BY ANY MEANS
A novel
By
Marvlous Harrison
Smashwords Edition
Copyright © 2006 by James Harrison
Edited by James Harrison
Cover Design by James Harrison
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photo copying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from copyright owner.
This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblances to any events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
To order copies of By Any Means email Marvlous at
Marvlous@MarvlousPresents.com
BY ANY MEANS
By
Marvlous Harrison
Dedicated To:
To Hazel (P-Nut) Kearse. I know a lot of times I gave you the impression that I would never use the intelligence you birthed me with and I apologize for that (and all the gray hair I gave you along the way). I hope this can make up for some of the trouble and pain I caused you all the times you had to take that phone call about me being someplace you never had in mind for me. To Virginia Harrison. It’s been along time since you was taken from us and we missed you every day. I know a lot of times you looked down on me from heaven shaking your head in disgust.
Acknowledgments
First off I would like to thank my wife Deidra Harrison. You kept me together with this writing thing a lot of times when I was ready to fall apart. You was my more than an inspiration to me. I want to thank my children (all of them). Y’all kept me focused when I lost sight. I also want to apologize for some of the things I put y’all through, especially the older ones (Shakima and Destiney). You two saw me in a way none of the others ever did and I’m deeply sorry for that. Shakima, I know things are sometimes ruff for you, especially with the distance between us, but I’m always here when ever you need to talk (funny thing is I just called you to see how you was doing. But nobody answered). To Destiney, even though you haven’t seen me in a while I’ve seen you (I know you didn’t think I would just forget about you).When ever you need me I’ll be right here waiting, my number is still the same.
To James Fanning (Big Daddy), thanks for being there when I needed someone firm to keep my straight. And thanks for the education you provided for me (see the private school money didn’t go to waste).
To Wendell (Cocomoe), I know my teenage years were ruff for the both of us and I apologize for all the pain I put you through (physical and mental). Thank you for being there when I needed you. And I know you heard this a lot of times before but I’m gonna
tell you it again. I hope you get yourself together because even though your boys are grown, your girls still need you. It’s not too late for them.
To Onezy (my number one uncle), Donetta, Barbara, and Cheryl I still keep y’all in mind even though we barely talk anymore. To all my brothers and sisters (Sha, Coke,
Prinace, Precious, Diamond, Emerald, and even you Mimi) I bet this is the last thing y’all thought I would be doing. And Sha….hold your head brother you gonna make it. To my close friends (Pooh, Koo-Koo, Domo, Jamik, and even you Saeed), we finally got something to be proud of in the crew. And Saeed, I know it’s ruff for you right now but hopefully you’ll pull yourself together. If you ever need my help my invitation is still open. Keep your head on your shoulders cause you gave us a big scare, we thought we lost you. And oh yeah, I never once believed you took that money.
To all my kids; Shakima, Destiney,Ja-nia, Shyanne, Stanley (yeah you too. You was my first boy), Amber, Jaymee, and Rayzell (I know you’re too young to read this). I love y’all with all my heart and hopefully this will turn things around for us.
To Sintora, I never lost the love for you (even though you started to get on my nerves like the other two) and I hope you’ll be doing this next. And if I missed anyone on this one, don’t worry I’ll catch you on the next one.
Chapter 1:
“You have a collect call from ‘Boo’, an inmate in a New York State correctional facility. Would you like to accept the charges?” the computerized voice asked as the person on the other end. “Yes,” the young girl replied in the phone. The line went silent for a few seconds, except for a series of clicks, as the call was connected. “Hey what’s up? This Boo; who this?” the inmate said not really asking but demanding. “This Diamond,” the young girl answered already knowing it was for her older brother. He received jail calls frequently, sometimes several times a week, from his friends that were locked up in different correctional facilities. Her mother would complain about the bill but he would pay it. “Where’s Sha?” Boo asked. “Hold on for a second. I’ma call him up,” she told him before setting the receiver down. She went to the front window to call her brother up stairs. “Sha!” she yelled from the window. “What?” Sha answered in a raspy voice. “Boo on the phone!” she yelled down to him. Sha sprinted up the three flights of stairs to his mother’s apartment in a hurry to get the call.
“What up?” Sha asked his childhood friend once he reached the phone. “Nothin’ much. I’m just maintaining, countin’ the days away. You spoke to them people yet?” Boo asked Sha with a hint of concern in his voice. “Yeah, they said they got you when you hit the bricks. Everybody’s excited about you gettin’ out. We got a party and everything planned for you at Malik’s. Everybody gonna be there, family and all,” Sha said with excitement in his raspy voice. “That’s cool and all but I need that thing taken care of,” Boo told him unconcerned with the party. “I got you cuz. Don’t worry everything is taken care of,” he assured Boo. “Good; I know y’all probably think I’m buggin’ but don’t worry ‘cuz the end’ll justify the means. When we finish ain’t nothin’ movin’ but the money,” Boo told his right hand man. “You really goin’ through wit this, huh?” Sha asked. “Yeah I got to. Too much set in motion already. If I back out now I’ll lose everything and no body’d fuck wit me no more,” Boo answered. “I feel you cuz, we got your back no matter what. Our team is tight right now so what ever you want to do we wit it,” Sha said. “Yo, I just heard the phone beep so I only got a few seconds left. I might not call any more until they release me. I only got two days and a wake up left. I’m just gonna play the bars until my number is called. A nigga gotta make sure his shit tight before I get out,” Boo told him. “Aight cuz, I’ll see you when you touch asphalt. One,” Sha replied before hanging up. ‘My man is bugged out. We gonna have to keep them hammers close when he get out,’ Sha thought.
