by Asia Hill
“Aye, Money Man?”
“Huh?”
“You wanna run the spot over there on 71st and Elizabeth?”
“Hell yeah, I’m down. It’s fiend city over there. Me and lil bro can make it happen.”
“Don’t be over there bullshitting.”
“I got you, boss.”
Now that that shit was settled, I called Boo to see when we was gonna lay Lil Mama to rest.
(Boo)
I made sure that everything was top notch for my lil sis’s funeral. It was expensive, but my boy who owns Gatlin’s Funeral Home over on 101st and Halstead gave me a good ass deal. Right now, I was on my way up there to drop off her outfit. I chose this red, white, and black outfit. What? Don’t ask me about shit. They were her favorite colors. The outfit was cute. I bought her some all-red Gucci pumps that I bought her for Christmas. I hated funeral homes. They always smelled like death and those cheap ass carnations. I walked towards the back of the hallway where she laid. Within every room that I passed, I couldn’t help but look in at the unlucky person that occupied those caskets. Damn, life’s a bitch. In the last room, there was my baby laying there as peaceful as can be. Whoever did her makeup did a damn good job, even though she was burned badly. She still looked beautiful. I was impressed. She looked like a totally different person. I pulled the sheet back to see the rest of her body. Her arms and legs were burned bad, but not the rest of her body. As a matter of fact, I could clearly see all of her tattoos.
“What the fuck?”
I looked at her chest where she was supposed to have her mother’s name at. There was no name.ring ring
My ringing phone scared the shit outta me. I looked at the screen and saw Ashley’s number.
“Hello? Hey Ash, what’s up?”
“I got something I wanna tell you.”
“Okay, I’m listening.”
“Would it sound crazy if I told you that I don’t think Lil Mama is dead?”
“Um, well maybe. How you figure that?”
“I wanted to know what she knew before I told her what I just found out. I just did a little investigation and, boo, I don’t think she’s dead. Can we meet?”
“Now! Meet me at Artists Lounge on 87th.”
If that ain’t Lil Mama, then who the fuck was she? She better be dead. Got me worrying like this. I just dropped nine stacks on this damn funeral. My boy ain’t gon’ give me my damn money back!
Thirty minutes later, I was sitting across from Ash with my mouth wide open. I felt a sense of relief knowing that there was a good chance that she was alive. But then I became mad as hell. Why the fuck she ain’t called me yet?
“Ash, is there any way that we could find her? Her cell phone is still on because it just rings.”
“I could activate her GPS app in her phone. It’s worth a shot. It could take a week or two.”
“Why so long?”
“Because, this is unofficial police business, meaning I’m not supposed to be doing this without permission from my higher superior. I’m doing my own investigation on him. I’m a busy girl.”
Chapter 10
Detective Malone
“Hello?”
“What up?”
“Learn some manners when you answer the phone.”
“Learn what? This my damn phone and I pay this bill. I’ll answer this motha fucka the way I want to.”
I swear I hate that little street punk. I had to take a deep breath. He’s lucky I needed him.
“We need to meet.”
“Meet for what?”
“Because the trial date is approaching fast. We need to go over a few things.”
“Ain’t no need for that. I know what I need to say when I get on the stand.”
“Ok, what about the money?”
“How the hell should I know?”
“You better know something, damn it. I want that money that was stolen from Pancho.”
“Man, that money is long gone by now. You better off getting that money that they stole from the banks.”
“What banks?”
“The banks on Jeffery and Stoney. Them Eastside Crazy bitches did those robberies.”
“Really?”
“I heard that they hit that bank in Hammond, Indiana, too.”
That was music to my ears. The mayor was going to be pleased once I turned them little crooks in. But first, I needed to find that money.
“I really need you, Derrick. Will you help me find that money and put them away?”
“You better hope I don’t kill those bitches first.”
“NO, NO, NO! No more murders, damn it. I need to find that money. Don’t worry about killing them. Spending the rest of their lives in jail will do the trick.”
“Whatever you say.”
