by Bobby Dennis
"You got that right." said Lefty, who swung his guns up and fired four quick rounds that smashed into Pip's chest. They catapulted him backward where he crashed to the ground.
"That was cold blooded murder!" shouted Obie. "You won't get away with this one!"
"Who says he won't?" Raven asked raising his pistol and firing one round that struck Obie between the eyes and exited in a spray of blood and brain, that splashed on Iron Head.
Big Larry stumbled from the back, blood had drenched his shirt front. He kneeled and picked up Obie's shotgun, raised it and shot Iron Head in the face. Iron Head’s face was erased in a shower of blood and gore.
"Ain't no need in looking over our shoulders." Mace said as he fired his weapon. Eagle, Hawk and Falcon fired with him and the other three men were cut down in a hail of lead.
Raven looked around the room at the terror stricken crowd and proclaimed in a loud voice. "If anyone entertains the thought of harming us in any way, know that you'll receive the same. We won't stop until every adult male in your clan is dead!"
The men looked over the crowd. Then Raven holstered his gun and pulled out his bill fold. He took a large wad of bills out, then passed them to Big Larry, and said. "For any inconvenience we've caused!"
Raven made the call of the night bird, turned on his heels and left, followed by his clan.
* CHAPTER # 22 *
The years passed and the Kanes and Maces became intermingled. Falcon's daughter Beth, married Lefty shortly after Lisa and Drake married. Tim married Lucy and the families bloomed. They never got involved in the heroin trade, but their bootlegging business took off. Ransom had followed Raven's advice and hired drivers for their shipments.
Bull and his group, killed several of their men and so started what was called the Whiskey Wars of Duval County. The killings went back and forth for several years.
By 1926 the Kanes and Maces, were firmly entrenched in liquor running and in the community. Ransom, Drake and Trace convinced most of the family to invest in the stock market as the economy seemed to be flourishing. They had large investments in various stocks and bonds.
Then came what was called Black Thursday, Oct 24, 1929. The market crashed and the once rich found themselves suddenly poor and destitute. The depression struck with a vengeance and the entire country was thrown into turmoil. Bankers jumped from windows and committed suicide in every form known to man.
Raven, who had never trusted the whites and most of the elders carried the family through the lean times. But, still there was a tightening of belts. Times were tough for everyone. It seemed all of the elders started dying at once. First Cougar, then Wolf, Swallow, Eagle, Falcon, Violet, Willow, Conchita, Hawk, Mace, Lola and Fern.
Raven was the last of the elders living and Celia stood by his side. Ransom had taken firm control of the clan, with his brothers Turk and Prince by his side.
In 1938, there were rumbles of America getting involved in the war that Germany had begun. They were supplying arms and munitions to the British, who were hard pressed by the Germans.
Baron was 18 years old and he was set to marry the daughter of Big Larry Sumner. Baron had the Kane build. He was a big man, at least 6'2", and well muscled. He was a combination of his parents. He wasn't as dark as his father, nor as light as his mother. He had a co-co brown complexion and was quite the ladies man until he met young Lois Sumner. A petite, brown skinned beauty, who had the body of a goddess.
Baron and his cousins were basically running things, while Ransom and the other old men sat back and pulled the strings. Bootlegging was still profitable, even though prohibition had been repealed in 1933.
Drake and Lisa's oldest son, Will Mace, was his right hand man. His crew consisted of Tim and Lucy’s first born son, Chance. Lao and Esmeralda’s son, John. Blake and Laine's son, Bobby. Trace and Myra's son, Ausha. Juan and Tracy's son, Dennis. Cissy and Jose's son, Roger. Turk and Rosita's son, Roy. Prince and Consuela's son, Charles. Lyle and Mandy's son, Ben. Greg and Sparrow's son, Samuel. And Preston and Jeanie Mae's son, Brandford, named after Big Mace.
The Kane, Mace, and Jenson’s boys were a rough lot and they believed in an eye for an eye. If you wronged one, you wronged them all.
* * * * "Baron, I think I'm pregnant." Lois said happily. "Are you sure?" Baron asked.
