Streets of New York Volume 1 Anthony Whyte

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crime side

ERICK S GRAY

“I ain’t down for this shit. I’m out,” Promise said, leaving the room and heading back to the truck.

Within ten minutes, both hos’ were getting sodomized in the motel room something serious. Their pimp was tied up and placed in the corner. All he could do was bit his tongue, screaming out. He watched both his hos’ fucking and sucking.

Promise woke up to the sound of Jay Z’s Big Pimpin, blasting through his stereo system.

You know I thug ‘em, fuck ‘em, love ‘em, leave ‘em

Cause I don’t fuckin’ need ‘em

Take ‘em out the hood

Keep ‘em looking good

But I don’t fuckin’ feed ‘em

First time they fuss I’m breezin’

Talking ‘bout what’s the reasons

It was his alarm indicating it was time to get his ass up and get ready for the long day ahead. He tossed and turned for a few moments, trying to drown the sound out by placing the pillow over his head but it didn’t work. Jay Z’s vocals could still be heard loudly. He cursed himself for setting his stereo alarm so damn loud.

…beep-beep and I’m pickin ‘em up

Let ‘em play with the dick in the truck

Many chicks wanna put Jigga fist in cuffs

Divorce him and split his bucks

Just because you got good head

I’mma break bread

So you can be livin’ it up

Shit I part’s wit nuthin’

Y’all be frontin’…

“Fuck it!” he mumbled, throwing back the covers and rising. “She gotta get up anyway,” he said referring to his company in the next room. He stepped out of bed clad only in his red, silk boxers and quickly pressed the power button on the stereo shutting off the loud rap.

We spendin’ cheese

Check ‘em out now

Big pimpin’

On B.L.A.D.’s

We doin’ big pimpin’ up in NYC

It’s just that Jigga-man, Pimp-C and

B.U.N.B.

Check ‘em out now…

He headed to the second bedroom and peered in at her sound asleep. She was looking so peaceful he thought he should give her five more minutes. Maybe go downstairs and make a quick cup of tea, then come back and wake her.

“Nah, fuck that, she can’t be late again,” he thought aloud, staring at the time. It would soon be seven. Promise walked into the bedroom and sat gently down on the bed next to her. He silently looked at his three-year old daughter, Ashley.

“Ashley, get up,” he said shaking his daughter gently. “Ashley, it’s time to get up for school.”

Ashley didn’t respond to her father’s gentle nudges. She was sound asleep.

“Ashley, c’mon, we gotta get you ready for school.”

Promise threw the covers off his daughter and smiled when he saw her in her Dora the Explorer pajamas looking so cute with her hair nicely braided up and nestled against her pillow.

He picked his daughter up in his arms still trying to wake her gentle, “C’mon, baby-girl, you wanna stay up wit’ daddy all night and now you can’t get up in the morning. I’m gonna have to start putting you to bed earlier.”

Ashley slowly opened her eyes. “Daddy, I don’t wanna go to school,” she said.

“Why not?”

“Because I’m tired.”

Promise chuckled to himself. “You still going to school. You can take a nap later.”

“Daddy, daddy I wanna sleep.”

“Ahight, when you get home tonight you’re going to bed early. Okay, baby girl?”

“Daddy…”

Promise picked his daughter up in his arms and carried her off to the bathroom to get her washed. He bathed his daughter at night so it was easier to get her ready in the mornings. All he had to do was use a washcloth and have her brush her teeth in the mornings.

“Ashley, brush your teeth properly now. We can’t have you going to daycare with your breath stinking, okay.”

Ashley stared at her father holding the toothbrush in his hand. The water was rapidly coming from the sink. This was part of their morning routine. His daughter knew what was up by now. First brush your teeth then wash your face. Then Ashley had breakfast.

Promise left her in the bathroom trusting that his daughter wouldn’t give him any problems this morning. Yesterday, he went into the kitchen for ten minutes to start up breakfast. When he came back into the bathroom to check on his daughter, he found her fast asleep again on the bathroom floor. He laughed at first but had to get serious, telling her to get up and get ready for daycare.

He went into the kitchen to prepare oatmeal for his baby girl. She loved it along with Fruit Loops and candy. Promise also knew that his daughter needed to eat healthy too. He didn’t want his baby girl growing up with weak bones. She was spoiled but not completely rotten.

After starting the oatmeal, he made a fresh kettle for his tea and then returned back to the bathroom to see his daughter still brushing her teeth and playing with the water. It was almost overflowing onto the floor.

“Ashley, what the hell you doing?”

“Brushin’ my teeth, Daddy.”

“You getting water all over the floor and look at your shirt! Damn girl! Why you always gotta make a mess?” He barked, stepping into the bathroom, shutting off the water and removing the toothbrush from her hand. “C’mon, you gotta get dressed.”

He carried his daughter back into her bedroom and removed her damp pajamas tossing them to the floor. Promise shook his head peering down at her as she looked up at him, smiling. She was a mess.

“I wanna watch cartoons, Daddy. I wanna watch Wiggles,” she said.

Wiggles was one of Ashley’s favorite morning cartoons. Watching it would certainly distract her and he didn’t need that.

“Later, we gotta get you dressed for school now.”

“But I wanna watch Wiggles, Daddy.”

“Ashley, don’t start today, okay?”

She started pouting, folding her arms across her chest and displaying her disagreement with her father’s decision. Promise put lotion on his daughter.

“Daddy, can I please watch Wiggles? Please, daddy.”

Promise sighed, giving into his daughter’s demand. He searched for the remote to her TV, and turned to Wiggles. Ashley smiled, “Thank you, Daddy.”

“Yeah, okay.”

