Tex stared at Yuma a long moment. He suddenly realized why neither Da Da or Ham ever made it back home. Their dicks had become their guides. Handing them the keys of death. A familiar voice came into play.
“What’s going on mun? Is everything aiight mun?”
“Lil’ Man,” Tex mumbled to himself. “He must be causing a distraction for me.”
Q turned to face the voice, seeming to take his attention off of Tex momentarily. “Now,” Tex thinking to himself he has nothing to lose, dove for the front door then rolled to his feet expecting shots at any moment... None. He headed for his coupe. As he reached for the door a voice froze him.
“Excuse me Tex.” It was Shea standing with someone wearing a hoodie. When he reached up and removed the hood, Tex saw something he had never seen before. A walking dead man. For the first time he truly knew what fear felt like. He snatched his door open when the first of a series of bullets tore into his body. Tim almost melted the barrel of his Mini-14. With the barrel still smoking June grabbed Tim’s arm.
“Let’s roll homie, it’s over.” June had killed Bushwick as soon as they entered the house. All Tex had to do was look down. He was standing in Bushwick’s blood.
After leaving Tex’s place they headed towards Dina’s home. Everyone rode in silence until Tim spoke. “Good job back there ma.” He was referring to Shea. “I appreciate your help. “
“Thanks Tim. Thank you for not dying that day and giving me a chance to say I’m sorry.” “I forgive you Shea.”
Q. listened to his homie speaking to Shea. He was shocked at how mellow Tim had become since the shooting. Terri had a big part in that, he was sure.
Back at Dina’s apartment everybody sat in the front room. Q called Dina to her bedroom.
“Will you and Shea be okay until tomorrow?” He asked her.
“I think both of our burdens were lifted tonight Q. “Seeing Tex take his last ride through The Boro will only be the beginning of our long road to recovery.”
Tim and June headed back to Rockingham. The rest of The Crew had been waiting in the shadows for their return. Q had taken Baby Rasta and Inga to Charlotte. They would take the first flight out.
After getting their rooms Q called Van.
She answered on the first ring. “Yes dear.”
“Why aren’t you asleep ma?”
“I couldn’t sleep Q. I told you to clear your mind of me, but I couldn’t clear my mind of you. And don’t forget I have Kiki and your Godson here with me.” “Yeah, I almost forgot about that.” “When are you coming home?” she asked. “I’ll be there tomorrow. Baby Rasta is leaving in the morning.” “Early I hope,” she whispered. “Yes early, but I have to go baby.” “Aiight I love you.” “Love you too.”
Chapter 24
Old Habits Are Hard To Break
The light knock on Q’s door caught him dozing off. Stepping to the side of the door he calmly asked "Who is it?"
It was Inga. Opening the door Inga was greeted by Q holding one of his horses. A slight smile creeped across her face before she spoke. “You should carry them both. One might become jealous of the other and decide to let you down someday.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“May I come in?” She said. Q stepped to the side giving her room to enter. Once inside she continued to speak. I hope most of you and your friends troubles are over.”
“Most?” He said, interrupting her.
“Yes, most. You can never let yourself become too relaxed in this business Q. Whenever there seems like there is no trouble, something is wrong.” Q nodded his head in agreement. “Baby and I are planning to move back to our country soon. You will always be welcome in our home.”
He responded, “I appreciate that Inga. I’m grateful for everything you and Baby Ras have done. Both of y’all sacrificed a lot of time and money. I owe a lifelong debt for you risking your lives for me and my family. I will always be only a phone call away, no matter what. If there is anything I can ever do, don’t hesi...”
She cut him off. “Q, there is one thing I would like to discuss with you.”
“Aiight Inga, have a seat.” She sat and looked directly into his eyes. Her presence alone was so strong Q didn’t want to hold his own eye contact with her, but his ego forced him to. Never had he been intimidated by a woman. Inga was different.
“I have to ask you, what made you so cold ma?” Maybe he would get the answers he had confused his own mind searching for.
