There Can Only Be One

by Hood Rich

  “Why are you so quiet, Rich? That ain’t like you.” She skipped the rock and continue to face forward as it jumped four times and sank into the lake.

  I took a swallow from my bottle of water, and shrugged, even though she couldn’t see it. “I don’t know, lil’ sis. I guess I’m just waiting until you feel like you’re ready to open your heart to me. I know you’re going through some things. I’m here for you.” I stood up and walked to her side, tapping her on the shoulder with a Dasani bottled water.

  She looked at me with her hazel eyes and smiled. Taking the bottle out of my hand, twisting the cap, and guzzling a nice amount. Then she sighed loudly and shook her head. “I don’t know, why we are forced to live the life we have too. I wish things were different, Rich.” She handed the bottle back to me.

  She kicked at a loose rock with her foot, picked it up, and skipped it across the water.

  “Kesha, we ain’t gon’ have to go through this stuff for too much longer. I’m trying to get things in order, right now so that you can have a better life than the one you’re familiar with. You’re my heart, and I love you, sis.” She picked up another rock, held it in her hand, and frowned, before skipping it across the water. Five Seagulls flew overhead. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The sun reflected off the waves of the water. The ripples from her skipping seemed to travel about fifty yards before they disappeared.

  “I have dreams about you, Rich. Not the good kind either. Dreams that worry me.” She shielded her eyes from the sun and looked up at me.

  I swallowed and placed my arm around her shoulder. “Dreams aren’t real lil’ sis. It ain’t nothing you should stress yourself out about. You hear me?”

  She jerked her shoulder and came from under my embrace. She took two steps forward and squeezed her eyes tightly. Tears fell from her closed eyelids and sailed down her cheeks.

  “Somebody is going to kill you like they did Keyonna. I’m going to lose you, Rich. I’m going to be all alone.” She fell to her knees and covered her face with her small hands. The bottle of water dropped onto the rocks and fell between the cracks. She rocked back and forth on her knees, sobbing loudly.

  I squatted down and wrapped my arms around her. But once again she knocked them away and looked up at me with red eyes and her face wet with tears. “I can’t make it in this life without you, Rich. I don’t want to be alone. We need to get out of here and fast. Please, you have to listen to me. I know I’m just your baby sister, but I know what I’m talking about.” She blinked away tears and tried to catch her breath.

  I grabbed her into my embrace and trapped her in my arms. She tried to wiggle out of them.

  “No, let me go, Rich. I need you to listen to me. You never listen to a word I say.” She broke out of my arms and climbed higher on the rocks. After getting a safe distance, she sat down, covered her face again, and sobbed into her hands.

  I followed her path and sat down beside her. Once again, I place my arm around her shoulders. “Kesha, we can go anywhere you wanna go, lil’ sis. Long as you’re happy I got your back one hundred percent. Never feel like I don’t listen, to you, because I will.” I kissed her forehead and held her tighter.

  Kesha wiped her face clean. “I wanna go to college, Rich. I want to go to Clark University. It’s my dream, and I think you should come down there, too. Even if you don’t go to school, you can find some positive things to do. At least you won’t be up here anymore. Up here spells a death sentence for us. Our bloodline is cursed. We simply can’t make it here.” She rubbed the side of my face and sniffed snot back into her red nose.

  I smiled. “Man, what would I do in Georgia. All them country boys a try and kill me. I’m high yellow, and from the north. I can imagine what that’ll be like.” I laughed and rocked from side to side with her. I just wanted to lighten the mood.

  I hated to see my lil’ sister crying. It felt like I was being stabbed in the heart. I needed to shield her from pain as best I could. She was my heart.

  She shook her head. “Oh, I forgot to tell you. I sent those few chapters back to Shawn at Lock Down Publications, and she loves it, Rich. She spoke with the CEO Ca$h, and he wants her to sign you to a contract. That could be your calling right there. You have so much to write about. What if you were meant to be an author? She squinted her eyes from the sun. Ever since Keyonna had passed away I’d been unable to get a good night’s sleep. I’d taken to writing a few paragraphs a day in my book. Every time I finished I’d email them to my sister. She went over them and put them into the proper format.