Sha and Boo went as far back as elementary school. They met when Sha and his mother moved to the neighborhood; that was in the fourth grade. Their chance encounter came because some young kids were ready to jump Sha over a seat in the cafeteria; he was scared to death. Boo stepped up to the plate for him. Not only did he make sure he didn’t get jumped that day, but he also made sure nobody else picked on him. They took to each other closer than most biological brothers. As they grew older they ran the streets together getting into small time things. For the most part Boo stayed in and out of jail. He caught his first case when he was 12 years old for riding in a stolen car. By then he already had a reputation in for being an avid fighter. He wasn’t a bully but he always seems to attract the attention of bullies. When he was 13 he got in a fight with an older gentleman inside a grocery store because of Sha. Sha suffered a diabetic attack and started acting crazy when the guy in the store thought he was starting trouble. Boo tried to intervene but the guy had his mind set on hurting Sha. When the smoke cleared Boo ended up with a manslaughter charge for hitting the guy with a baseball bat that he ran and got during the commotion. The judge thought Boo shouldn’t had came back after the fight was over but to him it wasn’t over until he finished it. He ended up doing four years in a juvenile detention center, and getting the street moniker ‘Boo Batter’. Sha held him down the whole time making sure he had everything he needed. He felt he owed Boo his life. nothing
When Boo got out of juvy he went back to the streets. His mother tried everything she could to keep him out the streets but it was in his blood. The males in his family were well known in the Bronx for everything from small time con games to murder and extortion. And all of them where known for their dangerous tempers. Boo witnessed his first homicide when he was 5 years old. His grandfather had taken him to buy ice cream from the ice cream truck when three Hispanic men from a rival gang approached them. They had put the ‘green light’ out on him for extorting some smaller crews in the area. He was cutting in on their heroin money. He was to be murdered on sight. “Just let me put my grandson down first,” he begged the three men. They allowed him to do so and it ended up costing two of them their lives. His grandfather got injured in the incident. He got 33 stitches and a punctured lung. Since the only witness was Boo he ended up getting 15 years in jail. He stayed in control of the streets for about half it. During the time Boo would write him and go to see him as much as possible. His grandfather would always be ecstatic to see him.
While Boo was locked up Sha hustled here and there making a name for him self in the streets as a good earner. He did hand to hand whenever he had to and wasn’t afraid of taking on the competition. He ran with a small, tight knit set of Crips that controlled a large area in the Tremont section. Sha went to high school with one of the leaders and while Boo was in jail he began to get cool with him. It wasn’t long before Sha had chosen to join the gang, although he held off until the right moment. When he turned them on to how much money was in his area of the South Bronx they were hooked. After the move was complete he joined them. He had a choice of initiations, either get jumped in or put in work. He wasn’t about to get jumped by a group of guys just to prove he could take a beating so he chose to put his work in. They wanted him to kill someone from a crew they were having run-ins with over a debt. They owed the guy some money and weren’t trying to pay him. For them it was a win-win situation. By Sha doing the hit they got rid of their beef and they gain another gunner. If Sha flipped and got caught they’ll just act as if they didn’t know him. He didn’t flip. They didn’t have too many people who were ready to kill so they needed another gunner. Sha was cool about it though. He didn’t brag about it or anything; he kept it to himself. They liked that about him and it wasn’t long before they had him controlling things. Sha got Boo put on with the gang once he hit the streets.
When Boo came home he got money with them but he wouldn’t join the crew officially. They didn’t like that; they felt he was too independent for them. He stayed close enough so they’d know he needed them but far enough to let them know that if he bounced he’d be alright. Together, they made a killing on the streets. Boo and Sha would leave the city to venture off to test the drug market. Most of the time they’d come back successful stacking away enough money to be comfortable, leaving the rest for the gang to eat off. Boo’s mother was an accountant and taught him as a child to always save his money. For the most part he did just that. He would make sure he always had ‘just in case money’. He knew the money he saved would be needed one day. He tried to get Sha to do the same but Sha rather spend his money on the better things in life like jewelry and partying. Often Boo would have to lend him money to get himself out of trouble that would have usually gotten him an ass whipping. Sha had a bad gambling habit.
They ran with the Crips for a while until Boo talked Sha in to robbing them with him. The robbery went smooth because they never found out who robbed them. They took the money and relocated to another state to open up shop. That lasted for a good while until they went to Virginia and ran into some trouble with a local crew out there.
The locals were mad that a couple of New York guys had came in and started taking their business away. It wasn’t long before they ended up getting in to a shoot out with a couple of people inside a neighborhood club called Jack’s. Boo got caught but Sha made it out safely. He knew he was stuck behind the eight ball down there so he took his money and invested it in a top notch lawyer who almost promised him an acquittal. Boo beat the charges in Virginia as expected but ended up being expedited back to New York City on an old robbery warrant. He knew it was a bogus charge and they were just doing it because he beat the other charges. When they got him back to New York City his stash was depleted and he couldn’t afford to get a good lawyer to beat the case so he settled for what he could afford. The lawyer he retained got some of the charges either thrown out or reduced. In the end Boo plead guilty to attempted robbery and did another 2 years in jail. He knew when he got out he either had to go legit or go hard. He wanted to go legit but he knew it would be hard for him. “Everybody does time when they in the game. You just have to know when to do yours,” his grandfather had told him when he was younger. He didn’t understand it then because of his immaturity but he did now.