Promise glanced at the time. It was 7:15 a.m. He needed to be out the door by 7:45, so he’d able to reach his 8:30 appointment across town in Brooklyn. He hurried his daughter to get dressed, throwing her into her uniform, a yellow buttoned down shirt, checkered green and yellow skirt, and her cute little shoes. Then he carried his daughter into the kitchen, sat her at the table and placed a small bowl of oatmeal in front of her, telling her to eat.

“Daddy, I want honey and my juice,” Ashley requested.

Rushing to the fridge and pouring his daughter a cup of red Kool Aid, Promise let out a loud sigh. He then turned on the TV in the kitchen and set the channel to Wiggles keeping his daughter preoccupied with her breakfast and her favorite show.

He rushed into the bedroom to get dressed. There was not enough time to shower so he washed, quickly brushing his teeth, threw on cologne and quickly put on his gray Sean John jeans, a blue Rocawear T-shirt, and beige Timberlands. Promise scurried back into kitchen to tend to his daughter.

“You finish?” he asked.

“Look daddy, I spilled my juice.”

“Damn it, Ashley,” Promise shouted when he saw the red Kool Aid all across the table and some on her uniform. Now he had to clean the mess and probably change her uniform.

“I’m sorry, daddy.”

“Forget it. We gotta go.”

Promise hurried out his fifth floor apartment in Far Rockaway, Queens. He didn’t have time for the elevator. He dashed down the grungy staircase carrying his daughter in one arm and her book bag in the other. Luckily, he’d parked his X5 close by. He put Ashley in her car seat, dashed around to the driver’s side, and quickly peeled away.

“Damn, I’m gonna be late,” he hissed.

Promise reached the daycare at 8:15 a.m. He didn’t even shut his engine off, unlocked his doors and ran around to where Ashley sat. He unbuckled her, hastily took her out of her seatbelt and rang the bell to the daycare.

“Good morning, Mr. Carter,” one of the teachers at the center greeted.

“Hey, what’s up? I’m in kind of a rush. Bye, Ashley. Here, give me hugs and kisses.”

Ashley went to her father, giving him quick hug and kiss then turned to her daycare teacher. Promise rushed back to his jeep and sped off to Brooklyn.

It had been six months since Ashley came to live with her father. Ashley had been staying with her mother, Denise Jenkins until she was murdered. Then Ashley moved in with her father. Promise didn’t mind taking on this new responsibility.

He loved his daughter to death and would do anything for her. He wasn’t trying to hear about his only beloved daughter being turned over to the state, an orphan living from group home to group home, trying to be adopted like he was once. At first, it was hard for him doing what he did but they had adjusted and now he couldn’t live a day without her.

Hearing about his baby mother’s murder fucked him up bad. Promise couldn’t sleep, eat, or do anything for two weeks. Even though they hadn’t been together as a couple, they were cool. They both took good care of their daughter.

Denise was murdered by a punk-stick-up-kid, in front of her building one night in Bushwick. She had been coming home from work, getting ready to pick up her daughter from a neighbor when a young thug in a black hoodie, dark jeans and dirty black Timberlands emerged from out of nowhere startled her, demanding that she give up her purse and jewelry. He was looking jittery coming at her armed with a .357. She gave him her purse easy but was adamant about not giving up her jewelry, especially since her necklace had been a gift from her father and had been around her neck since she was six.

The young robber struggled with her for her jewelry snatching off her bracelet and when he went for her necklace, she slapped him. Denise was a tough girl from the block and seeing a gun didn’t easily scare her. She was from the rough streets of Brownsville and had seen a gun before. The young thug sticking her up looked no older than sixteen and he was acting scared.

Denise was damned if some pussy-ass-broke-hood-nigga with a gun was gonna rob her of something so sentimental to her. She didn’t even think that the gun was loaded. They fought and Denise was whooping his ass for a minute until the gun went off, the explosion caused her to grasp her chest. Shocked at the impact of getting shot, Denise suddenly collapsed to the ground.

That young fool snatched her diamond necklace, darted down the block and disappeared into the night leaving Denise dead. A neighbor on the first floor of Denise’s building heard the gunshot and she looked out her window. She saw Denise lying face down on the concrete in front of the building with blood oozing from her gunshot wound, and immediately called the cops.

The next day, Promise heard she was murdered. He cried in front of his peeps, collapsing to the floor. Squeeze, his main nigga, tried to console him but couldn’t understand the pain he felt. After all Promise wasn’t living with Denise and for the most part was over her.

Within a week, Squeeze and his niggas set out for the Brooklyn streets looking for Denise’s killer. They even put word on the streets that there was a $5,000 reward for any bitch or nigga willing to come forward and give information on who did it and where they were hiding. The following week, they got their results. There was a young nigga named Muddy, who was known for sticking up muthafuckas in Bushwick. He earned a deadly rep out there.

Soon after receiving the info, Squeeze and his crew caught up with Muddy. They put three shots in his head, one in the eye and two in the back of his head. They even found Denise’s necklace on him—stupid muthafucka.

Promise hit the Belt Parkway doing 65 in his X5. He was on his way to Bed Stuy to meet Squeeze, Show, and Pooh, his niggas from way back when they used to wrestle each other on the playground.

Pooh was the youngest at twenty-one and he had a short temper and could be very loud and violent. He grew up in Brownsville but spent the majority of his youthful years in Bed-Stuy. To him, that was more his home than anywhere else. Pooh was 6-1, slender nigga rocking a baldy and the only nigga in the hood with hazel eyes. Bitches used to love that nigga for his eyes. He got a lot of pussy when he was young and he was still fucking.

