“Oh my God, thank you.” Rello blinked, grateful to see the cop kept going.
“He kept going? Yes! Let’s hurry up and get the fuck up out of here before he changes his mind and turns around.” Star nervously looked around. “I don’t eat no damn Tim Horton’s no how; this shit is for white people.” Rolling the window down quickly, she tossed the concealed blunt from her purse out the window just in case they got followed by another police officer.
“I feel that but you still ain’t calling no shots around this motherfucka. We wouldn’t even have been in that situation if I didn’t have to pull out early on account of your trifle-life ass not knowing how to act. I’m about to go take a piss then we’re getting back on the road. So you can either be cool until then, or walk your ass up 94.” Rello went raw on Star like he hadn’t just been shaking in is drawers too.
He didn’t give Star a chance to respond or defend herself.
Pulling into a parking spot near the rear of the lot, Rello jumped out lightly jogging to the restaurant. His clammy hands, pounding heartbeat, and beads of sweat gathering on his forehead were all signs the cops had shook him; but he refused to confide in Star. He needed the few minutes of alone time to get his mind together for the rest of the ride back to Detroit.
This nigga got us riding with enough work to sit me down for over twenty years? Oh hell naw, that little whack-ass shopping spree, hotel, and food is nothing compared to what he should be breaking me off with. Star couldn’t help but play back Rello’s words when the cop was following them. “That clown was gonna use me to get off with that cracker cop and probably wasn’t gonna give me a penny for it. Oh I will get mine.” Star slammed her fist on the dashboard. Unbuckling her seat belt, Star checked to see if Rello was coming out then popped the trunk and slid out. If he came out her lie was going to be that she was using the bathroom, but in reality she was about to get down on Rello and whoever else was associated.
Star unzipped the bags, pulled out a few bottles of promethazine with codeine, and a handful of the infamous Molly pills she’d seen Hassan’s father pop a dozen times. “Oh, he was right. We would’ve went down ’cause he’s holding like a boss.” Stuffing the pills down in her pocket with the jewelry, she grabbed another handful for the other side just as big. Then she threw a few bottles of codeine cough syrup into her own dusty duffel bag before slamming the trunk back down sliding back into the car.
“The next stop we make will be in Detroit so if you gotta pee, hold it.” He jumped into the driver seat ready to go. Rello had taken all the time he needed in the restroom to regain his composure. Overly consumed with making sure his guts were together for the two-hour ride back, he wasn’t the least bit concerned with Star. Back on the highway, he couldn’t sense her breathing hard out of worry about him checking her bag or pockets.
Chapter 8
“Hey, can I get a ride for a favor?” Bonnie licked her tongue out at a jitney that sat curbside. She was suggesting a head job for a taxi ride.
He hurriedly unbuckled his pants and waved her into the passenger seat. Normally he only took workers back and forth to their homes when they got off the bus route, but he’d figured she was good for the ride until he released his cum. After that, he planned on putting her out to find the rest of her way. That plan didn’t include telling her that for her best interest she better had sucked slow. “Where are you heading to? And before you answer, I’m not going far.” Despite him wanting a sloppy head job, he still had a job to work and had customers that were counting on him to be on time when they got off the bus.
Bonnie thought about having him run her home or at least halfway, but thought about the extra pill Banko gave her and told him the short stay hotel. The whole time she was selling her mouth for a ride, she kept hoping she could meet back up with the dealer who’d given her a free bag plus the ten back. My jaws might be tired, but I can take that bullshit weed back to Jerome and pop pills by myself.
“So this is it? You slapped the shit out of me and ain’t said two words to me since that ho-ass cop followed us. You’re bold for treating me like this.” Star pouted, opening her mouth for the first time since being smacked quiet. Now back in Detroit and in front of her poverty-stricken home, she didn’t want to part ways with Rello. I should’ve at least tried to sex my way back into his good graces.
Having regretted not trying to fuck her way into his good graces while still in Chicago, now sitting in front of her less than fortunate home, She’d made it back without him hinting toward knowing she’d stolen from up under his nose but Star felt she was losing the biggest jackpot: him. If it ever came up that the package was light, she’d play dumb or suggest Dominik shorted him.
