Falling for a Hustler: A Benton Harbor Love Story

by Jerniqua K.

  I looked at him and said nothing, trying to see what he was getting at.

  “Bae look...all you gotta do is set that nigga up. I heard about him getting pulled over with that shit in his car. The boys been trying to get him on some type of charge, and now that they got this I can guarantee he get some time. We can hit his safe and then tip them off. They’ll find the rest of his shit and give him distribution charges. We’ll never have to worry about his ass again.”

  I thought about what he said, and the shit did sound tempting. As much as I liked Brick, Bird always had my heart, and all I wanted was for our family to get back together. He put his hand into my shorts and played with my pearl. A moan then escaped my lips.

  “You in, Nee?” I saw the way he stared into my eyes, and I could see that he needed me.

  “I’m in. I’ll call you once I get to the store,” I pecked his lips and was out the door.

  When I made it to the store, I didn’t get out the car right away. I couldn’t believe what I was about to do. I knew that if he ever found out about what I was doing he’d kill me, but I told myself that I had to do it for Justin. With a new wave of confidence, I climbed out of my car and strutted in the brand new Jimmy Choos Brick had just gotten me. Walking into the store, I waved at Debbie, the older lady that ran the store. I walked straight to the office and closed and locked the door behind me. I quickly went to the file cabinet behind his desk and removed the secret panel on the top. A key pad greeted me, and I punched in the code I had seen Brick put in whenever he thought I wasn’t looking.

  My mouth watered at the sight of so much money. Greedily, I grabbed everything but six packages of Grade A “gas.” I didn’t know much about the streets, but I knew that alone would get him a nice amount of time. I knew that what I was doing to this man was wrong, but I wouldn’t allow myself to feel anything about it. I needed my son back.

  After putting everything from the safe into my oversized purse, I walked out of the office and waved at Debbie once again before leaving the store. I threw the bag into the trunk, hopped in, and went to the home me and Brick shared. He wasn’t there when I arrived, and I was grateful for it.

  I grabbed my phone from my back pocket and called the Sheriff’s department like Bird had instructed me to. In return, they gave me the number to Tybarius Smith, the Prosecutor that was handling the case. We set up a meeting, and thirty minutes later I was in his office. I told him what I knew, and he assured me he knew just what to do.

  A part of me felt bad acting like I knew nothing, or trying to comfort Brick as the days got closer to his court date, but the other part felt good knowing that I was a step closer to getting my son back and having my family.

  The day had finally arrived for him to go to court, and he was a nervous wreck.

  “Baby calm down,” I said to him as I pulled his hair into a bun. He had just gotten back from his barber, and was looking good as hell.

  “I’m trying to, Journ. This nigga Rich saying he can get me off, but I just feel like something may go wrong.”

  “You’ll be fine.” I kissed his forehead and rubbed his shoulders. “I made breakfast. You need to eat before we head out.” I left the room, and he followed behind me.

  After breakfast, we both got dressed and drove silently to the courthouse. When we made it inside, he kissed my cheek and approached his lawyer. I found it cute how he always made sure that I was good before he went about his business. Bird never did shit like that.

  Just looking at his face when he found out about his store being raided made me want to cry. I had just destroyed this man’s life, and he didn’t even deserve it. He was nothing but good to me, but I was damaged goods. Everything I touched turned into shit. Nothing good could come from being with me, and Brick was proof of that. When he turned to look at me, I gave him the most disgusted face I could muster up. Though I wanted him to think it, I wasn’t mad at him at all. I was actually disgusted at myself for causing so much turmoil in such a great man’s life. All he wanted was to be loved and have a family. Sadly, he had fallen for the wrong girl.

