by Larissa
“I said go get the mop to clean this shit up,” I repeat as she continues to stare at me with those confused and hurt eyes.
“Get the fuck out my office. And close my door when you do. Don’t come back!” I scream at her, which causes her to jump and move quickly with fear.
“My name is not Keisha. It’s Mary.” She slowly walks to the door, opens it, and then slams it shut.
“Stupid motherfucker!” I yell out loud enough so that she can hear me.
My Hustler’s Keeper
-6-
MARY
“Officer down! Officer down! I repeat officer down on the corner of 63rd by the old church building,” I hear Detective Carson yell into his walkie-talkie, as he continues to chase after Joe and I. He is not so far behind us.
“Freeze. Police!” Carson yells, firing two shots in our direction as we turn into a dark alley.
“Joe, what are we going to do now?” I ask, stopping in the middle of the alley, out of breath.
“You’re going to take this bid for me,” he literally tells me as he places the gun into my shaking hands.
“But you shot him,” I whine.
“But I also have a wife and family at home,” he says, moving closer towards me.
“C’mon, Mary, what can they possibly give you? You’re a female and this will be your first time. Trust me, you won’t be in there for more than ten years. Fifteen at the most.”
“But you shot him!” I repeat, yelling over the loud police sirens that seem to be getting closer by the minute.
“Look!” Joe yells. “Let’s make a deal. You take this bid for me and in exchange I’ll give you my daughter, virgin and all.”
“I don’t want your daughter. I want you.”
“You would have me. She’s the ticket to you keeping me. I’ll marry her off to you on her twenty-eighth birthday.”
“She’s not even born yet. And what about the dreams we have?”
“They’re still coming true but only if I’m free. I will get my preaching license and the moment I do, I’ll come and get you out. I swear Mary; you will not be in there for more than ten years. Fifteen at the most, if you get good time,” he says, kissing me.
“You promise that I’ll have you?”
“Baby, you’ll have me, my heart and soul, and my daughter in the palm of your hands until the day you die.”
“Joe, I’m scared.”
“Don’t be. I’ll be there every step of the way.”
“Okay, Joe, I’ll ride this out for you. But you have to keep your word. You have to promise me I’ll have you.”
“My word is my bond,” he says, before running off.
Just as he turns the corner a group of police circle around me as if I am the prey and they are the predators.
My first night in prison is the worst night of my life. I saw things that I thought only took place in movies. The guards sleeping with the inmates, drugs being brought in, and the sick part is the warden knows about it but doesn’t give two fucks.
I was about to be six feet within a week, all thanks to my lover and me agreeing to take his bid.
“Yo’ fresh meat,” someone hollers, as I make my way to the cell that I will be calling home.
“Shut the fuck up Chop Face,” the guard that is directing me to my cell yells out.
“Welcome to your new home,” he says, laughing as he throws me inside the tiny boxed-in cell.
I want to cry but instead I just rock back and forth until I am able to close my eyes. To this day I wish I never did, because I would’ve been ready for when Chop Face mysteriously enter my cell.
“Wake that ass up fresh meat,” she says, shaking my shoulder.
“What? How did you get in here?” I ask, turning over.
Damn, I see why the guard calls her Chop Face, I thought to myself.
June Tolbert, better known as Chop Face, stands at an even six feet, with a weight over three hundred pounds and what looks like a million tattoos covering her upper body and a face that looks to have been hit with a cheese grinder.
“I don’t have time for the bullshit,” she angrily says, as her fist hits my face several times.
“Please stop,” I cry as she beats me hungrily with her heavy fist.
“Somebody help me,” I beg as I feel her rip into my face, breaking my body with every connection.
“This is for the cop you tried to kill,” she whispers, as she continues to beat me harder with every connection.
Never in my life have I pictured myself being beat to death. But I’m feeling it. And the experience is real. Closing my eyes and crying, slowly I begin to imagine it is Joe instead of Chop Face. At least with Joe I will know the hands that will be sending me to meet Jesus Christ. The experience lasts for what seems like a lifetime but really it was only a half a minute.
“That’s enough banging for the night Chop Face.”
Turning my broken head over slowly I come face to face with the same officer that had thrown me into this shit hole.
“Next time you pull the trigger on an officer, think about the actions you’ll have to face once you get behind bars,” he tells me, as he slams the bars closed behind him and Chop Face.
“What has Joe gotten me into?”
The next day after being discovered by the warden and set up as an example to the rest of the inmates for what happens when you shoot a cop, I am taken to ICU were I am given over a hundred stitches. The only good thing I get while lying up in that shitty hospital is meeting Stephanie.
Stephanie Harris is my cellmate. Not only did she have a meeting with Chop Face one week before my arrival, but she also becomes my best friend.
“Hey, I’m Stephanie,” she introduces herself, just as the night shift is leaving from checking in on us.
“I’m Mary.”
“So what you’re in here for?” she asks.
“Murder, and you?” I ask; trying to sound all tough knowing my pretty ass wouldn’t bust a grape in a food fight.
