The War Report

by King Benjamin

  __________

  Although Bones had taken quite a setback with having his operations temporarily shut down, due to the war with Jay, he wasn’t hurting by far. He had come home to a major head start, and with the new plug, he and Skip just focused their attention on moving more weight instead of breaking the kilos down. The fact the he had lost valuable people now was eating at him, but he was still eating nonetheless.

  Dawson had turned out to be a sweet connect. After dealing with Oshiwa directly the first time, the two met at a hotel downtown, shook hands and began their relationship. Bones thought Dawson was a little arrogant for his taste, but as long as it wasn’t directed toward him, he couldn’t care less. Today, Bones had agreed to test drive the 500 SL Dawson was letting go for a steal. They met up on the block Dawson frequently did business on, and Bones fell in love with the black on black Benz as soon as he climbed behind the wheel.

  “This muthafucka still smell brand new on the inside,” Bones noticed.

  “Yeah man, I ain’t even had it a whole year. I just got too many cars,” Dawson said honestly.

  “I see ain’t no miles on it.”

  “Yeah, yeah, I don’t drive it. I just put the kit on a couple months ago.”

  Bones pulled off fast trying to get a feel for the takeoff. The German engine purred quietly with Jay Z’s “Streets is Watching” on low volume as Bones turned on to Livernois.

  Dawson nodded to the music from the passenger seat as they continued up Livernois riding behind dark tints.

  “You heard Jay Z new shit?” Dawson finally said.

  “Naw, I ain’t heard it yet. Is it banging?”

  “Yeah. Hell yeah. I got it a couple days ago from right here, matter fact,” Dawson said, pointing at Jay’s westside location of Damn Good Music. “Hoe ass nigga,” he mumbled thinking about how Jay wouldn’t return his calls. He only went in the store hoping to catch up with Jay.

  Bones caught the disgruntled tone, even if he didn’t hear what was said in the mumble.

  “I know that hoe ass nigga,” Bones said

  “Who?”

  “Jay.”

  “Jay Z?”

  “Hell naw, Mercedes Jay; the nigga that own that record store.”

  “Yeah? I know ‘em too. We used to do business.”

  Bones’ face went cold at the thought of Jay and Dawson being connected. He gave Dawson a mean mug.

  “That nigga killed my brother,” Bones said.

  “Who? Dontae?”

  “Yeah, you ain’t hear about it?”

  Dawson peeped his demeanor and began to realize what kind of thoughts were running through Bones’ mind at the moment. He had no idea the two were enemies.

  “I thought they locked the niggas up that killed Dontae?”

  “They did, but he beat the case.”

  “That’s what the nigga Jay was going back of forth to court for? Man, baby boy, I swear I didn’t even know nothing about it. You know I fuck with Dontae, that was my dude. We made a lot of money together when he was taking them trips to Ohio.”

  “You still talk to him?” Bones pried.

  “Naw, the nigga don’t fuck with me no more. I guess he found something better, I don’t know.”

  “Yeah, well, I got twenty stacks for some info on where to find ’em. Meanwhile, he ain’t the nigga you wanna be caught in the car with no time soon, you feel me?”

  “Baby boy, trust and believe me when I tell you, you ain’t even gotta worry about that.”

  As a matter fact, now that Dawson knew Bones and Jay were beefing, he would be sure to stay away from riding anywhere with Bones in the future as well. Dawson knew bullets didn’t have a name on them, and hit men never left the witness alive to tell about it.

  Bones believed Dawson when he said he wasn’t in touch with Jay, but still, just the realization of how small the circles of the streets were let Bones know he had to come up with a way to end this once and for all, or he’d end up just like Dontae. He couldn’t allow Jay to take him out the game.

