Hard White

by Shannon Holmes

  Stomping into the store, Melquan was spotted by Nashawn. He was at the Plaza catching a movie.

  “Yo Butta, stop the car!” Nashawn ordered after spotting Melquan. “You gotta ratchet up in here, kid?”

  “Nah, who be ridin’‘round wid fuckin’ guns in they whips these days? It’s too hot uptown. The gun squad is definitely pullin’ cars over, big homie. And I ain’t tryin a go back up north,” Nashawn’s friend, Butta said.

  “Damn!” Nashawn cursed. “I’d lay that-fake-ass-gangsta down right now, if I had a ratchet.”

  “Who you talkin’ ‘bout…? That kid you was just talkin’ ‘bout that pulled out on you earlier? What’s his name?”

  “Melquan...”

  “Yeah, you talked da muthafucka up. Where he at?”

  “He jus went inside da sneaker store, kid. Damn, this a moment whe you need the gat.”

  “Nashawn, I got an idea, son. Let’s just follow da nigga and see where he goes. If you know where da nigga resting his head, it’ll be easier to do him.”

  “Yes son. You a fuckin’ genius Butta… Yes let’s follow da muthafucka ‘round for a minute. He don’t know your whip, anyhow.”

  “And dese tints… Nigga ain’t gon see you no way, Nashawn.”

  “Word up…”

  After purchasing the sneakers, Melquan walked a short distance to the entrance of India’s apartment building on Driesler Loop, Co-Op City. It was a cool evening and he pulled the hoodie over his head. Although the hoodie may have hidden his identity, it also obscured his vision. Melquan was completely unaware of the car, occupied by Nashawn that was slowly following him.

  From a safe distance, Nashawn watched Melquan enter the building, taking note of the building address. A few minutes elapsed before the Nashawn made his move.

  “Yo, what you about to do…?” Butta asked with concern. “Remember you ain’t got no ratchet. What if Melquan sees you? You said da nigga had a ratchet on him earlier?”

  “Son, son, be easy,” Nashawn assured him. “I got this, a’ight?”

  “A’ight, if you say so. Only you know best,” Butta said. “So what you want me to do?”

  “Just chill right here, nobody knows you, nigga,” Nashawn said exiting the car.

  He walked over to the building and entered. Pretended to be looking at the buildings intercom list, Nashawn struggled to select the right bell. Finally, he gave up and tapped lobby door and motioned for the security guard.

  “Ah, excuse me, sir. I’m lookin’ for my friend who just entered the building a few minutes ago. He was wearing a sweatshirt with black hoodie. I had to find parking and he didn’t tell me what floor he lives on to buzz his intercom… Would you happen to know, sir?”

  Before answering, the Hispanic security guard quickly scrutinized Nashawn. He found his mannerism non-threatening and his speech to be very polite.

  “Who are you talking about Melquan?”

  “Yeah...Mel,” Nashawn smiled.

  “He live on the seventeenth floor, I think, ah, it’s seventeen G. You can go up if you would like.”

  “That’s just it I can’t find parking and…”

  “Yeah, parking is bad around here at this time of the evening. Go around the block—”

  “Nah thanks, man. I’ll just buzz him when I find parking. If not, I’ll wait for him outside in the car a just lil’ while longer. He should be comin’ down soon anyway.”

  Nashawn walked out the building with a smile on his face. He got back in the car and Butta drove off. He knew Melquan’s exact location and there was no need to stick around.

  Heading back to the projects, the devilish grin smeared Nashawn’s rugged face. Now, he wouldn’t be the only one watching his back when he entered a building. His mind started scheming a way to send Melquan a mesaage. Put him on his p’s and q’s.

  Upstairs, Melquan labored with the keys trying to open the door to India’s apartment.

  “Damn!” he hissed aloud. “So much for a fuckin’ surprise, I can’t even open the fuckin’ door.”

  The more he struggled with the lock, the more Melquan thought he was tripping. He couldn’t open it to save his life. He checked the apartment number, seventeen G, this was the right door. Melquan thought as he tried the key again and again. He removed the key, looked at it, and began blowing his breath on it. He tried to open the door again, to no avail. It suddenly hit him like a ton of bricks. India changed the damn locks. Why else wouldn’t his key work? Melquan sighed loudly, and banged his fist against the door.