  I looked at my watch and noted that it was 10 a.m. Bird would be pulling up soon. I walked out the courtroom, willing myself not to look back. As soon as my heel hit the last step, Bird’s Jag was stopping in front of me. He hit the locks, and I slid in. As he drove off, I looked him over. His chocolate skin had a slight glow to it, and his hair was freshly cut. A new pair of earrings graced his ears, and a Cartier hung loosely around his wrist. He was simply dressed in a red Polo, camo shorts, and red and black Griffeys. Why did he have to be so fucking sexy? I was just mad that he had gotten me involved in this shit, and now I wanted nothing more than to straddle his ass and fuck him into oblivion. I found it funny how the mind could say one thing, but the flesh would say another.

  “We did it, ma. One hundred and fifty fuckin thousand dollars!” he said, smiling extra hard.

  “We did it!” I couldn’t help but to smile back at him.

  A few nights before, I had gone through all my things and packed only the things I needed, and a few things that I just couldn’t leave behind. I had my things at Bird’s spot; that way, I wouldn't have to go back to my former home. I just wanted to forget everything and start over.

  Sadly, since neither of us had ever had that much money before, we got carried away. Impromptu shopping sprees soon became a ritual. We wined and dined each other almost every day. Neither one of us thought about the money running out. We just lived in the moment, and it felt so damned good!

  Lala finished my hair, and I slid her a hundred dollar bill. Though it killed my pockets to give her that shit, I smiled and kept it moving. The last thing I wanted was for anyone to think that I had fallen off. I exited the shop and hopped into my Camaro. Yeah it was fucked up, but I kept the car. Shit, it was a gift! Why not keep it? When I got in, I sunk into the leather seat and banged my head against the steering wheel.

  How could I have been so fucking stupid? I never thought in a million years that only a year after hitting a nigga for $150 thousand I would be broke with nothing but clothes, purses, and shoes to show for it! AND I didn't even have my son back! I had gotten so caught up in this new life and money that I had neglected him once again. Luckily, when I was with Brick, he used to give me a daily allowance and I was smart enough to put some of that on the mortgage of the house I still had, or else my ass would be homeless right now.

  Bird and me were on again and off again. Part of the reason was because the money was gone. I blamed him for our extravagant spending, and he blamed me for not preparing for a rainy day. Once again, I had fucked shit up. Now I was back to the drawing board; only this time, I had to figure out how I was going to stay away from Brick in this small ass city. If him being out was true, I knew without a doubt that he would come looking for me, and it would surely be hell to pay if he caught up with me.

  The Game

  Lyric

  No matter how many times I went through Yandy’s plan in my head, I still felt like something was wrong. I mean, we usually did shit without Yandy because of her being older and niggas already knowing how she got down, but something about this time felt different. The fact that he harbored some kind of hate toward her should have been enough for her to back away, but of course, it didn't. Yandy would die for a dollar.

  “Come on Lyric, we gotta dip so we don't have to wait in line that long. I ain’t trying to be in no damn prison all day.”

  “What if this shit don’t even work, Des?” I hoped she agreed with me and would want to back out as well.

  “Bitch I’s two of us going. That nigga gon’ wife one of us! What you scared of?”

  I looked at her and saw the same look in her eyes that I used to have when I started this shit. She was hooked and no matter how hard I tried, I wouldn't be able to stop her. Sighing, I grabbed my purse and walked out of the house, waiting for Destiny to follow suit.

  When she finally came out, she locked the door and slid into my Optima s
miling.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

  “I’m just thinking how if everything goes right, we could be set. We’d be able to dip and never look back,” she said.

  I nodded my head and turned the music up before backing out of the driveway.

  ***

  “What the hell do you mean he’s been released!?” I yelled at the guard. I had driven three fucking hours to get to this damn prison, stood in line for an hour to sign in, and waited almost three more hours just for this stupid bitch to tell me the nigga had gotten released a week ago. I’m sure the ugly bitch saw what name I put down, she could have said something then! I swear, stupid hoes annoyed me.

  “Like I said. Mr. Donovan got out a week ago. Could you step to the side? You’re holding up my line,” she said dismissively.

  I wanted to whoop her ass, but I wasn't trying to have my ass in no nasty ass cell, so I bit my tongue and stormed off. Destiny was right on my heels and wasted no time with the questions.

