Country Boy

by Karrington, Blake

  From that point on Terri fought with her inner feelings to no avail. She had fallen in love with her opposition. Left in the office all alone Terri began thinking, “never have I melted in a man’s arms that way. He showed so much compassion toward me. But why? I’ve never been told so many sweet things by a man before. Now I know why Tee could never totally free herself from him.” She knew from that moment on she could never deceive him.

  “What’s up Tex?” Terri said. “I was only touching bases with you on our situation.”

  “Our situation? Nah ma, yo’ situation. You said it would be a piece of cake Terri. Now tell me what the fuck’s going on?”

  “I’m gonna need a little more time,” she said trying to stall Tex as long as she could.

  “Look Terri, stop tha mothafuckin’ games. I gave you fifteen gee’s up front. Now it’s on you how you get it done, but yo’ ass better handle yo’ business.”

  “Look Tex you can have your money back if...”

  “Look bitch, yo’ ass in it to win it. I don’t need no fifteen gee’s. Ho I need you. Get me Q or get yo’ favorite dress out of the closet. Better yet just lay anything out. Yo’ shit’s gonna be a closed casket anyway. You know my M.O. Terri. Nobody’s safe, not even your child.”

  Hearing Lil’ Ty’s name made Terri scream at the top of her lungs, “Don’t fuck wit’ my baby Tex. He’s our child nigga.”

  “No Terri, he’s yo’ child. You have two weeks to come through. If not I will bleed yo’ whole family.” Click.

  Terri was still holding the phone as if someone was on the other end. She knew Tex was a little strange when they met but would have never thought he was so vicious. By the time the rumors of his line of work got back to her it was too late. They were leaving the movie theater one night when Tex spotted one of his targets. He followed the man to his front door step, killing him before he could get his key in the door. To kill a man right in front of her like that meant he thought no more of her than a four legged dog. After that the abuse started until it was almost everyday. She was five months pregnant with little Ty when she left. She found a small apartment in Bennettsville, South Carolina, and stayed in hiding until Ty was born. She was working part-time and attending Chris Logan Hair School. That’s where she met Tashonda. She had big dreams of owning her own salon some day. She had never met the guy Tashonda always talked about 24/7, but she knew he had to be special.

  After graduating from school Terri started working for a salon in South Carolina when Tashonda paged her and offered her the job. Once Tex found her, Ty was already walking. He talked her into letting his mother see his son. Terri was reluctant at first but finally gave in. She turned out to be very loving toward her only grandson. Terri and Tex never messed around again but she being his baby-mama made him think he still had ownership.

  Ty had become ill with a severe case of bronchitis. Terri had no medical insurance so she called Tex. Tex gave her the money saying that she owed him. Not thinking about anything but her son she agreed to do what she had to do. When Tex finally told her what he wanted from her. Terri was stuck. Now Tex had stooped so low that he offered to sacrifice his only son. What could one man have done to make another hate him with such a passion.

  “May I speak to Q?”

  “Yes, may I ask whose calling?”

  “It’s Terri from the shop Van, how are you?”

  “I’m fine Terri... Well it’s was good talking to ya’ here’s Q”.

  “What’s up Terri?” Q said looking back at Van giving her a wink. She smiled and said I love you.

  “Hi Q I didn’t mean to bother you but ...”

  “You don’t have to say no more. Where are you?

  “At my apartment.”

  “I’m on the way. Are you alone?”

  “Yes.”

  Hanging up the phone Q reached for his coat.

  “Van keep your cell phone line free ma, something’s going on wit’ Terri. I’m hoping she comes clean so we can eliminate the bullshit.”

  “Ok be careful babe.”

  As soon as Q stepped inside Terri’s door she began crying uncontrollably.

  “Come on Terri, you gotta calm down ma. What’s going on?”

  She cried until Q’s shirt was soaked from her tears. Q held her close, “Terri talk to me. Does it have anything to do with your baby daddy?”

  “It has a lot to do with him Q.”

  “Well start from the beginning.”

