A Good Day to Die

by James Hendricks

  The apartments were half furnished. The kitchen had old stoves and refrigerators. In the living room were plush couches, stereos and big screen TV’s. Jon ordered cable for the apartments and was debating video games. The doors had mail slots so customers were unable to see servers. Steel poles ran from the key hole to the floor fortifying the doors. Jon was taking no chances.

  It was a hot Fourth of July day. The heat was too unbearable to play basketball so the boys stayed in the air conditioned game-room. The temperature rose to over a hundred degrees. In Gary, the high temperature had already claimed the lives of seventeen people. The only bright spot, no matter how hot, the fiends kept on coming back. Pauline had been open for six days and sales exceeded all expectations. The boys already made sixty-three thousand dollars. Word that Pauline having the best sacks was spreading like wildfire.

  Pretty Ricky was introduced to an LSD connect although he didn’t know much about acid. He knew that fiends in Hammond, Chicago’s eastside and the northern Chicago, were going crazy for it. He wanted to expand clientele to the white preppy kids with money. Jon and the others were in agreement. The new connect not only sold cocaine and heroin but also guaranteed the best price in the Midwest if the quantity was right.

  Pretty Ricky arranged for Jon and him to meet with the connect that very evening at four. It was two. Pretty Ricky was eager to get it over with. He had someone’s wife on hold and her husband would be gone. The boys sat around the game room playing spades and talking trash. Twon was there enjoying himself.

  “Hello,” Jon said picking up the phone. The person on the other end said nothing. “Hello,” Jon repeated.

  “Who is this?” A male voice said on the other end.

  “How may I help you?” Jon asked becoming annoyed.

  The man on the other end laughed. “The question is, how may I help you?” the caller paused before continuing. “I know y’all got a little deal going down today and if I was you, I wouldn’t show up. That is, if you value your freedom.”

  Jon was at a disadvantage and didn’t know the proper way to deal with the caller. He panicked.

  “Who is this? Do I know you a…”

  “Calm down son,” the man said. “Everybody knows y’all doing big things and people saying that y’all gone own this city. If that’s the case,” the man paused again. “I want to roll with the winning team.”

  Jon had no idea who the man was. The man found out about their deal.

  “How do you know this?”

  The man started talking very slowly. “Let’s just say that a man who ain’t to be trusted sings very loud. I will collect on my debt in the future.” The man hung up.

  “Pretty Ricky,” Jon called out as he placed the receiver down. “How did you meet this plug?”

  Pretty Ricky was sitting at the table playing spades with Don, Kay and Twon.

  “It’s cool, my man hooked me up.”

  Jon didn’t think that Pretty Ricky was setting them up but didn’t want to leave anything to chance.

  “I got a bad feeling about this. Suppose you put my mind at ease? How’d you meet this connect? Who introduced y’all?”

  “What’s up Jon?” Pretty Ricky asked throwing his cards on the table and pulling his six-three two hundred five pound frame from the chair. “You got something to say?”

  The room became quiet. Everyone looked from Jon to Pretty Ricky and back.

  “All I’m saying,” Jon started in a calm voice. “Is tell me who introduced you to the connect.”

  Pretty Ricky’s golden complexion had turned beet red and his dark brown eyes, now looked black.

  “I told you, Man introduced me to him,” Pretty Ricky said with eyes fixed on Jon.

  “Man!” Jon yelled. He told them about the conversation he had on the phone with the mystery man. There would be no meeting the connect that day, or any other. Jon made it clear that they’d stick with the usual connect.

  “I’m going to take care of Man,” Pretty Ricky said lighting a blunt. “We’ve to do it now before he finds out we were tipped off.” He exhaled the smoke and shook his head from side to side. “I can’t believe Man turned. We go back to second grade, almost fifteen years.”

  “Yeah, you just never know,” Zoe said.

  Don grabbed the blunt from Pretty Ricky and said, “Don’t trip. It’s just one less bitch we ain’t got to put up with. Rats have to be exterminated.”

