No Justice No Peace (3 page)

            During half time, I managed to snatch a seat on the bleachers.  Even with the black wife-beater I wore, the sun cooked my body even more and my forehead sweated. I wiped it and took a few more puffs from the cigarette I’d gotten earlier.  I wanted a joint, but I definitely had to wait until I got home for that.  I put the cigarette out with my tennis shoe, and was surprised when I looked up and saw Anna standing next to me.

            “Do you mind if I sit?” she asked.

            I shook my head and leaned back on my elbows.  Anna took a seat next to me.  She had on number 23’s jersey, and wore a pair of tight blue jean shorts.  Her hair was in a bouncing ponytail and she had two bottled waters in her hand.

            “Here,” she said, reaching over to give it to me.

            “Thanks.”

            I opened the bottle, took a few sips and sat it next to me. “So, I guess you got a son who plays football, huh?”

            “No, I have a nephew that plays.  He’s like my son, though.  I’ve been his guardian for many years.”

            “Number twenty-three, right?”

            She nodded. “Yep.  How about you?  Why are you here?  It’s funny I’ve seen you two times in one day and I’ve never seen you before.”

            “That’s because I’m following you.” Her smile faded. “I’m just kidding.  I’m here because a friend of mine asked me to come.  His son plays for the other team.”

            “Oh, I see.  Then, maybe you should go on the other side to look for him.”

            “There’s no where to sit.  I’m fine right where I’m at.”

            Anna was quiet.  And when the game started again, Desmon got another Quarterback sack. The crowd went crazy.  I silently kept my happy emotions to myself.  I noticed him walking back to the bench, looking where I stood before.  He continued to look throughout the game, and when it was over, the final score was 41 to 7, with Desmon being on the winning team. I thanked Anna for the water and stood up to leave.

            “Kiley, before you go, maybe I can…”

            A voice interrupted. “Excuse me, but don’t I know you from somewhere?”

            I pointed to my chess. “Who, me?” I asked, looking at the woman I didn’t know.

            “Yes, you.  I can’t remember your name, but I never forget a face.”

            “You must think I’m someone…”

            Anna interrupted, “Kiley, I’ll see you around.  It was good seeing you again.”

            I said goodbye to Anna and turned to face the other woman.  “Seriously, you must think I’m someone else.  I’ve never seen you before.”

            She smiled. “Maybe not.  Then, you won’t have a problem calling me if I give you my phone number.  I hoped that wasn’t your girlfriend, because I saw you over there standing by yourself.”  She reached out and gave me a piece of paper.

            “That was pretty smooth.  And your effort has definitely earned you a call.”

            “I hope so,” she said, and then stepped down.  She waved goodbye and walked off with her friends. 

            I put the number in the pocket of my blue jean shorts and looked around for Desmon.  I could see the team heading to the locker room, so I made my way over to the door so I could congratulate him on his way out. 

            I stood for a long while and waited.  A few fans from the other side were close by and talked shit as the players came out in bunches.  Finally, when Desmon and his crew came out, somebody threw a tiny rock that hit him on the side of his face.  I didn’t do shit but back away.  Niggas swarmed like bees and went at it.  There wasn’t a cop, or nobody in sight to stop the action.  I kept my eyes on Desmon, as he seemed to have everything under control.  That was until I saw this grown-ass fool pull a knife out of his pocket.  Foolishly, Desmon challenged him and that’s when I intervened.  I grabbed Desmon by the back of his shirt, pulling him backwards. Not knowing who I was, until I stood between them, Desmon had his fist bald up, about to punch me. The fool with the knife charged at me, and the tip of his blade slit my arm.  I raised my shirt, pulling out my glock from down inside my pants.  I aimed it at him, and with no hesitation, I pulled the trigger.  It caught his shoulder and he fell backwards.  After that, the place scattered with people.   Everyone ran to their cars in fear of getting shot.  I followed Desmon to his car, and after he unlocked the doors, we both got in.  He slammed the door and looked over at me.

            “What the fuck did you do that for?  I don’t need your damn help.”

            “I wasn’t helping you.  That son of a bitch cut me, nigga.  Now, shut the fuck up and get me the hell out of here.”

            He leaned back in the seat. “I ain’t going nowhere. Going back to jail might be good for you.”

            I pulled the gun from my pants again and aimed it at Desmon. “By the time I count to three, this piece of shit ass car better be heading off this lot like all the rest.  If not, just remember that I loved you.  TWO!”

            “But, you skipped one.”

            “Three!”  I turned my head away from Desmon and pulled the trigger again. His driver’s side window shattered and he immediately cranked up the car.

            “Well, damn!  You don’t be bullshittin’, do you?” He said, driving off. 

            I ignored him and watched as more cars rushed off the crowded parking lot.  The police quickly made their way through and raced by us on the way out. 

