My Hustler’s Keeper (6 page)

“Shit, that might be my pops, but you ain’t the only one looking to have his ass erased off the map,” he replies, while starting up the engine.

“I need to inform Harmony they know about the two of you.” He says.

“You don’t need to do shit. I got this under control.”

“I hope you do. I’m not trying to lose my sister ‘cause you can’t control your dick.” He looks at me as he drives away.

The clock is ticking. I have to get Harmony out and fast. Fuck me. I can be a slave, but Harmony doesn’t deserve to be trapped in this.

My Hustler’s Keeper

-5-

JOE

Disgust is growing upon my face as I look at Mary and then Malik. He has the nerve to be crying talking about I don’t believe him, saying he worked hard to get those pictures and that I could have got him killed. While Mary is yelling and screaming at me on how I keep letting her down.

“Calm the fuck down!” I yell out, causing both of them to jump in fear.

“Why should he? My brother could have got killed. And yet, you didn’t do as you promised. You promised to kill Sincere and you didn’t,” says Mary.

“Because I fucking said so.” I yell at her.

“But you don’t believe me,” Malik says, crying louder.

“Who says I don’t believe you?”

“You did,” she answers back.

“I never said that Mary.”

“It doesn’t have to come out your mouth Joe. Your expression says it all. He's not lying and the proof is there. They are sleeping together, which means you broke your promise.” She stomps her feet.

“I ain’t break shit. And they ain’t sleeping together; Sincere would never choose her over staying in the game,” I say, with confidence.

“How would you know that?” Mary asks me.

“Cause I got his grandma and sister on speed dial if he does,” I tell her, laughing.

“I don’t care if you had his parents on speed dial. I did fifteen years for you and you promised me your daughter in return!” She yells out, causing me to laugh harder.

“Look, I promised you my daughter and I will give her to you. Don’t I always keep my promises?”

“Yes,” she replies, with a smile.

“Well then trust me on this. Malik, your work will be honored. Now can you give Mary and I some space?” I say before walking over to my desk and sitting down on the chair.

“Thank you Joe. If you need anything else just ask. Mary, I’ll be waiting in the car. Don’t take too long,” he tells us, before leaving and closing the door behind him.

“Find a way to make my stress go away,” I tell her as I begin to unbuckle my pants.

“I always take your stress away.” She walks over towards my desk and drops to her knees.

“That you do.”

I close my eyes and begin to let her mouth work take my stress away. About a few minutes into her head job, I am not getting turned on like I used to so I pull away, letting her know to stop.

“What’s wrong?” she asks, standing up.

“Nothing. Bend over,” I tell her, coming out my jeans.

I begin to stroke my pipe before strapping on a condom. Spreading her ass cheeks, I enter her from behind.

“Joe!” she yells out.

“You like that shit?” I ask, pumping her harder and faster.

“Not so rough.”

“Shhhhh, Keisha. Daddy is about to cum.” I continue to drive into her pussy deeper.

Driving in and out, I begin to tense up, which is a sign that I am about to bust, but she pushes me off her, causing me to nut on the floor.

“Now go get the mop to clean this up,” I tell her while pulling my boxers and jeans back up before taking a seat.

I watch as she looks at me with hurt in her eyes. I knew what I called her and that wasn’t right. But I wasn’t going to admit that to her.

“I said go get the mop to clean this shit up,” I repeat as she continues to stare at me with those confused and hurt eyes.

“Get the fuck out my office. And close my door when you do. Don’t come back!” I scream at her, which causes her to jump and move quickly with fear.

“My name is not Keisha. It’s Mary.” She slowly walks to the door, opens it, and then slams it shut.

“Stupid motherfucker!” I yell out loud enough so that she can hear me.

My Hustler’s Keeper

-6-

MARY

“Officer down! Officer down! I repeat officer down on the corner of 63rd by the old church building,” I hear Detective Carson yell into his walkie-talkie, as he continues to chase after Joe and I. He is not so far behind us.

“Freeze. Police!” Carson yells, firing two shots in our direction as we turn into a dark alley.

“Joe, what are we going to do now?” I ask, stopping in the middle of the alley, out of breath.

“You’re going to take this bid for me,” he literally tells me as he places the gun into my shaking hands.

“But you shot him,” I whine.

“But I also have a wife and family at home,” he says, moving closer towards me.

“C’mon, Mary, what can they possibly give you? You’re a female and this will be your first time. Trust me, you won’t be in there for more than ten years. Fifteen at the most.”

“But you shot him!” I repeat, yelling over the loud police sirens that seem to be getting closer by the minute.

“Look!” Joe yells. “Let’s make a deal. You take this bid for me and in exchange I’ll give you my daughter, virgin and all.”

“I don’t want your daughter. I want you.”

“You would have me. She’s the ticket to you keeping me. I’ll marry her off to you on her twenty-eighth birthday.”

“She’s not even born yet. And what about the dreams we have?”

