Nick hung out at the park with Eric counting C-notes when I finally rolled up. Any passer-by could tell that Eric had been through some rough times. Overall, he had a youthful face, but his eyes were sunk-in deeply from sleepless nights. A long, deep gash stretched from the top of his left cheek to his lower left jaw. The buck-fifty was inflicted by another inmate while Eric was at Riker’s Island. It was enough to make most think twice about trying him.
He was feared and hated. I looked over at the caged basketball court next to us. It was jammed-pack with ballers.
“What the hell is wrong with you, Nick?”
The players stopped running their half-court game in hopes of witnessing a brawl.
“Look fam, everybody around here knows that we’re hood thieves. The cops asked about a robbery around here and one of these wet-behind-the-ears dudes tells them they saw Nick flashing hundreds all of a sudden. This is how we’re eating here. You can’t play with that.”
“You right, you right. My fault but I haven’t felt gwap like this in months. You shoulda seen how that chick Gina was on my jock yesterday. She wouldn’t give me the time of day before. All that bitch got was some hard dick and a Value Meal. M.O.B means money over bitches, Jaden. You wouldn’t know nothin’ bout that.”
The conversation paused for gaming two lovely young ladies and quickly picked back up when they kept on walking by.
“Stuck-up bitches. Let’s go splurge. Matter of fact, we need to get some more,” Eric sucked his teeth and said.
“First things first,” Nick said. “We can’t go into these schemes with box cutters and screwdrivers anymore. People know us. We need blickeys.”
Eric nodded and we were off to the pizza shop on Broadway. The money was divided on the way. We were excited about the paper and sat close at the window to clock the ladies while Eric voiced concerns.
He took a bite of a pepperoni slice and said, “You know how many young ones are strapped nowadays? Just the other day this nerdy-ass idiot I used to push around, flashed a pistol.”
“You talking about Rob? He never had the heart to talk to a chick. Now he wanna be a killer?” I asked.
“I was thinking the same shit, my nigga. But then again, I did put a major whooping on him a couple times.” Nick laughed.
“That shit was wrong, dude.”
“We need straps.”
Later, I asked General Lee about a place to buy guns. He told me about a spot downtown on Madison Av and for me to mention his name. We took the train down to the shop and walked in bright-eyed. The store owner knew right away that we were first-timers. I reeled from his loud greeting.
“Hey boys! Is there something I can interest you in today?”
“General Lee sent us,” I said.
He leaned on his showcase spinning a toothpick between his teeth with this nasty grin on his face.
“How’s the General?” He asked leading us to the back.
“How much you got?”
“Eleven hundred. Can we get three pieces for that price?”
“Hmm, you don’t have to leave here empty-handed.”
He pulled a key ring off his waist and opened up a box. Nick grabbed one with an infrared beam as soon as it was out. He took aim at the wall and flicked the infrared beam on.
“This for me. What’s the name of this one?”
“The Walther P22 with the infrared beam. It’s light and very efficient.”
“How much?”
“I’ll give it to you for $300 flat.”
I chose the Bersa Thunder .380, and Eric had a Ruger KP345. Once we got a feel for our new weapons, I asked, “What’s up with a package deal? Can you give us one reduced price for all of these?”
“Hmmm… I wouldn’t normally but since it’s for Lee, I’ll charge you guys $800 for all three. You can’t beat that.”
“That’s perfect. And I’ll spend the leftover for clips, chief.”
Once the deals were made, it seemed like Eric felt a rush of power surging through his body. He yanked the trigger again and again, invigorated by the feeling in his palm. I treated my piece like a newborn, caressing the cold steel like I was putting it to bed. I gawked at the gleam when the sun’s rays bounced off it.
“Lolita,” I said aloud.
“What?”
“Lolita, that’s my piece’s name. My new piece is Betty. She real sluttish too.”
“Ha, ha! That’s cool,” Nick said, wiping his piece down like he was cleaning the scene of a crime. “You know why those are good names, J?”
