Numbers (28 page)

Jenny had called with the news that Matt and Mel had been found dead in their truck with the backs of their heads blown off.

Several days passed. On the day of his cousins’ funeral, Numbers and his family hit the road to Charlotte, leaving no forwarding address. He didn’t have the heart to face his aunt. It was because of him that they were dead. He’d lost a lot in this game. More than he could ever get back. It was time for a new beginning.

He was blessed to be rid of the burden of the drug game. He’d escaped with his life and his freedom. Not many in this game
could claim the same. Coney couldn’t say that for sure; he was going to be doing a score or more federal time. Crispy Carl would be proud that Numbers got out when he did.

As for Jarvis, that chapter wasn’t closed. He’d gotten Numbers’s best friend and lover killed, plotted his demise, stolen nearly a million dollars from him and murdered his cousins in cold blood. They had been friends from boys to men, and now they were rivals to the bitter end. Numbers couldn’t help but to assimilate his situation on some
New Jack City
shit.
Am I my brother’s keeper?
Jarvis would have to answer for his treachery. Numbers would never underestimate any man again. Numbers had had Jarvis pegged wrong all along. He’d thought his childhood friend was more brawn than brain. He was surely much more than he appeared. Not just a reactor, as Numbers had previously believed. He’d proved to be more calculating, cunning, and devious than Numbers could have ever foreseen.

Numbers was warned early on by Crispy Carl that this was a grimy business, more grimy than the New York sewage system backed up on the hottest day of the year. But he could never have fathomed it would be like this.

Although he was out close to a million dollars, he was still okay. Sure, he didn’t have enough money to live comfortably for the rest of his life. He knew he wouldn’t have had that even if everything went as diagrammed, but what he did have would do until he figured out his next move. The old hustle was dead, but Numbers did have a fledgling new hustle in mind.

A brother gotta keep grinding. He ain’t got enough Numbers yet!

You would think writing the acknowledgments would be the easy part after writing a novel. But this has turned out, for me, to be the most difficult part. The difficulty has been figuring out who I should thank, who I should thank first, and then how to get started. Should I praise GOD first as so many do? Or should I thank Nikki Turner for opening up this avenue for me?

After weeks, even months, of deliberation, I finally decided how I wanted to start this and who I wanted to thank first, so here it is.

I’d like to thank me … Dana Dane! I know you think it might sound a little arrogant and pompous, but it’s not like that at all. I decided thanking myself first is appropriate because
I made this happen! It started with me writing the first word, sentence, paragraph, chapter, and ultimately the book. I believed in myself when no one else would bother with me. It was my determination, drive, ambition, and focus that made this possible. It was my will to not let this be just another incomplete brilliant idea. This process was on me! Either I did it or it wouldn’t have gotten done. So kudos to me for understanding that you’re never too old and it’s never to late to accomplish something new, to live your dream and find your passion.

Now, with that said … no one does anything by themselves! I would be nothing without the blessings, grace, and mercy of GOD! GOD has answered so many of my prayers and come to my rescue more times than I can count. I am truly blessed.

I have been blessed with a nurturing mother, Nora Olivia McCleese, who made it possible for me to believe the impossible was attainable. Through her hard work and dedication to me and my sister, Sheryl, I knew anything could be accomplished. I think it unimaginable to have a better mother, parent, guardian, or friend. Thank you, Mommy. I love you!

To my son Dana “Young Dane,” whose own talents and abilities have inspired me to write more than rhymes. There is no limit to what you can and will accomplish. I look forward to cheering, guiding, and assisting you as you make your dreams and passions reality, whatever they may be. You have to know and believe as my mother taught me that greatness is possible.

To his mother, Sheleise, for being a great friend to me and a better mother to our son. You are truly a gem.

To my lady, Tana, for being a steady, sobering voice. Thank you for proofreading my book and making me understand that I need to brush up on my English 101. Now if I can just get organized. LOL!

