Hustling on the Down Low

by MT Pope

  I rushed out of the car and into the building with haste and my blood pressure rising. I was smiling on the inside, but my face was as a stone statue. There was no room for weakness.

  “Where he at?” I questioned my lieutenant.

  “In here, Boss. Waiting for you.” He was a guy close to my age who had been with me for a long time. People knew not to cross me, and the dead ones spoke for my reputation.

  I opened the door and saw a man in a seat behind a table. He had on all black with dark sunglasses on. Two of my men had automatically followed me in the room. I loved the control that I had over people.

  I sat down in front of him and said nothing for a few seconds.

  “Take his glasses off. I want to look into the eyes of the one that sits in my presence.”

  They did as I instructed. The guy that sat before me was frail. It looked like he hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in weeks. He looked like he was on one of the many drugs that I flooded the streets of Baltimore with.

  “I hear you have some information for me?”

  “Ye-yes. I just want to get this over with and get the money promised me. I really need it.”

  “I bet.” I looked at him suspiciously. “What for? What’s the money for? Why do you want my money?”

  “That’s personal,” he said, and then looked down. Like he had shame or something to hide. It piqued my interest. I knew that I was here for information on this ghost character, but I wanted to know what would make someone desperate enough to come snitch on someone else. All snitching is about personal gain.

  “Don’t fucking play with me. Spit that shit out!” I said, and then banged on the table. He jumped.

  “Okay,” he nodded his head, and then pushed his chair back and stood up. My men instantly drew their weapons. I put my hand up signaling them not to shoot.

  He began to unbuckle his pants and then proceeded to take them off.

  “What the fuck are you doing?” I said, causing him to pause.

  “You said you wanted to see why I needed the money. I’m about to show you.” He then continued to pull his pants down, and then his boxers.

  “Bitch, I don’t want to see your dick. I have one of my own,” I snarled.

  “You don’t have to worry about that,” he said as he pulled down his boxers to expose the area that was supposed to house his genitals.

  My mouth hung open in sheer shock and disbelief. “What the fuck!” I got up out of my chair and turned toward my men. I instinctively cupped my dick and balls with thanksgiving.

  “He did this to me. He said I crossed him, and this was my punishment. I acted like a pussy, and now I have one.” He spoke with my back still turned to him. I had to say this ghost guy had some shit with him. I see why he had the following that he had. No one wanted to lose their fleshy manhood.

  “Man, pull your shit up. I’ve seen enough.” I was still turned with my back to him. I felt sorry for him.

  “You wanted answers. Don’t ask questions when you’re not ready for the answers. I want the money to make me a man again.”

  I finally turned back around, and he was seated back in the chair with his head hung low once again.

  “So what information do you have for me?”

  “I know where one of his stash houses is.”

  “I see. Show me where it is, and I’ll give you what you came here for.”

  His face lit up with a smile.

  I signaled my men to get him in custody once again, and we all loaded up into two cars. He was in the front one with two of my men, and I was traveling behind them in a car with three more of my guys. I didn’t know if this was a setup or what, but I didn’t want to be caught slipping.

  We pulled up to a location that was just an empty lot, got out of the cars, and I looked around in anger.

  “What the fuck am I looking at?” I got up in the dickless man’s face. “Is this some type of trick?”

  “I-I swear this was a huge house with multiple rooms for storage and processing of all types of drugs. I was just here a few days ago. It-it can’t be gone.”

  I pulled out my gun and shot him in the head.

  “Dispose of this dickless faggot.”

  I was more pissed off than before. I couldn’t believe this shit. This ghost had a building demolished and removed in a matter of days. His flaunting of his ability to do what he wanted and not get caught only fueled my anger.

  “This bitch must be stopped. I . . . want . . . what’s . . . mine. This city belongs to me!” I raged as I drove away.