  India peeped through the peephole before opening the door. Melquan had a blank look on his face. They pause for a moment. No one says a word. Long stares replaced what they had to say. Finally India spoke, breaking the icy silence.

  “Well are you just going to stand there, staring and saying nothing? Or, are you coming in?”

  “I’m waitin’ on you. You the one changin’ locks and blockin’ the door,” Melquan said, bravely controlling the anger raging through him.

  India watched him with concern in her eyes. She wondered where he was coming from. And why he was acting as if he had an attitude with her. India wanted to hug Melquan just to be engulfed in his warm embrace. She missed him, but now wasn’t the right time to display those feelings. Instead she stepped aside and Melquan entered the apartment. If there were going to be a scene, it wouldn’t be in the hallway. Having her nosey neighbors in her business was the last thing she wanted.

  Melquan walked into the apartment and headed straight for the bedroom. India followed closely behind him. She watched him threw his bag that been on the floor in the corner of her closet. Reach underneath the bed, Melquan pulled out his stash box. He removed all the money from it and stuffed it into his pockets. Then he removed every article of clothes from the closet and placed it on the bed.

  “What are you doing? Are you leaving?” India asked, watching Melquan from behind.

  “It’s obvious you don’t want me here anymore. You changed the locks. So I’m a just pack my shit, and bounce…” his voice trailed as he continued packing.

  Melquan grabbed a duffel bag, and started putting his clothes inside. He was too vindictive to even realize how emotionally charged this process was. In his mind it was over and there were no two ways about it. India didn’t have to tell him twice. By changing the locks the message was loud and clear.

  “You’re just going to let it all end like this, right Melquan?”

  India moved to face Melquan. She wanted him to look her directly in the eye. There were more than questions on her mind. Melquan wasn’t in the mood for any of her mind games. He tried to walk by her, but she blocked him.

  “There’s no way we can talk it out?” India asked in the softest of tones.

  She got his attention by holding him in a bear hug. Melquan hugged her back. India smiled up at him.

  “Please Melquan,” India requested. “Don’t be like that.”

  “Please don’t be like what? Huh? You’re the one who keep kicking me out. Every time we have an argument or a disagreement it be ‘Melquan please go’. What’s up with that?”

  “I would rather you leave than have a heated argument with you. My son lives in the apartment. Was I wrong last time? Put yourself in my shoes. What would you do? You left me no other choice. You’ve cheated and you’ve lied, done me wrong over and over, Melquan. It’s gotten to the point where I have to question everything you tell me.”

  “Oh really…? So whatever I say don’t matter, you just gonna think it’s a lie anyway, right? Those things are accusations, figments of your imagination. You know nothing have ever been proven.”

  “Melquan, you’re acting like I’m doing something wrong. You’ve got to recognized that you’re the one causing these situations. I’m not the one to be faulted here, I just reacted, I never acted.”

  “No baby, you overreacted. You blow things way out of proportion. All you had to say was take that out of my house. Or, don’t come back with that shit on you�
� I could respect that if you say it in a nice tone of voice.”

  “Okay, I agree, I can be a little nasty at times. And I’m sorry but, Melquan I’ve told you that same thing before. It’s not like we haven’t had similar conversations, Melquan. On top of all that, I’ve been calling you for the past few days. You don’t even return my calls, Melquan. I’ve called your mother’s home and left messages. And still there were no phone calls from Melquan. Which leads me to believe something ain’t right.”

  India threw her hands up and was about to walk away. Melquan grabbed her and kissed her hard. When they were both out of breath, he let her go.

  “Baby, sometimes it ain’t what you say, it’s the way you say it. You got a way of makin’ a nigga feel like he ain’t shit,” Melquan painfully explained. “It’s like I ain’t on your level, or sump’n.”

  “I’m so sorry, honey. It’s not like that, really,” India said, kissing Melquan’s lips. “I’ll try to be more understanding. But sometimes I panic because the custody thing, you know that.”