And thanks to all the people I called to help me with my background information to make this story as true as possible: Theo
“Teddy” Adams, for letting me see the Norfolk, Virginia, area through your eyes. And Slick Dave aka Slick Daddyism, Thurst, Mikey Dread, Chief J-Rocker, Karief, Robo, Troy “Preme” Mott, Noodles aka Diggy, Andre “MR.” Williams, and Joseph C. Grant, for your creative insight.

Craig Robinson, thank you for your time and dedication to my project. You are a phenomenal talent—can’t wait to read your book. Thank you for your guidance, advice, and suggestions throughout this process. I’ve learned a great deal from you.

To Nikki Turner, my sister, one of the most talented and creative writers and people ever! You have given me the opportunity to expand my brand and extend my craft to those who might believe that a hip-hop artist like myself can only rap. You have become like a sister to me. Thank you for providing the talented group of people to help make my idea a reality. Thank you for all you are, have been, and will be. I truly appreciate you and I have genuine love for you!

To all the gifted and skilled writers, artists, editors, and other employees at One World/Ballantine/Random House who shaped my piece of coal into a diamond, especially Melody Guy, Porscha Burke, Beth Pearson, and Pat Mac: I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

To my friends—my support system and inspiration—you all have given me your assistance with your encouragement and prayers. You are greatly appreciated. Thank you! Thank you! Mark Boogie Brown, D-Nice, Michael “Harry-O” Harris, Leslie Wyatt, Joey, Lance Brown, Kool Alski, Wilfred “Omega” Hilton, Slick Rick and Mandy, Bido 1, Christopher “Play” Martin, Kym Smith, Mark “DJ Wiz” Eastmond, T.N. Baker, Scharee Brown-Davis, Lady B, Julie Evans, Mark Anderson, Gary, Al, Carlos, Big Dre, Lydia Harris, Red Alert, Grace/Harlem Diamonds, Dougie Dee, The Awesome 2, The Game, Big Ced, Scheketta Lawson, Dionne Randall, Jesse Itzler, Robert “Real” Nance, Regina King, Carl “C Boogillz,”
Soulgee McQueen, Buckshot, Ty Deals, Blue Flame, Chubb Rock, GMD, Whodini, Big Daddy Kane, Postive K, Elisa Askew, Stephanie Carnegie, Fred Crawford, MC Lyte, K Rock, Maha, Ice T, Queen Latifah, Melinda Williams, Chris Rock, Scott Modlin, Tonya Bird, Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew, James “D Train” Williams, John Adams (Flashback TV), The Source, Joeski Love, Ronnie Triana, Wiz, Prowski, Francine and Champ and the Gray family, Thirstin Howl III, Kwamé and Tamekia Holland, Charles Oakley, Perry “Don P.” Foster, Ash, E Boogie, Wayne Mayo, B. J. Stone, Cathy Borusso, Kenneth Spellman, Mark Jackson and Desiree Coleman-Jackson, my Sirius Satellite Radio family, DJ Kaos, Darren “D Love” Harrington, Rod Strictland, Full Force, UTFO, Mike Dean, Jermaine & Jimmy, Lilias Rodriguez, Irving Pantin, Kenny “The Jet” Smith, Scoob Lover aka Johnny Famous, Sadat X, Ike Capone, Dr. Roxanne Shanté, James Prince, Todd Westphal, Kenneth “Boo” and Wanda Williams, Ralph McDaniels, Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, and countless others!

My godchildren—Janay Wells, Bianca Graves, KJ and Khalil Williams, Julian Taylor-Brooks—and my stepson, Brandon Thompson.

Thank you, too, my legal counsel, Scott Mason and Clyde Vanel, and my business manager, Robert P. Reilly.

If I missed you, I didn’t diss you, I just forgot to list you! Love, Respect, Blessings … Fullcircle … Dane

D
ANA
D
ANE
gained notoriety in 1985 with the release of the classic rap single “Nightmares” off his 1987 gold-selling debut album,
Dana Dane with Fame.
Known as one of the icons of hip-hop and one of its greatest storytellers, Dana has expanded his craft and entertainment outreach with his debut novel. A former Sirius Satellite Radio host, Dane tours with other hip-hop icons. Dana Dane currently resides in New York near his mother, sister, and teenage son. He is working on his next novel.