Street Dreams

by K'wan

  “I hope so, Rio. And speaking of Prince, what up wit that situation?” “It is what it is, T. I made a deal with the devil and now I gotta ride it out.”

  “Ride it out? Nah, you thinking too small. I don’t agree with what you’ve managed to get yourself into, but we gotta deal with it. If we gonna play the game, we gonna play to win. Forget riding it out, ride this bitch to the top.”

  “So you wit me, ma?”

  “That ain’t even a question, Rio. All we got is us.”

  10

  Because of the nice weather the corner of 104th and Columbus was packed. People were just out talking shit and enjoying the weather. Shamel was posted up off to the side with his man, Knowledge. They passed a bottle between them trying to size up a potential victim. Their attention was temporarily drawn away when Freddy came from behind the center looking all crazy.

  Freddy was just your average dude from round the way. He didn’t hustle or anything, he was a working dude. He usually kept his appearance up, but today was different. His hair was uncombed and it looked as if his clothes had been slept in. His eyes were red and sported circles like he had been crying.

  “Sup, y’all?” Freddy asked.

  “What up,” Shamel responded. “You a’ight, kid?”

  “Nah, man. A nigga fucked up. Me and Moms was worried cause Tracy ain’t come home from school since like yesterday.”

  “Fuck outta here? Ya sis only like thirteen or so and she hanging like that?”

  “Nah,” Freddy said, lighting a cigarette. Which was odd because he didn’t smoke. “That's just it. Tracy doesn’t stay out. Plus this lady from my mom's church said she thought she had seen Tracy walking toward Amsterdam with some dude.”

  “Wow, that's some heavy shit, Freddy. I’ll keep my ear to the dirt for you, kid. I hope she comes home soon.”

  “Me, too, Mel. Me, too.” Freddy continued on his way, leaving the two crooks to ponder the latest news.

  “That's fucked up,” Knowledge said, shaking his head.

  “Ain’t it though,” Shamel co-signed. “You hear anything on the Vine?” The Vine was a network of people from various neighborhoods and cliques that swapped info. Shamel and his people had set that up to keep tabs on who was getting money and where they were laying their heads. The Vine was mostly composed of big-mouth chicks who liked to stay in some shit. Some of the dough getters got hip and tried to shut it down, but that proved to be damn near impossible. All people in the hood did was gossip.

  “Nothing really,” Knowledge said. “Not that I could think of. Oh…matter fact, I did hear some shit, but I ain’t follow up on it. That big-butt bitch, Jasmin, from up the way was telling one of her girls how she though she seen a nigga get his shit split. She goes and gets her brother to walk her back to where she knew the body was so they could call the news or some shit. The thing was, when the brother goes to peek ain’t nothing there.”

  “Fuck outta here,” Shamel said, waving him off. “I wouldn’t follow up on nothing that pothead bitch says. She's the only female I know that blow trees before she do anything else in the morning.”

  “I don’t know, Mel.”

  “Whatever, kid. I’ll be back in a few. I’m going down the block to see if I see that nigga Roger. Ma fucka owed me three hundred dollars for a minute. I’m popped and I need mine.” Shamel hauled himself off the gate and disappeared in back of the center.

  Rio got Trinity settled and decided to hit the streets. The fresh air would help clear his head, plus he needed a chance to check his new territory. Actually calling the shots was going to be way different from being a spot runner. As a spot runner, he was only in charge of a single spot and maybe a few workers. As Capo he was in charge of all the neighborhood spots as well as being responsible for Prince's money.

  Before Rio made it to the steps, Shamel was making his way across the park. He was dressed in dark colors and looking suspect. Rio knew his friend was on the grind. Between Cutty and his itchy trigger and Shamel with his sticky fingers, Rio had his hands full.

  “Sup, God?” Shamel said.

  “Chilling, man,” answered Rio.

  “I know that's right, dog. Oh, yeah, congratulations on the promotion.”

  “How the fuck you know?”

  “Come on, kid. I’m plugged into the Vine.”

  “Yeah, I stepped up to the plate,” Rio answered modestly.

  “What brought on the career change?”

