TYCE

by Shareef Jaudon

  “Yeah I’m not really a traditional chick at all…I like bad boys…and you’re as good as they come.” Dallas licked her shiny lips.

  I took a moment to register what was happening in this small visitation room. The two women I cared most about in this world were asking me to be with them in a committed relationship. I’d never had a girlfriend before. I mean never; and now I would have two. A part of me didn’t trust women but I’d found two special women that I could definitely trust…and I wasn’t about to lose them.

  “You’re serious.” I asked again.

  “Only if you are.” They said at the same time.

  “Then in that case…hell yeah!” I yelled.

  The buff guard in the corner ordered me to

  keep it down.

  “Damn I wish I could touch you two right now.”

  “Jus’ hold on baby…jus’ hold on.” Dallas smiled reassuringly.

  “For a minute there I thought ya’ll were gonna kill me.” I admitted.

  My girlfriends looked at each other and grinned, “Naw, we’d only do that if you cheat on us…and you know we pack heat” Angelique said seriously.

  The ten-minute visit flew by, the girls left to the outside world, and I returned to my cell. Damn I wanted so bad to get the fuck outta this punk ass fucking cell!!

  I Know Something You Don’t Know

  It was late in the evening and Detective Walsh was sipping on a cup of coffee in his corner office. The police station was nearly empty as the late hours approached. He was finishing the paper work on the trumped up charges; the district attorney wanted all the details of the case finished tonight because Tyce’s big time attorney was scheduled to meet him in the morning to pick up the discovery. Walsh would have to burn the midnight oil to make sure all the fabricated evidence was air tight. He paid Tyce a quick visit in his cell earlier in the day to see if he changed his mind and wanted to tell him where the money was hidden; Tyce gave him the middle finger and just rolled over on his bunk. The detective ordered a search and seizure on Tyce’s house and warehouse but came up empty; that only pissed him off further. He was making him look real incompetent in the eyes of Diego. His job now was to make sure Tyce was locked up and placed in a California federal prison where Diego could arrange to have him killed. If he did that, business could go on as usual and he could go back to getting paid.

  His concentration was broken when a woman walked into his office unannounced and uninvited. He looked up as the stranger just strolled into his office as if her name was on the desk.

  “Can I help you?” Detective Walsh asked irritated.

  The woman just stared at him for a while before she answered, “Yes you can James.”

  Walsh was surprised to hear his first name come out of her mouth. He was even more surprised when she helped herself to a seat.

  “What can I do for you miss……?”

  “You don’t need to know my name James; we can keep this on an informal level for now.”

  “Look, enough with this mystery shit lady, what the hell are you doing in my office?”

  She crossed her legs slowly and pulled her purse off her shoulder. Her hand slid inside and came out with a large envelope. She casually tossed it on top of the desk and crossed her arms across her medium sized breasts. There was a scowl on Walsh’s face as he snatched the envelope off the

  desk.

  “What is this?”

  “Merry Christmas.” She said ignoring the no

  smoking sign on the door and lighting a cigarette.

  Detective James Walsh used a letter opener to slice the envelope open. He turned it upside down and three 8x10 photographs spilled out. He nearly wet his pants when he seen the pictures. The delivery woman took a long drag from her cigarette and blew smoke in the air. She said nothing as she watched James study the pictures.

  “Where did you get these?” He turned red with anger.

  “That’s not important.” She responded.

  “Don’t play games with me lady! I demand to know where you got these! Who took them! Who took them!” He pounded his fist on the desk.

  “Easy James…don’t have a heart attack; I’m the only one who’s seen them so relax.”

  Detective Walsh was boiling with anger and embarrassment. The woman had walked into his office with pictures of him and a 16 year old boy. In one photo, he was sucking the boy’s dick on a couch. In another photo, he was fucking the young boy against a wall. The third showed him pissing on the same boy as he laid on the floor naked and the fourth document in the envelope was a printed copy of the male escort ad where he’d found his boy toy.

  “How the hell did you get these?” He snorted.

  “It’s what I do detective…you’d shouldn’t be too surprised at what an escort will do for money. Getting him to set that hidden camera up was the best five hundred dollars I’ve ever spent; certainly more than he was getting from you for an hour.” She smiled.

  “What do you want?” He stared at her menacingly.

  “I want you to burn that stack of papers your working so hard on.”

  Detective Walsh looked down at the stack with a confused expression. “What are you talkin’ about?”

  “Don’t play games with me.” She mocked him, “You know what I’m talkin’ about.”

  A long sigh escaped his nostrils, “Let me get this straight…you’re here for that little punk Tyce Adkins?”

  “You catch on quick James.”

  “What do you care about him for?”

  “Let’s just say I hate to see innocent men go to jail.”

  “He’s not innocent!” He yelled.

  “Well that’s a matter of personal opinion…he’s no angel but he’s not the devil either. But never mind what you think about him. If you don’t make those charges disappear than these photos and many more will make it to your captain, the district attorney, your wife, your fellow officers, your pastor, your family doctor, and your real boss…Diego Alverez.” She finished off her cigarette.

