“The one on Northwest Expressway will do. I'll see you later,” Charlie said and ended the call.
By the time they made it to the block King noticed that Flex had everything under control. He turned toward Tippi and said, “I'm 'bout to go get everything ready so I can get with Charlie, so make sure you let everybody know that we'll be back fully operational within a couple of hours.”
“A'ight. Be careful, nigga.”
He gave her a smile and said, “Always.” Tippi got out of King's car and watched him leave the block. She smiled as she went across the street and joined Flex. Together they maintained the block and watched as the young squad members got that money.
* * *
King turned the volume up on his sound system and was bumping the rapper Rick Ross's hit single, “Hustlin'.” He sang along with the Miami rapper, feeling real good about how everything was going for him and his squad. “âI know Pablo, Noreaga, the real Noreaga/He owe me a hundred favors,'” King sang along. He was interrupted by the ringing of his cell. He turned the music down and smiled when he saw his Aunt Doris May's face pop up on the screen of his phone. “What it do, Aunty?”
“Not much, boy, just thought I'd give your ass a call 'cause you seem to have forgotten about your aunty.”
“Nah, you know I can't do no shit like that. I've been caught up doin' me, that's all. You know you can never be forgotten by the King.”
She laughed and said, “Boy, you are somethin' special. Are you too busy doin' you to stop by here and kick it wit' your aunty for a li'l while? I needs me some more medicine. I done ran out.”
Now it was King's turn to laugh. “Yeah, I'll be through there this evening. I've got a few thangs to take care of first. You know I got you, though.”
“All right, I'll see you later. Be good out there, boy.”
He laughed again. “Aunty, I'm twenty-six pushin' twenty-seven. Why do you still insist on callin' me âboy' like I'm still some snotty-nosed li'l kid?”
“No matter how old you get or how much money you make, you will always be my favorite nephew, boy. So I'll call you âboy' as long as I damn well please.”
“I'm your only nephew, Aunty.”
“Bye! Boy!”
After getting off the phone with his aunt he started thinking about all of the good times he shared with her. If it weren't for her, only God knows where he would have ended up. Both of his parents ran off and left him when he was seven years old. He remembered that day as if it was yesterday.
He came home from school and saw his Aunt Doris May sitting in the living room, watching television. He smiled when he saw her because she always showed him so much love whenever she came around. He ran over and gave her a hug and kiss and said, “What's up, Aunty?”
She smiled a sad smile at her only nephew and said, “Hey, boy, you have a nice day at school?”
“Mmm hmm. Where my mama and daddy at?”
Tears swelled in Doris May's eyes as she told her nephew, “They gone, boy.”
“When they comin' back, Aunty? My daddy told me he was taking me to the mall to buy me some shoes today,” he said innocently.
Doris May sighed and said, “They not comin' back, boy. They done ran off somewhere.”
“Wha
. . .
what do you mean, Aunty? I don't understand.”
“Your mama and my no
-
good
-
ass brother done ran off and left you with me. I'm not goin' to hide or sugarcoat nothin' from you, boy. I loves you and I'm goin' to raise you so you can be a much better man than that so
-
called father of yours.”
Tears fell slowly down King's face as he listened to his aunt. While she hugged him tightly he asked her, “What did I do to make them leave me, Aunty? What did I do?”
She grabbed him lightly by his little face and stared directly into his innocent eyes and said, “Nothin', boy. You didn't do a damn thang and don't you ever forget that. One day they gon' realize and regret leavin' you like this. Until then, we got to make do the best way we can. So, are you with me, boy?”
He smiled through his tears and said, “Uh huh. I'm with you, Aunty.” They hugged each other tightly and cried some more.
That pain seemed unbearable, but his aunt's love made everything a'ight.
Damn, that was twenty years ago. I wonder whatever happened to them bastards.
