Hustling on the Down Low

by MT Pope

  “Thank you so much for rescuing me from that. I really put my foot in my mouth that time.” She patted me on the leg as we were seated on one of Anthony’s sofas.

  “Monica, you were being human, and that’s all there is to that,” I said, hoping it would make her feel better. It was the truth.

  “I’m so glad that you invited me to this party. It got my mind off my troubles.” She had a sincere look on her face. It was mixed with a glimpse of pity as well.

  “It was my pleasure. Believe me.”

  “My husband would be blowing a gasket right now if he knew that I was at a party celebrating the marriage of two men.”

  “Is he homophobic?”

  “He’s beyond homophobic. I can’t even describe his disdain for men who sleep with other men.” She looked at me with gloom.

  “Well, let’s not tell him about it then. We’ll keep it our little secret.”

  “Most definitely,” she said, and then let out a hearty laugh.

  “Now, where can a sister get a drink of wine around here?”

  There was a server going around with a tray in her hand. I signaled to her, and she came toward us. We both grabbed a glass, and Monica immediately began to drink hers. I could tell that she was now addicted to it.

  “It’s not as good as the ones that you give me, but it’ll do.”

  “Yeah, I get mine from a special supplier. I have a few bottles in the trunk of my car for you to take home.”

  “Really? I can’t wait to crack one of those open when I get home. Or maybe before.”

  “I hear that.” I smiled on the outside but laughed on the inside. She was an addict and didn’t even know it.

  Chapter 41

  Leroy

  Joining the Ranks

  I was so glad that my son was now sitting at the table with me and my crew. It felt good to have him here, knowing that he was the heir to the throne. I didn’t want to have to force him to do it. Truth is, he came to me before I could even ask him. It was one of those days that I was home trying to relax. I had hit Monica off in the bedroom again the night before and was relaxing on the back porch once again. I was still plotting and planning but not as heavy as I would if I was around my men.

  “Dad, we need to talk.” He came over to where I was sitting and pulled out a chair. My son was becoming a man, and I could see it in the way he walked and the way he talked. He had my stride, and the deepness of his voice almost matched my own. He was a spitting image of me and his mother when it came to physical appearance. He had her smile and small ears. I just didn’t know where he was mentally. Corey was a very independent child and now teen. As an only child, we worried, mainly me, about him being a productive child. I’m so glad that he is. He is outgoing, into sports and most things a male child would do, like girls and video games. I loved seeing him play in sports and the like, but I knew that he didn’t need me there to perform well. He made me proud.

  “Sure, son, what’s up?” I turned all my attention to him.

  “I want in.” He had a serious look on his face. It was unflinching.

  “What do you mean?” I asked. I knew what he meant. I just wanted to hear him say it.

  “I want in on the drug game. It’s about time I get in and get rooted. I want to help you with this takeover. We can take the streets if we double-team it. I’m sure of it.”

  I wanted to jump out of the chair and grab him into a big hug, but I kept my cool and looked at him in silence for a few moments.

  “Son, that’s the best news that I’ve heard in a long time. I’m so glad that you came to this decision. You are, without a doubt, my seed. I knew that you would follow in my steps, and I’m proud to have you aboard.”

  “Dad, it was the only right thing to do, and the time is now. I’m about to finish school soon; then, it was either basketball or the drug game. The game was the only choice since my father already was poised to take the top. Why not sit next to the king?”

  “That’s cool, son. You don’t know what your father goes through to keep his family in the lifestyle they’re accustomed to having. It’s not a cake walk. You understand?”

  “I am all in for this shit, Dad. I come from good stock, and I’m made tough for the streets. I’m in it to win it. They ain’t going to see us coming. We got this, Dad. Just train me and set me loose.”

  “Cool, I’m going to put you with my boy Dre so he can begin to show you the ropes. It won’t take you long to catch on; then soon, we can start bringing you into the round table and putting some fresh ideas on table. That’s what we need. You’re the next generation, and we’ll take all.”

  I reached out my hand and shook his, and that’s all I needed to lift my spirits.

  Chapter 42

  Monica

  Liar, Liar

  My husband had been in a good mood lately. Mainly because my son told him that he would join his empire. I was all for a father-son relationship, but I didn’t feel too happy about my son lining up with a liar. I’ve been having sex with my husband as a duty only and not to lead to any type of suspicions. I had evidence that I almost always looked at daily. It was not a good thing to do, but I did it anyway. I was almost obsessed. Every chick that I saw on the street that resembled the body of that chick I wanted to punch in the face. But since the face of the chick was blurred a bit, I couldn’t get a positive identification . . . or that chick would be dead by now. I should shoot myself. Because I was so stupid enough to believe my own hype, I was more depressed that I lied to myself all of these years than anything that Roy had done. Don’t get it twisted. I still wanted payback. I just wanted it my way. I wanted him to remember the person that stood by him all these years, and he shit on my face. I wanted him to remember forever. I could have my brothers, who work for him, dismember his ass, but that would be too easy on him. I wanted him be alive to suffer for a long time.

  I have come to grips with the fact that I’m a liar to myself. And that he was a liar in general.

