Michelle couldn’t help but sway her hips a little as the hypnotizing beat kicked in. She was in the mood to party and have some fun.
****
After getting settled in for a couple of days and putting his plans in motion, Bones just couldn’t resist the allure of his hood. He knew if he didn’t visit the place that made him who he was it would eat at him until he did. So against his better judgment, he and Oshiwa took a drive to Detroit and went rolling through Puritan Ave bending corners in his old stomping grounds. A lot had changed but nothing for the better. Fewer houses and more liquor stores were the themes he noticed as they cruised his deceased friend Skip’s old block. As the driver, Oshiwa was more than a little nervous being back in the hood that Bones was notoriously known to roam.
Knowing she couldn’t talk him out of anything he wanted to do she went along with it, but as they rode around with T.I.’s Trap Music album on low volume and guns on each waistline, she couldn’t wait until it was over so she could get back to her new home.
“You see they still got that bitch ass nigga Dave selling weed on the corner?” Bones said as they drove by a fenced-in house with a lot of traffic.
“Mmm hmm,” Oshiwa said and fell silent again.
“You sholl is quiet than a muthafucka,” Bones chuckled.
“Mmm hmm.”
“You scared? You wanna go home?” he teased.
“Hell yeah, I wanna go home nigga. We don’t got no reason to be over here.”
“What, you scared of the police?” he continued with an evil grin.
“They looking for me just like they looking for you nigga. This shit ain’t no game while you smiling.”
“They don’t got shit on you though so what the fuck you so scared for? You the one wanted to come back here in the first place.”
“To get to the fucking money not to fucking sightsee.”
“You better shut the fuck up talking to me with all that aggression, I know that,” Bones said as his smile faded.
“Okay, I’m not trying to argue with you, Bones, I just don’t wanna be over here. Can we go somewhere else? Anywhere?”
****
Jay and Michelle finally made their way up to the top deck where they found Gunner, Kelly and Ray Ray had been at chilling the entire time. Kelly was having a conversation with a young woman wearing a two-piece bathing suit.
“That’s one of E’s baby mamas too,” Jay whispered.
“Are you serious?” Michelle giggled.
All night, since their arrival, Jay had been pointing out the four mothers of E’s seven children. So far everyone seemed to be getting along and enjoying themselves. Some even brought dates with them. When Kelly spotted Michelle they locked eyes and Kelly wrapped up the conversation she was having so they could get this highly anticipated introduction underway. Kelly wore the friendliest smile as Gunner led her over to Michelle and Jay which was very relaxing for Michelle not knowing what to expect.
“So here are the leading ladies finally face to face,” Gunner said.
“I’m Kelly, nice to finally meet you,” his wife said taking it from there.
“I’m Michelle, and likewise. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“I know right. I can’t believe it took them all this damn time to introduce us,” Kelly giggled.
“Girrrrl, you know they probably didn’t want these minds to connect and make trouble for them.” Michelle laughed and they high fived.
“Right, right. I like her already ‘cause she is totally aware that y’all be on some bullshit,” Kelly said.
“Is we gonna have to separate y’all asses already?” Jay said stepping closer.
“Too late,” Kelly said as she hooked her arm around Michelle’s and led her away.
Michelle could tell that Kelly had already had a drink or two and was feeling pretty good, but so was she. “You was my favorite newscaster on that station too. I was heated when you left girl,” Kelly revealed.
“Not more heated that I was,” she giggled.
“Oh, I’m sure.”
After they met, Kelly and Michelle just hit it off naturally. Michelle found Kelly’s outgoing personality refreshing and Kelly was glad to see that Michelle was a real cool and down to earth person. She was happy that her image of Michelle was not ruined by their face to face introduction. They talked for the next forty-five minutes getting to know one another and talking about their relationships but not going into great private details. So, it kind of threw Michelle for a loop when Kelly asked her the next question.
“So when are you guys planning to get married and start a family?”
Michelle paused.
“Um, we’ve talked about it. Lately, we’ve talked about it a lot because it seems to be a hot topic amongst our family and friends,” she giggled.
“I know I’m being a little intrusive but it’s just that Gunner always tells me how much Jay loves you. He told me all about how Jay changed his life for you and I gotta be honest, I just envy you so much, and I want you guys to really do the damn thing, you know?”
“Well, if we’re being honest, I think Jay was ready for a change so it didn’t take much convincing. He’s been through a lot.”
“Yeah, you right about that. They both have,” Kelly said as the two women turned and glanced at their men huddled in a circle with E, Ray and some other friends, laughing hard and enjoying themselves.
****
After cruising the Detroit River while the guests partied the night away, the yacht docked at the private dock for the local yacht club as the party continued well after midnight. All night Jay had been mingling with old associates and dancing with Michelle making sure she was having a good time. She was getting along great with Kelly and having Niecey Girl there as well was the icing on the cake. It was definitely a night to remember and when E and Jay finally got a moment alone on the top deck, Jay had to give him his props.
