Table of Contents
Title Page
Acknowledgements
prologue
Chapter One - My Projects
Chapter Two - Everyday Struggle
Chapter Three - No Place Like Home
Chapter Four - A Drug Dealer’s Dream
Chapter Five - True 2 Da Game
Chapter Six - Love Me Or Leave Me
Chapter Seven - Who Shot Ya?
Chapter Eight - What’s Beef?
Chapter Nine - Gettin’a Rep
Chapter Ten - Armed and Dangerous
Chapter Eleven - Real Niggas Do Real Things
Chapter Twelve - A Gangster’s Gambit
Chapter Thirteen - Love’s Blind
Chapter Fourteen - Geting a Rep…
Chapter Fifteen - To The Victor, The Spoils
Chapter Sixteen - Dealing with haters…
Chapter Seventeen - Risking It All… Blowin’ The Spot
Chapter Eighteen - Can’t Stop It
Chapter Nineteen - Living Lavish
Chapter Twenty - Messin’ With The Devil
Chapter Twenty One - Living It
Chapter Twenty Two - Gotcha Open
Chapter Twenty-Three - Been About Money
Chapter Twenty-Four - The One I Trusted
Chapter Twenty-Five - Mo Money Mo…
Chapter Twenty Six - Dead Right
Chapter Twenty-Seven - My Love Is Strong
Chapter Twenty-Eight - Get Up… Stand up
Chapter Twenty-Nine - World’s Getting Darker
Chapter Thirty - The Past… The Present… The Future...
HARDWHITE
Copyright Page
No man of woman born, coward or brave, can shun his destiny.
-Homer, Iliad, VI
Acknowledgements
REST IN PEACE
Mrs. Diane Lewis
Jeanne Lee Moultrie
Stanley Rice AKA Stan Strong
Gloria Jean Harrison
[email protected]
Facebook/FreeToddWilliams
YouTube/FreeToddWilliams Campaign
Write to: The free Todd Williams Campaign
P.O. Box 690066 Bronx, New York 10469
I would like to thank Gerard Emptage AKA Shakim, and Angelo Barretto.
To all the readers, thank you for supporting, and keep on reading. Special thanks to Augustus Manuscript Team, Shannon Holmes, Jason Claiborne, Jasmine Clemente, Tamiko Maldonado, Juliet White, and Anthony Whyte.
Shannon Holmes wishes to thank the Cast & Crew of Hard White for all your help in making my dream come true.
Roberta James
Freida Hickson
Richard Samalot/ RTS Films
Filmmaking Shaun
Luwana Arthur
Brandon Munroe
Keenan Perkins
Damion Omar Lee
Charles Murray
Craig Jihad Scott
Ian J. Findlay
Shana A. Solomon
Miriam Morales
Edgar Ribon
Kim Knotts
Torre’ Reigns
Carlos Hendricks
Nikko Nin
Nickalette Nin
Rich Rivera Julie
Nelson Nin
Floyd Cromwell
prologue
In New York City’s most northern borough of the Bronx, lies the second biggest Housing project in the city, the infamous Edenwald Houses. Its brownish-red brick buildings stand out ominously like an eyesore against the urban landscape. The enormous project buildings can be seen from near and far. Just like its high visibility, Edenwald project’s reputation, for murder and mayhem, exceeds itself. Edenwald’s dark side lives in infamy. The mere mention of the name, Edenwald projects seems to threaten the tranquility of the surrounding neighborhoods. Some residents from the criminal element are fond of saying, “Edenwald is loved by few, hated by many, but respected by all.” That statement is by no means a stretch of the imagination.
The Edenwald housing area is a city within a city, an occupied territory, a breeding ground for lawlessness, and is impossible to police for extended periods of time. Since construction was complete, the projects have been a thorn in the side of the 47th police precinct. It’s a place where outsiders dare to venture, due to Edenwald’s penchant for violence. Inside this urban maze is a place where poverty, hopelessness and ignorance, could set in at any moment to create a murderous climate. Edenwald is a place that seldom offers happy endings, success stories are rare. There is a black cloud that seems to hang over Edenwald project and it’s called negativity. Here everyday young lives are up for grabs and any given day could be your last.
