Hard White

by Shannon Holmes

  “Charlie Rock what you doin’ hangin’ with fiends?” Melquan shouted through the opened window.

  “I known him for a long time, he wasn’t once who he is now.”

  “I know him a long time too. And he always been a fiend,” Melquan said, spitting in disgust.

  “True story, but at the end of the day we all human. And we ain’t perfect, we all got our vices. Ask me, I know that shit. Whether sellin’ or usin’, or reapin’ the rewards from it. We all addicted to this drug game. At some point or ‘nother we all get caught up.”

  “Without question,” Melquan responded, nodding.

  “Anyway, this whip the real deal, nephew. Fit you well too,” Charlie Rock said, complimenting.

  Looking cautiously around, he directed the wheelchair and moved closer to the shiny, black SUV. Melquan turned down the volume on the Jay-Z’s 534 CD when Charlie Rock lowered his voice.

  “Yo, I gotta tell you sumthin real important, nephew.”

  “A’ight Unk, what’s really good?”

  “Your man Mike Copeland is really foul. He ain’t playin this game fair!”

  “What he do?”

  “He got that young Puerto Rican kid out here sellin’ crack! And that’s not a good look,” Charlie Rock complained.

  His voice was so low his words came out in a hiss. He glanced furtively around then shaking his head, he continued.

  “Don’t you know that if da lil’ boy’s father find out, it ain’t gonna be a good look. Da boy’s father ain’t no slouch. Y’all don’t need them kinds of problems. Mike has to respect the game! A man’s family is off limits.”

  Melquan nodded his head, intently listening to what Charlie Rock had to say. He thought carefully before responding.

  “Charlie Rock, I already warned Mike about certain shit. But he’s who he is. Shit just goes in one ear, and out the next fuckin’ one.”

  “But that’s your right hand man. It’s not a good look for your organization, man! Ask me, I know that shit.”

  “Yeah, you right Mike Copeland is my man. Sometimes I even have to question some of his moves. I’m gonna have a talk with him about that,” Melquan said in an even tone.

  “There’s one more thing I wanted to tell you, nephew. But I was so upset ‘bout that other shit, I done forget what it was…”

  “You slippin’ Unk,” Melquan chimed in.

  They both chuckled. Charlie Rock thought for a second then waved Melquan on.

  “Ah, forget about it. Soon as you drive off, I’ll remember,” Charlie Rock said.

  “We’ll talk later, Unk.”

  “Yeah, go ’head. It’ll come to me later,” Charlie Rock announced.

  Melquan drove off leaving Charlie Rock scratching his head, perplexed in his thoughts. He glanced out on the avenue and suddenly his memory returned. Charlie Rock immediately turned his wheelchair, and headed the other way.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Can’t Stop It

  Melquan rode down East Gunhill Road. The sound of Jay Z blasted through his speakers. He nodded his head while listening to the lyrics of Dear Summer.

  Dear summer, I

  know you gon’ miss me

  For we been together

  like Nike Airs and crisp tees

  S dots with polo fleeces

  Purple label shit with the logo secret

  Gimme couple years,

  shit I might just sneak in…

  The conversation with Charlie Rock weighed heavy on his mind. He finally turned down the volume on the track and dialed Mike Copeland.

  “State your business…” Mike’s tone was authoritative.

  “Meet me in Bay Plaza by Red Lobster,” Melquan said.

  “What’s good? Everythin’s a’ight? Wha’, we got beef…?” Mike replied.

  “I’ll talk to you about it when you get there,” Melquan said, hanging up.

  He waited patiently for Mike Copeland while listening to the 534 CD by Jay-Z.

  Niggas can’t fuck with me

  I’m in a good mood, you lucky,

  I got a good groove

  And I ain’t trying to fuck my thing up

  But I will lay down a couple green bucks,

  get you cleaned up

  Now I’m Pulp Fiction, Colt four-fifth and

  Young niggas that blast for me…

  blasphemy, no religion…

  He could hear a loud thump getting closer. Melquan turned his music off when he heard the sound blasting and getting closer. It felt like there was an earthquake in the mall. The Cayenne Sport pulled to a stop and Melquan could hear the spitting of Fifty Cent and G-Unit.

