Married to the Game

by King Benjamin

  Ray was charged with first-degree murder in the killing of Bones’s sister. They had a witness who claimed to have seen Ray Ray commit the crime, but couldn’t ID his accomplice when the police showed him a scrapbook of Van Dyke Down members and their mugshots. It was a reckless and spontaneous move that had come back to haunt him and his life was in the judge's hands now. The only good thing Ray had going for him at the moment was the fact that Dan had a great relationship with this particular judge.

  “Bail will be set in the amount of five hundred thousand dollars, ten percent,” Judge Clarkson ordered.

  Ray Ray looked at the prosecutor and smiled. His bond was fifty thousand dollars and he knew he would be on the streets by the evening.

  ****

  Gunner was elated to find out that Ray Ray had been given a bond. Shit, for fifty thousand he wouldn’t even have to dip in his own stash to bail him out because he knew Ray had that put away himself. He set the wheels in motion to get Ray out and headed to the airport to pick up Jay and Michelle. He called Kelly to tell her the good news.

  “Hello?” she answered immediately.

  “They gave him a bond baby.”

  “I told you they would. You was losing hair for nothing,” she teased him.

  Since the night Ray went to jail, Gunner had been trying to be on his best behavior. After Kelly found Butter’s shoes he was able to convince her that the shoes actually were purchased by Ray Ray to give to his niece. It wasn’t hard to believe since Kelly knew Ray Ray had two nieces, but this wasn’t the first close call Gunner had encountered with Kelly finding out about Butter throughout the years. As a matter of fact, it wasn’t the second or the third either.

  “You got jokes. I’ma show you when I get home,” he threatened.

  “Yeah, and when will that be?” Kelly asked.

  “Come on now baby, I been home all weekend. You know Jay coming in town today, cut me some slack.”

  “I’ma cut you slack alright. Why you can’t never invite me to anything when y’all hanging out? That’s what I wanna know.”

  “You know what though? I was just telling him that it’s time for you and Michelle to meet. He been with her all this time and y’all ain’t never even met each other.”

  “Mmmm. I don’t know about that though. Is she bougie?”

  “Hell naw, Michelle cool as hell.”

  “I remember watching her on the news. She seems cool.”

  “She is, I’m telling you. You gonna like her.”

  “Well, I’m down just let me know when.”

  “Okay, I’ll let you know when I find out their plans for the week,” he said.

  “Okay.”

  When Gunner picked up Jay and Michelle from the airport, he didn’t mention anything about Ray Ray getting a bond because he didn’t know how informed Michelle was about anything.

  “Hey, G,” Michelle greeted as she slid in the front passenger seat while Jay put their luggage in the trunk.

  “What’s up beautiful lady, good to see you,” Gunner said smiling.

  “Good to see you too.”

  “I was just telling my old lady I think it’s time you two finally met,” Gunner revealed.

  “Ooh I get to meet wifey? I’m flattered,” Michelle said.

  “Get the fuck outta here,” Gunner chuckled as Jay slid in the back.

  “Bae?” Michelle said.

  “What up?”

  “Gunner’s gonna introduce me to Kelly,” she beamed.

  “Hold on, now let me tell you something about Gunner and Kelly—”

  “Don’t start Jay, okay?” Michelle said.

  “Naw, just listen to me. Now, them muthafuckas be off into all kinds of freaky shit, you ain’t even ready.”

  “Get the fuck outta here with that bullshit!” Gunner shouted as he fell out laughing.

  “I’m telling you the truth,” Jay continued.

  “I don’t believe him G,” Michelle said.

  “They gon’ try to turn us into swingers baby. Watch what I tell you!”

  “Maaaaan, put some duct tape over his mouth will you,” Gunners said as he drove off.

  ****

  Gunner dropped Jay and Michelle off to their vehicles which were at Niecey Girl’s house, and they agreed to meet up later at Ray Ray’s house after getting the word that he was just released. After catching up with Niecey Girl and meeting her new boyfriend, Michelle drove downtown to check into the Westin Hotel where the two of them would be staying. She had already made plans to meet up with Leslie as soon as she arrived so she called to make sure her best friend wasn’t running late.

