A Gangsta Twist Saga (47 page)

Taz, Keno, Red, Wild Bill and Bob were seated at the front of the church, staring at the closed casket that their lifelong friend was lying in. Each one of them was caught up in their own personal thoughts about Bo-Pete at that moment. They were dressed identically in black Armani suits, with black Mauri alligator shoes on their feet. Once Bo-Pete's casket was opened, everyone inside of the church would have noticed that he too was dressed as his closest friends were.

Sacha and Gwen sat in the pew right behind their men. Won was by their side, giving comfort to them both. Even though he too was hurting from this tragedy, he gave the appearance that he was in complete control of his emotions. He couldn't let his pain be seen by Taz and the others. If he did, he felt that Taz would lose it and all hell would break loose.

Just before Bo-Pete's family came inside of the church, Tari came and sat down beside Won. She was dressed in an all-black dress with matching pumps. She gave a nod toward Sacha and Gwen and then reached over the pew and gently rubbed Taz on his shoulders.

Taz turned around and smiled sadly at her, but said nothing. No words could express the pain he was going through at that very moment. Tari saw the pained expression on his face and couldn't stop the sudden flow of tears falling from her eyes. Taz turned back around quickly before he started bawling himself.

Bo-Pete's family was led into the church, and everyone inside of the building stood as the family was seated.

The Reverend's sermon/eulogy was mostly about living right and doing the right thing. At least that's what Taz thought, until the Reverend started screaming and yelling about violence and all of the senseless killings that had been going on all around them lately.

Though the Reverend was bouncing all around the podium, Taz felt as if he was directing his sermon toward him.
I know this clown ain't shootin' his shot at me,
he thought as he continued to stare and listen to the Reverend preach.

Then, as if the Reverend had heard what Taz was thinking, he turned toward him and said, “Greed! Greed is what causes us to get together like this!” He yelled as he stood over the closed casket, “When men start controlling their urges for that almighty dollar, then and only then will we be able to avoid such tragedies as this one here!”

Taz turned toward Keno, shook his head from side to side and whispered, “I can't take too much more of this, dog. I'm goin' out to the truck. I'll be back when it's time for the final viewing.” Before Keno could say a word to try to stop him, Taz was on his feet and on his way out of the church.

He was almost to the back of the church when he heard the Reverend yell, “You can't run from your fate! Nor can you run from God! Change! Change is the only way to make things right!”

Taz stopped in his tracks and turned slowly back around so that he was facing the entire church. He saw his daughter sitting next to Mama-Mama and he smiled at the both of them.
I'm not lettin' this preacher man get to me,
he thought as he marched right back to his seat in the front of the church. After he was seated, he stared hard at the Reverend, basically daring him to keep picking on him.

The Reverend noticed and him and quickly directed his gaze elsewhere. After he finished his eulogy/sermon, it was time for friends and family members to say a few words about the deceased.

After a few of Bo-Pete's cousins and other relatives had spoken, Taz took a deep breath and stepped up to the podium. Once he grabbed the microphone, he stared out into the crowded church and said, “I've known Bo-Pete most of my life. We went to school together, we went on our first date with our girlfriends together, and we learned how to become men together. He always used to tell me that I'm too emotional and I need to learn how to control my temper. When this man died, so did a part of me. I'm not an overly religious person, but I do believe there is a God in Heaven. I pray that he forgives me as well as Bo-Pete for our wrongs in life. Because Bo-Pete's wrongs as well as mine coincide as one. Neither one of us should be considered as greedy men.” He paused and glared hard toward the Reverend before he continued. “We did what we felt was the right thing to do to take care of our families.”

After that statement, Taz let his eyes scan the crowd, until they locked with Tazneema's. Then he continued, “There was nothing in this world that Bo-Pete wouldn't do for me and my family, just as there is nothing in this world I wouldn't do for his. That's not the way of greedy men. That's the love for one another! The respect! The loyalty! The honor! I'd gladly change places with my man lying inside of that there coffin,” he said as he pointed toward Bo-Pete's casket. “But I can't. All I can do is live and let his memory give me strength to do the things that I feel I must do. I will do everything that needs to be done. That, I promise you, my dog . . . my brother . . . my friend!” Taz said as he stared at the gold-trimmed mahogany casket. He stepped away from the podium with his face wet with his tears. When he sat back down, Keno wrapped his arms around his shoulders and gave his friend some much-needed support.

Sacha was in tears also as she watched her man speak with so much passion. Gwen too was in tears as she stared at Bob, who was sobbing loudly. Wild Bill and Red, as well as Won and Keno, were all in tears also.

One of Bo-Pete's relatives came to the podium and started singing “Amazing Grace” as the morticians came to the front and opened the casket for the final viewing of Bo-Pete.