Chapter Six
“Why would you wait until the night before we're supposed to leave to throw this at me, Shayla? This is really fucked up,” Flamboyant said as he stared across the dining room table. Shayla had made dinner of catfish and rice. While they were enjoying their meal she decided to tell Flamboyant that she wasn't going with him and his friends to Miami. She knew he was going to be disappointed, but she didn't expect for him to be as upset as he obviously was.
“I don't want to be around you and your friends for an entire weekend. You are too arrogant when you're around your crew. I'll stay here; that way you can act out and have all the fun you want.”
“You don't understand. I won't have any fun if you're not by my side, Shayla. I want my queen next to me when I'm out there. This shit ain't about no flossin' or nothin'; it's about spending a nice weekend with you and my team.”
She shook her head slowly and said, “You can't have it both ways, Marco. Go on and have fun with your team. When you get back then we'll plan something for us to do. I'm not with sharing my man and I'm not about to start.”
“You're serious? You don't want to go with me to the MIA?”
“I'm dead serious. I'm not going with you and your friends to Florida,” she said with finality in her voice.
“This is some fucked-up shit!” he yelled as he left the table and stormed into the bedroom. Before Shayla could put a forkful of fish in her mouth he came back into the dining room and asked her, “What are you goin' to be doin' while I'm in Miami?”
She swallowed her food and answered, “Most likely nothing. I know I'm going to get some studying done. That's about it, really. I don't have any plans. I might call Taj and see if she wants to get together or something.”
“Do you love me, Shayla?”
She frowned and said, “Yes, Marco, I love you. Don't let me not wanting to go to Miami with you put any silly thoughts into that fat head of yours. Nothing has changed between us. You're still my boo.” She smiled sweetly at him and he returned a relieved smile her way.
“You know I'd lose my mind if I lost you, right?”
“The only way you'll ever lose me, Marco, is if you cheat. If I ever catch you cheating on me there will be nothing you can do to stop me from walking out of that door. I mean that shit. Now sit your butt back down and finish your food.” They both laughed as he did as he was told.
The next morning after Flamboyant had left for the airport, Shayla lay in bed thinking, thinking about someone she had no business thinking about: Trevor. The real reason she'd changed her mind about going to Miami. Ever since she had that talk with Shavonda at Stells she just couldn't get her former boyfriend off of her mind. Curiosity had taken control of her and there was nothing that was going to stop her from seeing him. “It's not like I'm going to fuck him or nothing. I just want to see how he's doing, that's all,” she said aloud as she climbed out of the bed she shared with Flamboyant.
* * *
After they were all aboard Flight 116 to Dallas/Fort Worth, Flamboyant and his team were in an excited state. Wave was flirting heavily with every flight attendant who was within his arm's reach. Prince was laughing and playing with Gunna while Ken and Milo laughed at all of them. Even though Flamboyant wasn't really in the mood to be clowning around, he had to smile at his team and their antics.
Fuck it, might as well have some fun. I still can't believe Shayla didn't want to come with us. I ain't trippin', though. I'm gon' have a ball when we get to Miami without her ass.
After they arrived in Dallas/Fort Worth, they boarded another plane and were on their way to sunny Florida. Once the flight was airborne Flamboyant asked Prince, “What's what with those moves y'all was supposed to make out in Midwest City?”
“Gunna set up shop in Del City first. He got two apartments in the Candlewood apartments. He told me that it already started clockin' like a mothafucka.”
“That's cool, but I thought y'all was gon' be workin' out in Midwest City. Where did this Del City shit come from?”
“If you let me finish puttin' you up on everything all of your questions will be answered.”
“My bad, my nigga, damn.”
They laughed and Prince continued, “Gunna's cousin has been havin' his Blood homeboys hit him off somethin' lovely. They gettin' that work as well as the bud somethin' crazy for real. On top of that, that female Gunna was talkin' 'bout hooked him up with some of the Crips over in the Panic Zone and they gettin' that money too. 'Em niggas are heavy into that water so the money is lookin' nice, my nigga.”
