A Woman’s Work: Street Chronicles

by Nikki Turner

  “To be honest with you, I went through some bad dreams after my situation,” Shy said. “The only thing is, the bad dreams weren’t about the crooked-ass cop who gunned down my husband in the presence of our son. My dreams were about my husband. My conscience was telling me that Melvin was somewhere watching me.” She agonized at reliving that difficult and emotional time in her life. Aisha listened intently and felt Shy’s pain as she spoke.

  “Why would Melvin watching over you make you feel bad?” Aisha asked.

  “Because I thought that he might be disappointed with me. That he might have been angry with me for what I did. I mean, it was so out of character for me,” Shy explained.

  “Girl, that man loved you. It was obvious to everyone. He always took care of you, even when we were in high school. I wish I had a man who loved me with the level of passion and commitment Melvin had for you.”

  “Melvin was my world, my life. He became my life the day we met. We had time to enjoy each other before we had kids, and I cherish that time. When that cop pulled the trigger that day, he not only killed my husband, he killed the father of my children, my best friend, my protector. Aisha, he shattered my family’s life and we’re still trying to recover from it. I remember that day as if it had just happened.

  “I was rushing home from a doctor’s appointment. I was hurrying to tell Melvin I was pregnant. He died not knowing we had a baby on the way,” Shy cried. Recalling the events of that tragic day still drained her. Now it was her turn to grab a napkin to dry her tears. It was not like her to get so emotional in public. She had buried her husband six years ago, and the pain was still overwhelming for her and her children. The twins were ten years old when their father was gunned down in their own home. Prince bore the weight of seeing his dad murdered while trying to protect him. He was a daddy’s boy to his core. Prince and Jayden were identical twins but only physically. Their psychological, emotional, and mental makeups were as different as if they were strangers. Five-year-old Princess Lilac never knew her father. She saw pictures and heard stories from her brothers, but she was robbed of having a relationship with her father. She would never get to experience being a daddy’s girl. Shy knew her husband would have adored his daughter. He would have spoiled her, overprotected her, and loved her as only a father could. Shy dried her tears and pulled herself together. She continued her conversation with Aisha.

  “The city officials didn’t care about my family. They covered shit up and made it seem like Melvin had attacked them. The trigger-happy cop got a three-month paid suspension, a vacation really, while the police chief and mayor worked out the details of all the lies they’d tell. I couldn’t live with that. So I did what I had to do,” Shy said with contempt in her voice.

  “I don’t think Melvin would be angry or disappointed with you. Had it been you who took a bullet and died, Melvin would have made the shooter pay.”

  “You’re right, he would have. When he was here, my husband tried so hard to keep the twins and me from his world. Out of nowhere, strangers with badges kick in our door and all hell breaks out and I’m pulled into a foreign land. When it’s all said and done, my heart knows that Melvin would understand why I did what I did,” Shy said, as if trying to convince herself along with Aisha.

  “Do the dreams ever come back?” Aisha asked.

  “They only resurface around the anniversary of Melvin’s death. Instead of chastising me, my husband praises me. Those are the sweet dreams Kayla referred to the other day. The beautiful nightmares are when Melvin’s unhappy with what I did and I wake up with my heart racing and short of breath.” Shy smiled. “I hated to have that man mad at me. It wasn’t often but I still didn’t like it.” Both Shy and Aisha laughed.

  Aisha was pleased with what she’d just heard. As far as she was concerned, the subject was closed, locked, and buried under cement. It was time for her to focus on running KAT69 and rebuilding her personal life. She was aware that her relationship with Kayla had become strained while all that ugliness was taking place. Kayla was her sister, and their relationship was important to Aisha. She was determined to start repairing things between them. Aisha was thankful that Terry had been away the last few months. Her daughter, Anissa Renée, was dealing with some difficult times, so Terry had temporarily relocated to North Carolina to be near her. The last thing Terry, or Anissa’s two godmothers, Aisha and Kayla, wanted was for Anissa to withdraw from college when she was only one semester away from earning a double master’s degree in business management and public relations. Terry was in the dark about what had gone down, and Aisha’s and Kayla’s involvement. Aisha wanted to keep it that way.