  Man was working his shift at Pauline’s with Sam. Jon didn’t know how Man had told the police so he put their security team on high alert before they entered the apartment. “What’s up peoples?” Man asked watching Scarface on the big screen.

  Pretty Ricky was high and it showed in his slurred speech.

  “Why don’t you tell me what’s really up, friend of mine.”

  Man paused the movie and looked at the group. Don, Jon, Kay, Ron, Twon, Zoe and Pretty Ricky weren’t smiling.

  “What’s going on?” Man asked fidgeting with the remote.

  “How fitting.” Zoe said pointing at the TV. “We got our very own Omar right here.”

  Man looked puzzled. He didn’t understand Pretty Ricky’s attitude or Zoe’s comment.

  “Y’all done had y’all laugh. Ha, ha, jokes on me,” Man said hoping this was only a test. “Rick, I thought y’all had a meeting?”

  Pretty Ricky answered with a loud band from his .44 revolver catching Man in the shoulder and causing everybody else’s ears to ring.

  “You bitch-ass nigga.” Pretty Ricky said looking down at Man.

  “What the fuck is going on?” Man screamed clutching his right arm.

  “I can’t hear!” Zoe shouted as he put his index fingers in his ears and began wiggling them.

  “Oh, you know what’s going on,” Pretty Ricky said still aiming his gun.

  “I don’t know what you talking about.” Man said weakly. “We boys.”

  Pretty Ricky smacked Man across his forehead with the gun. “We ain’t shit! You a snitch and no friends of mines are snitches.”

  Sam didn’t know what was going on. “Am I next?” He asked cutting his eyes at the SK about seven feet away.

  “Nah Sam, you cool,” Jon said keeping his focus on Man. Jon paused for a couple of seconds before adding. “For all of us.”

  Man was still looking at Pretty Ricky and more importantly at the .44.

  “I don’t know what y’all talking bout,” Man pleaded. “I ain’t no snitch. Y’all got to know that.”

  Don had heard all that he wanted. He walked over to Man and said. “You have one chance and one chance only to make it out of here alive. Tell how you got trapped up?”

  Man took several deep breaths. “Fuck it!” He hissed and began. “I got jammed up with a half a brick and they offered me a deal.”

  “What kind of deal?” Jon asked.

  “They wanted me to set Rick up.”

  Pretty Ricky couldn’t believe his ears. “Why me?”

  “I don’t know. All I know is they wanted you. They knew we was boys and said we would only do couple years.”

  “What else?” Pretty Rick asked.

  “They didn’t know much. They was trying to get me to talk.” Man winced

  “And did you?” Jon asked. Everybody in the room was anxious for Man’s response.

  “I couldn’t do life in no jail cell. But don’t y’all worry, I didn’t tell them nothing.”

  “That’s all I need to know.” Pretty Ricky said.

  He aimed the .44 at Man’s chest. Man took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Pretty Ricky squeezed the trigger catching Man in the heart.

  “Let’s get this place cleaned up and get rid of this body,” Jon said looking down at Man’s body.

  14

  It was a good year for Cash. He celebrated the birth of his son by giving the dope game up. Cash had over a million dollars and invested in a designer with hot ideas. Together they started Hustlers clothing. They purchased a store selling only their line. Northern Indian
a and Chicago flocked to the store, buying clothes. On July 5 Cash and Jossie were married. They had a small wedding at their home with only family in attendance. Shawn was there for her cousin’s celebration. Cash was happy and tears of joy flowed.

  It had been two weeks since the boys killed Man. Pretty Ricky was a nervous wreck. He was being very cautious and hung out more at the game room. He trusted the boys only.

  “What’s up Pretty Ricky?” Zoe said throwing his hands up in the air.

  The boys were playing cards and watching Menace II Society. Pretty Ricky was Zoe’s partner and they were playing Don and Jon.

  “My fault,” Pretty Ricky said playing a card. “I spaced out.”

  “It’ll be alright, Pretty Ricky,” Jon said scooping the book. “Stay low. We got you.”

  “Yeah, we family,” Kay said turning his head from the movie.