“I was accused of beating my five-year-old niece. I didn’t do it; it was my sister’s boyfriend. But instead of her sending him to prison, she turned the tables and lied and say I did it,” she explains her story to me in tears.
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Don’t be. I’m only in here for the next five years. Then I’ll have to stay away from my sister and niece.”
“That’s a shame,” I tell her, shaking my head.
“Yeah, I said the same thing. But I’ll do whatever my lawyer says in order to get the fuck out of here.”
Over the next couple of months Stephanie and I get real close, so close we even sometimes try to sleep on the same bed. But we only try it when the guards are done with their rounds. Over time she becomes my prison lover. I find myself being as I often heard, gay for the stay. Only in prison would I consider myself liking girls. Out of prison I am strictly dick.
“Will you marry me Mary?” she asks me, the night of our six-month anniversary.
“I’m in a relationship.”
“That’s not a relationship. What we have is considered a relationship.”
“Why Stephanie? Why do you want me?”
“Cause if something bad happens and it leads to one of us going to prison, I’ll take the blame without thinking twice. Even if you did the crime I’ll do your time. I love you Mary,” she expresses to me, lowing her body onto the floor and resting on one knee.
“Stephanie, I can’t marry you.”
“Yes you can Mary.”
“What about Joe?”
“Baby, let me worry about him. Just say yes.”
“Yes, I’ll marry you,” I tell her, in excitement without feeling any regret about our decision.
But after being there my first five years hell comes. I have received my first letter from Joe.
Hey Mary,
I would ask how you doing, but I’m afraid of the response you’ll write back. My predictions were right. We had a girl. Keisha name
d her Harmony. Says she’ll be a melody you’ll never forget when she gets older. We also moved from New York to Chicago. They call it the Windy City and I see why. It’s colder than a mother fudge cake when you step outside. I bought some lot on the South Side where the church would be built. It’s almost done too. Running out of news to share so I’ll talk to you later.
P.S. tell your girl toy Stephanie when she gets out, come talk to me since I’ve heard she wants to work for the police. You can also close your mouth ‘cause I know it’s open wide right now. Yes, I know what’s going on between you two. Just remember you’re in prison Mary. You don't have any privacy. I also know about the visit you and Stephanie had a week apart from each other with Chop Face. (Wink, wink.)
Joe
“So what did he say?” Stephanie asks.
“He knows about us,” I tell her.
“Here, read this.” I watch as her eyes roam across the white sheet of paper.
“Was this supposed to scare us?”
“I don’t know Stephanie.” My eyes start developing tears.
“Why are you crying?”
“Cause if Joe want’s something done he gets it. The only reason I’m here is because we had a drug trade gone wrong. And now he wants you to work for him. This is going to be a big problem. I can feel it.”
“I can take care myself. Come tomorrow when I get out I’m going to see the disloyal asshole. If he wants to help me then let him help. Protecting you is more reason for me to play his game.”
“If you take his help, it will be a price you have to pay back for the rest of your life.”
“For you I’m willing to do it. Stop stressing. Your making it seem like Joe is the man. Trust me baby, I have some tricks up my sleeve.”
“I’ve been messing with Joe since I was in the eighth grade and ever since then he has been running my life. And baby, he is that nigga. Whatever Joe wants, Joe gets.”
“I don’t mean to be rude, but he might run your life, but once I’m finished using him, Joe Jones will not be on the face of this earth anymore. Baby, just trust me. I got this.”
“Don’t get on his bad side. If you’re going to play his game Stephanie, play it right. I’m not trying to lose you. I’m kinda falling in love with you,” I confess.
“Kinda, huh?” She looks at me with a bright smile.
“Yes, I’m falling in love with you.”
“Good. Now come kiss me.”
I gladly obey. Leaning over, I give her a kiss that she will never forget. And into the dark night, while the world is sleeping, Stephanie and I made sweet love, speaking with our bodies what our hearts couldn’t say. The next day Stephanie is released and I am in there to protect myself.
Another five years pass before I receive my second letter from Joe.
I’m a big time pastor now baby! I did it—well, we did it. I got your girl toy a job working for the FBI. She’s Keisha’s partner. And now Harmony is talking about how she wants to take down bad guys like her mother. That girl is going be the death of me someday. And Henry, that boy is a mess. I can tell he’s going to be a problem. I can’t wait until you get out and come to the city. The summertime is great. Well, I’ll write you later since I know Stephanie is keeping in touch with you.
Joe
And for the first time I’m writing him back, giving him a taste of my thoughts and how I am really feeling.
Joe you’re full of shit. I’ve been waiting on you to come see me for the past ten years. But instead I get a bullshit ass letter from you. Damn, even behind bars you try to treat me like I’m a fucking child. I’m going to leave you with this small but big ass reminder, since it seems like you forgot. If it wasn’t for my love and loyalty I have for you let’s just say Pastor Joe would never exist.
Mary
As I send the letter off I regret it right away. A week later I receive another visit from Chop Face. This time the pain is worse. I know Joe has something to do with the lesson I am being taught.
