My mom kept shaking her head no, as she tried to clutch on tight to my father. A single tear escaped his eye as he kissed her on the lips and looked at me and winked, nodding his head at me.
“Remember all that shit I taught you, boy… no matter, what stay true to yourself. I love y’all, even after death.” He coughed again as we heard knocks at the door. He whispered, “Go now.” As he picked his gun up, I gripped mine and pried my mom off him. It was hard as fuck to hold her up, but I used all of my strength. I refused to see my mom die. Giving my dad one more look, I told him I loved him for the last time and practically dragged my mom out through the kitchen.
Soon as we made it to the back door, that’s when I heard the loud banging at our front door, then kicking. I spotted my dad’s all black Lincoln Navigator and placed my mom inside. Soon as I jogged around to the driver side, I heard the loud gun shots that shattered me inside. I wanted to run back in and go to war with whoever. Instead, I pulled off feeling sick. My eyes were blurred but not blurred enough to spot my uncle Prince’s car sitting at the end of the block.
Shaking off those painful memories, I trekked through the woods to my awaiting truck. I vowed to get all three of them niggas back and, so far, I had one down with two to go. I didn’t care what my dad said about letting my uncle be. Fuck him not knowing better; he crossed the wrong man.
While he was living it up, my mom and I were still in great pain from the loss of my father. I wanted to look my uncle in the eyes and ask him why. Right now, he was untouchable, likeI was. He ruled Texas, from what I was hearing. He also had his hands on Birmingham; my father always made sure shit was cut down the middle with him and Prince. So, I knew it wasn’t hard for him to get put on and have the extra protection. He was trained just as good as my father so, when I came after him, it would have to be with my best game.
He sent threats to California; I sent threats back to Texas. We would have our day, but I was determined to get to Troy’s ass next. Hopping back in the truck, Hussle, my cousin, sparked up a blunt and passed it to me. I inhaled it deep and released it as I got back on the road to take him to Jackson Mississippi airport. He needed to get back to his pregnant woman, like I needed to finally go check in on my mom.
It had been two years since I’d seen her. We talked on the phone daily but, after that painful night of losing my father, it became too painful to look her in her eyes. When I saw her, I expected to see my dad as well. Now, it was only her. I did not tell her I was even out here yet. I just planned to pop up on her. I was upset that she refused to move to Cali like I begged her. I had shit so sweet out there, I could retire at the age I was now, before I even hit thirty. I had Hussle in charge of everything, while I remained the supplier for Cali and down south.
“Cuzzo, you straight cuh?” Hussle typed something out on his phone as he looked at my side profile. I simply nodded my head; I was a man of few words. If there wasn’t a serious need to talk, I wouldn’t say shit. People around me got the picture and just let me do me. I lived in a world of my own.
“When we get back, I want you to meet with my boy, Cream… The nigga is legit, and cleaning money is his thang.”
“I know that nigga already… you need to stop smoking so much and start remembering shit… his wife Rellianah use to do business with me and my old man; now they both legit.”
My mind went back to the first time I met Rellianah. She was the baddest bitch I had ever come across. I even tried to put my best game down on her; I was on a business trip with my father. She turned me down with a smile, telling me I wasn’t ready for the type of shit she was packing. I loved plus sized women; shit, I grew up in the south. I gave up on shooting my shot when Cream’s ass pulled me to the side, claiming that she was his woman. He even said how she didn’t know it yet, but he would gladly take me out if I caused any problems. Not that he scared me, but I respected him for being upfront. I didn’t feud over pussy; it was too easy to get.
After making small talk with Hussle, we finally arrived at the airport. I told him I would get up with him in a few days and got right back on the highway to return to Meridian. I had a lot on my plate, but that was the norm for me. I was ready to make it to downtown Meridian to finally come face to face with the woman who birthed me. I was already itching to make it back to Cali. Mississippi reminded me to much of my dad. Every street and corner I passed by was like images of him popping up. It was like torture to my insides just being here. But when it was all said and done, I was determined to get my own personal justice for King Sr.
