by K'wan
Pearl looked at Sheila as if she had taken leave of her senses. “Yo, I don’t know if I’m more pissed that you were dumb enough to let your so-called man talk you into renting your pussy out or the fact that you tried to drag me to the bottom of the barrel with you. Sheila, you know I’d never judge you for however you decide to chase paper, but my name carries too much weight in these streets to have mud on it behind some shit like this.”
Sheila snorted. “I don’t even know why I’m surprised that you flipped this situation to make it about you.”
“How am I making it about me if I’m trying to put your silly ass up on game? Sheila, I know that even with both of your parents working, things can get tight, but there should never come a point when you’re so hard up for money that you’re whoring yourself out to second-rate hustlers in neighborhood bars. That’s hood-booger shit, and I expect better from anybody I move around with.” Pearl hadn’t meant to go so hard on her, but Sheila’s attempt to justify the situation only made her angrier.
Sheila rolled her liquor-glazed eyes at Pearl and sucked her teeth. “Why it gotta be who you move around with, instead of us moving together? You always screaming that we’re a team, but it’s more like you call the plays and we get in where we fit in.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it. We’re a crew; everybody is the same.”
“Nah, we ain’t all the same. Since we first met, you’ve always had everything handed to you. While the rest of us bust our asses to make it in the world,” Sheila spat.
“You act like we don’t get money together. What about all the rackets we all see paper off in school?” Pearl reminded her.
“Yeah, but the difference is: we’re hustling because we have to; you hustle because you want to. You and I both know that you really don’t have to do shit but kick back and live off your family’s money!” Sheila said emotionally. The liquor had ahold of her, and she was speaking from her secret place of envy.
“Sheila, you’re drunk and talking out your ass so I’m gonna let you have that, but don’t push me,” Peal warned. Sheila was one of her best friends, so to hear such sharp words come out of her mouth hurt, but Pearl wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of showing it.
“There you go again, trying to tell me what to do!” Sheila yelled. She was causing a scene now, so people were looking.
“Sheila, you need to shut your mouth,” Pearl said through clenched teeth.
“And what if I don’t? You gonna tell your daddy and have one of his flunkies come and kill me?”
Pearl wasn’t clear on what happened, but at some point she must’ve snapped. By the time she caught herself, she had already viciously slapped Sheila across the face twice, busting her nose and knocking her to the ground. Sheila looked like she wanted to get up and fight, but she thought better of it and stayed down. “That’s the second time tonight you’ve said some funny shit about my family, and there won’t be a third, bitch!” Pearl spat before storming off, leaving Sheila on the ground to nurse her bloody nose.
* * *
Pearl hadn’t made it a half block before the tears came. She wasn’t big on public displays of emotion, but Sheila had hurt her. Their crew was supposed to be tight, more like sisters than friends, but sisters didn’t air family laundry in the streets to hurt one another. She knew Sheila was twisted, but a drunken mind often spoke a sober tongue. From the things she’d said, it made Pearl wonder if the other girls had felt the same way. One thing was for sure, there was no apology Sheila could offer to make this right. Their friendship was over.
Pearl knew there was no way she would be able to catch a taxi with all the people crowding the block of the bar, so she decided to cross the street. She had been standing out there for nearly ten minutes, but so far hadn’t gotten anyone to stop, except old perverts mistaking her for a working girl. She needed to get out of there before she made the morning news.
Across the street she saw a sleek Lincoln Town Car idling and waiting for the light to change. When the car lurched forward, Pearl stepped off the curb, waving her hands frantically and hoping the livery cab would stop. As it neared her, she couldn’t help but notice that instead of the normal factory hubcaps, this town car had deep-dish chrome rims on it. It brought back a memory from several years prior, when her father had pulled up, driving a similar-looking monstrosity. Only, that Lincoln had been green, but it, too, had big ugly rims. The running joke in the house was that Pearl would inherit it when she was old enough to drive. When her eyes drifted from the rims to the man driving the car, her heart came to a full stop.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Knowledge crawled along the BQE, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel in irritation. At that time of night it should’ve been smooth sailing, but he hadn’t accounted for the five-car pileup that would shut down two lanes for miles. Knowledge was someone who prided himself on his punctuality, among other things, and this was unlike him. He had tried to do too much in one day, and being late for his most important appointment was the cost.
