His eyes opened really wide.
“How can you do this? Erik and T tell me they can only bring so many.”
“I’m not Erik or T, and this is what we on today.” I felt hot, so I took a sip from my drink.
“Bet, I can easily do ten for twenty-two five.” He gave me that sexy grin.
“Great, that’s what I’m looking for. I’ll have ten for you on Friday, and we’ll see how it goes. Let’s see if you’re able to move them. Nothing beats a failure but a try, so let’s go for it!” He nodded in agreement. “As long as you’re trying, your ticket will be twenty-two five, and you can’t beat that but don’t ever try to beat me.” I thought I’d throw that in for Scarface-type effects, although I knew P wasn’t that type of guy.
P sat back in his chair. “So, it’s all about Carmen now, huh? For years when we would talk on the phone, I wondered when you would come out. You know, Erik speaks very highly of you, and for you to set a price like that, you must have some pull. Shit, this is deep.” He ran his hand across his face. “A female drug dealer. I’ll give it a try.”
Beep… beep.
“Is that me or you?” P asked, smiling, glancing at his pager.
“It’s me.” I looked at my pager and pretended to be rushed. Besides, Delano would be here any minute. “P, also, start saving your money so we can deal on a cash-up-front basis. This will keep the prices down and ensure you all that you’re looking for. I’ll contact you on Friday when it arrives. Just have your people in place because you’ll only have until Sunday morning to get it all together.” I know he knows what that means. “Also, I am having a party on Saturday, and you and all your boys are invited to attend. It is going to be a cookout to celebrate our success.”
“C, you’re so positive that this will be a success.”
“Yes, I am. I do things by faith, and faith is the evidence of things not seen. The substance of things hoped for. Keep your faith at all times. Yes, we’re doing wrong, but we still need to pray for each other as well as ourselves.”
“True dat, true dat.” He stood and began to walk away.
“The girls will be there looking for work, if ya know what I mean. Bring some swim gear, come and get your eat on. It’ll be fun. I’ll call with the details midweek.”
“For you, C, anything.” He paused for a moment. “Carmen?”
“Yes?”
“Are you married?”
“No.”
“Are you with someone?”
“No, P, I’m alone. Just me and my son. If I had a man, I wouldn’t be in the streets. Why do you ask?” Wouldn’t a man know that if a woman had a man she wouldn’t be in the streets, hustling, going for broke and risking her freedom? They called it “throwing bricks” at the penitentiary. Eventually, you built yourself behind a wall.
“Just curious how you got into this.”
“It’s deep. We’ll talk one day. I know it is different dealing with me, but I’m here with quality and customer service. We about to become incorporated, a’ight?” I extended my hand, giving him a firm handshake. It is important for women to give men firm handshakes. It lets them know that a sister is right back at ya and ready to do business.
“A’ight.”
“P, this is our summer. Look for me on your hip. My code is triple zeros.”
He gave me that sexy smile and said, “So let’s get it on!”
“Later.” I watched him walk out the door to his emerald green Land Cruiser. Sipping on my drink, I waited for my next appointment.
I saw Delano walking up in there looking like Christopher Williams. This was a man I could marry, but not at that time.
“Why didn’t you call me this weekend? I thought we were going out.”
“Hi, Delano, and how are you today?” I asked sarcastically. “I can’t get a hello, a hug, nothing but drama?” I opened my arms for an embrace, and he pulled in close and kissed me on the side of my face. Damn, he smelled so good. We returned to our seats, and he took a sip of my glass of tea. Yeah, look at them lips on that straw. I wished I was that straw. I began smiling at the thought, and he continued with his questions.
“My bad. How are you and lil’ man?”
“We’re fine, thank you. I intended on calling you, but I got tied up. I’m having a birthday party this weekend for a friend of mine, and I want you to come. You can bring some of your friends, if you like,” I chimed.
“Sounds interesting. When and where?”
“I’m still working on some of the details, but I’ll let you know once everything is set.”