“There is so much about me that you don’t know.”
“Start from the beginning,” he said, hoping he chose his words correctly.
Inga began telling Q her whole life story, starting from her and Baby Rasta’s childhood. He knew they had come from a poor country but the things Inga told him they went through growing up touched his soul. From the murders of their parents to this cat E’on. She had taken care of Baby, avenged her parent’s deaths, yet her soul couldn’t find rest. Speechless, he gave her the only comfort he knew. He walked over and sat beside her, taking her in his arms, holding her close.
Inga laid her head on his chest quietly listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat. She thought to herself, “Ten years. Has it been that long?” She continued to think. “It had.” Ten years since she had touched a man this way. Even then it wasn’t out of love, but revenge. “This is different,” she thought. His touch, his smell. Everything was different. She closed her eyes and prayed he wouldn’t release her.
Q felt the churning in his stomach. This wasn’t supposed to be happening. Her softness and gentleness had begun taking control of the situation. “Are you okay?” He muttered.
“I’m fine,” she whispered, burying her head deeper in his chest. They stayed in that position for so long Q’s arms became numb from not wanting to slide his hand down. No longer able to hold out, he gently placed his hand on her lower back. He knew it was a mistake when he felt a slight tremble from her body. Slowly Q tried to ease his hand back up to her shoulders. Her hand stopped him. “Please,” she mumbled. Q began to massage her lower back. He was still feeling a little uncomfortable. She raised her head looking him in the eyes. Her warm breath invading his own. She spoke, “I... I... I haven’t been touched by a man since...Since....”
He put his hand to her mouth giving her a look of understanding. He understood her pain. He removed his finger from her lips replacing it with his own. Softly he kissed her, letting his tongue invade her mouth. Her moans were muffled by her own hunger for his taste. She began kissing him everywhere her lips could find. Q’s loose fitting jeans could no longer hide his erection. Inga began kissing him on his chest working her way down. She found his dick laid across his navel. She looked at it unsure what to do next; she continued to kiss around it. Finally she decided to take it into her mouth. Gently she sucked the head causing him to jump.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “Did I hurt you?”
He knew then that she had never done this before. Q responded, “Nah ma, it just feels good.”
Inga began to lick and suck Q’s dick like it was a flavored popsicle. Just looking at her trying to please him was taking Q to the point of climax. He grabbed her head sensing the nut coming up his shaft.
“I’m about to come” he warned her.
But Inga just kept sucking. The taste of hot cum hitting her throat was unfamiliar, but she liked the way it was making Q’s body jerk. Not knowing what to do next she just swallowed. Sitting there with a head full of hair in both hands, Q was exhausted. But he knew he couldn’t end the night like that. Standing her up, he started undressing her. Inga’s body trembled heavily. Once undressed he couldn’t believe the way she looked standing in front of him. He caressed her breast in each hand. Turning her toward the bed he lay her down on her back.
Spreading her legs Q noticed all the wetness both her inner thighs displayed. He began to show her how giving head was done. He started licking and sucking on her clit. While pushing his tongue in and out of her pussy. Q
gently took his index finger and placed it at the opening of her asshole. She was so wet that his finger went in effortlessly. This made her body trembled even more. He began to kiss up her stomach until he reached her mouth. Sliding his tongue in her mouth he let her taste her own juices. While they continued to kiss he slid his now erect penis unto her soaked pussy. She was extremely tight to be so wet. But Q just kept rubbing the head of his dick in and out of her hole trying to gain entrance. Finally she sucked him inside, her pussy was so hot and wet he didn’t want to move for fear he would cum. Q decided to pull her on top of him. He held her close while she rotated her hips. Q tried to take his mind off the feeling, but it wasn’t working. Unable to hold on anymore he exploded inside her. Her body collapsed up against his, Inga just lay there holding Q tight, until they both fell asleep.
The next morning Inga entered the room. Q looked up at her. She spoke, “Good morning. Can I get you something?”
“Dang you said that like you the maid or something. I’m cool lady,” he said jokingly.