“I told your rat ass up front that this trip was about business. Then I reminded you at the hotel about playing a low-key role whenever matters didn’t concern you. But naw, you did what Star wanted to do, and that was put my money at risk. You want me to feel sorry ’cause I put you in your place? The game don’t work that way you ain’t about to cry on my shoulder.” Rello didn’t show Star the least bit of sympathy. He was even more vexed and irritated with Star now that Banko was blowing his phone up with calls and text messages.
“Okay, I feel you and I’m sorry if I fucked up money for you or whatever, you’ve gotta believe me.” Star groveled with her apologies then tried reaching over to hug him. “Let me show you how apologetic I am. Please let me make it better.” Star was confident that Rello couldn’t say no to a plea of forgiveness when it was accompanied by sex.
“What the fuck can I do with that sorry, tired-ass pussy of yours? Back the hell up off me.” Rello roughly shoved Star back, wiping any slob from her kisses off his neck. He wasn’t in the mood for beating around the bush or even getting special attention for one last time. The more she apologized, the more he remembered being on the line with Banko. Star had played herself as far as he was concerned.
“Please don’t leave like this. At least give me a second chance to redeem myself.”
“I tried to turn you onto the finer things in life but I guess yo’ typical rat ass wasn’t ready. To hell with second chances; you slowing me up with this begging. I gotta make moves. Or do you wanna fuck some more shit up?”
“Naw, I guess not, Rello.” All out of moves, tired of being belittled and realizing he wasn’t giving her the least bit of sympathy or forgiveness, Star opened the rental car door and climbed out in slow motion. Please let him have a change of heart after seeing me from the back.
“Hey, man, you’re gonna fuck around and have me out this car on yo’ head, Star. Quit holding me up,” he yelled, then tossed her tattered overnight bag out to the curb. “Close the door now.”
Star was flushed red with embarrassment. She chose to save what little self-esteem she had remaining and pick her bag up off the germ-infested street. There was no point in hoping no one saw. All nosey eyes were focused in on them. After slamming the car door, she barely stepped one foot away from the car before Rello floored the gas pedal leaving her in his dust. Damn, I fucked up big time. I’m right back to square one.
“Hey, girl, where have you been at? The block was slapping last night.” Tanisha walked up wanting to know Star’s gossip but most importantly her business. She couldn’t mask the hate in her eyes glaring at shopping bags in Star’s hands.
Wow, I just jumped out of the frying pan into the fire. I can’t seem to catch a break. Star was too caught up in her emotions about Rello to humor Tanisha or feed into her quests to find out more about her mini-vacation. “My bad if it seems like I’m trying to shade you, but me and ol’ boy had a long night. I’ll call you once I get up.”
“Damn, I know you got some dick from his ass. You shouldn’t be still acting all funny.” Tanisha took Star’s brush-off more personal than she should have. “Haven’t you learned about making the money but not letting it make you?” Tanisha rolled her eyes then flicked Star off on her way up the block.
“You’re just jealous ’cau
se you can’t never make no money,” Star mumbled, glad that Tanisha was out of hearing range. I swear she better be lucky I’m wore out on arguing and fighting today.
Star hadn’t expected her Chicago trip to end so unexpectedly and definitely not as sour as it had; nonetheless she was back in the bottomless pit she called home. “Where’s Momma?” Walking into the destitute house with the same dusty bag she left with, Star found her little sisters sitting on the couch besides their father, one on each side. Seeing Jerome spoiled her mood even more. Something in the universe must want my life to be ruined.
“Well hello to your little slutty ass too. Where have you been at? Out in the streets hoeing?” Careless about his choice of colorful language around his daughters, Jerome was always cruel to his stepdaughter. She was a spitting image of her mother and just like with Bonnie, he wanted to break her spirits. He couldn’t pass up his chance to bully her while Bonnie worked the streets.