Show, he was a big dude pushing 250 pounds. Solid muthafucka and tall too, 6-5 and looking like that nigga, Eric Sermon from EPMD. Shit, Show was always the biggest. When he was twelve, he weighed 200 pounds. They called him Show because when he used to play high school football, he used to sack the quarterback so fucking hard, it was always a show to see. People came from all corners of Brooklyn, Manhattan, and even Queens to see Show play football. It was even more of a thrill to see when he put the quarterback on his ass and tackled the breath out of his opponents on the field.

He got a scholarship to play for Virginia Tech his senior year but fucked that up. A month before his high school graduation, he was caught dealing drugs on the corner of his block.

Squeeze, was the wild and crazy nigga. He was born in Jersey and moved out to Brooklyn when he was ten. He had lived there with his moms ever since. Squeeze was twenty-five and he was the type of guy that always had to be seen and heard wherever he went. Squeeze was rowdy in the club and was always scheming.

Bitches and niggas gave him love because he was strictly street mentality and he sported a don’t-give-a-fuck-about-life attitude. A nigga fucked with Squeeze, a nigga better come correct or don’t come at all because Squeeze didn’t forget shit. He didn’t forgive easily and held grudges. Squeeze was not a big dude, 5’9, 157 pounds with gentle features and a little bit of well-groomed facial hair. He was a slim nigga with short hair but was real gangsta.

Then there was Promise, the fourth member. He hooked up with Squeeze, Show, and Pooh when he was thirteen after he moved to Brooklyn from Queens. It took him a while to fit in but he eventually did and the four guys had been like brothers since. They mostly hung out over on Fulton and Throop. Promise always had a nonchalant attitude being a cool ass nigga. He got lots of respect from niggas for being Squeeze’s boy and he looked out for many niggas back in the day when they got into trouble.

Promise put in his Ashante CD and cruised into Brooklyn. Under the driver’s seat, was a loaded silver .32 which had never been used. He just kept it under his seat for protection. No bodies, no nothing. Promise had kept the gun closer for a year now.

For some reason when he hit Atlantic Blvd, Promise started thinking about his life and the man he had become. He didn’t hold a nine to five like most average folks. He didn’t run the streets on a daily basis like his nigga, Squeeze, and the others. Promise didn’t fuck around with many women like he used to do back in the days. Ever since he got custody of his daughter, the flow of pussy had slowed. He spent more time with his daughter, and loving every minute of it.

Promise tried to live a normal life but that was difficult when raising a child and at the same time being a Brooklyn stick-up kid. It was how he made his money. Promise was robbing niggas in the hood, pimps, hustlers, and drug dealers. Shit, if they were balling and flashing then they would just get got.

Squeeze played the game like that and brought the others in. He was always plotting and scheming, finally he put his niggas on.

“We can make some real money,” he had told them. “Real money, real soon,” Squeeze had said.

Lately Promise had been feeling a change of heart about what he did. He had Ashley to take care of and didn’t wanna take a chance of losing his daughter by getting got out there or, getting locked up, worse, being killed by robbing one of the wrong niggas in the streets. He’d been having a change of heart lately wanting out but the money was too good.

Squeeze and the team had been doing what they do for years now. They had their ups and downs in the game but on the real, shit paid off for niggas. They were all pushing nice cars and flossing nice jewelry and clothes. In one month, niggas might make up to $25,000, maybe $30,000 if shit flowed right for them and that’s if they caught a true baller lapsing.

They might catch that nigga for a few bricks and then they’d go out to Jersey and hustle them same keys for a wholesale price, hooking niggas up out there lovely. And if it came down to it, they might occasionally go out and do some B & E’s, hitting up homes in Long Island, Staten Island, and even New Jersey. Squeeze got his niggas into all kinds of shit because he was a money nigga, a hustler willing and ready to get that money by any means necessary.

The one good thing about Promise’s track record in his life of crime was that he had never killed anyone. Too bad he couldn’t speak for the rest of the fellows in his crew especially Squeeze. Promise might have been an accessory to murder, assault, and other shit like that but the nigga never took a life, never pulled the trigger therefore, the nigga can sometimes sleep easy at nights. Lately, even being an accomplice still fucked with his conscience.

He planned to meet with Squeeze and the rest of the guys around 8:30 at Squeeze’s uncle’s crib. Squeeze’s uncle was an ol’ school hustler who’d been in and out of prison since he was fifteen. He stayed in the basement with his girl in a brownstone on Kingston Ave. His girl’s family had the rest of the crib upstairs.

Promise was late pulling up in front of the place at 9:15. He rushed out his vehicle and dashed down the steps, ringing the basement bell. Squeeze’s Uncle Junior answered the door in dirty jeans and a torn wife-beater.

“Nigga, you late,” Uncle Junior stated with a cigarette dangling from his lips. “You got my nephew waiting for your punk ass. We got work to do, nigga!”

Promise looked at Uncle Junior not even acknowledging his presence and walked right by him. Promise entered the basement apartment and saw his niggas sitting on an old green couch smoking trees and talking.

“Damn, Promise. What da fuck, yo? You got us waiting down here forever,” Pooh shouted.

“Nigga, I had to take my daughter to school, ahight?” Promise answered with annoyance.

“Yeah, whatever, my nigga,” Squeeze said getting up out of his seat and approaching Promise. He gave him dap and a hug. “I’m glad you came anyway. You know we can’t do this shit without you, my nigga.”

“I still say you should leave his punk ass out and bring me in wit’ y’all. I need to get dis money too, nigga,” Uncle Junior chimed in, swaggering into the room behind Promise. His breath was reeking of alcohol.

“Uncle Junior, look at you. It ain’t even noon yet and you’re halfway drunk, man. Nigga, you stay your ass home. Niggas can’t be having you fuck our shit up.”

