by J Peach
“What—” I started to tell her what I wanted to know but she cut me off.
“I’m sorry, I’m so rude. We have another guest. Lo, go get our guest, please.” She cooed before squatting down to my level. “I was really your friend, Peaches, but you hurt me. Regardless, I’m still your friend. I got her for you.” She smiled wide at me and then stood and looked at Blake.
This bitch was crazy. How the hell I missed all of this was beyond me.
“My God! You look exactly like your father. Handsome little man you are. If you were just a few years older or I was younger…” she bit into her index finger nail, smiling. “We would be together.” Tish laughed.
“Tishana, get away from my son—” again my words were cut off.
Tish turned toward me and jumped in my face so fast I jerked back into the wall.
“It’s so funny you say that because he’s about ten and you’ve only known Blaze for about five years. So how could you have had his baby?” She bit into her bottom lip smiling. “You couldn’t have. Because I would’ve killed it. Now how he managed to slip through? I don’t know. But he’s not your fuckin’ son.”
She slowly traced her fingers from my jaw to my eye before she pulled her hand back and shot it forward.
The back of her fist slapped hard against my left eye with such force I fell to the floor.
“Ma!” Blake yelled and shot to his feet. “Let me go! Get the fuck off of me!” Blake screamed, trying to get loose.
“Eep!” Tishana squeaked and stood up. She made her way toward Blake. “Let him go. You have a mouth just like your father.” Her hand shot out and she wacked Blake in the mouth. “You’re going to watch your fuckin’ mouth in my house, you understand me?” She snatched Blake to her with a tight grip on his chin.
My mouth parted and I stared at Tishana. I know she didn’t just hit my baby. My eyes slid to Blake and landed on his red lips. Without a second thought, I hopped up off of the floor and jumped on her back. We fell to the floor but I didn’t care.
“You bitch!” I screamed as I wrapped my arms around her neck. Oh, I was pissed. “You gon’ fuckin hit my son?” My legs locked around her body. I was about to choke the life out of her. God, I wanted to punch her so bad, but my wrist was still tied and bound together. I wanted to hurt her. My head turned toward her face and I bit into her skin. I wanted her to feel as much pain that I could cause.
Tishana screamed, clawing at my elbow and arms as she tried to get free but she couldn’t. I wasn’t going to let that bitch go. My teeth sunk into her flesh harder until the copper flavor filled my mouth. I pulled my head back and spat the blood from my mouth. I took a moment to look over at Blake. The guy he was wrestling with got tired of tussling with him and punched him in the face.
“No!” I screamed as Blake hit the couch. “Blake!” I cried out his name momentarily loosening my grip on Tish.
She capitalized on my distraction, Tish rolled us over and then got on top of me.
At that moment the guy turned away from Blake and he kicked the man hard in his balls before he dodged to the side of the couch.
I didn’t see anything after that because Tish started choking me.
“You crazy bitch! I was trying to help you out and you attack me? I brought you here to apologize to you and hopefully be friends again!” She shouted as she lifted my head up and hit it against the hard floor.
A loud shot rang out in the basement. Tishana froze. So did I.
I couldn’t move. I was scared and in fear that my baby had been shot.
Slowly Tishana’s head turned to the side and I peeked around her only to see Blake laying on the floor.
“Oh, my God! No!” I screamed. “Blake!” My hips bucked wildly trying to throw Tish off of me. “Rashad, get up!” I yelled at him but he didn’t move. “Blake, please!” I pulled Tish’s neck hard, bringing her face closer to mine. I bit her while rolling us over before I began choking her as I cried.
Tish’s fingers clawed at my face. She was bucking violently to get out of my hold.
“Bitch, I’m going to kill you!” I yelled at her. Lifting her head up, I slammed it on the hard concrete floor. My tears blurred my vision as they flowed rapidly down my face.
I needed to get to Blake and make sure he was alright. I took the chance to look over at him only to be met with a hard kick to the face.
Instantly, everything went black.
Chapter 29
Blaze
“We got a problem,” Jerron said the moment I answered my phone, sounding pissed and worried.