The last two full days were the longest of Boo’s bid. He knew it was a mere 48 hours but it felt like an eternity. For the most part he kept to himself going out to the yard every chance he got to do extra sets of pull-ups and dips. He would do push-ups once he was back in the dormitory trying to help burn off the anxiety. Every once and a while someone would walk over trying to make small talk. On his last night he was approached by an older inmate name Bobby that he had gotten cool with while he worked in the commissary room. “Remember what we talked about young blood,” Bobby reminded him. “Don’t worry I got the wheels turnin’ already. By the time I touch down all I gotta do is go see your man,” Boo replied. “Aight young blood. I hope you know what you’re doin’ cuz if you don’t they won’t have no problem puttin’ you some where dark and cold,” Bobby warned him. “Just remember our deal. I get put on and you get your money every week as we discussed. And when you come home you’ll be more than welcome to join me,” Boo said. “I’ll keep that in mind but for now I’ll take my money,” he told Boo. Bobby had 20 years in for a bunch of wild cowboy shit and was up for release in 6 months. The thought of him jumping back in the game was tempting but for now he just wanted the money promised to him. His plan was to open a small business for himself. Just something big enough to generate an income for him but over the last couple of days he have been giving some thought to Boo’s offer.
Sha stood on the block mentally analyzing everything going on. He was figuring out how much money he would need to finance Boo's plan. He started doing something several weeks ago that he wasn't accustomed to doing, saving money. His instincts told him he should start saving for a rainy day just in case he had to get away in a hurry or needed lawyer money. Boo had told him all his life to always have stash money just in case something happen. He was mentally adding up all the money he had put away. He had $50,000 saved for what Boo wanted to do. He had another $15,000 stashed away for himself. He gave it to an aunt in upstate Schenectady, New York that no one knew about. He gave it to her in a black duffel bag and told her it was only $5,000. He was saving it to buy a new car. With her being ‘holier than thou’ he knew she would never look in the bag. He was also thinking that may be he should give his girl a couple of thousand to hold. He didn't trust her with his money but he figured if he told her it was emergency money she wouldn't touch it. Besides, he wouldn't give her that much. He also was thinking he should start looking for a more profitable place to stash his money. He thought about CDs and savings accounts he could put his money in. He figured he would wait until Boo came home to help him with that part.
As Sha stood on the corner brain storming a young girl called out to him, “Aye Sha…Sha! I know you hear me calling you!” “What's up Tai?” Sha asked her. “Nothing much. You heard from your man lately? He hasn't called me in like three days,” Tai asked. “Nah but you know how it is when they get ready to cut a nigga loose. He probably don't wanna run up any body phone bill when he gettin’ ready to hit the bricks,” Sha told her. “Oh aight. I thought I probably missed his call or something since I've been in and out of the house the last couple of days trying to get him straight for his coming home party,” Tai told him smiling. “Word; what you get him?” Sha asked. “I got him a couple of outfits so he’d be straight when he get out but I bought him one strictly for the party. I got him some Timbs and a pair of Jordan’s so he could switch up. He told me they made him take his earring out so I got him a new one. I was gonna get him a chain too so he’d really be straight but I thought that was a ‘lil over board. Besides, I didn't wanna get him a chain and catch some other bitch rocking it like she paid for it. You know how y’all niggas do when y’all come home,” Tai said jokingly. “Shit, I never did time before,” Sha snapped. “Yeah but ya peoples did and they probably pulled the same stunt on they girls when they came home,” Tai told him with a little humor and seriousness mixed. “True, but don't worry I don't think Boo gonna play you when he get out. He got too much on his mind already before he even get let loose to be thinkin’ about some other chicks,” Sha told her trying to ease her fears. “What ever. Y’all ready for the party tomorrow?” Tai asked changing the subject. “For sure! We got some shit lined up. Everybody comin’ from all over; mostly family and close friends though,” Sha said with excitement in his voice. “Good. I might let my sister come wit a couplea her friends but I'm not sure yet because you know how she get,” Tai said. “Word? I hope I catch her there,” Sha said with a little excitement in his voice. “Yeah I bet,” Tai said as she started to walk away. Sha stood there and thought about the prospect of running in to his old flame. “You funny. You be cool aight!” Sha called out.
“Yo Rah, do me a favor and go get my truck for me,” Sha asked one of his spot managers. “Aight; where you parked at?” Rah asked as he reached for the keys. “I'm up the block on 137. Like in the middle,” Sha answered as he handed him the keys. “Damn. Why you park all the way up there?” Rah asked as if he really didn't want to walk up the block. “I didn't wanna park on the block. Sometimes I think people be ridin’ by lookin’ for my truck to see if I’m out here,” Sha explained. “Aight yo,” Rah said as he started walking down the block. “Yo, y’all niggas wanna shoot some dice?!” Sha asked the rest of the people who were just standing around hanging out. “Yeah. You got some dice?” one of the guys replied. “I got some in the truck. We could play as soon as Rah get back unless one of y’all wanna go buy some,” Sha told them knowing no one would want to go buy the dice since they were superstitious. “Nah we'll wait,” one of the guys told Sha with a smirk.
When Rah returned people were starting to gather around as if they were waiting on something. “Yo, park by the fire hydrant!” Sha told him. As Rah parked the truck Sha yelled out, “Yo pass me the dice in the glove compartment and put on that new Raheem Allah CD!” “Raheem Allah? Come on man! You just puttin’ that shit on ‘cuz it's your man. If you wanna promote his shit then join his street team!” Rah joked. Before Sha could respond another joke rang out, “Yeah rap your truck wit his album cover!” “Hold up, I know y’all niggas ain't tryin’ to play me?” Sha asked angrily not really expecting an answer. “Chill son, we just fuckin’ wit you. We know that's your man and you just givin’ his shit some burn,” one of the guys name Bishop said trying to calm Sha down. “Aight yo, what ever. Rah turn that shit up to about four. It's too early to rock it hard,” Sha said with an attitude. Rah turned the stereo up and handed Sha the dice as he was getting out of the truck. The guys that were standing around knew Sha was just fronting; showing off his system. His truck was the hottest thing on the streets and everybody knew it.