Uncle Junior plopped down on the couch next to Show. Show never liking the nigga, glared at him. Uncle Junior was not a well-liked guy in da hood. He was considered a fuck up to most and a drunk to many. It was a wonder how his woman put up with him. He wasn’t about shit and never would be.

It was even a shock that the nigga got a bitch to have under his arms at all. Carina, they say she was too nice of a girl to be with a man like Uncle Junior. She was a pretty bitch too. The nigga must’ve got that magic-stick to keep a woman like her around.

“Uncle Junior, your breath stinks!” Show insulted rising out of his seat and sitting down next to Pooh.

“Fuck y’all niggas. Y’all mutha-fuckas gonna give me respect in my own damn house,” Junior demanded.

“Fuck you, drunk,” Show replied. “I wanna see you throw me out.”

“Youngblood, don’t fuckin’ test me. I don’t give a fuck how drunk you may think I am or how big your fat ass is. I’ll still…”

“Y’all two just shut da fuck up for now. Dammit! Y’all niggas acting like bitches,” Squeeze shouted.

“Call your fuckin’ uncle off then, Squeeze,” Show said.

“Show, chill out. We got business to take care of today. You wanna get this money today? Huh, nigga?”

“Ahigit, Uncle Junior take your ass in the back room so me and my niggas can talk some business.”

“Why, it’s my place, nigga! I don’t see you paying rent here,” Junior exclaimed.

“Nigga, I said take your fuckin’ ass into the back room before I come over there and get real on you,” Squeeze shouted.

Uncle Junior appeared punk’d, getting screamed on by his own flesh and blood, slowly stood up. He peered around and slowly walked off to the bedroom in the back. Everyone waited and watched, making sure he was gone before getting back to the business at hand.

“I got word on them niggas that be over on Tompkins and Myrtle. They holding serious weight up in them buildings,” Squeeze informed his niggas. “I’ve been staking the place out regularly.”

“So what you saying, Squeeze? You ready to hit ‘em up?” Pooh asked.

“Yeah.”

“When?”

“Today.”

“Nigga is you crazy!” Promise interjected, “We ain’t plan for dis shit. We don’t know what those niggas are holding up in there and how many niggas be up in there. It’s too risky, Squeeze.”

“Fuck dat! They ain’t packin’ heat like that. Niggas up in them buildings are too laidback. They be thinking niggas can’t get at them. They thinking they can’t get got, Promise. We gotta let ‘em know.”

“Fuck it, nigga. I’m down for it,” Show said.

“What about you, Pooh? The money’s there, no question to it. If we don’t get at these niggas today, no telling when might be our next chance.”

“Fuck it! I’m in too,” Pooh agreed.

Squeeze looked over at Promise who was still standing, “Promise, we need you, baby. You know we can’t do dis shit without you, nigga. We a team. We get dat money together or we don’t get dat money at all.”

Promise sighed. “Ahight, yo, I’m in.”

“My nigga.”

“You got a plan for dis shit, Squeeze cause I ain’t trying to fuck up getting this money,” Show said putting the cigarette to his lips and taking a quick drag.

“Of course, nigga. I wouldn’t have brought the shit up if I didn’t.”

“How we gonna do this?” Pooh questioned.

“Like I said, them niggas up in the Tompkins housing are too laid-back wit’ their shit. They slipping, baby. Majority of them niggas that be up in there running business in them apartments are young niggas and they pussy. So we ain’t got nuthin’ to worry about.”

“But who backing them?” Promise asked.

“Some new nigga from Jersey. He go by the name Nine. And he workin’ wit’ his cousin from Flatbush. He got shit stashed in his cousin’s crib. I say about three or four keys of weed and about half a key of dat powder. They moving shit in and out of the apartment like crazy. Money’s coming in, and lots of it. We ain’t gotta worry about Nine. It’s his cousin we gotta worry about. He got clout but da nigga’s outta town ‘til Thursday so we gotta move early. I got this girl that be up in the buildings. She be giving me the rundown when they be moving and where they be moving they shit. If we hit ‘em up today, we hittin’ the jackpot.”

“But why hit ‘em in daylight?” Promise asked.

“It’s too risky during the night. Niggas be runnin’ around at that time. Plus, dats when they expect jackas to come. They more alert during the night. We gotta hit ‘em early today. They ain’t gonna be expecting niggas like us to be comin’ through durin’ broad daylight. I’ve passed there a few times durin’ the day and it be off da hook up in dat bitch. Them young niggas be sitting around playing Game Boy, chattin’ on their cellie, serving customers, and pullin’ bread. They don’t be on point like that. We do it right and we got this money in da bag.”

“I feel you, Squeeze,” Pooh replied taking a pull from the weed.

Promise glanced at the time and it was 10:00. He had to pick his daughter up from daycare around five. He prayed that this job would go right. His daughter needed him after school and he couldn’t afford to lose his baby girl over some bullshit.

“This shit better work, Squeeze. I got my little girl to go home to.”

“Trust a nigga, Promise. Damn, how many years have we been out here doing this shit, catching niggas slipping and we didn’t fuck up yet? I know what da fuck I’m doing. I ain’t no rookie nigga out here trying to get my dick wet in the game. My shit always comes through,” Squeeze said oozing with confidence.

Around noon, all four hopped into Squeeze’s truck, a burgundy GMC, and headed down Bedford Ave toward the Tompkins Houses to pull off their heist. Squeeze drove, Show rode shotgun, and Promise and Pooh occupied the backseat. They all were heavily armed. Promise had a .380 and Pooh was always armed with a silver 9mm. Squeeze and Show both had .45s and were ready to use deadly force if it became necessary.

