Riding Dirty on I-95
Page 27
As Mercy took the first step to walk alongside her father, she heard a sound—“Maa-maaa, Maaa-maaa,”—a baby's cry, her baby. Her mother's intution kicked in. She knew it was her baby calling out for her. Without saying good-bye or thinking twice, Mercy let go of her father's hand and began running, racing to save her baby's life.
All of a sudden, the chaos and distress that filled the room turned to relief as the machine began to seem as if it had a mind of its own. Cleezy had lived an elaborate street life. He had seen, heard, and done a lot of things; but nothing could prepare him for the miracle that God gave him when he heard the doctors say, “Oh, my God, she's been stabilized. Her heart rate has stabilized, and pulse is almost normal.”
Cleezy felt like he was dreaming as he watched from the corner, as the stunned doctors looked around at each other. One of the doctors finally said, “Ladies and gentlemen, you have just witnessed a miracle.”
There was a brief silence, but then one doctor broke the silence with a bit of humor. “All bets are off on Roy Jones, Trinidad, Bernard Hopkins, Tarver, and The Razor. I am putting my money on Ms. Jiles. This is a real fighter we've got on our hands.”
Cleezy took a deep breath, looked up, and thanked God. Then all he said was, “Lord have Mercy!”
THANK YOUS
Thank you, Father, for all blessings that flow. I now know what it's truly like to walk in the FOG (Favor of God). Thank you for the favor upon my life. I thank you for using me in such a huge way so that I may touch the lives of others. Thank you, God, for giving me such a great vision time and time again. I love you, and I will place no other above you. All Glory to you!
Writing these acknowledgments was such an overwhelming process. As I thought about each of you, right down to my dedicated fans, it was confirmation of just how blessed and highly favored I am. Timmond and Kennisha, you two continue to make Mommy proud! I thank you for always keeping me encouraged and inspired. My family, which has continued to support me through all my endeavors. Mom, thank you for everything you do, but most of all, thank you for birthing me. My Aunt Brenda, for loving me and being my official event planner. Aunt Robin, for being you, and Aunt Yvonne for never saying no when I need a babysitter, or whatever, while on deadlines or out of town. I truly appreciate you. Craig, what can I say? You are a constant reminder of just how deep love is. You keep me so encouraged, grounded, and sane, especially when insanity doesn't seem that far away. My cousin Lisa, you inspire me, and I love our lunches. Cousin Dre, Andy, VanShawn, Shay, Natalee, and Cha, I love you! There are so many more I could name, and I thank you all!
Over the years I've learned that just because you don't have the same blood doesn't mean that you can't be family. You all have added to my life tremendously! Brenda (BT), my official travel partner, you are quick to snatch me back in line. Courtney, my prayer warrior, sister in God and heart, you are such a special person. You resuscitate me when I am literally down to my last ounce of energy, and you remind me that it's not easy being a virtuous woman, but it's worth it. I hope I've exceeded your expectations as a friend. DeAudrey and Deena, you both love me like the daughter you never had. DeAudrey, from day one you've pushed me to reach for the stars. Deena, you are such an impeccable friend and a constant motivator. Thanks for being my protector and confidante but most of all for understanding who I am behind the pen, never judging! Joy, always finding a piece of good in the bad and ugly! Kells, my best friend; Niecy, my other best friend, neither of you ever falling short of holding your title. My dear Virgo friend, Monique Wise: Thank you for always taking on my problems as if they were your own and responding with such heartfelt advice. Jake: Thank you for being my friend.
Melody, for making sure my work is always in tip-top condition and for always going to bat for me. Marc, for getting the best deals and hearing all my ideas. Robinette, my personal assistant, thanks for taking your job so seriously. Never think that I don't appreciate you. Santa, my other assistant, I truly appreciate you. You keep me worry free. You two have such a hard job, but you do it with such ease and no nonsense. My authors in the Street Chronicles series, each one of you holds a place in my heart. You are all so special to me, and I wish you the absolute best! Stay focused and remember the sky is the limit, so propel those wings and fly!
Kermit of Gresham Photography, for such beautiful pictures every single time. Dina and the whole Alan Furs family, for keeping me in the newest exotic furs and supporting me in everything I do. Sakia, for making sure every strand of my hair is in place. Here's to all those early mornings and late nights you've accommodated me to make me beautiful.
Special thanks to everyone who made The Glamorous Life such a huge success. Thank you for coming out to meet me and chat with me. I love the e-mails and all the letters. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! That makes it all worth it. To all the bookstores and every bookseller and street vendor who pushes my book. Last, but certainly not least, an enormous and special thanks to you, the reader! I thank you in advance for making this one a bestseller too! Without you there would be no bestsellers!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nikki Turner is a gutsy, gifted, courageous new voice taking the urban literary community by storm. Having ascended from the “Princess of Hip-Hop Lit” to being the “Queen,” she is the bestselling author of the novels A Hustler's Wife, Project Chick, and The Glamorous Life, and is the editor of and contributing author in Street Chronicles: Tales fom da Hood. Visit her website at nikki@nikkiturner.com, or write her at nikki@nikkiturner.com, or at P.O. Box 28694, Richmond, VA 23228.
Riding Dirty on I-95 is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places,
and incidents are the products of the authors imagination or are used
fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons,
living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2006 by Nikki Turner
All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by One World Books, an imprint of
The Random House Publishing Group, a division of Random
House, Inc., New York.
ONE WORLDis a registered trademark and the One World colophon is a trademark of Random House, Inc.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA Turner, Nikki.
I-95: a novel / Nikki Turner.
p. cm.
eISBN: 978-0-307-54414-8
1. Drug couriers—Fiction. 2. Orphans—Fiction. 3. Women
college students—Fiction. 4. Fathers—Death—Fiction.
5. Interstate 95 Region—Fiction. I. Title: Interstate 95.
II. Title.
PS3620.U7659I14 2006
813'.6—dc22
2005055475
www.oneworldbooks.net
v3.0