“I don’t have to answer to you, nigga. You ain’t no daddy of mines, remember that.” Star didn’t bow down to the rule of respecting her elders when it came to her stepfather. He was nothing more than her mother’s bad choice; and she wasn’t about to honor his ass in no way.
“And you ain’t nothing but a little ungrateful bitch. You always have been. Since the day I found your worthless momma hooking I’ve been dealing with your rude ass and I’m sick of it. Being your daddy is the last thing I’ve ever wanted to do.” His drunken words slurred.
“Fuck you. If it weren’t for me, yo’ alleged litter wouldn’t get the little food they do, have the rags their dressed in now, or know what sobriety is about. You ain’t shit but a lowlife bum nigga and would be better off dead!” All of the emotions Star had been holding in for the last twenty-four hours poured out. She was enraged and fuming.
“Hell, if it wasn’t for the few dollars ya momma schemes out of you, I would’ve been kicked you out from around here.” His drunken words slurred.
“The day you try it, is the day you die. I can’t stand your ass,” Star yelled, stomping off to her room. After the emotional rollercoaster ride she’d been on with Rello, arguing with Bonnie’s man was the last thing she wanted to do.
Savannah and Samantha looked on terrified with fear in their innocent eyes. Clutching their teddy bears, they wanted nothing more than to run to their big sister’s arms for refuge. However, they’d suffered enough leather belt thrashings to know betraying their father was, in toddler’s terms, a no-no.
Star thought twice about calling her mom, but hated whenever she and her sisters were alone with Jerome. Sure he was Savannah and Samantha’s father and by a court marriage related to her, but she still picked up on his pedophilic vibes. Bonnie wasn’t her daughter’s savior; she was more of a distraction. After several rings and several attempts, Star left a single voicemail telling her to check in.
Finally alone in her room, she emptied her pockets and duffel bag of everything she’d stolen along the way. Star couldn’t think straight for trying to think who she could flip the product to in order to make some cash. She knew without a doubt her time living in the same house with Jerome, her mom, and her sisters was limited.
“Momma ain’t been here since right after you left yesterday.” Savannah showed up in Star’s doorway. “I don’t think Mommy and Daddy loves me.” With tears covering her brown-skinned face, red lash marks on her arms and legs, Star figured she must’ve gone against Jerome’s wishes to run after her.
“Come here, little sister. I know how you feel.” Star held her arms open for Savannah to be comforted in.
Jerome sat on the porch looking up and down the street for Bonnie to come waltzing back. He was furious that she’d left her daughters there for so long when she knew good and damn well he didn’t like kids. Not only had he found reasons to neglect them while Star and Bonnie were gone, but he’d emotionally abused them in ways no child should’ve had to endure. He’d just struck Savannah when she went running after her beloved big sister and was on his way to smack his other daughter for crying. Jerome needed Bonnie home to be their mother and to feed his habit.
Lighting a square because he didn’t have cash for hard drugs, he quivered from going through withdrawals. Jerome shook his legs, tapped his right foot, and smoked the cigarette down but his frustration didn’t disappear. In fact it grew with every thought about Star. No one knew but him, but he was trifling and perverted and only disliked his stepdaughter simply because he couldn’t have sex with her. Every day he watched her prance around in too-tight, revealing clothes; but Star killed his ego every chance she got. Jerome always took his anger out on Bonnie even more when Star acted out.
Shit, that smart mouth kid has worked a nut up in me. I’ve gotta pound on something. Fuck waiting on Bonnie’s good tricking ass. Putting the cigarette out on the pavement, he made a beeline for his bedroom to jack off.
“Daddy, I peed,” Samantha called out as best as a toddler could that she’d had an accident.
Jerome ignored the little girl’s cries and continued on his quest to relieve himself. He didn’t care that little girl he’d helped create sat in urine and scratching at her itching legs. Hell, if I can walk away from a child, I sure as fuck can ignore one. He was overly detached from all of his children and couldn’t care less if they ate, bathed, or were cared for. In his eyes, that’s what mothers were for.