  Chapter 13

  Monica

  Attention

  Leroy came home mad last night—again. I was becoming tad bit less tolerable of his present behavior. He hadn’t slept in our bed in over a week. It was either in the car, on the patio, or in his office. I didn’t know how much more that I could take. I was a woman, and I had needs. I needed attention from my man, and plastic wasn’t going to fulfill me at all. I wanted my flesh-and-blood husband to pleasure me like only he could.

  I was soaking in a nice hot bath with body oils and bubbles surrounding me. I rubbed my legs together, and the silkiness of my own skin aroused me. I slipped my fingers in between my legs and fingered myself deeply and sensuously. My eyes were already closed, and I was ready to get myself where I longed to be: pleasured.

  There was a knock on the door stopping me midstroke. Excitement immediately filled my mind and body.

  “Who is it?” I asked, hoping it was my husband coming to the rescue. I think I purred down below as well.

  “Ma, you still going with me to basketball practice today, right?” my son asked through the door. Immediately, disappointment dissolved all the excitement that I just had.

  “Yeah, baby,” I spoke as my body slid down in the tub a bit. I never thought I would be in this place. The needy-wife syndrome. I had it all, except my husband. “Give me a few minutes to get dressed, and we’ll be out the door and on our way.”

  “Cool,” was all he said, and then there was silence again. I was left alone with me and my thoughts. It’s crazy how life can be picturesque one moment, and then the next, you’re lost and don’t know how you got there. I called my husband several times today, and all I got was “I’ma call you right back,” “I’m handling some business,” or the most hated . . . straight to voice mail. Like I said before, I never had to worry about my husband and another chick. He knew who he had at home. His mistress, the streets were never any competition . . . until now. He wanted it all, and I was already his, so I guess he wasn’t worried about me leaving or venturing off. I felt the same way up until this moment. I needed attention. I craved it. I eased out of the tub, and then dried off. I prepped myself as I normally do with a little pizzazz added to my look this time. I wasn’t going to cheat on my husband. A few glances and stares would give me the attention that I wanted right now.

  Before I knew it, I was ready to go and enjoy the day. I walked down the steps and into the living room where my son was sitting with his back to me. He was texting as usual. That damn phone was a piece of his body. I swear I want to go back and look at his baby pictures and see if he had come out of the womb with it in his hand.

  “I’m ready,” I spoke, announcing my presence. Our house was almost completely carpeted so getting around in stealth mode was quite easy.

  “Oh, hey, Ma.” He looked startled, like I surprised him. He did a double take as he looked at me.

  “Damn, Ma, where you going dressed like that?” His mouth hung open because he has never seen me dress in the manner that I was.

  “Excuse me?” I looked at him with disapproval of his language and statement.

  “I’m sorry, Ma, but you look like—” he quickly cut off himself from speaking any further.

  “What do I look like?” I asked, curious for his response. I wanted attention from him as well.

  “I was going to say you look different . . . yeah . . . different.” He smiled.

  “So is diffe
rent bad or good?” I baited him.

  “Ma, I’m not going there with you. That is a sucker move, for sure. I might as well tell you that you are fat or something. Not going to happen. So, you look different.” He laughed.

  “All right, I’ll let you off the hook this time because I know that I am dressed, as you say, different. So, let’s go so we won’t be late. I don’t want your coach hollering at me for showing up late like before,” I laughed.

  He got up; then we left. I can’t help but say that I was excited to get out of the house even in the outfit that I had on. It was just a cute little sundress that highlighted my breasts and behind. I was normally a jeans-and-pants girl. I loved dresses, but I was a house mom, so running around in a dress was not my style. Today was a new day, I had some attention to get, and I was all for it.

  I was so glad that after the first two practices my son’s coach let the parents stay and watch them practice. I had very few girlfriends, and I lived a life catering to my family.

  Anyway, there were some good-looking guys that brought their sons to practice as well. I didn’t want them, but I wanted them to want me. I was going to be an attention whore today.