  Chapter 20

  After a long passionate night of lovemaking that started on the pool table and went to the Jacuzzi and from the Jacuzzi to the bed, Jay and Michelle slept until almost noon. It was the kind of night that could only be created with sexual and mental chemistry at the forefront. The two lay in bed spooning until Jay’s phone vibrating on the nightstand finally awakened them both. Michelle rolled out of bed and slipped on her teddy then tip-toed off to the bathroom.

  Jay watched her bottom sway all the way out of the room. Just the sight of it made him ready for another round. His dick was in constant craving for her juices. He looked at the phone number once Michelle was gone and saw it was his lawyer calling on a Sunday. He thought it was odd, but it must be important. He quickly called Mr. Marsh back.

  “What’s the deal, Mr. Marsh?” Jay said.

  “Hey Jason, sorry to call on a Sunday.”

  “Naw, you my man, what’s going on?”

  “Well, two things. I was calling to let you know I’m relocating my office so I won’t be available tomorrow, but I can give you the new address while I got you on the phone. Also, it seems that Keith has changed his contact number. Do you have a number for him?”

  “Yeah, he did switch up numbers. I got it though, you ready?”

  “Yeah, go ahead.”

  As he called off Gunner’s new telephone number, Michelle came back in the room with the biggest glow in her eyes. He could see she was happy with him.

  “What made you move to another office?” Jay asked curiously.

  “Just needed more space, that’s all. You ready for the address?”

  “One sec. Michelle, grab my pad out of that top drawer,” Jay said.

  Michelle scurried over to the dresser’s top shelf and roamed through some junk mail and invoices until she ran across the pad.

  “This one?”

  “Yeah, it should be a pen in there too.”

  Moving to the other side of the drawer, Michelle spotted a Bic ink pen on top of an obituary. The face jumped out at her to the point that she had to pick up the obituary along with the pen. As she took Jay the pen and pad, she zoomed in on the face on the front as her mind flashed back to the story.

  A hotel.

  At least two gunmen.

  Overkill.

  As soon as Jay hung up the phone, she was there ready with her interrogation.

  “Is this your friend that passed away recently?”

  “Yeah, that’s him,” Jay said, sounding mournful.

  “You told me your friend died from a tragic car accident. I don’t understand why you would lie about something like this.” Michelle stood over him with the obituary still in her hand.

  Jay sat up in the bed and swung his feet to the floor. He didn’t know how she knew, but she knew. “What are you talking about?”

  “I reported from the scene of his murder. He was killed in a hotel room along with another man that fell from the third floor.”

  Jay was at a loss for words. The lies were finally catching up with him, and he didn’t have it in him to continue the same pattern that had gotten him there. He took a deep breath.

  “I lied.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I didn’t ever want you looking at me the way you looking at me right now.”

  “Right now I’m just wondering why it seems like all your friends are being murdered, and why are you lying about it? What are you not telling me about yourself, Jason?”

  “I should have been honest, and I realize that now, but I can’t take it back. What’s done is done.”

  “That still doesn’t answer my question… you know what? Never mind. It’s probably gonna be more lies and bullshit anyway.”

  Michelle flung the obituary on the bed and stormed into the bathroom with her bag and clothes. Jay didn’t go after her because he knew there was nothing he could say at that point that would change the truth. As he sat on the edge of the bed, he tried to t
hink of something positive to say in his defense. When Michelle came out of the bathroom, she was fully dressed and looked as if she had been crying. As she went to grab the rest of her things, Jay blocked her path and grabbed her by the hands.

  “Can we talk about this for moment?”

  “Let go of me!” she scolded, yanking away. “If a man will lie about something so tragic, then it’s hard for me to believe anything he would say to me. How do you pick and choose when to tell the truth, Jason?”

  “I made a mistake, but I think I deserve a chance to explain.”

  “Fuck you!” Michelle spat before turning and quick-stepping out of the bedroom and down the stairs.

  Jay wanted to pursue her, but he knew it was pointless. He allowed her to let herself out while he sat on the bed contemplating all the L’s he’d taken over the past few months. Sometimes, it seemed like life pulled you up just to knock you back down.

