One day while driving to the mall in Charlotte, Van pulled her red Honda Civic into an Auto Bell car wash to have it detailed. “It’s about time you cleaned this damn car,” said Q.
“Just get out and stop complaining. You were supposed to do it two weeks ago. And guess who’s driving the rest of the way, for that comment?”
“Come on ma? We’re only in Wadesboro. We still have over an hour. You know my back catches cramps in this match-box!”
The car wash had a Mc Donald’s attached to it. So they decided to grab something to eat and enjoy the sunny day. “You, order us something to eat while I find us a table outside.” said Van.
They were sitting down talking and eating their food when Tex, Da Da, and two other guys pulled into the car wash on their bikes.
“Yo Da Da, do you see what I see?” said Tex. “Now it’s funny how a nigga can get on another set and change his whole disposition.”
“Yeah I see that nigga. He got a lot of fame on the other side of the bridge, but he’s on our set now.”
“Look at that nigga. Punk bitch, looking scared to death.”
Q turned to Van. “Van, remember what we worked on at home with the stick-up situation?”
“Baby wha…”
“Shsss, listen to me Boo. I want you to get up and go get the car. Pay ‘em, get in it, and drive across the street to that convenience store.”
“But Ba...”
“Do it now,” he said with harshness in his voice.
“Okay Baby, I’m going,” she said, raising up and slowly opening her purse to show him her .380.
“Nah ma, hold that, I got my shit on me,” he said patting his left arm pit. “Now go on.”
Once Q was able to see Van across the street he breathed a sigh of relief. A few more cats came up and began conversation with Da Da and his boys. “Come on niggas, let’s get this over,” Q said to himself.
“Man, let’s do this nigga,” Tex said to Da Da. “I’m sending that nigga back to Rockingham in a bag.”
“Be careful Tex. You know that nigga packin’.”
“So fucking what, we all packin' nigga. Come on.”
Q relaxed in his chair and waited until they were about ten feet from his table. He let one hand swing down exposing his gat. All four stopped dead in their tracks.
“You nigga’s got anybody you want me to call?”
“Call for what nigga?” Said Tex.
“So I can let them know what your last words were.”
“Slim, you might get one of us, but yo’ ass is dead... You’re outnumbered nigga,” said Da Da.
“Are you sure Da Da?”
“Hell yeah I’m sure nigga, I can count.”
“Aiight nigga, wit’ yo’ good counting’ ass. Did you count that nigga standing’ in the phone booth?” They all looked back in time to see June slide his coat back giving them a look at his Mac-10 with the extended clip.
“What about them three cats over there washing the Caddy?” Tim, Omar, and Big Kev all had street-sweepers.
At that point they knew they had walked into a death trap.
“Let me explain something to you Da Da. You and ya’ man. What we do at The Club is nothing personal. We have to protect the crowd. So what happened here today is on me. The next time it will be on you. There’s no turf anywhere in N.C. I can’t go and get respect nigga, cause I give it. The next time we cross paths homie, I’m a make it my duty to bleed yo’ bitch ass. You and ya’ boy.”
With that said he stood up and walked right between them and crossed the street to the store’s parking lot. Getting in the passenger side he noticed Van drying tears from her face.
“It’s aiight ma. Everything is aiight.”
“But what about the next time Baby? If something happens to you I can’t live. Don’t you understand that Q? You’re all I’ve got. Baby, listen to me. I want us to be together, just me and you. Fuck all those other bitches, please just come back home to me.”
“Aiight Van, but I have a lot of loose ends to tie up. Now what was you gonna do with that?” He said pointing at the .380 in her lap.
“I was coming’ across that damn street and get my soul-mate. We have a future planned together boy and I’m looking’ forward to living’ it!”
“I love you ma.”
“I love you more. Now let’s go shopping.”
The rest of the day went on uneventful. Q let Van shop till she dropped. While Van was in Victoria’s Secret he doubled back to the jewelry store they were at earlier.