“Yo Sha how much work you want me to bring out for the night?” Rah asked trying to discuss business. “I don't know. How much we got in the stash?” Sha answered in a low voice while everyone stood around the dice game not really paying attention to their conversation. “We got about six hundred packs left. I usually bring it all out but shit been slow for the last few days,” Rah told him. “For how long? How come you ain't tell me?” Sha asked annoyed. “We been slow for ‘bout a week. I thought you knew from the money I was givin’ you. I mentioned it to you ‘bout three days ago,” Rah answered sensing Sha was upset. “I don't remember but keep an eye on it; we shouldn't be runnin’ slow. I have to re-up tonight so I can hit you off,” Sha told him. “Aight I'll bring out what I got and move it while you handle that,” Rah said. “Cool but let ‘em run it. I want you to run wit me somewhere. We gonna run 24 hours so that tomorrow we could close early. I want everybody to come to my man's party at Malik's. In fact, let two of ‘em little niggas stay open to make up for the loss but I want you and a couple of others to come out wit me so y’all can meet my man,” Sha told him. “Aight let me go handle this and we can bounce,” Rah said. “Yo you shootin’ the dice or you gonna keep whisperin’ in your man's ear?” Bishop asked Sha. “Stay outta grown folks business!” Sha ordered. “What ever man. Just shoot the damn dice,” Bishop fired back.
When Rah returned him and Sha jumped in the truck and left. “Where we goin’ first?” Rah asked as they headed towards Manhattan. “First, we goin’ across the bridge to re-up so we don't have to worry about gettin’ our hands dirty later. Then, we goin’ to the mall in Jersey so we can go shopping,” Sha told him. “Shit I'm cool wit shopping so let's go see papi for them bricks,” Rah said enthusiastic. “Now that's what I'm talkin’ about. Shit, I gotta holla at Kima to see if she could get her girl Des to help her cook and bag the shit up for us so we'll have more time to run around and do us,” Sha told his right hand man while he reached for his cell phone to call Kima.
“Hello,” Kima answered. “Yeah this Sha. I need you to do me a favor,” Sha told her. “What kinda favor?” Kima asked. “I need you to cook dinner for me tonight,” Sha said in code. “Cool, what time you bringin’ the groceries for me to cook?” Kima asked knowing what he wanted. “About 7:30. You gonna need some help though. Call Des; I like her cookin’,” Sha said. “Aight, I'll call her,” Kima told him. “Aight do that. Oh yeah, I want y’all to come to my man's party tomorrow, “Sha said. “Cool, we’ll be there,” Kima told him before hanging up.
Sha sat there for a minute letting the wheels in his head turn while he continued his drive. As he entered Washington Heights Sha started talking again while Rah sat there and nodded to the music. “Yo listen, we gonna start doin’ 24 hour shifts. I want us to go hard so we can stack our money. Then we gonna let things cool off for a day or two while we open up a new spot,” Sha told him. “Who gonna run the over night? We just can't leave them young nigga out there by themselves,” Rah asked. “I'll get somebody to stay out there wit them,” Sha said while he circled the block to see who was out before he parked his truck. “Yo what ever you wanna do I'm wit it. Let's get this money,” Rah said letting Sha know he was down. “That's what I'm talkin’ about. Grab that duffle bag and let's go cop this work,” Sha said as he parked his truck about 2 blocks down form the building they were going to.
When Rah and Sha walked towards the building they noticed a new face they never seen before. This struck Sha as odd because the guys he dealt with usually didn't deal with strangers. They rarely brought in new faces and when they did that meant the person had to be connected with someone high up or they just got lucky. This bothered him. As soon as they got up to the apartment Sha asked his connect, “What's goin’ on; who the new guy out side?” as he shook his supplier's hand. “That's one of my lieutenant’s nephews. Don't worry; he's cool. So what can I do for you today Shaheed?” the supplier asked. “I need two keys and I wanna make a new deal. After I finish this I'm comin’ back for five more. What can you do for me?” Sha asked trying to get the his supplier to lower his price. “Five kilos huh? I'll tell you what, work with the two you’re getting today and we'll see what happen when you come back,” the dealer told Sha. “Come on pa. How you gonna do me like that? I don't want no consignment or anything I just lookin’ for a better price,” Sha reasoned. “Ok Shaheed, I'll tell you what. I'll take $2,000 of the price. Let's see what happens with that and in the future I’ll see if I can lower it again,” the dealer told him. “Aight,” Sha said as he passed the dealer the duffle bag he brought in with him. “Ok, have a seat while I get things ready for you,” the dealer told Sha. “Aight,” Sha said as he scanned the room for a spot to sit. “Rah go get the truck and meet me out front so we don't have to walk all the way back down the block wit this shit. And make sure the stash box is open when you see me comin’ out the building,” Sha instructed him in a hushed voice. “Aight,” Rah said as he headed towards the door. Several minutes later the dealer returned with the two kilos in the same duffle bag Sha had given him with the money. “Here you go Shaheed. Don't forget when you come back I'll see what I can do about lowering the price for you,” the dealer told Sha. Sha took the bag and just shook his head in agreement. He was pissed off but he knew not to say anything out loud.