The incident with Born earlier had him off his square. He knew it would be an awkward, and potentially hostile, conversation, but he had never expected it to get physical. Truth be told, it didn’t have to, and it shouldn’t have. Daou was out of pocket, but Knowledge could’ve handled it differently. He’d walked into their circle as a friend delivering a message, but laying hands on a member of their crew had changed the dynamics of their relationship. Instead of solving a small problem, he’d created a bigger one.
Born had set the bait, and Knowledge had foolishly bit. He was the only person, other than Big Stone, who knew him well enough to push his buttons. By making the remark about being his own man, it played on Knowledge’s insecurities just enough to make his focus slip, and it was all downhill from there. Knowledge knew he couldn’t take his frustrations out on Born because of repercussions neither of them wanted, so when Daou opened his mouth, he made himself the perfect consolation prize. Power was more than capable of handling himself, and it would’ve raised less of a stink, but Knowledge needed the wreck.… He craved the feeling of soft flesh under his sharp knuckles, and Daou satisfied had it, but the satisfaction would hardly be worth the cost when it came back around.
After leaving Queens, he’d headed back to Harlem to drop Power off at his crib. He hadn’t said much during the ride back, but then again he didn’t need to. His eyes told the whole story of what his mind was thinking. Power wasn’t someone who let go of grudges easily. He might not do it that night, on the strength of Knowledge’s and his connection to the situation, but sometime in the near future he would return to the place he’d been disrespected and address it. Knowledge would attempt to speak with him on the pros and cons of retaliation, but he doubted there was anything short of an act of God that would change the outcome.
He dropped Power off, making him promise not to make a move until he got back with him, and then zipped off to his next destination, which would further eat into his time. He pulled into a Midtown garage, where he would swap his Acura for one of Big Stone’s rides. It would’ve saved him time to just pick him up in the Acura, but Big Stone had made it clear that he wouldn’t be caught dead riding in that piece of shit.… Those were his exact words.
Even with the pit stops, Knowledge would’ve had time to do what he needed to do had Big Stone not changed plans on him at the last minute. He wasn’t supposed to land until around midnight, but he’d called Knowledge that afternoon to tell him that he was catching an earlier flight. He could tell from his tone and the fact that he was in such a rush to get back that something had happened, but Big Stone wouldn’t talk about it over the phone.
There was a break in the logjam of cars, and Knowledge went for it, nearly getting sideswiped by a truck as he broke for the exit. Thankfully there wasn’t much traffic at the international terminal, and Knowledge was able to reach his gate without further delay. Considering all he’d gone through, Knowledge had made pretty good time, but it wasn’t good
enough. Big Stone was standing at the curb with all his luggage, and looking like he was mad enough to kill.
Big Stone was as imposing physically as he was by reputation: standing at a muscular six foot six with a skull and jawline that looked like they had been carved from the side of a mountain. A high black turtleneck clung to him like a second skin, while his long tan overcoat flapped in the wind like he was posing for a GQ cover. When his deep black gaze landed on Knowledge, who was just pulling to a stop, time seemed to stand still.
“Sorry I’m late. Got stuck in traffic,” Knowledge said apologetically, getting out of the car to grab Big Stone’s bags.
“I’ve been standing out here long enough for a nigga to kill me twice and be long gone before anyone who could do anything about it heard about it,” Big Stone said. His voice was heavy yet smooth, like an Isaac Hayes interlude. “You know how I feel about punctuality,” he said as he slid into the backseat.
Knowledge ignored his comment and went to retrieve the bags from the curb. When they were secured, he slid behind the wheel and pulled out into traffic. “So, how was your flight?”
