by Yoshe
Shamari looked up and was surprised to see Born staring at him. Shamari frowned, wondering how long the seasoned crook had been there watching him. Born had a sneaky look on his face. Shamari turned his head when he saw the hardened criminal walking toward him.
“What up, youngblood?” Born asked. “You look like you’re in another world.”
Shamari sighed. He didn’t trust Born and he didn’t want to talk but responded anyway. “Ain’t nothin’, Born.”
Born stared at Shamari. He knew that the younger man didn’t have any idea that he was sitting next to the man who cut him on his neck. Born wasn’t about to tell him, either.
“Yeah, I’m here for some bullshit jail case I caught a few months back.” Born looked Shamari up and down. “So, I can see that you’re lookin’ like a million bucks, shorty, no homo. You’re ready to meet your maker?” Born asked, referring to the judge.
Shamari continued to look the opposite way. He couldn’t bear to look Born in his face, nor did he care about why he was in court. Shamari’s only question was why was Born talking to him in the first place?
“Yeah, somethin’ like that,” Shamari answered in a curt tone.
Born nodded his head while he inspected Shamari from head to toe. He looked at the bandages on his neck and wanted to laugh. Shamari was lucky that Born didn’t cut him across his handsome, boyish face.
“Well, little nigga, don’t be having me mixed up or associated with your bullshit again, or else I’m gonna straight murk your ass, you hear me?” Shamari turned around to stare at Born. “I see you went back and told your mommy some shit about me threatenin’ you. The big boys don’t run their mouth up in here, nigga. Snitches get stitches.” Born got up and walked back to the other side of the pen.
Shamari was frozen with fear and anger. Born was probably the bastard that cut me, he thought because Born was talking real reckless. He couldn’t really remember the face because he was semi-conscious from the punch that was administered to his jaw. From all the careless talking Born was doing, it had to be him. He thought about his weapon and had a good mind to open up Born’s face up with it. He decided against it, though, remembering that part of being a man to handle his important business first. He was going to definitely handle Born later on and when he least expected.
Shamari walked into the courtroom and instantly began consulting with his lawyer, Ronald Samuels. Samuels was a diminutive Jewish man, with a year-round tropical tan. He wore expensive Mont Blanc spectacles and a tailored-made three piece suit.
More importantly, Samuels was a reputable defense attorney, who was dedicated to helping young, misguided men like Shamari get their lives back on track. He didn’t believe lengthy incarcerations helped rehabilitate people, it only made them worse. Samuels also made sure that they got the help that they needed, inside of the jail and out.
When Brandi came to him with Shamari’s situation, she was open and forthright about her criminal past, as well as Shamari’s father. His heart went out to the single mom who had the opportunity to get her life back on track, for the sake of her son. Shamari’s case was small compared to the other cases he handled, so he decided to take the case without putting a huge dent in Brandi’s pocket. Samuels and the prosecutor stepped up to the bench and conferred with the judge.
“Yes, Your Honor, Mr. Wallace has decided to accept the plea agreement. Please take into consideration that my client has never been arrested before. In addition, he apologizes for his actions and understands the consequences of his measures. He is extremely regretful and wishes to do his time and return to society as a law-abiding and a respectable citizen.”
The D.A. had a stern look on his face. “Your Honor, I am satisfied that the offer was accepted by the defendant. To take this case to trial would have been a waste of time and injudicious. He is a young man that made a mistake and hopefully, he will serve his time sensibly and return to society with a very different outlook on life, with respect for the laws of this city, as well as the laws of the land. That’s all I have to say.”
The judge shook his head in agreement and both of the attorneys returned to their seats, where they remained standing. The judge looked at Shamari.
“Mr. Wallace, you stand before me, a young man having all the opportunity in the world to be the best that you can be. It agrees between this court and the District Attorney that you accept this plea agreement. It is unfortunate that you have to serve time for your first offense, although I don’t believe that it is your first time breaking the law; just the first time you’ve been caught. If I see you in this courtroom for any other felony offense, you will do football numbers and I am not talking about the NFL. I am going to ask that the Department of Correction produce you in the next three weeks for sentencing. Is there anything that you would like to say?”