When Taz saw Bo-Pete's smooth, chocolate-brown skin look so pale with the makeup the morticians used, he lost it. “
No-o-o-o-o! No! No! No! God, no! Why you take my nigga? Why?
” he screamed over and over.

Keno tried to grab him, but he was too strong for him to hold.

Red stood up and grabbed Taz and said, “Come on, my nigga. Calm down. You're spooking everyone, gee.”

Taz took a few deep breaths and gave Red a nod of his head to let him know that he was okay. He then stepped over to the casket and stared at his dead homeboy. “I'm gon' get him, Bo-Pete! You know I got 'em, dog,” he said as he bent forward and kissed both of Bo-Pete's cold cheeks. He then turned toward the family, walked over to Bo-Pete's mother and said, “I'm sorry for my behavior, Mrs. McClelland. Please forgive me.”

With tears sliding down her face, Bo-Pete's mother said, “There's nothing to forgive, Taz. I know how much you and that boy loved each other. Don't you pay that preacher no mind, ya hear?”

Taz smiled and kissed her on her cheek and said, “Don't worry, I won't.” He stepped back, so the family could have their final viewing of Bo-Pete.

After the casket was closed, Taz, Red, Bob, Keno and Wild Bill stepped over to the casket so that they could carry it to the hearse. Even though Wild Bill's right arm was still in a sling, he refused to let anyone stop him from helping carry his homeboy.

Once they had the casket inside of the hearse, they all went and got into their vehicles. Keno drove his Range Rover, Red and Wild Bill had come together in Red's Tahoe, Gwen drove Bob's Escalade, while Taz, Sacha and Won all rode in Taz's Denali.

Taz was climbing inside of his truck when Tazneema ran up to him and said, “Taz, can I speak with you for a moment? Please?”

He stared hard at his daughter and asked her, “Have you changed your mind, 'Neema?”

“No, but—”

Before she could finish her sentence, he stopped her with his hands and said, “Then please get the fuck away from me!” He started the ignition and pulled out of his parking space, leaving his daughter standing there with tears sliding down her cheeks.

Won, who didn't know what the fuck was going on, went ballistic. “What the fuck was that, Babyboy? Why in the hell did you just speak to your child like that?”

“Let's talk about it later, O.G.I'm really not in the mood for it right now.”

“
What?
” Won turned toward Sacha and said, “Would you please explain to me what the fuck is going on around here?”

“Later, Won. Just let it be for now, okay?”

“Okay? Hell nah, it's not okay! What the fuck is going on?”

Taz sighed heavily as he told Won everything that was happening with him and Tazneema. He finished just as they pulled into Trice Hill Cemetery.

“You can't—and I mean this, Babyboy—you can't let this interfere with your relationship with your child. There has to be another way to handle this situation,” Won said.

“If there is, I haven't thought of it, O.G.What? You want me to let that nigga make it or something?”

Won stared at Sacha for a brief second then to Taz he said, “Why not? You don't have to make it so damn obvious to your daughter. She's in love with the man, Taz, for Christ's sake! Give him a pass until we can think of a better way of handling this situation.”

“Fuck, nah! That nigga is the reason we're about to put my nigga six feet deep!” Before Won could say another word, Taz jumped out of his truck and marched toward the hearse to help the others carry Bo-Pete's body to its final resting place.

Won and Sacha met up with Gwen and Tari, and they all walked toward Bo-Pete's gravesite. Sacha knew that there was nothing that could be said to Taz. She hoped and prayed that maybe Won would have been able to talk some sense into him, but all of those hopes went out the window after the conversation she heard during their ride to the cemetery. She knew for certain now that Clifford was going to be buried himself real soon.

After the Reverend finished with his final prayer, Taz and the rest of the crew stood over Bo-Pete's open grave. Each member of the crew said their good-byes in different ways. Bob pulled off his diamond-studded Cartier wristwatch and tossed it on top of Bo-Pete's casket and said, “Watch over us, gee. I love you.”

After Bob walked away, Red pulled out a picture of himself and Bo-Pete that was taken when they were vacationing in Cancun, and dropped it onto the casket and said, “You may be gone, my nigga, but you'll never be forgotten.”

Keno took one of his two-carat stud earrings and tossed it onto Bo-Pete's casket and said, “This life ain't gon' be the same without you, gee. I love you, homey.”

With tears sliding down his face, Wild Bill took off his Presidential Rolex watch and tossed it onto the casket and walked away. He was too choked up to even speak.

Finally, Taz pulled out his favorite Jesus piece and platinum chain and tossed it onto the casket and said, “Hold me down, dog. Hold me down.”