            “Do you see all this ruckus you’ve caused?”  Desmon said, looking at the police cars and hearing the loud sirens. “And what about my window?  I want my window fixed—soon!”

            I looked at my arm as blood dripped from it.  It wasn’t a deep cut, but it was deep enough where it needed to be wrapped in bandages.  When we got to the stoplight, Desmon continued to ramble on and on about his broken window.  I calmly asked him to pull over.

            “For what?” he asked and then pulled over.

            I opened the door and got out. I then leaned down, looking at him through the window. “Good game. Next time, though, control your attitude.  It’s liable to cause you a serious loss.”

            He waved me off. “Man, fuck you,” he said, speeding off.

            I walked to the convenience mart again, and picked up a bandage for my arm.  The Arab who worked there became very familiar with my face and gave me a smile this time around. 

            When I got back home, Ginger was in the kitchen cooking dinner.  She had the phone pressed up against her ear, talking to one of her girlfriends.  I sat at the kitchen table and placed my hands behind my head.  She saw the disgruntled look on my face and quickly ended the call.

            “What happened to your arm?” she asked as I’d already started to wrap it.

            “I got cut by a piece of glass that was on the bleachers.”

            She took a seat beside me, observing my arm. “Let me see it.  I’ll wrap it for you.”

            I held my arm up while Ginger wiped the blood off with a towel and wrapped it.  I stared at her and waited for her to ask me how the game went.  She never did.  After she wrapped my arm, she opened the refrigerator and pulled out a head of lettuce.

            “Do you want a salad with your baked chicken?”

            “Do you even give a fuck anymore?”

            She slammed the lettuce on the counter and sighed. “Kiley, what do you want from me?  What are you talking about now?”

            Since I refused to argue with her, I got up and went into the living room.  I turned the TV on and plopped down on the couch.  There was no doubt I was disgusted with Ginger, and with myself for what had happened today.  What example had I set for my son?  I’d only been out of prison for two days and already had to drop somebody.  I didn’t know if the nigga was dead or alive, and frankly, didn’t give a damn. Today proved to me that I was a walking time bomb.  So much anger was inside of me and I didn’t know how to get it out, without hurting somebody.  What was I mad at, though?  As I thought more about it, it all flashed back to Desmon.  He had so much control over my mind, and my thoughts, and didn’t even know it.  He could trigger my mind off in a minute by saying or doing the wrong things. Just like Kareem did.  The only way to deal with him was to fuck with his mind as well.  He wanted me to argue with him in the car, but when I got out and told him what a good game he’d had, I’m sure that fucked with him.  Yeah, he was trying hard to push my buttons, and in a matter of time, we were going to see who would win this battle.

Chapter Three

Desmon didn’t make it home until almost four-thirty in the morning.  And when he did, he brought company with him.  Within moments after his arrival, I could hear the action from downstairs coming through the vents in the bedroom.

As I eased out of bed, Ginger lay naked beside me. We’d worked through our previous argument by fucking, and afterwards, she was fast asleep in my arms.

Making Desmon aware that I was up, I stomped on the floor, flushed the toilet and ran water in the sink.  I then put on my robe and headed downstairs to confront him.  The basement was pitch black, and when I reached to screw in the light at the bottom of the steps, the light came on.  I couldn’t see much, but I could tell the two love birds were naked. I could also see it was the cheerleader from the game who was on top of him.

“Say, man,” I said, clearing my throat. “I’m trying to get some sleep. I got a busy day ahead of me, so have a little respect, au-ight?”

Desmon patted whatever her name was on her ass. “Gabrielle, get up for a minute.” She pulled the cover over her and moved next to him in bed. He put on his shorts, then came by the steps to confront me.

“Daddy, father, poppy, or whoever the hell you wanna be, don’t try to play daddy now.  Now ain’t the time because I’m busy! So, go back upstairs and continue to plow my mother like the rest of her boyfriends, au-ight?”

I sucked my teeth. “I plan to.  And in the meantime, you go back over there and continue to plow Gabrielle, and the young lady who was here the night before, and the one who had your jersey on at the game, along with the ones who can’t stop calling this damn house.”

Gabrielle coughed, “Desmon, I’m ready to go.”

“In a minute,” he replied.

“I’m ready to go now!” 

He glared at me. “You don’t want me to make you my enemy.”

I laughed. “What’s the difference? I thought I already was.  Look, the young lady said she’s ready to go, so take her home.”

“Please,” Gabrielle added with attitude.

“See, she’s begging.” I leaned forward and whispered in his ear. “It’s obvious she’s in control of things.  It would be a shame if she started to cuss you out in front of me.  Don’t embarrass yourself. Just take the young lady home like she asked.”