Sliding out of bed he walked toward the bathroom. Q showered and dried off. Walking back into the room he found his clothes laid out on the bed. He eyed Inga.
She smiled. “It’s our culture to take care of our men back home.” It was Q’s turn to smile.
“I’m serious,” she said. “Maybe one day you will be able to visit us without it being business.”
“Sounds good,” he responded.
“I want to thank you for everything,” she said walking up to face him.
“I’m the one who should be thanking y’all Inga ...”
She cut him off, “Q, I have never been with a man the type of way I shared with you. I hated men. Even you Q, before last night the-only thing a man had ever brought me was pain.” She kissed him, probing her sweet tasting tongue around his mouth. Releasing him she spoke. “Men have been with me Q. But until last night I had never been with them.”
He nodded his head showing he understood. She gave him a final hug. “I’ll be waiting for you Q, untouched, just the way you left me.”
Knock... Knock ... Knock. It was Baby Rasta.
Chapter 25
My Brother’s Keeper
After Baby Rasta and Inga had already caught their plane, Q headed for the hospital to check on Tim and June. Tim had left the hospital last night without doctor’s consent. His rehab was almost completed. The nurses who came by on their regular shift would always have to page him over the loud speaker. He would either be outside somewhere doing push-ups, or chatting with another patient. Q entered his room and found Terri at his bedside. Hearing the door they both turned. Looking at Terri, Q could see that she had been crying. He spoke. “What’s the matter lil’ sis?” Silence.
Tim nudged her shoulder then spoke. “Tell him ma.”
“Tell me what,” Q said walking towards them both.
Terri answered, “He asked me to marry him Q.” She held out her hand to show off her diamond ring.
“Welcome to the family ma.”
Q later found out that June had headed back to Rockingham. It was back to business for him and The Crew.
“So when are you coming home,” Q asked Tim.
“Soon homie. I was hoping to make the bike fest, but it doesn’t look good.”
“Damn Tim, everybody was hoping you would be there Baby Boy.”
“Yeah I know Q. but the doctors want to run a few more tests.”
They talked for a while before Q had to bounce.
“Do you think he went for it?” Tim asked Terri.
“Yea I think so,” They will be surprised to see you.”
“US ma,” he corrected her. “Us.”
Q rode in silence thinking and contemplating to himself, “This whole mess started over nothing. No one gained from it, but everybody lost.” He had done something that most thought was impossible. He had walked away from the dope game in one piece. Could he ever walk away from his lust for women and be faithful to the love of his life... Van? Only time would tell.
At her job Van tried to keep busy. She had already checked her phone a hundred times. She had even called Kiki. Still no word from Q. She wanted to call him but decided not to. “He’s okay,” she kept saying to herself. “He’s okay.”
Van kept herself so busy she almost missed her lunch break. She headed towards her office to eat the lunch she brought with her. Rushing, she almost didn’t see the roses and envelope. She opened it: Van, Baby girl, without you I’m nothing. With you I am everything that I have ever wanted to be. If God would have made you any more perfect, he would have kept you for himself. Now turn around... She turned to find Q standing behind the door. Running to him she jumped in his arms, wrapping herself around him. “I’m glad you’re home Baby.”
“Yeah, me too ma. Home to stay.” Q hung around the office until Van got off work. They followed each-other to Peking-Wok for Chinese food. After ordering their food they sat and talked. Q spoke, “You know Tim will be at the Bike fest.”
“That will be good,” she answered.
“But I thought Terri said he wouldn’t be finish with his rehab.”
“She probably did ma. They told me the same thing. But the doctor told me he would be released on the 13th. I think he wants to surprise the whole Crew.”
“Well, I think you should let it be a surprise, if that’s what he’s planning.”
“I will,” he responded.
