by Bobby Dennis
The girls stopped, looked at him and giggled. Anna Mae was bold where Merlie was shy, so she spoke to the handsome young man. “It ain’t no colder than where we from.”
Bishop looked into her dark eyes, and thought, “damn she’s cute.” So just where are you from?”
“You askin all them questions and ain’t even asked us our name, nor told us yours.” Anne Mae said haughtily.
Bishop smiled, then in an apologetic tone said. “Please forgive my rudeness and in no way let it reflect on my parents, they raised me better. There is never an excuse for being rude, but please let me offer an explanation. See, momentarily I was stunned by your beauty, and it stilled my tongue. Once I gathered my wits, I knew I had to say or do something that would make you stop, so I could see if what I saw was real, or just a figment of my imagination. Now I see it was reality and I feel it’s my duty to feast visually on your beautiful face.”
Anna Mae hung on his every word and Merlie fell in love with him then and there. But, Bishop only had eyes for young Anna Mae. He extended his hand and said. “I’m Bishop Kane!”
Anna Mae took his big hand in hers, and said. “I’m Anna Mae Johnson, this my sister Merlie and we from Douglas Georgia!”
“It is a pleasure to meet you Anna Mae, you too Merlie. I hope that we can get together sometime and maybe see a movie or something!” Bishop said still holding her hand.
“We’ll see,” she said making no effort to pull her hand free.
“Anna Mae, we better get on to the store, before mamma send somebody to check on us.” Merlie said timidly.
Bishop reluctantly released her hand, and said. “I’ll see you later!”
Anna Mae smiled and boldly stared in his eyes, then she and Merlie walked down the street. Bishop watched them walk away, then thought, “I wonder what she’s built like.”
He got in his car and drove off.
* When Bishop arrived at Tip-Top, he saw that all of his boys were there. He walked over to the table where Lil Will sat with Cat and his girl Lissa Jackson. Cat and Lissa were cousins and Lissa was a red bone too, but she was a tall, slim fine woman. He saw that Cat had rocks in her jaws.
She was 21 years old and she had been with Bishop off and on, since he was 15. He walked to the table and bent to give her a kiss and she turned her head. His lips landed on her cheek and she said. “You couldn’t leave the ho in time to be here with me?”
Bishops eyes blazed and he clenched his teeth to keep from snapping on her. “Don’t start girl.” he said softly.
Bishop had his group of young men, all Kanes. There was Lil Will, Bobby Jr. who was called B.J. the son of Bobby and Doris. Adam, the son of Sha and Linda. Devon, the son of Dennis and Stacy. Robert, the son of Roger and Nona. They were all teenagers, but they were in the dope game, gambling and stealing. Ransom, Drake, Trace, Tim and Lefty still owned Tip-Top, so the younger Kanes had no problem getting in.
Bishop sat down next to Cat, and asked. “What y’all drinking?”
“If you would’ve been here on time, you’d know.” she said scathingly.
Bishop looked at her, then stood, grabbed her by the arm and snatched her up. “Y’all have a good time, cause it’s obvious I won’t!” He said to Lil Will and Lissa. Then he roughly pulled Cat from the room.
“I left my purse.” she said shakily, as Bishop walked silently and swiftly to his car.
He unlocked the passenger side door, opened it and shoved her in. Then, went back and got her purse. He came back to the car, got in, tossed her purse in her lap and pulled off. He never said a word.
“Where we going?” she asked.
He didn’t even acknowledge her, he just drove. It didn’t take her long to see that he was taking her home. He pulled up in front of her house, got out and opened her door. He pulled her roughly from the car.
“Oh, you gonna bring me home, so you can go be with one of your ho’s!” Cat shouted. “I ain’t gonna stay home, I bet you that!”
Bishop’s hand rose swiftly and he slapped her sharply on the cheek. Her shouting stopped when his hand impacted. He grabbed her arm and drug her to the door. He had his own key so he unlocked the door and took her in. She was still in shock because he had never struck her.
He knew she had every reason to say and do the things she did. Because everything she accused him of, he had done to her time and time again. But, he was fed up with her mouth, regardless to the wrong he had done.
