by K'wan
“Yeah, and most of them agreed to come.”
“What the hell do you mean, most?” Big Stone gave him a questioning look.
“Man, after what happened to Pana and then Pops, most have gone underground and ain’t trying to stick their heads out until this shit blows over.”
“Bunch of pussies, all of them!” Big Stone said heatedly. “For as much money as I done put in them niggas’ pockets, I gotta twist their damn arms to take a meeting with me now? Well, fuck ’em! We gonna come out of this on top and when we do, I’m not gonna forget the ones who turned their backs in times of trouble.”
“Does Pearl know what’s going on?” Black asked.
“In all the years you’ve known me, have I ever involved Pearl in any of this street shit?”
“I know it, Big Stone. I’m just thinking she may get suspicious when all them gangsters start showing up at her thing tonight,” Black explained.
“Nah, man. She’ll just think they’re coming out to pay respect for her birthday. Ain’t no need to spoil it by telling my baby girl that her party is cover for a war council.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
When Knowledge opened the basement door he felt it bump into something. Peering around it, he found a woman rubbing her forehead. This was Sandra; she kept the house in order and helped Big Stone with the kids. She was nearly as old as Big Stone, but it was hard to tell because outside of the gray running through her thick black hair, the years had been kind to her. She had bright brown eyes that seemed to twinkle when you looked into them, and a body that had held together quite well over the decades.
“Oh, hey, Knowledge,” Sandra greeted him, trying her best not to look guilty.
“What you doing huddled behind the door looking all sneaky?” Knowledge asked playfully, as if he didn’t already know the answer. She had probably been ear-hustling in on everything that was going on downstairs. There wasn’t too much that went on under the Stone roof that she didn’t know about.
“Just doing a little straightening up,” Sandra lied, fake-dusting the plant rack near the door. “Everything okay down there? I thought I heard something break?”
“Big Stone just having one of his moments.”
“Well, I hope he don’t expect me to come down there and clean up behind his ass. Ain’t no more babies in this house. You wait until he gets his ass up here and I’m gonna get him told!” Sandra declared in her sassy drawl.
“Probably best you leave it alone for right now,” Knowledge warned her.
Sandra had been around Knowledge long enough to be able to read his moods. Something was troubling him. “I’ve noticed he’s been in a pissy mood lately. Anything I should be concerned about?”
“You know I’d tell you if there were. This is just some street shit. I’m on it, though.”
“Well, you know it becomes more than that, I ain’t afraid to bust my gun to protect these kids,” Sandra said seriously.
“You can take the dog out of the fight, but not the fight outta the dog.” Knowledge laughed.
Despite her kindly appearance, Sandra was a gangster. Back when she was still in the streets she had been one of Big Stone’s most trusted runners, even having gone to prison twice. Once was for killing her abusive husband, and the second time had been for transporting drugs for Big Stone in and out of Maryland. She’d faced heavy time, but even under that kind of pressure Sandra never once opened her mouth. She took her time on the chin and when she was released, Big Stone was right there waiting for her, as he always was; but this time instead of offering her a package, he had a legitimate job for her. Pearl’s mother had already passed by then and Big Stone was struggling to raise his daughter on his own. He brought her on as a governess to help him maintain the home and help him to raise his little ones. She was one of the few people he would trust to look after his children as well as his stash.
Sandra shook her head. “You know with as much money as that fool has got squirreled away, you’d think he’d sit his ass down somewhere and enjoy old age. You’ve proven that you’re more than capable of handling things, and I’ve even told him as much.”
“You know how Big Stone is. He does everything in his own time. I’m about to do some quick running around before I go home and get ready for tonight.”
“You do that and make sure you’re on time, Knowledge. I’m anxious to finally meet this young lady you been hiding.” Sandra smiled.
“I haven’t been hiding her, Sandra. You know I just like to keep my business and personal life separate.”
“Save that for them shifty dudes you run with on the streets. We family, boy. You best not forget that,” Sandra told him.
