by AP Jermaine
“Hello Theodore.” The man spoke my name with confidence.
“Who the fuck, are you?” I was already sick of these bullshit ass detectives.
“I’m a friend of a friend. I’ve brought good news.”
This motherfucker must be crazy! There WAS NO GOOD NEWS on a day like today! And I was not in the mood for games! “Man, state yo business!” I jumped to my feet, ready to knock to be let out.
“Alright Theodore. I can understand your impatience. Tika asked me to come and see you.” I heard his words, and they froze me instantly.
“Who? What did you say?”
“Tika. A friend of yours and mine.” He spoke calmly.
“She’s here?”
“No. Her exact whereabouts often elude me. Tika is where Tika is.”
“So, who are you? Her dude?”
“No Theodore. Although I do love her very much. I would move heaven and earth just to see her smile.” This shit is preposterous! I thought to myself. This guy, this…. Slumdog Millionaire, that I’d never seen a day in my life, was telling me that Tika, my direct heartbeat into the sorrow of my trap life, was near! “I can understand your confusion Theodore, but I myself owe you one favor. I do not know you, only of you, but Tika knows us both. That is the sole reason that I am here. You have a situation that needs addressing.”
“You owe me a favor? Look homeboy, if you coming at me on some police shit, I don’t know why the fuck yall wasting “our” time! I’m not giving no favors and I don’t wan’t none given. So, go talk to one of them other lames! I aint the one!” I told him as I stood to leave. My grief held no patience for this bullshit. It shocked the shit outta me when Slumdog Millionaire laughed so hard he almost fell outta his chair! What the fuck?
“No, no Theodore. You’ve got it all wrong. I’ll make this short and sweet because I have to get back to work. You do know the man formerly known as Big Joe, don’t you?” Suddenly my body stiffened.
“Nah. Can’t say that I do.”
“He’s dead. I only knew “of him” also. He murdered my nephew and his fiancé, then robbed my business after that. He bragged about killing my only sisters, only son. I am a patient man. I will admit, that I myself was planning the death of my nephew’s murderer, before his untimely demise.”
“Man, what the fuck is you talking about! I don’t know shit about no plot!” I spoke loudly as I looked up at the camera in the corner.
“They can see us, but they can’t hear us. Lawyer/client confidentiality and all that good stuff.” Slumdog laughed again.
“So, you a lawyer?”
“No. But I know a good one. I suggest you come speak with me when you’re released. I won’t consider this the one favor I owe you. Getting you out of this is for Tika. You’ve suffered a great loss. Learn from it.”
“So exactly what the hell is you saying? My bond is $100,000 cash sir. In case you didn’t know.” I couldn’t help but to be sarcastic.
“No worries. All charges will be dismissed in the morning. You’ll be free.”
“What! Yeah okay.” I walked to the door preparing to knock for Ms. Jones. Now I knew this really “was” some bullshit.
“As I’ve said Theodore, I can understand your confusion. Tika has explained the situation to me. You deserve answers that I’m almost certain she will try her best to provide. Be kind to her. And patient.”
“So, in the morning I’m going to be set free huh? You a root doctor or something?” I folded my arms and leaned against the door, skepticism written all over my face.
“No nothing like that. I’m simply a man who knows other men. He stood with a smile. “You’re going to have to keep a low profile though. They’ll be watching.”
“Watching? Who’s gonna be watching? The police?”
“Possibly. More than likely, the person, or persons responsible for robbing you and murdering your fiancé as well.”
“Fiance?” Suspicion shot through me! “I didn’t tell you I was engaged.”
“Theodore, I am a man of many resources. I will see you tomorrow.” Once again Slumdog spoke calmly before standing, and exiting the room. The million and one questions that I wanted to ask, would just have to wait.
Chapter 48 “Against All Odds”
They were herding us into the courtroom like cattle. This scene was starting to become all too familiar to me. Forty men, shackled and chained to each other at the waist. B&E artists, stick up kids, rapists, arsonists, crackheads and hustlers, pimps with their hoes waiting in the audience; all these people and more, hooked in bondage, and all praying for the same thing. To be set free! Out of the forty inmates on our chain, thirty- eight of them were black. My punk ass parole officer was the first person I noticed as we were ushered into the courtroom. We were herded in and sat down, as the judge waited patiently to seal our fate. His face was red and his hair was white. The courtroom seats were packed wall to wall with mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, baby mamas, bffs, and plenty of nosey ass people who simply had nothing else better to do, then to get up outta their beds like they were headed to work, and haul ass to the courthouse just to see who was locked up and for what. One at a time, inmates were taken off the chain and taken up in front of judge red face. And one at a time, they got slaughtered. No probation! No bond reductions! Revoke probation! Revoke parole! And then it was my turn. Looking up at Colonol Sanders, I knew I was doomed. My case number was called, and my P.O. was up to the table quicker than greased lightening! “Your honor, how are you today sir?” He asked kissing the judge’s ass right off top.