  Well tell ’em niggas they could pop this

  and stop frontin’.

  You heard a nigga

  do you know how I get down

  Stay with my vest on and

  roll with a couple of trey pounds

  In case you motherfuckers want to jump bad now

  Start some bullshit

  Mike Copeland jumped out the whip in a hurry. Melquan’s improv meeting was cause for concern to him. Although they hadn’t seen eye to eye lately, Melquan was still his man and partner. He entered Melquan’s car and showed gave Melquan a pound.

  “What’s good, my dude?” Mike Copeland said. “What was so important that you needed to see me right away?”

  “Look Mike I’m a get right to the point,” Melquan said. “What’s this I hear ya got some lil’ Spanish kid, named Jose sellin’ fa us?”

  Mike Copeland looked at Melquan with a puzzled expression on his grill before speaking.

  “Nigga, who da fuck told you that, huh? Who da fuck be spyin’ on me like that…?”

  There was no answer coming from Melquan and the questions hung in the air like foul odor. Mike Copeland thought about it for a while and sardonically smiled, shaking his head.

  “Never mind you ain’t even gotta tell me I already know. It’s da ol’ muthafucka in da wheelchair. Fuckin’ snitch-ass, Charlie Rock…!” Mike Copeland angrily said. “Tell me sumthin, since when you start takin’ da word from a crack-head?”

  “Wha…?”

  “You heard me! Fuck dat nigga! Da kid stepped to me. He talkin’ bout he wanna rock. It ain’t like I went out and purposely recruited his ass. If he didn’t get it from me, he was gonna get it from da next man. He coulda been puttin’ in work for da competition, Melquan. So I put him on before somebody else did. What da fuck is da deal?”

  “Regardless of how it happened, it can’t go down like that. It’s a problem. And let’s nip shit in da bud before it goes any further.”

  “Yo, lemme ask you sumthin man. What’s your problem? Why everything I do startin’ to bug you?” Mike Copeland asked, getting emotional.

  Melquan stared at him blankly, unaffected by Mike’s mood swing. He couldn’t believe that Mike couldn’t see the moves that he was making, if left unchecked would lead to their downfall.

  “In ya eyes, ya never do nothin’ wrong. I told ya before, I ain’t into corruptin’ no kids, Mike—”

  “Da fuck you hollerin’ ’bout? These kids already corrupted! They certainly don’t need no help from me.”

  “Mike, this shit’s not open for discussion! When shorty comes around again, send him on his way. Do not give da kid another package.”

  “You buggin’ da fuck out my dude. But you know what I’m eat this one. Next time approach me when you got a real issue. Not on some he say-she say, ol’ bullshit, a’ight? And furthermore, I ain’t really been feelin’ da way you be talkin’ to me lately. Who da fuck I am, and how I do, nigga! Respect me like I respect you, my dude.”

  An angry Mike Copeland got out the car and slammed the door. He swaggered to his ride and peeled out of the parking lot. Mike Copeland did not once look back at his friend.

  Jose Jr. walked out of his project building. He was now an official part-time crack dealer, putting in limited hours, everyday on his new job. Everyday he made up a different lie to tell his father about hi
s whereabouts. Jose Sr. seemed to actually believe it. Jose took the long way to the horseshoe, just in case his father was watching out the window. This was an added precaution.

  Mike Copeland spotted Jose coming, and a cynical smile appeared, lighting up his face. He greeted the young boy with a solid handshake.

  “What’s good, my nigga?” Copeland asked.

  “You and da package you got fa me,” Jose said.

  “Look, shorty, I got some bad news fa you,” Mike Copeland said. “Today’s gonna be your last day on da team.”

  “What?”

  “Yo, believe you me. You’re a natural at dis and I don’t really wanna let you go. But from what I know, this got sumthin’ to do with your pops. Certain people gotta lotta respect for him. They don’t want no problems. You feel me, shorty?”

  Mike Copeland went on to explain the politics behind the decision, without naming any names. Jose was depressed, but understood for the most part. When his last package was handed to him, Jose hustled harder than he ever did.

