by Tiece
“I know I haven’t actually been there for you like I should’ve been, considering the shit that happened Saturday evening, but I apologize for that.” His voice raised a little. “You just don’t know how bad it angered me that this nigga set me up. He better be glad that we couldn’t find him and his lil fake ass goons or them nigga’s woulda been dead. That’s the only reason why we stayed those extra nights.” He said while sitting down on the leather ottoman in front of Tammy. He looked up at her then back down at the floor. He was definitely disappointed in himself. She shook her head with such hurt, and anger written all over her face then grinned a bit of sarcasm while staring at him.
“So that’s all you gotta say for yourself?” she calmly asked. Russell cut his eyes at her but knew it was in his best interest to just keep quiet whenever she came at him with that question. He stared down at his red and white stripe Addidas Gazelle’s that matched perfectly with his white tee underneath a J. Crew v-neck tee-shirt. Tammy slid off of the edge of the bed and began pacing back in forth in front of him. She frowned shaking her head again trying to hold back from slapping the hell out of her disconnected husband.
“Nigga, it took you until this morning to wanna come and talk to me?” Russell sat quietly listening. With the word nigga so fluently flying out of her mouth, he knew better than to answer back. “That shit happened on Saturday evening Russ!!! SATURDAY FUCKING EVENING..!!” She yelled at him. “I needed you then!”
She pushed her jet black bangs out of her face. Frustration was taking over, but she inhaled a deep breath trying to calm her nerve. “Listen, I never blamed you for this happening because Mitch, or whoever the hell he is played the fuck out of both of us. Just to think I had my daughters around his wife and kids like we were all going to be this happy lil dope dealing transaction family. I mean what the fuck?” She said realizing that talking about it wasn’t calming her down. “I’m not trying to be upset with you. I want nothing more than to put this behind us and move on.”
“Me, too,” he chimed in, but that was easier said than done. A man had set him up and took every dime he had. He wasn’t going to sit back quietly and take a hit like that. His wheels were already spinning in motion.
Tammy looked in his eyes. “But, I needed you to be there for me and you weren’t.”
“I wanted to be there for you.” He said.
She shook her head feeling a bit speechless. She’d been with Russell on and off since high school, so she knew him very well. He said that he wanted to be there for her but his actions spoke louder than his words and she was downright tired of it.
“You wanted to be there for me, huh? Round of applause for the nigga who wanted to be there for his wife while she was in distress,” she said, clapping her hands. “You kill me with that muthafuckin’ nonchalant attitude you got!” She pushed him side the head with her index finger like she wanted him to get wrong.
“Babe, le’me explain,” Russell cut in trying to calm the situation some.
“Explain what? Tell me what is it that you can explain that’ll help me understand why you deserted me when I needed you the most.”
“I was looking for the men that robbed us.” He explained with his head still hung low.
“You left me in a hotel room while you and Malcolm rode out on the town looking for the men who robbed us? Like are you serious right now? Those men could’ve killed us while we were in that room. And if the police hadn’t so conveniently stopped through to talk to the housekeeper outside that room we would’ve been dead.”
“Don’t you think I know that?!” Russell yelled, his blood pumping with anger as he thought about it. He stood up and snapped back. “I have had nothing but time to think about this mess I got us in. I’m mad, I’m hurt, I’m fucking disappointed!” He yelled. “I wanted to kill them bitch ass nigga’s for what they did. Don’t you think I thought about our families, our daughters?” He paced the floor in front of Tammy like a mad man.
“Finally I get some kinda of emotion out your ass!” She yelled back.
“Emotion?” He questioned, grabbing the Aero lamp off of the nightstand. “I’LL GIVE YOU SOME EMOTION!” He yelled then threw the lamp across the room breaking its base into pieces as it hit the wall.
Tammy jumped from the loud sound of the lamp crashing against the wall. “Are you fucking crazy?!” She asked.
