Country Boy (7 page)

“Just chill Tex, that nigga will be here. He ain’t been able to get no money cause them P.G. niggas been on the look-out. I told you before nigga, be ‘bout yo’ business when it came to any of them cats. All them niggas love that gun play. That nigga Cam was known all around as a hard knock. Look what they did to him. They killed that nigga in tha public.”

“Yeah Da’, they up on some of my type shit. That’s why we have to see this nigga Dirk. He’s probably gangster, but he ain’t no damn fool. That nigga might roll Da’. That’s if he hasn’t done it already. Here he comes now. Aiight nigga, you just drive, I got this,” Tex said sliding into the backseat.

“Nigga don’t fuck my seats up. Wait until we get to the spot.”

“What up Da Da? What up Tex?” Dirk said before entering the car.

“What’s up homie?”

“Ain’t shit,” he said looking around nervously.

“What’s the word on the streets Dirk?”

“Man the police have swept that shit under the rug.”

That’s exactly what Da Da and Tex were looking for Dirk to say. They had already heard from a reliable source he was talking to the homicide detective about unsolved cases. It was only a matter of time before Umar’s case was one of them. Unknown to them was that the real snitch was Cam who was already dead.

“Where we going Da Da?” Dirk asked as he pulled out of the Food Lion parking lot.

“Sit tight nigga, just ride.”

“But I...” That’s when he felt the cold steel from Tex’s pistol.

“One word bitch and I’ll split yo’ mothafuckin’ wig. You think you can play both sides of the fence wit’ two real niggas?”

All Dirk’s years of street justice flashed right before his eyes. He had made mistakes before and recovered. But he knew there was no recovery this time. “If I could just reach my gat,” he thought. “These niggas think I’m a snitch.” Cam had scarred his name in the streets. He had the cops watching their every move. But as soon as Dirk found out he had it stopped. He never knew anything about the stick-up. Cam had put him in on it without telling him what was going down. Umar was a good dude. He sent word to The Crew and Kiki that he knew nothing about the killing. Whether they believed him or not was irrelevant. It cleared his state of mind for this day. A scene he had already lived a thousand times; the day he would choose death before dishonor.

“The only bitches I know,” said Dirk with a new burst of adrenaline, “was that snitch nigga Cam and the two bitches who couldn’t face Umar face to face and shot him in tha ba ...”

Boom! Brain matter and fragments hit the roof and front windshield.

“That’s yo’ bitch right there nigga!”

After dumping Dirk’s body in a dumpster they cleaned up the blood in Da Da’s hooptie.

“Damn Tex, I told you to wait ‘til we got on White Store Road.”

“That nigga didn’t wait ‘till we got there to get slick did he.”

“Well make sure we clean all this shit up. I’ll get a new windshield first thing Monday.”

Beep. Beep. Beep. “Bout time this bitch got back at me.”

“Who dat homie?”

“It’s Terri, Da Da.”

“What the fuck taking her so long to snag this nigga?”

“Chill homie. She says she need a little more time. You said yo’ self the nigga wasn’t slow.”

“I was talkin’ ‘bout on the draw nigga.”

“Whatever homie.”

Terri had been hard at work trying to lure Q into her wrath. Q had come by on several occasions and Tee and El were either depositing money or picking up supplies at Sally’s. Q stopped by one evening after returning from Charlotte seeing Kris. When he walked in Terri had a client under the dryer. She was glancing through a new book called ‘Little Ghetto Girl’ by this chick outta Charlotte named Danielle Santiago.

“Hi Q,” Terri said in an overly eager voice.

“What’s up Terri? Where’s El and Tee?”

“They went to pick up supplies for the shop. You just missed them.”

“Aiight. I’m gonna use the office to make a call.”

Q stepped into the office to call Poo, when the door opened and Terri walked in. Q had already peeped the game. He played along with her until it became serious.

“Q, can I ask you a personal question?”

“I don’t know Terri. I try to keep personal things personal, ya’ know?”

“Yeah I understand,” she said turning to leave.