  Aisha’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Kayla’s voice. She’d been invited to join Aisha and Shy for lunch. Aisha had given her a later time to allow herself time to talk with Shy alone.

  “Good afternoon, ladies, I hope your day is going well so far,” Kayla said.

  “Hi, Kayla,” Aisha and Shy said simultaneously.

  “The day is much better now,” Aisha added.

  “Are you ladies ready for your soup and sandwiches now that Miss Kayla is here?” interjected Brianna. She was a part-time server and cashier. The sixteen-year-old was also the girlfriend of Shy’s son Jayden.

  “Yes, baby.” Shy smiled. “Bring our soup out first and we’ll let you know when to start making our sandwiches.

  “Okay, I’ll be right back,” Brianna stated with a smile.

  “How’s business going with the spa and barbershop?” Shy wanted to start a lighthearted conversation.

  “Business is holding strong. We might be in a recession, but women still need their hair and nails done. Nothing can keep us from it.” Kayla laughed as Aisha and Shy backed her statement with positive comments.

  The lunch hour went by much too fast. Before they knew it, all their soup was gone and every bit of their sandwiches was devoured.

  “Wow, time just flew by,” Aisha said.

  “I know. Good conversation with great friends never lasts long enough,” Shy joked.

  “Yeah, I need to be getting back to the spa. Our paperwork has been backed up for way too long. Lunch was fun but I have to be going. Duty calls,” Kayla said while gathering her things. “Are you coming, Aisha?”

  “I’m right behind you. We better get caught up before the drill sergeant comes back to the office,” Aisha said jokingly. “Terry does not play, okay?”

  “Right, and you know she’s been looking into our record keeping. Her laptop was the first thing she packed for her extended trip,” Kayla stated.

  Just when Shy was about to joke about Terry’s overbearing business dedication, her phone rang with the ringtone set to alert her that one of her children was calling. “MomMomMomMaMommyMommy …” It was Stewie Griffin’s voice, the baby from the Family Guy cartoon. “Hello.”

  “Ma!”

  “What’s wrong, Prince?” Shy inhaled deeply as she waited for the answer.

  “Man, something ain’t right out in these streets. In the last month three of unc’s soldiers have fallen.” Prince spoke as if he was in a panicked rush.

  “I remember you telling me about Ace, B.J., and Skip. I feel terrible for their mothers, but what does that have to do with what’s got you so hyped and upset?” Shy asked, worried that her son was in some sort of trouble.

  Aisha and Kayla giggled at the ringtone and watched Shy as she spoke with one of her kids. The look on her face went from relaxed and happy to stressed and concerned in just under two seconds. It was obvious that something was wrong. Aisha and Kayla sat back down to see what was going on. They waited to see if she needed them. When she gasped and put her hand over her mouth, they held their breaths. Shy looked at Kayla and told her son, “I’ll take care of that right now. You meet me at the house. We’ll call your uncle when I get there. Are you okay to drive?”

  “Yes, ma’am, I’m cool,” Prince answered.

  “Okay, I love you and be safe,” Shy said before hitting the E
ND button. Her heart was pounding; she took deep breaths to try to slow it down.

  “Tell us what’s wrong, sweetie,” Aisha said with her hand on one of Shy’s shoulders. “You’re turning pale.”

  “It’s about Devin,” Shy began.

  “What about my brother? He’s working at the barbershop today,” Kayla said.

  “Kayla, I’m so sorry to tell you this. There was a drive-by shooting in front of the barbershop. Devin was hit by multiple bullets. I’m so sorry, sweetie, your brother died on the scene.” Shy began to cry.