  “Where are you?” Michelle said as soon Leslie answered.

  “So demanding. If I didn’t know any better I’d think you were my boss.”

  “Oh shut the hell up and tell me where you are. I’m already downtown about to leave the hotel.”

  “Michelle, what time are we supposed to meet up?”

  “Five o’ clock.”

  “And what time is it now?”

  “It’s 4:35, what’s your point?”

  “So it would only make logical sense that I would be headed out to meet up with you am I right?” Leslie sassed.

  “Kiss my ass, don’t start with me this soon okay?”

  “Haha! You started with me calling me with that I know you running late tone in your voice.”

  “There was no tone, stop it.”

  “Whatever! I’m on schedule and I’ll be at Heaven on Earth by the designated time. I predict lots of laughter and fun times in your forecast.”

  “Goodbye, heffa.”

  Michelle ended the call and headed out to meet up with Leslie. Even though she arrived a little early she was surprised to see that Leslie was already there and had gotten the table. Leslie stood up rolling her neck over and over as if to say “ah ha I beat you.”

  “You missed me so much you couldn’t wait ‘til five o’ clock, huh?” Michelle teased as they embraced long enough for all to see they apparently both missed one another very much.

  “Un huh, and I told hubby I’m staying at the Westin Hotel for the next four days,” Leslie said laughing.

  They settled in as the waiter brought Michelle a glass of water and a menu.

  “I definitely won't be needing that,” she told the waiter, handing the menu back to him.

  After placing their orders, Michelle had a thought.

  “You know, Jay’s friends just told me he wanted me to meet his wife and he just gave me an idea.”

  “Do tell.”

  “Maybe next time we do this we should bring our guys. They’ve still never met either after all this time,” she said.

  “You know, I think it’s a great idea. I mean, I know they’re from two completely different worlds which is why we probably haven’t done it sooner, but Jay’s a people person. I’m sure they will hit it off.”

  “Yeah, you know he finds a way to woo everybody,” Michelle chuckled.

  Leslie shook her head clearing her throat.

  “Okay, let’s get the serious stuff out of the way first.”

  “Okay. Let’s do that,” Michelle said knowing what was coming next.

  “Do you still see yourself marrying this man and spending the rest of your life with him?”

  “I do…I couldn’t see my life going in any other direction at this point,” she answered honestly.

  “Have you had the talk?”

  “Which one?”

  “You know… the kids talk.”

  “Ha! Yeah, if it was up to him I’d already have a toddler and newborn baby running around. You know me, I wanna do it right though. First the ring, then he can get the gift of life,” Michelle explained.

  “Well, he needs to come up with that ring because I’m not getting any younger,” Leslie laughed.

  She was ready for her friend to experience the next level of life and she knew Michelle was ready as well. But Michelle knew and understood exactly where things were at with Jay. He wa
s still trying to find his way in the legit world and he didn’t want to disappoint her.

  “You know, that man has changed his entire life for me.”

  “And so have you,” Leslie remind her.

  “I know but it’s not the same. I feel like…”

  She paused as the waiter came out with their food. “I feel like I should be proud of the fact that he wants to make sure he has his shit together before he puts a ring on my finger. A lot of guys would’ve done the exact opposite instead of looking at the long-term picture.”

  “Look, I totally understand and respect Jay’s ambition, but it’s not like he’s broke. You guys are doing pretty good for yourselves individually so together you’ll become unstoppable. It just seems like a no-brainer on the outside looking in, that’s all I’m saying.”

  “Well, the one thing I can tell you for certain is that Jay and I absolutely want the same thing. There’s no discord in what we have planned for the future.”

  Leslie smiled as she could see the love and admiration in Michelle’s eyes for Jay.

  “I guess that’s all that really matters,” she replied.

  Chapter 8

  Since Jay arrived in the city, Niecey Girl wouldn’t let him out of her sight. She was stuck to the passenger seat of his Benz as they drove through the city visiting the few family members Jay still dealt with including his aunt Jean.