Grabbing her hand he said, “Look Terri, I don’t know you that well ma, but I know women. Whatever it is that’s troubling you can be solved. You’re a beautiful woman Terri, a queen in my book. Don’t settle for anything less than the best. I might not agree with the people you associate with, but that’s your choice ma.” He then pulled her into his muscular arms whispering in her ear. “If there’s anything you need taken care of, just ask.” Kissing her lightly on the lips he released her. “Now, to answer your question; no, me and Tee are not together, but we’ll always be a part of each other lives. She helped me through some rough times in my life. I owe her a lot. I’m willing to put everything on the line for her and anyone she considers a friend. Even you.” Q turned and walked right out of the office leaving her standing there, completely forgetting about his call.

From that point on Terri fought with her inner feelings to no avail. She had fallen in love with her opposition. Left in the office all alone Terri began thinking, “never have I melted in a man’s arms that way. He showed so much compassion toward me. But why? I’ve never been told so many sweet things by a man before. Now I know why Tee could never totally free herself from him.” She knew from that moment on she could never deceive him.

“What’s up Tex?” Terri said. “I was only touching bases with you on our situation.”

“Our situation? Nah ma, yo’ situation. You said it would be a piece of cake Terri. Now tell me what the fuck’s going on?”

“I’m gonna need a little more time,” she said trying to stall Tex as long as she could.

“Look Terri, stop tha mothafuckin’ games. I gave you fifteen gee’s up front. Now it’s on you how you get it done, but yo’ ass better handle yo’ business.”

“Look Tex you can have your money back if...”

“Look bitch, yo’ ass in it to win it. I don’t need no fifteen gee’s. Ho I need you. Get me Q or get yo’ favorite dress out of the closet. Better yet just lay anything out. Yo’ shit’s gonna be a closed casket anyway. You know my M.O. Terri. Nobody’s safe, not even your child.”

Hearing Lil’ Ty’s name made Terri scream at the top of her lungs, “Don’t fuck wit’ my baby Tex. He’s our child nigga.”

“No Terri, he’s yo’ child. You have two weeks to come through. If not I will bleed yo’ whole family.” Click.

Terri was still holding the phone as if someone was on the other end. She knew Tex was a little strange when they met but would have never thought he was so vicious. By the time the rumors of his line of work got back to her it was too late. They were leaving the movie theater one night when Tex spotted one of his targets. He followed the man to his front door step, killing him before he could get his key in the door. To kill a man right in front of her like that meant he thought no more of her than a four legged dog. After that the abuse started until it was almost everyday. She was five months pregnant with little Ty when she left. She found a small apartment in Bennettsville, South Carolina, and stayed in hiding until Ty was born. She was working part-time and attending Chris Logan Hair School. That’s where she met Tashonda. She had big dreams of owning her own salon some day. She had never met the guy Tashonda always talked about 24/7, but she knew he had to be special.

After graduating from school Terri started working for a salon in South Carolina when Tashonda paged her and offered her the job. Once Tex found her, Ty was already walking. He talked her into letting his mother see his son. Terri was reluctant at first but finally gave in. She turned out to be very loving toward her only grandson. Terri and Tex never messed around again but she being his baby-mama made him think he still had ownership.

Ty had become ill with a severe case of bronchitis. Terri had no medical insurance so she called Tex. Tex gave her the money saying that she owed him. Not thinking about anything but her son she agreed to do what she had to do. When Tex finally told her what he wanted from her. Terri was stuck. Now Tex had stooped so low that he offered to sacrifice his only son. What could one man have done to make another hate him with such a passion.

“May I speak to Q?”

“Yes, may I ask whose calling?”

“It’s Terri from the shop Van, how are you?”

“I’m fine Terri... Well it’s was good talking to ya’ here’s Q”.

“What’s up Terri?” Q said looking back at Van giving her a wink. She smiled and said I love you.

“Hi Q I didn’t mean to bother you but ...”

“You don’t have to say no more. Where are you?

“At my apartment.”

“I’m on the way. Are you alone?”

“Yes.”

Hanging up the phone Q reached for his coat.

“Van keep your cell phone line free ma, something’s going on wit’ Terri. I’m hoping she comes clean so we can eliminate the bullshit.”

“Ok be careful babe.”

As soon as Q stepped inside Terri’s door she began crying uncontrollably.

“Come on Terri, you gotta calm down ma. What’s going on?”

She cried until Q’s shirt was soaked from her tears. Q held her close, “Terri talk to me. Does it have anything to do with your baby daddy?”