They waited and watched until three of the cemetery's caretakers came and started shoveling dirt over Bo-Pete's coffin. Once they were a quarter of the way finished, Taz turned toward the crew and said, “Come y'all. Let's bounce.”

“Are we rollin' back to the church to eat with the family?” asked Keno as he loosened his silk tie.

Shaking his head no, Taz said, “Nah. If I get too close to that wack-ass preacher, I just might sock his ass. Let's go to my spot and get faded.”

“Yeah, I'm wit' that!” Wild Bill said as he wiped his eyes.

“Bust out the XO, nigga, 'cause it's about to be a long muthafuckin' night!” Bob said as he led the way back toward their vehicles.

As Taz followed the crew back to their trucks, he paused and looked over his shoulder and said, “I got 'em, Bo. I got his ass, gee. Real talk.”

The remaining crew members, plus Won, Tari, Gwen and Sacha, were having a good time getting drunk and listening to each member of the crew as they took turns talking about something funny concerning their fallen comrade. Katrina and Paquita had been invited to their little get-together also. Taz felt that since they were kind of close to Red and Keno, they were worthy of knowing where he rested his head. Therefore, he welcomed them into his home.

“All right! All right, y'all, hold up. I got one. Do y'all remember when we had those goofy-lookin' twin niggas hemmed up at their dope spot on the east side?” asked Keno.

“You mean them fag niggas from Prince Hall?” asked Red.

“Nah, not them fools. Them niggas didn't give us a fight at all. I'm talkin' 'bout those fools who didn't want to tell us the combo to they shit. You remember, Taz. You was like, ‘Fuck it! Let's bounce!' 'Cause we had already popped they weak-ass crew comin' in.”

“Oh, I know who you talkin' 'bout. The umm . . . umm . . . what was they fucking names? Oh! Mick and Mike, or was it Mikey and Mike? Some shit like that,” Taz said and sipped some more of his XO.

“Yeah, them clowns. Anyway, remember when I got mad and was about to pop 'em?”

“Yeah, and Bo-Pete stopped you.”

“That's right! Do you know the reason why he stopped me?”

“'Cause the spot was hot and we had to get the fuck outta there!” Wild Bill laughed from the other side of the room.

“Nah, nigga. That nigga Bo-Pete was cool with them fools. He didn't want to hurt them 'cause he said y'all used to be on the same football team back at John Marshall and shit.”

“Yeah, they was, but I wasn't even thinkin' 'bout no shit like that. We was hungry, and we did what we did 'cause that was our thang,” Taz said as he sat down next to Sacha.

“I know, but you didn't care if we let them make it or not. Remember how hot Bo-Pete got at me when I told him to take his soft-ass outside to the truck while I pop them clowns?”

“Yeah. That nigga wanted to do you somethin' for real,” answered Red.

“That's right. Y'all got into it big time after you smoked them fools. Bo-Pete was mad at your ass for about a month behind that shit,” Bob said as he rubbed Gwen's thigh.

“So tell me. What's the point of this story?” asked Won.

“The point is, my nigga was a good nigga. He had a good heart. Me, I was on some Eazy-E ruthless shit. They saw our faces so they had to fuckin' go! But not my nigga Bo-Pete. He felt they wouldn't try to get back at us, so he wanted to give them a pass. That was one good nigga right there for real!” slurred Keno.

The room fell silent for a few minutes as everyone started thinking about how much they missed Bo-Pete. Taz broke the silence and said, “Come on, y'all. Let's go get something to eat. I'm fuckin' starvin'.”

“Yeah. Let's hit up one of your spots. At least that way we'll be able to eat for free!” Bob started laughing.

“Look at this clown! All those chips and he wants to get a free fuckin' meal! Niggas will always be niggas!” Red said as everyone started laughing.

Won stepped over to Taz and said, “I gots to be going, Babyboy. I got a flight to catch out of Tulsa in a couple of hours. Let me talk to you for a minute.”

Taz took Won upstairs to his bedroom and started to change clothes. As he was getting undressed, Won told him, “I don't know what's what on this last mission. Shit ain't going according to plan, so I really need for you to stay on point for me. If something goes wrong, I want you to promise me that you will take care of things that need to be taken care of.”

After Taz slid into a pair of black Dickies, he asked Won, “What are you talkin' about, O.G.? Don't be gettin' at me with no riddles. That's not for me and you. What's up?”

Won sighed, and for the first time in a long time he showed someone that he was worried. “I don't know, Babyboy. I think Pitt done got the upper hand on me this time. I haven't heard from one of my peoples in a minute, and when I got at him, I could have sworn that Pitt answered his phone.”

“So, you think that nigga Pitt got at your peeps?”