  “You going with me to holler at Ray Ray?” Jay asked just for clarity.

  “I told you, nigga, I’m going everywhere you go. I wanna see Ray cute ass anyway. You know that’s my boo,” she replied.

  “Yo’ boo?” Jay said with his lip pursed.

  Niecey rolled her eyes fiercely.

  “Boy, I got a man. Don’t even come at me like that.”

  “I don’t really know if I’m feeling that nigga,” Jay revealed for the first time.

  “My boyfriend? Why you say that?”

  “I don’t know. He just seem a little too soft for you, but I’ll give him a chance.”

  “He ain’t soft. Just ‘cause a niggas don’t carry guns and sell dope that don’t mean they soft.”

  “You know damn well that ain’t what the fuck I meant.”

  It felt good as hell for Jay to be back in the city, mid-summer bending corners with his favorite cousin. As they rode around they reminisced and had a ton of laughs thinking about all the good times they’d shared. When they pulled in the parking lot of Ray Ray’s building Jay spotted the black Maserati that E had bragged about copping and Gunner’s Range Rover right next to it. He called Ray’s phone as they headed to the entrance. Ray lived in a nice two-story apartment building ducked off in the suburbs far away from all the crime and violence that surrounded his everyday life. He stuck out like a sore thumb amongst his neighbors but he was barely there enough for them to notice.

  When Jay and Niecey Girl walked in there was E, Gunner, and Ray Ray all in the living room discussing the details of his short incarceration. Ray Ray was shirtless and looked as if he’d just emerged from a shower wearing basketball shorts and a towel draped around his neck. E and Gunner sat on the leather sofa while Ray stood in the middle of the floor awaiting Jay and Niecey Girl. E hadn’t seen Jay since his arrival so he stood to greet them as well.

  “My nigga, my nigga,” Ray said smiling as they slapped fives and embraced.

  “Can’t keep a real one down, huh?” Jay said and he stepped back to take a look a Ray.

  Their young bull had come such a long way from the kid they met back in the day. He’d survived some of the worst days the crew had ever seen and was able to learn and grow from it all. He could only pray this wasn’t the end for his friend.

  “You talked to Dan?”

  “Yeah, he hollered at me. We gon’ kick it about all that shit, but fuck that case right now, nigga you home, I’m home, E getting old as hell, whassup?” Ray said excitedly causing everyone to laugh.

  Ray greeted Niecey Girl with a hug and a kiss on the cheek while E and Jay slapped fives and embraced. Niecey Girl took in his freshly showered scents of soap and lotion, and she couldn’t help but feel a little turned on by his slim but solid frame pressed against her body. Gunner fired up a blunt.

  “Might as well get the mood right,” Gunner said.

  “Mmm hmm,” Ray agreed as he reached on the TV stand and grabbed another blunt that was already rolled up.

  “E, I seen that beast you got parked outside boy. You fucking the streets up with that bitch,” Jay said as he gave E an army salute as a gesture of admiration.

  “Yes, sir!” E bragged, laughing.

  “How many of yo’ baby mamas coming to the party nigga?” Jay said smiling.

  “Nigga I invited all of ‘em. I don’t give a fuck who show up, they better act right.”

  E had finally decided to settle down with his first baby mama but the rest were all still vying for attention and a spot in his life. Jay couldn’t believe he had finally gotten them all to get along and coexist but if so, E was a bad man and deserved another salute for that one.

  ****

  That same night, Bones and Oshiwa crept back over into Michigan state lines around three in the morning. They drove to a house in Novi that Doe had already set up for them as planned. It appeared to neighbors that an elderly disabled woman had moved into the home, but Doe’s grandmother would never return to the house again. This would be their new hideout in plain view.

  “This the address right here,” Oshiwa said as she spotted Doe’s car in the back of the driveway.

  “Back to take what’s rightfully mine,” Bones said as she turned up in the driveway of the two-story brick colonial.

  “Back to take what’s rightfully ours nigga,” she corrected him.

  “You right,” Bones agreed as he leaned over and kissed her lips.

  Doe was in the window and spotted the headlights pulling in. He popped his head out of the side door and waved them inside. Bones got out and waved him outside.