“They’re still coming true but only if I’m free. I will get my preaching license and the moment I do, I’ll come and get you out. I swear Mary; you will not be in there for more than ten years. Fifteen at the most, if you get good time,” he says, kissing me.

“You promise that I’ll have you?”

“Baby, you’ll have me, my heart and soul, and my daughter in the palm of your hands until the day you die.”

“Joe, I’m scared.”

“Don’t be. I’ll be there every step of the way.”

“Okay, Joe, I’ll ride this out for you. But you have to keep your word. You have to promise me I’ll have you.”

“My word is my bond,” he says, before running off.

Just as he turns the corner a group of police circle around me as if I am the prey and they are the predators.

My first night in prison is the worst night of my life. I saw things that I thought only took place in movies. The guards sleeping with the inmates, drugs being brought in, and the sick part is the warden knows about it but doesn’t give two fucks.

I was about to be six feet within a week, all thanks to my lover and me agreeing to take his bid.

“Yo’ fresh meat,” someone hollers, as I make my way to the cell that I will be calling home.

“Shut the fuck up Chop Face,” the guard that is directing me to my cell yells out.

“Welcome to your new home,” he says, laughing as he throws me inside the tiny boxed-in cell.

I want to cry but instead I just rock back and forth until I am able to close my eyes. To this day I wish I never did, because I would’ve been ready for when Chop Face mysteriously enter my cell.

“Wake that ass up fresh meat,” she says, shaking my shoulder.

“What? How did you get in here?” I ask, turning over.

Damn, I see why the guard calls her Chop Face
, I thought to myself.

June Tolbert, better known as Chop Face, stands at an even six feet, with a weight over three hundred pounds and what looks like a million tattoos covering her upper body and a face that looks to have been hit with a cheese grinder.

“I don’t have time for the bullshit,” she angrily says, as her fist hits my face several times.

“Please stop,” I cry as she beats me hungrily with her heavy fist.

“Somebody help me,” I beg as I feel her rip into my face, breaking my body with every connection.

“This is for the cop you tried to kill,” she whispers, as she continues to beat me harder with every connection.

Never in my life have I pictured myself being beat to death. But I’m feeling it. And the experience is real. Closing my eyes and crying, slowly I begin to imagine it is Joe instead of Chop Face. At least with Joe I will know the hands that will be sending me to meet Jesus Christ. The experience lasts for what seems like a lifetime but really it was only a half a minute.

“That’s enough banging for the night Chop Face.”

Turning my broken head over slowly I come face to face with the same officer that had thrown me into this shit hole.

“Next time you pull the trigger on an officer, think about the actions you’ll have to face once you get behind bars,” he tells me, as he slams the bars closed behind him and Chop Face.

“What has Joe gotten me into?”

The next day after being discovered by the warden and set up as an example to the rest of the inmates for what happens when you shoot a cop, I am taken to ICU were I am given over a hundred stitches. The only good thing I get while lying up in that shitty hospital is meeting Stephanie.

Stephanie Harris is my cellmate. Not only did she have a meeting with Chop Face one week before my arrival, but she also becomes my best friend.

“Hey, I’m Stephanie,” she introduces herself, just as the night shift is leaving from checking in on us.

“I’m Mary.”

“So what you’re in here for?” she asks.

“Murder, and you?” I ask; trying to sound all tough knowing my pretty ass wouldn’t bust a grape in a food fight.

“I was accused of beating my five-year-old niece. I didn’t do it; it was my sister’s boyfriend. But instead of her sending him to prison, she turned the tables and lied and say I did it,” she explains her story to me in tears.

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Don’t be. I’m only in here for the next five years. Then I’ll have to stay away from my sister and niece.”

“That’s a shame,” I tell her, shaking my head.

“Yeah, I said the same thing. But I’ll do whatever my lawyer says in order to get the fuck out of here.”

Over the next couple of months Stephanie and I get real close, so close we even sometimes try to sleep on the same bed. But we only try it when the guards are done with their rounds. Over time she becomes my prison lover. I find myself being as I often heard, gay for the stay. Only in prison would I consider myself liking girls. Out of prison I am strictly dick.

“Will you marry me Mary?” she asks me, the night of our six-month anniversary.

“I’m in a relationship.”

“That’s not a relationship. What we have is considered a relationship.”

“Why Stephanie? Why do you want me?”

“Cause if something bad happens and it leads to one of us going to prison, I’ll take the blame without thinking twice. Even if you did the crime I’ll do your time. I love you Mary,” she expresses to me, lowing her body onto the floor and resting on one knee.

“Stephanie, I can’t marry you.”

“Yes you can Mary.”

“What about Joe?”

“Baby, let me worry about him. Just say yes.”

“Yes, I’ll marry you,” I tell her, in excitement without feeling any regret about our decision.

But after being there my first five years hell comes. I have received my first letter from Joe.