“No, but a muthafucka might think I am if I ever get my hands on them nigga’s that did this shit to us.” He said feeling awful about it. “I didn’t ever wanna put you in harm’s way! Hell, I’ve never imagined life without you until that moment.” He sincerely said grabbing Tammy by her face. “I love you baby. I couldn’t imagine if you weren’t here to raise our daughters.” Tammy cried as she stood there staring at him. It was no doubt that he loved her, but he should’ve showed it when it mattered most.
“Why didn’t you just be with me? I stayed in that room with Diamond for two nights without you. We didn’t know if y’all would make it back or not.” She said still crying as the tears steadily ran down her face. “Hell, I wouldn’t have known anything if it wasn’t for Malcolm constantly calling Diamond to check-up on her while also making sure that I was good. But nooooooo, why couldn’t my husband treat me with the same respect?” She asked still feeling hurt that he left her hanging like that after the many trafficking trips that she’d taken with him.
His eyes filled with water because he knew he was wrong for dodging her but he knew if he sat around her too long that she would start to question him and he wasn’t up for it. And, he definitely wasn’t ready to tell her about his whole stash being gone.
He coughed as if he was trying to spit up his words. “I’m sorry,” he said trying to console her. “I fucked up and I’m sorry.”
She snatched away from him just as the doorbell rang. “You muthafuckin’ should be.” She said with an attitude and walked off, grabbing her Authentic Prada blue jean purse. “I’m going to my mama’s house to get my girls.” She stopped at the room door, looking back at her husband. “And clean that mess up.”
Tammy snatched the door open not caring who was on the other side of it. Lance could see that she had been crying as she wiped her face with the back of her hand.
“You a’ight?” He asked as she tried passing him.
“Yeah,” she softly spoke with her head down. “Your brother is in the bedroom.” She said then quickly walked out to her car. Lance watched her as she backed out of the driveway and left the neighborhood. He hated to see a woman cry and couldn’t wait to ask Russell what was going on.
“Aye, what’s up Bro.” Russell said as he entered the kitchen where Lance was walking in.
“What’s up kid?” Lance spoke immediately going inside the refrigerator. Russell sat down on one of the bar stools in front of the island countertop. It was easy to explain that he was set up and robbed, but much harder to explain that all his funds were tied up in the heist.
Now how do I start this conversation? Russell thought to himself.
Chapter 5
Malcolm laid across his lush king size bed with his thoughts all over the place. He took in a deep breath then slowly let it all out. Thoughts about the crazy weekend had him feeling some type of way. Never was he careless enough to get himself caught up like that.
Man, what was I thinking? He thought. He couldn’t blame Russell because it really wasn’t his fault. There was only one person he could blame and that was himself.”
“Aye babe, fix me a drink.” He called out rolling over on his back. The more he laid there the more he beat himself up. He was pissed that he even took such a risky trip knowing all the while that he had four bricks hidden and put up for a rainy day. He pulled off his black Atlanta logo cap and sat it on his chest then propped his hand under his head to lift him a little.
“I'll have a glass filled with Ciroc and a splash of Peach Schnapps on ice.” Diamond said softly as she entered the bedroom. She walked over to the bed removing Malcolm’s hat off
of his chest.
“Thanks babe, just sit it on the nightstand for me.” He said not really in the mood to move at the moment. She sat the drink next to them and jumped up in the bed beside him. She could tell that he was stressed so she gently rubbed her fingers through his mid high neatly taped temple fade.
He looked up at her, somewhat sad eyed. “Are you sure you’re alright babe?” He asked still beating himself up for having her involved in such an ordeal. She stared in his handsome face. Her eyes watered, but she wasn’t feeling sad for herself she was feeling sad for him. He had lost a lot of money and she wasn’t in the position to help him get any of it back.
“I’m okay babe. I keep telling you that.” She said trying to be strong. “The question is are you okay?”
He hesitated then looked at her with a smile. “I’m okay as long as you’re okay.”