“Fine. Now where is your case? We have a long day ahead.”
“Yes sir. Sorry sir. Your honor, I have here one Theodore Banks, who is in direct violation of his parole. The District Attorney and I have agreed that his parole should be revoked for the obvious reasons. One, Mr. Banks has recently been charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. A state and federal offense. Furthermore, the above said weapon that Mr. Banks has been charged with possessing, was found at the scene of a gruesome homicide two nights ago.” This punk motherfucker! He was trying to get me hung! This much was obvious!
“Mr. Greene?”
“Yes, your honor.” My P.O. jumped to attention like a hopeful student.
“Were you aware that the above said firearm was obtained during an illegal search and seizure? In fact, does anyone here possess any paperwork, verifying that Mr. Banks owns this home? From what I can see, this is a rent to own property, that’s not even registered under this man’s name. Mr. Greene, do not bring half cases into my courtroom. I have neither the time nor patience. Although I have dedicated my life to removing criminals from the streets, there are ethics, and codes that have to be followed, if this system is to remain functioning correctly.” The judge scolded Mr. ass kissing Greene. “Therefore, I’m dismissing the gun charge and terminating his parole.”
“Your honor!” The District attorney shot to his feet!
“My decision is final counsel. Next case.”
“But…”
“Counsel!!! I SAID my decision is final!” The judge barked out as the D.A. sat down with defeat written across his face. My mouth dropped open almost as wide as my P.O.’s! “Mr. Banks?” The judge spoke directly to me for the first time.
“Yes sir.” I stood and spoke calmly.
“Today is your lucky day. I suggest you take this as a learning experience and don’t ever come back in front of me again. If Mr. Banks is not being held for any other offenses, he is free to go. Next case.”
Oh shit! They’re really letting me go! I was happy and excited just for a brief moment. Until the naggin realization of Monique no longer being alive, pulled me right back down into sorrow. How? Why? I kept asking myself the same questions. I had been violated in the worst way, and the crazy thing is, I never thought it could happen to me.
Chapter 49 “Tell Me”
It took them three and a half hours to process me out. Officer Jones, whom I now kne
w as Tabatha, had slid me her cell phone number before I left. No I hadn’t requested it. She handed it to me in an envelope along with my property. Fuck it. Maybe I could use her for something.
“Theodore!” I heard my name and the slight accent and I immediately knew who it was. Slumdog Millionaire.
“How the… What the…”
“Don’t be alarmed Theodore. I told you you’d be out today. Now you’re free.”
“So, you had something to do with that?”
“I had everything to do with that Theodore. It’s not what you know in this world, but whom. And how much you’re willing to pay to know them. Anyone who tells you different, does not have your best interests at heart.”
“What the hell do you want from me!” I was suspicious. “I’m telling you right now “sir,” if yall got me out thinking you about to put me on some police shit, I’m gonna laugh my black ass off! Because you just got beat outta your money! Preciate ya!” Slumdog today wore a black and gray Nike sweat suit with a hood. His Air Max looked old and worn. FEDS! Flashed across my mind.
“Trust me Theodore, I can assure you that I am not connected to any type of law enforcement. I am simply doing a favor for someone I love, and at the same time paying off an old debt. If you must know, I despise police stations. Too much misery. Do you mind if we continued our conversation outside?”
“Yeah, I’m leaving. If you happen to walk out when I do, then so be it.” I grabbed my belt off the counter top and hit the door. Once outside, the terrible feeling of being alone overcame me once again. My mom dukes had been in the courtroom. I called her as soon as I’d gotten back to the cell block and told her to go home. Even though I’m a grown ass man, everybody knows that mom dukes, is always the first to rush to our side. Always down for us, no matter how old we may get.
“Listen Theodore….”
“Man stop calling me motherfuckin Theodore! And what the fuck do you want from me!” The rage inside me was screaming to be let out.
“So, what would you prefer? Teddy? Or Banks?” he spoke my name like he knew me, and it pissed me off.
“Only my bitches call me Teddy. Now what the fuck do you want?”
“I want to help you.”
“Help me? Help me? With what? You said it was you who fixed the case right?”
“That’s right.”
“Then you’ve already helped, and like I said before, preciate ya!”
“You’re hurt and upset. I can understand that. I’ve felt sadness enough myself to know what it does to a man. But a wise man, is a calm man. Even the bible says so.”
“So, what the fuck is you man? Indian?”
“No. My father was Iranian and my mother Afghan, but I was raised in Brooklyn, New York.”
“Iran and Afghanistan huh? You with the Taliban? You trying to recruit me to blow some shit up?”
“No. I’m Catholic. But this situation isn’t about me. It’s about you not going out and doing something stupid that you’ll regret later. You want revenge. It’s in your eyes.”