Inside the confines of Edenwald projects there lies an inescapable hunger, an unquenchable thirst of the have-nots, for the finer things in life. Some residents are willing to risk it all, life and liberty, in an all out pursuit of the American Dream. The drug game offers residents their only viable option and gives them a glimmer of hope. Selling it, however misleading it might be, there’s always a slim chance for overnight success. The ever-present allure of fast money is, in most cases, way too easy to resist.
In this day and age the drug game may be played out for many, resulting in stiff penalties handed out by the law. The drug game is alive and well twenty-four-seven in the Edenwald projects. It’s a never ending cycle that only changes with faces and names. Here a drug profit is willingly exchanged for a lifetime of despair. In Edenwald projects this process repeats itself hundreds of times, from dealer to fiend.
Despite the drug raids and sweeps by local and federal law enforcement agencies that have been deemed successful. Temporarily put an end to the drug crews that once ruled the projects with iron fists. Nowadays, younger, brazen and even more dangerous criminals seemed to have sprouted up overnight. For all intents and purposes the end of the crack era marked the birth of a new generation of thugs, killers, stickup kids and would-be drug kingpins…
Welcome to Edenwald... Come in peace or leave in pieces.
Chapter One
My Projects
Melquan’s nostrils flared, entering the project building. A pungent odor suddenly assaulted his senses. A sour expression donned his face immediately. With his nose squinted in disgust, Melaquan quickly scanned the building’s lobby for the source of the foul smell. Instantly his eyes revealed the puddle of fresh urine sighted dormant in a corner. He paused staring in disbelief at the golden cesspool of bodily fluid waste.
“Nasty muthafuckas…!”
His mind was distracted when he cursed aloud. Melquan could not, for the life of him, understand the ignorance of people who pissed inside the building. A lifetime of living in Edenwald projects had numbed him to the stupidities and atrocities of its residents, nothing really surprised him anymore. Whoever did this was doing one of two things, either going upstairs to an apartment, or headed outside. Wherever the destination was, that place would be better equipped to handle urine. It seemed like the projects halls, elevators where portable potties to people, even if the staircases and hallways amplified foul odors.
Down right nasty in his book, Melquan thoughts turned to his mother, who still lived in these projects. She had taught him a long time ago about not violating the place where you lived. Probably some stupid kid or a fiend Melquan reasoned.
Shaking his head, Melquan quickly distanced himself from the foul smell. Taking stairs two at a time in rapid succession, Melquan leapt and bounded. Without so much as breaking a sweat or wrinkling his expensive True Religion jeans, he vaulted up the steps from one floor to another. The sight and smell of the puddle of piss was soon a distant memory.
Running up a few flights of stairs was a small feat for twenty-four year old, Melquan. He was an athlete in e
very sense of the word. Six feet tall and a chiseled two hundred and ten pounds, the dark skinned, bald headed young man had rugged good looks, and a strong bone structure.
Melquan grew up playing every sport and project game imaginable. There were a few shorts stints at Riker’s Island jail, which didn’t do anything but helped build his physique. Melquan, unlike most young men his age, didn’t smoke weed, and had no bad habits that would hurt his athletic prowess.
There was another added incentive for staying in tip-top shape. Dealing with the police was an occupational hazard. In his profession as a drug dealer, to be out of shape meant the difference between going to prison for an alleged criminal charge or evading the police. He was a soldier in the war going on outside his project window, and the chance of him engaging with the enemy on any given day was highly likely.
Right now, keeping in shape was the last thing on Melquan’s mind. Pussy was the motivating factor in his venture into the project night. He was on his way to Precious’ apartment. She was his ride or die, side-chick, catering to all his needs, business and otherwise. Precious was a down-ass-bitch and always had his back. Funny thing about Melquan and Precious’ relationship, other than mixing business with pleasure, he already had a PC, India. When they were on good terms, Melquan was the Mack, living from time to time with India.