Shamari swallowed and made sure he chose his words carefully. “Umm, sir, I mean, Your Honor, I apologize for my actions that night and I am grateful that no one was hurt. I won’t do it again and when I get home this time, I’m gonna be a better citizen and a role model for young men my age.”
The judge seemed impressed with Shamari’s comments. Court was dismissed and the judge went to his quarters. Shamari watched as the judge disappeared behind the oak door. Samuels looked at Shamari’s neck. “Mr. Wallace, what happened to your neck?” he asked, while putting some paperwork into his leather briefcase.
Shamari put his hands to his neck, as if he had to remind himself that it was there. “Yeah, I got cut on my neck,” he replied.
Samuels sighed. “What happened, Mr. Wallace?”
“Somebody sucker punched me when I walked into my housing area the other day and while I was out cold on the floor, somebody cut me. I don’t know who did it.”
Samuels looked at Shamari, with a look of fatherly concern. “Wallace, you have to learn survival techniques while you’re doing your time. It is going against the grain if I actually told you what you should do but you have to protect yourself at all costs. First of all, refrain from talking about your case to anyone. They have informants all throughout the system waiting to jam you up.
Also, do not participate in idle gossip about other inmates, which the guys in there call ‘dry-snitching.’s And remember, you don’t have any ‘friends’ in jail. Your friends are the law library, the visits, social services, and the clinic, things that are provided to help you throughout your incarceration. One more thing, call your mother and family as often as you can. Write letters, read books, exercise and rest. Rest your mind, Wallace. You’re going to need to think about what your next move is going to be. You don’t have time to be a fucking carving board for some sorry sap behind those walls.”
Samuels held out his hand and Shamari shook it. “See you in three weeks for sentencing, son, and remember what I said. I have a son your age and I don’t wanna see you messed up. Don’t look at this as being the end. This is the beginning of a change. A good change.”
Shamari held back his tears. No man had kept it real with him in a long time and he appreciated Samuels for giving him some good advice. But he still wanted to get revenge on Born.
Chapter 19
The next day, Sean walked across the visit floor, making sure everything was running smoothly. It was Wednesdays and Thursday evening visits, which were 1 P.M. to 9 P.M. These visits were always less crowded than on the weekends. He was happy about this because most of the riff-raff stayed home on Wednesday and Thursdays. Sean was preoccupied and didn’t see when Captain Monique Phillips walked toward him to make sure everything was good. He instantly embraced her.
“What’s up, Cap? You lookin’ good in your white shirt!” he complimented.
She blushed. “Thanks, Daniels. You lookin’ good, too. How you feelin’?” she asked.
“I’m good. What brings you through here?” Sean asked.
Monique sighed. “Well, I just got transferred back over here and I think I’m gonna go for this steady in visits. I like workin’ with the vis
it crew.”
Sean smiled. “Come through. That’s what’s up! How is your daughter and your family?”
“Everyone is fine, thanks for askin’. When was the last time you spoke to Sierra?”
Sean sucked his teeth. “I spoke to her last week. You know, her man don’t like me since I knocked his ass out that time. But we try to speak as much as we can. She should be comin’ back to work soon. Messiah is gettin’ big, I’m sure.”
“Hell, yeah. He’s adorable, too. Well, when I have somethin’ at my house, I’ma invitin’ you ’cause you’re my peoples, forget about what Lamont thinks about you!” Monique teased.
“You do that, Cap. You better.”
“Well, lemme go back to the front. Holla at me throughout the course of the day.”
Sean watched as Monique walked through the sliding doors. She looked good since she lost a few pounds and from what he saw, her round ass hadn’t budged. She was a very different person since being promoted to captain and he was happy for her. Sean looked at the control room and caught Yadi watching him. She was making him uncomfortable because she hadn’t spoken to him since returning his key. He went inside the control room to retrieve some count slips. Vanita was on her meal break and Yadi was doing everything alone.
