Gangsta

by Foye, K'wan

  "What about El Diablo? He sure as hell ain't gonna like this."

  "Fuck, Diablo. As long as you do what I say, he ain't gonna be in no position to do shit. The N.Y.P.D already got a hard on for that nigga. They're gonna jump for joy when this shit pops off. Hell, they're gonna put him under the jail. Just make sure you put them things where they need to be when you go to pick him up."

  "I got you, Cisco. Everything gonna be gravy. Straight gravy." When Lou-loc arrived at the park, the rest of his lieutenants were already there. There were six of them in all. There was 'lil Boo,' who ran the shop in Brooklyn. 'B.T. Gangsta,' from 145th.

  'Moe,' from Wagner. 'High side,' from St. Nicolas. Pop Top and Snake Eyes. The gang was all here, so it was time to do the damn thang.

  "What it is, fellas?" Lou-loc asked greeting everyone.

  "Ain't nothing." Responded lil Boo. "Life is good, homey, and you the reason for it."

  "Hell yea," Moe chimed in, "shit these ol' slob ass niggaz is on the ropes, cuz. You Cali mafuckas lay it down for real. Them niggaz that you had out here tore shit the fuck up. That shit had me hyped."

  "Right, right." High Side co-signed.

  "So what's up, Lou-loc?" Pop Top asked. "I know you ain't called a nigga way down here for nothing?"

  "Fo sho, my man." said Lou-loc. "I got something to say to y'all niggaz. Some of y'all might not like it, but it's just the way shit is."

  "Well spill, nigga." Top said.

  "Well, it's like this," Lou-loc started, "I been banging for the hood for the last twelve years. I done put in work, and earned my stripes. As all of you can agree, I'm one of the realist cats in the whole Crip gang. Be it on the east or west coast. That's why this is so hard for me to say. Fellas... I'm out of the game." The park went so silent you could've heard an ant fart. There was a look of utter shock on all of the Homies' faces, all except Snake Eyes. The thought of Lou-loc leaving the gang was incon-ceivable. He was one of, if not thee baddest niggaz on any set.

  Pop Top was the first one to break the silence.

  "What you mean, cuz?" Top asked sorrowfully.

  "I mean what I said." Lou-loc responded. "This shit here, it's wearing on my nerves, cousins. All this killing, it can drive a mother fucker batty. It just ain't for me, cuz."

  "How you gonna bail on us like that?" High Side asked. "I know how you feel about all this, but you and Gutter started this shit. Y'all showed us how to bang accordingly. That man done did a lot for us, but you the real power behind 'Harlem Crip.' In this little bit of time, you've established us as the strongest set in the five boroughs. You that nigga right now, and you just wanna give it all up?"

  "Easy homey." Snake Eyes butted in. "This nigga here is a ghetto superstar. He got more stripes than most niggaz in the game, and he still here to talk about it. That shit in itself is a blessing. There comes a time in a man's life where he just gets tired, and I guess the homey loc has reached that point" Some of the homeys thought it odd that Snake Eyes was speaking up for Lou-loc. They figured that it was because of there long standing friendship and them both being from killer Cali, but it was much deeper than that. Lou-loc had wanted to get out of the game for a long time, and Snake Eyes was well aware of that. They had many discussions on the topic, and he felt his friend's pain. This was one of the main reasons that Snake's father had helped Lou-loc wash some of his money.

  "Listen," Lou-loc started, "it's like this. I'm always gonna be a Crip, that's just a given. But as far as being active in the field, that shit is over. I've killed many a man, and caused many a man to get killed. I've put in enough work to earn my freedom.

  Straight like that."

  "Straight like nothing." B.T. said harshly. "We all know, when you get in a gang, that shit is for life. This ain't no fucking job where you can put in your two weeks notice."

  "Ay, watch ya mouth, nigga." Top snapped.

  "Nah," Lou-loc said waving Top off, "let the homey speak."

  "Look," B.T. continued, "all I'm saying is this shit ain't kosher. You come all this way to build up your street credibility, and now you just wanna walk away? This shit don't sit right wit me, cuz. Maybe the things niggaz is saying is true?"

  "What shit?" Lou-loc asked defensively.