  Walsh sat there in shock as the words sunk in. She had him by the balls and all she had to do was squeeze to ruin his life forever. He’d been fucking with the 16 year old boy for over a year. He thought he was being discreet by going through a private escort service but apparently, he was wrong.

  “If I do what you want how do I know you’re not going to use these pictures anyway.”

  “You don’t. But I’m a woman of my word…I’m not a piece of shit like you.” She stood up to leave, “I’ll know if the charges are not dropped by morning, I don’t care how you do it…just do it. You can keep those photos James…I have plenty more.” The woman walked out of the office before Walsh could respond.

  The corrupt gay detective just stared at the photos. He couldn’t afford to let these pornographic pictures get out but the wheels of justice were already in motion, it was going to be difficult to stop them. He looked at the pictures and then glanced at the discovery and his incomplete police reports. Walsh had no idea how he was going to pull this off but the thought of his wife seeing a picture of him fucking a 16 year old boy in the ass was enough motivation to figure something out.

  He also wondered who the hell that woman was.

  Love Don’t Live Here

  Police had no leads on the China Town bank robbery. All the customers and employees could tell them was that three black men stormed inside the bank and only two left. There was no video surveillance to go over and no prints. The police knew it was Omar that was killed but the employees reported that he was one of the bank robbers, so they really didn’t care who killed him. As far as they were concerned, he got what he deserved. Tasha on the other hand knew exactly who killed her man. She found it hard to shed a tear for Omar though. A part of her was saddened at the loss of her short time boyfriend but the over two million dollars and her two new automobiles helped to ease the pain. Of course, the police questioned her for several hours about the murder but she kept her mouth closed. She didn’t wan
t to end up laying next to him in the cemetery.

  A week after Omar’s death Tasha relocated to Las Vegas to start a new life. Before she left town, she had a huge garage sale featuring all of Omar’s belongings, including the dogs. A car shipping company transported Omar’s “Escalade” and “Mercedes” to Vegas while Tasha and Ace made the three hour drive in her new convertible with two million in cash hidden in the trunk.

  Face The Funk

  30 days passed as fast as a turtle on crutches. I was going crazy in that jail. I had a new cellmate that talked way to much and took a shit like every 15 minutes. Angelique and Dallas made sure my commissary was stacked up. I had “Snickers,” “Ramen” noodles, “Doritos,” “Tang,” all the snacks I could eat and sell. It wasn’t as good as the chicken alfredo Angelique cooked for me or some fried fish from Shabazz…but it was better than nothing.

  The night before my court date, I couldn’t sleep. I was nervous, and I don’t get nervous. My lawyer told me he hadn’t got the discovery yet because they were stalling. The plan was for him to make his official appearance as my attorney and enter a not guilty plea but he told me to be prepared for the worst and he would find out what the holdup was. The deputies came and got me at seven in the morning for my court appearance. I was lead into the overly air conditioned room with four other inmates. All the inmates sat on the side of the judge’s bench while the attorneys and free folk’s sat on hard ass wooden pews. I smiled at Dallas and Angelique who were seated in the front row trying not to look worried. I spotted my mouth piece who was busy huddled up in a corner with the district attorney assigned to my case. They were nodding their heads back and forth and whispering loudly but I couldn’t make out what they were saying. The D A looked over at me with an evil glare and scribbled something on a note pad. The punk ass judge took forever to bring his fat ass out and he didn’t look like he was in a good mood. He kinda looked like he had heartburn when he glanced at me.

  “All rise!” The deputy announced.

  I reluctantly rose from my seat to show some non-deserved fake ass respect to the judge. Two minutes into the proceedings, my attorney requested a counseling session with me through the deputy. He wanted a chance to meet with me before my case was called up. The hallway was the special meeting place where me and my expensive attorney had our brief conference with the deputy standing close by. The lawyer stared at me through two thousand dollar prescription bi focals.

  “Wasup?” I shrugged my shoulders.

  He chuckled a little, “Man O man, can I get your autograph?”

  “What?” I looked at him closer.

  “I want to get your autograph. I mean you have to be a celebrity or royalty to get the kind of deal you just got offered.” His eyes were wide.

  “What deal…what are you talkin’ about?”

  He cleared his throat, “How does 60 days on a brandishing a weapon charge sound? You’ll get credit for the 30 days you already served and be released in eight days.”

  I looked at him blankly, “Are you playin’ with me?”

  “No sir Mr. Adkins…I most certainly am not. I just spoke with the district attorney and I have the disposition paper work all here for you to sign.”