“It has a lot to do with him Q.”

“Well start from the beginning.”

After telling Q everything that was going on he leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

“I’m sorry Q; I didn’t have anybody else to turn to.”

“Listen up Terri. I don’t blame you for anything. If you can’t turn to your child’s father for help then who else do you have? It takes a true sucker to drag his child’s mother into something so serious, then to talk about murdering your own flesh and blood. Once you consider doing something as low as that there’s no turning back. I hate to see any child without their father. But Tex is going to die Terri. I can’t have no nigga walking around with that kind of hatred against me.”

“What happened between you two to make Tex be willing to kill his own son?”

“You know ma, that’s what makes it easy for me to gut this nigga. Until that night at the club I had never seen Tex. The only thing it can be is envy. If he kills me he thinks his street status will be sealed.”

“Does Tex know where you live?” He asked.

“No, but I’ve been getting some strange phone calls.”

“Okay look, I have someone I want you to meet. He’s my man Tim. Let me call him?”

“Aiight, but let me have that shirt to wash so your gurl’s won’t be trippin’.”

Q didn’t like undressing in front of her, but it would be hard explaining why he smelled like Terri. “Yeah that’s a damn good idea ma. I’ve already got enough problems.” Pulling off his shirt Q grabbed Terri’s cordless phone and began calling Tim. “Yo I need you to come over to my people’s house. The address is 3202 Erskine Dr.”

“Alright I’m on my way.” Terri was still standing behind him looking strangely at him when he placed the receiver on its stand.

“What’s the matter Terri?”

“Oh I’m sorry, I, I...”

“You’re gonna like my man,” he said cutting her off before things got out of hand.

“I can’t wait to meet him,” she said while walking to the laundry room.

When Tim finally arrived Q gave him the whole scoop on what was going on. Tim and Terri had only seen one another at the salon but they clicked as soon as they were introduced.

“Yo Terri, would it be aiight if Tim stayed here with you until we straighten this shit out?”

“It’s cool. The spare bedroom is down the hall.”

“Hold up homie, you know I got business on the set?”

“Yeah. That’s why I’m calling June. He can take care of all the work for a few days.”

“Big Kev and Corey got that nigga Young Jezzy up in that mothafucka tonight. You know that a nigga gotta roll up in that piece.”

“You can still go nigga,” Q said walking through the door. Yelling over his shoulder, “Make sure you got Terri wit’ you playboy.”

Sitting on the couch Tim grabbed the remote control and began flipping through the channels.

“Can I get you something to drink Tim?”

“Yeah water will be cool ma.”

Terri had slipped on a Baby Phat tank with matching shorts. When she returned Tim noticed that she had green eyes. “Damn this girl’s fine.” he thought to himself. “How could anybody wanna do something so beautiful any harm?” “So Terri, do they have a resident gym for the tenants here?”

“Yeah it’s on the other side of the complex, but it’s nice.”

“Do you work-out?”

“Sure,” she said standing up showing Tim her six-pack.

“That’s nice ma, but check this out,” he said raising his tank top. Tim was cut up nicely. No body fat anywhere. Terri was definitely impressed. After working out for a couple of hours they went back to her apartment.

“So Terri when’s the last time you been out ma?”

“I don’t go out Tim. I don’t have time. When I’m off work I spend most of my time with Lil’ Ty. But he’s been with his grandmother for two weeks. Now I have to figure out how I’m going to bring him back home without running into Tex.”

“Don’t worry ma, we’ll get your son back safely. But tonight I’m taking you to our club, that’s cool?”

“Yeah, cool.”

“
They Say It’s The Life”

By the time Q got in touch with June he had gotten pages from Asia and Big Kev. He called Big Kev first. “What up homie?”

“What’s good Q?”

“Nothing much Kev. Sittin here kickin’ it wit’ June and Pandora.”

Pandora was June’s girl from his hometown, Southeast D.C. She was a dime-piece. When Q had first seen her on The Block before he met June he liked her style. He could tell by the short answers she gave him that she was loyal to her man.

“Me and Corey have to pick up Jezzy and his crew at the Charlotte Airport.”

“Do you already have their rooms reserved?”

“Yeah homie, we got everything straight. Do you wanna ride? I can swing by and scoop you up.”