The Streets Keep Calling (11 page)

I knocked on the door knowing Trixy could see me through the peephole. She didn't answer at first, but I knew she was home because her car was parked outside. I kept knocking, knowing she probably was looking right at me. I knew she was getting pleasure by making me stand outside and wait

“Breeze, what do you want? I ain't giving out free pussy so go the fuck somewhere else,” Trixy yelled through the door, finally acknowledging my presence.

“Trixy, I didn't come here for that. I came to see my little nigga. Let me in.” I tried using her son as an excuse, although I honestly did miss Junior.

“Breeze, you know Junior is at school,” she spat.

“I know, I know.” I stopped playing games and got serious. “On the real, I got a proposition for you, if you're willing to listen.” I was sure to keep it strictly business this time.

“I'm listening,” she stated while cracking the door open. “Don't even think about coming in.”

“The bottom line is I need you back in the game with me,” I confessed.

“How much?” she asked.

“How much what?”

“How much you gone pay me?” she clarified. I guess she was about business too.

I gave my first offer. “One grand a week.”

“Nah, you got to come harder than that. I want two grand a week. Matter of fact, right now, I could use two hundred dollars to pay my light bill,” Trixy spat.

“Okay, so how about fifteen hundred a week, plus I got you on that light bill right now.” I gave my final offer.

“You got a deal,” Trixy agreed as she opened her door all the way

“All right, you start next week,” I agreed while handing her the money for her light bill.

“Cool.”

“One more thing. I got a girl now. You must respect her. No schemes or games, Trixy.” I laid down the law to make sure she understood that it was business only.

“Yeah, yeah, I hear you,” Trixy replied before slamming the door in my face.

I had been in a really bad mood for the past few weeks. Something was up and I couldn't put my finger on it. I felt like deceit was all around me. My money wasn't right and my woman was acting suspect. Not only was Maria spending more and more time with Breeze, but the other day she had the nerve to come up in my house with a dozen roses from this cat. I wasn't a man who was into beating women, but Maria's ass was coming closer and closer to bringing out the Ike Turner in me.

“Baby, let's have a candlelit dinner and a bottle of wine.” Maria walked into my home office with nothing but a silk robe on.

“I'm not hungry,” I said, trying to dismiss her. I had more pressing issues, like figuring out where the fuck my money was going, or why I wasn't making that much of it lately.

“Biggs, you haven't touched me in almost a week. You act like I'm not even here. What is going on?” she asked.

“It's more like what's not going on,” I said, again focusing on my money instead of Maria and her complaints.

“Oh, I know what's not going on,” Maria said, full of sarcasm.

“Oh, yeah, Maria? And what is that?” I said, interested in hearing what she had to say.

“You not paying me any attention. You not giving me my weekly allowance. That's a couple of things that's not going on. How about that? Shall I continue?”

“Do you have any idea why I haven't been paying you any attention or giving you an allowance, Maria?” I asked calmly.

“No, I don't, Biggs.”

“Because the money coming in is getting smaller and smaller and I can't figure out why. That shit has me really stressed out.” I took a sip of my cognac, then continued. “Maybe if you weren't spending so much time with Breeze you would have realized some of this,” I added to let her know her actions had not gone unnoticed.

“That's my kids' father, Biggs. I have to let them see him,” she replied in a low tone.

I could not believe what had just come out of her mouth. I just had to laugh. I found it funny how she went from wanting Breeze to sign over his parental rights to “that's my kids' father.” For years I played daddy and took care of her kids like they were my own. For the months leading up to his release, all I heard from her was how she planned on making sure she wasn't going to let him try to come back into their lives.

I was about to remind her that she was supposed to be working on having him relinquish his parental rights, when my phone rang, saving her butt. I looked down to see Mannie's name on the screen.

“Biggs,” I answered right away.

“Yo, boss, I just ran into that nigga, Breeze. I know he doing something. I think that nigga got a connect, 'cause he been making a lot of moves lately. I know he bringing in weight from somewhere. I tried to come at that nigga on some cool shit to see if he would let me in on what he been up to, but that nigga came off like we had beef or something. We gotta keep our eye on him, boss.”

“Sure thing,” I said before hanging up.

“Who was that on the phone?” Maria asked, full of attitude with her hands on her hips.

I didn't even bother to answer her. I knew if Breeze had a connect that could be the end of my business. I'd basically taken over the seven cities since Breeze got locked up. I was the supplier and everything went through me. If Breeze was able to get some coke just as good as mine and sell it cheaper, he could take over the streets just as quickly as he'd lost his empire. There was no way I was about to sit back and let that shit happen.

“Was that some little bitch calling for you to go see her? Huh?” Maria went on with her hands on her hips. “Answer me! Was that some whore offering you some cheap-ass pussy? Is that why you don't give me any attention anymore, Biggs? Stop ignoring me and my questions! We are not done speaking, Biggs. Our conversation is not over! Do you hear me?” she yelled as she stomped her feet like a spoiled child.

