The War Report

by King Benjamin

“I like the sound of that. Can we go to my favorite spot?”

  “Heaven on Earth? Wherever you show up at will be heaven for me,” he said, pouring it on thick. He could hear the smile in her voice and she flirted back.

  “I guess you in your game running mode now.”

  “I thought I told you before, I only have a Jason mode.”

  “Ok, Jason, I’m free Saturday if you are, Mr. Smooth.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it for game seven of the NBA finals,” he lied.

  “Okay, now you just went too far,” she teased about the falsehood.

  “Okay, you got me, but I’m really, really looking forward to seeing you again, so I’m gonna let you go before you change your mind.”

  “Okay,” she giggled. “Bye Jason.”

  “Later.”

  __________

  Saturday morning was the funeral services for J-Rock. Jay hadn’t thought about the funeral when he accepted the date with Michelle, but he decided not to cancel, knowing he may not get a second chance. The funeral was held outside of the city and only close friends and family members were invited. Jay paid for all the funeral costs from the nineteen thousand J-Rock handed him right before he died, and gave his family what was left of it.

  The whole crew attended the service and drove to the burial site afterwards to see the casket lowered into the ground. A wave of guilt came over Jay as he found himself continuously thinking about Michelle and his date with her later that evening.

  The crew met up at Niecey Girl’s house after the burial, where she had fried enough chicken for everybody to eat, along with a big pot of spaghetti. They discussed all the latest findings amongst each other, not excluding anything from Niecey Girl’s ears. She was just as much a member of their circle as anyone else in the room. Gunner, through the work of his top goons, had been able to confirm that Bones was in fact out of jail and making moves to open drug houses around his old stomping grounds. They came up on the name, Skip, which Jay and Gunner were both familiar with, but had forgotten about. It was a small amount of information, but it was reliable, and it was definitely better than nothing.

  “Right now, we just gotta keep the team strong and on point. Nobody else get caught slipping out here, we gotta watch each other’s back, ya dig?”

  “Nigga, Ray Ray and my young guns on the prowl, nigga. They ready for this shit, watch what I tell you,” Gunner assured everyone. He had the deadliest crew of youngsters he’d ever seen on his side, and that was the main reason he kept them around. Just for times like these.

  King Benjamin’s Perspective

  First off, I don’t like this nigga, Bones. He fucking his deceased brother’s girl? Foul as hell! Kinda curious about Ray Ray and these young cats, and why they’re being spoken of with such high regard. I mean, if they that bad, seems like they should be in the room strategizing with the rest of the clique. I don’t know, maybe it’s a Van Dyke thing. And, I don’t know if Jay should be focused on the Michelle chick right now, but we’ll see. Carry on.

  Chapter 11

  Michelle didn’t know enough about Jay to let him come to her house yet, so she definitely made plans to meet him at the restaurant that evening. She pulled up and valeted her Range Rover, feeling a little nervous, but confident that she looked amazing in her knee length black sleeveless Givenchy dress. It was low cut and the custom designed a choker complimented her skin and her cleavage. The sleek texture of her shoulder length tresses, which were parted in the center, shined like the sun. She sashayed in after getting her ticket, and Jay was waiting for her at the door. He looked good. He looked really, really good. His taper and goatee were extra crispy, and he wore a short-sleeved tan button down, matching shorts, and tan Cole Haans. The Rolex was downright blinding as the diamonds shimmered off the ceiling lighting.

  “Hey, Mr. Smooth,” she greeted.

  “Hey, I know you. You the lady from the six o’clock news,” he teased

  “Oh my God, don’t play. I hope nobody recognizes me today. I’ll do just fine to come have dinner in peace and quiet.”

  “You look amazing.” He complimented with his eyes roaming joyfully.

  “Thank you. Funny, I was just thinking you don’t look bad yourself.”