“Nope, tell me.”
“Cuz, they’ll give it to any Black man in Harlem that wants some!” Nick said. We all doubled over in laughter.
“Ooh! Look at these bladed brass knuckles! I’ll throw all the rest of my loot in for the pair.”
We bought three clips each and started heading to the door.
“Give me the pieces before we step out of here. I can put them in my backpack, man. Make sure they not loaded and put the safeties on. Shit, we can’t even afford holsters.”
Nick started shaking his hand like an insect was pestering him while they walked. Eric picked up on it instantly.
“What it is, Nick?”
“We need to take a bus or a cab. Since 9/11, cops be all over the subways.”
“You’re absolutely right, my nigga. Let’s do the cab thing.”
Ten minutes passed by while they stuck their thumbs out for a cab. Hailing a cab on Madison Avenue at rush hour was a tedious affair. For three Black teens it was like climbing Mt. Everest. Eric kicked a can off the curb into traffic venting frustration.
“What the fuck! My money ain’t good around here?!”
“Nah, ya skin color ain’t good around here. You can’t blame them, though. One of them got their caps pushed back recently. And calm ya ass down a bit. It ain’t like the cops not around.”
Twenty minutes later, a cab pulled over for us. They hopped in and couldn’t resist playing with their new toys. They snatched my bag away from me and fondled the pieces in their laps.
“Goddamn, J! I can see this infrared beam in daylight!”
Nick blocked the taxi cab driver’s view and took aim at random objects. I punched him in the shoulder.
“What the hell is wrong with you?”
I grabbed the guns and stuffed them back inside my backpack. The meter read thirty dollars and we paid and caught a train uptown.
“So what’s the move now?”
“Let’s post up on one four five and Broadway,” Eric answered. “Tons of mamis be out there at this time. Whoo-whee...”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
SHAWNA AND BRIA
Nick and I were posted up on the corner when Bria strutted by us with a sour face on. I froze, and my heart thumped hard. Finally I built up enough nerve to speak.
“So what’s up?” I asked walking behind her as she checked out some kicks in Footlocker. “You still wear that same perfume? I thought you’d change everything when we ah... Hell, you cut your hair, did your nails, you even look like you lost a little weight. So what’s up with that? You never gonna see me again or sump’n’? It’s a whole new you, huh?”
She gave me a weak smile, turned away a little and asked the store rep to fetch her a size 6 in a pair of Pumas. I couldn’t help but get excited, staring at her cherry lips. My eyes zoomed in on her thick thighs and plump rump. I couldn’t get those body parts out of my dreams.
“It’s not like I regretted our time together. We just grew apart. Things change, though. Call me sometime. You remember the number, don’t you?” She asked seductively.
“I couldn’t forget if you brainwashed me. And why are you limping? What happened to your wrist?”
“This crazy bitch tried to kill my ass at the Rucker.”
“Seriously? Who’d wanna start beef with you?”
“I don’t know, but Veronica said her name was Shawna…?”
“Word…? Shawna…?”
“You know the sorry
bitch that scarred me?”
“Just calm down, okay? I don’t know her personally, but ah Shawna Reid used to be Devlin’s jump-off back in the day.”
“Jaden, I can’t wait to get a chance to kill that bitch.”
“Don’t even go there with her, Bria. That bitch is crazy. Let me take it from here, all right?”
“Why? You ain’t my man.”
“True dat but I’m about to get reinstated,” I said with a smile.
She spun and left the store. I had to find out if she was with Will.
“What is that, the new Mustang drop Bria pushing?” Nick asked annoyingly nudging me with his elbow.
“Yeah, Will’s flashing his money all over the place, but he’s poisoning the whole neighborhood. Anybody can do that. I’m not down with it. You know what I’ve realized? These dealers out here aren’t stupid, they lazy. How much easier is it to sell to a few fiends and risk your ass everyday than it is to get a job? I’d rather rob people than kill ’em slow, you know what I mean?”