  "Well," B.T. sighed, "word is, that you done hooked up wit

  Diablo's lil sister. Niggaz is saying that this slob ass bitch got ya nose open. What up wit that shit?" The tension in the air had suddenly become very thick. The knowledge of Lou-loc and Satin's relationship was limited to a select few. Sure, some of the homeys had seen them together, but no one had ever questioned it. That was Lou-loc's business.

  By trying to put Lou-loc on front street, B.T. was asking for an ass hole full of trouble. There had always been bad blood between the two, but it was always kept to ranking on each other. B.T.

  was testing Lou-loc, and it didn't go unnoticed.

  "Why don't y'all niggaz just chill?" Snake Eyes said placing his hand on B.T.'s shoulder.

  "Man, fuck that," B.T. said jerking away from Snake Eyes.

  "Nigga, I don't even know you like that for you to be making suggestions. Only reason mafuckas in the hood even gave you a little respect is because Lou-loc said you was cool. Shit, the way this nigga acting, I'm starting to question his judgment." Lou-loc's eyes became dark and glassy. Pop Top and Snake Eyes had seen this look in his eyes before, so they stepped back.

  It was a look that only came over him when he felt a nigga needed to be taught a lesson.

  "Listen, B.T.," Lou-loc said through clenched teeth, "I don't think you really know what's up, so I'm gonna clarify it for you.

  Satin, that's my boo, true enough. Her brother is a fucking mark, and is always gonna be one. I ain't got the least bit of love for that buster ass nigga or none of his peeps. My baby, she ain't got nothing to do wit the life, she's a square broad." Lou-loc paused briefly and then continued on

  "As far as my situation goes, she don't hold no sway over me.

  This is something I've wanted for a good while. If you was down from the gate like Snake and Gutter instead of a lil know nothing ass nigga, you'd know this. As far as who I'm wit, and why I'm wit em, that ain't none of your never mind. Let this be the first and last time I gotta remind you of that, cuz." B.T. matched Lou-loc's stare without blinking. He was a bad ass nigga in his own right. If Lou-loc wanted to get stupid, he'd have got down with him. As tough as he was, he didn't want no drama with Lou-loc if he could avoid it. But B.T. being the type of nigga he was, he couldn't allow Lou-loc to play him in front of the crew.

  "Let me tell you something," he said putting his finger in Lou-loc's face, "I ain't scared of you, nigga. I know who you are and how you do, so the respect is there, but don't you think for a fucking moment that I wouldn't hesitate to put something in yo ass. This is New York, and we don't play that ol..." That was as far as he got. Once again, the beast had reared its head, and Lou-loc was in battle mode. He grabbed B.T.'s finger and snapped it like a twig. High Side moved to break it up, but Lou-loc moved with near inhuman speed. With his free hand he pushed High Side sending him skidding a good five feet. All of the homeys looked on in shock. High Side outweighed Lou-loc by at least twenty pounds, but Lou-loc tossed him like a small child.

  B.T. opened his mouth to scream, but Lou-loc silenced him with a straight jab to the lip. Lou-loc pulled his gun and brought it down twice across B.T.'s skull. The gash that opened on B.T.'s head, sent blood flying all over the assembled lieutenants.

  "Now you get this straight," Lou-loc snarled at his bleeding opponent, "I'm through wit this shit. It's little fuck ass niggaz like you that's fucking the game up now. I'm done, you fucking hear me? I want my life back and ain't no body gonna stop me from being happy!"

  All B.T. could do was cough blood and shake his head. He wanted to put on a show for the homeys, but he had no inten-tions on setting Lou-loc off. He knew the man's reputation for killing and wondered if he would be the latest addition to his list of kills? Luckily for him,
Snake Eyes took Lou-loc's arm and pulled him away.

  "That's enough, old friend." Snake Eyes whispered. "He ain't worth it. You free, my nigga, and I'll back you on that. Let it go and live your life."

  The sound of Snake Eyes' voice seemed to bring Lou-loc back from where ever he had been. The madness had receded, and he was himself again. At least for the moment.

  Lou-loc looked around at the sea of frightened faces and felt ashamed of what he had done. These were suppose to be his peoples, yet instead of understanding, he saw only fear. He knew it was time for him to get out.