  After telling Q everything that was going on he leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

  “I’m sorry Q; I didn’t have anybody else to turn to.”

  “Listen up Terri. I don’t blame you for anything. If you can’t turn to your child’s father for help then who else do you have? It takes a true sucker to drag his child’s mother into something so serious, then to talk about murdering your own flesh and blood. Once you consider doing something as low as that there’s no turning back. I hate to see any child without their father. But Tex is going to die Terri. I can’t have no nigga walking around with that kind of hatred against me.”

  “What happened between you two to make Tex be willing to kill his own son?”

  “You know ma, that’s what makes it easy for me to gut this nigga. Until that night at the club I had never seen Tex. The only thing it can be is envy. If he kills me he thinks his street status will be sealed.”

  “Does Tex know where you live?” He asked.

  “No, but I’ve been getting some strange phone calls.”

  “Okay look, I have someone I want you to meet. He’s my man Tim. Let me call him?”

  “Aiight, but let me have that shirt to wash so your gurl’s won’t be trippin’.”

  Q didn’t like undressing in front of her, but it would be hard explaining why he smelled like Terri. “Yeah that’s a damn good idea ma. I’ve already got enough problems.” Pulling off his shirt Q grabbed Terri’s cordless phone and began calling Tim. “Yo I need you to come over to my people’s house. The address is 3202 Erskine Dr.”

  “Alright I’m on my way.” Terri was still standing behind him looking strangely at him when he placed the receiver on its stand.

  “What’s the matter Terri?”

  “Oh I’m sorry, I, I...”

  “You’re gonna like my man,” he said cutting her off before things got out of hand.

  “I can’t wait to meet him,” she said while walking to the laundry room.

  When Tim finally arrived Q gave him the whole scoop on what was going on. Tim and Terri had only seen one another at the salon but they clicked as soon as they were introduced.

  “Yo Terri, would it be aiight if Tim stayed here with you until we straighten this shit out?”

  “It’s cool. The spare bedroom is down the hall.”

  “Hold up homie, you know I got business on the set?”

  “Yeah. That’s why I’m calling June. He can take care of all the work for a few days.”

  “Big Kev and Corey got that nigga Young Jezzy up in that mothafucka tonight. You know that a nigga gotta roll up in that piece.”

  “You can still go nigga,” Q said walking through the door. Yelling over his shoulder, “Make sure you got Terri wit’ you playboy.”

  Sitting on the couch Tim grabbed the remote control and began flipping through the channels.

  “Can I get you something to drink Tim?”

  “Yeah water will be cool ma.”

  Terri had slipped on a Baby Phat tank with matching shorts. When she returned Tim noticed that she had green eyes. “Damn this girl’s fine.” he thought to himself. “How could anybody wanna do something so beautiful any harm?” “So Terri, do they have a resident gym for the tenants here?”

  “Yeah it’s on the other side of the complex, but it’s nice.”

  “Do you work-out?”

  “Sure,” she said standing up showing Tim her six-pack.

  “That’s nice ma, but check this out,” he said raising his tank top. Tim was cut up ni
cely. No body fat anywhere. Terri was definitely impressed. After working out for a couple of hours they went back to her apartment.

  “So Terri when’s the last time you been out ma?”

  “I don’t go out Tim. I don’t have time. When I’m off work I spend most of my time with Lil’ Ty. But he’s been with his grandmother for two weeks. Now I have to figure out how I’m going to bring him back home without running into Tex.”

  “Don’t worry ma, we’ll get your son back safely. But tonight I’m taking you to our club, that’s cool?”

  “Yeah, cool.”

  Chapter 9

  “They Say It’s The Life”

  By the time Q got in touch with June he had gotten pages from Asia and Big Kev. He called Big Kev first. “What up homie?”

  “What’s good Q?”

  “Nothing much Kev. Sittin here kickin’ it wit’ June and Pandora.”

  Pandora was June’s girl from his hometown, Southeast D.C. She was a dime-piece. When Q had first seen her on The Block before he met June he liked her style. He could tell by the short answers she gave him that she was loyal to her man.