  I wanted to know what I did to merit such treatment. I mean, I was faithful. I trained our son, and I did advance on any of the flirtatious men that came my way. I was a bomb-ass chick, and many men knew it too. But, no, I always turned them down and kept my vows to my husband—and this is where it got me.

  I am a booze hound, or a lush, as they call it. Addicted to wine. I had it morning, noon, and night. I have always been a wine drinker, but I don’t ever remember it giving me such a high that it does now. I assume it’s the brand that Coach/Clarence has been giving me. It helps me cope with my day.

  I can’t believe how much Coach has been there for me. I mean, he is such a great guy. He answers the phone almost every time I call, training my son in his father’s frequent absences, and the wine, of course. I wonder if he’s married. I was thinking he may be gay after the party that we went to the other day. But that would be making him guilty by association, and I don’t want to put my foot in my mouth once again. I decided to call him and ask him. That was always the best thing to do.

  I picked up my cell phone and pressed his contact to call him.

  “Hello,” he answered after a few rings.

  “Clarence, I was just calling to tell you thank you for taking me out the other day. I had such a fantastic time.”

  “Monica, that was a pleasure for me to do. It was my intention to get your mind off your troubles.”

  “Clarence, that isn’t the only reason I’m calling you.” I was a little nervous about asking this question. It was a personal question, and it could lead to all types of speculations and other things.

  “Okay, what’s the reason you’re calling me?”

  “Well.” I paused and took a sip of wine from the glass that was in front of me. That liquid courage statement was very true. “Are you married or involved with anyone.”

  “Yes, I am married,” he answered.

  I breathed a sigh of relief.

  “I was asking because you never talk of anyone, and I was just wondering w
hy a good guy like you would take me out to a party with you.”

  “Truthfully, Monica, my wife doesn’t enjoy those types of things, and she is very comfortable with me having female friends. She encourages it, actually.”

  “Wow. How long have you two been married?”

  “Well, it seems like forever.” He laughed, and I did as well. “But, we have been going strong for twenty years.”

  “That’s very inspiring to hear.”

  “It wasn’t easy, and it’s still work. But I love her and wouldn’t trade her for the world.”

  “Do you have any advice for my husband and me? Seeing as you know some of the details?”

  “Monica, I did a favor for you as a favor, but I don’t give advice on relationships. You have to make decisions for yourself.”

  “I understand. I’m sorry I asked.” Now I felt crazy for asking.

  “Don’t be. It was just a question.”

  “Well, I don’t want to hold you. Besides, my husband just walked in the door. I’ll talk to you later.” I hung up the phone to hide my shame.

  Coincidentally, my husband did walk in the door, even though I just lied to get off the phone with Coach.

  * * *

  “Hey, baby, how was your day?” I said. I got up off the sofa and walked toward him. I kissed him on the lips with a long passionate kiss. Just to remind him of who I was and what I should mean to him.

  “It was business as usual. Hustle and flow. You know how I do.” My husband was a good-looking man. I can see why the chick in the picture went after him.

  “That’s good. Let me greet my man in style.” I dropped to my knees and immediately went for his pants. He had on sweatpants, so it was easy for me to pull them down, pull out his dick, and go to work. This was something that I used to do when we first started out, and I thought he needed another reminder.

  I worked him over so good that he came in my mouth within minutes.

  “Damn, Monica,” he said laboring to breathe. “That was one hell of a greeting. I don’t know what I would do without you on my side. What man could ask for a better wife?” He smiled as he pulled his clothes back up.

  “Nobody but you, baby.” I kissed him on the lips again. I wanted to say, an honest man, but I kept my comment and composure to myself. I followed up with a fresh bath for him and a home-cooked meal. He would never be able to say I didn’t play my position, even if I was pretending to be what I wanted him to be: faithful. This ride-or-die shit was for the birds. I don’t know how long I was going to be able to hold on and not explode. We shall see.

  Chapter 43

  Corey

  Confidant

  “Coach, you have a minute?” I sprinted up to Coach who was on the other side of the gym. We had just finished a practice session a day or two before one of our games. The team had just put the equipment away and was ready to go home. Even though I told my father that I would be a part of the family business, I still wanted to talk to someone impartial about my choice. Coach was an approachable person, even though he had a hard-on for being on point and about his business. I just needed someone to talk to. I talked to Dre, but he was too close to the game, and he was not very helpful.

  “What can I do for you, son?” he looked at me with an expressionless face as usual. I don’t think he didn’t care. I just thought he was a master at keeping it neutral. I wanted to learn how to do that. It was an asset to have.

  “Can we talk in private?”

  “Sure, let’s go in my office.”

  I followed behind him and couldn’t help but notice his firm ass through his pants. I refocused myself as I got to the office and sat in the chair. I don’t know what it is about an older man that catches my eye.

  “So what can I help you with?” he asked.

  “I’ve made a decision, and I need another point of view.”

  “Okay, let’s have at it.”