“What the fuck you mean we got a problem? Whatever the fuck it is you better fix that shit.” I snapped at him.
“Yo, chill with that shit right now. I lost Monica.”
I sat up straight in the passenger seat of King’s truck. “What the fuck you mean you lost that bitch? How the fuck you do that?”
“Shit, if I know. I followed her to a nail shop and the bitch ain’t never come out. I was sitting outside that bitch for two hours until I started seeing mothafuckas leaving out who went in after her. I go inside and that bitch was gone. I went to her crib but weren’t no cars at that mothafucka.” Jerron paused before he continued. “So I go to her sister’s crib and these niggas packing to leave. I couldn’t let that shit happen and let them take my son again.”
I knew something happened by the way he said that. “What the fuck did you do?”
“What I had to. They ain’t know shit. All they said was Monica told them to pack up. Nann one of them could tell me where she called from or where the fuck they were supposed to go. So I did what the fuck I had to.”
I hung up on his ass. I wanted to kill that mothafucka but I couldn’t be mad because I would’ve done the exact same thing. “Fuck!” I hit the dashboard.
“What’s up?” King asked.
“That stupid mothafucka lost Monica’s ass! How the fuck he do that? He got his boy, tho’.” I grabbed a cigarette and lit it. “Fuck! We should’ve been grabbed that bitch!” I inhaled and then blew out the smoke.
“Damn,” King pulled into Sam’s office and parked.
We got out the car and went inside where he sat waiting on us.
“What’s been good?” He slapped hands with King before coming to me. He stared at me then nodded toward the chair. “You ready to tell me what’s up now? Or you still holding back, B?” He got straight to the point.
“N’all, I ain’t holding back. I was trying figure some shit out about yo sister.” I jumped right into it.
“Tish? What the fuck Tish do?” He seemed confused as to why her name was mentioned.
“I never put two and two together until recently but every nigga yo sister gets with is suddenly coming for me. That Blue mothafucka and then Le’Ron but wait so is Macy.” I brought to his attention. Sam stood leaned against the wall with his eyes squinted, thoughtfully. “Sam, I don’t know that bitch. I ain’t never even hit her ass. But she’s pretending to be a stripper. For what?” I asked him. But before he could respond I held up my finger, stopping him.
“But I send you a pic and you know Macy— wait Monica as you call her. Do you see where I’m going with all this shit?” I walked closer toward him, watching as he processed everything I just said. When I felt that he caught on, I nodded my head. “Exactly.”
“Hold up, so what the fuck you think? Tish and I was plotting against you?” I could tell he was offended and it pissed him off. “Are you fuckin’ serious, B? You think I’m plotting against you?” He pushed me hard in the chest.
King stood up and Sam turned on him.
He laughed. “What you gon’ kill me? Why the fuck you jumping up for? Huh? You gon’ shoot me, King? Huh?” He laughed and shook his head. “This shit is so fuckin’ comical right now. You really think I’ll plot against you, Blaze? For what, though? Huh? Money?” He laughed. Even though he was laughing I knew he was hurt.
“Is that why? I’m tryna understand this. My nigga, we been boys since we w
ere kids. When our moms ain’t have shit, nigga, I was on that block with you tryna get it just like you was. Whatever we made separately, we combined and split equally. How many mothafuckas would do that bullshit? My nigga, you my fuckin’ brother. You think all the shit we done been through I’d throw it away to plot against you for some mothafuckin’ money?
“Wait! If it ain’t money, what you think I want? Some fuckin’ work? If that’s the case, I would still be out here hustling like you two old bastards. I left that shit alone because that’s not what the fuck I wanted. Yeah, I jump back in when you need me but not for no gotdamn money but because you my fuckin’ brother. Why the fuck would I plot against you? Nigga, I’m good, sitting on hella money. So what I need yours for? Huh?” He snapped before he pushed King back. “Get the fuck out my way.”
King looked at me.
I shook my head with a wave of my hand, telling him not to say anything. I watched him pace back and forth for a minute, waiting on him to say something else. When he didn’t, I spoke. “Are you done now?”
