by Ashley
“What you want to give me for de’ purse?” the Haitian boy asked as he looked at her with lustful eyes. He was the leader, so the other boys followed suit and began to touch the lady inappropriately. She cringed and stepped back, trying to avoid the young boy’s touch.
“You can have the purse. I just want to leave,” the woman pleaded, backing down as she tried to exit the alley.
The Haitian boy jumped into her path, stopping her. “Why you rushing off? Let’s have some real fun,” he said as he grabbed his crotch and laughed sinisterly.
“Yo, what the fuck is going on? Let her go,” Shai said as he realized their intentions. He didn’t want to sexually assault the woman in any form or fashion.
“Stop being a pussy, Shai,” another boy said as he stepped forward.
“Let’s just take the purse and go, man,” Shai pleaded. The other boys had already planned what they were going to do to the American beauty, and they weren’t letting Shai get in the way. Two of the boys grabbed Shai and held him back while the other two began to forcefully rip off the woman’s clothes. “Let her go!” Shai screamed as he tried to shake loose from their grasp. They were much too strong for Shai’s small frame. They managed to rip the woman’s shirt completely off, exposing her breasts, and they muffled both her and Shai’s mouths as they prepared to rape her. The woman looked at Shai, and both of them had tears in their eyes, knowing what heinous act was about to happen.
There was a brief moment of silence just before the big boom. The sound of a gun being blasted echoed through the alleyway, and blood splattered against the brick wall along with the young Haitian boy’s brains. A tall, slender black man stood holding the gun, with a cigar hanging from his mouth. He was dark and well-built and sported a three-thousand-dollar suit. Everyone jumped at the sound of the blast. There stood Baron with a gun in his hand. He quickly grabbed up the other boy who was abusing his wife and flung him like a rag doll against the building. Rage was evident all over Baron’s face. The other kids tried to get away, but Baron let off another round into the air.
“If anybody moves, I’m blowing their fucking heads off! Everybody get against the fucking wall,” he demanded. His eyes were bloodshot-red as his blood boiled with anger. He only saw red at that point. He knelt down and helped his wife up. “Are you OK, Willow?” he asked as he took off his jacket and covered her up. She shook her head yes as she wiped her tears away. “I want you to see something, baby,” he whispered as he ran his hand through her hair and gave her a kiss to the forehead.
“Line up against the wall,” Baron ordered as he turned his attention to the remaining three boys, including Shai. He walked over to them and took a puff of his cigar. He then dropped it to the ground and stepped on it. “Do you know who the fuck I am?” he asked one of the young boys as he stood in front of him. Before the boy could answer, Baron pointed the gun to his head and squeezed the trigger, rocking him to sleep forever. His blood and brains splattered against the wall, his body fell limp, and he eventually collapsed facedown. Shai and the last boy were petrified as they began to plead, but Baron didn’t care. He put the gun to Shai’s head and told him, “If you believe in God, you better pray to him right now. Say your peace.” He tightened his grip on the gun.
“Baron, wait! He tried to help me. It was the others who tried to rape me. Leave him be,” his wife said.
“Are you sure?” he asked, looking back at her.
“Yeah, I’m positive. He was the one trying to stop them,” she said as she looked into Shai’s young eyes.
Baron then pointed his gun at the other boy and fired two shots into his chest with no remorse. He put the smoking gun in his waistband and looked at Shai, whose knees were trembling.
“Thanks for what you did for my wife, li’l man,” Baron said, smiling to ease the kid’s fear. He reached into his pocket, pulled out five crispy bills, and handed them to Shai.
Shai waved his hand, rejecting the offer. “I’m good. I didn’t like these mu’fuckas, anyway,” he said as he looked down at their bodies. “Can I go?”
“Yeah, you can go.” Baron grinned at the wit of the youngster who stood before him.
A’shai turned around and headed down the alley so that he could return to the fields. Baron and his wife watched him walk away. However, something in Willow’s heart told her to stop him.
