Ed frowned up his face before yelling, “Do you find something amusing, sir?”
The man wheeled his cart over to Ed’s side of the street and said, “Man, a blind person could see your ass is lost. And brother this ain’t the corner to be standing on looking all zoned out, trust me. What you looking for, young fella?”
Edward looked quickly at the paper with the address and said, “4720 Avenue D, sir. Could you tell me if I’m heading in the right direction?”
The man then burst out laughing. “Oh yeah you’re heading in the right direction, it’s just about four hundred blocks to your left.”
The man then turned and pointed off into the distance before adding, “Right across the river.”
Ed scowled at the man. Seeing that Ed was not amused the man stopped laughing.
“Young brother, the Avenue D you’re looking for is in Brooklyn, not here in Manhattan. I knew people out that way who used to live on the block you’re looking for.” The man seemed to drift off for a moment recalling a time long ago.
“Brooklyn…? Where in Brooklyn, and how do I get there?”
It started to rain lightly as Edward asked the question. The man gave directions to Ed. He wrote it down on the back of the paper with his parents’ name and address. The rain started pelting and the man told Ed he was going to his apartment.
“Listen youngster, it’s a long walk to the train in this pouring rain. If you want to, you can come chill at my crib until the rain lets up a bit. It’s on you, youngster.”
Edward looked suspiciously at the man for a few seconds. He noticed something familiar about him, but could not put his finger on it. The two men were getting soaked standing on the corner. Ed decided to take him up on the offer.
“It ain’t much, but it’s clean, and for now it’s mine,” the man said, showing Edward his one-bedroom, basement apartment on 10th Street. He explained to Ed that he was the assistant superintendent for the building. He was able to stay rent-free. In return he had to maintain the entire building.
“Thanks for letting me dry off here, sir. I really appreciate it.”
Besides an old mattress in the corner, a small television sitting on a crate, and a lopsided couch, the place was empty. The man walked into the living room after going to the kitchen for two plastic cups of water. Ed noticed the man had a slight limp.
“Have you lived here long, sir?” Ed asked, taking the cup of water.
“Not really, son. I moved to Manhattan some years ago and just haven’t been able to get back home yet,” the man said, looking at Ed.
Sensing that the man was a little uncomfortable talking about himself, Ed stopped talking, relaxed, and listened to the raindrops.
“Chance, yo, Chance you there?”
Ed was suddenly awakened by someone yelling in the hallway outside the apartment. Realizing that he had dozed off, he immediately jumped up and looked around the room. He was alone. Ed walked into the kitchen and the bathroom. Both were empty. The yelling continued and was now accompanied by knocking. Ed walked to the door and opened it. A tall, balding elderly man was at the door looking at Ed as if he knocked on the wrong door.
“Son, is Chance here? I didn’t see his cart outside but I figured I’d check anyway.”
Ed examined the balding gentleman for a second before saying, “Well, sir, if you mean the superintendent that lives here, he’s not in at the moment. He must have just stepped out.”
The man gave Ed a peculiar look. “Super? What super? Chance! Are we talking about the same person, son? A tall man with wavy hair and he has a slight limp…?”
“Yes, sir, that’s who I’m referring to… The man who lives here…”
Laughter erupted from the bald man’s mouth. He put his hands around Ed’s shoulder.
“Son, Chance is no damn superintendent. Shit he can’t even change a light bulb. Chance is just a dope-fiend who crashes here sometimes because the apartment is usually vacant. Didn’t you notice there’re no locks on the door? Dozens of dope fiends come here daily to fix, this is their hangout.”
Ed’s golden brown face turned bright red with anger. Shaking his head, Ed grabbed his coat, walking to the door. He was preparing to leave the apartment.
“You better check your pockets young blood. If I know old Chance he got you for his fix money,” the old man said and left Ed standing in the doorway.
