The Streets Keep Calling (7 page)

“Yeah, you had your head up against the wall, nigga,” Borne said forcing me to face reality.

I needed to change the subject fast, so I quickly turned toward business. “Well, now it's my turn to have your back. Come in the crib so I can holla at you.” I opened the door, allowing Borne to walk through.

Trixy and Junior had gone to Ocean Breeze Waterpark for the day, so I didn't have to worry about any interruptions. I told Borne I could supply him with the drugs as long as he could move them. Borne assured me that was not gonna be a problem. I gave him the package and he was on his way. To my surprise, two days later he was ready to re-up. I knew then, business was gonna go very well.

“Yo, Biggs,” I heard a voice say as soon as I picked up the phone. It was the best little soldier I had, Li'l D.

I'd practically raised that boy. When I ran into him he was an eager little cat full of heart and ambition. The thing was, nobody would give him a chance. He kind of reminded me of myself when I was younger. While my brothers were running the streets and deep into the drug game, I was always the schoolboy. I was attending college, working toward my law degree. Every day my brothers would come pick me up from school, and I would ride around with them as they handled their business. I wanted more than anything to be just like them, but they always refused. “These streets ain't for you, boy. Everybody ain't cut out for this type of shit,” my brother would say to me crushing my hopes. So when I ran into Li'l D and saw how much heart that little guy had, I was sure to take him under my wing. Yeah, like any dude new to the game, Li'l D had his flaws, but I saw something in that boy that outweighed any flaw he had, something vital to the game. I saw loyalty and discipline. I knew if I took my time with that boy I could mold him into something great, and that's exactly what I did. Li'l D started off under all the other guys I had on my team.

All those other cats, like Mannie, had been in the game for years. That was their downfall. They felt like they had been in the game so long that no one could teach them anything about it. Not even an old cat like me, who had been hustling since the seventies. I had over thirty years beneath my belt and had never served a day in prison or even been served a warrant. It was by chance I ended up in the game, but it was my approach when dealing with the drug game that got me so far. Being a schoolboy worked to my advantage because I was a thinker. I calculated my every move. I analyzed consequences to each action I would take before I did anything. I figured out long before I entered the drug game that it was carelessness, greed, or envy that caused a man to get either locked up or killed. In fact, it was a combination of all three of those things that ultimately got my oldest brother killed and my other brother sent to prison, leaving me the head of this here empire. When there was no one else left to keep things in motion, I finally had my chance to show everybody I could hold things down. Not only did I hold shit down, but I done it in a much better way and I was still alive to brag about it.

You would think my story about my coming up should have told those young bucks something, but they didn't want to hear it. On the other hand, Li'l D did. I slowly taught him the ropes. He held on to every word I preached, and eventually made something of himself.

“What's up, little homie?” I asked, always happy to hear from him.

“Just checking in to let you know the latest on the streets. I was driving through the hood the other day, and you will never guess who I saw on the block.”

“For some reason I think I know exactly who you saw,” I said, having a pretty good idea, then continued, “The one and only Breeze.”

“Yeah, man. I'd seen him posted up by the barber shop, and when I came back through a few hours later I heard he'd copped a brick from Mannie. Look like he just doing some small work, but you might want to holla at Mannie and see what's really good. I'm surprised that nigga ain't call you and tell you.”

“Nah, I ain't heard shit from Mannie. Thanks for the report, D. I'm gonna give Mannie a call.” I said before hanging up the phone.

I never really knew what to think of Mannie. At times he would lead me to believe that he was down for the team, and at other times he would move alone like Rambo. I couldn't figure out why Mannie wouldn't call and tell me Breeze was scoring from him.

“Talk to me,” Mannie answered right away.

“Nah, that's what I need you to do. Talk to me,” I responded.

“What's good, boss?”

“I hear you doing a little business with Breeze?” I said, getting right to the point.

“Oh, yeah, yeah! He came through the hood and hollered at me. Biggs, you know he got a lot of connects. So, I was thinking, if we get that nigga to start buying from us and pushing weight like he did before he got locked up, that shit could really put money in our pockets. You feel me?” Mannie explained.

“Money in our pockets or your pockets?” I said to see where Mannie's head was at.

“Come on, Biggs. Money in my pocket is money in your pockets.”

“Okay. So what Breeze talking about?”

“He talking like he ain't really trying to push no weight, like he wanna just break shit down. But I know that shit ain't gonna work for him. Just give him time to try it out and realize that corner shit is not him. He'll be back for the weight. Trust me,” Mannie said, full of confidence.

“All right, Mannie. Let me know if anything changes.” I hung up the phone, then directed my attention toward Maria, who had just entered the room. “Hello, gorgeous,” I said to her. I'd been waiting for her arrival so that I could talk to her about something.