  Kayla’s hands went over her mouth and she began shaking her head. Aisha jumped up and immediately embraced her sister. Shy ran her hand up and down Kayla’s back. She felt horrible having to deliver the bad news to her close friend. Devin was the last blood relative Kayla had left. He’d been doing well rebuilding his life after serving twenty-five years in prison. Dealing with his death was going to be very difficult for Kayla. It went without saying that Aisha and Shy would remain by her side as long as she needed them. Aisha was certain Terry would come back home after receiving the horrible news.

  Kayla began rocking back and forth, holding onto herself for dear life. She screamed in pain with a steady stream of tears pouring from her eyes. Aisha held onto her and rocked with her. She knew the pain Kayla was feeling. Grief was a difficult emotion to jump into a boxing ring with. Aisha held on tight as Kayla released some of the pain she felt down in her soul.

  “Let’s go, baby. Shy and I are going to take care of you,” Aisha said as she and Shy helped Kayla to her feet. Shy drove and Aisha sat in the backseat with Kayla, holding her while she cried. Aisha leaned her head back and asked herself, What’s going on? It seems like C-Lok’s team is under fire. What could possibly happen next?

  Only time would tell, but when the answer came, no one on C-Lok’s team would be prepared.

  Love and Business Do Not Mix

  Kayla dedicated great time and detail to putting her brother away beautifully. She didn’t dress him up in a button-down shirt, suit, and tie. That wasn’t Devin’s style when he was alive, and she refused to change it now that he was dead. She went out and bought her brother the latest Rocawear attire. Devin was draped in Rocawear from head to toe, even to his underwear. The day Kayla went to view the body, she sprayed the newest Rocawear cologne on her brother. She demanded that the funeral home not shave her brother or cut his hair. She had one of his employees at his barbershop take care of grooming Devin. He was buried wearing the white-gold ring, watch, and matching bracelets he never left home without. Kayla slid in a wallet-size photo of herself with her brother, taken when they were much younger. A four-year-old Kayla sat on the shoulders of her fourteen-year-old big brother. She had the biggest smile on her face. Devin was larger than life in her young eyes. She loved her big brother more than anything.

  It was Devin’s love for his baby sister that got him an extended bid behind bars for attempted robbery. He’d been trying to get money to take care of her after their mother turned to drugs. After Kayla began hustling and making money, she took care of Devin while he was in prison. When he came home, she set him up with a place to live, a business to run, a full wardrobe to flaunt, and every essential he’d need to live. Like any other set of siblings, they had their differences, but they always had each other’s backs. Nothing but death could keep them apart.

  $ $ $

  A few weeks had passed since the deaths of C-Lok’s three street soldiers and Devin. Prince had a bad feeling about the entire situation. It was no coincidence that people affiliated with C-Lok were falling down. Prince’s gut was telling him that whatever was going on was directly related to Mama Bev’s death. He watched his every step, thinking hard before making any moves. He knew his uncle could take care of himself. But he was worried about himself, his brother, his sister, and his mother.

  When C-Lok ordered everyone to his house, Prince was certain it was to discuss the deaths of their workers. Killing street soldiers was bad enough, but reaching out and touching a general like Devin was clear disrespect.

  C-Lok was sitting with Big Black and Prince when Aisha and Kayla arrived.

  “Something ain’t right out dere in dem streets,” Prince said, shaking his head.

  “It’s almost as if there’s a hit out on our team. It wasn’t a big deal when the little homies started getting knocked off, but three in just as many weeks?” Big Black said.

  “Killing Devin is a high jump on the food chain,” C-Lok responded.

  “The problem with that is that Devin was out of the game,” Kayla said. “He retired a couple of years ago and was legit with the barbershop. I’m sure this bullshit didn’t have anything to do with my brother. He was back in the game for only one reason—the same reason I came out of retirement: Aisha revenging Mama Bev’s death. Y’all need to get this shit right before we all get laid down,” Kayla demanded, a frown on her face and anger in her heart.

  “You sound like all this is because of me.” Aisha was offended by the insinuation.