Ed could hear him laughing as he walked out the back door to the building. Ed put his hand in his jacket pocket, checking for his wallet. Just as the bald man predicted, Ed was a victim of foul play. Chance robbed him.
When Ed reached out into the streets he noticed the rain had melted the snow and the streets were filled with slush. All his money was in his wallet. He couldn’t just walk to the train station and continue his journey dead broke. Edward wanted to somehow find Chance and retrieve his chips.
Silently cursing himself for falling asleep in a strange place, Edward walked through unfamiliar streets looking for his pickpocketing host. He was mad at himself, but this fool had set him up. Being a victim gnawed his mind as he passed an alley on Avenue A. Ed saw the shopping cart parked on the curb. Ed wasn’t sure if it belonged to Chance, but he looked down the alley anyway. Hearing voices echoing from the back of the alley, Ed went in and walked toward the rear. The moment he reached the back of the alley he could hear the familiar voice of Chance.
“I hope you have my money, man! That was foul what you did!”
Turning suddenly, Chance and his companion saw Ed staring at them. His eyes were bloodshot with hatred. Instantly knowing what Ed was talking about, the other man told Chance that he had to leave, and quickly left the alley to avoid any conflict. Chance looked at Ed with his glassy, dilated eyes and smiled.
“Well, my young brother, I see that you’ve found me. I’m sorry, man, but I needed to fix real bad. I had no choice, young blood.”
“Listen, fella, just give me back my wallet, and my money, and I’ll be on my way. No problems, cool?” Ed said trying hard not to hurt the old man.
Chance smiled and rolled up his tattered jacket sleeve exposing a perforated junkie’s arm.
“Well, baby boy, I wish I could. But unfortunately your loot is swimming through these veins as we speak,” Chance laughed loudly.
He started to walk away. Ed got furious when the laughter rang out.
“Hey…!” Edward shouted.
He ran up behind Chance further infuriated at being ignored. Ed spun him around and saw the small knife in Chance’s hand. Ed reacted quickly, grabbing Chance’s wrist that held the blade and prevented Chance from stabbing him.
The two men struggled, grappling for possession of the weapon. They both fell, slipping on slushy ice. Ed fell on top of Chance then noticed he wasn’t moving. When Ed rose to his feet, he did so alone. Chance was lying still on the ground. Ed was in total shock when he looked down on his robber. The knife was protruding from Chance’s chest. Ed panicked.
Glancing quickly up and down the alley, Ed saw no one in sight. He reached down and touched Chance’s neck to feel for a pulse. Life had left the old pickpocket. Ed thought about his wallet and went through the dead man’s pockets. Finding his wallet, it only contained ten dollars. Chance had already shot up over a hundred dollars of Ed’s hard earned money. He kept searching and came across an old I.D. He saw Chance’s picture and under the photo was the name Chance Williams. Ed looked at the lifeless body for a few moments feeling regret. He then looked around and quickly left the alley hoping his crime went unnoticed.
Chapter 08
The train ride to Brooklyn seemed like an eternity for Edward Wingate. He knew that the body in the alley would not be found for at least a few days, but his paranoia had him feeling like he was a hunted murderer already. Everyone on the walk to the train station and even on the train itself looked like the police to Ed.
He constantly looked at the paper with the directions to his parents’ neighborhood that Chance gave him, trying to avoid eye c
ontact with anyone. Ed got off at Newkirk Avenue and asked directions to Avenue D, the Vandeveer Projects.
Ed was closer to his destination and felt the anxiety building inside. The numbers to the houses and buildings were steadily rising as was his anticipation. Ed finally reached 4270. He stood outside the building thinking about the next few minutes when he would be reunited with his biological parents. Entering the lobby, Ed walked over to the intercom directory and looked for the name Anderson.
“Alcott, Almeida, Andrade, damn no Anderson!” Edward mumbled aloud, scrutinizing the names again.