“I see you came back huh?” said the sales lady.
She was white, but her skin was dark for a white girl. It was evident she spent a lot of time at the beach or on her patio.
“Yes mam, I...”
“Call me Kris,” she said reaching out touching his hand.
“Aiight Kris, I would like to peep at that ring we looked at earlier?”
“Sure.” Turning on her heels she went to get the ring Van had fallen in love with. It was a three and a half carat diamond in a platinum setting. When she returned he already had his Platinum Card out.
“You can go ahead and put a ribbon and bow on that one Kris.”
After checking his credit she had his gift wrapped. This white girl is smoking Q thought. Damn, she been doing some squats too, ain’t no white girl’s ass that fat without putting in some type of work in the gym.
“Can I get you anything else Mister?”
“Well since I get to call you Kris, just call me Q.”
“Well can I get you anything else Q?”
“As a matter of fact Kris, I’ll take you wrapped in that big bow over there,” he said in a joking manner.
“I get off at 8:00.”
“Huh?” Q said caught off guard.
“I said that I get off at 8:00, but I see you’re busy tonight,” she said patting the ring he just bought. “Maybe next time though. Here’s my cell phone and home number. I live alone, call anytime.”
“Okay I’ll give you a call tomorrow.” “Damn this day might turn out good after all,” Q said to himself. Making his way back to the Victoria’s Secret store where Van was. Q put the box inside his jacket pocket. He would surprise her with it over dinner.
“Baby, how are you planning on carrying all this shit to the car?” You need to hire your own personal caddie.”
“I already got one,” she said. “With a strong back. Now let’s go love, we have two more stops to make.”
Finally after leaving the GNC Store which was the only thing Q came for. They went to TGIF’s on Harris Blvd. Over dessert Q sat Van down and discussed future plans.
“Boo, look. I’ve been slowly breaking my bond from The Game. Not my boys, but The Game. My heart has been left in those streets ma.” Tears began to roll down her face, “Babe, please don’t start that? You know how I am about you when you start crying.”
“Don’t worry babe, these are tears of joy. Now finish what you started.”
“What I’m saying is I’ve made so many different situations out there in those streets that sometimes I feel like I’m obligated to those too. Now it’s hard to get away from a lot of those things without drama.”
“Meaning Tee huh?” she said.
“Not only Tee, I mean the streets in general. Just my name and reputation brings drama.”
“But it has to start somewhere.”
“It has Boo, it’s started today,” he said, pulling the gift wrapped box out his coat pocket.
“What’s this Q?”
“Open it ma.”
Van was speechless. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
“Babe stop crying.”
“I can’t help it Q, it’s beautiful.”
“Does that mean that you’ll be my wife?”
“I’m already yo’ wife boy, we’re just making it official. All that other stuff was only temporary.”
“Look Van, I’m gonna need a little time to break all this to Tee, but I will take care of it
.”
“I’ve had trust in you from day one Q, and I trust you now. Take as much time as you need. You’re my love, my life, my everything.”
Chapter 5
Shut ‘Em Down, Open Up Shop
Q had officially retired from The Game. He had moved Van into a private suburban home on the outskirts of town. Even The Crew knew nothing about their hideaway in the gated community. Tee went ballistic when Q moved out of their Town Park apartment.
“What do you mean you’re leaving Q? What have I done besides love you? Huh?” “This is how you do me?”
“It’s not you Tee, it’s me. I’ve got my own reasons for going.”
“Yeah, I’ll bet you do. Tell that bitch it ain’t over. You are my man Q. I’m not giving you up without a fight.”
Q had to admit she had been a great woman to him and he did have love for her. But Van was the woman he wanted to spend his life with. Was there another way to do this? If only he could make both of them happy.
“Well I better be going. If you ever need anything you know I will be there for you, don’t you Tee?”
“I need your love Boo. That’s all I’m missing.” With that she planted a soft kiss on Q’s lips before whispering the words I Love You. Unable to look her in the eyes he turned and walked out of the office then out of the salon.