  She’d always been the one pushing me to pursue a writing career. She swore up and down that I had talent. I just felt like, I was writing down the things I saw around me. I didn’t know how to write fiction.

  “Sis, like I said before, I’m willing to do anything that’s going to make you happy. If you truly feel that I should pursue this writing thing, then I will. But I’m going to need your help. You have to keep me focused and on point.” I moved her long hair from her face and kissed her cheek, after wiping away sweat from her brow.

  She nodded. “I got you, Rich. You just keep on writing and sending it to me. I’ll put it together, and we’ll go from there. I know that God has more planned for you than the ghetto. We just gotta keep on fighting.” She kissed my cheek and hugged me tightly.

  That night, I stayed up and wrote three chapters while, Aaliyah, tossed and turned in the bed beside me. I wrote about me and Paper’s childhood. When my mother died from an overdose. When Paper’s mother got killed. Everything that had taken place in my life, I began to type it into my laptop. After I finished for the night I felt free and relieved. I knew that I was going to be writing every single day. It would become my oasis from the ghetto.

  * * *

  I met up with my father a week later at the Hyatt Regency Hotel downtown. He’d booked a penthouse suite. When he opened the door to the room he didn’t have a shirt on. I saw that he was still bandaged up pretty good. He wore gun holsters, filled with .9 millimeters. He extended his hand and shook mine before pulling me in.

  I closed the door behind me. “What’s good, Pop?”

  He ran his fingers through his jet black, wavy hair, and smiled. Then he picked up a bottle of whiskey and poured himself a glass. “I don’t suppose, you drink this stuff?” He held the bottle up and attempted to grab another glass for me.

  I held up a hand to stop him. “Nah’, that’s for you white dudes.” I joked.

  I sat down on the big bed, grabbed the remote and turned on the big smart screen television. Muting it. “Seriously, what’s the matter?”

  He swallowed the liquor and closed his eyes. “Son, why didn’t you tell me about your sister, Keyonna? I could have saved her.” He swallowed and shook his head and set the glass on the mini bar, then he faced me.

  I lowered my head. “I don’t know, Pop. I know, I could of came to you about it, but I guess I figured, I could handle it on my own. You know be independent like you are. I didn’t think things would get that bad. I screwed up.”

  He sat beside me and lowered his head, as he wiped tears from his eyes. “Son, I know you guys think I didn’t love you because I split from your mother and married an Italian woman. But that’s not the case. I did what I had to do to gain the power that I have now. I never meant to make you kids, nor your mother feels neglected you. Now that I’ve had to find out both your mother and our first daughter is deceased, it’s killing me, son. I am at a loss for words.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and held it.

  I imagined to keep from crying. I felt a lump in my throat. I didn’t want to experience those feelings of loss and despair at that time. I needed to train my mind on something positive. I patted him on the back.

  “They are both in a better place now. We must move on with our lives and make better decisions in the future. I can’t allow us to dwell here, because I am not stronger enough to go through those emotions a second time. Kesha is still alive and well, she is my priority now
. I gotta make sure that she gets to college safe and sound. She wants to attend Clark University. I’ma make sure she’s able to.”

  My father stood up and wiped his mouth, he looked down on

  Me, and nodded his head. “I’m the acting Don for the Bertolli family now son. Don Bertolli is laid up in the hospital struggling to recover from his injuries. After the attack, I took it upon myself to carry him on my back out of the house. I drove him to the hospital just in time. He says that I saved his life. So, does the other seven major crime families. I’ma hero, it’s all thanks to you, and your men.” He poured himself another shot of Whiskey.

  I stood up and put my hand on his shoulder. “Pop, that sounds like a good thing. Why are you so down?” I looked him over closely. I was getting bad vibes from him.