They reached Tompkins in a short time. Everyone knew their job and was savvy on how to put it in effect. Squeeze stepped outta the truck first. He was parked three blocks away and walked down Tompkins with Show by his side.

The target was on the 8^th floor, a two-bedroom apartment. Squeeze knew how these young niggas operated their business. It was definitely sloppy and he wondered why these niggas ain’t get got for their shit yet.

Squeeze approached one of the young hustler’s on the street while he was sitting on a milk crate, talking to some bitch on his phone. He didn’t even notice Squeeze coming until he was up on him.

“Yo, son, you got dat trees?” Squeeze asked.

The young hustler looked up and Squeeze didn’t look like a threat, just looked like some average nigga wanting to get high. Of course the young nigga didn’t know his rep.

“What you want? Choc lit’ or haze?” the young kid asked.

“I’m looking for ounces. Nine sent me through. Told me y’all lil’ niggas can hook a nigga up wid da bomb-shit.”

The young kid stared at Squeeze with quick doubtful eyes. “You know Nine?” he asked.

“Yeah, I’m here from Jersey City.”

“Oh word? You from Jersey, huh?”

“Yeah...”

“Ahight, upstairs, son. Got my nigga, Shawn, holding down business on the 8^th floor. It’s going for 12 large. You feel me?”

Squeeze reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of hundreds. The young hustler’s eyes lit up when he saw all that money.

“How many niggas up there?” Squeeze asked, looking like he was paranoid in front of dude.

“You scared, son? We ain’t gonna take your money…you know Nine…anyway, my nigga Shawn and D up there. They good. Knock at apartment 8D. Three slow knocks will get you in.”

Squeeze smiled, thinking to himself that this was a dumb nigga; these muthafuckas definitely deserved to get got for their shit. First off, the nigga talked too fuckin’ much and second, the nigga was too trusting and those were two fatal mistakes.

Show was standing by the corner and Pooh and Promise were already in the building waiting to move. Shit was too easy. They didn’t even need a four-man crew to pull it off.

“Good lookin’ out, yo,” Squeeze thanked, stepping back from da nigga.

Squeeze thought to himself that after they were done handling their business upstairs, robbing these clown ass niggas in the apartment, he was going to come back down and handle son sitting on the milk crate, get him for everything he got. The young hustler went back to chatting with some bitch on his cellphone. He walked into the building lobby where Promise and Pooh were waiting. Show stepped in a few seconds later.

“What I tell y’all niggas, easy money to get got. C’mon, let’s get this shit over wid. I got some pussy to tend to later,” Squeeze announced.

They all walked into the elevator and rode it to the 8^th floor. Squeeze and Pooh stepped out first; their guns concealed in their waistbands. They looked for the apartment and Squeeze felt so sorry for these dumb niggas he almost let out a laugh.

“8D, here we go,” Squeeze said.

Promise and Show were standing guard by the elevator. Squeeze didn’t want too many niggas by the door. He didn’t want to intimidate da niggas inside. Squeeze gave the apartment door three slow knocks like money downstairs told him to do. A few seconds later, he heard locks being unlocked and the door opened. A young baby faced nigga answered. He had his shirt off exposing his bird looking chest.

“You Shawn?” Squeeze asked.

“Yeah, Donny sent y’all niggas up?” He asked.

“We lookin’ to get some onions.”

“Ahight.” Shawn peered at Pooh for a minute. The tall slim nigga invited the two in and shut the door behind them.

Squeeze cased the joint quickly. Glancing around looking for the second guy and trying to see how many rooms there were. The apartment was sparsely furnished with a run down looking couch, a few chairs and tables set up, no carpeting, the smell of weed lingering in the air. Yeah, Squeeze was definitely in the right apartment.

“Yo, I’m gonna have to search the two of y’all,” Shawn said to them.

Squeeze and Pooh let out a slight smirk.

“Whatever, yo,” Pooh replied.

Shawn went up to Pooh and started to pat him down but before he could reach around his waist and the feel the gun that Pooh was concealing, Squeeze swiftly pulled out his .45 and quickly put it to Shawn’s temple.

“Shut da fuck up and don’t move, nigga, before I blow your fuckin’ head off,” Squeeze warned.

“Yo, chill, chill, chill, yo,” Shawn stuttered in a panicky voice. He had his arms raised and Squeeze forced him down on his knees.

“Where your boy at?” Squeeze asked.

“Huh?”

“Nigga, don’t play dumb. Where da fuck is your boy?” Squeeze asked again pressing the tip of the .45 harder against Shawn’s skull. He didn’t want to alert the second man or whoever was in the house.

“I think he’s in da bathroom.”

Squeeze nodded his head toward Pooh and Pooh quickly went toward the bathroom. The bathroom door was shut and locked indicating someone was in there. Pooh stood flushed by the wall outside the bathroom door waiting. They heard the toilet flush and the sink running. Then the bathroom door opened up and another slender young male stepped out wearing a white T and blue jeans but before he even took three steps, Pooh lunged at duke jerking him by the arm and placing the barrel of the .45 to his skull. The young stranger suddenly began to panic, having a .45 pressed to his head.

“Don’t kill me, please…I ain’t carrying, yo…believe me,” the young stranger said to the two young men.

“Y’all get on your knees, now!” Squeeze ordered.

The two men did as told and rested down on their knees with their fingers locked behind their heads and peered up at Pooh and Squeeze who had them at gunpoint.

“Where da shit?” Squeeze asked.

Neither answered. They both glanced at each other.

“Oh, no one heard me?” Squeeze angrily uttered and to let niggas know he was serious, Squeeze suddenly started to pistol whip one of the two men striking him multiple times against his face wit’ the .45. Shawn bellowed. His friend did nothing but watch.