Tim, Omar, and June had turned up the heat on The Block. They even opened up another spot inside a trailer park.
“Yo’ what up fella’s?” Q said pulling up on his suke.
“What’s up my nigga? I see you still riding’ that slow shit,” said Tim.
“Yeah nigga, you trying to see me?” He said pointing at his nitrous bottle. “I still don’t have to turn it on to beat yo’ ass.”
Q spent most of his weekends at the local track racing his three bikes. Between that and his dogs he barely had time for anything else.
“Come on nigga; let me show you our new spot,” said Umar. They rode out to their new spot which was booming.
“So how do you like our set-up?”
Looking over the spot Q saw a bunch of flaws. Maybe it was just his street knowledge that brought them out. Nevertheless they were there.
“Too many flaws homie. Check your entry way. Too much traffic coming in the same way. And where are your look-outs? They should be coming from the other end of the park. This should be your exit only. That way people that live here can get in and out without problems. So first thing you need to do is make one trailer your base. Get some walkie-talkies and bikes for your runners. Hire two look-outs. Keep everybody living here happy.”
“Damn nigga, you done got the game and gone wit’ it,” said Umar.
“Ah homie I used to run tha game.”
Q knew the game wasn’t all the way out of him. At home he had the habit of listening to the police scanner. He knew all the local narcotics agents codes. “Well you nigga’s do it the way you been doing it. Hell I’m out of the game. Speaking of out, I got to get out of here and get my ass home. You know a nigga on lock down now.” He gave all the guys some dap and hopped on his bike. When he arrived home he could smell the Fried Chicken cooking through the door.
“Babe you got the house smelling good.”
“Yea I made your favorite, chicken, macaroni and cheese, with some corn on the cob.”
“That’s what’s up? But damn you didn’t have to get dressed up to serve it to me.”
“You stupid, I told you earlier, I’m gonna ride out to tha club wit’ my cousins, you don’t remember?”
“O yea my fault. Tell my boys I said what’s up? I would go but I have to pick up Keonne in tha morning.”
“I won’t be too long then.”
“Good, but come ‘ere, before you go? I want to show you something.” She stood between his legs fully dressed. She was so short he could sit on the edge of the Chair and damn near still have to look down at her. He raised her BEBE tee shirt up exposing her laced bra. “Can I taste you before you go?”
“Why start something you can’t finish.”
“You started it by looking so good.”
By now he had pulled her bra up releasing her breast. Sucking them slowly he moaned from their taste.
“What time will your cousin’s get here,” he said, never letting go of either breast.
“You’ve got twenty minutes tops, but please don’t stop.”
He undressed her and she straddled him. Q closed his eyes as Van began to ride him. He grabbed her closer and closer as she bounced up and down on his stiff dick. She then began to grind in a clockwise motion. He grabbed both her ass cheeks, trying to delay her movement. But she kept right on going; up and down, clockwise then counter clockwise, fast then slow.
“Damn this pussy good” Q yelled.
Ding.. Dong.. The door bell rung.
“Hurry up babe” Van said. “They waiting on me.”
“Give me two more minutes, I’m almost there.” Finally after five more minutes Q exploded inside Van’s warm pussy. She collapsed on his chest like she had been hit with a sledge hammer.
“Damn that was good baby, you can go now. I know ain’t no nigga following after that shit.”
“You are so crazy,” Van replied. “I will see you when I get back.”
Alright I think I'm going to watch some TV. Q relaxed back into his oversize leather sofa. Beep... Beep ... Beep. Q read the text on his phone. It was Kris calling. Q had seen Kris several times since meeting her in the jewelry store. His first sexual encounter with her was crazy. He thought she was gonna pass out when he pulled his clothes off. She had never been with a black man before and it showed. It took a nigga damn near two whole hours to get it in. Now she had done something her own parents would disown her for. She had fallen in love with a black man.
“What’s up Kris?”
“Hi there stranger.”