“Yadi,” Sean said, breaking the uncomfortable silence. “What’s up with you? Why aren’t you talkin’ to me?” Yadi ignored Sean. She continued to work. He stared at her. “Do you hear me talkin’ to you?”
Yadi turned around and glared at Sean. “What do you want, Sean? May I help you?” she asked with an attitude.
Sean’s shoulders slumped. “What is wrong with you? You’re not talkin’ to me and you givin’ me the cold shoulder. What did I do to you?”
“Sean, you’re gonna stand here and act like you don’t know what you did? I came to return your key and you was screwin’ some random bitch upstairs in your bedroom! ”
Sean laughed at the uptight Yadi. “Okay, so what, I can’t have sex with another woman in my own house now?”
Yadi wanted to smack the hell out of Sean. “You don’t get it, do you? You had just fucked me right before that!”
“So, I’m your man, now? I don’t have no girl, Yadi. You are my homegirl. That’s it. What happened between us was special because I’ve always been attracted to you but you makin’ this more than what it needs to be. What were you expectin’ from me, a marriage proposal?”
Yadi crossed her arms in frustration. “I expected you to be a little more sensitive to my needs. Damn, at least let me move out of your house good before you start bringin’ other women over there!”
Sean began to pace. “Listen to you! You sound crazy! You stayed with me for two fuckin’ minutes and we had a session or two and now you sittin’ up here tryin’ to tell me not to have any female company in my house? You must have lost your mind!”
Yadi began to get loud. “You know what, Sean, go to hell! I don’t need you to tell me how I’m supposed to act! You wanted to get with me for the longest and now when you did, this is how you act toward me?”
Sean walked toward the door and stopped. He turned around and looked at Yadi, who was visibly upset and about to work herself into a frenzy.
“Yo’, I opened my door to you and Jada, made sure y’all was straight and this is the fuckin’ thanks I get. You should have never walked in my house with that key and I think you know better. So be mad at yourself, not me. But it’s all good, baby girl, ’cause I’m not dealin’ with your crazy-ass no more!”
Sean swung the door to the control room open and looked at the visitors that were sitting the waiting area. From the expressions on their faces, they overheard the argument, including Brandi, who was staring at him with a pained expression on her face. No one sitting there could imagine how Brandi felt inside. She was embarrassed and humiliated, assuming that she was the “woman” Yadi and Sean were talking about. Sean stood there with a stunned look on his face, holding count slips in his right hand. Brandi just shook her head. That was the cue for Sean to walk away, which he did.
Brandi’s chest began to tighten up from anxiety. She knew that there was no escape, because after all, she was on Rikers Island. She would have to suck it up and be strong for Shamari because the visit was for him, not for Sean. Brandi just kept staring at the door, hoping to catch a glimpse of the woman Sean was arguing with but she never appeared. What made it hurt even more, Sean had sex with the mystery woman right before she had come over that night. She could have kicked herself for having high expectations for Sean. It only made Brandi think of Maleek and one of the several occasions when he hurt her so bad.
“Maleek, how could you leave me and Shaki like this? I love you,” a lovelorn Brandi exclaimed with tears in her eyes. She was a female gangster in the streets but with Maleek, she was as soft as butter.
Maleek turned his head, avoiding eye contact with her. “Brandi, I love you too but I’m in love with somebody else, too! Shit, I just can’t explain it!” he replied. Maleek put his hands on his head, frustrated and confused. “I, I just can’t be with you anymore! You’re gettin’ just as much money as me in these streets. I mean, look at you! You act like a fuckin’ nigga! You shoot, you kill mothafuckas, you hustle! I need a woman that knows how to be a woman. A woman that knows her place!”
