“Yo’ Q, you ready to do this homie?” It was Corey standing on the back patio. “Everybody’s in place.”
“Aiight, let’s do it.” He tossed his cell phone and pager in his front seat and walked inside the house. Everything was in order as usual. “I brought fifteen joints from the mayor’s house homie (the downtown stash house).”
“Oh yeah. Did you kiss his wife for me?” Q said with a smirk on his face.
“Nah nigga, but I did get some brain from her ass!”
Putting on his latex gloves and mask, Q began the long process of cooking fifteen kilos. The Crew had really blown up when his main connect (Dreadlock AKA Baby Rasta man) taught him how to whip his coke, turning fifteen into thirty. After about six hours Q finally finished his last two. Before he was half way through ten were already gone.
“You nigga’s gonna have to learn how to cook this shit man. I’m stepping down in about seven, eight months tops. I won’t be coming out of retirement to cook this shit for you niggas.”
None of The Crew wanted to accept the fact that Q was serious, but they knew he was. He had mentioned it a lot lately. They also knew he wasn’t the type of nigga, to say shit just to be saying it.
“Aiight, you nigga’s can hit me later,” Q said grabbing the duffel bag containing damn near two hundred thousand dollars. “Tim, you and Corey divide the shit that’s left. I’m out. Peace.”
Once inside his car Q checked his two way. He had thirty-four messages. His baby momma had texted him a couple of times from her cell. Q considered himself and his daughter lucky to have such a good baby momma. Keonne was six years old. She would always call on Thursday to remind him the weekend started the next day. She would be standing at the door waiting on Friday to spend the weekend with her daddy. Q loved his daughter to death and wouldn’t trade her for anything in the world. But like any man he wanted a son desperately. He had tried to have a child with Van, but she was unable to maintain a full pregnancy. She had suffered some damage to her uterus as a child and was never able to overcome it.
Tee had also called and wanted Q to stop by and see her new salon.
After driving to his hideaway spot on the outskirts of town he pulled up inside his four car garage. After the automatic door closed he jumped out and entered the house. His Rot’ named Bear was standing at the door waiting. Bear growled when he walked in. “What’s your problem boy? I been gone too long, huh? Aiight, let’s get something to eat.” Bear’s automatic feeder was still half full, so he knew Van had to have been by earlier. She was the only person who knew anything about this house, and two more properties Q had purchased. He had bought Bear for her as a gift.
Entering the kitchen on the way to his safe he noticed one single white rose with an envelope:
My Dearest Q,
By the time you read this letter I’ll be back at our place rubbing on your favorite body lotion. My heart almost leaped out of my chest when you told me you were getting out of the game. So many nights I prayed this day would come. Soon I won’t have to worry about you being safe... I’ll have you in the safety of my arms. You are my life, my love, my everything.
Your soul-mate, Van
Closing the letter Q knew this was his true love. The only question in his mind was how he would be able to explain all this to Tee, when the time came.
***
The truck finally arrived at the building that would soon be called “Honey’s.” “It’s about time they got here,” said Tee. “Yeah, we’ve been here almost two hours,” El responded. The truck was bringing three new dryers for the salon. One of the movers spoke, “sorry for the delay ma’am. Our truck broke down so we had to load everything onto another truck. Where would you like your merchandise?”
The Grand Opening was next Thursday. Tee knew her dream was about to become a reality. She had put in a lot of hours in the living room doing hair. She had everything she ever asked for. Well, almost everything. She loved her man to death, but was growing tired and weary from competing for his heart.