“Stranger? It’s only been two weeks.”
“Yeah, but it seems more like a year.”
“Well what’s on your mind?” He said, already knowing.
“Well I know its tha weekend and you have to spend time with tha kids, so I was hoping we could get together after work on Monday.”
“That sounds good. I’ll drive up Monday, early, before you get off.”
“Good. Make sure you come by tha job and get the house key.”
“Aiight, bet. I’ll see you then.” Click.
The scanner had a 911 caller on reporting a shooting. It had happened on The Block.
“Damn what the fuck’s going on?” He thought. He paged Umar then tried his cell phone. An unknown voice answered. “Who tha fuck is this?” said Q.
“Don’t worry nigga. Yo’ boy dead. That’s all you need to know.”
Jumping out of bed Q threw on a sweat-suit and sped to The Block. He dialed Tim’s cell on the way.
Tim answered, “Yo.”
“Tim this is Q. Where tha hell you at nigga?”
“I’m on the way to the club nigga, why?”
“Forty-five nigga. Forty-five. Call the rest of The Crew.”
Parking a block over on Hood Street Q checked his clip. Cutting through backyards he came up behind the Chill-Grill. He could hear all the commotion coming from the front of the building. Slowly he creped around the corner. A couple of heads spotted him and started calling his name.
“Sshhoosh!” He put one finger to his lips. “What’s going on around there?”
“Some guys stuck Umar up while he was serving Cam and Dirk. It looked like a set-up to me,” said the crack head that was twitching, undoubtedly high.
“What you mean a set-up?”
“Well during the transaction two guys walk up behind Umar. Then Cam and Dirk walked off. They had hoods on hiding their faces. After Umar gave them the ‘yay’ the tall one opened fire on him. Blak.”
Walking-around the building Q saw the crowd standing a few feet from the yellow tape. Everything looked to be moving in slow motion. Detectives were everywhere. Umar’s corpse had bee
n covered with a sheet waiting for a family member to come identify him. Q’s legs felt like logs in water as he stepped under the yellow tape walking towards Umar’s body.
“Excuse me sir, this is a crime scene.” Q ignored the officer and kneeled beside his man. Pulling the sheet back Q felt nothing but emptiness, looking at his boy lying in his own blood.
“I promise you fam, whoever did this will die. I promise you homie. Don’t worry homie, I got Kiki’s back.”
“Sir, sir, you’re in the middle of a crime scene, tampering with evidence.”
Q was about to go ape on the officer when Kiki showed up.
“No ... No... Noooo,” she cried. Two officers had to restrain her from coming under the yellow tape. Q ran and grabbed her pulling her away from the scene.
***
The next few days were tough. Kiki hadn’t eaten a thing since Omar’s death.
“Kiki, you have to eat something. Please don’t do this to yourself,” Tee told her.
“I can’t Tee. I just can’t.”
“You have to Kiki. Do it for Umar. He would go crazy knowing you lost so much weight.”
Kiki wasn’t the only one in deep mourning Q hadn’t been out in three days. He had only been out of bed to go back and forth to the bathroom. Van pampered him, but also let him have his space. She let him mourn the death of his friend in private.
The funeral was packed. The memorial was held at the local high school gym. “Why Tee, why did he have to die like that? What about the baby Tee? I’m three months pregnant.”
“What!!! You’re what Kiki?”
“I’m pregnant Tee.”
From then on Tee stuffed food down Kiki’s throat, telling her it was for the baby.
The only words Q had spoken to Van were “Go ahead to the funeral ma, I love you.” She understood. During the service you could hear murmurs throughout the crowd about none of The Crew being there. After the eulogy people started viewing the body. The whole building began to tremble as about thirty-five to forty bikes pulled up in front of the gymnasium. It was the whole crew on their Suzuki’s, along with some of the local guys paying their respects to their fallen comrade. Q was out front riding Umar’s Double R. As other family members filed out of the gym, they all entered to say goodbye to their homie.
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