“Yes, ma’am.” He kissed her cheek. “Let me go bust this move. I’ll see y’all in a few hours.”
* * *
Passing through the living room Knowledge came across the young prince of the family, sitting on the couch playing video games. Stoney and Pearl had the same father but different mothers, and Stoney had inherited most of his mother’s features, from his fair skin to his pink pouty lips, but had gotten his height from his father. At sixteen years old he was already six-two and growing more every day. He was a straight-A student and a killer on the basketball court, but also a magnet for mischief, so Knowledge made it a point to always check up on him.
“Sup, lil man,” Knowledge greeted him.
“Sup,” Stoney replied, never taking his eyes off the big-screen television. His thumbs flicked feverishly across the controller.
“What you doing playing video games out here instead of in your room?” Knowledge asked.
“It’s a way better gaming experience playing ‘Call of Duty’ on a sixty-inch TV versus a forty-two inch,” Stoney explained.
“Well, pause that shit for a minute, I wanna holla at you.”
“Okay, in a minute,” Stoney said, continuing with his game. He was in a heavy firefight and needed to concentrate. The next thing he knew the screen went black. Stoney looked up to find Knowledge holding the power cord in his hand. “Damn, why you do that?”
“Because when I speak I expect you to listen, not put me on hold while you playing some damn game,” Knowledge shot back.
Stoney threw his hands up in frustration. “Okay, Knowledge. You got it. What’s up?”
“They let you back in school yet?” Knowledge asked. A week before Stoney had been suspended for fighting with a kid over a debt. He was running a football pool and a sore loser tried to beat Stoney out of what he owed, so Stoney beat him. In addition to his father’s height he had also inherited his father’s violent temper.
“Yeah, it was only a three-day suspension. I’m good now. And before you even ask, yes, I shut down all my rackets,” Stoney told him.
“Good man.” Knowledge nodded. “You make sure you keep your ass out of trouble and your mind on them grades. There’s a lot of colleges looking at you and if they start thinking you’re one of those headache kids it could hurt your chances of having your pick of them.”
Stoney sucked his teeth. “You bugging! Any college that passes on me is stupid, because I’m the coldest point guard in the city.”
“Confidence is good, but don’t get so caught up in your own hype that you think this shit can’t go to the left. You know how many dudes I know that are better than half the jokers in the league, but they fucked up their shots to prove it because they couldn’t keep their noses out of the streets? You got all the physical skills to be good, but it’s the ones who also have the discipline that go on to be great. Feel me?”
“Yeah, man. And you’re right,” Stoney said, more wanting him to leave so he could get back to his game than agreeing with him.
“What’s up with them cats from Jersey you always be with? I don’t see them around too much anymore.” Knowledge was referring to Raheem and Domo. They were two knuckleheads from Newark whom Stoney knew from playing in the summer leagues. At one point they had been regular fixtures in the house, but had been noticeably abse
nt lately.
Stoney shrugged. “I been too focused on school and practice to really hang out like that lately. I spoke to Rah the other day, but I ain’t heard from Domo in a minute.”
“Really, why not?” Knowledge asked, curious. Of all Stoney’s friends Domo was the only one he liked. He was a quiet young dude who didn’t say much but watched everything.
“Between me and you, I think he’s back in the streets. The only time me and Domo go this long without speaking is when he’s up to no good. He knows I gotta keep a clean reputation, so he avoids me when he’s doing dirt.”
This surprised Knowledge. Generally, kids Domo’s age didn’t take those kinds of things into consideration, and it was moves like those that made Knowledge respect Domo. He was young, but moved like he was an old-school gangster. He saw great potential in Domo, which was why he had approached Big Stone about bringing him in. Knowledge wanted to groom Domo, as had been done for him, but Big Stone shot the idea down. He didn’t want any of Stoney’s friends that close to the business. Still, Knowledge held on to the hope that Big Stone would one day change his mind rather than run the risk of losing out on a promising young soldier. Little did Knowledge know they were already a dollar short and a day late.