  “Me and Corey have to pick up Jezzy and his crew at the Charlotte Airport.”

  “Do you already have their rooms reserved?”

  “Yeah homie, we got everything straight. Do you wanna ride? I can swing by and scoop you up.”

  “Aiight Kev, but just meet me at The Club. I’ll park my car there.”

  Q called Asia while heading to The Club.

  “Hi stranger,” she said.

  “What up baby-girl?”

  “You.”

  “Come on, stop playing ma.”

  “Okay Boo, it isn’t that serious.”

  “It’s not like that ma. Just so much has been going on, that’s all.”

  “Do you need me baby? I can be there in an hour.”

  “Well ma, I always need you, but right now I have to meet Big Kev at The Club. We have to pick up the performers for tonight.”

  “The girls asked me if I was coming tonight.”

  “Why not? Ya’ll making all the money anyway.” he said laughing.

  “I wish nigga. Are you coming back to Fayetteville with me tonight?”

  “Only on one condition, and we’ll discuss that at The Club.”

  “Anything you say baby.”

  “Aiight ma, I’ll see you then.”

  Hanging up the phone Q thought about Van. She had always accepted his lifestyle. She knew about all the women. It came along with the hustle game. She had put all her hopes and dreams in their relationship. Soon he knew all the pimping would come to a stop. You can’t be halfway out the game; you have to give it all up.

  Big Kev and Q rented a limo-van for Jezzy’s entourage. After finally getting everybody situated they headed back to Rockingham. Q rode back with Big Kev, Jezzy, and his manager. He laid back in the cut while Big Kev discussed how the money would be exchanged. Jezzy’s manager was pretty cool. He had a nice build up top. But if one of these country niggas hit that chin with those small ass legs he was walking on, it was lights out!

  Jezzy had some New York chicks with him acting all stuck up and shit. One had even called Q a country boy and told him to get her bags. Big Kev damn near fell over trying to get close enough before Q slapped the shit outta her ass. But just as smooth as she said it he smoothly gave her a response. “You got the country boy part right, but this nigga don’t do bags.”

  Before getting them another room, which was unnecessary to Q, they wanted to check The Club set up out. As soon as they pulled up at the club Q could hear the same chick asking Big Kev about the drop-top blue 645BMW sitting so close to the front door of The Club. “That’s that country boy you told to carry yo’ bags.” “Word?” “Word Shawty.” Q took Jezzy’s body guards to the Uriah’s fitness center for a much needed work-out then dropped them back off to their private room. “Yo’ that was a good ass work-out, your man Uriah is the truth homie.” “Yeah son, my shit’s still on blow.” “Yo’ someone will be here at 8:00 sharp to pick you’ll up.” “Aiight son.”

  Chapter 10

  Big Pimping

  Everyone had showed up at The Club. Jezzy’s album was the hottest shit out. As usual Q arrived late. The Club was already wall-to-wall. Q was very impressed with the security set-up Corey and Poo had arranged. Fat Dave was at the dressing room door.

  “What up nigga?”

  “What’s up Q? Man everybody’s looking for you homie. That nigga Yaro been asking when you was gonna get here.” Yaro was Jezzy’s manager. “He said as soon as you get here holla at him.”

  Q knocked on the door of the dressing room. Yaro peeped out the door before opening it and letting Q inside. “What’s up son? What took you so long to get here player?”

  “Had a few stops to make first,” he said giving Yaro a pound. “Man you country nigga’s got it packed out there.”

  “Yea we got like four towns in the house tonight.”

  “Yo you got to make sure we get some of this small town pussy.”

  “You know I’m going to look out fam, but I got to go and make sure everything straight. So I’ll holla at you after the show.”

  “No doubt”.

  Q left the room and started on his way to the back office.

  “What up Q?” Said a cat outta Fayetteville named K-Love. They never had dealings before but both were well respected in their hoods. K-Love hustled on a strip called The Murk, Murder Blvd. Q and Asia had stopped through Rudy’s Pawn Shop a couple of times. Her cousin Cream worked there on weekdays. He met K-Love there and they became cool.