(Lil Man)
That damn detective was starting to work my nerves. No more murders? What? Man, fuck that! I’m killing everybody! The whole clique has gotta go. I called a few of my cousins from out West. I told my cousins who were responsible for killing Julie and my sister. They were down to help me get them niggas. They wanted war? Well they got it now. My cousin KeeKee was the oldest. He’s the trigger-happy one. His brother BayBay was the craziest. He was crazier than I was. I think he got dropped on his head a few times. No bullshit. And last but not least, there was Baby Dro. He was a year older than I was, but the nigga was certified. He got a check every month since he was two. He was the definition of a menace to society.
I really needed to see if JoJo and I were on the same page, because if we weren’t, she was going to die right along with her stanking ass sister. I was supposed to meet my cousins in the morning, so for now it was time to lay it down in the crib for the night. On my way to the crib, my vibrating phone interrupted my thoughts.
“Who the fuck is this?”
I didn’t recognize the number.
“A, Lil Man, this Ice.”
“Ice?”
“Man, Ice from off of Phillips. My brother, Dave, used to run with Pancho.”
“Oh yeah, what up, boy? Long time no see. How you get my number?”
“I’ve had it nigga, but anyway I got a problem with some niggas you might know.”
“Who?”
“The nigga Jaw and Poohman let me run a spot for em over there in Englewood. It’s a goldmine over there. Anyway, I was their most trusted worker.”
“Nigga, get to the point.”
“They cut me off for no reason.”
“No reason?”
“Okay, maybe I was stealing a lil bit, but so what? Their ass was bringing in over 10 G’s a week.”
“Jaw and Poohman, huh?”
“Yeah. I’m in my feelings. I needed that bread. Fuck them niggas. There’s always money in the spot. Help me rob em.”
“Let me hit you back in a few days. I might be able to help you.”
Jackpot! Shit didn’t get no sweeter than that. I’ma help Ice out because I can kill his ass when I finish. I ain’t breaking bread with nobody. By the time I made it to the crib, I was hungry as hell. I been in them streets all day. JoJo was slacking. Lately, all she wanted to do was stay in the crib. We had shit to do. I think it was time that I reminded her ass. I walked in the crib and just as I suspected, she was in the same spot I left her ass—on the damn couch, asleep. I kicked the couch.
“Man, JoJo, get cha nasty ass up and wash yo ass or something.”
“I did wash my ass and I am doing something. I’m watching T.V.”
“You got a smart ass mouth. What up with that? Tell me something.”
“Okay, since you all in my space, I think I’m pregnant.”
“WHAT?”
“Don’t act all surprised. You do fuck me without a condom even though I ask you not to.”
I was stuck. I wasn’t ready for no damn kid. Shit, I was still a kid my damn self. She was too. But on the other hand, when I do finally decide to have one, I might be dead.
“Come on, we ‘bout to go get a test.”
“Why can’t you go? I don’t feel good.”
“Don’t make this shit hard girl. You can come with me.”
“Fuck it, here I come.”
(ReRe)
“Poohman? Why the fuck is a girl named Mia calling your phone?”
“You tripping. I don’t even know a girl name Mia.”
“So you didn’t meet her at the mall a few weeks ago?”
“Hell naw! I ain’t even been to the mall. Who’d she ask for when she called?”
“I ain’t give her a chance to ask for nobody. She called like three times before I snapped on...”
“Fuck all that. I don’t know that bitch. Quit fucking with my phone.”
Oh yeah? Poohman gon’ fuck around and pop up dead. He’s lucky I knew he was telling the truth. What I really wanna know is why Jaw’s got a bitch calling Poohman’s phone. I’m going to see my bitch, JuJu. If Jaw think he was about to play my bestie, then he better be ready for this gunplay. I’ma put his ass to sleep before I let him hurt my girl. Poohman better stay neutral because my heart and loyalty lie with my girls for life. I love Poohman to death, but I’ll kill his ass, too.
