by Ricky Black
‘No, I’m not in.’ Lamont was struggling, but he didn’t want to become just another black kid selling drugs. He had worked too hard and taken too much crap at school to give in now.
‘Why? You need the money more than I do. Your Auntie’s got you living on some real slave shit, man. What else are you gonna do? I wanna go fifty/fifty with you, L.’
‘I just can’t do it.’
Levi sighed, shrugging.
‘I just wanted to help you. Here, try this.’ He held out the spliff. Lamont shook his head.
‘No thanks.’
‘C’mon L, you don’t go to prison for having a couple’ burns.’ Levi sucked his teeth and took a deep toke. He tried holding it, but ended up coughing.
‘Nicely done,’ said Lamont, laughing.
‘Whatever. Where’s Marcus at these days?’
‘Marcus is doing his thing. He’s not at home much. He’s out, or he’s at Mia’s.’
‘Mia . . . I’d have her,’ Levi said almost reverently.
‘Yeah, she’s nice.’
‘Her sister’s sexy too. I was chilling with Dennis, and he said Marcus is doing them both, and that he’s got them on Spencer Place making money. That true?’ Levi asked. Spencer Place was a road in Chapeltown, synonymous with prostitution. Lamont and Levi knew people their age who had slept with the women who roamed there.
‘No, it’s not true. They’re cool. I was chilling with them last week.’
‘For real? Yo, you need to rush her sister. If it was me, I’d have made a move by now,’ Levi bragged. Lamont just let him go on. He liked to listen, Levi liked to talk. Their personalities were in sync.
‘Whatever, man. I need to go anyway, before Auntie complains.’
Levi finished his spliff and emptied the ashtray into the bin.
‘Look, if you change your mind about selling, you know where I am. Got it?’
‘Got it.’
Levi’s offer remained on Lamont’s mind for days, the temptation growing. He could work towards building his future. He could get out from under Auntie’s tyrannical reign, get somewhere nice for him and Marika to live. They would be happy.
If he didn’t get caught.
Weed was minor compared to some other drugs on the streets, but it was still illegal and people still went to prison for selling it. If Lamont was locked up, even if it was only in a young offender’s institute, Marika would be at the mercy of their Auntie. He knew Auntie favoured Marika and wouldn’t mistreat her. She would dote on her more. That was what Lamont feared most of all; his sister becoming like their poisonous Aunt.
When school finished, Lamont and Erica walked to the park together. Erica talked non-stop but Lamont stared at the ground, wondering how much he could make.
Would Craig let them step up or would he leave them selling only ounces? Would Levi stick to a fifty/fifty split? Was it all worth it?
As he looked down, Lamont noticed his well-worn Gola trainers. He fixated on them, imagining them as a fresh pair of Nike’s, the sort Marcus wore. He’d said Lamont could borrow them, but he couldn’t bring himself to share his friend’s trainers.
‘Lamont?’
Startled, Lamont looked up. Erica wasn’t next to him. He turned, noting that she had stopped walking now, looking at him strangely.
‘Yeah?’
‘Are you okay? You looked like you were in a trance.’
‘I’m fine. Just thinking.’
‘About what? You looked proper serious.’
‘Nothing much. Just school stuff,’ he lied. Judging by the raised eyebrow, Erica didn’t believe him.
Leon and his friends were in the same place when Lamont and Erica reached the park. Leon again glared at Lamont, but he wasn’t intimidated this time. He smiled to Erica, said goodbye and turned to walk away.
‘Oi!’ Leon’s booming voice called out. Lamont faced him.
‘Yeah?’
‘Come here. I wanna chat to you,’ Leon ordered. Lamont held his ground for a moment, then ambled into the park. He could feel the eyes of Leon’s friends on him, but ignored them and concentrated on Leon. He swayed on the swing in a baby blue tracksuit with white trainers. Despite the hot sun, he wore his hood, trying to ignore the bead of sweat dripping down his forehead.
‘What’s up?’ Lamont asked. Leon eyeballed him for another moment before he spoke. Erica draped over him, trying and failing to look relaxed.
‘What’s your deal?’
Lamont frowned. ‘My deal with what?’
‘Are you a puff?’