“Hey!” she called out. A’shai stopped and turned around. “Let us buy you dinner,” she said, feeling that she had to repay him for his bravery in going against his friends for her honor.
Free food was too good an offer for Shai to let pass, and he headed back their way.
Baron and Willow watched as the kid stuffed his face as if it would be his last meal. Four different entrees were in front of him as they encouraged him to order anything he wanted. A’shai didn’t once look up and think about how barbaric he looked in front of total strangers. The restaurant was the most elegant one in Tijuana’s downtown resort. A’shai had never seen anything like it, and the food was the best he had ever had. He had already stuffed four rolls into his pocket, knowing that they would come in handy later.
“Slow down,” Willow said, and she burst into laughter. She looked at Baron, and he also was laughing at the young boy, and that’s when Shai finally looked up. He had sauce all around his mouth and on his fingertips as he ate the food like a madman.
“What?” A’shai asked as an odd moment of silence filled the air. Baron and Willow just looked at him, both with grins on their faces.
“Nothing. So tell me, where are your parents?” Baron asked as he folded his hands on top of the table.
A’shai focused back on his food and began to eat. “I don’t have any parents,” he said, thinking about his deceased mother and his estranged father back in Sierra Leone. “I don’t need any parents. I can take care of myself.” He avoided eye contact with Baron.
“I can tell that you’re not from around here. Your accent is too strong,” Baron said, noticing the strong African roots in the boy.
“I’m from Sierra Leone!” A’shai said proudly as he stuck out his chest and looked at Baron with clenched teeth.
Willow’s heart immediately dropped, because that was her homeland; she, too, was from the impoverished country. She reached over and touched the scar on A’shai’s face. “How did you get that?” she asked, hoping not to hear a horror story.
“It’s nothing. Just a little scratch,” A’shai said as he blew it off. He began to grow uncomfortable with all of the questions, and then he noticed that the sun was going down. He knew that he had to return to the warehouse before dark or risk being whipped or beaten. “Thank you for giving me dinner. But I have to go now,” he said urgently, and stood up. The thought of being late and getting whipped made his limbs shake, and he grew nervous.
Baron caught on. “Are you OK, li’l man?” he asked, frowning at the sudden change of behavior.
“Yeah, I just have to go before they notice that I’m gone,” A’shai said.
Willow began to tear up as she thought about her childhood. She, too, was a human slave as a teen but was lucky enough to have met Baron. Willow knew that A’shai was in the same boat she had been in years ago.
Baron also picked up on it. “Listen, do you work for the Garza family? You can tell me,” he said as he stood up and walked around the table in front of A’shai.
A’shai nodded his head yes.
“He is an old friend of mine. We should go have a talk with him,” Baron said as he placed his hand on A’shai’s shoulder.
They left the restaurant and headed over to the Garza warehouse. A’shai told them the truth about how he got to Tijuana, and it nearly brought both Willow and Baron to tears. They decided at that point that A’shai would return to the States with them. They had no children of their own, and it was as if fate brought them to A’shai. Willow, because of the earlier sexual abuse, was unable to have kids, so she was open to taking in A’shai. The fact that A’shai was from her homeland ma
de it even more special to her. He connected Willow to her roots, and Baron understood that. When he looked into A’shai’s eyes, he saw the eye of the tiger.
They both fell in love with Shai in that brief meeting, and the rest was history. A’shai was on Baron’s private jet back to Detroit with them that night. He had been one of the lucky ones.
NINE
BARON SNAPPED BACK TO REALITY AS HE looked down at A’shai’s tombstone. His flashback was so vivid, so real. At that point, tears were pouring down. The thoughts of all he had lost over the years seemed to come crashing down on him. He had lost his wife, his only son, his place as king in the streets. He was reduced to being a wanted fugitive with nothing left but memories. He tapped his shoulders, his forehead, and his stomach to resemble a cross, sending prayers above. He hoped that both Willow and A’shai were resting in peace. Then the thoughts of how A’shai left the world began to bother him again.