“Let me know if you need any help with anything,” he said sincerely.
“Thanks for offering. Did you bring the money?”
“Money?” he said, responding as if he didn’t know what I was talking about.
“Yes, T’s money.” Don’t get brand-new on me. I ain’t in the mood.
“Yes, and I don’t like dealing with you on this level.” He slid his chair away in order to look me directly in the face.
“Well, I’m sorry you feel that way, but we need to talk about this level and some other things. You’re gonna have to deal with me because I’m going to be helping T out with his business.” He looks really disappointed with that, but the truth is, I’m not trying to date anyone at this time, especially not seriously. After my past experiences, I’m tired of men. My lil’ heart is worn out.
I gave him the new price of twenty-two five, and he was happy. Delano smiled and said, “I still don’t want to work with you. I want to take you out to dinner.”
“Delano, that won’t be possible, and you know it. Let’s try to be friends first, okay?”
“We can try that but you know you like me.” He is really pushy. The more I resisted, the more he wanted me. We always want what we can’t have. But I didn’t trust him with my heart or my feelings. I wanted money. Nothing more, nothing less. Delano and I finished our meal and we talked about everything. Delano and I could have been the power couple, hustling together, making moves together, doing things together and—fuck it, it wouldn’t work. No way.
“Stop playing. Yeah, bitch, we gon’ play. I should have whooped your ass a long time ago. You kicked it with Erik with no fear. Straight larceny in your heart, like I wouldn’t tap that ass for an infraction. Now you’ll see. You’ll see what I meant all those times I told niggas I’d be to see them. Pooh, baby, it’s your turn to get to know your Chino. You wanna curse and talk like a man instead of a woman, now I’m gonna treat you like one.” I tried to dart past him, but he snatched me by the hair, bringing me to my knees.
As soon as I got home, I made plans to send the baby to my mother’s for the week. It was to be a week of moves and a week of faith. I needed to get to New York, talk to Erik and his connect, then I needed to arrange for some transportation and drivers. Then I could get this ball rolling. It was summer already and I wanted to be gone by the fall. In another state with a new home, with my son. Four months or fifty grand. Whichever came first. That was all I was giving myself, and I had to move fast.
The game was getting tight and competitive. Other knockoff escort services began to surface and attempted to match mine. And ballers from Gary, Indiana, also known as the GI Boys, had infiltrated Columbus with stickup moves, barbaric tactics and guerilla schemes, taking over blocks and small apartment complexes. One complex off 18th and Main they renamed the Carter after the one in the movie New Jack City. They slung rocks from that building’s stoops and windows daring anyone, including the police, to stop them.
I didn’t worry about what the next man was doing. I kept my eyes focused on my prize. I knew in the streets everyone got at least one chance, and I was determined to play my hand when my ace card was dealt. I didn’t want all the money, just enough to reach my goal. I would do the best I could with what I had. Get mines while the getting was good.
I began to think of a way to put this together: there was Delano, who could do seven, and then G, who could do two. Then there was Pau
l, who could do ten. That was nineteen and I’d ask for twenty-five. This was my most risky gamble to date. I had to take the roll of this dice to make this a deal maker. Who could resist a sale for twenty-five kilos?
If I could convince this man in New York that I could move twenty-five kilos every weekend, then there was no way he would not work with me. I was uncertain of the average move in the street, but twenty-five of them thangs a week is a lot to someone new at the game. Not to forget the ounce of heroin that I needed. I could remember Chino doing two hundred of them a month, so I knew I could do half of what he did.
One time, Erik had told me that he could move more if he had vehicles with hidden compartments. He said he could lock Columbus down with sales. I’d almost met his supplier once. I was in New York, and I went with Erik to purchase some ganja to smoke. We drove to a corner store in Brooklyn, purchased some weed, rolled up a phat blunt and smoked it. Erik asked me if I wanted to come in and meet a friend of his, but I declined. Erik went inside, but I saw a Spanish guy wave at me. I knew it was him, but I had no interest in meeting him.