  Jay had a table reserved in the rear, and as the hostess came to escort them, he allowed her to walk ahead of him, mostly to get a look at her backside. Boy was he glad he did. It was plump and healthy like fresh fruit straight off the farm. The other reason he wanted her to walk ahead of him was so he could see her reaction when they arrived at the table. Jay had arranged for ten-inch white candles set in sterling silver to be placed on the table and lit upon their arrival. There was also a single white rose wrapped in a card on the table in front of Michelle’s seat. As they arrived at the table, the grin smeared across her face told him that as expected, it went over well.

  “You think you’re slick, don’t you?” she asked in an accusing tone as he pulled her chair out.

  “What I do?”

  “Mmm hmm. I see I’m gonna have to keep both eyes on you.”

  “I’m just trying to make a good first impression, you dig?”

  “Ha, so far so good, ya dig?” she mocked, taking the card in one hand and the flower in the other. The card was very short and simple. It read, To new friends. On the inside were two champagne glasses raised in toast. She closed the card smiling.

  “This was really sweet. Take me, I’m yours,” she teased making Jay laugh hard.

  “Seriously though, does it bother you to get noticed a lot while you out in public?

  “I mean, yes and no. I took the job knowing what all it entails, right? So, I love being a reporter, and that comes with it, but sometimes it’s just like… not today, you know?

  “Yeah, I feel that.”

  “I mean, I’m a very friendly person by nature, so most of the time I’m okay with people just walking up to me and starting a conversation because they know who I am. But sometimes I’m on the move, and it’s like, ‘can we take a picture?’ and I don’t always have time, so that’s when it gets a little frustrating because I don’t want people thinking I’m mean.”

  Jay listened attentively while getting lost in the beauty of her eyes at the same time. He hoped like hell they were contacts because it would ruin some the mystic energy that was building inside him. From everything his mind had been able to grasp, Michelle was a street nigga’s dream. Still, he never felt comfortable with hiding who he was.

  Michelle ordered the Mediterranean style Orange Roughy, and Jay the Steak Marinade. The conversation flowed effortlessly as they waited for their food to arrive. Michelle told him about her years as a college gymnast and a little about her current work.

  “So why don’t you have a Mrs. Smooth?”

  “Can you stop with that?”

  “Okay, that was my last one. Sooo?”

  “This might sound like a bunch of bullshit coming from somebody you labeled Mr. Smooth, but truthfully, I haven’t found anyone who was that compatible with me since high school. I mean, I’ve had some really close friends here and there, but… it seems like the closer you get to people, feelings change. Sometimes it’s me, sometimes it’s them.”

  Michelle could definitely relate to what he was saying, so she didn’t judge him. She too had come close to knowing love on occasions, only to find it was lust masquerading as someone else.

  “How about you? When was your last relationship?” Jay inquired.

  “Almost a year ago. Wanna know what caused the break up?” she offered.

  “Yeah.”

  “This is always a fun story to tell. The President of Network News offered to double my salary and make me lead anchor on the evening news, but there was just one small catch. I had to sleep with him, of course. Being the fragile coward that he is, the general manger didn’t have the guts to make such a suggestion to my face, so guess who he sent to propose the deal? You got it, my loving boyfriend and coworker of two years.”

  �
��Dirty muthafucka,” Jay fumed.

  “I know right. It got so uncomfortable for us to be around each other after that, he eventually left the station.”

  “He need his ass whooped, and I’m volunteering,” Jay joked.

  Michelle giggled and felt herself becoming more comfortable with Jay every minute she was around him. There was something about his charming ways that was magnetic. He was smooth but he was rough, and it was a big turn on. He was an independent man and seemed to be even a little romantic. Probably too good to be true, knowing my luck, she thought.

  The food came and it was delightful as always, but Michelle enjoyed the conversations that took place between bites even more. Their connection was undeniable.

  Two hours later, they realized it was getting late and decided to call it a night. Jay walked her out and stood with her as she waited for the valet to pull her car around. As the cool night breeze flowed around them, Jay stood looking down into her sparkling eyes one last time.

  “Tonight was everything I thought it would be,” he admitted.

