Petie stood before the judge and was arraigned on two felony charges. Bail was a dead issue since he was on parole. Ladelle was also arraigned on charges at his hospital bed, being that he was in the truck when someone opened fire on them and the police report said that witnesses saw them return fire. However, the cops hadn’t yet tied Rasheed’s murder to Petie and Ladelle because Biz was in possession of the gun that killed him when the police shot him to death.
Petie’s lawyer told him that he could be placed at the scene of the crime because of police witnesses. Petie didn’t believe there were any witnesses; niggas in the hood minded their own business. He knew that was just a scare tactic. But he also knew that his priors would support the charges; his rap sheet was nothing but violence and gun play. He knew he was going up with a new number. But that didn’t scare him. This would be his fourth state bid, and parole would just put his time on the back. He’d tell his lawyer on the next court date that he’d cop out to lesser charges because there was no way he was going to trial. Petie knew Ladelle would feel the same way. Ain’t no big deal, he thought. As long as they weren’t talking football numbers he’d do the time—easy.
Venus, Share, Will and BJ were at Share’s brownstone watching the news. The reporter was giving continuing coverage involving the officer who had been shot. The bulletproof vest he wore saved his life. Meanwhile, charges were now being filed against Petie and Ladelle because the truck was registered in Petie’s name, which made him an accessory to the murder of Rasheed Millen, and Ladelle’s prints were found on the gun.
Venus turned the channel. She was tired of all the violence. She could have been dead, and Share could have been in jail for killing Giselle. All this shit because of Petie. That nigga was bad news from day one, she thought.
Venus never told Share about all the times Petie came to the bank and tried to hit on her. And she never told her about the time he grabbed her ass so hard that it hurt for a whole day. ”When I’m done with Share, I’m coming after you,” he’d always say. Venus gave Petie props on his good looks—his smile, his six-pack, the tattoos, his walk, side burns...everything. But his personality and his big ego made him ugly. Venus was happy he was locked up and out of her friend’s life. Beside that, she and BJ’s relationship had gotten stronger, and they were both relieved that all the drama was behind them.
They played scrabble and spades until late in the evening when Venus and BJ left to go home. Share and Will made love through the night and held each other in the darkness. Yeah, everything is all right and back to normal, Will thought. And he was where he wanted to be forever—in Share’s world. Everything was everything.
The courtroom was packed. Petie was sentenced to three and a half to nine years, and Ladelle was sentenced to three to six years. It was all good; they had been blessed with so little time.
Renee brought Darnell and Dante to Rikers Island so they could see their father before he went up North. Petie was looking better and his scars were healing quickly. She would stand by him no matter what, but only for the sake of their sons.
Ladelle and Lydia had a small wedding while he was out on bail fighting the case. They made love all over the apartment the night before he turned himself in. Ladelle had told her the truth about he and Renee, and she forgave him. She just hoped that Petie never found out.
A count was taken and Petie got into the shower. Mike-Mike was already there. Petie walked up behind him, rubbed the soap between his ass cheeks and slid up in him. After a few moments Petie busted off and washed himself. Mike-Mike left the shower first, and then Petie dried off and went to his cell. He lay on his back and looked up at the ceiling. He thought of Share and smiled. He had big plans for her. I’ll be back, he thought.
Chapter Eighteen
Share and Pirate were on their way home from their nightly walk through Riverside Park. Most of the time he walked Share. He was three years old now, the first of Diamond and Bullet’s litter. He had grown up to be a pretty dog, and he was strong.
Share stopped at the store to get some fruit juice and Pedigree. She crossed Amsterdam and stopped so Pirate could relieve himself. She enjoyed the breeze that was blowing and ran her fingers through her hair, never noticing the guy who was standing across the street in front of the pay phone. She still didn’t notice him as he walked toward her because she had bent down to pick up Pirate’s shit with the pooper-scooper.