As Sha walked out the building he noticed that the same guys were still out side talking. When he walked through them everybody stepped aside except for the new guy. “What's up son?” the new guy asked Sha. “What’s up? You don’t know me like that yo,” Sha told the young kid. “I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Mike but every body call me Sic,” he told Sha. “Sic? Well next time just say what’s up instead of standing in my way like we got beef,” Sha warned him. “You right son. I apologize for that. It’s just my dogs told me you the man to see in the streets,” Sic told him trying to ease his anxiety by stroking his ego. “Yeah? Well I’m too busy right now to stand around and kick it wit you. Come through and see me; we’ll talk,” Sha told him letting him know the conversation was over. “Ok, I’ll see you later,” Sic said while Sha was walking towards his truck. “Aight,” Sha said as he stepped in the waiting truck. He tossed the bag in the stash box concealing it from any prying police officers that might pull them over. “Who was that?” Rah asked. “Some kid name Sic that act like he wanna get to know me. I don’t know what’s wrong wit these kids today,” Sha said annoyed. “Sic? What the fuck is a Sic?” Rah asked also annoyed that some body had the nerve to step to Sha. “I don’t know but we gonna find out. Pass me that other cell,” Sha said asking for his secure cell phone that he only used for calls like this that wasn’t connected to him in any way just in case he had to get rid of it.
“This is Shaheed, can I speak to Mateo?” Sha asked the person on the phone. “Como esta? I called to ask about your lieutenant’s nephew. Yeah the young guy outside. He stopped me on my way out the building. He tried to introduce himself to me but he was rude about it. Yeah? Ok tell him to meet me at Malik’s tomorrow night. I’ll be in there. I usually don’t discuss business when I’m enjoying myself but I’ll make an exception this time. Ok peace,” Sha said and then hung up.
“So what’s the deal wit dude?” Rah asked trying to get a fill of things. “He supposed to be on the up and up so I’ma talk to him and see what’s what,” Sha answered. “Aight. You want me to check him out on the streets?” Rah asked. “Yeah, get the 411 so we’ll know what we working wit,” Sha answered.
The rest of the ride to Kima’s house was quiet except for the rap music playing. “Yo dog we here,” Rah told Sha snapping him out of his trance. “Damn already? Aight circle the block so we can see if anybody out here that shouldn’t be,” Sha instructed him. When they circled the block Rah pulled into the parking lot connected to the building so they would be only several steps away.
“Kima? Yeah this Sha, I’m downstairs I’m comin’ up. Have the door open cuz,” Sha told her. “I’m comin’ up wit you. Home girl be walking around half naked,” Rah said excited. “Come on but don’t say nothing outta pocket ‘cuz she not gonna want me to bring you up any more,” Sha warned him. “Aight,” Rah said with a big Kool-Aid smile. “She from the ‘hood but she real funny. So be cool,” Sha said giving his friend the inside track.
When they got up stairs just as Rah expected Kima was walking around in her panties and t-shirt; Rah was elated. “Why don’t you put something on,” Sha told Kima with big brother type of authority. “Put something on? Please I live here, y’all visiting. Besides, it’s not like any of y’all never saw a girl in her panties before,” Kima told them both as she continued to walk around getting ready to do what she had to do. “What ever. I was just tryin’ to keep you from gettin’ attacked by man,” Sha said jokingly. “Don’t listen to him Kima. I’d never do nothing like that,” Rah said with a big grin. “What ever. I guess that’s for me?” Kima asked motioning towards the black bag. “Yeah. Where your home girl at?” Sha asked. “She’ll be here soon. I’ma start gettin’ shit together,” Kima answered. “Aight, make sure you cook this up good. I need all my money back,” Sha told her. “And make sure you and your girl come to the party tomorrow tonight,” he added. “We’ll be there,” she assured him. As they left the apartment Sha starting thinking to himself about the party. “Come on let’s go shoppin’,” Sha told Rah with a grin.
Chapter 2:
As Tai walked towards her building she started daydreaming about her man coming home. She had everything planned. First she was going to pick him up, even though it took her a while to convince herself to drive up state to get him. Then she was going to bring him home and give him a nice shower to help him rid himself of the stench of the penal system. Hopefully while they were in the tub she could get the kind of sex she fantasized about for the past few months. Afterward she would cook him a nice light snack so the first thing he would taste as a free man was her cooking, if not her. Then she would dress him in one of the outfits she brought for him so he could visit his family and not have to worry about his appearance. Hopefully he would let her go with him, if not then she’ll just let him borrow the rental car she got for the week to chauffer him around. When everything is done for the day they’ll go back to her house and she’ll give him the best sex he ever had before they go to the party. ‘Fuck him and feed him,’ she thought with a smirk.
“Tai!” a voice called out breaking her train of thought. It was one of the young girls that lived in her building. “Hey what’s up girl?” Tai asked the young girl. “Nothin’ much. Your sister came by lookin’ for you earlier. She told me to tell you to call her as soon as you got on the block,” the young girl said. “Did she say about what?” Tai asked trying to figure out what her sister wanted. “Nah,” she answered. “Ok thanks. How’s the baby?” Tai asked trying to make small talk. “He’s fine. He startin’ to walk and talk now so I let him watch things that’s educational,” she answered. “Oh yeah? I have to get him a nice learning toy to play with,” Tai said with genuine excitement. “You don’t have to do that. That boy got more than enough toys,” she said not wanting to be a charity case. “Girl it’s ok. I don’t mind,” Tai said as she waved her off and walked in the building.
