by Askari
After pouring Juan’s drink, he reached behind the counter and grabbed a bottle of Dom and a tin bucket. He placed the champagne inside of the bucket, and then filled the bucket with crushed ice. As Easy and Annie were enjoying themselves in the V.I.P. area, they were approached by an overweight white man.
“Excuse me sir, but that guy over there,” he pointed at Juan who was watching them from the bar. “He told me to bring you a bottle of Dom.” Easy looked at the bartender, and then fixed his gaze on the small Spanish man.
He was dressed in cream slacks and a white button up. The top three buttons were unfastened, which revealed his curly chest hair and a small crucifix that was connected to a thin gold chain.
“Yo, why did he send this to me?” Easy asked. “I don’t know that nigga.”
“I don’t have the slightest idea," the bartender shrugged his shoulders. “All I know is that he handed me a $1,000, and told me to bring you a bottle of our finest champagne. Oh, yeah, he also told me to tell you that it was from a friend.”
Easy stared at the bartender with a skeptical look on his face. He then looked at Annie who shrugged her shoulders as if to say "I don’t know." He grabbed the bucket of champagne, and then headed toward the bar to confront Juan. “Hey, yo poppy, do you know me from somewhere?”
“No, I don’t know ju,” Juan replied in a nonchalant manner. “But I know ju type, and I like ju style,” he continued in a thick Spanish accent.
Easy screwed up his face. “My type? What do you mean by that?”
Juan scanned him from head to toe. “Ju got de gold chain, de diamoans, and de beautiful girl on ju arm. In dis country, only de pushers move like ju, so I figured dat ju was a pusher, no?”
At the sounds of Juan’s rationalizing, Easy assumed that he was being targeted for a robbery so he casually reached for the 9mm that was tucked in his waistband. Juan noticed his movements, and quickly waved him off.
“Whoa, take it easy poppy. Ju know wanna do that dat, trust me. I am heavily guarded and my men will shoot ju down faster den ju eyes can blink."
Easy glanced around the club looking for the bodyguards that the little man spoke of, but he couldn’t see them. Confused, he asked, “Yo, what’s up wit’ you poppy? Whatchu want from me?”
Juan smiled. “I’m Juan Nunez, and I come from Columbia.” He extended his right hand, and Easy accepted the gesture.
“My name is Easy, and I’m from North Philly," he replied, while taking a seat at the bar. “So, you’re from Columbia, huh poppy? Whatchu doin’ all the way in America?”
“I’m here on business,” Juan answered, while sipping his drink. “I work for a very important man back in my country, and he sent me here to expand his distribution network.”
“Distribution network? Hey, yo poppy, what the fuck you talking ‘bout?”
Juan chuckled. “Ju know somethin’ ‘bout cocaine?”
“Yeah," Easy lied, knowing damn well that his only connection to the white powder was the hustlers that he terrorized and extorted.
Juan nodded his head. “Ju know how to move cocaine?”
“Yeah, I know how to move that shit.”
“Well, I tell ju what, I can make ju richer than ju ever dreamed of.”
“Oh, yeah,” Easy chuckled. “And how do you plan on doin’ that?”
Juan gulped down the rest of his drink, then pulled out a cigar and held it between his thumb and index finger. “Ju say ju was from North Philly, and it just so happens dat my brother, Poncho is in North Philly. He owns a bodega on de corner of Marshall and Tioga. Do ju know where dat is?”
“Yeah.” Easy nodded his head. “That’s Poppy Land.”
“When ju go back to North Philly, ju go see him, and he’s gonna take good care of ju.”
“A’ight poppy, I think I just might do that.”
“Sure ju will. Ju look like a smart man.” Juan smiled, and then rested his hand on Easy’s shoulder. “Dere is one thing dat I must tell ju about me. De country where I come from, loyalty is de foundation for everything. Dis is de only thing I know, poppy. Ju show me ju loyalty, and I’ll show ju my love. But if ju show me disloyalty,” he shrugged his shoulders. “Well then, I’ll have to show ju my hate, and trust me poppy, ju no wanna see my hate, lemme tell ju.”