“I don't know. I think so though. Flo' is shaking me, and the rest of the council is being real tight-lipped, like they know something is about to pop off. But, look, I'm gon' keep it straight with you. If something happens to me, you will inherit everything that I have. You're like the son I've always wanted, Babyboy, and I love you that much. But you gots to promise me that you won't try to get revenge on any member of the council.”

“What are you talkin' about, O.G.? I don't even know who the council is.”

“Listen. When everything is everything, you will then understand the meaning of this conversation. You will have a decision to make, and I'm banking on you to make the right one. If something happens to me, Pitt will be responsible. Don't worry about that nigga though. He's a slipper.”

Taz smiled and said, “Yeah, and slippers fall.”

“Exactly.”

“But, on the real, what's poppin', O.G.?” Taz asked seriously.

“It is what it is, Babyboy. Only time will tell how this one is going to fall. You just make sure that you continue to stay ready. If things go as planned, I'm going to need you to be ready. If they don't, you're still going to have to be prepared to handle shit. Remember this—whatever you decide, you will have my blessing. If and when the time comes, you'll understand everything I've just told you. All of the hard work we've put in was for this sole purpose. I don't want to fail. You know I've never lost, but I got a funny feeling I just might lose this one. If that's the case, I want you in the position that I've been striving for all of these years.”

“The position of power you told me about?”

“Exactly.” Won gave Taz a tight hug and said, “We can't change fate, Babyboy. If it's meant to be, it will be. Always remember, I will always love you and that crazy-ass crew of yours.”

“Come on with that shit, O.G.! You're spookin' a nigga. We've already lost Bo-Pete. I don't think I can stand another loss that heavy.”

“Losses are a part of life, Babyboy. You can handle it. You're built for the long haul. I knew that the first day I saw you. There's one more thing I want you to do for me.”

“What's that?”

“Start thinking things through more thoroughly. You handled the situation with 'Neema ass backward. I realize it was because of your pain and anger behind Bo-Pete. She's your only child, you should have considered her feelings in this mess.”

“I did. That's why I waited to deal with that nigga, and look what happened because of me waiting.”

“Still, you should have finessed the situation instead of exposing your hand. Now you're on the verge of losing the love of your only child. If something happens to that fool right now, even if it's an accident, there would be nothing you could do or say to prove your innocence to 'Neema. She would blame you, no matter what.”

“So, what should I do now, O.G.?”

“Call her and let her know that you love her, and even though you're not feeling dude, you're willing to let this pass simply because you're hurting too damn much behind the loss of Bo-Pete. Explain to her how deeply you feel for her and her well-being. Show your seed that the love you have for her is stronger than any revenge plot. Make sure that you're sincere enough to convince her you're being real with her.”

Taz smiled and asked, “And after I've convinced her that I'm sincere?”

“You already know. Smoke that nigga! He has to be punished for our loss. But make sure you have a solid alibi, not only for the people, but for 'Neema as well.” They hugged each other again quickly, and Won said, “All right, I'm out. I'll give you a call in a few days if I've learned anything. If you don't hear from me, then that means I've went dark and I'll holla when the time is right. I have to take care of a few loose ends out in Texas, but I will get at you when the time is right.”

“What if something goes left? How will I know what's what?”

“You'll be notified,” Won said as he turned and left the bedroom.

Later on that night after enjoying a pretty pleasant evening with his friends, Taz and Sacha were lying in bed, talking about their future. “Which room are we going to turn into the baby's room, Taz?” Sacha asked as she stretched and slid into his arms.

“It don't matter to me, Li'l Mama. Whichever one you want.”

“I was thinking about the guest room right next to us. I want my baby to be as close to me as possible, all of the time.”

He laughed and said, “
Your
baby? What about me? Ain't he gon' be mine too?”

She laughed and said, “Why do you keep referring to the baby as a
he
? What if it's a she?”

Taz shook his head from side to side and said, “No way, Li'l Mama! I know for sure it's goin' to be a boy.”

“What makes you so positive about that, Mr. Taz?”

“'Cause my son is replacing Bo-Pete,” he said somberly.

“Is that the name you've chosen for him if indeed we do have a son?”

“Yep. Reginald Good—li'l Bo-Pete,” Taz said with a sad smile on his face. “Do you have a problem with that, Li'l Mama?”

“Nope. I like it, baby. I really do. Can I ask you a question though?”

“You know you can. What's good?”

“When are we going to make this engagement official and do the damn thing? I'm ready to become Mrs. Good.”

“You know, I was thinking about that too. Do you want to wait until after the baby is born, or are you ready to make it happen this summer?”

She smiled and said, “This summer is fine with me!” They laughed and shared an intense kiss with one another. Afterward, Sacha said, “Umm, you know you done got me horny with all of that sweet tongue you just gave me.”

He pulled at her transparent thong and said, “Well, let's take care of that then!”