“You put this shit together my nigga. That’s how you throw a muthafucking party!” he said as they slapped fives.
“You know I had to do it right man. I’m trying to get my life together like you did, you feel me? Trying to expand my network and all that ‘cause the game don’t last forever man. You was right about that shit. I don’t know if we gon’ ever be able to convince Gunner and Ray of that shit, but I see it now.”
“Yeah, I don’t know if they ever gonna see it either, but you know every man gotta walk his own path. All we can do from here is give ‘em the game and it’s up to them niggas to soak it up.”
E nodded his head in agreement as they stared out across the water at the Canadian shoreline.
“So how the music thing going for you?” E asked.
Jay shook his head.
“Shit is a process, I’ll tell you that much. But I know everything takes time.”
“I know you, my nigga, you can do anything you put your mind to. Especially if it’s something you really passionate about. You know when I think about all the shit we been through and accomplished at our age…we could make a movie about our lives dog, real talk.”
“Fuck yeah nigga, a blockbuster fucking million dollar movie,” Jay agreed.
“I told my girl that shit one day she was like maybe you should,” E chuckled.
When E said that, Jay felt his entire body freeze up right where he stood as E’s words hit him like a brick in the chest. Something came over him. He knew he’d had a lot of champagne, but the feeling was so overwhelming and the vision was so clear he couldn’t deny it.
“You know what though, maybe we should,” Jay replied without even thinking it through.
“What?” he chuckled.
“Maybe we should,” Jay repeated.
“You serious nigga?” E said wiping the smile from his face.
“Yeah, I mean, we could make like a fictional movie so it won’t be like we telling on ourselves and shit. We can find some people that know how to write a script and—”
“Hold up Jay,” E said
. Jay was talking so fast and E was so high it was hard to tell if Jay was just drunk or being serious. “Nigga you just bought a whole recording studio and got a building and all that shit. Don’t you think your attention should be on that big ass investment you just made?”
“Yeah…yeah, I know. You right.”
E’s words brought Jay back to reality. He was pursuing music, not movies, but the idea just sounded so appealing it stayed on his mind for the remainder of the night. He was still trying to find his niche outside of street hustling, but E’s words on passion had Jay thinking deeper than ever before. He had money but he needed direction. It was all making Jay feel like a fish out of water but he was committed to seeing this new life through.
Chapter 9
After about a week of being back in the city, Oshiwa began to relax a little and feel comfortable moving about. She still wouldn’t drive in the daytime so Doe became her chauffeur during those hours as they moved around handling business together. Today was the first day she’d gotten a chance to actually do something to her hair and nails so she could feel pretty again. At the salon, she got another sew-in with long, sandy brown hair that altered her appearance as much as possible from the pictures of her signature short curly style.
She was able to get in and out the nail shop just in time to head to the Amtrak station. She stepped outside headed to the Charger parked out front wearing a tight fitted V-neck T, blue jean short shorts, and sandals. When she slid inside, she could feel Doe’s eyes scanning her body from her full breast and thick thighs down to her freshly pedicured toes as she dropped her Chanel bag on the floor in between her legs.
“You looking like yourself again,” Doe complimented as he pulled off.
“I’m back like I never left, huh?”
“Hell yeah,” he grinned.
“I don’t like that nail spot though. I might have to find another one.”
“What’s wrong with it?”
“Too many stripper bitches in there.”
“You seen somebody you know?”
“Naw, but I know stripper bitches when I see ‘em. Those bitches talk more than a snitch in an interrogation room off five lines of coke, I swear.”
Doe laughed out loud.
“I’ma turn you on to this spot my cousin be going to,” he replied.
“Which cousin? She know me?”
“Everybody know you now, Oshiwa,” Doe replied.
She smiled a little thinking about her infamy.
“Yeah, well, it’s the price of the game I guess,” she shrugged.
They arrived at the train station fifteen minutes later. Rell was standing outside holding two duffle bags which contained his whole life at the moment. It took Bones some time to warm up to the idea of letting Rell back into his circle but when he really analyzed his situation, he realized Jazzy was the one that almost cost him his freedom and blew a money spot because of his selfish ways. He now knew that Rell was a shooter and he meant more to Bones and Oshiwa alive and working for them than dead.
Rell was also a fugitive now but he was confident that he could beat the charges if he was ever arrested. The only people that knew what really happened in the room besides Frank were all in Detroit and they were solid. He was just hoping they still believed in him as much as he believed in them.
“Sup Rell baby?” Doe said after Rell tossed his things in the trunk and slid in the back seat.
“What’s up Doe? It’s good seeing you again my nigga.”
“Likewise.”
“What’s up cousin?” Rell said to Oshiwa as he patted her shoulder from the backseat.
“Shiiiid, dead presidents, foreign cars and luxury homes.”
Doe laughed.
“You ain’t never lied; that is what’s up. I’m ready to get this money. Let’s get to it.”
“You got all the opportunity in the world here if you ready for it. You gon’ be staying with Doe for a minute until you get on your feet. You cool with that?” Oshiwa said.