  Chapter 21

  As the days went by, the money poured in with the crew getting back to business and Jay having a steady connect that was beating out all his competitors’ prices. On the outside looking in, life couldn’t be better, but Jay was miserable and lonely without Michelle. All he had left was his pride, and he’d be damn if he gave that up by begging her to come back. Besides, he was a street nigga, and he knew they were from two different worlds when they met. Nothing lasts forever, he told himself, but it didn’t seem fair that things had to end so quickly. At some point, he knew they would have to talk again because Michelle had left her necklace in her hurry to get away from him.

  Jay sat at Niecey Girl’s house running money through the counting machine with his cousin’s help. He finally got tired of holding it all in, and decided to talk to someone about it.

  “You know I’m not seeing the reporter anymore,” he admitted.

  Niecey Girl was not shocked to hear the news. She knew by Jay’s demeanor over the past few days that he was down in the dumps for some reason.

  “I kinda figured that, because I haven’t heard you mention her at all. What happened?”

  “I lied to her about how Lines died. Now she thinks I’m a lying piece of shit, amongst other things.”

  Niecey Girl stopped what she was doing as if she had something important to say.

  “You know, I haven’t had a man in two years, so I’m never the one trying to give out relationship advice, but it’s something I been meaning to talk to you about.” She paused for a second to gather her thoughts. “J- Rock is gone, Lines is gone and now Michelle, which I know is the best thing that ever happened to you relationship wise. All of these people are gone because of your lifestyle. How would you feel if something happened to me? I’m not saying this shit haven’t been gravy all these years, because I’ve benefited just like everybody else. But you and I both know the game don’t do retirement plans. I think it’s time for a change, Jay. I mean, what else do you need? You got plenty of money, legit businesses. What else you need to walk away?”

  Jay was stumped by the way Niecey Girl came at him. It was the second time in less than a week someone in his family was telling him to leave the game.

  “You been talking to your momma, huh?” Jay said, thinking it had to come from somewhere.

  “Not about you. I’m just telling you how I feel. You not just my cousin, nigga, you my best friend, and I couldn’t take it if something happened to you. People need you out here, not dead or in jail for life. I just think enough is enough.”

  “It’s not that simple, Niecey, but I hear what you saying. Honestly, I do.”

  “I hope so. ’Cause I believe life would be so much better if you left the game behind.”

  __________

  Michelle had flung herself into her work every day since she parted ways with Jay in a dramatic fashion. She was doing all she could to try and erase the magical night they had shared before he had stolen her heart and stuck a blade in it, all in a twenty-four hour turnaround. She convinced herself that Jay was a man she didn’t even know six months ago, and it should be almost effortless to get him out of her system. Still, she found herself extremely agitated, because deep down, she knew real feelings had developed between them. Each night for a whole week, she called Leslie and vented to her to keep from feeling sad.

  “And do you know this egotistical bastard has not even called once and tried to explain himself?”

  “Maybe that’s because there is no reasonable excuse for his actions other than the truth, which is probably something you’d rather not hear.”

  “Exactly. But you know what? The thing is, I’d rather know. It wouldn’t change a thing between us, but I’d still rather know the truth, whatever it is,” Michelle admitted.

  “Well, you know I was team Jason from the beginning, but this sounds like something that really could be a problem in the future. I mean, if he’s not who he says he is, then all the trust goes out the window. On the other hand, I think nobody’s perfect in relationships, and sometimes you might tell a little white lie for your own benefit. Hell, I know I do,” Leslie admitted.

  “Yeah, but is this a little white lie or some astronomical fairytale?”

  “That remains to be seen. I wish I had an opinion on which road to travel, but honestly, this time I don’t. I just want to see you happy, so do whatever your heart and mind can agree on.”

  “I’m not taking any more advice from you anyway. It’s your fault I’m in this mess in the first place.”