I was willing to bet that when I finally met the connect, it would be the same short Colombian or Dominican from the store. And one day I expected to meet him. Dear God, please let me meet him, I thought. I needed a plug.
I told T-Love of my meetings and my need for twenty-five kilos. He grabbed his head and screamed at me.
“C, are you out of your mind? I can’t get twenty-five kilos.”
“Can you get twenty?” I asked, ignoring his raised voice.
“C, I told you I have to talk to Erik. It’s not as simple as you think. My relationship, my partnership, rides on my decisions.”
“I can be in New York on Wednesday to talk with whomever. I’ve already put the shit in place. I spoke with P and Delano but I also got peeps who I deal with. The shit is already sold, quiet as it’s kept. T, baby, I’m ready to ball.” I jumped into the middle of the floor acting like a WWE wrestler and screamed, “Let’s get ready to rumble! In the right corner, you got a thirsty single mom ready to campaign, never complain and get down for her crown! In the left corner, you got my partner, T-Love babay! Waitin’ to tag-team Columbus, bring this bitch to its knees. Bow down!”
T really liked my ideas and the fact that I took the initiative to talk to Delano and P. Also, T didn’t mind using me as the frontline man. He would put me out front so that it all would be on me. Well, I had been a frontliner before. I could handle it—I hoped.
T said he had been trying to get Erik’s connect to work with him, using transportation and everything, but he kept putting him off. I told T he was not bringing him the correct figures, and that twenty kilos would spark his interest. T also revealed that the guy was already aware of me. He said he wanted to meet me on the strength that I opened a service, provided housing to the guys every weekend and supported them whenever they were in town. He recognized the fact that it took a community of people working together to make this drug trade happen. I was almost in. He knew my name already, so I was not a complete unknown. I had a chance.
“Look, T, please call me. When will you see him?” I pleaded.
“When I get in town, I’ll talk with him. I’m telling you now, C, Erik will not go for it.” He continued to fold a two-inch cuff into the bottom of yet another denim outfit. This one was green, with the Timbs to match.
“Just please try. Now, let’s get you packed and on the road.”
“C, I’ll page you and let you know that I touched down safe.”
“Don’t forget because I do worry.” The way to a man’s heart is softness.
“I know you do, and I’ll hit you on the hip, around three a.m.”
“Here, give me a hug, and no matter what, thank you for trying. Bye,” I said.
“Peace, I’m gone.”
I called my mom, and she happily agreed to take the baby. I arranged a connecting flight to drop my son off and continue on to New York, all in one day. I made the arrangements for the party, and hired a DJ and caterer. I rented the pool house at the Lakeview Square Apartments in upscale Worthington and prepared the menu. I decided to serve nothing but light and nutritious foods, my New York chicken, shrimp kebabs, and vinaigrette-tossed salads. I would play premixed tapes for music. I had it all covered. All I could think of was that soon my come-up would be on. I could feel it.
Ten
I arrived at New York’s LaGuardia Airport on Wednesday afternoon. T-Love had arranged for me to meet with his source. I had finally gotten his name.
I was anxious to get it over with. No turning back. This was what I wanted, right? I had learned a long time ago that everything happens in seasons. This was my season to reap my harvest. I was going to be blessed.
I noticed a man with a sign that read CARMEN. I knew I was dealing with some pros because they were on time: tardiness is a sure sign of an amateur. I made it to his Nissan Pathfinder. Inside, I found T-Love and two Latino men.
T introduced me to the driver, Victor, and the other passenger, who was named Capo. Capo sat silently, looking straight ahead. He didn’t even acknowledge me when we were introduced. This gave me an uneasy feeling and made me think it was all a mistake. We drove swiftly through the city toward a restaurant in Queens. I was told I’d meet him there.
While I took in all the sights, it seemed like my nervousness went away and my appetite came back. I was starving. We went to an Italian spot, and I ordered pizza and a salad. As we waited for our order, three men entered the establishment. Two of them I didn’t know, but the one who was slightly short and looked to be in his twenties was the same guy I remembered from the corner store in Brooklyn. The two men took the table next to me, and I shook the extended hand of the man who stood before me.