“Damn Tee, we finally gonna do it,” said El. “Yeah, sometimes I can’t believe we’re opening our own shop.” “Well Gurl, pleaz believe it. It’s ours. But I’ve gotta go pick up my mother, so call me at home tonight.” “Aiight. I’m gonna call Q and see if he’s coming or not.” “Okay, but don’t stay here too long by yourself.” “Okay Mama,” Tee said, rolling her eyes in the air and waving her arms. She grabbed her cell phone and gave Q a call. Q answered his phone, “Yes.” “Hey baby, I’ve been calling you,” she said. “Sorry ma, I got a little tied up, but I’m on my way now. You want me to stop and get you something?” “Well I’m finished here for tonight, so I was thinking we could go out for Chinese food.” “Sounds good to me. I’m game if I can have you for desert!” “Okay, but what about my desert mister?” “You’ll think of something before I get there won’t you?” “I have something already in mind, hum... hum... hum…” “Stop teasing me Tee before I blow this mothafucka up trying to get there.”
“Aiight baby, but pleaz hurry. I’m starving. .. Not for food either!” With that she hung up while Q was stripping gears and cussing....
Laughing, Tee leaned back in her office recliner as her mind drifted back to the day she met Q. It was at a local high school football game. He was with his boys. But something about him demanded attention. Not only from the women either. He had a body that looked like he was carved with a sledge hammer and chisel. He was so fine, that though she had never seen God, She felt like this is what he would look like. Q was definitely the total package.
“Elbony, Elbony.” Tee said as she grabbed her girlfriend’s arm almost pulling her down.
“Damn girl, what is it? Youtrying to break my arm or something?”
“Who is that?” Tee said cutting her eyes and shaking her head in his direction.
“Oh him, that’s only Q,” Elbony said as she turned around to order some popcorn.
“Only Q huh? So you know him El? Do you know him well enough to introduce us?”
“Well yes and no.”
“What da hell does that mean?”
“Him and my brother Chez are cool. He comes over from time to time. Chez introduced him to The Game, even though he’s a year older than him.”
“Yo’ Q, ain’t that Chez’s sister El over there?” said Umar.
“Yeah that’s her. Let me go holla at her, and check up on my nigga.”
“Oh my God El, he’s coming over here girl. I can’t breathe,” said Tee.
Q spoke to El, “What up lil’ sis? What’s good wit you?”
“Hi Q,” she said, giving him a hug. “It’s been a while.”
“Yeah I know. Please forgive me for staying away so long. And what’s your name cutie-pie?” He said reaching for Tee’s hand.
“It’s Tashonda, but you can just call me Tee.”
“Well it’s nice to meet you Tee.” He turned to El. “Well lil sis’, it was good seeing you. And tell Chez to give me a call.”
“Aiight big brother,’’ she said before hugging him again.
Q turned to Tee. “Come here ma,” he said before hugging her too. Holding her in his arms he whispered,” please don’t let this be the last time I hold you.” Then he planted a soft kiss on her earlobe. “Call me anytime,” he said then returned to his crew.
From that night on they talked on the phone for hours at a time. They hung out together at least four days out of the week. He even told her about his on again off again relationship with Van. She listened to all his problems. Never once did he make any sexual passes at her. She was beginning to wonder what was taking him so long. One Friday night Q invited Tee over to his place. Keonne and her mother were going to Carowinds for the weekend so he was free. When she arrived she was greeted at the door by Q, who was leaning over like his back was killing him. “What’s up Tee?”
“What happened to you Q?”
“I don’t know ma. I think I pulled a muscle at the gym today.”
The
re goes my great night she thought. “You don’t need to be walking around like that. Did you get it checked?”
“Nah. But if it’s not better by tomorrow I’m going to the doctor.”
“Well at least take a hot shower and bath before you lie down on it. I’ll get the water ready.”
“Thanks Boo.”
Q stood in the shower with the water as hot as he could stand it.
“Q, I put your towels out here with your robe,” she yelled over the running water.
Pulling back the shower curtain he reached out and waved her back to him. “Come here Boo.”
She was so caught off guard that he pulled her right into the shower with her tank top and shorts on. Q planted kisses on her forehead while removing her clothes piece by piece. Once undressed he slowly kissed her neck making his way down to her firm breast. She moaned from his touch. “But baby, what about your back?”