Tai’s apartment was decked out. She lived in a prewar building turned in to condominiums in a bid to bring the property value up in Harlem. She was one of the few people who actually could afford to stay. The owner was asking big money for the condos but with Tai being a social worker with no responsibilities she jumped at the opportunity of owning something valuable. The owners made sure they renovated the apartments so they’d be worth the money they were asking for it. Tai’s apartment had a small but a very nice hot tub big enough to for two to three regular size people. She had mirrors on the walls in the living room resembling a dance studio with a white leather sectional. It also had a nice surround sound entertainment system but no television. Her bedroom was not as simple but just as nice as the living room. She had a queen size, brass canopy bed that sat in the middle of the room on a plush, cream colored carpet. She had a 27” plasma TV that hung on the wall. Besides the bed there were only two small nightstands in the room. The dresser was against the wall on the inside of a walk-in closet. When you first walked in the room it made you wonder where she kept her intimate items until you realized the depth of the closet.
She sat her bags down on the bed and started to undress so she could get undressed. She then grabbed the phone and called her sister’s cell phone. When she got her voice mail she started not to leave a message but decided to do so instead. “Hey this is your sister. I heard you was looking for me so I’m calling to see what you wanted. When you get in call me back. I’ll be here ‘til about 7. After that hit my cell. Bye,” Tai said. She looked at her watch and saw it was only 5:30. She had enough time to relax in the hot tub. She began to run her bath water and let the hot tub fill up as she did last minute things around the apartment. One of the last things she did was grab her towel and her dildo. She needed to relieve some tension and anxiety since she hadn’t had sex in nine months.
As Tai sat in the hot tub thinking about Boo and all the fun they were going to have her telephone rang. “Shit! Somebody’s always calling at the wrong damn time!” Tai said out loud. “Hello?” she asked annoyed. “Hey what’s up? What you doin’?” Tai’s sister Toi asked. There was a bunch of noise in the background. “I was taking a bath. What do you want?” Tai asked angry she was interrupting her. “I was calling about the party. I wanna go,” Toi said flatly. “For what, so you and your friends can act a fool?” Tai asked smartly. “We gonna act right. I promise,” Toi pleaded. “What ever Toi. Just remember when they kick y’all out for acting up I’m not stopping ‘em,” Tai said toughly. “Thanks and don’t worry we won’t embarrass you,” Toi said before hanging up. ‘I don’t give a fuck,’ Tai thought trying to relax again.
Toi was Tai’s identical twin sister. They both had the exceptionally beautiful good looks but Tai had the brains. She was the sensible one. What ever Toi lacked in common sense she made up in ferociousness. She was a project girl to the heart. She ran with a group of girls who were in to everything illegal from boosting to selling drugs. Toi and Tai usually didn’t hang out in the same circle so it was odd to see them in the same place together. Once she dismissed the thought of her rowdy sister partying with her she finished what she began.
‘Shit its 6:30!’ Tai thought as she hurried around the bathroom trying to get her self together to meet her ride on time. She couldn’t believe she dozed off; she’d been sitting in the hot tub for almost an hour. Her skin was wrinkled from the over exposure of the hot water. ‘Now I gotta rush and get dressed. Fuck it, It was worth it,’ Tai thought with a wicked smile. As she tied her sneakers her intercom rung. It was a loud, awkward bell that always startled Tai, especially if she wasn’t expecting anyone. “Who is it?” Tai asked in the intercom. “It’s me Cheyenne,” a sultry voice answered. “I’m comin’ down,” Tai said. She gave her condo a once over making sure everything was in it’s place before heading out the door. When she got down stair the girls who hung out in front just stared at her jealous. None of them would say anything to her directly because of her sister. They knew it would be too much of a problem. The young girl who stopped Tai on her way in made sure she broke the ice by speaking to her again. “That sweat suit is tight Tai,” she said. “Thanks girl. Why don’t you come to Malik’s tomorrow. I’m having a party there,” Tai said to the young girl. “Malik’s? I’ll be there,” the young girl said elated.
When Tai got in the waiting car her friend Cheyenne asked, “What’s up girl; why you go invite them ‘hood rats to the party?” “Nah she’s cool. Besides, I only invited her to piss the rest of ‘em haters off,” Tai said. They both erupted in laughter. “So where we gotta go to get the car?” Cheyenne asked. “We going to the airport out in Jersey. I already got the car reserved all we gotta do is pick it up,” Tai said. “Aight first I want to stop and pick up my niece. I need someone to drive back with me after you pick up the car,” Cheyenne said. “Aight. What you got to listen to up in here?” Tai asked looking through the CDs in the car. “I got a couple of mixed Cds. As a matter of fact put on that Flava King CD. It got some nice music on it,” Cheyenne said. Tai put the CD on as they cruised towards the 138th Street bridge. It took them about 30 minutes to get to Cheyenne’s niece. When they pulled up to the building on East 174h Street her niece was waiting outside with several guys. When her niece ran up to the car one of the guys called out, “Aye Chyna who’s your peoples?” “My aunt Cheyenne and her friend Tai!” Chyna answered with a smile. She knew the guys were open because Cheyenne was only a couple of years older than her and was pretty as hell. Not to mention she owned a milk white Mercedez Benz CLK. “Hook me up Chyna,” the guy said. “They married!” Chyna said lied hopping in the car. They all laughed as Cheyenne pulled off leaving the guys staring in awe.