“Hey, baby.” Maria greeted me with a kiss.

“Is there something you want to tell me?” I asked Maria, always giving her the opportunity to make things right.

“Biggs, we're not doing this again. What is it?” Maria said with little tolerance.

“You wanna tell me where Jaden got Jordans from?”

“His father.”

“Yeah, I know. He was very proud of his gift from his father. The kids bragged to me about the time they spent at Mount Trashmore with their other daddy. Can you explain to me why I heard that from the children instead of you?” I questioned.

“Honey, I thought it was insignificant,” Maria said, reminding me of how our last conversation about Breeze went.

“Why is it you seem to think anything that has to do with your husband is insignificant?”

“Soon-to-be ex-husband and I don't need to be reminded of that. And in response to your question, it doesn't cross my mind because it
is
insignificant.
He
is insignificant,” she said with a high-and-mighty attitude.

“Maria, listen, I've said this once and I'm gonna say it again. But just know this is the last time I'm gonna say this. Nothing should go on between you and Breeze without me knowing about it.” I reiterated what I'd said in our last conversation that involved Breeze.

“Okay, honey. I got it. I won't make that mistake again,” Maria quickly submitted.

“All right, honey. Now, remember what I said. I love you and I give you everything you ask for. All I ask is that you love, honor, and, above all, respect me. As long as it stays that way, we're as good as golden, baby,” I said as I hugged my future wife and leaned in for a kiss.

Overdraft fees, voice mail messages, and customer complaints were piled high on my desk. Although I knew it was wishful thinking, I'd really hoped to get everything done by the end of the day. I hated putting things off to the next day when I could do it the same day. My problem was that I had so much to do, I just didn't know where to start. I'd been rushing so much this morning to get the branch up and running that I'd forgotten to stop at Starbucks and grab a cup of my favorite, a white chocolate mocha Frappuccino with a splash of caramel. Now that lunch time was nearing, I felt lost with no energy. I heard a knock at the door as I looked at the piles of paperwork on my desk and contemplated which task to begin with.

“Yes,” I answered without looking up.

“Good morning,” a deep voice greeted me. I looked up to see it was the gentleman I'd chatted with the other day.

“Hi.” I smiled, noticing he looked a lot different since he wasn't dressed in work clothes.

He was dressed in a pin-striped black button-down shirt that had embroidered wings on the back, with dark jeans to match, and black Air Force Ones. I was truly feeling his look. The clean-shaven face and muscular build helped as well. I could smell an old classic of Cool Water cologne lingering in the air as he came near.

“Are you busy?”

“Um, a little. How can I help you?” I inquired, twirling my pearl necklace in my hand and slightly giving him a flirtatious eye.

“I would like to open checking and savings accounts. But before I do that, I want to give you my number again just in case you lost it. I grew up with a lot of women, and I know you have so much stuff in your purse. You're bound to lose something as important as my phone number,” he explained. I found his statement rather cute.

“Well, Breeze, I haven't lost your number. And as far as your account, I'm the manager here so I don't usually handle that, but I will be more than happy to get someone to assist you,” I explained while paging Madelyn to my office. She was my right, hand person, and I depended on her a lot for the efficiency of the branch.

“You buzzed me,” Madelyn stated after walking into the office.

“Yes, I did. Thanks for coming so soon. Madelyn, this gentleman would like to open up a new account.”

“Welcome, let's go get started. I just need you to follow to me to my desk,” she responded before walking over to her office.

“Thank you for making the decision to open up an account with us. You won't regret it,” I assured Breeze.

“I know; but what I don't know is if you would be willing to have lunch with me when I'm finished with the paperwork. Does Jason's Deli sound good? I noticed you had a bag from there the last time I saw you leaving the bank.”

“So you've been watching me?” I said, impressed by his observation.

“How could I not? I'm sure you know you're a beautiful woman,” He said as he smiled at me.

“Yes, let's do lunch,” I agreed, unable to deny such a charming man.

Almost thirty minutes later, Breeze came back into my office.

“Ready for some food?” He smiled.

“Sure am.” I grabbed my things and we headed out the door.

Once we arrived at Jason's Deli, Breeze and I hit it off.

“So, Mr. Breeze, tell me something about yourself,” I expressed after sipping on fresh-brewed iced tea.

“My story ain't nothing special. My mom and grandmother basically raised me. For years, my mother let me believe that my father was a type of war hero who died for his country. When I turned sixteen, she sat me down and told me the truth,” he explained.

“What was the truth?” I inquired.

“He skipped out on her when she was five months pregnant. My mom hasn't seen or heard from him since.”

“Wow. How did it make you feel not having a father around?” I asked. I couldn't imagine being without my dad. I grew up with both my parents and, I must admit, I was a daddy's girl all the way.