“Man, what’s your angle? I got shit to do.”
“No angle Banks. I’m just trying to help you, as Tika has asked me to.” There was that name again. “Man’ you keep saying Tika this an Tika that! Then where the fuck is she and what is she to you?!” I was fed up with the bullshit!
“I’ll answer your second question first. Tika is everything and nothing to me. And to answer your first question, she’s parked right over there.” Slumdog pointed across the street, and there she was! Tika. Sitting behind the wheel of a smoke gray Audi A4. I left Slumdog where he stood, marched across the street and stopped at her window, gazing down at her with fire in my eyes as she stared meekly up at me as if unsure of whether to be afraid. The Tika I was looking down at was not a girl anymore. She was a woman.
“Where the fuck did you come from?” I asked with venom.
“Teddy, could you please come get in the car? I promised I’ll answer all of your questions. Let’s just go,” She pleaded up to me.
“You goddamn right you gonna answer some questions!” I barked as I marched around to the passenger side of the car. I looked around for Slumdog before I got in but he was gone. I opened the passenger door and slid in. Despite the circumstances, I was stunned at how much Tika had evolved since the last time I’d seen her. The Alexander McQueen spaghetti strapped dress hugged her curves like she was born in it! Her skin was beaming with the glow of good living. Her feet were immaculately done in her open toed Gucci heels, while her freshly done doobie hairstyle and iced out wrist screamed “bad bitch coming through!” I didn’t dumb out though. Monique was dead. At least every five or six seconds, the same thought trampled its way through my mind. I didn’t say a word as we pulled off into traffic. Tika was listening to Mary J’s “My life CD.
“What you thinking about?” Tika finally broke the silence.
“What the hell do you think I’m thinking about?”
“Monique?”
“Yeah. And you too.”
“What about me?” she asked as we passed the Durham Bulls Baseball Stadium.
“Where the hell have you been Tika?”
“Nowhere.”
“Nowhere! What the fuck do you mean nowhere?”
“I mean nowhere. All I did was stay as far away from you, and anybody who knew you as I could. I’ve always been here. Watching over you. I know that you’re hurt and I know you need me, so I couldn’t stay away any longer, even if I wanted to. I’ll always love you Teddy. No other man could ever own as much of my heart as you do.”
“So, what you been stalking me?”
“No, just admiring you. And only from a distance. I only wanted to see you happy.”
“Oh yeah? So why did you get ghost on me like that then? And why all the fuckin distance?” I was quickly growing tired of talking in circles.
“I was ashamed.”
“Ashamed? Ashamed of what?”
Tika took a deep breath and sighed, “I was ashamed of what you knew about me and Fletch, and I couldn’t bear to look at you knowing that all you’d see in me was filth.”
“What? That’s the stupidest shit I ever heard in my life!”
“Maybe so Teddy. But it’s true.”
“Tika, you were being raped by a sick piece of shit. How the hell could I ever look at that as your fault?”
“I don’t know Teddy, but every time I looked at you I was consumed with shame. Over the years Mishka has helped me overcome some of that, but even now, it’s still hard for me to look you in the eyes.”
“Mishka? Who the fuck is that?” I asked as we pulled up to a medium sized house at the corner of Geer Street and W. Club Boulevard.
“Mishka is my friend. She saved my life Teddy. I’d like for you to meet her. She wants to help. Muhammed, Ishmeel’s nephew was her son.”
“Who the fuck is Ishmeel?”
“The man you talked to last night and today. We have a special bond. He’s very smart. He says he owes you a favor and I’ve always known him as a man who pays his debts. Don’t shun him Teddy. Embrace his friendship. Here.” Tika handed me a card that read “I-PETS” (Dogs and Cats) with a telephone and fax number across the bottom.
“What the hell is this?” I turned the card back and forth, searching for some kind of clue.
“Ishmeel owns a pet shop. Dogs and cats. Go to him and talk. He’s very wise and I know he can give you some good advice. I know you Teddy. You’re going to try and hurt somebody, I just don’t want you to get hurt in the process.”
“Whose car is this?” I asked abruptly.
“It’s mine.”
“Uh huh. This your house too?”
“No. A friends.”
“A male friend?”
“Yes.”
“Your man?”
“No.”
I glanced down at the princess cut diamonds on her wrist. “Where’d you get the jewels?”
“A gift.”
“Uh huh.�
� Keeping all her answers short and sweet. I was starting to get the feeling I was dealing with nothing more than another dope dealers bitch. Time for a channel check. “You got a job?”
“Yes. I model.”
“Model for who?”
“Mishka.”
“Uh huh. What’s her companies name?”
“A Star In Your Eye, Modeling Company”
Hmmm… Maybe she wasn’t sack chasing. “So, tell me what happened since the last time I saw you.”