 As I turned and walked away, I could already see Gabrielle putting her clothes on.  Surprisingly, Desmon had more damn respect for her than he did for Ginger and me.  I listened at the top of the stairs, as he tried to explain my accusations and begged her to stay.  She started to cry and refused to listen to him. After I heard a smack, I just knew things would get heated, but they didn’t.  I listened, as they walked upstairs together, and I hurried to take a seat at the kitchen table.  I pretended to be occupied with the newspaper in front of me.

Gabrielle opened the door, wiping the tears from her eyes.  She walked by without saying a word.  Desmon gave me a hard stare and continued to follow her to the door.  Giving me one last dirty look, he slammed the door on his way out. 

Ginger slept until almost noon. I’d already taken my morning jog, and had done my sit-ups for the day.  I was on the couch cleaning my gun.

“You keep that thing like it’s your bible or something.”

“It doesn’t compare, but I appreciate you keeping it in a safe place for me while I was gone.”

She yawned. “You know I gotta work at the club tonight, don’t you?”

“No, I didn’t know.  I thought partying was on Saturday nights, not Sunday.”

“Please, these folks around here party seven days a week.  Sunday’s be off the chain.  That’s when I make the most money.”

“What time you leaving?”

“Around nine.  Would you like to come with me?”

I shrugged. “I guess.  I don’t have much to wear, but hopefully I’ll find something.”

Ginger got her purse and reached inside.  She pulled out two one hundred dollar bills and gave them to me. “Here, go find you something to wear.  I remember when all you did was give, give and give to me, so don’t let your pride stand in the way of you taking this money.”

“Thanks,” I said, reaching for it.  I’d always had my own and it didn’t feel right taking the money from Ginger.  Even though I used to kick her out tough, for some reason, I felt less than a man. 

Ginger gave me the keys to her car, and before I left, I called Rufus on his cell phone.  He didn’t answer, but I left a message, telling him to get back with me as soon as possible. 

Not knowing the latest fashions, I hurried to the mall to find something to wear.  I found a pair of black linen pants and a short sleeve linen shirt to match. Having a little cash left over, I purchased the cheapest bottle of good smelling cologne I could find. 

I got back to Ginger’s place around a quarter to six.  We ate dinner, fucked, and then prepared ourselves to be gone by nine.  I got out of the shower, and Ginger got in. While she was doing her thing, the phone rang.  I recognized the voice on the other end, pleased that it was Rufus.

“What’s going on, my nigga?” he shouted.

“What ain’t going on, Killer?”

“How does it feel to be a free man?”

I smiled from the thought. “I can’t complain.”

Rufus laughed. “Not one bit.  But, uh, I thought you were going to holla at me as soon as you got out.”

“As soon as I got out, calling you was the last thing on my mind. Man, I was anxious to dive into some pussy and see about my son.”

“I hear ya on that. I hope you’re heading this way soon.  I told the ladies to expect you and shit down here has been off the chain.”

“I’m not trying to go that route.  Actually, I called to see if you’d do me a favor.”

“You good for it. Shoot.”

“I’m broke as hell!” I laughed.  “I need some jack.  I don’t want to work, nor do I intend to, but a nigga gotta have some money—soon.”

“Then come back to L.A., Kiley.  We setting this shit off.  You’d be proud of me and I’d be happy to hook a brotha up.  It’s just like when Papa Abrams ran the show.  The only thing missing is you.  Think about it, au-ight?”

“I will, but in the meantime, help a nigga out.”

“Say the word. Tell me how much and it’s on the way.  I got a few fellas shaking and moving through the Lou in a few days.  I’d be happy to have them make a special delivery for me.”

“I need two hundred g’s.  I don’t have transportation, I don’t have—

“Done deal.  No need to explain.  I’ll call you in a couple of days and tell you where to meet them.”

“Thanks, Killer.  You know I owe you one for taking care of the family while I was away too.”

“That was chump change.  Besides, I didn’t always send what you asked because I really didn’t trust Ginger.  Something with her didn’t sit right with me.”

“Yeah, I know.  And again, thanks.  I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Adios Amigo.  In a few days, baby, you’ll be set.”

I hung up, and soon after, the phone rang again.  I thought it was Rufus calling back, but instead, it was a man asking for Ginger.

“She’s in the shower.  Who is this?” I asked.

“Craig.  Is this Desmon?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Then, tell yo Mama to call me back. I was gonna stop by but I wanna make sure it’s cool.”

“It’s cool.”

“Then, tell her I’m on my way.”

“Sure.”

I hung up and went to the bedroom to trim my goatee.  My head was already cleanly shaven, so I hurried to put on my clothes. Finally, Ginger came out of the bathroom and walked into the bedroom to find me. When she didn’t find me there, she came into the living room where I sat on the couch.

She quickly blinked her eyes. “Damn, baby, you look nice,” she said, standing in front of me. She leaned down to give me a kiss.

I gave her a quick peck, then backed away. “Gon ahead and get dressed so we can go.”