  “Time to come up,” Rio lied.

  Shamel looked at him sideways, but didn’t comment on it. “I hear that, Rio. What happened to you last night?”

  “Oh… I got sidetracked, ya know? Nigga just kicked it in the crib and meditated.”

  “Word? I went to ya house. Sally said that you wasn’t there.”

  “Me and my mom's boyfriend got into something. She was probably still mad.”

  “I can dig it. So, what you wanna do about the Baker situation?”

  “Ain’t nothing, man. I ain’t gonna wet that shit. Somebody will end up killing his ass sooner or later.”

  “Oh, last night you was bout ya business, now you on some live-and-let-live shit?” Shamel questioned.

  “Damn,” Rio snapped. “Fuck is up with the questions and shit? You wired or something, nigga?”

  “Easy, son. I ain’t the enemy. I’m just fucking wit you.”

  “I got a lot of shit on me right now, dog. I just ain’t in a joking mood.”

  “I feel you, Mr. Grinch. But on a sadder note, Freddy's sister is missing.”

  “Who the fuck is Freddy's sister?”

  “Tracy. You know her. The young’n wit the big titties?”

  For a minute Rio couldn’t quite figure who his man was talking about, but then it hit him. That's why the girl from the other night had looked familiar. Rio could recall days when he would give Tracy and her little friends dollars. He hadn’t seen her in quite some time, so he hadn’t recognized her. Suddenly his heart felt heavier.

  “That's fucked up, Mel,” Rio said.

  “Fucked up ain’t the word. I’m hoping the little heifer got hot in the pants and stayed out with a boy.”

  “Yeah, that's probably what happened.” In his heart Rio wanted what he had told his friend to be true, but she wasn’t coming back.

  “So,” Shamel continued. “Where you headed?”

  “Up the block, man. Walk with me.”

  The two hiked up the steps talking shit. As they passed, a group of girls were pointing at Rio and smiling. He smiled back and kept stepping. While he walked toward the building, he could feel them still staring at him. Rio just shook his head and thought about Trinity.

  All of the homeboys were assembled in front of the building chilling. When Rio walked up, they all started clapping. Rio was taken back by the response. He knew that now that he was a Capo things would be different, but he never expected an ovation. One by one they gave Rio dap and wished him well. He was definitely a hood favorite.

  The little ceremony was broken up by a commotion in the lobby. Rio jogged to the building followed by the soldiers. When they got inside, a kid named Cory was beating fire out of one of the workers. Cory was about six feet tall and about 220, while the worker was maybe 125. Rio didn’t like to see shit like that, especially where he was clicking.

  “Yo,” Rio said, grabbing Cory. “Fuck is you doing, kid?”

  Cory started to swing again, but when he realized who was talking to him, he froze. “Oh,” he said out of breath. “What up, boss?”

  “Fuck is up wit you? You pounding this li’l nigga out in the lobby and shit. You know that ain’t kosher.”

  “My bad on the scene, Rio. But not for nothing, this li’l nigga had it coming. He ran off with two packs from Truck's spot on 110th. He's the one that told me to come down here and handle him.”

  “Look,” Rio said, upset at hearing Cory drop Truck's name. “This ain’t 110th. This nigga wrong and I can respect you wanting to make it right, but this ain’t ho
w you do it. I’m sure you know I’m holding this down? You could’ve come to me first.”

  “I dig where you’re coming from, Rio. I ain’t mean no disrespect, but that's what Truck wanted.”

  “A’ight, Cory. But you tell ya man Truck that, next time, he comes to me.” Rio helped the young boy to his feet. “Look at me,” he said, grabbing the boy's face. “You can’t get money no where, no more, my man. From now on you work for free and you pitching. Cory,” Rio tossed Cory a wad of bills. “Tell Truck his problem is solved. The boy owes me now.”

  “Truck wants me to bring him up the hill.”

  “Cory, what I just tell you?”

  “A’ight, Rio. Truck ain’t gonna like it, but I’ll tell him.” Cory shot an evil glance at the worker and left. Once Cory was out of earshot the worker got his voice back.

  “Good looking, Rio,” He said over a bloody lip.