“My name is Dragos.”
“My pleasure. My name is Carmen,” I replied, releasing his hand and thinking of a way to stay calm. Dragos was a warm, toasted brown color with thin gold-rimmed glasses and a well-groomed goatee that he rubbed from time to time. As he spoke, he continued to stroke the hair on his face.
“I’m surprised, Carmen.”
“Why?”
“I’ve heard a lot about you and I thought you would be more of a different type of lady.” Dragos caught the change of expression on my face. “I thought you’d be more like a hip-hopper but you’re a young lady. You look like a college student.”
“Well, thank you.” We gave each other a grin. Once my order arrived, he asked for a bottled water.
Taking a few sips of the water, he asked, “How do you like Queens?”
“I like it very much. I wouldn’t mind living here.”
“I have apartments all over, and you’re welcome to stay at any one of them, anytime.”
I wondered when T-Love would speak up. He just sat there stuffin’ his mouth.
“Carmen, go ahead and eat. Later, we’ll take a walk by the river and talk business.”
“I’d like that.” I could not stop smiling.
“So, tell me about yourself,” Dragos quizzed.
“Well, I’m a single parent with a small son. I’m just trying to make it in this world for both of us.”
“You don’t have a husband?” he asked curiously. “You’re very pretty and gentle.”
“No. I had one, but he left me for another woman.” I figure, why start with lies? “I’ve been struggling and just trying to put things together. I have a lot of goals.”
“Please, tell me about your salon.”
Deciding to put it all on the line, I opened my heart and gave an honest response. “Well, I, or we, had a salon, a very nice salon, and when my life went through some changes, I just let go and walked away from everything. But now I’m on my own, trying to be independent. I’m not looking for a man. So, Dragos, tell me about yourself.” I had no idea what I was doing. The wrong question or answer could be a deal breaker, so I held my peace and paced myself as I attempted to get in where I fit in.
“Myself?” Dragos
asked, obviously taken off guard. “No one has ever asked me this before.” He held a look of peace on his face.
“I try to be personable,” I politely responded.
“I can see that. Eat and we’ll talk more.”
“Thank you for taking time out for us to meet. I’m grateful.”
“How do you know that you’re grateful? The meeting has just begun.”
“But I am. I’m grateful for things that you have no idea about.”
“I must admit, I like this quality in you. You seem so optimistic. You’re in the streets and still have faith.”
“Yes, very much so. I know that God is up there watching me. I noticed your religious medallion. It’s beautiful. You also believe in God.”
“With God, all things are possible.”
T was still stuffing his face, but he started speaking with his mouth full. “Yeah, yeah, I told you, Dragos, Carmen is mad deep. Hey, C, tell him about your service.”
“Maybe later.” I really didn’t want to get into that right now. I turned to Dragos and continued speaking. “I’m having a small cookout in Columbus, and I was wondering if you would like to come?”
“Only if I can come as your friend,” Dragos told me while patting my hand as a father does to reassure a child.
“I would be honored. I think you’ll enjoy it. Perhaps I can show you around Columbus and you could even meet my son.”
I knew I was making some wrong moves. In the streets, you try to keep everything a secret, but I wanted this man to see that not only was I a woman in a man’s role, but I was a human being in this life and just trying to make it. Not as a baller or a gangsta, but more or less as a businesswoman with big ideas who could be trusted. This approach worked so well for me so far that I wanted to try to make this family style, not mafioso style.
He continued smiling more and more, and I was comforted by this. I decided that when we took our walk, I was going to continue to be real with him and not be something that I was not.
Our drive led us to the riverfront in lower Manhattan. The weather was warm, but windy. It was just Dragos and me, all alone. Well, not really alone because his associates were several yards behind us. He had bodyguards that followed him everywhere.
Let That Be the Reason Page 11