Diamond leaned over and kissed him softly on the lips. “I’m okay babe.” She whispered, rubbing the back of her hand gently down his neatly trimmed full beard. She rested her head on his buff firm chest. “I’ll be a lot better when Amber makes it home.”
“I know you will because I miss her too.” He said kissing in the top of her head. “Don’t worry I spoke with Lane and she said that they’ll be back home soon.”
“I know.” She said with a smile.
He shook his head. “I knew you were still gonna call her behind my back.”
Diamond grinned. “I had too. You know I needed to hear my baby’s voice.”
Malcolm smiled. “I know you did.” From the moment he took Diamond in, he felt love for her because she was a good hearted person, sweet and had a baby face that was just some kind of cute. Swinging on a pole was no place for someone who looked so innocent. She always smiled even when in a bad mood and she was the best mother to her child that he knew.
“I’m glad we have a sitter like Lane. She is certainly a God fearing woman and very sweet. Lord, I never saw a woman go to church as much as she does. Her daughters be lined up behind each other dressed in their Sunday best. I hope that my baby enjoyed herself and got her praise on with them. That’s probably what kept us safe.” She teased.
Malcolm grinned at her joke. “You know you’re probably right.”
“I just hope that she didn’t feel like I neglected her being gone for a couple of nights.”
“Amber stays busy when she’s with Lane. I’m sure she didn’t feel that way. It’s too many girls over there. They have playhouses, dolls, tea sets, learning games,” he said. “It’s always something there to keep her attention.”
Diamond smiled. “You’re right.” She said then felt sad all over again. “I sometimes feel sorry for Lane, don’t you? I mean her husband died, leaving her to raise seven daughters by herself.” She leaned up to kiss Malcolm lightly on his lips. “I have one daughter and I don’t know what we’d do without you.”
“That’s not for you to worry about because I’m not going anywhere.” He said. “Plus, he left Lane and their daughters well off. She doesn’t drive that brand new big boy Suburban for nothing. I feel uneasy about living next door to her.” He teased. “Every time I walk out my front door I’m looking right in her yard. She has the prettiest garden on the block and honestly, the greenest grass. Damn shame, being that I own a lawn care service.”
Diamond chuckled. “You got that right.”
“You know she’s good over there though.” He responded.
“Yeah, but at times I know she gotta feel lonely.”
Malcolm sat up a little. “I spoke to Lane once about her husband and what it must’ve been like to miss him. I was surprised at what she said, but I could believe it.”
Diamond sat up to look at him. “What did she say?”
“Well of course she said she missed him, but she also said that she doesn’t have much time to think about it because she’s so busy with the girls. She also said that getting in another relationship with a man would never happen until all her girls were grown and out of the house. That’s why she stays so faithful in the church.”
“Wow,” Diamond said thinking about how strong Lane must’ve been. “You know her baby is only five years old so she ain’t planning on getting a man until at least thirteen years from now. Bless her heart.”
Malcolm smiled. “She has a man, babe. God is her man.” He assured her as the house phone began to ring. “Answer that.”
Diamond picked up the phone and answered it. “Hello,” she said then followed by. “I’m doing well and yourself?” Then, “sure hold on.” She said handing the phone to Malcolm. He frowned knowing that it was only one person who called him on that line, his connect. He put the phone up to his ear as Diamond exited the bedroom due to hearing the doorbell ring.
“What’s good lil lady?” He answered.
“Hey Malcolm, how are you?” She asked in a soft tone.
“I’m good.” He said wondering why she called.
She paused for a moment. “I need to see you on Thursday evening. I’ll be back in town by then.”
He quickly thought about it. “Well I wasn’t coming up that way until Friday to pick up my son. You can’t wait until then?” He asked knowing that he wasn’t supposed to be seeing her until two weeks from now anyway.
“I need to see you ASAP and Friday or anytime later just won’t do.” She demanded.
Malcolm felt a bit nervous. “Guess I’ll see you on Thursday then.”