  He pulled some legal papers out of his brief case and passed them to me. I looked them over while my mouth piece used his manicured finger to point out all the important parts. I read the weapons charge info and the jail time stint. There was no mention of any murders or arson. My lawyer advised me to sign the deal before my luck

  changed….and I agreed. I couldn’t believe it; what

  the fuck happened? Where was that bitch ass Detective Walsh? How in the hell was this happening? I signed my name like my hand was on fire and my lawyer patted me on my back vigorously. Shit, he was happy he was getting paid without having to earn it. I was taken back into the courtroom and my case was called up next. Me and my newest fan stood at the podium across from a pissed off district attorney.

  “Your honor this is case number FR48759, the state vs. Tyce Adkins. Your honor there has been a change of course in this case. We are no longer pursuing additional charges in this case and the people have reached a disposition agreement in this matter. All previous felony charges have been dropped by the people in favor of a misdemeanor weapons charge. The documents have been signed by both parties and the defendant has been advised by his counsel.” The D A spat the words out of his mouth like spoiled milk.

  The judge read a copy of the document and he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He asked me if I was entering this plea of my own free will blah blah blah blah…and after he was done bumping his gums, he banged his gavel and made it official.

  “Yesssss!” Angelique screamed.

  Dallas was grinning from ear to ear. She didn’t say

  a word, but her huge “Kool-Aid” grin spoke volumes.

  “You hold on for eight more days Mr. Adkins.” My lawyer said cheerfully shaking my hand vigorously.

  “No problem.” I shot back.

  I winked at my girlfriends as I was led out the courtroom…before I walked through the doors I looked over my shoulder and mouthed the words “I love you” to both of them.

  “We love you too!” They shouted out not caring that they were disturbing the calm of the courtroom.

  Now, I really aint talk much to God but I had to give Him a shout out on this one.

  Hello Again

  I was ecstatic! I walked back to my skinny cell wearing a full figured smile on my face. My celebration breakfast was “Ramen” noodles a “Kit Kat” candy bar and a glass of “Tang.” For some reason the snacks tasted like a three course meal from a five star restaurant…maybe it was knowing that I’d be out of there in eight days that added the special seasonings to my simple meal.

  The afternoon rolled around and brought with it a surprise visit announcement. A jail guard named Cecil who looked like he played nose tackle for the “Broncos” informed me that I had company. I suddenly got impatient because I was itching to see Angelique and Dallas again; I jumped up off my bunk and followed him eagerly to the visitation room.

  When I walked in my eyes searched the room for Angelique and Dallas but they were not there.

  “Where’s my visitors?” I turned to Cecil.

  “She’s right there.” He pointed to a middle-aged woman sitting quietly at the corner table.

  I gave her a puzzled look and walked over to her, keeping with the rules of the visitation room I took a seat across from her and stayed on my side of the red line. I scrolled through my mental rolodex trying to place her face but came up blank.

  “Hello Tyce.” She said in a friendly tone.

  “How you doin’…and excuse me for being blunt, but who are you?” I leaned back in my chair.

  “My name is Pamela…Pamela Adkins.”

  My mind was vacant…the room went soundless…I just watched her. Neither one of us moved a muscle.

  “Ummm…I’m the one who rescued you when you were a baby.” Her eyes began to water. “I ahhhh…I gave you your name.”

  The levy finally broke and a flood of tears streamed down her blush red cheeks. She smoothed over her hair, which was pulled back into a neat bun and adjusted her position in the chair. She took shaky breaths as her emotions rode up her spine.

  “I think I owe you…I mean…I feel like I owe you an explanation.” She stuttered.

  I finally spoke, “Thank you for rescuing me.”

  I stood up and gave her a warm hug, I squeezed

  her body tight to mine, and we rocked slowly back and forth. I was breaking the visitation rules but I didn’t give a fuck. Cecil didn’t attempt to break us up he just looked the other way and let us have our moment, plus I think he overheard the conversation because he had a little grin on his face. For the first time in 26 years; I cried, I let the long abandoned tears descend down my face. I cried because I was left in a dumpster, I cried because I was found in a dumpster. I cried because I had to kill my best friend, I c
ried because Lil’ Flash was dead, I cried because my soul needed to air out; for years I locked my emotions inside my chest and didn’t let them out and now there was no more room in there. Pamela held me close and rubbed my back while she let her emotion filled tears flow out as well. We eventually separated and sat back down; both of us had a case of the sniffles as we wiped the water from our eyes.

  “I knew a woman found me in the trash, I had visions of how you would look…to be honest I never pictured you being white.”

  I was being honest, in my dreams I envisioned the woman who found me as being black. I guess in my head she was the closest thing to a mother I had and when I looked in the mirror I saw a brown

  face staring back at me so naturally my imagination made her look like me.

  “I didn’t mean anything by it…I’m jus’ surprised…pleasantly surprised.” I touched her hand.

  “I’m glad. To be honest I didn’t expect to find you in that back alley either. I believe God sent me there to find you and I’m grateful that He did.”

  “Shit me too.” I blurted out. “I have so many questions to ask you…I don’t know where to start. First of all how did you know I was in here?” I put my elbows on the table ready to listen.