”Excuse me, miss. You got a light?” he asked her. Share looked up and dropped the shit back on the ground. Pirate began to growl and bark. Share was scared. The last person she expected to see was Petie. Before she could say a word he said, ”Yo, get your dog before I put a bullet in him.” Sensing that something wasn’t right, Pirate started to bark even louder. If it wasn’t for his leash, he probably would have had Petie’s neck between his teeth.
Share couldn’t move. She knew Petie would kill Pirate, and God only knew what he would do to her. Petie had sent her hate-mail for the last two and a half years, and she kept every letter. She showed them to the District Attorney who had handled Petie’s case. He assured her that they would notify her before his release, but they hadn’t. Now he was standing right in front of her, and she was too scared to move.
”What do you want from me, Petie?” she asked him. Her fear was evident and there was a tremor in her voice. Petie didn’t respond; he just looked at her, lit a cigarette and blew smoke in her face. He took another drag, blew smoke in Pirate’s face and winked his eye at him. Pirate barked louder and began to jump at Petie. ”I asked you a question, Petie. Please answer it. I mean, you got me standing here while you blow smoke in my face and give me dirty looks. What is it that you want?”
Petie dropped his cigarette to the ground. ”You’ll know what I want when I come for it,” he said. He then bounced, leaving her wondering what the fuck he was talking about.
Petie had been home for a month, and that was the first time he let Share see him, even though he had seen her a couple of times. Renee had traded in the truck and bought a brand new Navigator, so Share didn’t know what he was driving. When the police released the truck to Renee while he was locked up, he had told her to get rid of it; it was bad luck.
Petie had gotten a kick out of the expression that appeared on Share’s face when she saw him. It made him smile to see how shook she was. He’d told her in his letters that he was coming home to square shit off. What, she didn’t believe me? She took me for a joke or some shit? Maybe she thought I was bluffin’. I’ll show you bluffin! She must’ve thought I was just trying to scare her. Nah, she started all of this drama, and I meant everything I said! he thought. He remembered seeing Will pushing her Lexus and using the keys to her house, and Share barking at him like he was some fifteen-cent nigga when he called her and asked about it. Then she had him jumped, killed his niece and set up Lou and Ladelle, which led to Lou’s death—not to mention his man, Biz. Yeah, she was the cause of everything. Petie decided that he’d play with her for a little while before putting her to rest. All of the things he had in store made his dick hard.
Shit had changed so much since before Petie got knocked. There were a bunch of new cats in the hood, and niggas who didn’t know him acted like he was new. He had only done three years, but it seemed like more. He couldn’t wait to get back in the game, even though it wouldn’t be the same without his old team. They were the originals from back in the day, when they were all much younger and running shit. That seemed like a long time ago, but it wasn’t. He just had to get on his feet again.
Petie got to his house, parked and sat behind the wheel. He began to think. There was so much he had to do. His sons were thirteen and fourteen now, and they were happy that he was home. Renee had faithfully made that trip up North twice a month so he could see his sons. They knew he was Daddy, but he hoped they weren’t angry with him. The last thing he wanted to do was disappoint them.
”Dad, don’t worry. We understand,” Darnell always said. ”We just want you home.” Darnell wa
s now the spitting image of Petie. Dante, on the other hand, favored Renee in complexion and features.
Petie locked the Navigator and went inside the house. Renee and Dante were on the living room couch watching TV and Darnell was on the phone, probably talking to some little girl. Petie went into the kitchen and took his plate out of the microwave. Renee would make a plate for him and put it in the microwave when he did-n’t make it home for dinner. Now, this was something new; before getting locked up, if he missed dinner he’d have to make his own plate.
Renee seemed different to him. She could still cook her ass off and took good care of the boys, but something wasn’t the same about her.... He thought that maybe they could start off fresh. He did-n’t want to cause her any stress or pain; he just wanted to make shit right.