“I feel you, J, I feel you,” said Nick.
“Bria’s always been a little show-off, with her fine ass. I’m a see her tonight, though. I’m hungry. I need to get to the bottom of the situation with that Shawna bitch, too. Scarring up my baby. I ought to sick one of my girl cousins on her ass. I’m a make a few stops before I hit the spot tonight. Let’s get them cell phones you were talking about.”
“That’s what’s up. Papi up the street can hook us up with some prepaid bleep-bleeps. Let’s do it.”
We bought a pair of Nextels and parted ways. Nick headed off to check out a chick. I headed over to Aunt Paula.
Two hours later, I chirped Nick. He told me his hands were full with Isabel. He called back a few minutes later.
“Yeah...”
“I’m a need another half-hour with this hottie right here,” Nick said. “But...ah...ah...I’m be at the party, though.”
“In a minute,” I said then hung up and walked to my aunt’s kitchen. “Steak and potatoes! That’s what up!” I beamed. I was hungry as hell, and made short work of the plate.
“Jaden slow down before you have an upset stomach!” My aunt cautioned.
“So how was your day, Aunt Paula?”
“Well honey, that awful boss of mine blamed me for what she forgot three weeks ago! I couldn’t believe the nerve of her...”
My thoughts quickly faded to Bria. I missed having her in my arms. She was a gorgeous Nubian queen and independent. She never asked for a dime. She was one in a million. I needed her back.
“Are you listening to me, boy? Jaden!”
“I’m sorry, Aunt Paula. I kinda blanked out for a minute there.”
“It’s a girl, isn’t it? Well, you’re not going to get anywhere with any woman with that raggedy hair of yours. See a barber sweetie.”
I rushed through the rest of my plate as I spoke. “You’re right. I gotta get ready to go to this party. Thanks a million.”
I gave her a kiss on the cheek, took the dishes to the sink and hustled through the door. I darted down the stairs, waving goodbye on the way down.
“Be careful!” She shouted.
Her voice echoed off the walls in the hallway. I headed to the train with my adrenaline flowing. Anything could happen tonight. There was going to be a mix of ex-girlfriend, her new man and a cluster of people who were haters. At least I’d have Nick and Eric on my side. They were riders to the end. I breathed a sigh of relief and hopped on the train to midtown.
I knew Devlin had the same number but he wouldn’t pick up. He’s probably scared of another beat-down. I dialed his number repeatedly trying to get at him about sending Shawna after Bria. The rain came down and my anger toward Devlin multiplied as my Air Force Ones sapped up water like sponges. Frustrated, I slung water off my Giants fitted cap and kicked a bottle on the curb, smashing it against the sewer drain.
Passing by his window, I yelled until he answered. Once he poked his head out of his bedroom window, I let him have it.
“I need to talk to you!”
“What the fuck do you want, J?”
“Forget that for now. You either come down now, or I spill info to everybody on this block.”
Devlin headed downstairs and pushed his way out of the lobby doors.
“Jaden’s what’s up, fam?” He asked from the top of the stairs.
We stared each other down for what seemed like an eternity. Devlin started walking down slowly. We were standing about a foot apart and everyone knew that we were about to fight.
“You here for Round two, J?”
“It seemed that you told your pit bull to have words with my girl.”
“You got a girl. Oh shit! Oh yeah! You mean your ex-girl, Bria. Trying to get that old thang back, huh? That’s typical sweet-ass-nigga move. You in love! Word is that Will’s been tearing that ass up on the reg.”
“You’re gonna fuck around and get your ass tore up. Just come straight with the facts, D.”
Devlin stepped back and jumped forward right up in my face.
“I don’t have the time to worry about sending one of my bitches to cut your bitch.”
“I didn’t say she got cut. Now I know you lying.”
I saw my sister hop over a puddle that stemmed from a sewer drain and accepted money from Devlin.
“Julissa, what the hell are you doing here? And how’d you beat me over here? Who dropped you off?” I shouted as the anger inside boiled over.