“Well, if you happen to hear from him, tell the young boy to holla at me.” Knowledge tossed Stoney the power cord back.
As he was about to go out the front door, Pearl was coming in. Knowledge had to do a double take when he saw her. With her face made up and her hair freshly done she looked much older than eighteen. She was chatting away with her friend Marissa, while his friend Power brought up the rear, struggling with the bags they had forced him to carry. When Pearl noticed Knowledge standing there, she gave him the once-over.
“Why am I not surprised to see you here?” Pearl asked sarcastically.
“Shut up with your big-ass head. You think you all that because you got your little shit laced.” Knowledge reached out like he was going to touch her hair.
“Stop playing.” She giggled and ducked out of his reach.
“Hi, Knowledge.” Marissa batted her eyes at him.
“Sup.” He went back to his serious demeanor. Marissa was a hot-in-the-pants chick who was always trying to play him close, so he threw up a wall between them.
“Peace, God.” Power lumbered into the house and sat the bags down so he could give Knowledge dap.
“Maintaining.” Knowledge hugged his friend. “How was the babysitting expedition?”
“More trouble than it was worth. These chicks can do some shopping!” Power declared.
“It’s hard work staying this fly.” Pearl fluffed her hair. “Where’s my dad?” she asked Knowledge.
“In the basement, but give him a little space for a few. He’s been having a rough day.”
“Good looking out on the heads up. That means I’ll be in my room until it’s time to leave. You still coming tonight, right?” Pearl asked.
“Yeah, I’ll be there,” Knowledge told her.
“He’s bringing his girlfriend too,” Stoney offered from the couch. He saw Knowledge give him a questioning look. “I overheard you talking to Sandra.”
“I didn’t know you had a girl,” Pearl said. She knew Knowledge had chicks in the streets he dealt with, but this was the first she’d ever heard about him having someone serious in his life.
“Wasn’t for you to know.”
“Well, the bitch must be special if you’re bringing her to my party,” Pearl said, a bit more hostile than she intended to. She had been crushing on Knowledge since she was a little girl and was slightly jealous.
“She ain’t no bitch, so watch your mouth. And she’s special enough, which is all you need to know, so make sure you show the proper respect,” Knowledge warned her.
“Whatever.” Pearl rolled her eyes. “Come on, Marissa. Let’s go up to my room and start laying our outfits out.” She led her friend across the living room and up the stairs.
“If she thinks she’s salty now, wait until she finds out who it is,” Power whispered.
“Shut up and come on.” Knowledge pulled his friend out the door. “What you about to do?” he asked once they were outside.
“Since I’m off the clock, I ain’t got shit to do. What’s up?”
“Need to take care of a few things for Big Stone. Feel like taking a ride?”
CHAPTER NINE
Pearl had only begun to climb the stairs with Marissa when her little brother started in.
“Damn, ma. You looking good as hell today,” Stoney told Marissa, undressing her with his eyes.
“I look good every day,” Marissa capped.
“So,” he eased up and draped his arm around her, “when you gonna take me out or something?”
“Take me out?” Marissa gave him a comical look. “Boy, you still get allowance from your daddy. Ain’t nothing you can do for me or with me.”
“Yeah, my daddy kicks me a little paper from time to time, but I get my own money too.”
“Doing what?” Pearl cut in.
“Chill, Pearl. Why you gotta get all up in my mix?” Stoney asked with an attitude. Pearl was blowing his rap.
“You ain’t got no mix, lil nigga.” Pearl shoved his hand off Marissa. “And I know you better not be in school gambling again. Knowledge might have let you slide with that bullshit, but if I catch you dirty, I’m telling Daddy myself.”
“Whatever with yo snitching ass,” Stoney mumbled and turned to go back to his video game.
“Oh, I saw your boy Domo a little while ago,” Pearl told him.
“Word?” Stoney’s eyes lit up. “Where you seen him at?”
“He was going in Rouge when we were coming out.”