“Okay good,” she responded then before hanging up. “Hey” she called out. “Are you okay?”
He hesitated for a moment. “Yeah, I’m good.” He responded while thinking, what’s up with that? Her tone sounded of concern. “Are you okay?” He asked her back.
“As long as you’re okay then I’m okay.” She responded.
“A’ight,” he said as she ended there call. Her answer made him feel a little better, but he wouldn’t completely be able to relax until after he knew what this urgent meeting was all about. He was still holding the phone in his hand when Diamond walked back in the bedroom hugging on Amber.
“Guess whose home?” She said as Amber giggled from the sweet kisses she was pecking around her neck. Malcolm smiled at just hearing Amber’s laughter in the house. Diamond walked over to the bed as he got Amber from her and hugged her tight.
“Daddy missed you.” He said, kissing her in the top of her head. She was his heart and had certainly grown on him. He loved that baby just as much as he loved his son. If asked he always said that he had two kids; a son and a daughter.
Diamond took the phone from him and put it on the hook. “Is everything okay?” She asked feeling like the unexpected call meant serious business.
“Yeah, it’s good.” He said, but was just as clueless as ever. He was hoping that his connect didn’t know about him taking that trip to Miami or all hell was going to break lose. She had been good to him for a very long time and he couldn’t afford to lose her; especially on some crazy ass hum bug mission.
“Daddy you wanna color?” Amber asked as he directed his attention back to her.
“Sure I do,” he said placing her down on the floor so she could run and get her coloring books. He looked over at Diamond feeling happy that they were back home and safe, but his thoughts lingered on why his connect called. Until Thursday, he’d just have to wait to find out.
Chapter 6
Lance sat quiet for a moment with his head held down trying to gather his thoughts after hearing of his brother’s ordeal. “Damn man,” he whispered looking over at his brother. Russell sat staring out of the kitchen window already thinking of a master plan.
“Bro, you said they took all your money?” Lance asked in a high pitch voice, still shocked about what had happened. It’s like he couldn’t believe it. His brother had been in the game for six years and hadn’t ever gotten robbed at gunpoint. He may have had a few wanna-be thugs in the streets that owed him money and never paid, but none ever tried him by pulling out a gun on him.
Russell loo
ked like he had a bitter taste in his mouth. “Except the twelve grand in Tammy’s account,” he admitted. “Everything else is tied up in the lawn care service.” he responded then dug inside his pockets. “Well,” he said flipping through the bills. “You can add another seven hundred and fifty-two dollars.”
Lance shook his head. He knew that Russell didn’t come out of the house unless he had five grand or better on him. “Damn, man,” he said again. “Did they hit Malcolm hard too?”
“Hard enough,” Russell responded. “But, don’t sweat it. I got myself in this mess and now I’m gonna have to get myself out of it.”
The more Lance thought about it the more madder he got. “I’ma tell you what I’m gonna do. I’m gonna find them muthafucka’s and put my nine down a nigga throat then pull the trigger.” He heatedly stated. The thought of even knowing that his brother was set up like that had him boiling.
He shook his head in disbelief. “I know Malcolm was itchin’ to get at them nigga’s. They had a gun pointed at his ol’ lady’s head, man?” He questioned as if the shit was so unreal.
.
Russell nodded his head like he still couldn’t believe it either. “Yeah, man. We felt helpless as fuck! I don’t know a man that would ever want their woman to see them in such a vulnerable state like that.”
“I can only imagine.” Lance said feeling like it wasn’t a nigga brave enough to try him like that without somebody having a real bad day.
“I wanna get back at them nigga’s so bad, but I’m telling you man. We couldn’t get nobody to tell us nothing. We rode around the area for two days looking, but nobody knows these niggas.” Russell explained.
“Oh it’s somebody who knows them dirty muthafucka’s. I need to talk with Travis ‘bout this shit. He was the one who put you on with the nigga right?”