He really wished he could have been there to coach him through whatever dilemma he was going through. He couldn’t understand why A’shai would have killed himself. He was so strong. It just doesn’t make sense, he thought as he wiped his tears away and shook his head in disbelief. He believed suicide was for the weak, and he knew for a fact that A’shai was one of the strongest human beings he had ever met. Things just didn’t add up. He needed answers, and he knew where he could directly get them. He needed desperately to see Liberty for closure. For the past few years, he had sent her letters, but he had gotten no response. He knew that he would soon have to return to hiding, so time was of the essence. He was on a mission to find the only person who truly knew what had happened with his dead son.
It was Baron’s first time in the States since he went on the run from the feds, so he was determined to pay her a visit. I just pray to God she is in same house that A’shai purchased. He was about to give it a try. He had sent numerous discreet letters to Liberty, requesting her to come see him. However, she never showed up. Baron took a deep breath, looked around, and put on the cap he had in his back pocket. Pulling the cap low to cover his eyes, he headed to the house in search of Liberty. He had to know what drove his son to take his own life.
Baron approached the house, and from the outside, it seemed as if it had been abandoned for years. The grass was at knee’s length, notices were posted on the front door, and weeds surrounded the home. It was obvious that no one lived there, and it seemed as if all of Baron’s hope went out the window. He was really hoping that Liberty still resided at the home. He would have to start from square one to locate her, but he was up for the task. He stepped out of the Honda Civic that he had purchased in Texas from a shady car dealership. He walked toward the house, and a thought popped into his head. He remembered that when Shai was younger, he had a bad habit of losing his keys, so he always kept a spare in the back under a rug. Baron knew it was a long shot, but nobody knew his son like he did, and he had a hunch to go check the back of the house. Baron looked around and then made his way to the back of the house. He saw a rug by the back door and walked toward it. He lifted the rug, and just like he had figured, a single key lay underneath it. Baron laughed to himself and looked up at the sky as if Shai could see him.
“Boy, I know yo’ ass like the back of my hand,” he said as he shook the key and smiled. Baron then proceeded to unlock the back door. The key fit perfectly, and within seconds, he was inside the house. He slowly walked in, scanning from left to right. The place was fully furnished, but it was freezing cold. He walked on the creaky hardwood floors and knew that it had been empty for quite a while. There was a coldness to the house that told a story in itself. As Baron made his way into the living room, he stopped in his tracks when he saw a picture on the mantel. His heart instantly dropped. It was a picture that he, Willow, and A’shai had taken on the first night he came home with them. A’shai cherished that photo because it was the day his life was changed forever. However, A’shai never knew that Baron’s and Willow’s lives had been changed that day, too. A’shai brought so much joy into their lives, and they had never known that something was missing until A’shai’s love showed them by filling the void.
Baron slowly walked over to the mantel and picked up the framed photo. He smiled, thinking about the good times that they had shared. He then went to the back of the house and to the bedroom. He looked at the master bed and began to think about the coroner’s report. A’shai’s death had been labeled a suicide. Baron knew in his heart that A’shai had used the black tea recipe to end his own life. It was a recipe that Baron had taught him. Grief filled him as he ran his hand across the bed, noticing another picture on the nightstand. That picture was of A’shai and Liberty. They were smiling. It was the happiest that Baron had ever seen his son. A’shai’s smile made Baron feel warm inside. Just as Baron cracked a smile, he heard a noise in the front room. He instantly tensed up and reached for his gun. If it was the feds, he was going out shooting. He refused to go to prison, so he would be prepared to go all out. He put down the pictures and eased his way to the living room.
He slowly walked in and found himself staring into the face that he was looking for. It was Liberty. She jumped in fear and placed her hands on her chest. She dropped the letters that she had in her hand, and she was at a loss for words. She didn’t know what to say or do. She hadn’t seen Baron in years, and the last time she remembered, he didn’t care for her too much. There was an uncomfortable silence as they stared at each other, saying nothing. Baron was the first to break the silence as he slowly stepped toward her.