Q could feel his phone vibrating. He ignored it as long as he could. Checking his messages he notices one of The Crews connects downtown number. After calling him back, Q hung up and began telling Van what was going on. “The word downtown is that D.A.’s planning on dropping the murder charges against June. We have to make sure he stays out of trouble at least that long ma.” She gave him a bewildered look. He continued, “Yeah ma, I feel the same way. Let’s just hope nobody crosses that nigga before then.”
After eating they headed for Q’s kennel. It had been a few days since Q had seen his dogs. His father kept a check on them while he was gone. As they stood and looked over the kennel Van spoke. “We should move out here someday Boo. Build our dream house out this way.”
Q had purchased five acres of land. There was plenty of room.
“Someday we will ma. Right over there,” he said pointing. From the kennel they split up. Van headed home while Q made a few more stops. He called Tim’s room.
Tim answered. “Hello.
“What up T?”
“What’s up Q.? What’s tha deal?”
“Nuthin’ my nigga, is Terri still there?”
“Nah, she had to be at the salon by twelve. Had a few appointments coming through.
“I spoke with the doctor before I left homie,” said Q.
“Shit,” Tim said, “I forget to tell the doctor.”
“Don’t worry T; I didn’t say anything to The Crew.”
“Thanks Q.”
“No problem, Fam. I can’t wait to see you back home myself.” They talked for a while longer before Q hung up and called the salon.
“Hello, Honey’s, how can I help you?” It was Tee.
“Hey stranger,” said Q .
“Hi Baby,” she responded. “I was just talking about you mister.”
“Oh yeah. Was it good or bad ma?”
“It was bad,” somebody yelled in the background.
“Never that,” Tee whispered into the phone.
They talked for a while about the salon. When Q closed his flip-phone he was sitting on East Washington Street. He sat in his car scoping out the scene. Looking at the fiends walking around all zombie-like made him dislike The Game even more. He only could hope that the rest of The Crew would one day see what he saw and leave The Game for good. Q’s attention was drawn to a black sedan sitting in Nelsons Funeral Home parking lot, camouflaging itself between the rests of the black cars. He was positive they were snapping pictures.
From where Q sat it was a clear view of the whole block. None of The Crew
would be seen outside, but Q knew they were there. Opening his phone he called June’s cell. Like he figured, June, Fat Dave, and Corey, were all in Janie’s getting their eat on. After giving them the lowdown on the car parked at the funeral home, all three exited through the back. They informed all the small time hustlers and runners on the Po-Po. Quickly The Block became a ghost town. An hour or so later the black sedan slowly pulled out of the parking lot and left. Q sat in silence thinking to himself. “Why hadn’t one of The Crew’s contacts downtown put them up on what he just witnessed?”
They all decided to meet at The Club. Big Kev and Poo were already there. The “Bike Fest” was only two days away. The outside stage had already been set up.
“Who do you think those cats were Q?” June asked.
“I don’t know homie. I talked to our people downtown on the way here and they knew nothing about them. I think everybody should stay off The Block until we find out something.”
They all agreed with Q and decided not to do any type of business on the set until their connect told them something.
Chapter 26
Wipe The Tears From Your Lonely Eyes
Tex’s body had been identified and claimed within days. His body now laid in Smiths Funeral Home. The wait was almost over. Lonely sobs could be heard throughout the building. Tex had terrorized The Boro for years. Most people around The Boro still didn’t believe the notorious “Gun For Hire” was really dead, but they kept their fingers crossed. Hoping the rumors were true that he was.
Raising to her feet she gently made a cross sign over her chest. One last look at the closed casket. She mumbled the words, “I love you baby.’’ There are very few things in life that are unbreakable. No matter the circumstances, nothing breaks the bond of a mother’s love. Mrs. Johnson turned and walked out of the empty funeral home leaving her only son.
***
Dina and Shea were slowly becoming close friends again. But today was a day that neither would ever forget. This was the day they lost a brother and a boyfriend. Every year they would visit him on this day. The past two years they had went at separate times. Leaving the flower shop they headed to Wadesboro Memorial Cemetery. Before they arrived both were in tears. As they reached Bolo’s grave site the sobbing continued.
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