Sam turned around on me so fast I thought he was about to whoop my ass. “Fuck you, Blaze. Do what the fuck you gon do and get that shit over with.”
I walked to his desk and opened up the bottom drawer and then grabbed the bottle of Hennessy before I sat down in his chair. “Aye, King, give me a cup.” King went to the sink and grabbed three glasses from the cabinet.
“What the fuck is you doing?” Sam asked, looking from me to King.
“I’m about to pour us a drink.” I poured myself a shot then quickly downed it before I gave them theirs. King tossed his back but Sam looked hesitant. “Man, drink the fuckin’ shot and have a seat.”
Once he tossed the drink back, he leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.
“King, he pissed off.” I laughed before pouring myself another shot. I drunk it then focused on Sam “Yeah, everything you said is true. You my nigga, my fuckin’ brotha. For a second the thought popped into my head but you’re my fuckin’ brotha so the idea left immediately. So this whole rant yo ass just went on wasn’t even necessary. I know you my nigga, period. And if you ever call me an old ass bastard again, I’mma beat yo ass, simple as that. Now, when I said exactly, I thought yo head was on the fact Tish mothafuckin’ ass knew all these folks. Think about it.” I gave him a minute to think about everything.
“Remember when I told you about Krystal and Blue’s situation? How she got my shit and all that? Tish was his bitch at the time. She helped him plot all that bullshit. I ain’t tell you this shit until now because I had to make sure. Nigga, that’s yo sister. You understand where I’m coming from?”
“Over some work, B?” He didn’t seem to understand.
“I’m not fuck’d up about no work. I can always recoup that shit. My nigga she was fuckin’ with Le’Ron when that stuff happened with Peaches and she lost my baby. The shit that popped off at my party, word around is some nigga named Rice was behind that hit. The picture I sent you was of him and Monica. They saying he’s Blue’s uncle—”
“I can tell you that he wasn’t Blue’s uncle. His only uncle died in the fire with him and his aunt.” Sam told me before he pointed to his desk. “Look in that first drawer and get the case file.”
My head tilted and I stared at him. “I don’t need to look at it. I believe you. But if he ain’t his uncle, then who the fuck is he? And why the fuck is he coming after me?” I shook my head. “We’ll figure that out later. But I’m snatching Tish’s ass up tonight at this little party King is throwing. Now this is where shit gets hard. She is yo sister and I plain on killing her ass for the shit she did to Peaches and what she took from me. This the only way it’s going to end. Sam, you my nigga, my brotha but if you get in my way, I’mma do what I have to. But I’m going to kill her.” I poured myself another drink and then stood.
“What’s up?” King answered his phone. His brows raised. “N’all, I ain’t talked to Peaches all today. Hold on.” He put the phone on speaker. “B, you talked to Peaches?”
I shook my head as I pulled out my phone to make sure I didn’t miss a call or text. “Not since a couple of hours ago. She was supposed get the kids some ice cream then pick up Keema and go straight to the crib. She was supposed to call me damn near two hours ago.” I called her.
“I know but she never showed up and Keema is having a fit. I’ve been calling her but I haven’t gotten an answer. I called Blake’s phone too but nothing.” Ebony sounded worried.
I wasn’t trying to hear that in her voice right now. “I’ight, I’ll find her and when I do, King will hit you back.” I hung up on her and then called Blake on his phone while still trying to reach Peaches on mine. I got the voicemail for them both. “Why the fuck y’all ain’t answering!” I yelled before ending the calls. “Let me see your phone.” I used Sam’s office line and called both of them only to get the same response. “Fuck!” I knocked the lamp and phone off his desk.
“B, calm down. Peaches probably took little man and went to Lafayette.” King threw out there.
I shook my head in disagreement. “N’all, she wouldn’t have done that. Come on, let’s go to the Chinese spot then Dairy Queen on 30.” Shit just wasn’t right. I knew for a fact Peaches wouldn’t leave and take Blake. She had the chance to leave but didn’t, so her bouncing now wasn’t likely. I started to walk out of the room but stopped to look at Sam. “When was the last time you talked to or seem Tish?”