Chapter 9
“So all that discussion and me giving yo’ retarded ass the plan step-by-step meant nothing? I oughta pistol whip you for being so fuckin’ dumb,” Banko roared to his idiot nephew. “I’ve had the same connect for years and have never had anything go wrong. Like clockwork Dominik and I have been making money, young nigga. What the fuck were you thinking disobeying me on a run I sent you on?” Banko stood over Rello with rage, offended at the young boy’s gall to march by the beat of his own drum. He wanted to knock his head off but fought off the urge.
“My bad, Unc. Ol’ girl was just a jump-off I had ride with me,” Rello tried explaining, but his excuses fell on deaf ears.
“‘My bad, Unc’?” Banko mocked him with disgust. “Is that all you’ve got with your sorry ass? I’ve had enough of your pathetic-ass apologies, li’l nigga. I gave you a chance, trusted you with my green backs, but your weak ass let me down.” Now pacing back and forth bracing his pistol, Banko was trying hard to gain his composure. With Detroit streets needing their fix on schedule, he needed the connection with Dominik to stay immaculate and untarnished. He needed the Chicago native far more than the Chicago native needed him. Rello failing to follow the rules could’ve put more than his position in the game at risk, but Dominik’s future decision to do business with him.
Rello didn’t know his circumstances would be this severe. He’d never witnessed his uncle show him this magnitude of cold and hard hate since he’d never been on this side of the game. How can I tell this old man I’ve learned my lesson and I won’t slip up again? Should I tell him Dominik already put me up on game and I’m ready to work one hundred? Knowing he’d ruined his first chance at the trust Banko tried to establish with him, Rello sat back and took the verbal beating he had coming. “I don’t get no credit for delivering all of the product? At least I didn’t fuck that part up.”
“Is this nigga serious? Did he just ask me to give him some credit for half ass doing a job and embarrassing me? Tell me this is some type of joke, Lord.” With spit flying from his mouth and his heart pounding damn near out of his chest, Banko screamed out loud in the room, with his hands lifted in total disbelief. “I ain’t even checked my work yet. It better all be there too since you big lip bragging.”
Rello didn’t respond but felt brave enough not to flinch. Shit, I know I ain’t stole nothing out that stash, period point blank. Banko grabbed the scale and the Ziploc bags of Molly pills then dumped them across the glass dining room table. Making sure none fell onto the floor, Rello was already watching closely since his well-being was at stake. “I ain’t steal shit from you, Un
c,” Rello spoke up feeling cocky.
“Yeah, we’re about to see right now. I’ve got a gut feeling that my shit ain’t right come to think about it.” Usually weighing his pills, Banko felt it necessary to count each one by hand until getting to under 2,000. “1,943 pills. That means I have fifty-seven reasons to whip off into your ass, Rello.”
“Naw, Unc! That can’t be right. That nigga must’ve shorted you.” Rello backed up with fear in his eyes. Right then and there, he felt like Dominik set him up in a trick bag and wanted him to fail.
Banko was already counting the bottles of promethazine noticing two weren’t accounted for. “Shut up, nigga. We’re not family and I’m not your uncle. You’re dead to me. You’ve got your father’s washed-up, nothing-ass blood running through your blood that ain’t got nothing to do with me.”
Not only was Rello in shock that his uncle was disowning him; but he was hurt and pissed at Banko comparing him to a man so utterly hated. Sure he’d been guilty of pinching off the weed plants, cash to stunt for Star, and popped a few of the Mollys around the house; but his only fuckup this time around was taking Star for a tagalong. He wasn’t anything like the man who abandoned him. “Banko, I promise you I didn’t short your package. That’s my word. You’ve gotta believe me.”
Tension within the living room grew then the eruption occurred. Banko used the handle of his 9 mm Smith & Wesson and knocked Rello upside his thick but hardheaded skull. Blood gushed from his nephew’s temple, but Banko wasn’t regretful. If anything, he was fueled to go even harder. “Do I look like I believe your sorry ass? Huh, you little piece of shit? Speak that crybaby shit now.”
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