“That's what I'm talkin' 'bout! Who does Gunna have taking care of thangs while we're out?”
“He got eight of his soldiers from Kerr Village over on Scott Street at the apartments doin' their thing, and he got two of his men posted with ol' girl in the Panic Zone. He dropped them a nice load last night and told them that he'd get back at 'em on Monday or Tuesday. They should be good until we get back.”
Flamboyant smiled as he relaxed back in his seat and said, “A'ight, then, looks like shit done fell together real smooth-like.”
Prince smiled as well and said, “Yeah, I know.”
* * *
Since it was Friday and she didn't have to go to class, Shayla decided to go get her hair and nails done. She called her best friend Tajanaye, or Taj as everybody called her. “What's up, Taj, what you do, girl?”
“Girl, I was just about to call your ass. You want to hang out this afternoon or you got plans with Mister Man?”
“You too stupid. Remember I told you he was going to Miami this weekend?”
“Stupid? No, you didn't just call me stupid. If my memory serves me correctly, Ms. Thang, you were supposed to be accompanying your man to Florida this weekend, so how in the hell am I stupid?”
Shayla laughed and said, “Whatever! Look, let's get our nails done so I can tell you what's been goin' on.”
“What's been goin' on? Shayla, what have you done now?”
“Nothin' yet. Meet me at Images in an hour.”
“Images? Why you want to go to Images all of a sudden? I thought you let them chinks out there on Shields do your nails?”
“I do. But I want to see if Stacey can squeeze me in real quick. You know with this short-ass hair she can do me something real nice, real fast.”
“Your hair is naturally curly, Shay. Wet that shit and style it your damn self and you'll be just fine, girl.”
“Whatever. Are you meeting me at Images or what?”
“Yeah, I'll be there. Can't wait to hear about what you got going on now.”
Shayla laughed and said, “Bye, girl. I'll see you in an hour.”
After she hung up the phone she went into her closet and pulled out her outfit for the day. She pulled out a pink and yellow shorts set. She grabbed a pair of pink sandals and set them by the bed. She smiled as she went into the bathroom and stepped into the bathtub. The hot water felt so good as she reclined and let her head rest at the end of the tub. The smile never left her face as she continued to think about the past.
Trevor, hmmm.
* * *
By the time they arrived in Miami the entire team was amped, Flamboyant included. The weather was warm and addictive and there were women everywhere they looked. Flamboyant rented two Lincoln Navigators for them to get around in for the weekend. Each was equipped with twenty-four-inch chrome rims as well as a booming sound system. They had rooms reserved for them at Hotel Victor, a hypermodern Asian water-themed hotel in South Beach. Flamboyant spared no expense for him and his team. They were about to go all out.
After they were checked in at their hotel, Flamboyant led the team out to the beach. Prince wanted to go Jet Skiing while Gunna and Milo wanted to go parasailing. Wave wasn't interested in any of that stuff; his mind was on all the lovely ladies who were all over the beach. He couldn't believe his eyes. There were women of all shapes, sizes, and colors everywhere he looked. As far as Wave was concerned, he was in heaven and he wasn't trying to do anything else but mingle with and get to know as many of these beautiful women as he could.
Flamboyant and Ken watched as Wave got his mack on with two Hispanic females. “That nigga gon' catch something this weekend, watch.” Ken laughed.
“Nah, that clown may be crazy but he ain't no fool. He'll strap up if he gets lucky enough to get some ass.” They both started laughing. Flamboyant pulled out his cell and said, “Excuse me, my nigga. I got to check on some shit back at the house for a minute.”
Ken grinned and said, “She's good, dog. Don't sweat her. It'll give her the impression that you're on some weak shit. She chose to stay at the pad so enjoy this shit. Give her the impression that you're havin' the time of your life without her ass. That'll give her some act right on the indirect tip.”
“Nigga, wasn't you just havin' problems with your girl a few weeks ago? How you gon' be givin' me some advice?”