  We walked into the gymnasium where the boys practice, and I walked with purpose. I had my pocketbook on my arm, and I sashayed as all the eyes, ladies included, followed me to my seat. Only about ten parents were in attendance, with me included, but they were mostly men.

  “Ma, what was that walk for?” My son leaned over and whispered in my ear as I sat down.

  “What walk?” I played dumb. “I was walking like a normal person, one foot in front of the other.” I smiled as I looked over and saw a few eyes peering in my direction. I was elated at the attention that I was getting.

  “Ma, that was not a normal walk. Ma, you walked like you, excuse my language, but like you shit yourself.” He continued to whisper in my direction. I laughed on the inside but chastised him outwardly.

  “Corey, mind your business and do what we came here to do.” I looked at him, he shook his head and then moved down to the court to do his laps like before.

  Practice flew by, and it was time to go. I was all filled up on attention by this time. Two men couldn’t keep their eyes off me. One was bold enough to bring me a bottle of water even though he was the one that needed it. He damn near had his tongue hanging out of his mouth panting like a dog. It was about two hours’ worth of practice, and I “went to the bathroom” several times. The women were jealous, and the men were drooling. I couldn’t ask for more attention. I still wanted my husband’s attention, though.

  All the parents and boys were packing up and leaving. My son was the last one to leave. He was talking to the coach. I waited by the car for them to make their exit. He came out with the coach in tow.

  I had to say that the coach was all about his business. His work ethic and attitude reminded me of my husband. But I could tell he wasn’t on my husband’s level. He was out here teaching boys to play ball. He was a blue-collar worker, for sure.

  “Ma, Coach wants to take us out for dinner,” Corey said with a smile. I personally didn’t want to go, but he was getting some good lessons from this guy, and I didn’t want to stifle the bond that I could see growing between the two.

  “Sure, that would be nice,” I spoke, and then smiled. I hope he had class and takes us somewhere without a drive-thru.

  “We’ll follow your lead,” I politely spoke to Corey’s coach. I felt bad because I didn’t even know his name. I would make it a point to get to know his name. That would be the respectable thing to do.

  When we pulled up to Panera, I was mildly excited. I liked the place, but it was just a bump up from McDonald’s in my opinion. I would make it work, nonetheless.

  Chapter 14

  Corey

  Inclinations

  This guy kind of reminded me of my dad. You know, his aggressiveness for what he wants and not-taking-any-excuses attitude was my father’s same style of living. In the few short practices that we have had, I was already thinking more like a leader and not a follower. My father had already been a great example. Now, my coach was filling in the gap with my father’s consistent focus on building his empire. I wasn’t mad at my father, just wish he would focus on his family more. I loved him nonetheless, though.

  “So, Coach, what do people call you on a normal basis? You know, in a normal setting?” my mother asked. She had a look of curiosity. For some reason, my mother was on kick today. I wasn’t sure what to expect next. I mean, my mother was a tough chick, but most of all, she was a laid-back chick. She stayed in the pocket and observed. I have never seen her this outgoing before. She was a drug dealer’s wife for sure; unpredictable.

  “People call me Mr. Clarence,” he said with what looked like a glimmer of a smile in the corners of his mouth. That surprised me as well. This dude spewed hate and obscenities at us like we were common street trash just a few minutes ago. Now he was close to Mr. Rogers in this bitch.

  “Well, Mr. Clarence, why in the hell are you treating my son and the other boys like shit most of the time?” she asked.

  I looked at him and waited for the answer. I was curious as well. I mean, I could handle it, because my dad was hard core most of the time, with the language anyway. He was a “G,” as they call it.

  “Mrs. . . .?” He paused and waited for my mother to answer.

  “Monica, Monica is my name.”

  “Well, Monica, I have to get to them before the world does. I know it’s a little late in the game to try to mold some hard-headed boys, but I get in where I fit in. These boys need a strong hand to reinforce what their fathers and mothers may, or may not, have instilled in them. This world is a cold one, and no one cares for you once you get out there. Only the strong survive. The rest become victims of the strong or work for them. Your son won’t have a problem. He is a king in the making. You and your husband have done a very good job with him. He has a good head on his shoulders, and he never backs down from a challenge. He’s going to go far in his life. I guarantee it.”