Leon’s friends fell about laughing at the wit of their leader. Thankfully, Erica looked as embarrassed as Lamont did.
‘Leon, leave him alone. He’s my friend.’
‘I know. You told me. I just wanna know if he’s your gay friend or if he’s after a piece. He’s always around you.’
‘Like I said, he’s my friend. That’s why he walked me up here. I came to see you but if you’re going to act like this, then I’ll leave.’
‘What you gonna do? Get this tramp to comb your hair?’ Leon cracked. His friends laughed harder. Enraged, Lamont moved towards Leon with his fists clenched.
‘What? Are you stepping?’ Leon rose, ready to fight, before Erica got in the middle.
‘No! L, just leave it. He’s being a prick,’ she said, pushing him gently away. Leon’s friends were on their feet, still glaring at Lamont. He didn’t care. He’d had enough. Enough of people treating him like crap because of circumstances that weren’t his to control. Lamont hadn’t asked for any of it.
‘Fuck this,’ he spat. Turning on his heel, he left, ignoring Erica’s pleas for him to come back, the abusive taunts of Leon and his cronies.
Lamont’s rage hadn’t diminished by the time he arrived home. He slammed the front door as he stormed into the house.
‘That you, Lamont? Who do you think you are, slamming my door!’ Auntie shouted. Ignoring her, Lamont stomped upstairs and dropped his school bag on the floor.
‘Oi, I’m talking to you? Did you hear what I said?’ Auntie barged into his room. She glared at Lamont and he returned the look without flinching.
‘I heard you.’
‘Take that look off your face, before I knock it off,’ Auntie warned. Ignoring her again, Lamont continued to glare. Her eyes flashing, Auntie slapped Lamont across the face, the sound ricocheting around the room. Lamont stayed where he was, willing himself to ignore the stinging feeling.
‘Did you hear me!’ she screamed. Still Lamont didn’t say a word. His eyes desperately wanted to water, but Lamont wouldn’t allow it. He wouldn’t give Auntie that satisfaction. Not this time. He was done being the victim. Lamont’s hands balled into fists, but remained by his side. Auntie noticed.
‘You wanna fight do you? You ungrateful piece of shit. Get your chores done before I call someone round to teach you a lesson. Is that what you want?’
The front door opened before Lamont could answer and they heard Marika’s voice from the bottom of the stairs.
‘Auntie, I’m home! Are you here?’
‘Coming, sweetness,’ Auntie called out with false enthusiasm. She gave Lamont an ugly scowl. ‘We’re not done, boy. Chores. Now.’
With that she left.
Chapter Three
Tuesday 11 March 1997
Later that night, Lamont left the house without telling Auntie. The night air was mellow and people were out in force, chilling and shooting the shit. It was one thing Lamont had always liked about Chapeltown. There was a sense of community that you didn’t get in other areas. Heading briskly along the roads, Lamont stopped at Levi’s place.
‘Yes, L. You good?’ Levi greeted him. He wore a vest and a pair of long shorts with no socks.
‘Can we talk?’
Levi nodded. ‘Come. We’ll go upstairs.’
The two boys traipsed to Levi’s bedroom. Lamont had always liked it. It had everything; a colour TV, a PlayStation, and a CD player with two tape slots. The walls w
ere adorned with posters of everything from Wu-Tang Clan to Tupac.
‘What’s up, man? You look stressed,’ said Levi.
‘I’ve changed my mind.’
‘About what?’
Lamont stared at Levi until finally, his friend caught on.
‘I forgot all about that. What changed your mind?’
‘Look at me,’ Lamont said, tone still solemn.
‘What are you on about?’
‘I’m broke, living with a woman that hates me, and everyone thinks I’m some tramp. Like it’s my fault my parents died.’ All Lamont’s frustration seemed to explode from him. Levi watched in stunned silence as Lamont vented about the altercation with Leon.
‘You shoulda smacked them up, L. Never let anyone take you for an idiot,’ he said when Lamont finished.
‘That’s the thing. Everyone takes the piss; all because of how I look. I’m sick of it. You want us to sell weed, we’ll sell it. Tell me what you want me to do.’