Chapter 2
Layloni
Tired as hell just wasn’t the word. My ankles were swollen, and I had been atTammy’s Restaurantfor the past 10 hours. Someone called in, and I was happy to pick up the extra hours. My lights were about to get cut off and my so-called boyfriend was somewhere running the damn streets, claiming he was making some kind of money.
I loved my man, don’t get me wrong. But, some days, it felt like I hated him just as much. I was only twenty-one dealing with more than I could bear. Me and Glen had been together since Jr high. He just seemed to always have bad luck on his side. Then there was my crackhead momma always saying shit like, I was just a scapegoat to him. But what did that shit mean, when crack was a scape goat to her? Ever since my father left her when I was fourteen. I had been carrying her pathetic ass too; I just needed some kind of break before I became broken completely.
Calling Glen on my break for the tenth time, I sighed and put my phone back in my pocket as I limped back inside to finish off my last two hours. My feet were hurting bad from the raggedy Chuck Taylor shoes I had on my feet. A thunderstorm was coming, and I wanted to make sure he was going to pick me up.
Usually, I would catch the bus home and walk eight blocks until I reached the Meridian projects. Rushing out the house to get away from one of my mother’s daily rants. I left my damn wallet and already knew that she took my last couple of dollars that I had in it. Dealing with drug addicts was one thing but having to live with them was on an whole other level. I constantly had to hide shit; each time she found my hiding spots, I became exhausted. My breaking point with Charlette was her offering to suck my man’s dick for a piece of crack, which was why I stressed to him day in and day out to not serve other feigns around her.
Shaking my head at the thought, I became frustrated with my life. I felt the tears well up in my eyes. Blinking them back and putting on my fake smile, I relieved my manager from the register to take the next order. It was only three of us working, so we all rotated. I played all roles here atTammy’s.I refused to complain when I knew it was the only job I could get and keep with no high school diploma.
Some days were easy; other days were hell here. I appreciated my job and continued to maintain good work ethics to be able to keep it. Glen was in and out the streets and also jail. I couldn’t depend on his income at all. I didn’t want to either; I knew he loved me, but he was just as selfish with his money. We struggled, and he still maintained fresh kicks and a nice car that he couldn’t even afford. He cared too much about what the streets thought about him instead of putting his priorities in check.
“You gone take my order or keep standing there looking dumb as fuck?”
Snapping my eyes up with hell of attitude, I had to blink a couple of times at this handsome man that stood before me looking perfect. His jet-black skin was so beautiful and smooth looking. His white teeth aligned perfectly. He was so tall, I hadto tilt my head back to stare into his midnight deep-set eyes. The look on his face displayed he had a lot on his mind. I humbled myself instead of cursing him out. I took his order, then went to the back to give it to the cook. My manager looked up at me with a smile on his face. Touching my shoulder, he said the magic words.
“Gone and get out of here a little early Layloni. I’ll still put you down for 12 hours. You need to get a head start getting home; the rain is about to come. I can smell it.”
Shaking my head no, I finally spoke, “It’s okay Mr. Vandross. I’m not trying to leave you and Diaz hanging tonight.”
I had their backs. Just because I was tired, there was no way I was willing to leave them hanging and it was only two of them.
“Girl, gone child, we got it,” he waved me off. “Tammy just called and told us to shut down. I’m going to have Diaz put the closed sign up now. You know that thunder and rain cut off our electricity.”
He had a point. When it rained and thundered out here, things would cut off, making it hard to work or even be at home. Truth was, I really did not want to go home, nor did I want to face the fact that my so-called man still didn’t return my calls or answer my text. I would have to walk at least 2 hours until I made it home. Stopping along the way to rest my feet would work, but it still got super dark. I didn’t have a jacket nor an umbrella. It would be just my luck to start my journey home, and it start pouring down hard on me.
“Okay Mr. Vandross, I’ll see y’all tomorrow.”
“You want to wait till we close, and I can give you a lift home? Or is that man of yours coming to get you?”
I told him no. Swallowing down my dumb ass pride; I prepared to gather all of my things. Mr. Vandross and his wife, Tammy, had been like a second set of parents to me. I just didn’t believe in pushing all my problems on folks. I was grown andI felt like I needed to handle my own shit without pushing my baggage on other people.