  I was smiling inwardly and outwardly as he finished. My mother was as well. He was right. My parents did do a great job with me. I was destined for greatness. I just didn’t know what for.

  “If Corey stays humble and true to himself, then he will be just fine,” he said as he looked in my direction. The smile disappeared from my face.

  “I will,” I spoke seriously.

  “He is his father’s son,” my mother added. “I hope the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree.” She laughed a tad.

  “Well, there is something different about Corey, and I just don’t know what it is. He has a rough and tough temperament, but he can be compassionate at the same time. He is quite different from the other boys on the team. He doesn’t have a point to prove. That’s what I like about him. I think more will be revealed about him soon. I just can’t wait to see it.”

  He had me nervous, now. So, nervous that I didn’t and couldn’t look at my mother in the face. Did this guy know my secret? He couldn’t have. I had to change the subject and quickly.

  “So, Coach, when do you think our first game will be?”

  “With the way you guys are going, we’ll be tournament ready in about two weeks. Just in time for the first game. I’m going to be stepping up the pace the next two weeks so we can be solid and a force to be reckoned with. With you on lead, we got this championship on lock. I love to win, and I hope that you do as well.”

  “I sure do,” I said with enthusiasm. I have played soccer, hockey, football, and lacrosse, and dominated them all. Basketball will be added to my list of accomplishments.

  We talked some more and ate some food. After about an hour, we left the restaurant, and then parted ways. On the way home, my mother decided that she wanted to grill me on Coach’s curiosity.

  “Is there something that you need to tell me?”

  “What are you talking about, Ma? You know everything about me.” I tried to sound re
assuring. I was texting and on Facebook, not wanting to give her my full attention. It wasn’t that serious to me now. I wished Coach would have kept his inclinations to himself. Now she was going to be all up in my business. I liked it when she was just an overprotective mother not a nosy one.

  “Corey, I’m not a surprise type of a person. I will bust you in the ass if you bring some bullshit late in the game. I mean it.”

  “Ma, I’m cool. There’s nothing you need to worry about. I’m good. I got this.”

  Suddenly, we were parked on the side of the road, and she was looking me in the side of my face. I could feel her eyes engrossed in me, like she wanted to strangle me. I didn’t want to face her because she had a way of manipulating me with her eyes. I wasn’t falling for it.

  “Don’t fucking play with me. What the hell is going on?” She got even closer to me and slapped my phone out of my hand. I truly almost lost it and fucked my mother up for that one, but I kept it cool. It was just a phone, and she did no harm to it anyway. I didn’t want to heighten a situation that was already tense.

  “You want to know the truth?” I looked her in the eyes as she did the same. We were in close proximity. Too close for my comfort, I might add.

  “Everything,” she said, her teeth clinched together.

  “I got this chick pregnant and you about to be a grandma. You got two weeks,” I spoke, and then turned and reached for my phone.

  She was silent for a few moments. I was nervous because she didn’t say anything. I looked back at her, and she just sat back in the driver’s seat.

  “Ma, I’m joking. There is no pregnant girl. I was just trying to get you off my back. You know everything you need to know about me. You’re my mother. You know me already.”

  “Okay,” was the only thing she said as she pulled off and back on to the road again. I was relieved and cognizant that this wasn’t over. That wasn’t a normal “okay.” That was a “I will be on your ass every chance I get” okay. It was also an “I am a private detective/your momma” okay. This wasn’t the first time with this. Now I had to be on my best behavior for a few days. That means no more gay porn or dirty sex talk on my phone. I didn’t know what type of capabilities she had or the people she knew with those capabilities. I immediately started to delete shit from my phone. Most of the time my parents trusted me and left me to live my life. Now, suddenly, I would be on 24/7 surveillance.