  The boys played cards, talked shit, got high and watched a couple more movies. Later they all went their separate ways.

  Don was hungry, high and horny. There was only one person who could satisfy his needs; Renee. Driving to the apartment he rented for Renee, Don became aroused. His lust for Renee’s 36D’s bouncing up and down made him go faster. Don turned into the parking lot. He noticed the living room lights were out. Don hoped Renee hadn’t gone to sleep.

  He entered the apartment and smelled the strange odor. The apartment was dark. The only light coming from the bathroom in the back. Don heard music playing from Renee’s bedroom. He walked to the bedroom trying to figure out the strange smell. Don turned the knob on the bedroom door hoping Renee was sprawled out on the bed wearing something sexy. He slowly pushed the door open. Renee was lying but naked on the bed with a glass dick hanging from her hand.

  “What the fuck is your problem!” Don screamed as he charged Renee.

  Renee dropped the crack pipe to the floor turning white as ghost. Renee was beautiful. She stood five-foot one, had long black wavy hair, honey color eyes. She was half black half white, very light skinned with a body like a goddess.

  “What the fuck you tripping for?” She shot back as if she had done nothing wrong.

  “I can’t believe you, you a crack-head.”

  “Shi-i-i-t nigga! I ain’t the only one in this room that fucks around.” She jumping from the bed with her big titties bouncing up and down.

  “What the fuck you talking bout? I don’t fuck with that shit.”

  Don was inches away from her face.

  Renee poked out her lips and folded her arms. “I already know you ain’t Mr. Clean, Twon told me.”

  Don smacked Renee across the bed.

  “Bitch, don’t be lying on my brother like that,” he said then jumping on the bed and smacking her twice. “Bitch, get your shit and git the fuck up.”

  Don’s handprints were implanted on the sides of Renee’s face. Tears flowed as she crawled out of the bed and started dressing.

  “I’m sorry. I’m soo sorry.” She kept saying.

  Once she was fully clothed she grabbed Don’s arm and said. “Please baby I’m sorry. I know I fucked up but…”

  “Get the fuck out!” Don said snatching his arm out of her grasp.

  Renee slowly walked out of the room and slammed the apartment door.

  Don put the incident behind him and took out his phone book. He was a player again.

  15

  The morning came quickly. It was the dawn of a new day. Different because it was twin’s birthday. They planned on doing it real big all day getting high, drunk and driving Tina crazy. The Player’s Ball was at the Savoy starting at ten that evening. Everybody who was anybody was sure to be there, including Shine and Will.

  The boys weren’t worried because they would be at least seventy-five deep and planned on sneaking a couple of guns inside. They were in the middle of pestering Tina for some food when Twon ran up the stairs screaming.

  “We gotta get to the hospital! We gotta get to the hospital!”

  “The hospital..? For what Twon?” A confused Tina asked.

  Twon was still trying to catch his breath but managed to speak.

  “Victoria’s in labor.”

  The twins looked at each other and smiled. Everybody left for the hospital.

  Bay Bro was at the hospital pacing back and forth smoking Newport after Newport. Lynette tried to calm him down but gave up. She played games with Lil’ Dee. By the time everybody arrived Bay Bro was a nervous wreck and Lynette relieved.

  “You look like you haven’t been through this before,” Tina said smiling.

  “I haven’t,” Bay Bro said as he put out one cigarette and lit another. “I was in Cook County when Lynette was born and Lil’ Dee was…it doesn’t matter.”

  “It’ll be over before you know it.” Tina said and gave Bay Bro a hug.

  “She kicked me out of the room. Can you believe that?” Bay Bro said shaking his head.

  “Yes, I can,” Tina smiled.

  Forty-eight minutes later the doctor came out and told Bay Bro that he had a healthy baby girl. The visiting room erupted with cheers. Jon turning to Lynette and whispering.

  “If she’s half as beautiful as you are, Bay Bro really got his hands full.”

  Lynette smiled and bumped Jon’s shoulder. “Shut up, boy.”

  “We’re really gone celebrate now. This a triple birthday,” Don said.