  Leslie gasped. “How dare you!”

  “Oh, cut the drama. Seriously, I appreciate you lending me your ear again. Lord knows I hate to be alone with my thoughts sometimes.”

  “Well, that’s what friends are for.”

  “Yeah, that and coercing you into dating no good men. Okay, I’m finished, I promise.”

  “You’d better be, heffa.”

  “I’ll talk to you later. I’m going to bed.”

  “Okay.”

  Michelle hung up from Leslie and sat on her sofa with the quiet stillness of her home making her feel uneasy. Just as she was getting used to the consistency of having a man in her life, here she was again on a Friday night all alone. Just like Jay, Michelle knew her and Jason had to talk at some point in order to retrieve her necklace, but outside of that, she had no idea what she would say. Nothing left to be said. If anything, he should have something to say. He should have a mouthful to say. She wondered if he was out on a date. Then she told herself she didn’t care. She should call him about the necklace right now at eleven pm, just to see if he was on a date or not. Either way, she could set up some way of getting her property from him and moving on. Yup, no time like the present, she convinced herself as she picked the phone back up and began to dial.

  “Hello?” Jay answered almost immediately.

  “Hello Jason. I was calling you because I left something that belongs to me at your house in my haste to leave.”

  “Yeah, the necklace. I wanted to call you about it, but I didn’t know if you would answer or not, so…”

  “Right, well I was just wondering would it be inconvenient for you to maybe drop it off somewhere tomorrow.”

  There was a long pause.

  “Listen, we don’t have to end things like this. I think I should at least have a chance to clear up some things that don’t make sense to you, and then, if we have to go our separate ways, at least we’ll know why.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “Not over the phone. Have dinner with me tomorrow.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “You have to pick up the necklace anyway. I mean, who else am I gonna give it to? Unless you wanna let me keep it as a souvenir?”

  “Hell no,” she said, but feeling herself being drawn into his conversation more than she wanted to be. “Look, I don’t wanna play games, okay? I just want my necklace, but I would like to know why you lied to me.”

  “Okay, just have dinner with me tomorrow. I have a lot I wanna say, and I don’t wanna s
ay it on the phone. I need to look you in your eyes to have this conversation. You wanna know the real? Well I’m gonna give it to you tomorrow night. I know I haven’t been that bad of an experience that I don’t deserve one last meal.”

  “Okay, okay. Where?”

  “Where else? Your spot, around seven.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  __________

  Jay arrived at Heaven on Earth early with Ray Ray and company by his side. They grabbed a separate table in the back and sat low key talking amongst themselves. Jay was escorted to a small intimate table for two along the wall. He had decided that if he was going to lose Michelle, it wouldn’t be without a fight. The fact was, he knew there would never be another Michelle Mitchell in his life. Maybe he’d find love one day, but he’d never find another Michelle. He knew Michelle was upset, but he didn’t know if she was upset enough to walk away from what they had so fast over something she knew nothing about. What he was about to tell her was as truthful as he could ever be with a news reporter from a completely different world with a different set of moral standards. For the first time ever, Jay was seriously considering leaving the game. Not just for Michelle, but for his family and his own future. Still, he had plenty of unfinished business.

  “Hello Jason,” Michelle said as she arrived at the table looking stunning in a red sleeveless low cut dress.

  “Hey, I’m glad you could make it.”

  “I said I would be here,” she said, taking a seat.”

  “How’s work?”

  “It’s getting pretty exciting. I’m set to do a fill in behind the anchor desk next week. It’s supposedly to help the station decide if I’d be a good fit for lead anchor.”

  “Yeah? That’s big. That’s what you wanted, right?”

  “Yeah, but I’m not getting my hopes up too high. It’s a lot of politics that go on behind the scene. But enough about me. I’m here to talk about you,” Michelle said, changing her entire facial expression from friendly to deadly serious in seconds.