“I ain’t seem Tish in a few years. Once that shit happened with Le’Ron and Peaches, she shut us out. She’ll call and holla at me every now and again but besides that, she pretty much stays to herself. Blaze, what reason would Tish have to hurt you? This could all be a coincidence. I know you don’t believe in them but come on this is just a little too crazy. Just think about it. B, I can’t let you kill my sister.” Sam told me.
“Then do what the fuck you have to and I’mma do the same. King, let’s go.” We walked out his office and then made our way to King’s car.
Once we were inside, he started it up and then looked at me. “You’ll kill yo boy?”
“Yeah, if it meant protecting my family, yeah. Ain’t no questioning that. They’re the only reason I’m here. Now let’s go.” I turned up the radio ending whatever conversation he was trying to have with me.
My mind was on Peaches and my son. That gutful dreading feeling returned to my stomach, telling me something bad was about to happen. Immediately, my mind went to Peaches laying in that hospital bed five years ago.
I shook my head. I couldn’t let history repeat itself.
***
Once we got to the Chinese restaurant, I wasted no time going inside. A picture of Blake and Peaches was on my phone’s screen ready to show the hostess.
“Have you seen them?” I asked the older woman at the front desk.
She shook her head no before calling over a waitress. “Have you seen them?” she asked in her thick Chinese accent.
The younger lady looked at the screen and smile. “She left a big tip. They left hours ago.”
“Was anyone with her when she left?” I needed to make sure she didn’t run into anyone while she was there. But it was no telling who she could have ran into right after.
“Just him.” The waitress pointed to Blake’s photo.
“Shit, i’ight.” I left out the restaurant. “They were here but left hours ago and they didn’t see her with nobody. Let’s go to Dairy Queen.” I told him once I hopped in the truck.
“I’ight, Bell said she ain’t at the crib. He said nothing is out of place, they clothes and shit is still there.” King let out a frustrated sigh as he drove. “Fuck!” He hit the steering wheel. “I know this bullshit ain’t starting all over again. Those mothafuckas better have dead batteries. That better be the reason they ain’t answering.”
I was hoping for the same reason but my gut feeling was telling me a whole different story. We pulled into Dairy Queen and got out. Once inside, I did the same thi
ng I did at the Chinese spot. “Aye, have you seen them?”
The female cashier glanced at the photo and shook her head. “No, I haven’t. Sorry.”
The dude next to her was trying to be slick and looked at the screen. I turned the phone his way. “Have you seen them?”
“Yeah, a few hours ago. Her and the little boy just left in a hurry. Did you want their ice cream she paid for it but didn’t take?”
“Do it look like I want some fuckin’ ice cream?” I snapped at him.
His mouth opened then closed before he looked at the female cashier. “No need for the attitude I was just asking—”
I cut him off. “Why she leave in a hurry?”
“And I’m to know that how exactly?” He popped slick with a pop of his lips.
I grabbed the front of his shirt and snatched him over the counter. “Yo don’t fuckin’ play with me. Answer the fuckin’ question before I make you the little bitch you’re trying to be.” I pulled my gun from my hip. I was gon’ light his ass the fuck up. I wasn’t in the mood for no gotdamn attitudes.
Someone screamed from behind me and it pissed me off. “Scream again, I dare you.” I snapped at her before I looked back at dude. “Now why the fuck did she leave?” I repeated my question.
“I don’t know. She was talking to some lady and then left out.” His voice shook as he answered.
I let him go and put my gun away. “Is this her?” I showed him a picture of Monica.
He shook his head no. “No, it wasn’t her. She was a bit darker than this lady with blond and black hair.”
I found a picture of Tish and showed it to him.
“Yeah that’s her.”
I hurried up and ran out the place back to King’s truck. “Go! Pull the fuck off before they call the police.” I was sure somebody in there was going to call the laws. We were in Merrillville too, they didn’t play that shit out here.
King pulled off. “What the fuck you do?”