months pregnant and all. Dragon and I were set to move into our brand new home right after I finished up with my last final this morning. I don’t know if I was more excited for the move or finally being done with school or for that matter being 8 months pregnant with a 4.5 GPA and also the first female in my family to ever make it this far.

  Dragon went all out when I told him the news of my GPA. He came and picked me up from school as usual. When we pulled up in front of our home, there was an all-white 2016 BMW 7 Series all chromed out with a big ass red ribbon around it. The interior was white leather with black stitching with hers and his headrest. I jumped out the car screaming and jumping up and down because I knew it was for me. Shit who else it could be for. Dragon started shouting at me

  “Yo girl cut that shit out. You have my baby girls all up in you. Plus, I’m not even done yet.”

  Dragon shouting at me in a stern voice was a first so I straightened right the hell up. I mean he was right we’d been having so many complications trying to keep the babies from coming early. The doctors even had me on bed rest but being as though I wasn’t and Dragon damn sure wasn’t going to let me end school this way. I only had 2 months left before graduation so he drove me to and from all appointments along with driving me to my classes. We figured if I could just get to graduation without an overnight stay at the hospital and be able to hold the babies in, we’d be in greater shape and closer to the due date. So I calmed my happy ass right down. I took Dragons hand and followed his lead into the house. We walked thru the entryway into the foyer he surprised me with the white marble floors we argued over when we first spoke with the contractor.

  “Wow! Baby see it’s beautiful and it makes the space appear larger don’t you agree?”

  I asked Dragon while hugging and kissing on him.

  “It really wasn’t me. The contractor came here with his Ipad with some type 3D application of the room with the white marble and the black. I couldn’t say no plus with the marble and slate kitchen it was no question.”

  Dragon said to me.

  There were two high back Queen Ann white chairs sitting in the foyer in the center of the double stairway. The whole home was done in white and gray marble. Once you reached, the top of the stairs, in the middle of the hallway was the double doors leading into the girl’s room and it was more than I could ever imagine.

  Faith & Hope was carved on their bedroom doors. Their room was filled with pink and lavender with the base coloring being white. Their cribs were in the shape of big swans connecting by their beaks Dragon had the center of the wall behind the Swans beaks painted a blush pink just so you could see the heart that’s made by their connecting beaks. The beds were big enough for them to sleep in until they’re about 5. Dragon had white plush shag carpeting on their floor as I walked across the floor my feet sank right into the carpet. It felt like I was walking on clouds. Each of the dressers had their names engraved in them with mirrors in the shape of crowns. They even had their own changing stations designed by none other than their father he believed his girl’s deserved nothing but the best just as well as me. As we walked through our home, I saw that Dragon had most of our clothing, etc. there already. Desiree, Dragon second to the oldest sister, stood at the front door directing the movers to where everything belongs.

  The more we walked through the home, the more I got excited to the point my stomach started to cramp up. Dragon thought it would be best if I sat down for a minute. But before I had a chance my water broke. Dragon didn’t freak out like I thought he would. He did the exact opposite he swept me off my feet and took me straight down the steps and out the house. He took me out to the Range and laid me down in the backseat. He rushed back into the house to grab the keys there was no need to worry about our overnight bags, Dragon kept an extra set in his Range. I would make jokes about him toting around a double set of overnight bags

  Dragon would say “well you never know they can come any given Sunday.” He shouted over to Desiree to hold everything down at the crib with the movers and rushed me straight up the expressway to New York–Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center. The doctors told him he got me there in just the nick of time.

  The labor pains were coming left and right the doctors repeatedly told me that everything was okay because I carried the girls almost the full term. Before I knew it, I was holding Faith and Dragon held Hope in his arms he even asked the nurse to take our first family picture marked February 17, 2015. I was released from the hospital with Faith & Hope a week later. Luckily for me, all finals were done and I had passed them all. The only thing I needed was to get myself together and back to normal. I needed to be ready in every way to walk across the stage and receive my BS in Marketing.

  Dragon hired his younger sister Desiree to work for us. Desiree is going to be the girl’s nanny helping me out with them and some chores around the house. Desiree and I have been thick as thieves since Dragon and I first started dating. She stood 5’8” most men called her a tall glass of water. Desiree was natural. Her hair, nails, and beauty were all natural. There was no need to rock a weave with her natural bush. We always joked about her being Leela James twin sister. I knew if we could trust anyone with our precious angels it would be her.

  Dragon was due to pick us up from the hospital as soon as the Doctors discharge the girls and me. I knew something was up with him because he’d usually stay the night at the hospital with us. But last night he told me he needed to take care of some things out in the streets. He was going to settle a few things and he’d check back in the morning.

  I started blowing up Dragon’s phone around 8 am. After back to back phone calls, he finally answered.

  “Hey Babe, what’s up?”He answered on the first ring.

  “Baby, where are you? I thought you would’ve been here by now.”I responded.

  “Babe, I’m in the middle of paying Rico off. I’ll be there. Did the Dr.’s come in and see you yet?”Dragon asked in an aggravated tone.

  “First off good morning to you too. And secondly I don’t know what’s going on with you this morning but I didn’t do it. Thirdly, yes the Dr. did come in and he’s getting our paperwork together now. We should be ready for discharge in about an hour or so. I was just calling to check up on you since you didn
’t call. That’s all. Baby, I’m getting myself and the girl’s dressed. We’ll see you whenever you get here I love you and see you soon.”

  I said to Dragon before hanging up. I was not going to give him another chance on snapping at my ass again. I knew something was bothering him last night before he left. When I asked him if he was ok or if he needed to talk about anything, he just said it was nothing he couldn’t handle. One thing for sure I didn’t have to worry about him dealing with every hood rat in the city.

  I waited patiently for Dragon to pick us up. I had just finished getting Hope ready when Dragon walked thru the door. He had four dozen roses along with a big ass kool-aid smile on his face. Just as he leaned in to kiss me, I mugged him. I mean with a fully open hand palm in all.

  “Don’t be trying to walk up in here and sweet talk me with some 2, 4, 6,8,10, 12, 14 what’s that 48 roses?”

  I asked Dragon as I nicely pointed and counted each rose while laughing. But I didn’t expect him to clap back at me.

  “Um yeah right all these roses ain’t for ya ass anyway. You only have twelve my Lady Hope & Faith also have a dozen a piece and there’s even one for the nurse. Aww, look there're Daddy Princesses.”

  Dragon snubbed me and kissed Hope on her forehead.

  After kissing Hope on her forehead, Faith started cooing.

  “I sense a little jealousy already Babe.”

  I said to Dragon as I stole my kiss from him anyway.