Ken shrugged his shoulders and said, “It is what it is, dog. You live and learn, my nigga. Come on, put that shit up and let's go kick it.”
Flamboyant stared at his cell for a few seconds and then said, “Fuck it, let's do this shit.”
* * *
Back in Oklahoma City, Shayla was sitting down getting a manicure and pedicure at Images Hair & Nails when Taj entered the beauty shop. Shayla smiled at her and said, “What's up, girl? Damn, you lookin' good today.”
“I look good every day, you already know,” Taj said with a smile.
“If I would have known that your conceited-ass friend was comin' up here too, I wouldn't have made room for your ass, Shayla,” joked Stacey, the owner of the beauty shop.
After setting her Chanel purse down, Taj gave Stacey the hand and said, “Anyway. Now what's the deal, girlfriend? You know you got me real curious with this all of a sudden let's hang thang. I know your man is gone, but what's really good?”
“Damn, I can't call my girl and hang for a minute without something going on?” Shayla asked as she let the manicurist put her feet into the warm water.
“Now you know damn well I'm not going for any of that, so you might as well cut that shit out and spill it right about now.” Taj sat down next to Shayla and smiled. If one were to use one word to describe Taj that single word would simply be “Gorgeous” with a capital G. She was top-model slim; no matter how much she ate she couldn't gain any extra weight. Her almond-shaped eyes seemed to see right through a person when she stared at them. Her perfectly sized C cups were every man's dream. And her onion was another one of her gifts from God that brought men to their knees when she walked by them. Taj stared at her friend and again asked, “So what's the deal, girlfriend?”
Shayla smiled and told her best friend everything that had been on her mind since she found out that her ex, Trevor, was home. After she was finished she said, “I mean, damn, I can't get him off of my mind. It's like he totally consumed my every thought.”
“Why haven't you called his aunt yet then?”
“I don't know.” Shayla shrugged.
“I can tell you still care about dude, but don't forget that he's your past. Marco is your future. Or is he?”
Shayla stared at her friend before answering. “If Marco is my future then why in the hell am I thinking about my past so much?”
“You're the only person who can answer that one, girl. I say after we finish gettin' hooked up we go out and hit the mall up for a little bit, get your mind off of that nigga for a minute. Before the day is up you should give his aunt a call so you can satisfy that curiosity that's eating at you. Or, better yet, you should just pop up over there to say hi since you're in the neighborhood.”
“Girl, we're on the east side. I'm not in her neighborhood.”
Taj grinned and said, “You will be when you pop up over her house.”
After spending a couple of hours and a couple thousand dollars in the mall, Shayla and Taj decided to get a bite to eat at the Cheesecake Factory. While they were waiting for their food Shayla had made up her mind. She pulled out her cell phone and told Taj, “Girl, it won't hurt if I called Doris May and ask how that boy has been doing.”
Taj smiled. “Nope, it sure wouldn't.” She continued to smile as she watched her friend dial the number on her phone. Shayla inhaled deeply as she waited for Doris May to answer her phone.
“Hello?” answered Doris May when she picked up the line.
“Hi, Aunty, how are you?” Shayla asked nervously.
“Shayla?”
“Yup, it's me.”
“Now, where in the hell have you been hidin' your damn self? I haven't heard from you in years!”
“I know and I'm sorry about that. After Trevor went away and did me the way he did, I kinda faded away from everybody.”
“Faded away? Li'l girl, you disa-fuckin'-ppeared! That boy has been home and done went back to jail since you've been gone.”
“He . . . he's back in jail?”
“Not now he ain't. That was about a year and a half ago. He's home now doin' real good. Real good,” Doris May said with emphasis.
“I'm happy for him. Could you tell him I said hello?”
“Why don't you call him and tell him yourself? Take down his number and give him a call.”
“I . . . I can't do that, Aunty.”
“Why not?”
“I . . . I'm involved with someone at the moment.”