“Say no more poppy. I can dig it.”
When Easy returned to North Philly, he paid a visit to Poncho, and the rest was history. Poncho fronted him 5 kilos of pure Columbian raw at the price of $14,000 a piece, and he taught him something that would change the streets of Philadelphia forever. He taught him how to cook crack!
Back To 2012
Now, almost three decades later, here he was sitting on his couch, struggling with the white faced demon that surrounded his life.
“Man, fuck this shit.” He flipped over the coffee table and jumped to his feet. “I’m takin’ my black ass home.”
Chapter Eighteen
Two Weeks Later...
It was Christmas Eve, and Sonny was at a car dealership in Cherry Hill, New Jersey finishing the paperwork on his new truck. The owner of the dealership reminded him of Tony Soprano. He was a connected, middle aged Italian man, and he didn’t blink twice when Sonny waltzed into his office and dropped a $75,000 on his desk.
In addition to the money, Sonny also gave him a brick of cocaine. This assured that the paperwork on his new truck would appear to be legit. Specifically, the owner of the dealership would doctor up the paperwork, making it appear as though he made a $7,500 down payment and would be paying a monthly car note.
An hour later, he drove off the lot in a brand new black on black 2013 Cadillac Escalade.
When he returned to Philly, he drove downtown to Jeweler’s Row, and paid a visit to his jeweler. He dropped $50,000 on a five carat, emerald cut engagement ring, and another $40,000 on three iced-out tennis bracelets. Altogether, he spent a total of $190,000, but couldn't have cared less. He still had close to a $1,000,000 in the vault at is new house, and 80 keys of raw.
An hour later, he pulled up in front of Daphney’s house and honked the horn. When she peaked her head out the front door and saw him sitting in his new truck, she came out the house and climbed in the passenger’s side.
“What’s up, Daph? You good?”
“Yeah, I’m okay,” she sighed. “I’m still try’na get over what happened to Mook and Saleena. Their funeral was so sad.”
“I feel you, but at the same time, I know they’re in a better place. The only thing we can do at this point is move on.”
“I know, but it’s still hard for me to get over what happened. Mook was like my brother.”
Attempting to change the subject, he reached inside of his center console and pulled out a gift wrapped box. “Here,” he handed her the rectangleshaped box. “Merry Christmas.”
When she opened her gift and laid eyes on the tennis bracelet her heart melted. “Awwww, thank you Sonny. This is so pretty.”
“Here,” he grabbed the bracelet. “Lemme help you put it on.”
Once the bracelet was clamped around her wrist, she opened the visor and examined the clarity of the diamonds in the small mirror.
“This is the nicest thing that anybody has done for me in a long time. Thanks boo.”
He nodded his head. “No doubt. But dig though, I’ma keep it a hunnid wit’ you, It’s more of a goin’ away gift.”
She looked at him with a confused expression. “A goin’ away gift? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Look, I ain’t try’na hurt ya feelins’ or nothin’ like that, but I can’t do this no more.”
“Why?” She held out her hands for emphasis. “We were just startin’ to get close, and I was seriously considering whether or not I was gonna start bringin’ my son around you. I just don’t get it. I thought we were gonna take a chance and follow our hearts.”
He took a deep breath. “That’s what I’m doin’, Daph, I’m followin’ my heart. Right now, my heart’s wit’ Riri and the b
aby.”
She stared out the passenger’s side window and a warm tear fell from her left eye. Every fiber of her being wanted her to be selfish and fight for the man that she so desperately wanted in her life, but she knew that if she truly loved him then she had to let him go. If it’s meant to be, it’ll be, she thought to herself as she turned her head to face him. “I can respect it. I just need you to know that you have my heart, and if you ever need me, I’m here for you.”
*****
Christmas Morning...
It was 10:30 a.m. when Sonny woke up in his new house. He climbed out of bed and went over to his bedroom window. He peaked outside and noticed that it snowed the night before. Damn, I gotta remember to put the Benz in the garage ‘fore I leave, he thought to himself.