“Hello, Liberty,” Baron said as he slid his gun back into his waistband. His eyes were kind, so Liberty relaxed.
“Hello, Mr. Montgomery,” Liberty said with a shaky voice. She didn’t know what to expect from him. Baron put her at ease by smiling and opening his arms. Liberty fell into his arms and gave him a big hug.
“How are you?” he asked as they unlocked their embrace.
“I’m OK,” she answered. “You look different,” she added as she looked him up and down. She had never seen Baron in less than the finest Italian-cut threads or a suit. His facial hair was thick, and he looked like a shell of himself.
“We have a lot to talk about,” Baron said.
Liberty nodded in agreement and made her way over to the couch. “Yes, we do,” she said.
Baron rubbed his hands together and blew on them to try to create some heat. Liberty made herself comfortable on the couch and suggested that Baron light the furnace in the basement.
“Where is a lighter?” he asked. Liberty pointed him to the china cabinet, and Baron grabbed the lighter and headed to the basement.
Liberty sat on the couch nervously, knowing that Baron would ask her about A’shai’s death. Nevertheless, she was ready to talk. He needed to know what really happened.
While Baron was in the basement, a small knock sounded at the door. Liberty stood up to see who it was. Rocko and Po were standing there. She had totally forgotten about them being outside waiting for her.
“I got to take a leak,” Po said as he stepped in and looked around the place. Rocko also stepped in.
Liberty pointed toward the back where the bathroom was. “First door to the right,” she said. Liberty returned to the couch and watched as Po headed toward the back. Rocko walked around the house and began to look at some of the pictures of A’shai and her.
“So this was him, huh?” he asked as he remembered the stories Liberty had told him about the love of her life.
“Yeah, that’s A’shai. He was my everything,” she replied proudly.
Just as Rocko was about to answer, Baron emerged from the basement. Rocko instantly put his hand to his waist where his gun was located. Baron did the same.
Liberty quickly interjected. “Guys! Relax!” she shouted as she walked in between them with her hands up. That’s when Po reentered the room in the middle of the chaos.
“Liberty, what’s going on here?” Baron asked.
“Everyone, please c
alm down!” Liberty yelled. “Let me make the proper introductions. This is Po and Rocko. They came into my life after A’shai passed away. Po and Rocko, this is—” Liberty started to say, but Po interrupted her.
“Baron Montgomery,” Po said, finishing her sentence for her. He looked at Baron in complete admiration. He remembered the gangster stories about Baron growing up. Po was a Detroit native, so he grew up idolizing the street legend known as Baron Montgomery. Baron’s name rang bells in the streets, and he single-handedly ran Detroit’s drug game and political game for years. He was known as the mayor of Detroit in his heyday. Po was staring into the eyes of a person whom he once aspired to be. Po was the first to extend his hand out of respect. Baron didn’t acknowledge Po. He just looked at his hand and stepped past him as if he wasn’t even there.
“May I talk to you in the living room?” Baron asked Liberty, while Po’s hand lingered in the air.
“Sure,” Liberty answered, looking at Po and Rocko.
“Look, ma, I’m sure y’all have a lot to talk about. We are going to check into a hotel. Call if you need me,” Po said as he put his hands down.
Rocko looked at Po as if he was crazy. Rocko didn’t know who Baron was and was ready to put hands on him. Rocko was a stone-cold killer, and at the moment, he was eager to put in work. He already had to contain his resentment toward Po. He needed to release some frustration, and Baron was testing him, and the disrespect had him ready to rock a nigga to sleep. Rocko had an ice-cold grille, and Po placed his hand on his shoulder, signaling him to calm down. Po understood that they were dealing with an OG, and there were rules to the game that Po had to follow. He would explain to Rocko who Baron was later.
“Yo, let’s go,” Po said as he headed toward the door. Rocko followed Po out, but not before giving Baron a menacing stare as he passed him.
Baron chuckled to himself as he returned the stare and watched them leave. He waited until they were completely out before he focused his attention back on Liberty.