“Yeah, Doe my nigga you know that,” Rell replied.
Oshiwa felt good seeing everything come together. It was almost time to set things in motion.
****
Gunner and Ray Ray were leaving out of the gambling spot at 3 am a little buzzed and tired but in good spirits because they’d won money. Gunner didn’t gamble nearly as much as he used to but every once in a while the bug came calling and he’d answer.
“How much you hit they ass for?” Ray Ray said.
“Shit, about eleven thousand. You?”
“About seven. I’ma give that shit to Dan in the morning,” Ray Ray said.
“That’s a good idea,” Gunner said as they found their cars parked right behind each other. “Speaking of that, what you come up with?”
Since Ray’s arrest, Gunner had learned that the witness the state had planned to use against him was the owner of the dry cleaners where Bones’s sister was killed. Apparently he’d seen the whole thing and had been afraid to speak up until now.
“I don’t got no choice. I gotta send the shootas at ‘em,” Ray shrugged.
Gunner wouldn’t let Ray risk his own freedom by going after the state’s witness, but he didn’t see anything wrong with having one of their shooters go handle the situation and hopefully force the state to drop the charges.
“We might need Heady on this one to make sure it gets done,” Gunner said.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Ray agreed.
“I’ll hit you up in the morning,” Gunner said as they parted ways.
Once in the car Gunner realized he had a few text messages from Kelly and calls from an unknown number. As he drove home the same unknown number called again five minutes later. He knew at this time of night it had to be something important so he answered.
“Hello?”
“Hello, can I speak with a Mr. Keith Randall please?”
Gunner didn’t know what to do. He wasn’t used to people calling his phone sounding like the police or bill collector at three in the morning.
“Um, speaking,” he finally decided.
“This is Tracy calling from Beaumont Hospital. We have your daughter Larisa Randall here and she’s been seriously injured. You're listed as her mother’s emergency contact.”
Gunner’s heart fell to his stomach.
“What’s wrong with my daughter?”
“Well, we can’t give you any other information over the phone Mr. Randall but you need to get down here as soon as possible.”
Now he was getting angry because he didn’t know what was going on and why his daughter’s mother wasn’t the one calling him. He could feel his temperature rising fast.
“Ma’am what the fuck happened to my daughter?” he yelled.
“Sir please calm down…”
“Fuck you, tell me the fuck is going on with my kid?”
****
When Jay and Mitchell got back home after a week in Detroit, Jay couldn’t stop thinking about the conversation he and E had on the yacht. It was something inside of Jay guiding him, pushing him to do some more research into what steps to take if he actually wanted to try and put a movie out.
He hadn’t told Michelle anything about the idea but the more he thought about it the more excited he became. He and his team had such a story to tell and if they could tell it to the world Jay felt like he somehow would be keeping J-Rock, Lines, and Bake alive in some way. He pictured people playing the roles of his dead homies as he thought about how the storyline would play out.
All day he daydreamed about a movie that could tell the Van Dyke Down story in a fiction setting. When he and Michelle sat down for dinner that evening he decided he was going to pitch her the idea.
“Dig dis here. When me and E was on the boat we was kicking about all the shit we had been through and everything, and he made a joke about how we could make a movie about our lives. But the more I thought about it, I kept saying to myself, you know that would make one hell of a movie.”
<
br /> “And probably one hell of a jail sentence,” Michelle giggled.
“No not like that…not a real life story…a fictional movie but based on real shit.”
“Ooooh yeah, that would be dope,” Michelle agreed.
“You really think so?”
“I do. Why? Are you really thinking about trying to make a movie?”
The way Michelle’s face lit up Jay didn’t know if she was excited or in disbelief.
“It’s been on my mind a lot since we got back. You don’t think I could do it?” he asked.
Michelle looked him in the eyes.
“I think you can do anything you want Jay, but what about the record label? What about the studio you just spent all this money on?”
Jay sat in silence for a moment trying his best to find the right words.
“I put it to you like this. When I opened up the record stores in the D, it was something I did because I knew I had to have something to clean the money I was making. When I started thinking about building a record label it was because I figured it was something I could do to get out of the dope game, not because it was really what I wanted to do with my life. I’ve never been this excited about a record label the way I am about the idea of a movie.”
“And you’ve never thought about it before last week?”
“No,” Jay said honestly.
Michelle could see that Jay was serious. She could see the passion in his eyes. It was the same passion she had for gymnastics and journalism. She wasn’t totally convinced, but she believed that he believed he’d finally found his passion.
“I think if you’re really serious then you should take your time and make sure it’s not just a momentary adrenaline rush of a new idea. Meantime, if you really wanna look into getting a script done and everything I can help you. You know I have a lot of contacts in the film industry.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Remember Leslie’s husband Brian I was trying to get you to meet while we were there and you kept blowing me off?”
“What about him?”
“He’s an executive producer of that movie Footprints they filmed in Detroit last year.”
Married to the Game Page 6