  “I had a great time. I’m glad we met, Mr—”

  “See, look at you,” he said, pointing a finger.

  “I didn’t say it,” she chuckled.

  As the black Range Rover pulled up, Jay reached for a hug and Michelle fell into his arms without hesitation.

  “I’ll be stalking, I mean calling tomorrow,” he said.

  “I carry a stun gun, and I’m not afraid to use it.”

  Michelle climbed in her truck and Jay watched her drive away while he waited for valet to bring his car around. Up to this point, Jay had lived a pretty good life for a man under thirty years old. But if he could have just this one lady in his life, it would be the icing on the cake.

  As Michelle drove off, she gazed in her side view mirror at Jay in front of the restaurant, while also trying to watch the road in front of her. There was something about this that just felt so right. She wasn’t getting her hopes up high, but she wasn’t going to be indecisive either. She was open to whatever opportunities lay ahead for her and Jason, AKA Mr. Smooth.

  __________

  Once Bones made it to Detroit, he never once thought about going back to Ohio or contacting his parole officer. He got fake ID through his old contacts and went on the run, not giving a fuck about the pending warrant. He and Oshiwa had become almost inseparable as he quickly realized just how much of a valuable asset she would be. He wouldn’t have to find someone new to meet the needs of a man in his position, because without even knowing it, he had already secured the perfect ride or die bitch.

  Bones didn’t bring Oshiwa around family members, knowing the relationship would be frowned upon, but they roamed the Westside of the city day and night with no shame.

  Having so much coke to distribute, Bones and Skip quickly established a strong hold on their neighborhood, and it put them in a position to recruit new soldiers. The plans were to spread their wings over the summer and expand into a few more areas, but before that happened, he had to take care of potential threats that would always be lurking. The Van Dyke Down crew had to go, no if ands and buts about it.

  He and Oshiwa pulled up to the drug house Bones and Skip had met up at on his first day back in the D. He had a paper tag in the window ready to stunt on Skip, but it was mostly motivation for the young workers they were gathering to do their dirty work.

  “Show these little niggas the money and watch how high they jump for you,” he said to Oshiwa.

  “Exactly,” she agreed, sitting comfy in the passenger seat.

  The young hustlers filed out of the house and on to the porch with the bright eyed look of admiration in all their eyes. They knew Bones was living the dream they could only aspire to live for the moment.

  “You see this young fat muthafucka right here?” Bones said, pointing to kid he now knew as Big Baby.

  “Yeah, what about him?”

  “I seen Skip beat that nigga like a slave my first day back home. When I pulled up right here, he had him outside on the porch stomping a mud hole in his ass. I’m talking about a beating you get when somebody really wanted to kill you, but chose not to. And guess what it was all about?”

  “What?”

  “Four hundred dollars,” Bones chuckled.

  “Damn! Li’l nigga must be a fool for pain ’cause he sure ain’t went nowhere.”

  “Hell naw he ain’t went nowhere. Skip made him work it off. He wasn’t going nowhere even if he wanted to.”

  Just then, Skip bent the corner flexing hard in brand new four door Saab. His tag was still in the window too. He hadn’t told Bones, but as soon as he found out Bones was going to get something new, he went on a search to upgrade himself.

  “Look at Skip hoe ass,” Bones said grinning.

  “Ha! I guess he said, ‘you ain’t about to stunt on me nigga,’ ” Oshiwa commented.

  Skip pulled up on the side of Bones and parked in the middle of the street. He jumped out excited and ready to talk some shit.

  “Yeah nigga. Fuck you thought? Huh? You thought you was the only nigga going car shopping today? Nigga we getting money out here, this shit ain’t no game.”

  Bones and skip slapped fives while laughing hard going back and forth with each other. It was a moment Bones had waited for years to make happen. The youngsters sat on the front porch idolizing the OGs, and dreaming of the day when their time would come.

  “Guess what though, nigga? See me tomorrow and watch me blow your muthafucking wig back.”

  “What?” Skip said scowling. “What you gone do tomorrow? Huh?”