Renee got up from the couch and went into the bedroom. She took off her shorts and top and was putting on her nightgown when Petie came in and stood behind her. He started rubbing her shoulders and kissing the back of her neck. Renee turned around and returned his kisses. She wanted Petie to make love to her. In some way or another she missed him. Petie sat on the edge of the bed and took off his clothes. Renee lay down and began massaging herself. She was moist and ready for penetration. Petie lay on top of her, and she opened up and let him in. She had forgotten how good her husband made her feel. His body was stronger and more toned than before. She dug her nails in his back as he stroked her. He pulled himself all the way out of her and teased her clit with the head of his dick. Petie slid his hands underneath her and spread her ass cheeks, now throwing himself deep inside of her. He stroked her until she came. Renee’s muscles gripped him until he could no longer hold on. Finally, Petie busted off. He kissed Renee with so much passion that it felt like their first year together. He remembered how much he loved her and what he had put her through. He slid out of her and held her in his arms. ”I promise you, Renee, I’m gonna fix everything that’s wrong. Just gimme some time, ma. Ya heard?” he said.
”Just don’t do anything that’s gonna hurt us, Petie,” she replied. Petie knew she was talking about illegal shit. He’d thought about getting a job and bringing home honest money; he wanted to set a good example for his sons. He still had a lot of years left on parole, and he damn sure didn’t want any new numbers—not again. The thought of going back up North made him want to change his lifestyle and habits. No, he didn’t want to do any more time. That was not in his plans. His only plan was getting even with Share so she could suffer and hurt like he did. And as long as he was alive, she would.
Renee put on her robe and told Darnell to get off the phone and get ready for bed. Dante was in his room laying out his clothes for school the next day. Darnell was so much like Petie that it scared Renee. She didn’t want him to make the same choices that his father had. He liked to draw, so Renee made sure he had all the materials he needed. She wanted the best for her sons, and she hoped that Petie would change so he could be a positive influence in their lives.
Chapter Nineteen
Lydia was cooking dinner when Ladelle came in from work. He had been home on work release for eight months. He had a board coming up and he prayed he made that board. This was his third state bid and he was hoping they didn’t hit him. He was seven and zero now and doing everything he was supposed to do be doing. He had found a job as a cook in midtown and he was bringing home legal money. He saved every dime he made because Lydia was six months pregnant.
Ladelle had made up his mind that he was done with the game. There was no turning back; he had a child on the way and no matter what, he wanted to live to raise it. Lydia had stuck by him and every time she came to see him, she set him out so that his locker stayed full of everything. Yeah, Ladelle was done with the game and anything involving it.
Lydia called him into the kitchen to taste the pepper steak. ”Is it too spicy?” she asked him.
”Nah, ma, its perfect. But put some more green peppers in it...wait, I’ll cut some up. Have a seat and let daddy do this,” Ladelle said kissing Lydia on the neck. In addition to cutting up more green peppers, he added red peppers, onions and added more seasoning to the pepper steak. Truth be told, Lydia couldn’t cook for shit. She fucked up hard boiled eggs, burned the bagels, made the rice too mushy and the Kool-Aid too bitter. She was a danger to food, and Ladelle preferred that she just make toast.
Ladelle added the extra items to the meat and lowered the flame to let it simmer. Lydia began making a salad to go with their meal. Ladelle started to tell her that he’d make it, but he kept quiet. He went into the bathroom to take a shower but decided to holla at Petie first. That was still his man and he was grateful that Renee did-n’t run her mouth. Renee called Lydia the whole time he was locked up, threatening her and talking shit. Lydia handled everything like a woman; she never threw anything up in his face about this or that. Renee had come to see him a couple of times, too, threatening him with the bullshit. This bitch is nuts, he’d think.
Ladelle was glad when Petie answered the phone instead of Renee. ”Yo, what’s good, my nigga?” Ladelle said.
”Ain’t nothing, dick. I seen Share walking her dog and snuck up on her ass. Yo, La, she looked like she seen a ghost...bitch froze. I started to snatch her up and drag her ass in the house. Her fucking pit saved her bitch ass,” Petie said, remembering the look on her face.