“Baby, I’ve got a Four-hundred pound bench press. Raising these two thighs is just what the doctor ordered.” Lifting her from the shower he walked to his adjoining bedroom and laid her wet body on his bed. After twenty minutes of licking her body dry Q spread her trembling legs. Her pubic hair was long and silky. You almost had to use a comb to find her opening. Finally reaching her clit, Q began putting in some serious work. Tee screamed and came again and again, but Q continued trying to eat her ovaries out.
“Baby, are you trying to kill me!?!”
“Do you want me to stop?” He said between slurps.
“Please don’t stop, pleezzz?”
Finally after her naked body lay motionless on the bed Q came up for air. He eased her legs down and crawled up and laid beside her. She snored lightly. Looking at her through his mirrored ceiling he smiled. Exhausted from the work he had just put in, he closed his eyes and went to sleep. Q was awakened by his own moans. Tee had recuperated and was back for revenge.
“Oh you thought it was over?” She smiled sucking on both his nipples. Before he could protest she already had his manhood in her hand, stroking him ever so gently. It felt so good a nigga thought he was going into cardiac arrest.
“Yo, YO, baby, you win, youuuu win,” he said.
“Okay Boo, but I’m not finished yet.” Kissing his ripped-up midsection along with his navel made him tighten up like he had cramps. After teasing him a little longer she gently kissed the head of his manhood. He almost jumped out of the bed.
“Do you want me to stop?” She said between slurps with a smirk on her face. She had both hands working, using a four finger method, she had learned from watching a porn-o. Looking down at her he realized he had been played by his own game.
“Nah ma, you win, please don’t stop.” He closed his eyes and fought back the urge to scream……….
Ring ... Ring ... Ring ... The phone startled Tee from her day dreaming.
“Hello, Honey’s Beauty Salon, yes we’re accepting appointments. The Grand Opening is next week, and we will be open for business at 9: 00am Friday. Can I make your appointment for 12: 00pm ma’am? That will be fine. Thank you and I look forward to seeing you then.” Hanging the phone up Tee sat back and counted her blessings. Then gave thanks to God. She had almost a full schedule. She picked up the phone and called her girl Elbony.
“Hello.”
“Hey girl, I see you made it home okay.”
“Yeah girl. I’m on the phone wit a nigga I met at the mall name Da Da. He gettin’ money too gurl.”
“Aiight El, but be careful and don’t go nowhere without me knowing. You know how them money getting’ niggas are.” Knock... Knock... Tee heard a knock at her door. “Well gurl, I’ve gotta go, Q just walked in. Call me tomorrow. Bye.” She turned to Q, “My, didn’t we get here quick.”
“Very funny Tee, very funny. Anyway I took the long way here,” he said trying not to laugh.
“So you’ve been at the gym huh?” She said gazing at the gym bag and Under Armor tank top.
“Yeah I stopped by for about an hour or so.”
“Did you bring something to wear out to eat?”
“I didn’t know we were going to dinner ma. I thought you said Chinese food.”
“I did Boo, but…”
“But what. I’ve left the gym a thousand times dressed like this and stopped and gotten you Chinese. And they damn sho’ ain’t got no drive thru.”
“Okay nigga, but if I catch one eye on your ass too long, then I guess we won’t be eating Chinese food there anymore. Now come give mama a kiss.”
“But I’m sweaty.”
“Nigga bring yo’ ass here. You don’t say that when you got my ass looking at our bedpost at home!”
Chapter 3
Money, Power, Respect
Honey’s had become one of the most exclusive salons in town. If you didn’t make your appointment a week prior you were subject to be ass out for at least two weeks.
It was Friday afternoon when the drama jumped off. All three chairs were full with the waiting area wall to wall packed. Tee had hired another girl named Terri. Terri was the type of girl who was beautiful and built, and she knew it. She made sure everyone else knew it too. As far as men were concerned, if you weren’t thugged out and ridin’ on those big things, you didn’t even need to waste yo’ time.
“Look up Tee; he’s pulling up on time for a change. You must have given him a little bit last night,” said El.
“No sweetheart, I gave him a lot last night,” Tee said giving El the finger.