“Most of the boys in my neighborhood didn't have a father. Sad to say, but it was the norm in my neighborhood. Still is, matter of fact. That's life, I guess. As I got older, I started to hustle on the streets and became really good at it, until I got arrested and sentenced to five years. I just came home from my bid.”

“Did you go to jail for drugs?”

“Yeah, but I'm done with that part of my life now. I'm on to better things. You feel me?” Breeze vowed.

“That's good to hear. Do you have any children?” I asked.

“Matter of fact, I do. I have twins, a boy and a girl named Jaden and Kaylyn. They are seven years old. I love those kids so much. Their mother, Maria, puts me on a very limited schedule to see them. A while after I got locked up, she sold my house, and since then, she has my kids looking up to another man to play daddy.”

As Breeze spoke a realization hit me.
Maria, Jaden, Kaylyn
…this had to be Mr. Biggs's family. I wasn't sure how to ask such a personal question. I approached it with much caution.

“Breeze, do you mind if I ask you a question?”

“You just did, sugar,” he replied with a grin.

“Okay, do you mind if ask you something very personal?” I chuckled.

“Nah, we're talking. Go ahead.”

“Do you know someone by the name of Mr. Biggs?” I searched his face for some sort of reaction.

“I don't know him but I've heard the name. Why?”

“Well, it's just that the family you described kind of sounds like Mr. Biggs's family. He has seven-year-old twins named Jaden and Kaylyn, and is engaged to a woman named Maria. It's too much of a coincidence that they wouldn't be the people you're speaking about.”

“Nah, I assure you that's my family. Maria ran to him when I was locked up,” Breeze said with little emotion.

“You know, it's a small world. Mr. Biggs, Maria, and the kids come in the bank every week. Let me tell you, that wife of yours is a handful,” I expressed in the most politically correct way I could.

“You don't have to say no more; I was married to the woman. I know all about her. It's either her way or the highway. When Maria was pregnant with Jaden, my mother bought us a crib from Big Lots. It wasn't good enough for her, and she threw it away and had the nerve to let my mother know how she felt. Of course, my mother was hurt behind that. Being with Maria, I had to put up with a lot of shit from her and from her family. At times, I wanted to leave, but I was in that phase where I wanted to stay for the kids. Besides all that though, she was good to me. She loved me and she always made sure I was taken care of. She would make sure I ate, kept up with my gear, and spoiled me with gifts. She stuck by the whole time I was on trial and she visited me regularly. Then a little while after I got locked up, she disappeared along with my kids. In a prison cell, you have a lot of time to reflect on things, you know? I thought I knew Maria. Never once did I think she would take my kids away from me. Then I noticed that all the things she did for me was with my money, so really I was taking care of myself that entire time. All the stuff she got for me was with my own money. Now I wonder if she ever loved me at all,” Breeze explained, shrugging his shoulders. For the first time I was able to see a little disappointment in him.

“So how are things with you and Maria now?”

“Not so good. I've only seen my kids once since I've gotten home. She won't even let me talk to them. She's on some bullshit.”

“Man, you should be able to have a relationship with your kids, though,” I added while shaking my head. “Hmm, I can't stand it when the mother doesn't let the father see his kids. There are so many deadbeat dads out there, she should be happy to have a man who actually wants to take care of his children. Why won't she allow you to see your children? Did you do something to her?” I probed in an attempt to understand the situation better.

“No. I've always been a good husband and father. With the exception of me getting locked up, I honestly don't know what her issue with me is,” he replied.

“Well, sounds to me like she's just trying to be spiteful. It's just not right.” I sighed, feeling sorry for Breeze.

“Deep down, my kids know that I love them. But enough about me, tell me a little about you, Ms. Tanisha,” Breeze said, quickly changing the subject. “So, do you have any little ones running around?” he inquired.

“No. I put college and my career first. I figured marriage and kids would come later. To be honest, I've only ever been in one serious relationship.”

“Oh, okay. So I got a good girl on my hands. I'll take that.”

“Yes, I am.” I giggled.

“Tell me about where you came from.”

“I grew up in Augusta, Georgia. My God-fearing parents have been married for thirty-one years. I am the epitome of the good-girl image. I was in church every Sunday, received all As, attended Hampton University, and have my MBA. Since eighteen, I've been working for banks off and on, so I decided to stay in the profession. I love numbers. Most of all, I love money,” I giggled.

For the next hour we talked, laughed, and joked. It was like we were old friends. It was amazing how we grew up totally different, yet we had so much in common. We both loved old-school comedy, ate dark meat only, and hated Maria's attitude. The time went by so fast. Before leaving, I made sure I gave Breeze my number. Then I sent him a text a few hours later after I got back to the bank. I really enjoyed lunch, and I was definitely looking forward to seeing him again.