His biological parents’ name was absent from the listing. Wondering if he was in the right place, Ed walked back outside and checked his paper for the hundredth time and then looked at the building. He was at the correct address and went back inside. When he entered the building again a heavy set woman was getting off the elevator and looked his way.
“May I help you, young man?”
“Yes, ma’am, actually you can. I was looking for a couple who lives in this building,” Ed paused and again looked at his paper. “Larry and Jaqesha Anderson…”
The woman put her head down on hearing the names as she was trying to recollect. Suddenly the woman smiled, remembering and said, “Oh yes, the Andersons a fine couple, but they haven’t lived in this building for some time now.”
Edward’s face got flushed and he asked, “They’re no longer here?”
Letting the news sink in, Ed turned toward the directory. “Would you have any idea where they might have moved to, ma’am?”
The woman saw the pain in Ed’s eyes. She decided not to let the unpleasant information about the couple slip.
“No, sir, I’m sorry I don’t, but I wish you luck. Take care,” she said, hurrying out the lobby.
Ed sat on the benches in the projects for hours looking at the building, his thoughts were muddled. If his stomach hadn’t loudly growled informing him that it was empty, he would have sat there all night. Ed checked his pockets. After leaving the alley where Chance laid dead, Ed had bought lunch but couldn’t eat. Having participated in Chance’s death, eating just didn’t feel right. He bought two tokens now all he had thirty-six cents.
Ed found himself walking aimlessly down Clarendon Avenue with no destination, money, and worst, no family. He almost collided with a middle-aged woman who came running around the corner. The woman cursed at him.
“Shit, nigger, watch where you going!”
The sound of sirens filled the air. Ed was surprised when the woman, after looking down the block, put her arms around him.
“Keep walking,” she said.
They started strolling down the street and the woman began laughing with Ed just like they were old friends. A patrol car came cruising by. Its occupants spotted Ed and the woman. The police cruiser slowed down looked, and kept on driving by.
Looking down the road and making sure the car was out of sight, the woman laughed.
“Damn that was close. I’ve been ducking ’em crackers all day,” she said. Realizing she was still hugging Ed’s arm, she let go. “Thanks for having my back, cutie. Good looking out,” the woman said walking away. Then she turned back quickly. “Shit, I almost forgot what I’m doing out here. What’s up, cutie? You goin’ out?”
Ed smiled to himself before addressing the woman’s proposition. “Honestly sweetheart, some loving would be very welcomed after a day like I’ve been having, but this brother is busted so I’ll have to decline.”
Ed just told her that to be pleasant but he had no intention on purchasing something that he’d gotten his whole life for free. He was a firm believer in the philosophy that a true player would never pay for pussy, but let the pussy pay for him.
“My first priority is nourishment. I’m quite famished.”
Looking Ed up and down, trying to figure him out, the woman made another offer.
“Listen cutie, I owe you for having my back, and saving me from a night in central booking. Check it out. I’m kinda hungry myself. I got some leftover chicken and collard greens in my apartment, interested?”
Before Ed could reply his stomach growled. They both laughed and started walking arm in arm.
“Damn brother slow down. You really was starving.”
When Ed got to the woman’s apartment, she went to take a shower. Jasmine had a very cozy apartment that was well furnished.
Ed felt surprisingly at ease in her company. He sat at the dining table and started eating like a runaway slave. When his hostess came out the shower he was still at it.
“I’m glad that you’re enjoying my food, cutie.” Then she added, “Hey, I don’t even know your name.”
Ed looked up from his plate with chicken grease all over his face. “Please excuse my manners, Edward Wingate at your service, Miss.”
She blushed at Ed’s politeness and killer smile. Extending her hand the woman returned the formalities.
“Mister, you can call me Jasmine. And it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
The two new friends spent the rest of the evening talking, laughing and listening to music.
After sharing a bottle of wine, Jasmine went into her bedroom. Later she emerged wearing only panties and a bra. Her openness did not affect Ed and he thoroughly examined her body.