  “Fuck outta here,” Rio barked. “I ain’t did shit for you. Nigga, youz a thief and a traitor. I ain’t got no love for you, chump. You gonna work day and night till you get my paper up. Now get the fuck out my face and tell Tommy to give yo sorry ass a pack.”

  The worker looked at Rio with a mixture of hurt and anger. Rio had played him in front of his crew and destroyed his street credibility. It was some bullshit, but he brought it on himself. He should’ve been thankful that Rio stepped in and saved him, but he wasn’t. All his petty mind would allow him to feel was jealousy and animosity toward Prince's newest Capo. He would do as he was told for now, but Rio would answer for playing him. Had he been a man about his shit, he would’ve spoken up. But because he was a coward he left and did as he was told.

  “Umm, hmm,” Shamel mumbled.

  “Fuck is you mumbling about?” Rio asked.

  “Nothing, Rio. I was just thinking that for someone who don’t want shit to do with the game, you sure nuff got the role of boss down pat.”

  “Fuck you, Shamel. What was I supposed to do, just let Cory keep beating the nigga up and fuck up the flow?”

  “Oh, nah player. You handle things how you see fit. This ain’t my game so it don’t make me no never mind. I was just pointing something out to you.”

  “Thank's for the advice, Maury.”

  “Make all the jokes you want, Rio. The sad fact is, you on a high road to hell and I think you know it. It was different when you were just holding the block down. Now you the man. What you do and say from here on out affects others as well as yourself. You bout to step waist-deep in some shit, baby boy. I just hope you’re ready for it.”

  “I’m cool, Mel. I can handle it.”

  “Let's see if you feel that way when one of these niggaz decides to try you.”

  “It ain’t that serious, Mel. I ain’t trying to get involved in the politics of this shit. I’m just out here trying to do me.”

  “It ain’t that serious? Rio, I don’t think you understand the full weight of what you’ve gotten yourself into. You’ve chosen a side in this Rio. Because you’re with Prince, his enemies are now your enemies. When they come for him, they’ll come for you.”

  “Don’t worry about it, Mel. I’m a big boy.”

  “A’ight, Rio. You my man and you know I got ya back either way. All I’m saying is, you’ve become a key player in the very thing you’ve sought to distance yourself from. The genocide of your own people. When the times comes, and believe me it will come, are you ready to spill or shed blood for this thing here?”

  “Come on, Mel.”

  “I’m serious, Rio. When you’re married to the streets, you can’t get a divorce. I’m always gonna go to the hammer for my nigga. Right or wrong, daddy, I’m wit you. But prepare yourself, my nigga. The storm is coming. Just don’t get caught out in the rain.”

  Trinity sat in her room, staring out the window. The last few days would’ve been enough to drive any other girl crazy, but not Trinity. She was built from stronger stuff. As she thought about her life's turn of events, she tried to decide her next move.

  She didn’t totally agree with Rio for killing her father, but she understood. In a way, she loved him more for it. It was one thing for a guy to say that he loved you, but how many were willing to body something to prove it? Rio was a classic nigga and she felt blessed to have him in her corner.

  Trinity's thoughts were broken by the sound of the front door opening. It was probably Billy. She still hadn’t figured out when and if she would tell him about their father. Rio had suggested that she just dummy-up and never tell him what happened, but she wasn’t sure if she was comfortable with it.

  Trinity came out of her bedroom and saw that it wasn’t Billy, but her brother Richard. She hated seeing him almost as much as she hated seeing her father. Richard had always been book-smart, but didn’t have a drop of street knowledge. It was absurd for a kid who knew nothing about the streets to always want to be in them. This would ultimately be his undoing.

  “Sup, sis?” asked Rich. By the way his eyes were all glazed over and his jaw stiffened, she could tell he was high. Looking at her elder brother she felt pity for him. The drugs had distorted his once handsome golden face and caused skin discoloration. His formerly chiseled body was now just skin hanging off bone. Richard had made the mistake of falling under the thrall of the “white lady.”

  “Hey, Rich,” she said dryly.