Brandi wiped the tears falling from her pretty eyes. “Maleek, I don’t understand! I am a woman plus I‘m the mother of your son!”
“I respect that but Brandi; we done did too much dirt together. When we’re out in the public together, we’re constantly lookin’ over each other’s shoulders because we both got beef in these streets. And the sad part is if somethin’ happen to one of us, we wouldn’t know if it’s because of my beef or yours!”
Brandi plopped down on the red leather couch in the living room of the East New York home that they both shared. She put her face in her hands, as she thought about all the years she sacrificed to be with Maleek. Brandi molded herself into the woman she thought she was supposed to be for him. Now the truth was Maleek had used her up and gotten exactly what he could out of their relationship. So all of sudden he was telling her that he had enough of her, without even telling her that anything was wrong from the beginning. That wasn’t a good enough excuse for Brandi but she knew that she would only be the champion in the end. She was going to make sure of that.
Brandi wiped her tears. “You know what, baby, you are right,” Brandi said in a condescending tone. “I’m addicted ta the hustle and the flow. It’s a dog-eat-dog world out here and yeah, I had to act like a nigga to survive in this game. But I lost myself and in the midst of all da bullshit, I lost you, too.” She got up from the couch and walked toward the bedroom. “Do you need me to help you pack?”
Maleek looked at Brandi suspiciously. He had just seen the mother of his child standing in front of him, crying like a baby. Now she was switching it up on him. He was taken aback by her behavior and his street senses kicked in.
“Brandi, you a’ight? Why are you so calm all of a sudden?” he asked with a hint of fear in his voice. He knew that Brandi was liable to kill him. She killed a man in front of his face before with no remorse.
Brandi smiled. “Maleek, I’m fine. I just realized you were right. It’s time for us to move on.”
Maleek brushed past Brandi and as he packed up his things, he kept a close eye on her. Meanwhile, her heart ached as she watched the man she had meshed with over the years removing himself from their world together. They had a mini-empire they had built but fortunately, Brandi kept a stash of money to the side for emergency. She would have thought that she would lose him to death or incarceration but never to another woman.
After leaving Brandi, Maleek ended up moving to Virginia with a young woman who attended Norfolk State University, a business management major. Down there, he continued to hustle, laundering the illegal money through real estate property and other assets. This went on for a couple of months, with him not attempting to contact Brandi
or his son. He let Brandi keep the house in East New York that they had lived in together, which his mother eventually sold. Brandi moved back in with her mother. Everyone tried to talk sense into Maleek about Brandi and his son, including his mother, who was fed up with his criminal exploits and heartlessness. Nevertheless, Maleek left Brandi devastated by his refusal to acknowledge her and Shamari anymore.
One day, she contacted an old connect of hers from Norfolk named Smokey. He was one of her best customers back then and he kept her hustle going by referring her to other customers in the Tidewater area. Smokey was partly responsible for Brandi claiming her stake in Virginia, and in return, she would set him up with the best prices for some of her product.
Smokey was a typical country boy but he was well traveled having been there and done that. His skin was the color of coal and he had the darkest eyes, with jet-black, silky hair. Even though Brandi and Smokey were always attracted to each other, they just chose to keep it on a friendly basis, not wanting to mix their business with pleasure. He eventually became her confidante and friend, always making sure that Brandi was good. He got nothing but respect from Brandi because of that.
“Smokey, listen, I need you to do somethin’ for me,” Brandi stated. “I came down here because I didn’t want to discuss anything over the phone but I really, really need this favor.”
Smokey stuffed some of his food in his mouth. They were sitting in a small diner in Virginia Beach, talking over some breakfast. Brandi had just flown in from New York and Smokey had met up with her at the hotel she was staying at.
“What up, Brandi?” he asked between bites of his waffle. “What do you need?”
“It’s Maleek. He left me for some college chick, Smokey, and he won’t take any of my phone calls or contact his son. He’s bein’ real fucked up to me and Shamari and I’m not gonna lie, my heart is broken.”