Walking inside Q spoke to everyone. “I brought ya’ll some lunch.”
“Thanks Baby, it would have been hours before one of us could go get something.”
Beep, Beep, Beep. Checking his two-way he saw that it was his connect, Baby Rasta man’s code. “Babe, I’ll be in the office. I have to make a call.”
Terri was watching the whole scene from in the cut. “Damn that nigga smooth,” she thought. My ex-boyfriend Tex was hating when he said Q was a regular nigga. Pulling off this job might be more difficult than a bitch thought.
Is there something wrong Terri, you look like you’ve seen a ghost,” said Tee.
“Oh, oh no, I was just day dreaming, that’s all.”
“Well if you keep day dreaming and forget about that perm in front of you, when Miss Tracy gets up she’s gonna be Miss Isaac Hayes.” Everyone erupted in laughter, except Tee.
Tee figured making a joke was the best way to deal with Terri. But inside she was really thinking, “This bitch must think I’m stupid, day dreaming my ass. I don’t mind a bitch looking, but don’t undress my man right in front of me, then expect me not to notice.” She made a mental note to watch this trick real close.
“Somebody has company,” Terri yelled as she saw a-big body Benz pulling up out front. El saw Da Da out the window and waved for him to come inside.
“Yo’ Tex I’ll be right back homie,” said Da Da.
“Nah nigga, all them bad bitches I see up in there. I’m going in wit’ yo’ ass.”
After entering the salon El made all the formal introductions. Terri shook Tex’s hand like she didn’t even know him.
Q was still in the back on the phone with Rasta man. “What’s up Rasta?”
“Yea mun, what took you so long mun? You dissing me mun?”
“Come on Rasta, you know better than that. Besides I called as soon as you hit me.”
“Aiight mun. How’s business?”
“Good Ras, good.”
“Have you married tha young lady you brought down to the island mun?”
Q had taken Van to Jamaica to visit Rasta man’s family. Q never did forget how they fell in love with her. “Marry her mun, marry her,” was all they kept saying.
“Nah Ras, I haven’t married her yet, but soon.”
“Okay mun, but don’t make it too late you know.”
“Aiight Ras, I’ll see you on Saturday.”
Q hung up the phone and walked back into the work area. “Tee, I’m gone ma, but call me before you’re ready
to lock up.” He could hear a lot of commotion coming from the lobby area. “Damn Tee, what tha hell is that?”
“Just the customers and two guys here to see El.”
“Terri can you Watch my client for a second, I’m going outside.” El said.
Q looked in the lobby area and saw the two men “Well I be damned. If it ain’t Da Da and Sea biscuit his horse,” He said to Tee.
“You know them Q?”
“Yeah, they the ones who didn’t want to give up their heat at the club.”
“Did they cause any trouble?”
“They got a little upset but it couldn’t have been that bad, cause they still living,” he said with a wink.
“Do you want them to leave?”
“Nah ma, I ain’t trippin’. Besides I have a couple of runs to make.”
Walking through the lobby Da Da and Tex spotted Q walking toward them. “What up Q?”
“What up Da?”
“Nothing much, just swinging’ through to holla at Elbony.”
Q didn’t even look Tex’s way. “Aiight Da Da, hold it down.” With that he turned and walked straight out the salon not looking back.
Chapter 4
Getting Out the Game
Business was booming. All the crew were getting plenty money.
“You niggas need to invest some of that paper. I’m not talking’ about no cars and shit like that.”
It was hard for Q to explain the car situation to The Crew, because when he first started out that’s all his boys remembered about him.
“Look fellows, I’m not saying’ don’t treat yo’ self. All I’m saying’ is put something up for a rainy day.”
He had taught Tim how to cook, so the only time he was at the cook house was when he checked up on his dogs. Q had already purchased some more land to move his kennel to. Slowly he was making due his promise to Van. He didn’t want to leave Tee with nothing, so he made sure she was straight with her business. Even The Crew didn’t realize he was fading out of the picture.
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