  “K-Love, what up nigga? I see you’re still living up to your name homie,” he said eyeing the two females on his arms.

  “Nah Q, both of them like Jezzy. And they both love me,” he said laughing.

  “Nigga you a pimp to your heart. Enjoy the show player. Holla.” Walking toward the door Q felt someone reach out and slide a cube of ice down his shirt. It was two of his homegirls from The Grove.

  “Damn Angie, you tryin’ to freeze a nigga huh?”

  “Yeah nigga, then maybe I’ll get to thaw yo’ ass out,” she said giving him a hug and kiss.

  “Save some for me,” said his other home girl Marie.

  “What’s up?” He said taking them both in his arms. “Ya’ll aiight?”

  “Yeah, we’re just waiting on the show to start.”

  “It should be starting in a few. Go to the bar and tell Aileen it’s on your big bro. Food, drinks, whatever.”

  “Aiight nigga, but one day you’ll give in,” she said sticking her bottom lip out. Angie and Marie had grown up since the days in the neighborhood. Both were phat to death, but Q always looked at them as his little sisters. Plus Van would kill his mothafuckin’ ass. They were all like family.

  After getting his cola from the bar Q stepped in the office. Corey was sitting at the poker table with at least seven strippers lounging in chairs around him. Asia was sitting behind the office desk looking like a china doll. Yeah I’m making that trip to Fayetteville early tonight Q thought to-himself. At first Asia wouldn’t show her feelings in front of the other girls, but after Q started laying that-lumber she quickly changed that hide-and-seek shit, just to seek.

  “What’s up everybody?” He said heading for the desk.

  “Hi Q,” everyone said speaking at once. Asia stood and gave him a hug.

  “Hummm.. Hum. I missed you Q.”

  “I missed you too ma,” he said patting her left ass cheek. “Can we leave now?” She said, hearing the other girls whispering in the background.

  “Not right now baby, but as soon as the shows over I’ll be ready to bounce. And don’t worry about none of that shit you hearing over there ma. You know me. Hell, you just got lucky yourself.” Bap... Bap. She gave him a two piece. “Aiight ma, you know I’m just kidding, come here.”

  Q didn’t watch many of the shows they had but when Jezzy came out and got on the mic, his voice co
ntrolled the whole crowd. Q stepped out of the office and headed to his private table. When he got there it was already occupied. Tee and Elbony were screaming and dancing to Jezzy’s rhymes while Tim had about five inches of tongue down Terri’s throat. He eased up behind Tee and put his arm around her waist. She turned and gave him a much needed kiss.

  “Hey baby.” “Hummm, you taste good,” she said giving him another kiss. “Why haven’t you called me all weekend Q? You’re getting slack mister.”

  “I promise I’ll make it up to you real soon.”

  “It better be soon nigga. You haven’t changed my oil, rotated my tires or nothing. And I’m in dying need of a tune-up.” She said slipping one hand inside his loose fitting jeans, stroking all ten and a half inches. He moaned.

  “Baby don’t forget where we’re at,” he said, getting aroused.

  “They look busy to me Boo.” Tim was still hung in Terri’s throat.

  “Damn Tee, let me pull this nigga up outta this girl before he kill her.”

  “Hurry back so you can kill me?” She said with a wicked grin on her face.

  “Damn nigga, that shit look like it might hurt,” he said sitting right beside them at his table. They were both caught by surprise and tried to pull apart, but as deep as they were in each others mouths it was already too late. “Busted.”

  “Wha... What up Q? When did you get here?”

  “I been sitting here for fifteen minutes watching you homie. I see both of you have gotten acquainted.”

  “Yeah. She good peoples homier.”

  “I told you that before you met her T. So do I have to get someone else to watch her for the next few days?”

  “Nah homie, I got this,” he said squeezing her hand.

  “Aiight T,” Q said pulling him close.

  “Look, I’m a slide to the Ville until late tomorrow afternoon so make sure Tee and El’s straight.”