“I don’t wanna hear another whining word from you Cat! he said angrily. “I’m bending over backwards to try to please you, but you still given me shit. I did you wrong and that’s done. I can’t change it, but I damn sure don’t need you throwin it in my face every time I’m late or you suspect me of doing something. Either let that shit go, or let me go!”
She looked in his eyes and knew she had pushed him to the edge. She had been on him constantly for the last few weeks. Badgering him to move in, marry her if he loved her and all sort of other things. She thought quickly and decided to use another tactic. She really loved him and for one so young, he was a hell of a lover and provider. She hadn’t worked in two years.
She looked at him and her eyes filled with tears, and she said. “All I want is for you to love me baby!”
Her tears washed away his anger and he drew her into his arms. “Listen sugar. You want a lot of things I ain’t willing to give right now, but that don’t mean I don’t love you. I just don’t want the shit we been going thru to keep on. We won’t make it like that. Shit, I don’t know how we’ll make it, if you don’t learn to trust me!”
“I’m scared I’m gonna lose you baby.” she said her voice breaking, as the tears flowed freely.
“You ain’t gonna lose me, you gonna drive me away carrying on like you do.” he said softly.
“You fixin to go?” she asked.
“Nah, I ain’t going nowhere!
She moved back and looked up into his face, and said. “I love you so much!” Then she took his hand and lead him to the bedroom.
She slowly undressed as he stood there watching. When she was naked, she moved back to the bed, lay on her back and spread her thick thighs for him.
He watched her as her hands slowly began to glide over her smooth red skin. He saw her lightly pinch her nipples until they were erect. He saw her hands as they slid downward and delved into her bushy pubic area. He began to undress and move closer.
By the time he was naked and standing over her. She had worked herself into a near frenzy. He saw two of her fingers plunging in and out of her wet, hairy hole as she stared at his swollen member. He moved closer and got on the bed between her legs. She reached for him with her free hand and pulled him closer. Her fingers came from her wet slot, and she guided him in. He felt her warmth envelope him and he trust forward slowly. Her hips rose to draw him in deeper, and he was fully engulfed in her treasure. He thrust with long, deep strokes and she rose to meet him. Her hips moved faster and faster as he drilled her with his rock hard shaft.
She moaned loudly, “Ummm….Hmm….Ohh….!” as she felt her orgasm flooding thru her. She bucked wildly beneath him as the flood gates burst. He felt her contracting on his rod and the squeezing motion sent him over the edge. As he exploded, Anna Mae’s face flashed in his mind!
* * * * Anna Mae and Merlie sat on the porch looking up at the stars.
“Notice how the stars seems farther away here than back home Merl?”
“Yeah, they do don’t they?” Merlie said wistfully. “You miss home Anna?”
“Sort of,” Anna answered. “But I’m kind of curious too. I ain’t seen all there is to see here and I want to!”
“I wanna go back home Anna!” Merlie said. “I’m missin Pete something fierce!”
“Aw girl, you’ll forget him. Soon as one of these city boys start sniffin around!” Anna said laughing. “I know you and Pete use to do it, what it feel like Merl?”
“You is a nosy heifer, ain’t you.” Merlie said laughing. “At fir
st it hurt a little, but then it felt real good. I know you done played with it Anna, but let me tell you ain’t nothing like a man bein in you. It makes you feel whole Anna!”
Anna giggled, and asked. “You think that Bishop Kane fella meant what he said, about the movie?”
“Girl, I just know you ain’t thinking bout that rascal. I wouldn’t place no bets on his word, if you ask me.” Merlie said secretly wishing that Anna wouldn’t take a liking to Bishop, because she wanted him.
“I believe him!” Anna said emphatically. “He don’t look like the lying kind!”
“You ain’t seen him but one time and you can tell what type of man he is?” Merlie asked incredulously. “I hope you ain’t got your sights set on that boy!”
“One thing he ain’t, is a boy!” Anna said defensively. “He a man if ever I saw one and he gonna be my man too, just watch!”