Without hesitation, I jumped out of my chair and pounced on her like a cat. “Now you listen to me, Maria! I will not be spoken to like that by anyone including you. You want an answer to your question? No, that was not some girl on the phone offering me ‘cheap-ass pussy' as you wanna call it. Why would I pay for cheap pussy on the streets when I have to pay for your expensive ass here at home? Now, you will get the fuck out of my office and leave me the fuck alone. And, just so you know, shit is over when I say it's over. Do you understand me? Now get the fuck out of my office!”

She looked back at me with a bewildered look on her face, and silently walked out of the room. As far as I was concerned she knew exactly what was going on with my business. As much time as she was spending with Breeze she had to know something. I swallowed the last sip of my cognac as I sat deep in thought, formulating my next move.

Maria's evil self was in the bank as usual causing a scene because my new teller, who was helping her at the window, didn't have enough hundreds. I didn't feel like dealing with her this day., but I made sure to spend a little time with the kids before they left, and I gave them lollipops and coloring books. It was a busy Friday. The line was outside the door and cars wrapped around the drive-thru. Sara was my newbie. Her face was starting to turn red from how nervous she was, so I had to step in and help her out.

“Good morning, Mrs. Biggs and Mr. Biggs,” I acknowledged them after I grabbed my vault teller to hand me a strap of hundreds. I eased in to count the money Sara was holding, and added more hundreds to make up the sum. She let out a sigh of relief when I told her I would handle the rest of the transaction.

“Always a pleasure, Tanisha,” Mr. Biggs stated. Maria just crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.

“How's business?” I asked in an attempt to start a casual conversation.

“Terrible. My better half is upset because she can't have as much money today. Economy is bad so we have to tighten up,” he stated, rubbing Maria's shoulder. She looked as if she despised him. I couldn't help but feel the same way about her.

Even though I would never admit it to Breeze, or anyone else for that matter, I felt jealous toward her sometimes. I knew Maria was prettier than me. Not to mention she had Breeze's kids, which meant she would always be in the picture.

“Well, Mrs. Biggs, here're your new, crisp one hundred-dollar bills. Is there anything else I can assist you with today?”

“No,” Maria replied, snatching the money and putting it into an envelope herself.

At six o'clock sharp, I wrapped up and rushed out of the bank so I could be on my way to Breeze's house. I had fixed up his “bachelor pad” so it could have a warm and cozy feel to it. The best part about his place was that he had a lot of light coming through. The skylight window was perfect.

“Baby, what's up!” Breeze announced, picking me up and twirling me in the air.

“Nothing much, just another hard day at work. I'm glad it's over and the weekend is here,” I said as I planted a kiss on his cheek.

“I've been busy too,” he said as he put me back down. I walked toward the kitchen to grab a bottle of water.

“Hey, Tanisha,” Trixy said without looking up. She was standing at the kitchen counter, counting money.

“Hi,” I replied. I could tell she didn't like me; however, I just played it cool and started a visible count of the stack of money she had in her hand.

“Breeze, both of these stacks are short five hundred dollars. I got four thousand five hundred on the first one and another four thousand five hundred on the second one. Those dudes need to know how to fucking count,” Trixy announced. I coughed as if I had something in my throat so Breeze could catch on. From my count, those stacks weren't short. They were both five thousand dollars even.

“Trixy, are you sure? Because lately every stack has been short. My crew can't be that fucked up,” Breeze stated.

“Yeah, I'm sure, nigga,” she said defensively.

“Let me count it. A second set of eyes wouldn't hurt. Breeze, maybe you should consider investing in a money counter,” I suggested as I started counting money in thousand-dollar stacks. My count had been right. Both of them came out to what they was supposed to be.

“You got four thousand five hundred, right?” Trixy asked, hoping I wouldn't blow her spot up.

“No, the amount came up to ten thousand dollars not nine thousand,” I insisted.

“Trixy, you stealing from me?” Breeze asked.

“Oh, so you just gonna believe her over me? You ain't gonna count it for yourself to see who's lying?” She barked at him.

“Trixy! She's a bank manager. She counts money for a living. Why the fuck wouldn't I believe her over your ass? How you gonna do me like that, Trixy?” he asked with anger in his voice.

“Because, nigga! I was the only woman who gave a damn about you when you came home. You ain't have shit when I took you in and the second you got some paper you played me! You didn't look out for me. Instead you went and got you a snooty-ass, uppity bitch who probably don't give a fuck about you, anyway. Maria left your ass to rot in prison and this bitch will do the same shit!” Trixy proclaimed.

“Man, roll the fuck out. I won't be needing you anymore. Go suck some dick so you can get your cable bill paid this month. You messed up a good thing, Trixy,” Breeze yelled, now in a rage.

“Fuck you, Breeze,” Trixy responded before throwing a pile of money in his face.

“Bitch, get the fuck out my house before I stomp your face in! You lucky I ain't fucking you up for messing with my paper,” Breeze spat at her as he practically kicked her out the door.