“Ahight yo, I’m gonna ask again and if I don’t hear shit, dats my word. One a y’all niggas is dying in here today,” Squeeze said cocking back his gat. “Where da shit at?”

“It’s in the bathroom, the two cabinets under the sink,” the second dude answered softly.

“You sure?”

He nodded his head in affirmation.

“Pooh, go get dat.”

Pooh scurried into the bathroom while Squeeze kept them at gunpoint. Promise and Show remained outside the apartment keeping watch by the elevator. Promise was wondering what was taking these two niggas so long. He couldn’t help but glance at his watch every passing minute. While inside, Pooh came back out with two big black garbage bags filled with weed and coke, good shit.

“Bingo,” he uttered. Squeeze smiled.

“Y’all some dumb ass niggas. You know how easy this shit was to get. Thank y’all. We need dumb mu’fuckas like y’all so me and my niggas can continue to get our money easy,” Squeeze said.

“What we gonna do with ‘em?” Pooh asked.

“How old are y’all?” Squeeze asked.

“Eighteen,” Shawn muttered out with his mouth filled with blood, his jaw swollen.

“And you, nigga?”

“Seventeen.”

“Listen here, today, I’m gonna let y’all two niggas live. But if I ever hear my name come out y’all mouths about me robbing y’all, I swear, I’m gonna come back for y’all two and murder y’all. Don’t ever fuckin’ sleep on Squeeze, ya heard me?”

They both nodded.

“Tell dat nigga, Nine, I said what’s up.”

“But you said don’t speak your name,” Shawn said.

“Oh, yeah…dats right…you on point now, son…stay dat way from now on. Yo, Pooh, lets be out.”

Squeeze and Pooh dashed outta 8D and met up with Show and Promise. “We good, niggas.” They all got back into the elevator.

Down in the lobby as all four men exited the elevator, they saw Donny entering the lobby. Squeeze couldn’t help but to let out a broad smile, uttering to his niggas, “Yo, dis shit is too fuckin’ easy…I’m about to cum on myself.”

They snatched up Donny, beat the shit outta him in the staircase, snatched his jewelry and money then took his sneakers for the fun of it. They arrived at Junior’s a half-hour later and counted up their take. The haul netted $7,000 cash, mad pounds of weed and cocaine to sell. The jooks came off damn good.

Cash was divided, $1,750 each, and plans were made to hustle the weed off into the streets. Squeeze didn’t give a fuck about retaliation or repercussions. He felt that Nine and his crew were too soft for them niggas to come back on some gangsta shit.

Promise took his cut of the money, jumped back into his X5, and headed back to Queens. Another day, another dollar.

5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, Promise was at the daycare faithfully to pick up his daughter, Ashley.

“Daddy, daddy!” Ashley shouted out excited about seeing her father every evening when he came by to scoop up his lil’ girl. She jumped into his arms and it was routine everyday that he gave his daughter a hug and kiss.

“You miss me?”

Ashley nodded yes.

“Go get your stuff. We gotta go.”

She jumped out of her father’s arms and went to retrieve her book bag and other belongings.

“Hey, Mr. Carter,” Ms. Ways said.

“Hey, how was she today?” he asked.

“She was good but she didn’t take her nap today and she didn’t eat much lunch. But she’s a good child, very attentive in class, gets along with the other children. She’s a sweetheart,” Ms. Ways informed Promise.

“That’s my little girl.” Promise shook his head.

“Daddy…Daddy, look what I drew in school today,” Ashley shouted out showing her father a picture of some animals.

“Oh, that’s pretty. You ready?”

Ashley nodded her head.

“Okay.”

“Bye, Miss Way,” Ashley said to her teacher.

“Bye, Ashley. See you tomorrow. You have a nice night, Mr. Carter.”

“You too,” he replied and walked out the door with his daughter.

“Daddy, I want McDonalds,” Ashley whined.

Promise sighed, shaking his head. “Ahight, we’ll eat McDonalds today.”

After their small lunch together, Promise returned home and had his daughter do her homework right away, tracing letters and numbers and coloring some objects. Later he prepared her dinner, spaghetti and meatballs, one of her favorites. They watched TV together and Ashley fell asleep in her daddy’s arms.

Later, Promise picked his daughter up and carried her inside the bedroom. He prepared her for bed, putting on her pajamas while she groggily complied. He covered her gently, and said a short prayer. Soon as he stepped out her bedroom, his cellphone went off.

“Yeah, who this?”

“Squeeze, nigga. You good tonight?”

“Nah, my daughter’s sleep.”

“Damn! I got a job for us,” Squeeze said.

“Nigga…you gonna have to do without me.”

“Big money in dis, nigga. You can’t get one of those bitches in your building to baby sit?” he asked, sounding annoyed.

“I’m a fall back tonight. You got Pooh and Show. They can do work.”

“But I need my right-hand-man.”

“Sorry Squeeze. I’m a have to take a rain check on this one.”

“Damn! Ahight, hit me up tomorrow. One, my nigga.”

“One,” Promise replied, clicking off, and plopping his behind down on the couch, a little stressed.

Taking care of his daughter 24/7 and doing what he did out there on the streets was definitely taking a toll on him. He massaged his forehead with his fingertips, squinted his eyes, and thought about shit. He missed his daughter’s mother so much.

She made shit simple on him when she was still alive but now that she was gone, the burden of weight was passed to him and it was stressing him the fuck out. He wanted to live a normal life. He wanted to get the fuck away from the street but making that easy money while dealing with Squeeze was tempting, easy, and profitable.

And besides, Promise thought, even if he did want to become legit and stay outta the life of crime and get himself a legit job, he had a criminal record and his background was tarnished from past mistakes. Yet, every night after placing his daughter down to sleep, he asked himself how long could this life style last?