  “Naw nigga, you come help us with some of this shit,” he said more to himself than anybody as he walked toward the trunk.

  Packed in the trunk was all the clothing Oshiwa could fit inside, a suitcase full of weaponry, and seventy-five thousand dollars in cash. Bones had come to the firm realization that a life on the run wasn’t a life worth living for him. It was a crazy plan but there was nothing left for him to do. He was about to play his story out right where it started from. When it was all said and done, no one would ever forget his name. In every hood and every ghetto his name would ring bells for years to come. There were daps, pounds or hugs between the trio of Bones, Doe, and Oshiwa when they reunited. It wouldn’t be long before it was back to business as usual.

  “You put that thing in motion like we talked about?” Bones asked him as they grabbed luggage from the trunk.

  “You already know, I ain’t playing out here. Shit real, we back in the D baby. It’s going down!” Doe said excitedly.

  “Indeed it is,” Bones agreed.

  ****

  For E’s big birthday bash he did it real big, renting a hundred foot yacht to cruise up and down the Detroit River and get his party on. Jay held Michelle’s hand as she climbed aboard, ready to join the fun. Jay was dressed in a white, short-sleeve, button down Giorgio Armani shirt and matching blue shorts, Louis Vuitton slip-ons and Giorgio Armani shades. Michelle was dressed in all-white with a tube top, white high waist, wide legged pants, and white sandals. Her hair was dazzling with long, flowing curls and blond highlights.

  Her gold Cartier watch sparkled with an icy bezel shining in the moonlight. No sooner than they reached the first deck they spotted E standing with what looked to be some of his family members. He was rocking a navy blue button down and matching shorts with platinum Cartier frames on.

  The night air was perfect as a slight breeze flowed through Michelle’s hair as they walked the open deck to go speak to E. The yacht was already filled with young, beautiful women, some wearing swimwear while s
ome were dressed to impress.

  “Happy birthday E!” Michelle sang and she handed him the gift from her and Jay.

  “Oh wow, y’all bought me something? Just y’all making the trip here was present enough,” E said as he hugged Michelle.

  “Alright, back up little nigga,” Jay said teasingly, breaking their embrace.

  “Jay, don’t get tossed in the water man,” E threatened as his girlfriend approached from behind. “Oh, here she go. Michelle, this is my beautiful lady Tashena. Tashena, this is Jay’s girls Michelle.”

  “Oooh yeah, I remember her. You’re Michelle Mitchell from the news right?” Tashena said.

  “Yes that’s me, it’s nice to meet you,” Michelle said extending her hand to Tashena.

  Tashena was a very attractive woman with cocoa brown skin, long, jet black hair, and an hourglass shape. Michelle thought she looked like a video model she’d seen on B.E.T. somewhere.

  “It’s nice to meet you as well. Can we take a picture?” she replied.

  “Don’t be a groupie Tashena,” Jay teased.

  “Fuck you Jay, don’t start with me okay? I came to have a good time,” Tashena shot back.

  Jay loved to mess with her but she was his favorite of all of E’s baby mamas and he was glad E had chosen her to be with. Jay threw his hand up in surrender as Michelle and Tashena gathered side by side to take a picture. As one of E’s family members snapped the photo, Michelle looked up and spotted Niecey Girl and her boyfriend coming their way.

  “There they go!” Jay shouted when he spotted his favorite cousin.

  “Here we go!” Niecey Girl shouted back throwing her hands up.

  Niecey Girl greeted Michelle and then handed E the gift she’d bought for him before she turned and began to chat with Michelle and Jay. Jay was cordial with her boyfriend even though he wasn’t feeling the dude. The yacht was fully staffed with a bartender, yacht stewardess, a chef, and a DJ.

  “Is Gunner and Kelly here yet?” Michelle asked Jay, realizing she hadn’t seen Gunner.

  “I don’t know; they might be up top. I’m going to the bar. You want anything?”

  “I’ll take a Sangria,” Michelle replied as Beyonce’s song “Baby Boy” came blasting through the speakers.