  "I... I'm sorry." he said addressing his peoples. "We're suppose to be down for each other, and look what the fuck I do. I'm an O.G., and I ain't supposed to conduct myself in this manner.

  I'm supposed to be showing y'all younger G's a better way, but instead I personify the old ways. The violent ways. This ain't how it's supposed to be."

  Lou-loc looked at each of his homies and continued speaking

  "After tonight, it's a wrap for me, cousins. I'll always be a Crip, and I'll always love y'all niggaz, but I'm done with this shit. This is how its gonna go down, and I hope y'all can dig it?

  Pop Top, you the new leader of our New York chapter. At least until Gutter is up and around. I'm trusting you with this shit because I know you can handle it. Do the right thing, cuz."

  "Hey, you know I will." Top said grinning. He had finally got his chance to hold the reigns of power, and he intended to run with it.

  "One last thing." Lou-loc said raising his hand. "This mafucka," he said pointing at B.T., who was still rolling around on the ground, "he ain't fit to run shit. He still Crip cause that's his right, but he a soldier now. As my last decree, I want this buster stripped of all rank and title. Youz a grunt now, faggot. Top, I don't give a fuck who you get to replace him, but he's a fucking nobody on set, ya dig?

  "I wish you niggaz all the best that life has to offer after I retire. Call on me for guidance when ever you feel necessary.

  The homey Snake can tell you how to reach me. Now let it be done."

  All of the lieutenants who were still able to stand gathered around Lou-loc and embraced him. They were sorry to see their homey step down, but they knew that's what he wanted, and they respected his wishes. Lou-loc had nothing left to prove. In the years during his run, he had held the set down and put in much work. In all their eyes, Lou-loc was a stand up nigga. If he wanted his freedom, he was more than welcomed to it. He'd earned it.

  ***

  In another part of town, everything was all good. The Giant staggered out of the east village pub with two young girls on his arm.

  He had spent a good part of the night, as well as his bank roll, on the girls getting toasted in the bar. He had big plans for the two. Whether they wanted to or not, he planned on fucking.

  Being that he was too drunk to perform the task, he decided to let the older of the two girls drive while he freaked off in the back seat with the other. He handed the first girl the keys and watched her shapely little ass as she climbed behind the wheel of the hog. Next, he let the other girl into the back seat, and started around the other side to get in. In his mind, he went over the various demeaning tasks he would have them perform.

  As a young man, The Giant never had much luck with women. He was an oversized teenager, who wore hand me down clothes. His shoes would always be busted at the seems because of his oversized feet, and his clothes were always too small. The kids had called him all kinds of cruel names, from tree trunk, to mighty tighty. And these were some of the nicer names.

  When El Diablo found him, he was a poor brawler, who fought for money in back room bars and underworld basements.

  El Diablo took pity on the young man and gave him a job. No longer would The Giant have to wear hand me downs or fight in back rooms just to eat. El Diablo had made him a somebody.

  A man of power and standing. For that, he would be forever grateful.

  As The Giant made his way around the car, he didn't notice the vehicle speeding towards him from the opposite direction.

  As soon as he stepped into the street, the car clipped his leg sending his large body flying over the trunk. The Giant landed hard on the curb with a sickening thud.

  The two women jumped from the car wailing like banshees.

  All traces of the liquor they had consumed were gone as they looked upon the twisted hulk lying on the sidewalk. The Giant lay sprawled on the ground with his leg twisted at an odd angle.

  He didn't scream, nor did his cry. The pain was too intense for him to utter a sound. As consciousness fled him, his last thoughts were how would he serve his boss as a cripple?

  CHAPTER 20

  B.T. gangsta sat in the emergency room looking at his twisted finger while waiting to be seen. Lou-loc had done him dirty and it was all his own fault. If he'd just kept his mouth shut none of this would've happened. Whether he was right or wrong, Lou-loc was going to get his.

  With his good hand, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number.

  "Yo, what up?" he said into the receiver. "This B.T., kid. Peep game. Remember that thing we talked about? Well, the nigga done finally played himself. It's time for our boy, Lou-loc, to take a nap...like in permanent. Make it happen for me, kid." B.T. nodded his head in agreement to whatever the voice on the other end had said, and hung up. He felt a little better about everything now. He had probably lost the use of his finger, but it was okay. Before the night was over, Lou-loc would lose his life.