  Unbeknownst to Jose, Maria followed him to the horseshoe. She stopped a distance away, watching him and Mike Copeland. She had discovered her brother’s secret life, and bit her lips, holding back the tears she felt. There was confusion about what she was supposed to do. She felt like her brother had been taken away. This caused tears to sting her eyes. She walked back home feeling alone.

  Precious walked past the weeping young girl, without giving her a second glance. Sashaying across the street, she jumped into a waiting cab. Her timing couldn’t have been better. The car sat at the curb for couple seconds. Nashawn exited his building, entering the cab from the opposite side door. The cab pulled off and Mike Copeland, wearing a grimace, quickly dialed on his cellphone. He was anxious and couldn’t wait to tell Melquan what he had just witnessed.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Living Lavish

  Melquan was chilling in the apartment, watching television with Zach and India. Suddenly his cellphone vibrated. He unraveled his body from the comfort of India’s warm embrace to get at the ringing cellphone.

  “Yeah, what’s up?”

  “You got to get here, my dude. You gon’ bug da fuck out,” Mike Copeland said.

  “Mike, what da deal?”

  “Wait a minute… Is you with India right now?”

  “Yeah… Why?”

  “I suggest ya come take a look for ya-damn-self.”

  “A’ight, Mike, I’ll be right there…” Melquan said, ending the call.

  He pulled on his jeans, and threw a hoodie over his T-shirt. Melquan was reluctant, but knew Mike Copeland wouldn’t call on him if it wasn’t an emergency. There was no getting around it, he had to go. He was already dressed and getting ready to walk out the door.

  “I’ll be right back, baby,” he said to India.

  “Where are you going now, Melquan?” she asked with an unsympathetic ring to her tone.

  “I have to go handle some important BI. Mike needs me right now.”

  “Melquan, I need you!” she said, sucking her teeth. “I need you here with me.”

  “India, this ain’t gonna take too long. I’ll be right back.”

  “What’s the sense of having people working for you if you have to leave home every time something goes wrong? Can’t Mike handle these emergencies? Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” India asked, sounding very irritated.

  “Look, I don’t know what this ‘bout. Mike Copeland refused to talk over the phone. So my guess is that it’s pretty serious.”

  “Can I go with you?”

  “And who’s gonna take care of Zach, India?”

  “Shoot, you right. I totally forgot about Zach. I swear from now on, Melquan when you come inside please turn your damn cellphone off, once you close that door. When you’re inside with me, you’re here with me. No exceptions. You just can’t be running in and out, like this some damn store.”

  Melquan left India’s apartment, and quickly linked up with Mike Copeland. After the two discussed the situation, they decided to wait outside for Precious to return. Their patience paid off. A couple hours later, a cab pulled to a stop in the driveway.

  “There they go right there,” Mike Copeland said, pointing across the Avenue.

  Everything looked peachy when Precious and Nashawn got out of the cab together, and walked inside the building. Nashawn was walking alongside her like they were more than just friends.

  “See, what I was talkin’ ’bout, my dude? Bet you thought I was makin’ shit up, huh? A picture is worth a thousand words… This bitch’s in violation!”

  Mike Copeland was laughing and making light of the situation. Melquan was quiet and thinking. He looked at Mike, rocking with laughter.

  “Mike, why’s everythin’ so fuckin’ funny to you?”

  “Cuz it is. It’s ‘specially funny how a dude that supposed to not give a fuck about a bitch is lookin’ kind a pussy-whip right now.”

  “I don’t give a fuck about her! I don’t give a damn who she be fuckin’ creepin’ wit. We got ’em muthafuckin’ guns and drugs stashed inside her crib. And that’s my concern. Mike, I got a bitch ten times badder than Precious. And she’s home alone waitin’ on me!”

  Mike Copeland looked at Melquan in disbelief. They had known each other for a long time. He could tell that Melquan was pissed.

  “Word, that’s what’s up, my dude.”

  “Get ready, Mike, we gettin’ ready to go over there, right now.”

  Mike Copeland removed the 9mm from his waistband. He checked the clip and cocked the weapon. Then he replaced the weapon in his waistband. They walked across the street and quickly entered the building.