“Me and Maria were just hanging out J. Relax! You out in the streets and you over here judging me?” She sighed and replied.
“I can’t believe you! That’s it. After I whip your boss’s ass, I’m whipping yours.”
“I’m not your child, J.”
I watched her head across the street with Maria and a few other teenage girls.
“Where you going?” I yelled and motioned for her to come back. She hung her head while crossing over to my side.
“Julissa you still doing working for this guy? Didn’t we just get you out of jail?”
“Damn right I am! I’ve been doing what I do for a hot minute. This street life and drug pushing ain’t for people with choices.”
“Julissa look, I came here to handle business. Go home with your friends and let me do what I do, okay? I don’t have the energy to deal with you today, little girl.”
Devlin took advantage of the distraction as the rain came down heavy. It made for the perfect cover. He curled his arm and slammed an elbow to my chin. The impact jammed my lower jaw to the upper. I stumbled back and struggled to a fighting stance.
“Devlin what the hell are you doing?” Julissa screamed stepping in his path.
He shoved her aside and tossed her into garbage cans, flat on her ass into the trash. Julissa tumbled to the concrete.
“I’m a hurt you, D!” I shouted charging at Devlin.
The force of my blow brought his shoulder to gut level. Devlin landed several punches to my back but I locked my arms around his waist, lifted him off his feet and body-slammed him. Devlin screamed when his back smacked the curb.
That took most of the fight out of him, reducing him to guarding his face while I swung at him as fast as I could. The soaking rain sent me in a frenzy.
I reached for the bladed brass knuckles to mark this devil forever but while going for it, Devlin landed a brutal knee to my groin. I rolled off him and he got to his feet, kicking me in the ribs. I grabbed Devlin’s foot and twisted hard.
“Get off my leg, bitch-ass!” Devlin screamed in pain.
I pulled his sneaker off and made him crash flat on his back. I collared him while keeping my distance. Then laying flat on my stomach I fired jabs to Devlin’s face. He took punches and countered with kicks. Several minutes had passed. Our clothes were soaked with rain and sweat. We were breathing laboriously and most of our strength was gone. I had some body lumps and some bruises. Devlin had a bruised chin and his eyes were badly swollen.
I was spent but
had enough to get up under my own power. My right hook caught Devlin. With rubbery legs, he got back up on his feet.
“I’m not done with you yet, J! Bring your punk ass back here now!”
“Julissa, Julissa let’s go,” I said calling my sister.
She ran out the lobby of a building. I turned and looked at him. “We’ll settle this another day,” I shouted before walking off with Julissa to the train.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
2001 YOUNG LOVE
“But for real though,” I said licking my lips. “So when are we gonna spend some alone-time together?”
Bria was the hottest girl in high school. She was only sixteen when we first met but could’ve passed for twenty-one. She had a bright, wide smile, proper knockers and was shaped like an hour glass.
Watching her body everyday was taking a toll on my education. I must’ve blown a month of the semester just staring at her. Guys and girls froze and whispers started when she entered a room. It took even longer for me to build up the courage to approach her. My heart banged against my chest plate when I finally got her number. We chatted for a few weeks and hung out sometimes.
The same reasons I couldn’t keep my eyes off her were the same reasons that caused me to worry. I knew what happened to a lot of chicks like her. Uncle Nate put me up on the game.
“Son, be careful of chicks who be blossoming too early. You can’t trust ’em. Older guys throw money at ’em and that fries their brains. After a while, they think the only way they can make money is throwing something tight on and sliding under some high roller, or somebody that’s gonna be rich one day. That means you, boy. Watch out.”
It didn’t worry me. Bria wasn’t like that. For her, it was all about personality and style.
“Let me walk you home today,” I said, turning on the charm. “I just wanna be around you for a while. I’ll have something to dream about.”
She laughed in a cute high-pitched laugh. I felt like a king with his queen on his arm as we trekked down to the subway. I got down to business when we got to the train.
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