“Cramped and uncomfortable,” Big Stone said with an attitude. “Because I switched it at the last minute, I had to fly economy. First class was full. I ended up sandwiched between a fat guy who sweat a lot and an old woman whose breath smelled like onion bagels. It was a real stink fest. Then I come back, and you picking me up in this bucket was the icing on the cake. Out of all the cars in my collection, you pick this shit to come pick me up in?” Big Stone said in disapproval as he tried to get comfortable in the back of the Lincoln Town Car.
“You said you wanted to keep your arrival quiet and that I should pick you up in something inconspicuous,” Knowledge replied.
“I know, nigga, but damn … this car screams country dope boy.” Big Stone toyed with the knobs on one of the screens mounted in the headrests.
“It should, since it was a country dope boy who you took it from,” Knowledge reminded him.
Big Stone chuckled, sounding like soft beats on a bass drum, as he recalled the circumstances under which he had acquired the car. Big Stone had been a guest at a high-stakes poker game thrown by a friend of his when one of the players made a wager that he couldn’t cover, and instead of Big Stone taking his life, he took his ride. “I never liked this car, and goodness knows I don’t need another vehicle, so I don’t know why I didn’t just let him keep it.”
“Because had you let him keep it, there wouldn’t have been a lesson learned,” Knowledge said. “The act wasn’t about the money—you’ve got plenty of that—but stripping him of something dear to him. To take a man’s car is like taking his nuts. That loss is gonna stick with him longer than any other.”
“Smart man,” Stone confirmed. “Now get me the hell out of this airport, and please tell me you’ve got some weed on you. For the day I’ve been having, I need to blaze something.”
* * *
Halfway through his joint, Big Stone seemed to loosen up. Knowledge decided that while he had him in a good mood, it was the perfect time to ask him about the prospect Knowledge had his eyes on. “Big Stone, what do you think about that kid Domo?”
Big Stone took a drag off the joint, searching his mental Rolodex to place the name. “You mean the Jersey kid who plays ball with Stoney? A little too quiet for my tastes. That tells me he’s either sneaky as hell or plotting to take over the world. I don’t know too much about him, other than what I get from Stoney, but I hear he’s making a little name for himself in Newark. Why the sudden interest?”
“I was thinking about bringing him in,” Knowledge told him. “I’ve been watching the kid for a while, and I like how he moves. Just earlier I laid the bait for some bullshit, but he didn’t bite. He chose his honor over a dollar.”
“Niggas like that are like unicorns in the hood; you hear stories but can’t say you’ve ever laid eyes on one. He’s going to make a good soldier in someone’s army, but not ours.”
“Why not? I know you see the potential in him, same as I do,” Knowledge insisted.
“Oh yeah. There’s no doubt in my mind that with the right guidance, he could be something special, but he’s just a kid,” Big Stone said.
“He’s about the same age I was when you recruited me,” Knowledge reminded him.
Big Stone shook his head. “Still, he’s one of my son’s friends. I don’t give a shit what he does on the other side of the Hudson, so long as he doesn’t bring it around my son or my home.”
“I can understand that, but I don’t plan on having him on the corners. That would be a waste of his talents. I wanna keep him close to me and show him the ropes. Maybe not right away, but Domo could be a real asset.”
Big Stone smiled. “So the student wants to become the teacher, huh?”
“Pay it forward—isn’t that what you always taught me to do?”
“Let me think on it for a while and see how I feel about it. For now just keep an eye on him, but don’t pull him too close just yet. He’s Stoney’s best friend but still an outsider. We need to see where his heart is at before we even consider letting him in.”
“You got that,” Knowledge said, happy for the small victory.
“While we’re talking business, did you go see Born like I told you to?” Big Stone asked.
Knowledge flinched at the question. He knew eventually Big Stone would bring it up, but he still wasn’t looking forward to having to answer it. “Yeah.”