"About as sure as I can be!" she replied. "I done
already told my ma about it."
"Well, I guess we better set the date up for the
marriage!" Baron said. "I'm gonna need to talk to your folks
and tell them our plans. My folks need to know too, so let's
swing on over to their place, then we'll go see your folks." "I don't want you to start nothing with L.J. either."
she said firmly.
L.J, was Larry Jr., her oldest brother. He was 23
years old, and involved in the heroin trade. He had made a
name for himself and was backed by his brothers Leonard,
called Nard and Leon. Jack Lee Evans, and his brother
Spencer, were their enforcers.
Lois was 16 and had moved in with Baron, who had
his own place. Raven had managed his money fairly well, but
they were nowhere near as wealthy as they once were. Raven
had started a small trucking company, called Kanes moving
and storage. He had two large warehouses and did decent
business even though the old boy network was still in affect. Baron and all of the younger Kane men, were all employed as drivers. None would get rich, but the family ate and that was
Raven's main concern.
Raven, by this time was a mere shadow of his former
self. His mind was still agile as ever, but physically he was
wearing down. At 78, he was still spry, but his once powerful
frame was now frail.
Baron and Lois drove to the store that Raven still
owned. He had taken a major hit with the store, but refused to
close it even though it barely broke even. He gave credit,
even when he knew he wouldn't be likely to get paid. He
refused to see his people starve or go hungry. And if he could
provide for them with no real loss to him and his family, then
he did.
"Hey boy!" Celia said surprised to see Baron. “Lois
how you doing chile?"
"I'm fine Ms. Celia!" Lois said smiling.
Lois, genuinely liked Baron's family, especially his
father and mother. They took to her from the start and treated
her like a daughter.
"Where Pa?" Baron asked his Mother.
"That any way to greet your momma boy?" Celia
asked. "Ma, don't you start up with me now." Baron said
jokingly as he walked to his mother and wrapped her in his
strong arms. He lifted her and spun her around.
Celia squealed and screamed. "Put me down boy!" Baron set her down and kissed her lightly on the
cheek. "I need to talk to you and pa." he said seriously
holding her by her shoulders.
Raven walked in followed by Brooks son, Nelson,
who was constantly at his side. Nelson was 15 and he adored
his great grandfather, couldn't get enough of the stories that
Raven told him. Nelson was huge and his size promised he
could get even bigger.
"Why ain't you workin boy?" Raven asked Baron. "The same reason you ain't.” Baron said light
heartedly, as Raven approached.
"Lois, I don't see what you see in that lazy nigga. If I
was a few years younger, I'd take you from him!" Raven said
laughing. "Nigga don't deserve you no how. I got to ask your
daddy what the hell he was thinking tellin that joker he could
marry you."
They all laughed, as Raven pulled Lois into his arms
a
nd kissed her cheek.
Nelson hugged Baron and Lois, then assumed his
place next to Raven. Nelson had moved in with Raven and
Celia when Baron moved out.
"Ma, Pa, Lois is pregnant and I don't want my child
born out of wedlock. So we gonna marry soon!" Baron said
happily.
"I don't have a problem with that and I'm sure your
mother doesn't either." Raven said. "I suppose I got to pay for
the wedding."
"Nah, you ain't got to do that pa. I been saving for it
and I got a few buck set aside." Baron said.
"Just how much, is a few bucks?" Celia asked. "I got almost $300 saved!" Baron said proudly. "I do
hope that's enough."
"Oh it's enough," Raven said. "I guess you can go on
and pay for it, hell that'll save me some money."
"Nel, you watch the store while we ride across the
river." Celia said. "If anybody comes asking after us you tell
them we went to see the Sumners about Baron's wedding!" Nelson nodded, as the four people left.
* * * * Lucy, Tim, Prescott and Eula sat in the parlor all saddened by Beth's sickness. The doctor was in the room tending to her. They were all silent just waiting to see how she was. Beth had been sick for nearly a year and lately her health had really deteriorated.