I didn't know what to make of the way he had just yelled at Trixy. I almost felt sorry for the girl. I understood she was stealing from him but that was really harsh. I didn't even know he was capable of speaking to someone like that. It dawned on me that there was a side to Breeze that I had not been exposed to: a cold, ruthless side. I was fully aware that I was dealing with a drug dealer, but he acted like such a gentleman with me. He treated me like a queen. I must admit, seeing that side of him scared me a little bit, but on the other hand, it gave me reassurance that he knew how to handle himself if something ever happened.

This nigga was trying to play me over some snooty-ass bitch who didn't even want him. I bet if his ass got in a jam again, he would have tried to creep back up into my bed again. I knew I wasn't the first or the last to dip in the pot. It's just how the game goes. I had been counting money and moving shit for Breeze for a while, and this was the motherfucking thanks I got. Niggas fucked him over and he had to come back to me. It had been proven that I was the only person who truly had his back. Breeze had fucked me over for the last time. It was time he paid. I guess that nigga had forgotten I was from the streets too. No one fucked with me and got away with it. Sure, I left Breeze's spot without a fight, but I left my mark before leaving. On the way to my car, I couldn't help but notice a hefty tree branch on the side of the curb. I happily picked it up and busted Breeze's and Tanisha's windows out of their cars.

“Who's laughing now?” I shouted as I sped off. “Payback's a bitch! I got something for your ass, nigga. The sun won't rise in the morning, fool,” I ranted to myself as I drove toward Park Place, going seventy-five miles per hour.

I found Mannie at the barber shop, gambling as usual. I walked right up in the middle of the game. “Hey, Mannie, you got a minute?”

“Damn, Trixy, what the fuck?” Mannie looked up at me with a snarl on his face.

“We need to talk. On the real!” I snapped.

“Come with me. I was about to roll out anyway.” Mannie knew it must have been something serious.

I hopped in the car and we headed to his favorite strip club. It was a hole in the wall, a little place called Dexter's in Portsmouth. We walked in and found a secluded seat in the corner of the little smoke-infested place. We weren't there five minutes before some old-ass man had the nerve to come over and ask me if I was going to get my ass on the sticky pole. I took a deep breath in an attempt to maintain my composure. I was already pissed the hell off. The last thing I wanted to do was come off on this old man like a psycho bitch.

“No, sir, I'm not a dancer,” I said calmly.

“Well, you shole is pretty enough. Girl, you got a whole lotta junk in your trunk,” he said between missing teeth like the character Jerome from the sitcom
Martin
.

Once the old man walked away, I dove right into conversation with Mannie. “Breeze has been playing you. He's trying to take over this whole area and put you out of business. At first he was taking birds from you, cooking them up and breaking it down, then sending it to some cats across town. Then he hooked up with this Mexican in California and now he's pushing weight. He got purer coke for a cheaper price. The fucked-up thing is he wouldn't work with you because he wasn't trying to do all the work while you make the money, in turn making Mr. Biggs rich. Mannie, this nigga has plans to take over the whole seven cities. He trying to lock it down like he had it before he got locked up.”

“Oh, yeah? So what make you come with this news?” Mannie questioned my motives.

“Damn, Mannie. You know we go way back. You my nigga. I always look out for mines. I hate to bring you bad news, but I felt you needed to know what's about to pop off. You know my loyalty always lies with you. Plus, I heard Mr. Biggs been getting some losses because of this shit. Don't y'all niggas wanna know where the lack of business is coming from? I know you didn't think it was because of the recession. Ain't no fucking recession in the drug game. Just droughts and losses!” I spat.

“The streets talk, baby girl. Nigga knew something was up. We were just waiting to see what was really going on.” Mannie didn't say much, but I knew from the look on his face it was time for war.

“This nigga just got out of prison. Now he's trying to be the king. Breeze even trying to bring niggas from New York to start taking over the blocks.” I added fuel to the fire.

“A'ight. Thanks for looking out for me, Trixy. Here's some paper for you,” he said, breaking me off a couple hundreds. “Keep looking out like that and I got you, shorty. Just let me know what's up.”

“No problem. It's getting late. I need to get going,” I replied. I quickly took the money and left. I didn't want Mannie to see the tears running down my face. The truth was that I really was feeling Breeze, maybe even loved him. Even worse, he was my son's father. That's right, I got pregnant on the first fuck. That nigga was so happy to be in virgin pussy that he didn't even bother to wear a condom. Then he told my little naive ass that a virgin couldn't get pregnant on the first fuck. But what do you know? Trixy ends up pregnant and no sooner than I find out does he go to jail. Besides, I knew there was no chance in hell that the almighty street king, Breeze, would claim a baby from a hood rat like me. I'd raised my child alone for six years and I was prepared to continue with or without Breeze. Stupid-ass nigga never even asked who my son was a junior to. Maybe if he would have asked, he would know he was the senior to my junior.

Payback was a bitch, and it was time Breeze learned it. He had to learn I wasn't some jump-off bitch he could just toss away. After I got into the car, I started punching the steering wheel, imagining it was Breeze's face.