Melquan reached Precious’ third floor apartment in no time. Before he could even use the doorknocker on apartment 3A, Precious quietly and quickly opened the door. Precious placed a finger to her lips in an effort to silence him before he could utter a word. It was already too late.
“Hey yo…” Melquan mumbled, caught off guard.
“You gotta hold it down and chill. My grandma’s sleepin’,” Precious whispered. “And I ain’t tryin’ to wake her up.”
“Oh shit, my bad. I forgot ‘bout dat,” he whispered, admiring her curves.
Precious didn’t have the luxury of sharing bed or body with anyone else. Melquan wouldn’t tolerate that. Precious belonged to him alone. The fact that she had to settle for being his sidekick didn’t bother her. It was a minor inconvenience that did nothing to stop her from thinking that she could replace India. Someday she could be girlfriend number one. In her mind Melquan was her man just as much as he was India’s. How true that was, only Melquan knew. Each visit for sex reinforced Precious’ belief.
“Come in Mel,” she whispered, grabbing his arm.
Precious was a wild child. Her home situation was in shambles. Her father remained unknown, and her mother, Julie, was strung-out on dope. Precious would see Julie on daily drug treks around the projects. She treated her mother as if she was a stranger. This was the same way her mother had treated her when she was a baby. Precious would give her mother the most despicable stare. Feeling ashamed of herself and condition, her mother would drop her head and walked on. This routine occurred on the occasions when they crossed path.
Precious’ grandmother had custody of her at an early age. The arrangement was supposed to be only until Julie completed rehab. Despite bold promises made, Julie never went to rehab. She never came back for her daughter.
The thought of seeing her granddaughter with the child welfare agency never crossed her grandmother’s mind. She adopted Precious, loving and raising her as her own. Precious was spoiled rotten by the old woman, and did whatever she wanted. Her grandmother felt Precious never caught the same break that other kids did and gave her a lot of freedom. It was an excuse that Precious used constantly as a crutch to have her way.
Precious pushed her freedom well past the limit. Her grandmother repeatedly caught her having sex with Melquan inside the apartment and gave up trying to prevent it. Precious now had permission to have Melquan over anytime she wanted. He walked inside the darkened apartment with enough illumination on her five foot three, olive toned complexion.
The oversized white wife-beater she wore did nothing to hide her voluptuous breast. Her sexy ass cheeks playing peek-a-boo underneath Victoria Secret boy shorts left little to his imagination. The twinkling of her light brown eyes confirmed what time it was. She was in the mood. Pausing at the doorway she waved her long bleached blonde hair off her shoulder.
Licking his suddenly parched lips, Melquan gazed licentious at his Puerto Rican Princess. Enticing him her flawless 36-26-38 frame had Melquan sizzling with sexual anticipation. Hot sex on the platter was sure to be on tonight’s menu.
A devilish smile of approval spread like hot butter across Precious’ succulent lips. She loved the fact that Melquan wanted her sexually. Precious wanted him just as bad, in every way possible.
She always wanted him as far back as she could remember. Melquan was that dude for her. Everything about him, the way he walked, talked even his clothes and his style. Melquan’s swagger made her bananas. Precious had eyes for him since she was a freshman in John Philip Sousa Junior High School. The guys in her class were too childish and immature for her.
Melquan was a perfect fit. He walked the school hallways with his boys like he owned it. School safety officers, teachers acknowledged him, often calling to the Dean’s office to squash beefs that the adults couldn’t even handle.
Her infatuation for Melquan grew the older she did. Precious had to love him from a distant until they crossed paths. The fateful event was the sweet sixteen birthday party of a mutual friend. That evening in Edenwald projects recreation center they were formally introduced.
From the jump Precious claimed Melquan and he rewarded her by taking Precious’ virginity. This one fact of her existence was never lost on her. She was peeved to learn how quickly Melquan forget the whole thing as soon as the intercourse was over. It was as if she was one of many to him, but to her Melquan was the one.