"Y'all need to get in here now!" the doctor shouted. The four people hurried up the stairs to Beth's room. "She wants to speak to y'all." the doctor said. They crowded around the bed where a pale, and
washed out Beth lay. Weakly she lifted her head and looked at them, then asked. "Lucy, where my grandbabies?" "They ain't hardly babies no more, Ma Beth." Lucy said.
"I wanted to tell them bye, but I don't guess I'll be able to now." Beth said, then her body was wracked by coughs.
"Don't say that Beth!" Prescott said firmly. "You can't leave us!"
"Pres," she reached for his hand. "My darling man. It’s not that I wanna leave, but I can't bear up under the pain. You been the world to me darling and I don't regret a minute of the life and love we've shared. You opened my eyes to so many wonders and took me halfway around the world. Even though we had our tough times, things always worked out for us. You brought two wonderful people into my life and I never got the chance to properly thank you. I love you all.
Eula, I got to go sister, so take care of our husband like you always have. Lucy, look after your father and mother, cause they're gonna miss me. Timmy, you got to carry the load now. Pres don't realize yet, that he's old. Comfort him like the good son you've proved to be!" Beth said and doubled over with another coughing spell.
"Ma Beth!" Lucy said leaning down onto Beth's chest.
Suddenly the coughing stopped and Beth looked up, and said. "I love you all!" She slumped back in the bed, closed her eyes and expelled a big breath. Then her body went still.
"Ahhhhh..!" Eula screamed and kneeled beside the bed holding Beth's limp hand.
Tears flowed freely from four sets of eyes, as it dawned on each of them that Beth had died.
* * * * Baron arrived at the Velvet Club and parked. The two couples left the car and walked inside. The Velvet Club was still the place to be. Heroin use was increasing in the black community, passed down form the entertainers, whores, pimps and musicians. Big Larry had entered the trade and did well.
"Hey Raven, how you been?" Big Larry asked, genuinely glad to see him.
"I'm holding alright Larry!" Raven said, approaching with his hand extended.
The men shook hands and Big Larry looked at Celia, and said. "Damn it woman, you still lookin good!"
"Go on now Larry, I'm gonna tell Trish you been getting fresh." Celia said giggling.
"Baron, Lois," Big Larry said.
"Hey pa!" Lois said smiling.
"Larry," Baron said. "I come by and brought my folks along to tell you we're moving the wedding date up!"
Big Larry looked from Baron to Lois, then back to Baron. He raised one of his brows and Baron smiled. Big Larry clapped him on the shoulder, and said. "So y'all bout to have a baby."
"Yeah we bout to have one." Lois said.
"Well, I guess you gonna need your mamma then." Larry said. "Celia, why don't you and Lois use my car and go to the house and get with Trish, so y'all can make the arrangements. Ain't no need to take these two. I got something I wanna talk to them about!" He reached in his pocket and gave Celia the keys to his big Caddilac.
Celia took the keys and they left. Larry lead Raven and Baron to his office where they had a seat. Larry offered the men a drink. Raven declined because of the hour. Baron because his father did. He tried to follow the examples his father set for him. Loyalty to the family was the philosophy.
"I want you to know that things are looking kind of bad for us now." Larry said solemnly. "I don't mean financially, I'm set there. But you know I'm involved in the drug trade and I got a situation that's close to blowing up!"
"Just what kind of situation is this?" Raven asked inquisitively.
"My boy L.J, shot a man uptown three nights ago. It had been brewing longer, but it came to a head in the Hi Hat the other night!"
"Who'd he shoot? Baron asked. "Did he kill him?"
"No he didn't and it was Tab Williams!" Larry said.
"He should've killed him!" Baron said. "If it was me, I would've. Tab ain't gonna take it laying down and he ain't the roughest one in that bunch. Ace and Son Kellam are the ones you'll have trouble with!"
"That's why I'm letting you know now, I ain't trying to get y'all involved in a shooting war. We can hold the wedding until after this is resolved. It ain't your fight!" Larry said decisively.