Levi grinned, not even bothering to hide it. He wanted to sell for his brother but he didn’t want to do it alone.
‘Gimme a couple’ days to talk to Craig and set summat up.’
‘Why so long?’ Lamont wanted to get started as soon as possible. The quicker they started selling, the quicker he would make money.
‘Craig’s never here. He pays Nana’s bills and gives her money for food and stuff, but he’s always out and about, staying at different yards and shit.’
‘Okay. Get at me as soon as you can.’
‘I like this fire! Keep it up and we’ll get rich!’
By the time Lamont slipped back inside, Auntie was already in bed. Quietly locking the door, Lamont took his trainers off and padded carefully up the stairs. He was about to go into his room when Marcus’s door opened.
‘C’mere.’
Surprised, Lamont entered Marcus’s room. Like Levi’s it was kitted out with the latest electronics. Marcus also had a set of large dumbbells and some barbells. There were several Flex magazines tossed all over the place and a foldaway weightlifting bench in the corner.
Lamont stood awkwardly by the door. As cool as he and Marcus were, he didn’t spend much time in Marcus’s room. It was amazing how different it was to his own though.
‘I need a favour,’ Marcus didn’t waste any time, rummaging in his drawers. For whatever reason he was shirtless, wearing only a pair of black tracksuit bottoms and all black trainers.
‘What’s up?’
‘I’m doing a move, but one of my guys can’t make it. I need you to step in. I’ll pay you two hundred quid. Cash in hand.’
The money immediately swayed Lamont, but he held back.
‘What kinda move?’
‘You know what I do, L, so don’t try playing dumb. You don’t need to do anything. Stand there and let me and my dude handle it. Jump in if it goes wrong. Easy money.’
Lamont hesitated, thinking about what he could buy. Since his argument with Leon, he thought only about bettering his circumstances. He would not wallow anymore.
‘L, we’re family, so I’m gonna kick it up to two fifty. We need to go though. My boy’s got us a car, and he’s gonna be outside any minute. Are you in?’
Lamont took another second to think, but his mind was made up.
‘I’m in.’
Marcus told Lamont to dress to blend in, so Lamont picked out a pair of frayed black trousers and a black hooded top. He kicked on his black trainers and was good to go. He and Marcus headed down the stairs and left the house. A Vauxhall Cavalier waited, a youngish boy with a rough-looking face behind the wheel. He nodded stoically at Marcus and stared Lamont down.
‘Yo, this is, L. L, this is Victor, or Big V,’ Marcus introduced them both. They climbed into the car, and Victor drove away. The radio wasn’t playing. Victor was focused on the road and Marcus stared out of the window.
Lamont sat in the back, his heart hammering. He was going on his first ever move. He’d heard of them before. People went on moves for all kinds of reasons, mostly for money or fun. Lamont wanted to ask what they were doing, who they were doing it to. Most of all, he wanted to go home. He felt like Tre from Boyz N’ Tha Hood, in the back of the ride and wanting to have the guts to tell Big V to pull over. He didn’t though. He was a third wheel. Lamont was doing this for the money.
After a long drive, the car pulled to a stop on a random street. Marcus and Victor climbed out. Lamont followed suit, not recognising the area.
‘Keep a lookout, L,’ Marcus instructed as he and Victor opened the car boot. Lamont watched in horror as he saw Marcus slip what looked like a gun into his trouser waistband. Victor gripped two worn-looking baseball bats. He handed one to Lamont.
‘Here, put this on too.’ Marcus threw a balled-up black item to Lamont, and he unravelled the balaclava. It clearly belonged to the guy Lamont was standing in for and reeked of sweat. Lamont put it on though, tugging it down to ensure it concealed his face.
‘Right then. L, take the back. Me and Vic will take the front. Anyone comes at you, smack ‘em with the bat. Understand?’
Lamont nodded, trying to ignore the jitters in his stomach. He felt like if he opened his mouth he would throw up. Evidently his fear showed on his face because Victor finally spoke.
‘He looks shook. Are you sure he’s up for it?’
‘He’ll be fine. Come on, let’s get in place.’
The trio hurried along. Slipping down two streets, they stopped in front of a dilapidated looking terraced house. It seemed to loom in front of Lamont like some haunted house from an old vampire movie. Imposing and eerily majestic.