  “Look, I want everything to go right for you and Zach. I ain’t tryin’ a fuck shit up. But you know how I’m living right now. I’m eating off the streets. Sometimes shit just happens. I don’t plan on bringing the bullshit to your door. I’d never knowingly jeopardize your custody situation.”

  India moved back away from Melquan and stared at him incredulously. Then she smiled awkwardly as tears welled up in her eyes. She spoke softly.

  “For whatever its worth, I love you. And I really care for you, Melquan. I don’t want you to leave me… I don’t want you to go anywhere. I want you right here with Zach and me. I want us to be a family. We can work this out, Mel,” India reassured him, clinging to Melquan.

  The close proximity of their bodies was causing Melquan to calm down. He rather enjoyed touching India in such a sensual way.

  “You know, married people go through this all the time. There will be arguments, fussing and fighting, but at the end of the day, the only thing that keeps them together is an open line of communication… Let’s talk it over, boo. Melquan, let’s do what married people do…” her voice trailed.

  Her tongue was down his throat and words would not suffice. They kissed passionately for another couple minutes, breathing each other’s essence. Melquan embrace became firmer, his arms gripped her shoulder tightly, and India was lifted off her feet. She marveled at his strength.

  “Let’s take a shower together…” India whispered warmly against his ears.

  He carried India into the bathroom and turned on the shower. They quickly pulled off each other’s clothes. Their bodies were continually drawn to each other, with India sitting on top of the sink way before the shower got warm.

  Melquan’s nature hardened and soon he penetrated India. She willfully accepted every inch of his manhood as it went deep into her womb. Hot water produced steam and it formed a thick mist. Their naked bodies were joined together in passion.

  “Oh baby yes! Give it to me!” she demanded.

  “Yeah talk that shit.” Melquan said. “Take this dick!”

  He fucked her good and she screamed loudly with a care, the way he remembered her. It was just like in the beginning when the sex was new, and their passion was hot. Cries of pleasure constantly escaped India’s body and only served to excite Melquan even more.

  “I’m about to come…” he sighed heavily.

  She kissed his lips and sucked hard on his tongue. Melquan continued to rhythmically pump India with rapid succession. India raised her hips to meet his every thrust. Their bodies moved easily against each other in an enticing sexual dance. Finally, India wrapped her legs around Melquan’s waist, pulling him deeper inside her.

  “Come in my pussy,” she seductively whispered. “Come all inside me.”

  “Oh ah, ah… Ah ugh…!” Melquan screamed.

  India worked her back and Melquan shot his load. His knees buckled as the semen raced from his body. Momentarily weakened, Melquan collapsed against India. They were both lost in the moment.

  “You were kind a loud, where’s Zach?” he asked, regaining his senses.

  “Oh, he’s with his father. We got the whole house to ourselves. I’m glad you asked. You really care Melquan. C’mon, let’s do it again.”

  “Hummmm, sounds like a plan to me,” Melquan excitedly exclaimed.

  Melquan lifted himself off India. She climbed down from the sink.

  “C’mon,” she suddenly proclaimed. “Let’s do it in the shower.”

  She grabbed his hardened dick and led him. Melquan didn’t reply, he merely followed her lead.

  Chapter Twelve

  A Gangster’s Gambit

  About a month later, Melquan’s dreams of taking over the project’s illicit drug trade turned into reality. To witness how a slim possibility had morphed into a certainty, even to him, was an amazing feat. His crew now controlled the crack trade throughout the entire projects and that meant more customers. Having beat back all challengers, Melquan and Mike Copeland, were now free to concentrate on profits rather than strategizing for beef.

  Shop was set up in the horseshoe; it was the cartel’s primary place of operation. The choice was logical one, there was already drug flow and Precious lived there. This meant they could access weapons and drugs all day, making profit and be protected at the same time. Melquan and Mike Copeland took full advantage of both.

  Taking a break from overseeing their drug empire, Melquan and Mike Copeland spotted Charlie Rock. Mike Copeland sighed loudly.

  “Yo Mel, here come ya man,” Mike Copeland announced. “Unk Leech,” he laughed.