  “Mike, lemme do all the talkin’. You just hold your tongue, and don’t say nothing,” Melquan warned.

  Melquan and Mike Copeland swiftly made their way up the stairs to the third floor. They walked cautiously down the hallway, passed the elevator and Melquan leaned against the wall as if he listening in from the outside. He stayed out of site while Mike Copeland knocked on Precious’apartment door.

  “Who is it…?” Precious hollered, checking the peephole.

  She saw Mike Copeland, and opened the door. Dressed in a red halter top dress, revealing heavy cleavage, Precious was looking beautiful. She was still wearing her high heels and her hair was tightly drawn back. It showed her entire face, and she was stunning. Mike Copeland’s eyes were wide, staring blankly.

  “Mike, what the hell you doing here…?”

  Precious was very surprised, and stared wide-eyed at Mike Copeland who had a gun in his hand. He put his finger to his lips and crept inside the apartment. Precious stared at him seemingly confused. Suddenly Melquan revealed his position, and greeted her grimacing, carrying his nine millimeter.

  She was scared watching them moving silently about her apartment. They checked each room, making sure no one was home. When the duo was satisfied, they returned to see Precious’ surprise gaze following them through the two-bedroom furnished apartment.

  “He ain’t up in here,” Mike Copeland said.

  “He ain’t up in here…?” Precious repeated incredulously. “Who ain’t up in here?”

  “Nashawn. Where da fuck is he?” Melquan asked.

  “Nigga, please. Is this what all this is about?” Precious asked.

  “What da fuck you doin’ with Nashawn, huh? You switchin’ up sides?”

  “Melquan, you don’t want me, at least not like I want you. So why you now gonna front like you even care about me, huh? You go home to your girl every night… How could you even be mad at what I do, huh Mel? Not after all the love I’ve shown you… And you still take me for granted.”

  Caught between anger and hurt, Precious’ face had an appearance of picture of beauty. Her voice rose with the emotions she felt, causing her breast to rise and fall. They seemed as if they were on the verge of busting out of her sexy top. Silently tears rolled down her cheeks. Melquan and Mike Copeland put their weapons away. All three
stared at each other, saying nothing. Melquan and Mike Copeland glanced at each other then they both stared at Precious.

  Her curves were on display and the dress displayed her figure very well. Even without makeup, Precious still had a very pretty face. Melquan bit his lips tightly, and spoke between clenched teeth.

  “I don’t care who you fuckin’! Just let it not be da muthafuckin’ Nashawn!”

  Melquan’s words thundered through the room. Precious stared at him, standing there, confident and cocky, telling her what to do.

  “You gonna keep being my damn father? I really need you to be my man,” Precious said, playing with his emotions.

  “C’mon, don’t act like you don’t know. Shit could pop off at anytime on any given day. Nashawn is da fuckin’ enemy! I’m sure you know that much!”

  Melquan was front and center in her face. They were cheek to cheek, and staring each other down. His warm breath blowing on her made hot and bothered. The heat of their bodies was melting the anger they both felt. Melquan reached out and grabbed her by the throat.

  “You need some attention, huh Precious? Come here. I’m gonna show you all the attention you need!”

  Melquan picked up Precious and took her down the short hallway to the bathroom. Mike Copeland immediately rushed inside Precious’ bedroom. He packed all the weapons and drugs in a duffel bag. Mike Copeland was quick about his business, and was ready to leave the apartment.

  He gave Melquan a three fingers and a circle signal with his free hand, walking past the opened bathroom door. Melquan was in the process of ripping off Precious’ thongs and winked at his partner. Mike Copeland was smiling when he quickly fled the apartment.

  Melquan was quickly deep in Precious’ gusy pussy. He fucked her hard while standing. She was bent over against the closed toilet seat, throwing hips back his way, meeting his every thrust. Precious was going buck wild and Melquan was smiling. Bouncing on her toes, she threw her hips right back at him.

  “Ooh yes, Melquan,” Precious screamed.

  They were fucking so hard, she didn’t even hear when Mike Copeland slammed the door, laughing, going down the stairs. “My dude’s in there blowin’ da bitch out,” Mike said to no one in particular.