Stoney’s face darkened. “Damn, he was right in Harlem and didn’t even hit me?”
“Maybe he had something to do other than burn the day away playing video games,” Pearl said. “And besides, maybe it’s best you ain’t hanging with him so much. I got a feeling Domo is into some shit you ain’t ready for.”
Stoney sucked his teeth. “You say that about all my friends.”
“No, only the ones who run around with blood on their shoes,” Pearl said, recalling the red specks she had seen on Domo’s sneakers.
“So, y’all about to get all dressed up for your party?” Stoney changed the subject.
“In a little while, but not just yet. Only lames and ugly bitches get dressed hours before stepping out.”
“Then you better get a head start.” Stoney burst out laughing.
“Fuck you.” Pearl flipped him the bird. “C’mon, Marissa. Let’s go up to my room before I have to slap this slick-mouth little bastard.”
“Wait a second, Pearl. I need to ask you something.” Stoney stopped Pearl on her way to the stairs. The fact that he had paused his video game told her that it was serious.
“What’s up, little bro?”
“You hear anything about my Zonnie being in town?”
The question caught Pearl totally off guard. Zonnie was the woman who had given birth to Stoney, but to call her his mother would’ve been a stretch. Big Stone had hooked up with her during a period of his life when he was trying to recapture his youth. She was young, and as fine as she was larcenous. They were together for a while, but Big Stone eventually got tired of her bullshit and kicked her out of his life. A year later she popped back up, but only long enough to drop a baby off on his doorstep. That was the last time Pearl had laid eyes on Zonnie until a week earlier, at the party she and her friends had been at. Zonnie was running girls now. Pearl hadn’t told anyone, especially Stoney, about her run-in, so she wondered what made him ask about Zonnie after all this time.
“No, I haven’t seen or heard from your mother in years,” Pearl lied. “Why do you ask?”
“When Daddy was downstairs throwing his temper tantrum, I overheard him mention her name.”
“Last I heard your mom was living on the West Coast and to my knowledge she’s still
out there,” Pearl continued her lie. “Why, you thinking about reaching out?”
“Hell no! That bitch left me for dead, so she’s dead to me,” Stoney spat.
“Watch your mouth, that’s still your mother!” Pearl scolded him.
Stoney sucked his teeth. “Sandra is the only mother I know or ever wanna know.” He turned and went back to his game.
Pearl’s heart went out to her little brother. Sandra filled a huge void in the house, but she wasn’t their biological mother. At least Pearl had got to know her own mother before she died, but Stoney had been so young when Zonnie dumped him off on Big Stone, Pearl doubted he even remembered what she looked like. Pearl and Zonnie had exchanged words over the subject when she’d bumped into her at the bar. Zonnie had accepted responsibility for ditching Stoney, but claimed the reason that she had never returned to his life was because Big Stone had forbidden it. Pearl knew her father could be a hard-ass, but couldn’t see him preventing Zonnie from being in Stoney’s life if she really chose to. That would’ve been downright cruel, and her father wasn’t a cruel man, at least not that she knew of.
Leaving her little brother to his video game, Pearl and Marissa moved toward the stairs to her bedroom. As they passed the kitchen, Pearl caught a whiff of something tasty. Sandra was likely in the kitchen working her magic. This caused them to make a detour. When they reached the kitchen, Pearl found that her nose hadn’t steered her wrong.
She found Sandra standing near the stove and watching her favorite show, Law & Order, on the small television mounted over the refrigerator. Sandra had been around for as long as she could remember, stepping up when Pearl’s mother had died. She was their guardian and live-in housekeeper, but more important, she was the person Pearl could always turn to in times of trouble. She loved Sandra, not because she was the closest thing to a mother any of them had ever had, but because she never tried to take the place of Pearl’s biological mother. She was more like an auntie or big sister than anything. Of course, Sandra wouldn’t hesitate to lay down the law when the situation called for it, but she talked to Pearl instead of at her, like her father did.