“You better tell them young boys to go find some chicks they age and stop messin’ wit grown folk,” Cheyenne joked. “Where we goin’?” Chyna asked enthusiastically. “We drivin’ Tai to Jersey to pick up her car and after that we ridin’ around for a while,” Cheyenne told her. “Can we go to the mall out there?” Chyna asked hoping her aunt would say yes. “I guess so. I have to pick up something for the party tomorrow and before you even ask the answer is no,” Cheyenne said shooting down any thoughts her niece had of joining her. “Come on auntie I’m 19 and besides you only three years older than me. When you gonna let me party wit you?” she asked angry. “I don’t know. We’ll talk about it later,” Cheyenne said trying to quiet her niece. “What ever. You know damn well you not gonna let me go wit you. That’s alright though, because one of these day you gonna tell me no and I’ma go any way,” Chyna said frustrated. Tai laughed at the conversation. “You might as well let her hang out wit you this way you can keep an eye on her,” Tai said defending Chyna. “Yeah you right. Chyna you could come but the first time you act up you goin’ home and you not hanging out wit me again. You hear me?” Cheyenne said sternly. “Yeah…damn,” Chyna said annoyed.
When they got to the car rental office at the airport everything was set up. All Tai had to do was pay for the car. The rental agent went to retrieve a nice white Sebring convertible coupe. Tai knew she’d look hot in it. It was late spring and already hot outside so she’d be able to put the top down. When the other two girls saw the car Chyna was ecstatic. “Ooh, can I ride wit you Tai?” she asked excited. “Ask your aunt. As long as she say’s its cool then it’s ok wit me,” Tai said. Chyna didn’t even wait for an answer from her aunt. She jumped in the car and asked, “Can I put the top down?” “Go ahead,” Tai told the eager teen. Tai then turned around and asked her friend in the next car, “What mall you wannna go to?” “Newport Mall, they got better things,” Cheyenne said. “Aight start out and I’m going to follow you,” Tai said.
When they pulled in to the mall’s parking lot Cheyenne noticed Sha’s truck parked next to the entrance. “Isn’t that Sha’s truck?” Cheyenne asked. “I think so, but I don’t remember him having a long scratch like that on it. He musta gotten in an accident or something,” Tai said wondering about the scratch. “He must be up in here tricking,” Cheyenne said with a bit of jealousy. “Now Cheye, I know you not hating ‘cuz he doin’ him? I thought you said you wasn’t sweating him nomore?” Tai asked teasing her friend knowing she was jealous she wasn’t getting his money anymore. “I am but I could still hate,” Cheyenne said as they walked through the revolving doors. “I should call his cell so we could see how ugly the girl is he got wit him,” Tai teased. “Yeah go ahead,” Cheyenne agreed. The three girls bust out in laughter as Tai pulled out her cell phone.
After three rings Tai was about to hang up when she heard someone else’s voice answer instead of Sha. “Hello is this Sha?” Tai asked the person. “Nah, who this?” Rah asked knowing it was Tai. “This is Tai. Is this Rah?” Tai asked starting to catch on. “No this is Rahmel Mr. Shaheed’s personal assistant. Is there something I can help you with?” Rah asked sounding professional, holding back his laughter while he and Sha watched the girls out of a store window. “Get the fuck outta here! Put Sha on the phone,” Tai said laughing hard. “I will but first tell me who’s the pretty young girl wit you and Cheyenne,” Rah said as they left the store and started to walk up behind the girls. “What? How you know who I’m wit?” Tai asked not realizing they had to be watching them. “Because I’m so desperate for a girl I follow chicks around the mall,” Rah said laughing as he tapped Tai on the shoulder. Tai turned around startled they were able to walk up on her with out her or the other girls noticing. “You play too fucking much Rah!” Tai snapped while the two guys erupted in laughter. “What’s up y’all?” Sha asked the girls. “Nothing. We saw your truck outside and thought you was in here tricking your money on some skank,” Cheyenne said cutting her eye at Sha. “Yeah we thought you were in here wit some ‘hood rat,” Tai chimed in. “Nah I been stopped trickin’ once I became a bachelor again,” Sha said taking a stab at Cheyenne. “What ever. What happen to your truck? It got a nasty scratch on it,” Cheyenne asked acting concerned. “I don’t know. I came out the house the other morning and saw it. I think some chick I wouldn’t hit anymore did it,” Sha said.
“Well you still didn’t tell me who your pretty friend is,” Rah said trying to change the subject. “Her name is Chyna. She’s Cheyenne’s niece and she’s too young for you,” Tai said letting Rah know she was off limits. “Too young? You don’t even know how old I am,” Rah said trying to get her to ease up. “It don’t matter. We came here to shop,” Cheyenne butted in. “Well we shopping too. Why don’t we shop together?” Rah asked trying his best to get them to let him talk to her. “What ever,” Cheyenne said. They began walking around trying to cover as much ground as possible before the mall closed. Every body was silent for a while, except for Rahmel and Chyna, going from store to store looking at the different things, buying what ever they thought was nice.