Merlie shook her head and threw away her thought of ever having Bishop as her own. Even though Anna Mae was younger, she was a strong willed woman and she got that from their mother. When they set their mind or sight on something, they wouldn’t be denied.
“Y’all heifers get on in here!” Esther shouted.
They rose and looked a last time at the stars. Just then a shooting star blazed brilliantly across the inky, blue black night sky. Anna closed her eyes and quickly made a wish. She opened her eyes, and saw the star appear to burn out. Soon it lost it’s radiance and disappeared. Anna’s face broke into a big smile because she knew Bishop Kane would be hers.
* * * * On New Years Eve Bishop saw Anna and her younger brother Tyrel walking to the store. It was a warm day, not like winter at all. He stood on the porch and looked at them approach. Then he bounded down the steps and met them in front of his house.
“How are y’all doing?” “We fine,” Anna said blessing him with a smile. “I hope you’re having a good day too!”
“It would be better if I could take you to the movies later today.” Bishop said smiling.
“You’d have to ask my folks for permission.” Anna said.
“Hell, why don’t we just do that then.” he said taking her hand and turning her back towards their house.
She stopped, and asked. “Don’t you think I ought to do my business first?”
He laughed, then let her hand go. “I’ll go with you.” he said smiling.
They walked to the store in silence. Once they were inside, he asked her and Tyrel if they wanted anything. They shook their heads and picked up the items they were told to purchase then left.
As they walked pass the Kanes house, Bishop’s sister Celia came onto the porch. She was in the mold of Mandy, a big girl for 16. She stood nearly 6’ feet, and was a dark skinned girl. “Watch out for that nigga girl, he ain’t no good!” she said to Anna.
“I’m tellin ma, Celia.” he said angrily.
“I’m just playing.” Celia said quickly. She knew Lois would whip her ass for bad mouthing her brother to folks.
“Bish, I was just jokin for real!” she shouted.
Bishop looked at her and continued on to the Johnson’s house.
They walked up on the porch and Bishop stopped, and said. “I’ll stay here, tell your folks I’d like to talk to them!
Anna nodded, then walked thru the door shouting. “mamma, mamma, somebody wants to talk with you!”
“Girl, you better quit hollerin in my house!” Esther shouted as she walked from the kitchen. “Who is it that wants to talk to me?”
Merlie walked into the room, just as Anna said. “Bishop Kane!”
Esther looked at Anna, then said. “Don’t you dare be rude chile, invite him in!”
Anna walked back outside and returned with him. Esther watched the finely built young man walk into her house and thought, he’s a handsome lil devil.
“Good day mam, I’m Bishop Kane and I live a few doors down. Perhaps you’ve met my folks?”
“No baby, I ain’t had time to meet nobody, what with getting settled and all. A few people done came over and give me the run down on what’s what. And the Kanes were mentioned in the same sentence with being good people, so I take it your folks are popular around these parts.!” Esther said smiling.
Bishop was instantly at ease with her and he laughed at her off key brand of whit. “Mrs. Johnson, I’d like to take Anna to the movies if it’s alright with you.” Bishop said. “I’d get her home before nightfall!”
Esther looked at him closely, then said. “I ain’t got no real problem with that, but her pa might have a fit.”
“Is there a way I could get in touch with him?” Bishop asked.
“No not right now, he’s working.” Esther said. “I’ll go on and let her go, but you respect her, hear me?”
“Yes ma’am, and I’ll take good care of her.” Bishop said. “If Mr. Johnson returns before we do, you can tell him we went to the Strand theater!”
Esther laughed, and said. “You’re a smart one, I’ll grant you that.”
“Would y’all like to come bring the New Year in with us?” Bishop asked Esther.
“Let me ask Murphy when he gets in.” Esther said. “Anna, go put on something presentable.”
She ain’t gotta change, Bishop said. “Her clothes look fine.”
“Boy, you got a lot to learn about women. How old are you anyway?”
“I turned 17, in October.” he said.
“Anna turned 15, this month.” Ester said. “The 22nd.”
“Well, I’ll go home and wait for Anna to get dressed.” he said. “Send Ty to get me when you’re ready Anna. It was a pleasure meeting you Mrs. Johnson. Bishop walked home and sat on the porch, and soon Brandon joined him.