  “Mike you one disrespectful bastard. You know that, right?” Melquan replied.

  “Yeah, tell me about it,” Mike answered. “I just don’t like seein’ muthafuckas I know, git played outta position. Am I wrong for that?”

  “Play me out how? Tell me how he playin’ me out?” Melquan insisted.

  “Niggas think I be talkin’ just cuz I like hearin’ myself. Runnin’ ‘round here hatin’ on niggas for no apparent reason. I got my reasons Mel! Like they say, what’s done in the dark will come to light. One day what I’m sayin’ will all make sense.”

  “Yeah, one day…? Cause right now, you talkin’ in riddles, my dude.”

  “Whatever Mel. I’m out like last year. I don’t even wanna witness da bullshit he ‘bout to lay on you. When he bounces, I’ll be back.”

  Silently, Melquan watched Mike walked away in the opposite direction. He smirked, shaking his head in disbelief and turned his attention to Charlie Rock rapidly approaching. Melquan’s expression went through a quick change. He was doing everything to hide his emotions. His megawatt smile greeted Charlie Rock.

  Stylishly dressed in a dark blue Champion sweat suit, his three-sixty waves protected by a matching Yankee baseball cap, and pair of white and blue shell toe Adidas. Charlie Rock was looking fly. They exchanged daps and hugs then Melquan took a break from his drug activities to kicked it with him. It was gesture of respect, from the young guard to the old guard. He was never too busy for Charlie Rock.

  “Hey you know what, nephew?”

  “What’s that Unk?”

  “I’m really proud of you, nephew. You did what you said you were gonna do. I got to tip my fitted to that,” Charlie Rock said, raising his baseball hat. Many are called but the chosen are few…”

  “Unk, it just had to be done, man. I just thought to myself if not me then who? And if not now then when? Unk, just like you, I been out here all my life, doin’ what you always talkin’‘bout, throwin’ rocks at the penitentiary. Things change and I feel it’s only right that I get this money.”

  “Yeah, there you go. That’s the only way to think, get yours. But I’m a tell you sumthinI learned from experience. When you start gettin’ money, the wolves come out. That money is the scent they follow to the source. So be careful. The same thing that feed you must feed them--the streets…”

  From his seat in the
wheelchair, Charlie Rock stared directly at Melquan. His tone was serious and Melquan immediately noticed the change.

  “I know you got a lot on your mind. But hear me out, nephew. I’m tellin’ you sumthin’ for your own good.”

  Melquan remained tightlipped and didn’t utter a word. He held his breath, bracing for the words the wise OG had for him.

  “A’ight, hear me out. First and foremost you cannot sleep on these niggas. Shit might be good now, but it won’t stay that way. Hope for the best but expect the worst. Keep your ears to the street. I’m tellin’ you what I know. You’ve gotta have eyes in the back of your head. Stayin’ alert is stayin’ alive! Don’t take any rumor pertaining to you lightly. Many times the streets will get the word before you do.”

  Melquan nodded and let the words resonate. Charlie Rock was speaking from experience. He had been around the rise and fall of many major criminals. Melquan felt he had to heed these jewels. Charlie Rock didn’t drop them on everyone, and this made Melquan feel special.

  “Watch ’em dudes around you. Besides Mike Copeland, they all suspect. Find out who built for the drug game, and who built for war. Don’t let ’em good-time niggas fool you. Don’t let ’em tell you they thorough. Make ’em prove it. Remember, everyone’s a soldier until it’s time for war. Then what you got? A bunch of spectators…”

  Nightfall had descending upon the projects and Melquan’s team hand over fist made that dough. It was now time to go home. Unlike most drug dealers Melquan preferred to run his crack operation similar to a dope operation. There was a specific time to open and shutdown the business every day. This time restriction lessened the chance of anyone on his team getting knocked.

  However he knew, if Mike Copeland had it his way, shop would be open twenty-four-seven. Melquan saw no reason for this. It would only build more animosity for his crew if they took all the money. Rivals drug dealers may resort to calling the police on them. It was better for all to let rivals eat for a couple hours. In the projects, the only people out late at night were cops, stickup kids, and drug users.