“Damn, girl, for a dinosaur your body is well preserved.”
“Dinosaur…? You got some nerves!”
Jasmine ran after Ed, chasing him and laughing. They both ran straight into the bedroom. Ed proceeded to run straight up inside of Jasmine. Ed gave Jasmine loving that she hadn’t had in years, and instantly she was whipped. Jasmine soon asked Ed to move in with her and to be her man. Ed had nothing in the Bronx except a parole violation. He hoped to get information about his parents in Brooklyn and accepted.
“Just come on the track with me tonight and watch my back, please baby,” Jasmine said.
She was getting dressed one night to go up on the whore stroll. She wanted to show Ed to her co-workers.
“Okay, let’s see if you know how to get that paper, or you just play-fucking for lunch money.”
Jasmine looked at Ed and smiled then said, “Damn, brother, talking that slick shit, I’d swear your fine ass was some kinda pimp and shit.”
Ed smiled back at his lady and held out his hand before saying, “May I re-introduce myself. I’m Ed Lover pimp and player extraordinaire at your service. Now let’s go get my paper, bitch!”
Jasmine burst out in laughter. She hugged Ed tightly and said, “Yeah, Daddy, let’s go get your paper! You sweet talking, sweet dick macaroni you…”
It was on and poppin’. The whore stroll accepted Ed with open arms and legs. Many of the ladies of the evening were freelance warriors, but they were in search of a competent and skilled pimp. After seeing how Ed managed Jasmine’s career, a few of her co-workers put in their application. For the third time in his life, Edward Wingate found himself in the flesh peddling business. Jasmine proved to be a very competent bottom whore. Supervising Ed’s staff proficiently and kept order around the stable. Unfortunately, for Jasmine and Ed, they broke a cardinal rule of Pimpology—they started to fall hard for each other. After Ed started pimping hard in Brooklyn and being in the streets on a regular, he knew he had to change his look, especially after his ordeal on the lower east side.
“Baby, what did you do to your hair?” Jasmine said, referring to Ed’s new look. As he entered the house she noticed he cut off his long dreadlocks.
“Just changing it up a bit, boo. You like?”
Jasmine walked over to the front door and hugged her man before saying, “Locks or no locks, you look damn fine.” Then she whispered seductively, “Hey, handsome, you mind helping me cut my hairs?” Looking deeply into Ed’s eyes Jasmine moaned, “Especially my pubic hairs.”
Immediately Jasmine took Ed’s hand and put it down inside her panties. She wore a smile as Ed led her into the bedroom. Lying in bed, both were spent from the passionate love they ma
de. Ed kicked back while Jasmine cuddled up next to him. Jasmine kissed Ed’s neck and then started licking his ear. Ed was enjoying the after-play then Jasmine suddenly stopped. He saw a strange look on her face.
“What’s up, boo? Did I forget to wash behind my ear or something?”
Jasmine was in a deep and distant thought. She did not laugh at his attempted humor. Ed stood up and asked, “What’s going on, Jas? You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine, baby. I was just thinking about something,”
Jasmine smiled, coming out of her private thoughts.
She stopped talking and Ed saw the tears forming in her eyes. Jasmine turned to Ed. held his hand and said, “Ed, I never told you this, but I was married once. I was happily married to a wonderful man. Everything was going great until I got pregnant.”
Staring at Ed, Jasmine watched Ed’s reaction. His soft, understanding smile told her to go on.
“Baby, because of circumstances we gave up our baby for adoption. A weird feeling came over me while I was licking your ear. I saw your birthmark behind your left ear. And well, seeing that just brought back all these memories.”
Ed looked at her confused.
“Baby, why would my birthmark trigger those memories?”
“You see Ed… My baby had a similar mark. It was like a butterfly behind his left ear.”
Ed looked shock and stunned by the news. He instinctively put his hand on the left side of his head, while staring dumbfounded at Jasmine.
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