(Mia)
I thought my lil friend LJ was so sexy. Too bad that every time I called his phone some broad says that he’s not around. I don’t know what to think. For now, I’m concentrating on the demise of Lil Man, Jaw, and those Eastside Crazy bitches. I was on my way home to get JoJo’s lazy ass up off my couch. We had to play catch up.
“Lil girl?”
She was lying on the couch with that creep Lil Man.
“Huh?”
“Come make a few runs with me. I’m tired of you sitting up in this house doing nothing.”
I looked at Lil Man who was now mean mugging me.
“Why the fuck are you looking at me like that?”
“Because you didn’t ask me if I wanted to go.”
“First off, I don’t have to ask you shit, little boy. I wanna spend some alone time with my sister.”
“Yeah a’ight, JoJo. Tell your sister the good news.”
I looked at JoJo and waiting to hear the good news.
“Well, JoJo?”
“Let me jump in the shower. I’ll be ready in 30 minutes.”
I was dying to know the good news, but I kept it cool because I wanted to know more about Lil Man’s plans to get at Jaw.
“Mia, you know that he’s planning on robbing Jaw’s trap spot over on 71st and Elizabeth. That detective also wants him to break in Dirty, Jaw, and ReRe’s crib looking for that bank money.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah, he want that money that they stole from Ramone.”
“You’re not doing that shit with him. Revenge is one thing, but breaking into other people’s shit is stupid. I got money. Fuck that. Here’s what we’re going to do. I’ma call Jaw and let him know that Lil Man is planning on breaking in his shit and robbing his spot. Let him handle him. Less work for us.”
“We can kill Dirty and that green-eyed bitch, ReRe.”
“JoJo, you ain’t never killed nobody. Let me take care of that. What’s the good news?”
I could tell that the news wasn’t good to her.
“I’m pregnant.”
“JoJo, noooo. Damn it! I thought I told you to wear condoms. I can’t believe you let that lil dirty ass boy nut in you. You are getting an abortion.”
“Actually Mia, I wanna keep my baby.”
I could have died.
“Fuck No! I don’t wanna have to put up with that crazy ass nigga for 18 years. JoJo think; do you really wanna deal with Lil Man for that long?”
“He’s going to die, so I won’t have to.”
“I’m not helping you take care of that demon’s child.”
“That’s not fair.”
“Fuck fair, you’re on your own with that one. End of discussion.”
I was mad as hell. I ain’t care what she talking about. She wasn’t keeping that baby.
“Where my phone JoJo? Never mind.”
I was thinking about how I was gonna tell Jaw that Lil Man was planning on robbing him.
“Yo? Who is this calling me private?”
“You ask too many questions. Lil Man is planning on robbing that spot you got in Englewood.”
“What spot in Englewood? Who the fuck is this?”
“I warned you. You better stay on point.”
“Is that right? You should tell me who you are, so I can take you out for looking out for me.”
“I’ll pass!”click
Chapter 11
JuJu
I never thought in a million years that I would be spending Christmas in jail. I felt as if I was going to suffocate. I never came out of my room. I didn’t wanna interact with them hoes. The one day that I decided that I was gonna make the best of my situation, all hell broke loose. I had just come back from an attorney visit. He told me that the state’s witness was in fact Lil Man. I mean, really? I needed to see Jaw so I could tell him to go find that motha fucka before my trial date. I came back to the unit and headed straight for the phones. There was a line, so I patiently waited. Well, while I was waiting, four girls walked passed me mean mugging me. I shook my head and closed my eyes trying to calm my nerves. I needed to calm the beast inside of me that was dying to come out. When I opened my eyes, the four girls were now standing in front of me. Y’all know this is the kind of shit I live for. Ain’t no hoe in me. I was the first one to speak.
“What’s good?”
The short dark-skinned girl with a terrible weave walked up to me and got a lil bit too close for my liking.
“What you mean what’s good? What do you say when I walked pass you?”
“What you think I said?”
“You called me a ‘bitch.’”