  He shook his head. “Just missing, Keyonna, that’s all. Wish I could have saved her. She was my baby.” He sniffled and exhaled, before taking the shot.

  I understood. I slapped my hand on his shoulder and walked away. “So, what does this mean, Pop? Now that you are the acting, Don.”

  He smiled. “It means that we have the power. Whatever it is you’re trying to do out there, I’m going to back and make sure you prevail. Long as you come to me with a precise game plan. I will see to it that your dreams come true. There is only one thing that I ask, son.”

  I held my chin in my hand. “What’s that?”

  He sighed, then ran his fingers through his hair again. “I want you to allow me to take, Kesha, fully under my wing. Let me put her in school. I’ll pay for her college and set her up. She won’t ever have to worry about anything from here on out.”

  He looked into my eyes and lowered his. “What do you say?”

  I felt myself getting heated. I felt like he was trying to insinuate that I didn’t know how to take care of my little sister. Or that, because of what took place with Keyonna. Kesha was going to suffer the same fate. I felt offended. Kesha was all I had left. I knew that I wouldn’t fail her. She deserved the best and I wanted to be the one that made sure she got it. Not him.

  I scrunched my face probably more than I should have, but I didn’t care at that moment. “Pop, every last one of them people in your circle are racist. They don’t even like Black people.”

  “Richard, don’t start with that again. Her color will not stop me from giving her all that she needs in life. I am the Don of the Bertolli, family now. I look forward to changing a bunch of things. But no one is going to keep me from providing for my daughter.” He frowned, cracked his knuckles, and stood up to pour another drink.

  I lowered my head, then looked up at him. “Why don’t you just say it. Just say that you don’t think I can take care of her. That you think something bad is going to happen to her because of me.”

  He took the shot, set the glass on the counter, and shrugged his shoulder. “Maybe, but that’s not the only reason, I’d like to step in. I’ve-missed a huge chunk of you kid’s lives. I should have been there. I dropped the ball. This is my way of making amends. Don’t take this away from me.”

  I exhaled and tried to calm down. I mean it really wasn’t my right to gamble with my sister’s life. I knew, my father was a well-connected man. If there was anybody who could get her into Clark University, and make it so she didn’t have a bunch of debts and obligations, it was him. I was in the streets. I was beefing with all types of different niggas. Some who I didn’t even remember.

  I was selling crack, meth, and heroin, kicking in doors, murdering niggas, and now I was going to be bussing major moves for my old man. There really wasn’t any room for, Kesha to be around me. Her safest bet was to move to Georgia and chase her dreams. I couldn’t deny her that. The man in me wouldn’t allow it, even though I felt defeated. My father came and placed both of his hands on my shoulders.

  He looked into my eyes. I could smell the whiskey on him, and it made my stomach turn. He also had the stench of sweat and well-worn cologne on him. I disliked all the scents.

  He frowned. “Rich, I’m not trying to take her away from you. I’m not trying to knock you off your throne either. I know you’ve been the one taking care of the women of your family for as long as you can remember. I get that. So, don’t think, I’m pulling rank because I’m not. I have a bunch of political connections in the state of Georgia. The dean of admissions at Clark University owes me more than a few favors.

  “Also, I’ve sent all the rest of your half siblings to college. It wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t extend the same opportunity to Kesha. She’ll get a full ride. She’ll never have to pay a red cent. Mark my words on that. In the meantime, you’ll get deeper and deeper into the game, and build your own Mafia Your connection to me can remain covert. Everything political will be in your favor. I’m working on a few judges as we speak.

  “The D.A. is already on our payroll. All it takes is one phone call when you’re in a jam, and you’ll be sprung. Son, you’re about to embark on a journey, you’ve never thought was possible. Kesha doesn’t have to be along for the ride. It’s too dangerous.”