Hey Mary,

I would ask how you doing, but I’m afraid of the response you’ll write back. My predictions were right. We had a girl. Keisha named her Harmony. Says she’ll be a melody you’ll never forget when she gets older. We also moved from New York to Chicago. They call it the Windy City and I see why. It’s colder than a mother fudge cake when you step outside. I bought some lot on the South Side where the church would be built. It’s almost done too. Running out of news to share so I’ll talk to you later.

P.S. tell your girl toy Stephanie when she gets out, come talk to me since I’ve heard she wants to work for the police. You can also close your mouth ‘cause I know it’s open wide right now. Yes, I know what’s going on between you two. Just remember you’re in prison Mary. You don't have any privacy. I also know about the visit you and Stephanie had a week apart from each other with Chop Face. (Wink, wink.)

Joe

“So what did he say?” Stephanie asks.

“He knows about us,” I tell her.

“Here, read this.” I watch as her eyes roam across the white sheet of paper.

“Was this supposed to scare us?”

“I don’t know Stephanie.” My eyes start developing tears.

“Why are you crying?”

“Cause if Joe want’s something done he gets it. The only reason I’m here is because we had a drug trade gone wrong. And now he wants you to work for him. This is going to be a big problem. I can feel it.”

“I can take care myself. Come tomorrow when I get out I’m going to see the disloyal asshole. If he wants to help me then let him help. Protecting you is more reason for me to play his game.”

“If you take his help, it will be a price you have to pay back for the rest of your life.”

“For you I’m willing to do it. Stop stressing. Your making it seem like Joe is the man. Trust me baby, I have some tricks up my sleeve.”

“I’ve been messing with Joe since I was in the eighth grade and ever since then he has been running my life. And baby, he is that nigga. Whatever Joe wants, Joe gets.”

“I don’t mean to be rude, but he might run your life, but once I’m finished using him, Joe Jones will not be on the face of this earth anymore. Baby, just trust me. I got this.”

“Don’t get on his bad side. If you’re going to play his game Stephanie, play it right. I’m not trying to lose you. I’m kinda falling in love with you,” I confess.

“Kinda, huh?” She looks at me with a bright smile.

“Yes, I’m falling in love with you.”

“Good. Now come kiss me.”

I gladly obey. Leaning over, I give her a kiss that she will never forget. And into the dark night, while the world is sleeping, Stephanie and I made sweet love, speaking with our bodies what our hearts couldn’t say. The next day Stephanie is released and I am in there to protect myself.

Another five years pass before I receive my second letter from Joe.

I’m a big time pastor now baby! I did it—well, we did it. I got your girl toy a job working for the FBI. She’s Keisha’s partner. And now Harmony is talking about how she wants to take down bad guys like her mother. That girl is going be the death of me someday. And Henry, that boy is a mess. I can tell he’s going to be a problem. I can’t wait until you get out and come to the city. The summertime is great. Well, I’ll write you later since I know Stephanie is keeping in touch with you.

Joe

And for the first time I’m writing him back, giving him a taste of my thoughts and how I am really feeling.

Joe you’re full of shit. I’ve been waiting on you to come see me for the past ten years. But instead I get a bullshit ass letter from you. Damn, even behind bars you try to treat me like I’m a fucking child. I’m going to leave you with this small but big ass reminder, since it seems like you forgot. If it wasn’t for my love and loyalty I have for you let’s just say Pastor Joe would never exist.

Mary

As I send the letter off I regret it right away. A week later I receive another visit from Chop Face. This time the pain is worse. I know Joe has something to do with the lesson I am being taught.

Five years after that and a week before my very own release date, I am expecting a letter from Joe like always, but instead he comes in person. In my fifteen years of being behind bars he never even answered my phone calls, so seeing his face has my on edge.

“Hello Joe.”

“Sit down Mary,” he says, as I enter the visiting room.

Shaking with fear I did just that.

“I’ma keep it real with you Mary. The reason I’m here is because I need you and your girl toy Stephanie to help me take Keisha out. I would take the three of them out but I will need Henry and Harmony in the future,” he says with no sympathy.

“Why would you kill your wife?”

“So we can finally be together. I have everything taken care of. Juno and Frankie will help. I just need you and Stephanie,” he answers back, stroking my cheeks.

“Stephanie will not agree to it.”

“Yes she will. She loves you. She’ll do anything to protect you.”

“When do you want it done?” I reply back, smiling.

This is the day I have been praying for and my prayers are finally being answered. We are about to finally be together, without having to hide it from the world and from Keisha and her brothers. I knew Joe hated Tone and Twan with a passion. And killing their sister would set a big example.

“When do we do it?” I ask again.

“A week after you get released. It’s planned to go down on Harmony’s birthday,” he says, before giving me more details.

“Why on my queen’s birthday?”

“This will be a gift she’ll never forget,” he answers, standing up to leave.

“I love you Joe.”

“Prove it. Prove you love me. Prove your love to me by doing what I just explained to you,” he tells me.