  “What the fuck are we supposed to do now? That nigga breaded up and we have no way to get at him! This shit is so fucked up man!”

  “Destiny!” I yelled. “Get over it! He ain’t the only nigga out here with paper. You acting real thirsty right now.” I got into the car and slammed the door, hoping that would be the end of the conversation. When Destiny got in, slammed her door, and rolled her neck in my direction, I knew I was wrong.

  “He might not be the only nigga with paper, but he the only nigga that I know of in Benton Harbor whose money is as long as I-94. I ain’t trying to make a profession out this shit and do it forever. I’m trying to get the fuck on!”

  Instantly, I felt bad for snapping on my little sister. She was just trying to do the same thing I was; get out the hood. I wanted to apologize, but my stubbornness wouldn't allow it so instead of saying I was sorry, I put my sunglasses over my eyes and left the parking lot of the prison. I wasn't looking forward to this pointless three hour ride, and I was gon’ make sure Yandy’s stankin’ ass knew it!

  “Bitch how the fuck did you miss the fact that this nigga got out a whole fuckin week ago?” I lit into her ass as soon as I walked into the door. She was sitting in the living room talking to Amia on the phone.

  “Mia, I’m gon’ call you back...this lil bitch done lost ha damn mind!” she ended the call and got in my face. “What the fuck is wrong with you coming up in my shit talking crazy to me like that?”

  Clearly, she thought somebody was scared of her. I loved my aunt to death, but I swear to God if she ran up on me, I was gon’ beat the dog shit out her ass!

  “I done drove a total of six fuckin’ hours, and had to sit in a foul smelling ass prison and this nigga you claimed to been keeping tabs on been out since last fuckin week!”

  “I just found out when I was on the phone with Mia,” she said as she walked off and sat down on the couch. “We can still get at him though. I just got to think of another way.”

  “Are you crazy? Hittin him up when he was in prison is one thing, but this nigga is out, Yan. You said it yourself that he ain’t too much feeling you, so it’ll be nothing for him to kill our ass. I ain’t fuckin’ with it,” I rode with Yandy through a lot of shit, but I knew my limits. There wasn't enough money in the world to make me risk my life.

  I didn't even give her a chance to question me. I wasn't feeling her at the moment and didn't want to be in her presence. When I got in my room, I sat down on the bed and saw that I had a text from Khalil. I debated back and forth on whether I wanted to talk to him or not. I started to delete his message, but then I thought about the new $1200 boots I wanted.

  ME: Wat up Khalil?

  Khalil: I’m trying to see you. Let me take you to dinner.

  I didn't really want to chill with him, but I knew he wouldn't mind breaking bread if I did. My time was valuable; I didn't give that shit away for free. I called his phone, and he answered on the first ring. To say I had this man open was an understatement.

  “What do you have in mind?”

  “Wherever you wanna go, I’m cool with that.”

  Being that the city was so small, there weren't too many good restaurants to eat at.

  “We can do Applebee’s,” I said. I could have sprung for something extravagant, but that would more than likely mean jumping on the highway, and I was trying to spend as little time with Khalil as possible. Moreover, I didn't really feel like dressing up.

  “A'ight that’s cool with me. I’ll pick you up at eight.”

  “I’ll meet you there.”

  He began to protest, but I ended the call. Pinning my hair up, I walked toward my closet and pulled out an acid washed pair of skinny jeans, a coral blazer and a white cami. Grabbing my robe, I left from my room and went into the bathroom to shower. After I finished, I sprayed a little perfume on and lotioned my body up good. I slid into a red panty and strapless bra set before putting on the outfit I had thrown together. After putting on my heels, I pulled my hair from the bun it was in and ran my hands through my curls. When I was satisfied with my looks, I left my room and went downstairs.

  Yandy was no longer in the living room, and I was thankful for that. I was still pissed with her, and didn't feel like arguing with her again. When I walked outside, I saw Destiny on the porch smoking a blunt with Dominic, a lil nigga that lived two houses over.