Everything comes to an end. He couldn’t risk losing his daughter because she was all he had that was important in the world. He wanted to see her grow to be in her life constantly. He wanted a way out and kept pondering on how. Promise ended up falling asleep on the couch dozing off while watching the news.

Next morning they were running on time. He got Ashley up and ready for school early and was at the daycare at ten minutes to eight. Promise got out his Jeep a bit more cheerful today. He unbuckled his daughter from the car seat and allowed her to run up to the door and knock twice, indicating her presence.

The school door slowly opened up and Ashley ran inside with Promise right behind carrying her book-bag. When he stepped in, he was stunned and completely taken back by a beautiful young female standing in front of him.

“Good morning,” she softly announced smiling and peering down at Ashley. She bent over and rested her hands on her knees.

“Hi,” Ashley shyly responded with her soft voice, peering back at the beautiful young woman who was a stranger.

“And what’s your name?” the young lady asked.

“Ashley,” she slowly announced her name.

“Hi, Ashley. My name is Audrey.”

“Hi, Audrey.”

Audrey looked back at Promise, smiled and admired the handsome young man standing behind who she assumed to be Ashley’s father.

“Hello,” she politely introduced herself to Promise, extending her hand. Promise couldn’t help but stare. She was gorgeous. Exquisite. He knew it was impolite to stare the way he was but he couldn’t help himself. His eyes were transfixed.

“You must be her father?”

“Um…yes…she’s my girl.”

“She’s so cute. Oh, I’m Audrey,” she said extending her right hand.

“Hey, how you doing, Audrey,” he responded holding her hand a moment too long. “I’m Promise,” he said blushing slightly which was something Promise rarely did.

“Promise,” she smiled, “that’s a unique name.”

“I’m a unique person,” he flirted.

She smiled. Audrey’s golden brown complexion and deep brown eyes caught the eyes of many men. She had long silky hair, full luscious lips, and an hourglass figure with breasts so big they looked like balloons ready to pop. Promise glimpsed her breasts and smiled more widely. Enticing, Audrey definitely was.

“Um, what happened to Ms. Ways?” Promise asked.

“Oh, she called in sick this morning and today’s my first day.”

“Oh, welcome.”

“Thank you. I’m a little nervous,” she proclaimed.

“Oh, don’t be…you seem cool. I know you’ll get along good wit’ the children. I see my daughter already likes you.”

“You think?”

“I can tell.”

Audrey smiled. She liked Promise and felt attracted to him. He seemed cool enough. She gave him respect and liked that he was taking care of his daughter and bringing her into daycare every morning.

One of the other staff interrupted their conversation and called out to Audrey. “Oh, um…it was nice meeting you, Promise.”

“Same here,” he replied. He glanced around for his daughter and called out for her. “Give daddy a hug and kiss before I leave.” Ashley ran into her father’s arm and gave him a quick hug and kiss on his cheek.

“Bye, baby.”

“Bye, Daddy.”

Audrey smiled, loving the sight. “Daddy’s little girl,” she uttered to Promise.

He smiled and causally exited. When he was outside, he shouted, “Damn, she fine.” He smiled so hard that he almost caught lockjaw.

Promise made his way back into Brooklyn to get up with Squeeze and the rest of his niggas. During the entire drive, he was obsessed by thoughts about Audrey. He wondered if she had a man or worse, was she married? Nah, there was no wedding ring on her finger. He was hoping that she was single.

When he got to Bed-Stuy, he parked his X5 and went into a nearby McDonalds for a quick hash brown and sausage, egg, and biscuit meal. Half-hour later, he met up with Squeeze and Show over at Uncle Junior’s crib again.

When he stepped in, they were doing nothing but lounging around in the basement and getting high off the marijuana they’d lifted yesterday.

“Where Pooh at?” Promise asked.

Squeeze shrugged his shoulders. “Don’t know.”

“Damn nigga, why you grinning so hard?” Show asked.

“Nigga musta gotten some good pussy,” Squeeze said then took a pull from da weed.

“Nah, I’m just in a good mood.”

“Nigga, you got some pussy. Don’t front. Shit musta been some real good pussy cuz you got da ill Kool Aid smile.”

Promise didn’t respond to Squeeze’s remark. He was on a natural high. He couldn’t get Audrey off his mind. They’d just met but there was something about her he liked. They clicked this morning.

“You wanna hit this?” Squeeze asked passing Promise dat choc lit.

“Nah, I’m good.”

“You sure, nigga?”

Promise nodded.

“Should I have to remind you young blood that it’s puff-puff-pass da shit,” Uncle Junior intervened reaching for the weed.

Squeeze glared over at his uncle. They were family by blood but didn’t get along. They were cool at some points but hated each other. Uncle Junior despised his nephew because when he saw him, he saw something he should’ve been, could’ve been.

When Squeeze looked over at his uncle, he saw nothing but a fuck-up, a disgrace to the family name. Uncle Junior wasn’t shit but a leach, living off bitches and begging for dollars. And the nigga was only forty-five years old.

“Uncle Junior you ain’t put in for dis here,” Squeeze said to him passing him the blunt and doing him a favor, “so don’t ask me no more.”

“Ahight, young blood, whatever! We still fam.”

“Yeah, whatever, nigga. I gotta go take a piss,” Squeeze said rising and heading into the bathroom. “Show, hold dat down.”

Show nodded. Promise took a seat opposite Show, picked up a Don Diva magazine and started flipping through the pages.

“So, what y’all niggas getting into today?” Promise asked.

Show shrugged his shoulder and uttered, “Don’t know… chillin’ right now.”