  ***

  Lou-loc sat in the passenger seat puffing a blunt while Snake Eyes drove. He felt a little fucked up by what happened, but B.T.

  asked for it. If he hadn't have tried to be a big shot... Fuck it, it wasn't his problem anymore.

  "What's on ya mind, player?" Snake Eyes asked as he pulled up in front of White Castle.

  "Ain't nothing," Lou-loc said , exhaling the smoke, "just thinking. Man, I can't believe I'm finally getting out? This shit just seems weird to me, cuz."

  "It's about fucking time, nigga. You can't run the streets forever. Eventually, the shit catches up with you. Just be glad you're getting out on two feet instead of on ya back."

  "I know that's right."

  "So what you gonna do, cuz?"

  "Man, I can't call it. Me and Satin gonna get up outta here and live the right way."

  "You know my dad is willing to give you a part time job at the firm. You can go to school and still work for him."

  "Nah," Lou-loc said getting out of the car. "If I went back to Cali, wouldn't shit change. Niggaz out there would still try and get me to ride."

  "Well," Snake Eyes said joining him, "my job is down in Miami. You could always come down there with me?"

  "Miami, huh? Shit, Satin would like that. The weather is always good, and the properties not that expensive."

  "Can I ask you something, cuz?"

  "Go ahead, man. You know you my nigga."

  "You and this girl serious?"

  "As a heart attack, cuz. Me and her is the real deal."

  "I mean, I don't doubt you, but y'all ain't known each other that long."

  "Snake, my man, love is a strange thing. I know it may sound corny, but when you really love somebody, you just know. Your heart tells you it's right, you feel me?"

  "Yea, Lou. I can dig it. As long as you happy, I'm happy for you."

  "And that's why you'll always be my nigga." The two friends shared a manly hug right there in front of White Castle. They didn't care who was looking or what they thought. To them, it was the end of an old life and the beginning of a new one. But their precious moment was short lived as a car screeched to a halt behind theirs.

  "Ay," the driver shouted, "which one of you niggaz is Lou-loc?"

  Without even thinking, Lou-loc stepped forward. "You know me, cuz?" For an answer, the back windows of the car slid down, and all that could be seen were the flashes from gun muzzles.

  Snake Eyes was the first to react. He dove and knocked Lou-loc
to the ground. Before Lou-loc could clear his gun from his belt, Snake Eyes was already on one knee firing his .45. Even being partially crippled, he was still quick on the draw.

  The first two shots Snake Eyes let off, hit the first gun man, knocking him into the second. The driver tried to peel off, but Lou-loc hadn't showed his hand yet. His kill switch went into overdrive. Taking two mammoth strides, he leapt off the ground and was airborne. He sailed clear over a pile of garbage and landed on the hood of the moving car.

  Lou-loc gripped the hood for dear life with one hand and drew his glock with the other. Seeing the fear in the man's eyes, Lou-loc grinned devilishly at the driver. All the color drained from the driver's face as he knew he was taking his last breaths.

  There was no doubt that the man crouching on the hood of his car was the shadow of death. Without missing a beat, Lou-loc emptied the cannon's clip into the occupants of the car.

  The car swerved left to right sending Lou-loc flying into a pile of trash. His back and shoulder hurt like hell, but he would live. Too bad the same couldn't be said about the would be assassins in the car. They were lucky enough to slam into the outer wall of the Adam Clayton Powell building, and mangle their ride.

  Lou-loc sprang to his feet with the blood lust fresh in his heart. To his disappointment, there was no one else to kill. Snake Eyes came speeding down the street with the passenger side door open. Without waiting for it to stop, Lou-loc dived in.

  Inside the car, Lou-loc tried to get himself calm. This shit was beginning to be too much for him. In just this month alone, there had been numerous attempts on his life. Fuck waiting for Satin to get her affairs in order, they were on the next thing smoking to Miami.

  "Snake," Lou-loc said out of breath, "how soon do you think you can get me and Satin to Florida?"

  ***

  Satin paced around her loft fuming. Her earlier encounter with El Diablo had her shaken. She didn't know whether to be angry or afraid. El Diablo had always been stubborn, but never unreasonable.