  “Where you going looking all cute and stuff?”

  I smiled at my sister, glad that she wasn't still mad at me about earlier.

  “Girl, nowhere but to Applebee’s with Khalil.”

  “Ohhh can you bring me back some boneless BBQ wings? I’ll love you forever!” she said, batting her long eyelashes at me.

  “I’ll see what I can do.” I looked at my phone and saw that it was eight. Khalil would probably be upset that I was late, but I honestly didn't care. He was on my time, not the other way around.

  ***

  “Damn! I almost thought you was about to stand me up,” Khalil said before I even had the chance to sit down.

  “Now why would I do that?”

  He smiled, and I almost got lost in it. Khalil was undeniably a gorgeous piece of man; he just was too clingy for someone like me. His chocolate skin was so smooth and edible looking that the thought of going home with him had crossed my mind. It had been awhile since I’d last had sex, and I knew that he could scratch that itch. I just didn't know if I was ready to deal with the aftermath of it.

  After we ordered our food and drinks, we made small talk. Well, he made small talk. All I did was sit and look at him, while nodding my head and smiling every so often. Thank God he never asked for my opinion about anything, because I didn't even know what the fuck he was talking about half the time.

  “All this liquor is running straight through me boo. I gotta run to the ladies room. I’ll be right back.”

  I got up from the table and went toward the restroom. Using public restrooms was a big no-no for me, but I needed to get away from Khalil. He was so full of himself it was ridiculous. Shit, I didn't even want to fuck his ass anymore; he had turned me completely off. Right before I made it to the bathroom door, I walked into someone and their drink landed on my blazer.

  “I am so sorry! I didn't even see you right there, ma.”

  “It’s ok.” I didn't even bother to look at him as I ran into the bathroom.

  I had paid almost $60 for this blazer, and I didn't want the stain to set in so I grabbed some paper towels, wet them, and dabbed at the spot on my jacket, which only seemed to make the stain even bigger. Taking my blazer off, I checked my hair and make-up and walked out the bathroom.

  “Ms. Lady, I want to apologize to you again. I really didn't mean to fuck up your jacket.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out three hundred dollar bills, and tried to give them to me.

  “It’s ok, really.”

  “Take this and get a new one on me. That shit looked good on you.”

  I don’t know why, but I began to blush at his complim
ent. I accepted the money from his hand and thanked him before making my way back over to Khalil.

  “I’m sorry about that.”

  “It’s cool. Can I ask you a question, Lyric?”

  “Shoot.” I took a bite of my garlic-mashed potatoes.

  “How come you never gave us a real chance?”

  Here we go with this shit! I knew this nigga had an agenda when he asked me to go out with him. It was the same damn thing every time.

  “I’m not looking for a relationship right now, Khalil. You know this already, love.”

  “So you’d rather shake yo ass for a few dollars than to let a nigga take care of you?’

  “Did you really just say that?”

  Instead of answering me, he leaned back in his seat and looked at me intently.

  “To answer your question, yes I’d rather shake my ass and earn my own money than to have a nigga throw what he’s done for me in my face.”

  “Lyric, chill out man. I didn't even mean it like that.”

  “Yeah you did, but it’s cool,” I said with a phony smile. I called our overly upbeat waitress over and asked if she could get me a to-go order of BBQ boneless wings for Destiny. Both Khalil and I sat in silence until she returned with the wings and the bill. While Khalil took care of the bill, I began walking away.

  “Damn Lyric, hold up,” he called out, catching me at the door. I waited for him to open it before stepping out. “You coming to the crib?”

  “No. I had a pretty tiring day and I really just want to lay down.” I was hoping that he wouldn't press the issue.

  “Come on, Lyric. We ain’t gotta do nothin' you ain’t trying to do. We can just grab a bottle, roll up, and watch a movie or something. I’m just trying to be around you.” He walked up to me trying to kiss and touch on me, but I gently pushed him away. I was still pissed at his line of questioning a few moments earlier.

  “Maybe next time, Khalil.”