“Well, don’t keep an asshole in suspense. What did he say?”
“He said okay.”
Big Stone frowned. “That’s it? Just okay?”
“I told Born to fall back from shorty, and he promised he wouldn’t pursue her,” Knowledge said, omitting the part about her pursuing Born.
“Damn well better had! He was out of bounds for sticking his dick in what’s mine. I got a good mind to still have him touched over it, just on general purposes.”
“So things are that deep with you and this chick?” Knowledge questioned. What he really wanted to ask was: Are you seriously thinking about starting a civil war within your crew over a whore?
“She sucks a mean cock and looks good on my arm, but she ain’t nobody I’d roll through the presidential inauguration with. This ain’t about feeling, Knowledge. It’s about class and status. How would a boss nigga like me look, sticking his dick in the same bitch as a nigga I feed?”
“You’d look like two niggas fucking the same hood rat.” Knowledge chuckled.
“Laugh now, but see how funny it’ll be when you’re sitting in the big chair, and the pups are trying to help themselves to your leftovers. Niggas will always try to steal your joy, especially those you’ve welcomed as family!”
“Speaking of relations, Rolling is back in town,” Knowledge said, putting it out there to sidetrack Big Stone from the tirade he was about to go on.
Big Stone’s teeth gritted, and a thick vein appeared down his forehead. “I thought I smelled trash when I got off the plane. Where’d you step into that pile of shit?”
“He was with Born in Queens. From his reaction, I don’t think he had counted on running into someone who could blow his spot up. Born seemed amused by the whole thing though.”
“I don’t know why I’m surprised.” Big Stone snorted. “Them two low-key dopeheads always been thick as thieves, and Rolling still ain’t got the scruples to know he’s always gonna wind up the scapegoat for whatever Born is into. After that last stunt Rolling pulled, getting me crossed in with one of his baby mamas, I told his fuck-ass I didn’t want to see him in New York again. I wonder what the hell he’s got going on that’s worth him risking getting his shit split?”
“Can’t be nothing good for us.”
“Yeah, nine times outta ten anything that jealous-hearted nigga is cooking up will either come at my expense or I’ll have to clean it up later.” Big Stone shook his head.
“Had it been anybody else, I’d have taken care of it
without bothering you with it, but he’s your brother, so I figured it’d be best to get your take on how I should proceed. I can run him out or I can run him down,” Knowledge offered.
Big Stone thought on it. “Nah, man. I promised my mama on her deathbed that no more of her kids would die before their parents. My daddy is still alive, so Rolling is too … at least for now. But I still want eyes on him. I wanna know what that sneaky muthafucka is up to.”
“You got it,” Knowledge agreed. “So, you gonna tell me why you were in such a rush to get back, or are you going to make me guess?” Knowledge said, changing the subject.
Big Stone pulled himself forward on the back of the driver’s seat. He was so close that Knowledge could feel the heat from his breath when he spoke. “I’m glad you asked that question, considering it’s partially your fault.”
This took Knowledge by surprise. “What you mean?”
“When I made you my right hand, do you remember why it was that I did so?” Big Stone asked.
Knowledge thought on it, trying to recall Big Stone’s exact words from all those years ago. “You said because in me you saw a young man who understood the importance of never taking your eye off the ball.”
“Right, you’ve always been a sharp kid. At your age, you’ve got an eye and ear for these streets that most wouldn’t develop until they’re further on in years and years and have suffered more. I brag all the time that so long as you are the eyes in the back of my head, nothing will ever get past me. So can you imagine my embarrassment when someone other than you delivered the news about Pana Suarez being killed?”
Knowledge couldn’t hide the shock on his face. “What? Where? When?”
“Those the questions I should be asking you!” Big Stone shot back. “It happened uptown on the West Side. They not only took out Pana and his both his top captains, but they managed to level an entire building in the process. Even if the streets weren’t talking, it was on the news. How the hell did you manage to miss it?”