  “Ain’t nothing, just came to change my clothes. Didn’t think anybody was home.” Which meant, I was coming to see what I could steal, and you fucked it up by being home. “What up wit you, T? Billy told me you was in the hospital. Everything cool?”

  “Yeah, big bro. I was just a little under the weather. I’m okay now.” Trinity felt bad about lying to her brother. The two of them used to be thick as thieves when their mother was alive. Richard and Trinity were only about a year and a half apart, but he was still her hero. Rich had always been there when she had a problem. When she needed help with something, he always had the right answer. But that was a long time ago. Ever since Rich had sold his soul for a fix, she couldn’t stand the sight of what he had become. It reminded her of what he used to be.

  “Say, T,” Rich asked. “You seen Daddy?” At the mention of her father Trinity turned white as a ghost. “Trinity, did you hear what I asked?”

  “Oh,” she stammered. “Yes. I mean, no. I mean…yes I heard you and no I haven’t seen Daddy. You’re the one always in the streets with him. You haven’t seen him?”

  “Nah, and I been to all of his spots. They said the last time they saw him, he was with some young girl. I think that kid Freddy's sister?”

  Trinity frowned at this. Rio had never mentioned another victim. Maybe she hadn’t been with Baker when it went down? Trinity knew she was just fooling herself. With Baker's fetish for young girls it's a good bet that he was with Tracy. If she knew Rio as well as she thought she did, that's probably what set him off.

  “I dunno, Rich,” she said. “Well, if he don’t pop up by tomorrow, we can file a missing person's report.”

  “Shit.” Rich chuckled. “Daddy ain’t hardly missing. Our luck couldn’t hold together so well. He's probably shacked up with someone's little girl. Shit, maybe little boy? Ol’ Daddy's probably having a real live time right now.”

  Trinity laughed with her brother, but her shit was as phony as a three-dollar bill. Baker's time would be anything but live from then on. As Trinity turned to walk back in her room she couldn’t help but wonder how her brother would support his habit or shelter himself now that Daddy was gone. That wasn’t Trinity's problem anymore. He was a grown man and had to fend for himself. As everyone had to at some point.

  A few days later Rio had an unexpected surprise for Trinity. He came and scooped her up for a kind of surprise date. She asked him where they were going, but he wouldn’t tell. When she got outside he already had the cab waiting. During the cab ride, he made her wear a blindfold so she couldn’t see where they were going. The ride took a while so Trinity figured that they were in another borough. Rio helpe
d her out of the cab and led her by the hand. When he finally removed the blindfold, Trinity gasped.

  She almost broke down and cried as she looked out at the beautiful trees and greenery. There were hoards of people moving about the open area. Couples, families, and children on a field trip from one of the local schools. She smiled broadly at the sign that read BRONX ZOO.

  “Surprise,” he said, smiling.

  “Oh, baby,” she said, hugging him. “I’ve always wanted to come to the zoo.”

  Trinity had lived in New York for her entire life and never made it to the zoo. The Bronx was only a stone's throw from Manhattan, but she had never made it there. It wasn’t that she couldn’t go, she just never seemed to have the time or a reason. A trip to the zoo might’ve seemed like something simple to most people, but to Trinity, it was one of the greatest gifts anyone had ever given her.

  “I figured it would pick your spirits up,” he said, with a grin.

  “Oh, it did. Come on,” she said, grabbing him by the hand. “Let's go see the animals.” The two lovers ran off like school kids into the zoo. As they toured the zoo, Rio schooled Trinity on the different animals. She admired him and how he was so knowledgeable but could still be street. Trinity knew that she would win with Rio.

  They spent the day walking through the zoo and being silly. It was like the first time they met all over again. Rio fed her cotton candy as he explained the mating habits of Bengal tigers. Unbeknownst to her, he had spent quite a few hours studying them, just so that he would be able to narrate the tour for her. The zoo also had a petting section where Trinity was allowed to hold a tiger for the first time. It was against the zoo's policy to let people hold the more exotic animals, but Rio had slipped the keeper two hundred dollars to make it happen. Trinity looked like she wanted to cry when she saw the baby tiger. She instantly fell in love with the cub.