Instead of following my order, she dropped the towel from around her and squatted between my legs. “Can I taste you before we go?  I told you how much seeing you at your best turns me on.”

I leaned back on the couch and reached for the button on my pants.  After I unzipped them, Ginger pulled my dick out.  She held a tight grip on it, while watching it grow. It was where it needed to be, and that’s when her mouth went into action.  I closed my eyes and tilted my head to the side.  Definitely to my satisfaction, I moaned and let it be known loudly that the feeling was too good to me.

“Right there, baby. I lovvve how you treat my dick like royalty.”

As she was in action, there was a knock at the door. Since I’d already unlocked it for Craig to come in, I yelled for him to do just that.  Ginger didn’t even have time enough to rise up. And when she did, all she could so was looked over at him with my dick in her hand.

Craig slowly walked in, closing the door behind him.  Ginger shot up like a rocket and I reached down to zip my pants. 

“What the fuck up with you?” he spat with spit flying from his mouth.

Ginger reached for the towel, covering herself with it. “I told you to call before you came over here, didn’t I?”

“I did call! But, what the fuck up with you sucking this nigga’s dick!”

“Hey, look, leave me out of it,” I said, holding up my hands. “I thought Ginger told you what was going down between us.”

“She ain’t told me shit!” Craig cocked his neck from side to side, eyeing Ginger. “So, that’s how it is?  You gon play me like that?”

Ginger didn’t have much to say and she kept fidgeting. “I…I told you to call, Craig.”

“Bitch, I did call!  Just answer the fuckin’ question!”

She walked to the door and stood by it. “Craig, please leave.  Don’t be coming over here calling me out of my motherfucking name!”

“I’ll call you what the fuck I wanna call you!” He opened the door. “And tell your bitch ass son don’t be playing games with me!  He knew damn well you had company!”

His words sparked a nerve.  I hopped up, grabbing his shirt to pull him back inside.  While tightly holding the back of his neck, I pressed his face hard against the door.

“That’s my fucking son you talking about, nigga! She ain’t gotta tell him shit!  If you ever bring your ass around here again, disrespecting him or his mama, you gon have to answer to me!”

After I slammed his face into the back of the door a few times, I opened it and pushed his ass outside.  He staggered while mouthing a bunch of bullshit to me.

“You punk ass fool! Don’t you ever put your goddamn hands on me again!”

I was about to reach for my gun, but I saw Desmon pulling up in his car with another companion.  They got out and walked towards the door.  He looked at Craig, then brushed up against me as he walked inside.  Ginger pulled me away from the door and closed it.

“Looks like Daddy done got himself into some more trouble. Geesh, man, I may eventually learn a lot from you. Keep it up,” Desmon chuckled. I was too upset to entertain him, so I ignored him.

Ginger turned me around to face her. “You need to calm down,” she said.  “Craig is only a friend of mine who…”

“I don’t give a fuck who he is!  Ju...just go put your damn clothes on so we can go!”

She rolled her eyes at me, said hello to Samantha and left the room.  Still fucking with me, Desmon held the smirk on his face. He sat on the couch and proceeded to roll up a joint. I watched as he sniffed it, lit it up and placed it between his lips.  He took a few hits and passed it to Samantha.  She shook her head, so he took the initiative to reach out and pass it to me. I walked up to him, smacking the joint out of his hand.

“This place ain’t big enough for the two of us.  Something’s got to give, or somebody’s got to go,” I said calmly.

He picked the joint up off the floor, putting it back into his mouth and lighting it again. He sucked in the smoke, then swallowed. “You’re right,” he said, nodding.  “For the first time, we agree. You really should go, especially since you and Mom’s boyfriends can’t seem to get along.  Now that you’ve messed up her money, she’s bound to kick you out. And from what I hear, sex doesn’t keep a woman in this day and age.  Ten years ago, maybe.  But, time moved on without you.  And as soon as you realize that, I think you’ll be okay.”

“Maybe time has moved on without me, but it’s never too late to make things right.  If you give me a chance, I promise you won’t regret it.”

Desmon looked at Samantha, “Let’s go downstairs for some privacy.”  She stood up, and all he did was snicker as they both headed downstairs.

  I felt as if I was fighting a battle that couldn’t be won. As I replayed the previous last three days in my mind, Desmon had been raised in chaos.  It was obvious Ginger and her men kept up drama. She didn’t support him in anything he’d attempted to do, and as long as we smoked weed and had sex in front of him, what else could he know?  My irate behavior wasn’t helping either.  I’d damn near killed two people in the three days I’d been out.  Three long days that made me feel as if I were better off in prison.  Maybe leaving wasn’t a bad idea.  Maybe I was better off in L.A. with Rufus and his boys.  I didn’t see any light at the end of this tunnel, but I knew I had to make some serious plans and make them soon.