Over time, Melquan recognized Precious’true value, especially later when he entered the drug game. Melquan fooled around with other girls from the projects, and were a source of constant strife in her life. Precious understood that when your label was ‘That Nigga’ in the projects, chicks tend to flock. She was up for the challenge and was ready, willing, and able to fight for her man. There were plenty of battles because rivals for Melquan’s affection sprung up left and right. One way or another Precious seemed to always chase them off, except for India.
Precious was known for knocking on chicks’ door and challenging them to a fight. She was a drama queen and couldn’t wait to do it India. She knew sooner or later, Melquan’s spot would be blown.
The duo moved in silence through the darkness, feeling their way down the narrow hallway. On the left and all the way to the back was Precious’ small room. Inside the dimly lit room, Melquan was rock hard. Precious could see the imprint of his well endowed member poking through his jeans. Finally here, the moment they had both been waiting all day for. On cue, Precious dropped to her knees and assumed her role.
“Damn mami! Ya head game’s official. Ah yeah, I can’t even lie. You da truth!”
His whispers came harsh against Precious’ears, her mouth was full, and she didn’t bother to reply. Pleasing her man by any means necessary was the only thing on her mind. Precious was going to make it hard for Melquan to stay away from her bed for long periods of time.
Melquan reached down and pulled Precious’ hair aside to get a better view of the fellatio being performing.
“Ah yes,” he moaned.
Nothing like a bad bitch that could and would give head, Melquan thought. He was relishing the biggest sexual turn-on of his life. This was just the thing Melquan needed to forget all about the problems he was having at home with his girl, India. This was a wonderful way to relieve a little stress. Leaving Precious’ warm loving tonight wasn’t an option Melquan wanted to exercise. Tomorrow would come and he would deal with India. He was quite skilled at making up excuses about his activities. Melquan used his drug operation as an excuse, or get his mother to cover for him. Either option felt real comfortable. Melquan’s eyes closed when the tip of her tongue tickled his balls.
Chapter Two
Everyday Struggle
A beautiful baby blue sky ushered in the dawn of a new day. The serenity that seemed to exist in the heavens didn’t exist on God’s green earth. At least not in Edenwald projects where Melquan and Precious were deep asleep. Almost noon and they were awaken by the them loud sounds of New York City’s Housing Authority’s dump truck mixed in with workers’ voices, brooms and rakes performing the daily janitorial duties.
Still half asleep, Melquan awoke to discover Precious sound asleep in his arms. From the feel of the sheets against his skin, Melquan could tell that he was butt-ass naked. The sticky clammy taste of his mouth let him know that he wasn’t the only one that engaged in oral sex last night. Melquan always gave as well as he got with Precious.
Drained and in a daze, Melquan glanced at the clock on the cable box. Nine a.m., Melquan had no reason to get up and quickly fell back asleep. He lived the life of a drug dealer. His day didn’t start till late afternoon, and spilled into the wee hours of the morning.
Melquan was aware that Precious’ grandmother was working a double shift at her job downtown, where she worked in a hotel as a maid. His girlfriend, India was already at work in the Bronx Lebanon Hospital. His burgeoning crack business was being handled capably by his man, Mike Copeland. Melquan was in no rush to leave.
Besides all of that, he wanted to go another round with the luscious body of Precious. There was no better sex than when one had to leave. That alone was worth the wait. Armed with that knowledge, Melquan smiled and drifted to sleep. He enjoyed sleeping. Melquan always said that if death was anything like sleeping, he’d love that too.
Later in the afternoon Precious was the first to wake up. She opened her eyes and gathered her bearing. Pausing, she watched Melquan sleeping for a minute. His muscular chest rose and fell as he inhaled and exhaled. All the while Precious enjoyed the ride, listening to the sound of his heartbeat, staring deeply into Melquan’s face and fantasizing.
Hard White Page 1