As the group walked through the parking lot heading towards their cars the conversation started to pick up again. “So you gonna meet Boo at the bus station or you want me to?” Sha asked trying to make small talk. “Nah I got it. I’ma drive up to there and pick him up,” Tai said. “Drive up there? Girl, you know he like four hours away right?” Sha asked shock. “I know. I’m leaving about twelve tonight so I’ll get there a little early and just rest in the car ‘til they let him go,” Tai answered as if she had everything planned. “I’ll tell you what, why don’t you take my truck so you have more room to stretch out in and you could leave your car wit me,” Sha suggested trying to be helpful. “That sound like a good idea. I’ll think about it and call you before I leave,” Tai said. “Ok cool. We gonna follow y’all back across to Manhattan and in to the Bronx,” Sha said to the girls. “Why don’t you ride wit my aunt so me and Rahmel could ride together,” Chyna said out of the air. Everybody looked at her like ‘what the hell’ but Rah agreed. Cheyenne looked at her niece with a look that could kill but didn’t say anything. Every body paired up and separated. As they drove back to the city Tai drove alone while Cheyenne and Sha drove back together. Rah and Chyna drove back in Sha’s truck getting acquainted. Once they got back to the Bronx they switched cars and went their separate ways. Rah and Chyna made plans to meet up later that night so they could finish getting to know each other better.
When Tai got to her building she knew she only had a little time to get herself together. She freshened up and put the bags away. Afterwards, she grabbed something to eat and headed back out the door. When she got in the truck she started looking for some music to listen to. She looked around the truck and for the first time noticed how much Sha’s truck was hooked up. He had TV’s and a Sony PlayStation in the back not to mention a sound system. She smiled and said thought, ‘Yeah I’ma be straight,’ and pulled off.
As she neared the jail she saw several diners around she could get something to eat from. She went to one of the diners and got herself a snack before heading to the jail’s parking lot. To her it felt funny. She never did it a bid with someone before let alone went to these lengths to make sure they were straight when they came home.
******
Sha sat in his apartment wondering what he was going to do tonight. He had a nice drop top coupe, new clothes and it was a nice Spring night. He thought about calling Rah to go out to a club or something but decided against it. Then he thought about calling a girl he could front with. But the girl had to be bad, not just some ‘hood rat. He looked through his cell phone and came the T section. He looked at Toi’s number. He wondered if it would be alright to call. He decided to call Tai first to see if it was okay. “Hey you crashed my truck yet?” Sha asked joking once he heard Tai’s voice. “No in fact I was thinking about watching a movie when I get up there. Which I wanted to ask you; why you got a chick flick in your ‘Thug Mobile’?” Tai asked. “I took my moms and little sister shopping up in Pa. I brought it so they’d have something to watch,” Sha explained. “Yeah what ever. What you call me for?” Tai asked laughing. “I called to see if your sister would be mad if I called her,” he said getting straight to the point. “I don’t know. She never said she didn’t want to speak to you but if you don’t have the number then I’m not giving it to you,” she said bluntly. “I got her number but I don’t know if she changed it,” he said with a slight grin on his face. “Well then go a head and call her. Oh yeah, don’t be having no chicken heads in my rental,” she said joking. “Don’t worry I won’t. And you and Boo better not make any side stops in my truck on your way back either,” he joked back. They both laughed and hung up after saying their good byes.
Sha sat on the on edge of his bed with the phone in his hand thinking if it was a good idea or not to call Toi. After several minutes he said ‘fuck it.’ and called. After the second ring Toi picked up. Her voice wasn’t as sensual as Tai’s but it was just as pleasant. “Hello, can I speak to Toi?” Sha asked acting as if he didn’t recognize her voice. “Speaking,” Toi said with a slight attitude after realizing it was Sha. “Listen, before you hang up on me. I was wondering what you doin’ tonight,” he said. “I’m busy; why?” Toi asked curiously. “Because I let your sister borrow my truck so I could go out wit you,” Sha joked trying to ease the tension. “Well, you should’ve known not to trust her because I’m not going out wit you,” Toi said bluntly. “Relax. I’m just messing wit you. But I would like to take you out tonight, if it’s ok,” he said. “Gimme a few minutes to think about it and I’ll call you back,” Toi said and hung up before Sha could reply. Sha sat there with the receiver in his hand feeling like he just got played. He slammed the phone down and said ‘Fuck it’. He got dressed and was getting ready to leave the house when he realized that he couldn’t find the keys to the rental. He tore the house up looking for them for about 15 minutes before he found them.
His cell phone vibrated from a call just as headed for the door. He looked at the number and didn’t recognize it. He wasn’t going to answer when something told him to. “Talk to me,” he said answering the phone. “You still waitin’ for me to call?” Toi teased. “Listen, I don’t have time for your games,” Sha said coldly. “Relax I was just messin’ wit you like you was messin’ wit me. So, you still wanna hang out or what?” Toi asked. “Yeah. Where you wanna meet?” Sha asked. “I’ll meet you on your block in about 45 minutes. Ok?” Toi asked. “Aight I’ll meet you but don’t be playin’ any more games,” Sha said not appreciating the joke. “Don’t worry I won‘t,” Toi said and hung up.
Just as promised Toi met Sha on his block. She saw him sitting in the convertible and walked over to him. She tapped on the glass and asked, “So, you dropped your girl off and came back, huh?” “Yeah I didn’t think you’d like he company so I took her home,” Sha said with a wry grin. “What ever. You gonna get out and talk to me or do you want me to get in?” Toi asked. “Get in,” he replied. Toi got in the car and they sat and talked for a while about different things they’ve been up to since the last time they spoke. After about 20 minutes Sha started the car up and pulled off. “Where we goin’?” Toi asked curiously. “I don’t know yet but I have to take care of a couple of things before we go anywhere. You ridin’ or you scared?” Sha asked teasing. “Scared? Come on now. You don’t even believe that shit,” she said. “Well then don’t worry. I’ma do what I gotta do then we could go where ever,” he assured her. “You could’ve handled your business first then met wit me,” she said. “You right but I didn’t think you was gonna come. Don’t worry though I’ll make it quick,” he said trying to not to get her riled up.