Remembering his instructions, Lamont went around to the back of the house. He listened out for noises and he didn’t have to wait long. There was a loud crash, the sound of a woman’s screams, then a scuffle. Trying the backdoor, Lamont was startled to find it open. He hurried into the house toward the noise. Lamont entered the room just in time to see Marcus hit a mousy-haired man in the face with the butt of his gun.
‘Where’s it at?’ he bellowed.
‘Mate, you’ve got the wrong house. There’s nowt here,’ The man moaned, blood staining his greying white vest. In the room’s corner, Victor restrained a chubby, screaming blonde woman.
‘Shut your mouth!’ he shouted, slapping her. The man was about to rush at Victor when Marcus hit him again.
‘I said, where is it? Don’t play with me!’ Marcus hit the man a third time, then instructed Victor to hit the woman again. Victor did so, throwing her on the floor and jabbing the bat into her ribs as she retched and coughed.
‘That’s enough!’ Lamont shouted. Victor and Marcus both looked at him.
‘Shut up! You know why we’re here, so don’t go acting like a punk,’ Marcus shouted, turning back to his victim. ‘I’m gonna ask you one more time, then my man there’s gonna open up your missus! Where is it at?’
‘It’s u-upstairs,’ The man finally stammered.
‘Upstairs where?’
‘Main bedroom. Under the mattress.’
‘Yo!’ Marcus got Lamont’s attention, ‘go get it. Don’t come back down without it.’
Lamont’s legs felt like lead as he willed himself to walk up the stairs. The hallway was a complete mess. The front door was still wide open, probably from Marcus’s entry. When he reached the top, Lamont walked into one room. It was a cluttered, boxy mess. He quickly checked it anyway and found nothing. He didn’t know what they had come for, but he assumed it was money or jewellery.
The next room Lamont was in was larger, though equally messy, with clothes and shoes strewn all over the place. Lamont put his bat down and lifted the mattress. He found a carrier bag there, which he grabbed. Leaving the mattress where it was, he headed back downstairs and handed the wares to Marcus. Marcus peered into the bag.
‘Did you look?’ he asked.
‘No, I didn’t,’ Lamont’s voice was calmer than he expected it to be.
‘Okay,’ Marcus turn
ed back to the blooded man, still moaning in pain. ‘Listen, I’m gonna take this and that’s the end. You wanna make an issue of it, I’m gonna come back and pop one in your woman. When the police come, don’t fucking tell them anything or we’ll be back.’ Kicking the man again, Marcus signalled for them to leave.
They were running now, heading down the roads back to the car. Lamont felt like he was in a dream. It all felt too surreal. He couldn’t believe what he had just taken part in. Feeling his stomach bubbling again, he took deep breaths, trying to avoid being sick.
‘L! Come on!’ Marcus yelled. Lamont got his bearings and began running again. They climbed into the car and Victor sped off down the road.
‘Right, slow down, Vic,’ Marcus said when they were away. ‘We don’t wanna get a pull with this strap on us.’
Victor did as ordered. Lamont was shaking in the back, still shocked at what had transpired.
‘Oi, L?’ Marcus called from the passenger seat. Lamont looked at him.
‘Take the mask off, you plum.’
Victor laughed as Lamont removed the smelly balaclava and threw it to the side as if it were contagious.
‘Where did you find this guy? He’s a pussy!’
Marcus’s face darkened.
‘Pull over. Now.’
Victor pulled the car to the side of the road. Without warning, Marcus’s arm shot out and he began choking Victor.
‘Yo! What are you doing?’ Victor spluttered, trying in vain to break Marcus’s grip.
‘Lamont is my brother. Talk to him with respect or I’ll end you. Understand! Well, do you?’ Marcus looked demented.
‘Yeah! Y-Yeah I understand! Let me go,’ Victor yelled. Marcus released the hold.
‘Good. Start the car. Pegz is waiting for us.’
Subdued now, Victor drove to a park in Harehills. The three of them walked to the swings. It was pitch black now, the park deserted, save for two figures in tracksuits sitting on the swings. They stood up when they saw Marcus and company approaching.