I had to laugh to hide the anger that was spewing out of me.
“I don’t even know you to even say anything to you, but fuck all that. What’s crackin?”
I wasn’t doing anymore talking. I took a step back and got into my beat-a-hoe-down stance. I guess the ugly bitch was shocked at how I came at her. She probably thought I was gonna tuck my tail or something. But I wasn’t that kinda girl; and just to show them that I wasn’t, I took off on her ass first.WHAMI punched her dead in her throat. She didn’t fall, so I quickly followed up with a kick to the gut.BOOM I was a bit worried about the other three bitches jumping in, so I made sure that the one I was fighting got it the worse. After hitting her with a three-piece combo, we fell to the ground together. Two of the three girls stepped in to help their friend. I wasn’t about to let ‘em stomp me out. I jumped up and hit the first one that came after me.BOOP That one went flying back into her friend. I rushed ‘em both and dropkicked the one that fell on her friend in the stomach, sending both of them flying to the ground.
“Y’all bitches got me fucked up.”
I was in a zone now. I needed to let it be known that just because I was quiet, I wasn’t nobody’s punk. The bitch I hit first jumped on my back.
“Bitch, get the fuck off my back.”
I backed up to the wall and slammed her against it. After I rammed her back into the wall multiple times, she tried to stick her nails into my face. I couldn’t let her scratch my pretty face. I peeled her hand and bent her fingers so far back that I heard a cracking noise.
She screamed, “OUUCCHH!”
“Get the fuck off of my back, bitch!”
Shit, I was beginning to get tired. I didn’t know how much longer I was going to last.
“BREAK IT UP!”
Saved by the bell. The C.O. walked into the unit with a Taser gun. She looked mad as fuck. I was glad I got my rocks off because I knew for a fact that I was going to the SHU.
“Jones, Brown, and Sanders? Get the fuck on the wall NOW!”
She turned to look at me and smiled. “I see you can hold your own.”
“I wasn’t about to let them beat my ass.”
“I saw the w
hole thing. I should lock your ass up too, but I’m not. Let that be the last time you disrupt my unit.”
“Yes ma’am.”
She stepped closer to me.
“You are on room restriction for five days.”
I was cool with that. She came even closer. She was so close that I could smell her Double Mint gum.
“I put a phone under your pillow.”
I was stuck. “Huh?”
“Ashley said to call her.”
After that, she took the other three girls I fought to the SHU. I walked back to my room when the fourth girl that was with the group called me.
“Hey Ju? Let me holler at you.”
“Bitch, look, I’m tired. You should have fought me when I fought them. I’ma cut your fucking face if you run up on me.”
“Naw, it ain’t even like that. I was never gonna help them jump you. I just heard that you get down. I wanted to see how you handled yourself.”
“Who the fuck are you?”
“My name’s Jade. I’m from over East, too.”
“How you know me though?”
“Everybody know about y’all. Sorry to hear about Tiki.”
Who was this girl? I wasn’t about to let my guard down. I didn’t know this hoe.
“Where you from over East?”
“You really don’t remember me, do you? I used to live next door to you when you stayed on 88th and Marquette. I moved after my dad killed my mother and himself.”
“Damn, I do remember you. We went to Phil Sheridan together.”
I didn’t know her to trust her, but it was nice to have someone I knew from home. I really needed to call Jaw, so I told her that I would get at her later. I hopped in my bed and grabbed the phone that was under my pillow.Thank you, Ash.
I dialed Jaw’s number. “Hello?” Who the fuck was this bitch answering my man’s phone.
“Who the fuck are you, and why are you answering my man’s phone?”
(Jaw)
“You better stay on point, boy. If y’all see anything that don’t look right, start shooting.”
Ever since I got the call that Lil Man was planning on robbing my spot, I had been on full alert. How the fuck did he even know that I had a spot over here? I made the most money over here. Killing Big T was the best move we could have ever made. The hood accepted us and allowed us eat. I walked to the front room, and looked at my lil brother, Money Man, save a few friends.