“I told you them girls were foxes, didn’t I?” Brandon said. “Which one you gonna leave me?”
Bishop laughed and playfully slapped Brandon upside the head. “Anna is mine, so if you can catch Merlie, you can have her.”
“So I got the old one then?” Brandon asked.
“I guess so,” Bishop replied laughing. “I’m fixin to take Anna to the movies.”
“Dang, why didn’t you tell me and I would’ve asked Merlie to go?”
“Nah bro. I want Anna all to myself!” Bishop said.
“You slick Bish.” Brandon said winking and punching him in the shoulder.
The young men sat there and talked for a few until Bishop saw Tyrel coming.
“Well I got to go.” he told Brandon. “Tell ma, the Johnson’s gonna bring in the New Year with us.”
“You know Grandma Celia, Uncle Ran, Uncle Carlo and the other gonna be here!” Brandon said.
“That’s good then, I’ll introduce them.”
Bishop met Tyrel, who told him that Anna was ready. He and Tyrel got in his car and drove to the Johnson’s house.
“What you been up to Ty?” Bishop asked.
“Just getting ready for school.” Tyrel answered.
“Must be hard leavin all your friends behind and moving to a new place?” Bishop asked.
“Not really,” Tyrel said. “I don’t miss much, maybe the girls, but that’s it.”
Tyrel was a light skinned, thin, handsome young man and Bishop knew the kid must be quite a hit with the young girls.
“You won’t miss them long Ty, trust me.” Bishop said smiling as they stopped in front of Ty’s house. “If you want some part time work, I can get you a job for after school.”
Tyrel’s eyes lit up, as he asked. “Can you really?”
“Yeah I can do it. My daddy will get you some part time work.”
They got out of the car and Bishop was stopped in his tracks when Anna stepped out of the door. Her hair was done up in the latest style and she wore an emerald green dress that complimented her cocoa brown skin. She smiled shyly and Bishop whistled. Gone was the young country girl and in her place stood a beautiful young woman.
He walked slowly towards her and asked in a questioning tone. “Anna?”
She smiled and stepped towards him. He
took her hand and said. “Girl you clean up pretty good!”
Anna giggled and slapped playfully at his shoulder. He guided her to the car, opened her door and helped her in. Then hurried to his side, got in and drove off.
“That boy likes Anna.” Esther said shaking her head. “He don’t know what he’s in for.”
“She don’t know what she’s in for, you mean.” Merlie said. “He a man ma!”
“That he is,” Esther said.
* * * * Frankie Torronelli was almost as big as his father at 18. And was dating 16 year old, Donnatella LoCasa, who was the daughter of Giancarlo’s solider Guido.
Donnatella was a beautiful girl. She had the classic hour glass shape, olive complexion skin that made her look as if she had a year round tan, beautiful dark eyes and full lips, but her most startling feature was her hair. It was long and glossy black, except for two small sections upfront that framed her face. The hair there was snow white. The midwife that delivered her said Donnatella was marked for greatness and her mother Aria believed it. Donnatella was an only child and was treated like a princess. What was amazing was the fact that she wasn’t spoiled.
Frankie, was back from college for the holidays and had just really paid attention to Donnatella, though he had long ago knew her. They were an item and Guido was pleased that Carlo’s son had taken a liking to his princess.
Frankie had decided to throw a party New Years Day and Sophia had gone wild with the arrangements. She had enlisted the aid of Lois, Lavern, Doris and Linda. As always, Celia was involved and she worked to bring the Kane and Torronelli families closer together.
Sophia didn’t ask Fiora her sister in-law to assist, as Fiora was racist, as was her husband Salvator, Carlo’s brother. There was a division in the Torronelli family, as Sal was greedy. He wanted to rule and it was impossible as long as Carlo was alive.
* * * * Don Paschal Locata, had moved to Tampa from New York. And thru murder and mayhem took over the mob scene there. He was a man with grand vision and saw the South as his. The only obstacle in his way was Carlo Torronelli and he knew that a frontal attack against Carlo would be suicidal. So he planned more subtle means.