  “Well, you know I love sports and basketball too, but there was another offer on the table. It was a decision based on some things that I will discuss later. My father wanted me to become a part of the family business. It’s not your typical business, though.”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “Well . . .” I paused because while the family business provided well for me, I was not very open about it. How do you tell someone that your family helps people escape misery for another misery? A misery that destroys lives in the process? “I don’t know quite how to say it.”

  “Just say it.”

  “Coach, if I tell you this, your life is in danger if you let it get out. That’s not a threat. It’s just what it is.” I looked at him as I wore the same emotionless face that he wore on a regular basis.

  “Corey, danger is in everyday life. I’m not worried about danger.”

  Everything in me was telling me not to do this. Not to mention this. To change the subject. To act as if I was retarded or act like I suddenly got sick so I should leave. Maybe I can act like my phone rang and I must take it outside, and then just dip off. But then I couldn’t come back because he would still want to know what I wanted to tell him whenever I returned. I liked this team and this time is my life. This one moment could change everything for me. I wanted to fucking kill myself. My father would probably disown me—or kill me for even mentioning our way of life or how we have everything that we do.

  “Okay, my pop’s is a drug kingpin, and he wants me to sit at the table with him. I’m cool with the drug part, for the most part, but I don’t trust my pops as far as I can throw him.”

  “Is there a reason for this lack of trust?” he asked, without batting an eye. I wanted to ask “Did you fucking hear what I just said to you?” But I didn’t.

  “Well, my pops has been on this takeover of the city tirade and trying to find and take out this gay kingpin guy so he can have the whole city.”

  “That’s it?” He still looked unfazed by all that I was saying. Like it wasn’t a big deal.

  “No, he has been on the streets more than ever, and when he’s home, he’s on some lunatic shit. About two times my mother has told me, he has been physical with her. I don’t mean abusive or beating her ass. But he has put his hands on her, and I am not cool with that. I’m pissed at him. I want to cut his balls off and stuffed them in his mouth. What would you do if it were you?”

  “That’s not something that I can answer for you.”

  “What the hell does that mean?” I had an attitude that I was shooting at the wrong person.

  “That means you going to have to do a man-to-man thing with your father. You want to be at the table. Earn the damn position. If you mad about it, then be about it. Shit or get off the pot.”

  I looked at him for a moment and then nodded my head in agreement. He said he couldn’t answer it for me, but he did. I liked this dude.

  “Coach, thanks for listening. I’ll be playing on the team until the end, just to let you know.”

  “I see you know about danger too.” He laughed. I laughed as well. It was safe to say that Coach was a true friend and a person I could trust. I hoped.

  Chapter 44

  Clayton

  Day One

  I awoke in a strange yet comfortable bed this morning. It was the bed that I now shared with my husband. I was so glad to be able to put my house up for sale and put my things in storage that I almost skipped around that day. I only brought along a few of my things besides my clothes. Anthony had what they call a small McMansion that had many rooms in it. I have only been in a few rooms, but they were all fabulous and exquisitely decorated. I almost didn’t want to touch anything. I was here alone. He was on call and got called to the hospital today.

  Again, I was amazed at the setup of Anthony’s home. It was very well done. The people in his life were seemingly on the same wave length with him. The wedding party the other day was eye opening. He had some very conceited friends. They didn’t look down on me per se, but you could tell that they were hard to please and had “different
” taste. I wasn’t a fish out of water. I was just a bit thrown by some of their standoffish ways. It wasn’t direct, but you could tell. It could have been me feeling out of place, though, but I am planning on getting used to this life, plus, once I bust this case wide open, I’ll be capable of bringing more to the table.

  Anyway, I sat up on the mattress and then eased down off the high canopy bed. I slid into some slippers that were on the floor beside the bed. They were so soft and felt like I was walking on air. Today was the last day of leave for my “honeymoon,” and I was going to enjoy it too. I wasn’t off work even though I was not in my office. I checked my e-mails from my phone like most people, but I also read some newspapers that covered stories from the city like murders, fires, disappearances, kidnappings, and various other crimes. There were always clues in them that helped me get closer to my goal.

  My stomach churned, letting me know that I needed to go to the bathroom. I walked down the hall to where the bathroom was. I haven’t been through his house thoroughly, but the bathroom was one place I remembered.

  I walked in the very large bathroom and sat down on the bowl that was pristine and lovely. I didn’t know a toilet could look so good. Then I exited the bathroom feeling very light. I was hungry, so I made my way down the stairs and toward the kitchen.

  Anthony said that he had someone come to cook and clean for him from time to time. I guess today wasn’t one of those days. Once again, I admired Anthony’s taste in décor. The kitchen had stainless steel appliances and marble everything. And it all sparkled like one of those virtual house tours you saw online. I was so giddy inside. I had a man and one with money and good looks too. I didn’t mind not being the one with the money for the time being. I am going to enjoy this life.

  I pulled out some turkey bacon, eggs, and some shredded potatoes I saw and made me a meal fit for a king. I cleaned as I cooked so that I wouldn’t come across as the slob that I could be. I sat down at the six-seat glass kitchen table and dined on my breakfast in my new home. One would even think that it tasted better in this setting, but maybe that was just me being overly exaggerating.