"Raven looked at Baron, to see how he would react. Baron, unaware of his father's scrutiny turned to face Larry, then said. "When me and Lois got together, you didn't have this problem. We gonna get married soon. You family, you treated me like a man, judged me on my on merits. That made you family in my eyes. Me and Lois marrying just seals it. I'm with you and that means the Kanes, Maces, and Jensens with you too!"
Raven smiled inwardly, as he thought to himself. “This boy's a Kane! "Welcome to the clan!" Raven said.
"We need to get Ran and the others over here. He's head of the clan now."
"Larry, let me use your phone." asked Baron.
"Go on and use it. It's behind the bar out front!"
After Baron left, the older men were alone in the office. Larry looked at Raven, and asked. "How do you really feel about this whole matter?"
"Does it make a difference?" Raven asked.
"It does to me." Larry replied. "I've known you for nearly 20 years and you've always been an honorable man, I trust your judgment!"
"If that be the case, then you already know the answer to your question. If Baron says you have the clan behind you, that's truth. You and yours, are now ours, and we'll do what we have to, to insure the survival of the entire clan!"
"You said Ran was the head, but you are the true Patriarch of the Kanes!" Larry said firmly.
"That may well be the case, but my time is gonna come someday and they'll need to learn how to get by without my counsel. I'm there, should the need arise, but Ran is an extremely capable man. So is Baron for one so young, but Nelson may be more my son than any of them!"
Just then, Baron walked back into the room. "I got bad news pa!"
"What is it?" Raven asked curious.
"Aunt Beth just died!" Baron said.
"Beth Mace?" asked Raven.
"No, Beth Wellington!" Baron said. "She died today. Tim and Lucy been tryin to contact you for an hour!"
"I got to go get Celia then. Pres, Eula and Lucy gonna need us." Raven said.
"You ain't gonna stay until Ran and the others get here?" Baron asked.
"Ain't no need to." Raven said. "Y'all boys can do what needs to be done."
"Call Trish and she'll get back here with Lois and Celia." Larry said. "Being ho
nest, all you can do for the others is provide comfort, so a few more minutes ain't gonna make too much difference!"
"You got a point there Larry." Raven said. "Baron, go call your ma!"
Baron left the room and went back to the phone.
"You remember years ago, I asked you about getting in the drug trade?" Larry asked Raven.
"Yeah I do and my answer then is the same one now. Talk to Ran!"
Larry laughed and the men sat and waited. In less than 15 minutes Trish, Lois and Celia returned.
"I'm gonna go with Raven and Celia." Trish announced. "Lois goin too!"
Larry nodded his head, as Raven and the women left. He and Baron sat in the office talking. They heard footsteps approaching, and voices speaking in hushed tones.
L.J, stepped thru the door speaking. "Pa, was that old man Kane that just left here with ma?"
Leonard, Larry's son, who was called Nard, was behind L.J, followed by Larry's youngest son Leon, who was called Leo. The three Sumner boys, were followed by Spencer and Jack Lee Evans.
"What the hell did he want?" L.J asked sarcastically. He didn't see Baron seated in the corner.
"Whatever he wanted it ain't none of your damn business!" Larry said firmly.
"I don't like them Kanes!" L.J said. "They're up to something."
"Yeah they are," Larry said. "Protecting your ass!"
"I can protect myself." said L.J vehemently. "I ain't needed the Kanes before and I don't need them now!"
"It ain't about your needs or wants." Baron said softly.
L.J's head whipped around to the sound of the voice and he saw Baron sitting there.
"I don't know what the problem is between us." Baron said. "I can't ever recall us having a run in, but I'm about at the end of my rope where you're concerned. I've bent over backward to be civil with you and that ends today. If you ever set yourself against me again, I'm gonna take you down a peg!"
"You and what army?" L.J said bristling for a showdown.
"This army!" a cold voice said from behind L.J and his group.
The men spun around and there stood Ransom, Drake, Trace, Lefty and Will.
"What's the problem here?" asked Ransom.
"Ain't no problem here yet!" Baron said calmly. "This is a family matter."
Larry knew the older men were not to be trifled with, he had seen them in action. And though he wasn't a coward, he didn't want any part of the trouble that was brewing. So, he decided to try and dispose the problem.