  I looked into his eyes and tried to picture everything he was saying. It seemed so farfetched at this time, but my father had been plugged for what seemed like forever. He’d always been sharply dressed, drove the best cars, dined in the best restaurants, and treated like royalty. His arm in the underworld was strong, and I wanted that same prestige. It was in my DNA to crave it. When I thought about, Kesha. I just wanted her to have the best life she possibly could without the struggles and pain that came along with it. I had to do what was right. If that meant allowing my father to take control of her life until she was able to seek her own independence, then it was what I was willing to do. I owed her exactly that. I removed his hands from my shoulder and turned my back on him.

  I sighed loudly and hunched my shoulders inward. I felt defeated. “A’ight, Pops. I guess what you’re saying is right. I can’t make this about me. I have to do what’s best for my little angel. She needs to be as far away from this hell hole as possible. So, I surrender her to your control. Please, keep your word, and make sure that she is well taken care of. It’s my only request.” I turned around to face him.

  He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me. “You won’t regret it son. You have my word on that.” He squeezed me into a hug, then took a step back. “As far as you go, I need you to get your crew in order. When you do, let me know what you’ll need to get established. I won’t micromanage your operation. When you need me, just give me a call.”

  I left his hotel room with a heavy heart. I thought about what it was going to feel like to no longer have Kesha in the same city as me. Sometimes, when things became mentally exhausting it helped me to be able to go and see my sister so, I could wrap my arms around her small frame. Just holding her brought me back to reality. It let me know why I needed to trap. Her absence was going to kill me. I didn’t know, what I would do without her being within driving distance.

  * * *

  Two days later, my father and I sat her down and brought her up to speed with what we’d discussed. At first, she strongly opposed. But after I spoke from my heart and allowed her to see things from my point of view, she gave in. I promised to visit her all the time. That when I got myself together I would follow her down south. In the meantime, I’d continue to write in my book and send her chapter by chapter. Two weeks later, my pops flew her out in his private Jet. My sister was headed to a new life. It made me feel weak and strong at the same time.

  Chapter 5

  In early, September, Jeffrey finally released the four duplexes to me that I’d paid him for. I’d given him five hundred bands for four duplexes and the rights to ten businesses in our community. I wasn’t sure how I was going to handle the businesses just yet. I felt like I had a lot of learning to do in that field, so for the time being, I simply accepted the rent from each business owner, while I contemplated how I was going to handle things with each one in the future. I turned the duplexes into heroin ho
uses right away. They were smack dab in the middle of heroin alley, the perfect location.

  I opened them up and served dime sized nickel bags just to get the party and make the location known in the area. I made sure that the heroin was barely stepped on. It had only been hit one time. In fact, it was so pure a few of the dope fiends had overdosed and had to be brought back to life by Narcan. Narcan was a drug that was injected into a person who’d overdosed. It reversed the effects of the heroin in a way that was stifling to me. I made sure that all my workers had it at the ready. In the trap, whenever a fiend overdosed because the drug was so pure, it was like the best form of promotions you could get, it made fiends travel from all over town to get that same dope that their counterpart had nearly died fucking with.

  So, every now and then I made sure I had the dope so pure and uncut that it fucked a few fiends over. My foiled nickel bags were really the size of ten-dollar hits that fiends were used to copping in other places I’d purposely made them this fat because I was in the beginning stages of taking over the new area where the duplexes were. I recruited all the young hustlers from the area as well. After seeing them playing basketball at the park, looking all dirty and dingy. I offered them jobs and put a few hundred bucks in their pockets right away, so they’d know what it felt like to have a piece of change.

  Once they were recruited, I had, Shirley show them how to whip the heroin and foil it up. I made these young hustlers bring their friends and family members to me. Anybody they knew that were around the ages of fourteen to about twenty, that was starving. They came in by the droves, when they did, I put they asses right to work and instilled the fear of God in them through long discussions where we were able to get an understanding amongst ourselves. All I asked for was their loyalty and respect. In turn, I would give them my all with that unconditional trap love. Meaning I would keep it street and keep my word no matter what.