Five years after that and a week before my very own release date, I am expecting a letter from Joe like always, but instead he comes in person. In my fifteen years of being behind bars he never even answered my phone calls, so seeing his face has my on edge.
“Hello Joe.”
“Sit down Mary,” he says, as I enter the visiting room.
Shaking with fear I did just that.
“I’ma keep it real with you Mary. The reason I’m here is because I need you and your girl toy Stephanie to help me take Keisha out. I would take the three of them out but I will need Henry and Harmony in the future,” he says with no sympathy.
“Why would you kill your wife?”
“So we can finally be together. I have everything taken care of. Juno and Frankie will help. I just need you and Stephanie,” he answers back, stroking my cheeks.
“Stephanie will not agree to it.”
“Yes she will. She loves you. She’ll do anything to protect you.”
“When do you want it done?” I reply back, smiling.
This is the day I have been praying for and my prayers are finally being answered. We are about to finally be together, without having to hide it from the world and from Keisha and her brothers. I knew Joe hated Tone and Twan with a passion. And killing their sister would set a big example.
“When do we do it?” I ask again.
“A week after you get released. It’s planned to go down on Harmony’s birthday,” he says, before giving me more details.
“Why on my queen’s birthday?”
“This will be a gift she’ll never forget,” he answers, standing up to leave.
“I love you Joe.”
“Prove it. Prove you love me. Prove your love to me by doing what I just explained to you,” he tells me.
“I will, I promise you that.”
The day of my release Stephanie comes to pick me up. Upon getting into her Honda, I explain the visit I had with Joe.
“So he’s going to start a fight with her, then you’re going to come in and kill her?” she asks, starting up the car.
“That’s the plan.”
“So where do I come in at?”
“I’m not sure Stephanie.”
“We just have to pray this don’t back fire.”
“That I know.”
The night of Harmony’s fifteenth birthday, the plan for Keisha’s death went into full effect. I watched as Keisha yelled at Joe. And when I saw his jaw clench, I knew it was time. I pulled the gun out of my jacket and pulled the trigger, putting two shots into her chest. Keisha was gone and never coming back. Joe called Stephanie and made her take her body to Frankie so that he could trash it.
Well, that was the plan. I never knew whether she did it or not, seeing how close she and Keisha had got. And to be honest, I didn’t care. I now had the best of both worlds. I was about to marry Harmony as soon as she turned twenty-eight. I still had Joe by my side, and Stephanie too for that matter.
Loyalty gets you a long way in life. I did everything I had to do for this man. Yet, I’m starting to think it wasn’t good enough.
At one point I considered myself to be on top of the world, and the luckiest girl to ever walk the face of this earth. I had played my cards right when it came to Joe. I took the time for him, and I even killed his wife for him. I did everything to make Joe happy. But it is now time for me to finally have my happily ever after.
I never picture that this life I have worked so hard for would be ruined; thrown away like spoiled milk, and washed away like water touching the sand all because of one person—Sincere Knight.
That nigga just couldn’t keep his dick in his pants long enough for me to get my happily ever after that I deserve. He has to go.
I just have to get more proof of him and Harmony being together. And when I do his ass is history and she will finally be mine. Or just like her mother she is going to die. Because if I can’t have her then that means I can’t have Joe, and I am not going to lose either of them,
especially not to Sincere.
“Malik,” I speak to my brother. Coming out of my thoughts.
“Is Joe mad at me?” he asks, looking into my eyes with a worried look.
“Why would you ask that?”
“I saw the way he looked at me. I’m not trying to die.”
“You’re not going to die Malik. Joe is happy with what you did and he told me to tell you that you will be rewarded,” I lied to my brother.
“Do he need to get more evidence?”
“Yes. But he wants you to do something else.”
“What?”
“He wants you to kill Sincere. But don’t worry, I’ll help you.”
Without speaking another word Malik starts up his car and drives away.
My Hustler’s Keeper
-7-
HARMONY
After watching Terry’s brains get blown out, I go to work as if it is a normal day. For the ones who skipped past the introduction in the beginning and don’t know what I do for a living, let me fill you in. I work for the Federal Bureau of Investigations. I have been working here for three years and counting.
Joe made sure that I followed in my mother’s footsteps by working for the Government. Same job and company, and little does he know, I’m going to follow in her footsteps by taking down his whole operation as well. I just have to get my loved ones out of his reach first.
“Ms. Jones, are you okay?” Jonny, the mail boy, asks, interrupting my thoughts.
“Yes I’m fine.”
“Good answer. I wouldn’t like for you to come to work stressed, messing up cases,” he says, laughing as he hands me the mail.
“I wouldn’t like that either.”
“Robert would like to see you in the main office in five.”
“I’ll be there in four,” I tell him, getting up from my desk.
“That’s the energy I’m looking for,” he says to me, before carrying on with his deliveries.
“Right about now I need a lot of energy,” I utter.
Walking inside of the main office, I notice pictures of Sincere and Daniel on the bulletin board followed by five pictures of drug dealers who all had come up dead within the past two months.