After getting dressed and eating breakfast, he picked up his iPhone and called his mom.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
“Hello,” Easy answered.
“Pops? Man, whatchu doin’ over there?”
“Come on, Sontino. Don’t be askin’ me no dumbass questions,” Easy chuckled. “I’m spendin’ quality time wit’ my wife.”
Sonny chuckled. “That's what's up. Where mommy at?”
“She’s downstairs cookin’ breakfast.”
“Put her on the phone for me.”
A couple of minutes later, Annie’s voice eased through the receiver. “Hey, baby. Merry Christmas.”
“The same to you,” he quickly replied. “A’ight, now what's my pops doin’ over there?”
“Humph, don’t be questioning me because I’m grown.”
“Yeah, whatever,” he laughed. He was happy that his mom and dad were working things out. “Did you get the gift that I left for you under the Christmas tree?”
“Yeah, baby, I got it this morning. Thank you.”
“Aww man, that ain’t ‘bout nothin’. You deserve that and a whole lot more. On another note, did you do what I asked you to do for me?”
“Yeah, and I just got off the phone with your grandmom, Jeanette. She was up all last night cooking for the occasion, so don’t worry.”
“A’ight, well we should be there by six o’clock, so make sure that everybody’s ready.”
“Boy, stop worrying so much. Me and your grandmother are on the job, and we got it covered. Now, stop bugging me.”
He laughed. “A’ight mom, I love you and I’ll see you later.”
“I love you too, baby.”
Click!
*****
Later That Day...
Sonny pulled up in front of Riana’s house, hopped out the Escalade and knocked on the front door. It had been a little over two weeks since their argument at the doctor's office, and he missed her like crazy. When she opened the door, she looked so beautiful that all he could do was smile. She was wearing a softpink Polo sweat suit, and her baby bulge looked like a miniature sized basketball underneath her jacket. As he stood there admiring her almond shaped eyes and her juicy pink lips, he fell in love all over again.
“Merry Christmas, Ri.” He embraced her with a warm hug, and then kissed her passionately. He reached inside of his waist length mink coat and pulled out a gift wrapped jewelry box. “Here, this is for you.”
Instead of responding, she looked at him and broke down crying.
“Yo, what’s wrong? What are you cryin’ for?”
“Because I’m stupid. I was buggin’ out for no reason, and you didn’t deserve it.”
He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her tears away. “Yo, don’t even sweat that shit. We gonna keep that in the past, and focus on the here and now."
She nodded her head and wiped her face. “Okay,” she said in a baby’s voice, and then bear hugged him. "I got you a present too. It’s upstairs in my room. Wait here while I get it for you.”
As she went upstairs to her room, he took a seat on the couch and made himself comfortable. A couple of minutes later, she descended the stairs with a Rottweiler puppy clutched in her arms. “Here,” she smiled as she handed him the puppy. “I named him Rocko.”
He held the little black and brown dog in the air and smiled. “Thanks, Ri. He’s definitely official. Good lookin’, babe.”
“I got a little cage for him too,” she giggled. “It’s upstairs in my mom’s room. Ever since I got him last week, she’s been treating him like a little baby.”
“A’ight, I got my gift, but you still haven’t opened yours.”
She retrieved the gift wrapped jewelry box from her pocket and peeled away the wrapping paper. When she opened the box, she was excited to see the iced-out hearts that were fashioned into a tennis bracelet. “Awwww, thank you Sontino. It matches the necklace you gave me.”
“Here, lemme help you put it on."
She handed him the bracelet, and after he clamped it on her wrist, she waved it back and forth and admired the bling of the diamonds.
‘A’ight, I see you ballin’ and all dat.” He laughed, and then tapped her on the ass. “Now, go get ya necklace, so we can see how they go together. As a matter of fact, grab ya coat while you at it. One of the homies is havin’ a lil’ Christmas party at his house, and we’re invited.”
“Alright, just let me put Rocko in his cage before we leave.”
“Nizzaw, we gon’ take him wit’ us, and I’ll just drop him off at my mom’s house.”
*****
About Fifteen Minutes Later...