”Why you keep holding on to that shit? Fuck that ho. What’s done is done; let that shit ride. You know she a police lover. You better hope she didn’t tell them muthafuckas you ran up on her and was harassing her or some shit,” Ladelle said, hoping to get through to Petie. They talked for a few minutes more until Lydia called Ladelle to eat. Before hanging up, they made plans to meet up on the weekend and play some ball.
Ladelle took his shower before sitting down with Lydia for dinner. This is the way shit is supposed to be, he thought. Come home from work, eat a meal and lay back with wifey for the night. All that running the streets and shit don’t even feel right anymore.
The pepper steak was good, thanks to Ladelle, but the salad was a little soggy. Ladelle didn’t complain. He and Lydia cleared the table, and he washed the dishes while she dried them. She wiped the stove and countertops as Ladelle prepared two bowls of ice cream. Lydia’s was strawberry with peanut butter and whipped cream, and Ladelle’s was butter almond. Lydia always wanted strange foods now; she ate jelly sandwiches with mayonnaise and pickles with fried eggs, and she would sometimes make pancake mix and add a can of corn to the batter. It was bad enough she couldn’t cook, but seeing her eating all this strange stuff was a little overbearing for Ladelle. Lydia would always tell him it wasn’t her; it was the baby.
Lydia sat propped up on the couch and Ladelle sat beside her and rubbed her belly, hoping to feel his child move. He was so excited about the baby, and he couldn’t wait until he or she was born.
Lydia was even more beautiful to him now; her complexion was like honey, and her hair was thick and down to her shoulders. She had stopped wearing weaves and ponytails and kept her hair braided. She was a shorty—5’1” and 148 pounds. She was thicker now, and Ladelle hoped she wouldn’t have any stretch marks.
Ladelle was 5’11” with a stocky build, cut up arms and legs, a six-pack and a chipped tooth, which made his smile unique. His sideburns were trimmed into L’s, and he had a thin moustache and grey eyes. Ladelle and Lydia looked like they belonged together.
Lydia graduated college with a degree in marketing while Ladelle was locked up. But she was in no hurry to get back to work until the baby was at least a year old. There was always something on TV about nannies or babysitters abusing children, and she knew she would never leave her child with a stranger; she wouldn’t trust anyone with her baby except Ladelle’s mother or her sister. But if it came down to her staying home until her child was in school, then so be it.
Chapter Twenty
Venus was trying to calm Share down when Will walked through the door. Thank God, she thought. Share was a nervous wreck. She
told Venus how Petie had snuck up on her and taunted Pirate. She knew that if Pirate hadn’t been with her, he would have done something crazy. Will assured her that everything was going to be all right, but Venus was a little worried because she knew Petie was going to start shit up all over again.
Share went to her bedroom and began to pack some of her clothes. She was going back to her co-op on Seventy-Fourth Street. Fuck that; she wasn’t about to live and walk in fear again. She did-n’t care what Will said; she was outta there.
Will and Kalif were on the phone discussing Petie. ”Oh, that nigga is home, huh? Yo, where he restin’ at?” Kalif asked.
”I think him and his wife and sons are still on 133rd and Convent, in building 110 on the corner—unless they moved. But I doubt it,” Will replied.
Kalif wanted Petie and everybody in his circle dead. He did-n’t care how many years later it was. He still wanted to put those niggas to rest like they did his brother. And now that Petie was home and showing his face again, it was going to happen.
They decided to pay Petie a visit this week. It was time to get it crumped again, and this time anybody in the way was as good as dead.
Venus looked in the mirror. The plastic surgeon had done an excellent job on her face. You couldn’t look at her cheek and tell that at one point it had been stitched up. But every time she thought about Petie, she was reminded of the day Giselle had sliced her.
She continued looking at her reflection and prayed that she wouldn’t have to relive the nightmares from three years before; she was getting bad vibes. She knew the look on Will’s face earlier was sheer hatred.
Will hated Petie for all the fear he put in Share and for all the hate-mail he’d sent her. Will expected Petie to be a little heartbroken after Share had cut him off, but the cat still had a beef after three fucken years. Why can’t he just get a new shorty? Will thought.
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