  “Don’t worry about it, nigga, see me tomorrow.”

  “What? Nigga fuck that, see me in a hour nigga.”

  “Fuck outta here.”

  “Aye, but fo’real though, you pick up any money from them niggas yet?” Skip asked getting serious.

  “Not yet. What, you hurting now you done bought the Saab? You need a loan, nigga?”

  “Fuck outta here,” Skip said, waving him off. “Oh on some real shit though. I got good news.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Hell yeah. I been busy on them Van Dyke boys.”

  Bones’ face showed that his curiosity had been piqued.

  “I’ma drop her off and come back,” Bones assured.

  “Aiight, do that.”

  “Where you gone be?” Bones asked as he climbed back into his vehicle.

  “Just call me. ’Cause right now I’m bout to go stunting on these hoes.”

  He mashed the gas and skidded off quickly before Bones could respond.

  Chapter 12

  It was the day of the annual photo shoot for the Channel Six news team. Everyone would be there since participation was mandatory. There would be photos of the reporters taken as a team and then solo shots. The lead anchors would take team photos and then the whole staff including control room personnel and scene technicians would take a group photo. The shoot had to happen quickly because half of the people there had to leave the photo shoot and head straight back to work.

  When Michelle arrived on the set, she was feeling fabulous rocking a navy blue business suit and a pair a two carat diamond studs. All week, she and Jay had been chatting and revealing more and more about themselves through long nightly conversations right before her bedtime. She found Jay to be charismatic and intriguing. He was also a little hood, which was something she wasn’t used to. It was turn on. He always put her to bed in a good mood, and she usually woke up the next morning felling amazing.

  The first person Michelle spotted was Andrea Nelson schmoozing with the general manager and laughing harder than necessary at his jokes.

  “Hey Michelle,” Kurt, the general manager called out, waving her over.

  As Michelle approached, the smile on Andrea’s face seemed to slowly evaporate. Andrea was tall, brown and flat chested. She gave Michelle a once over with a bit of contempt in her eyes.

  “Hey Michelle, we’re so glad you could make it,” And
rea said, beating Kurt to the punch.

  “Hi Andrea, hello Kurt, how are you?” Michelle said addressing Kurt while dissecting Andrea’s strange behavior. She was making it sound as if she had something to do with planning the annual photo shoot, when in reality, Andrea and Michelle had the same exact job titles.

  “I’m great, thanks for asking,” Kurt replied.

  “We missed you at the fund raiser,” Michelle informed Kurt.

  “Oh, yeah, I was a bit under the weather,” Kurt confessed.

  “Yes, that’s what I heard. But it was an amazing turnout.”

  “Yes, it most certainly was,” Andrea cut in. “Michelle did you get a chance to meet my husband?”

  “Uuh no, I don’t think so. I only remember us talking briefly.”

  “There’s my girl! Come here you,” a familiar voice called and Michelle turned to see the news director heading straight for her with the biggest grin on his face and his arms extended for a hug.

  Michelle and Jim embraced briefly. Jim was a great guy, and Michelle knew he had a thing for her, but he always kept things professional and she respected him for that. From the corner of her eye, Michelle could see the hint of jealousy forming on Andrea’s face. Everyone loved Michelle from the day she joined the news team, but Andrea not so much. People tended to view her as a phony ass kisser. As everyone mingled, waiting for the photographers to set up, Andrea seemed desperate for attention. She scurried around forcing interaction on people she barely knew, trying her best to seem relevant. The harder she tried, the more people were turned off by her. By the time she and Michelle got ready to do solitary shots, Michelle could see the beads of sweat forming on her forehead out of frustration. Michelle couldn’t help but wonder what was her issue. As the team gathered for the group photo, the news director whispered something to Michelle.

  “You heard the news?” he asked.

  “No. What news?”

  “Diane’s leaving in a few months. That means they’re gonna be looking for a new anchor woman to take her spot.” His eyebrows went up and down as he nodded in Michelle’s direction, as if to say, here’s your chance.