  “Those boys had families too. They had people who loved them the way we loved Mama Bev. Let me make this clear to everybody involved so there are no misunderstandings on where the fuck I stand.” Kayla stood up and spoke with an authoritative tone. “No one is untouchable. I survived over twenty damn years on these streets trying to make a living and eat. I made it, and I made sure that not one of my family went hungry. We getting older, and we all know this shit don’t have a retirement plan. I went legit and got used to living the life of a business owner. I stepped back in to complete one task, and my brother did the same because I asked him to. My sacrifice is too great for a battle that wasn’t part of my war. I’m telling each one of you, the aftermath of this shit better get handled.”

  “So this is my fault? Is the boss wagging her finger in my face?” Aisha asked, offended.

  “If that’s the way you want to take it, Aisha, that shit is on you.”

  “I don’t remember putting a gun to your head and dragging you along for the ride. Kayla never does anything if she ain’t benefiting from it,” Aisha spat.

  “How did I benefit from getting my hands dirty behind your ass? Was having to bury my brother my big payoff?” Kayla yelled with one hand on a hip.

  “So was I supposed to let those niggas ride after what they did to Mommy?” Aisha asked in confusion.

  “No, they weren’t supposed to get a free ride on that foul shit, and they were going to get handled. You wanted to be in the game. You wanted to make a name for yourself on these streets, right, Dream? You ran up into a world that you have no business being in. We all backed you. Everybody in this room did what was done for and because of you! And do us a favor, Aisha. Stop pretending like it was all to avenge your mother’s death. This shit was all about your selfish ass.” Kayla pointed her index finger in Aisha’s face. “So what are you going to do to fix this shit? Tell me, Dream, what the fuck are you going to do?”

  Aisha couldn’t believe the things her sister was saying to her. In the life span of their friendship, Kayla, Aisha, and Terry had never fought like enemies. There were always disagreements between them but they were always able to talk out their issues. Aisha felt like Kayla had jammed a hand deep inside her chest and jabbed at her heart with each nasty word. “You’re throwing one of your famous tantrums just because you not in control? Fuck you, Kayla!” That was all Aisha could come back with. Kayla’s delivery may have been harsh, but her words were true and Aisha knew it.

  “Bitch, you ain’t in control,” Kayla spat out. “C-Lok handles everything that goes on in his team. No players can move without his permission. He put a bounty on those boys’ heads. He already had a plan in place to stop them from breathing weeks before you begged to take part. That nigga is always in control. Dream, you should know who the true boss is. Mama Bev is gone from your life forever. My brother is gone from my life forever. There are six mothers out there grieving and hurting for the loss of their sons, three on our
team and three on the other team. And for what? So the bitch who killed Devin can be caught and face street justice? The cycle will never end. That’s why I walked away from it all. Those are the things I tried to protect you and Terry from all those years I put in work,” Kayla cried. “So fuck me? Fuck me, Aisha? Bitch, fuck you back, how about that?”

  Kayla was blind with rage as she lunged forward, grabbing Aisha around the neck with her right hand and punching her with the left. Aisha was caught totally off guard. She grabbed the arm around her neck, trying in vain to free herself from the death grip her sister had her in. Before the men could react, Kayla had slammed Aisha to the floor and repeatedly punched her in the face.

  It took C-Lok, Big Black, and Prince to pull Kayla off Aisha, who lay in a coughing and choking fit. Kayla’s fingerprints were visible on her skin, and the beginnings of a black eye had formed. And even worse than the physical pain was the emotional hurt. Aisha was dumbfounded. She couldn’t wrap her head around what had just taken place. She and Kayla had never physically fought each other. Her feelings were hurt and her ego was bruised. More important, their friendship was in disrepair. There was no going back from what had happened.

  Aisha was stuck. Everything Kayla had said was right. No argument can be had when one person had all the facts right. Aisha began to cry once her breathing found a steady pace. The pain of losing her mother had eased with each new day. The pain of losing her sister had now taken its place. She thought to herself, I hurt today. Not as much as I did yesterday and less than I will tomorrow. Kayla’s pain is fresh. She attacked me like I was some bitch on the streets. She needs me to be there for her the way she was for me.