  It was almost midnight when the boys arrived at the Savoy. Jon, Don, Kay, Ron, Twon, Zoe, Pretty Ricky and Smoke were the last to get there. Everybody else from the crew was already inside the Player’s Ball checking things out. Sam called and told them that Will was already in there and that he had a couple of people with him. He also told them that Shine wasn’t there and the word was that he wasn’t going to show. Jon still didn’t want to take any chances. He had four females sneak eight Glocks inside the ball and now it was their turn to try and bribe the security guard to get the rest in.

  Jon was prepared to do all of the talking. When they got to the entrance, security let them in without searching them.

  “I hope y’all packing because it’s a lot of guns up in here,” he warned.

  The boys looked at each other and walked in. Kay stopped and turned around. “I’ll be back in fifteen minutes.” He said with a smile on his face. “I have to go change.”

  Jon looked puzzled because they all had on the same kind of outfit. “You want me to come with you?”

  “Nah, I’m straight.” Kay said then ran to his truck.

  “Now that’s smart man,” the security guard said.

  “Do I know you?” Jon asked the security.

  “I don’t think so. As you can see, my big ass can’t be easily forgotten. I know ya’ll though. SCC right?”

  The boys stared at each other.

  “Damn, it’s about time we getting our props.” Don said looking at Jon. “Shit, all the shit we been through.”

  “Come on, let’s go inside,” Jon said interrupting his brother before he got going. “Good looking,” Jon said and gave him a thousand dollars.

  Inside the Savoy, the men came dressed in leathers, gators, lizards, crocodiles and ostrich skin suits. The boys blended right with their dark green gator suits with matching shoes and hats. Jon, Don, Zoe and Pretty Ricky were even sporting pimp canes. The women wore form fitting dresses, mini skirts or leopard print suits. People were taking pictures with other people’s women.

  Groups of player’s huddled together talking money, women and the game. The boys stayed within their circle talking among themselves. It wasn’t too long before Kay came walking up to them wearing the same outfit.

  “I thought you went to change?” Twon asked looking confused.

  Kay looked at the group and smiled. “I had to get us right. I got three of the Mini 14’s under my jacket.”

  “Now that’s what I’m talking bout,” Pretty Ricky said holding his hand out smiling. “Lemme get one.”

  Kay looked at Jon to see if it was all right to give Pretty Ricky one
and Jon nodded his head giving his approval. Don received the second one Kay kept the third. The boys also passed out the guns that they snuck in to key members of their crew.

  Twenty minutes after Kay arrived the boys spotted Will, definitely dressed to impress. He was wearing a baby blue gator suit with matching Kangol. In his ears were diamond earrings, the size of a gram rock and a six-point star chain that put all others to shame. He was surrounded by eight dudes. It didn’t take Will long to realize that the boys were eyeing him and motioned for two of his men to round up their posse. The boys didn’t waste time gathering the crew. Will’s man came back and whispered something in his ear. He approached the boys.

  “Y’all in the wrong neck-of-the woods,” he said with a scowl.

  The Savoy was located in the Brunswick area which meant the boys were now in Will’s hood.

  “We don’t set trap,” Jon said staring in Will’s eyes. Twon and Smoke laughed.

  “I don’t want to mess up anybody’s night,” Will said looking from one SCC member to the next. “But I’m going to get my revenge.”

  The members of his crew nodded their heads up and down with some even smiling.

  “How’s the shoulder?” Don asked sarcasm dripping.

  “Fuck you! You little bitch!”

  Will was still pissed about being robbed and having a bullet deposited in him. Will’s men were ready.

  “I got your bitch right here, soft-ass mark.” Don shot back. Will swung on Don and a battle royal ensued.

  Don stumbled and regrouped. Before Don could fight back, Jon hit Will with a left-right-left combination that sent Will falling into the arms of one of his men. Kay took off on the closest Bronx boy he could find.

  “0-9! 0-9! 0-9!” Was heard. It was the call the Bronx boys used to alert each other of danger. Within seconds close to two hundred people were rushing the boys. The rest of the SCC ran to the boys’ aid.