They pulled up in front of their new house, and just as Sonny anticipated, the cars of their family and friends were lined up and down the block. He pulled into the driveway, and parked beside Easy’s Range Rover. Inside of the house, all of the lights were on, and through the curtains, they could see the silhouettes of everybody inside.
“Sontino, whose house is this?’
“This my bestfriend's house.”
“But what about Rocko? We can’t just leave him in the car?”
“I know, that’s why we’re takin’ him wit’ us,” he replied as exited the truck, and then walked around to the passenger’s side to help her do the same.
He then reached in the backseat and grabbed Rocko. As they walked up the driveway, Riana spotted a black Nissan Maxima and said, “That looks like my mom’s car.”
He ignored her statement and continued walking toward the front door. When he slid his key in the door knob, she immediately became suspicious. “Sontino, what are you doin’ wit’ a key to the front door? I thought you said this was your friend’s house?”
“Wrong. I said this was my bestfriend’s house.”
“And who’s your bestfriend?”
He kissed her on the forehead. “You.”
“Huh?” she asked, completely dumbfounded.
He opened the front door, and everybody inside of the house shouted, “Surprise.”
“Ahn ahn, boo, you didn’t?"
“I definitely did," he continued smiling and nodded his head up and down. "This is for you, me, and the baby.”
When they entered the house, she was ambushed by her mom, his grand mom, Annie and Erika. They each took turns hugging her and rubbing on her belly.
“Hold up, you mean to tell me that all of y’all knew about this, and didn’t none of y’all tell me?” She whined like a baby.
Erika smiled at her. “Girl, Sontino woulda had a heart attack if one of us woulda said somethin’. That nigga has been plannin’ this for about two weeks now.”
Annie grabbed Riana by the arm and along with Sontino they gave her a tour of the house. When they finally reached the nursery, she bear hugged Sonny and cried on his shoulder. “I love you so much, Sontino.”
“Yeah," he smiled at her, then got down on one knee. He reached iside of his pocket and pulled and out an engagement ring. "Well, do you love me enough to marry me?”
“Huh?” She replied, not believing what he’d just asked her.
“I said, do you love me enough to be my wife?”
She looked at the huge emerald cut diamond set in white gol
d, and continued crying. “Yes, baby! Yes, I’ll marry you!”
He placed the ring on her finger, and then stood to his feet and wrapped his arms around her. As their family and friends congratulated them, Sheed raised his bottle of Spades in the air and proposed a toast.
“To the big homie and his new fiancé. I wish y’all all the happiness in the world, and I pray that y’all have a healthy baby, and that it doesn’t have a big ass head like Sonny.”
Everybody in the house erupted with laughter.
*****
In The City’s Logan Section...
Nahfisah was sitting behind the steering wheel of Tommy’s Benz. She was snorting cocaine from a matchbook, and nodding her head to the sounds of Nicki Manaj’s, Super Base. Ever since the day she heard about Tommy’s murder, her desire for the white powder grew stronger and stronger. She and Imani were now living with her grandmother, and after a hectic Christmas Day, she was ready to hook up with the smoothtalking dude that she met at a party a few nights ago. After ingesting the last bit of cocaine, she wiped her nose, and then pulled away from the curb.
About fifteen minutes later, she pulled up in front of a shabby row house on 12th and York, and honked the European horn.
Beep! Beep!
A couple of seconds later, the front door opened and Teddy Beaver Bushnut Reynolds, a washed up hustler and pimp, emerged from the house with a Newport dangling from his lips. He was dressed in a black leather jacket, a crisp pair of jeans and a fresh pair of black chuckas. Although he was twenty years her senior, his lightskin, green eyes, curly hair and slim build screamed sex appeal. He climbed in the passenger’s side, and then leaned over the center console to give her a sloppy, wet kiss.
“What’s shakin, sweet thang? You ready to party?”
“Now, you know I’m ready to party,” she smiled, and then adjusted her Fendi shades.
“A’ight,” he nodded his head, and then reached inside of his jacket pocket. He pulled out an eight ball of crack. “Whatchu know about this, though?”