Promise glanced around the room real quick. He saw Show getting high and slouching down in the couch. He looked over at Uncle Junior who looked to be in his own little world, still in that same wife-beater, torn jeans, and lips looking black as ever. Uncle Junior seemed to be lost in contemplation, just staring at the wall.

Promise was getting tired of doing the same old shit wit’ the same old niggas. He shook his head as he looked around the room and thought how many countless hours he had spent down in this basement getting high with these niggas, scheming with Squeeze, counting stolen money and waiting for bitches to come through. Everyday he’d drop his daughter off and bring his black ass back into Brooklyn knowing it was hot for him out here.

Everyone was in the basement when a loud knock came from the front door.

“Yo, Junior, get dat. It’s probably Pooh,” Show said.

“Man, do I look like your bitch to you,” Uncle Junior replied back. “Get da door your fuckin’ self.”

“What nigga?”

“Y’all niggas chill. I’ll get da fuckin’ door,” Promise said getting out his seat and walking to the door.

“Who…?”

“Pooh, nigga, open da fuck up.”

Promise began to unlock the door and Pooh came flying into the crib, almost collapsing over Promise.

“What da fuck!” Promise cursed but saw Pooh, bloodied face, swollen eye and his gear in shreds. Promise became concerned. “What happened to you?”

“Niggas jumped me.”

“What?”

By this time, Squeeze was out the bathroom and when he saw Pooh all fucked up, he shouted, “Pooh, who da fuck did dat to you?”

“Niggas we got at yesterday. They came back and caught me alone over on Myrtle.”

“What? Don’t worry ‘bout dat shit, Pooh. We gonna handle it for you,” Squeeze said, getting excited. “Dem pussy niggas came back at you…how da fuck did they know where you were at?”

“Nine… He was with ‘em niggas too.”

Squeeze had no more words. He was ready to take action. He got his gat and cocked it. Show and Pooh were ready to peel off at the niggas who had disrespected the team. Promise lingered behind. He wanted no parts of any street beef.

“Promise, you coming?” Squeeze asked seeing his nigga not making an effort to follow him into his truck to get revenge.

“We don’t even know where these niggas be at,” Promise said.

“I know where,” Pooh countered.

“C’mon nigga, fuck you acting like you pussy for? Niggas jumped Pooh. He family, don’t front on us Promise. Word, my nigga.”

Clearly apprehensive, Promise took a deep breath. He knew how Squeeze and the rest got down when they felt disrespected and truth be told, he didn’t want any part of that. His daughter loomed in his mind and he prayed shit didn’t hit the fan right now. Promise followed Squeeze and the rest. They all piled into Squeeze’s Dinali and sped down Throop Avenue. All were packing. Promise sat in the back while Pooh rode shotgun. Pooh’s silver nine millimeter sat on his lap, and Squeeze’s .380, was next to him.

When they got over by the Tompkins Housing area, they were in luck. Them same lame ass wanna be hustling niggas were still loitering out in front of the building and Nine was there with them this time.

“Fuck dat!” Squeeze shouted.

He busted a quick U-turn, sped down the block, and came to a complete stop. He caught everyone’s attention. All four came jumping out wit’ their guns blazing, firing at their targets. Nine and his niggas took quick cover while pulling out their guns to shoot back. Multiple gunshots rang out. Uninvolved bystanders took cover wherever they felt safe, ducking behind trees, squatting down next to cars, or running into lobbies. It was early afternoon and niggas were shooting up the neighborhood like it was the Middle East.

Promise fired but wasn’t trying to hit anyone. He was just firing to be firing. He also took cover behind Squeeze’s Yukon and heard bullets whizzing by his ear. His heart pounded rapidly and it felt like it was about to explode out of his chest. He wanted out of this shit and this crazy fucking world that he was in.

Squeeze and his niggas quickly jumped back into the truck when they heard sirens and sped off. Nine and his niggas also took off. All that shooting, and no one had gotten hit.

“Take me back to my fuckin’ car!” Promise demanded.

“Nigga, you ahight?” Show asked.

“Just take me back to my fuckin’ ride,” Promise reiterated.

No one said a word. Squeeze just drove Promise back to his ride and when he got out, they quickly pulled off not uttering a word. Promise jumped into his ride and started the ignition.

He sat for a while with the Jeep in park and thanked God he was okay. Shit could’ve gotten a lot worse. His heartbeat was coming so fast like he was about to have an anxiety attack. He hadn’t been in a shootout and it was scary, a fucked up situation to be in. Promise had busted his gun before but having niggas busting back was a whole new ballgame.

When he got his nerves together, he put his X5 in drive and drove back to Queens, back to his place where he needed to chill out for a minute and be alone.

At 5:00 p.m. that same afternoon, Promise left to pick up his daughter. He couldn’t help but think that he could’ve died earlier, caught a stray bullet or worse been locked up. And then where would his daughter be? Probably snatched up and placed in an orphanage. He started crying while he drove.

When he reached the daycare, Promise pulled up in front and sat for a moment. He dried his eyes with the sleeve of his shirt, took in a deep breath and exited. Promise knocked on the door and Audrey answered.

“Hey, you,” she kindly greeted looking excited to see him once again. “Ashley,” she turned her head and called out, “your daddy’s here.”

Ashley jumped up outta her chair and ran to her daddy shouting, “Daddy,” and jumped into his arms.

“Go get your stuff, baby girl,” Promise said not looking too enthusiastic.

“You okay?” Audrey asked looking concerned.

“Yeah, I’m good…just had a rough day,” he explained.

“I understand. We all have one sometime. Try not to stress it…tomorrow will be better,” she said smiling.

Promise looked into her deep hypnotic brown eyes and returned her smile. He knew her for one day and already she had made him feel good. He just wanted to grasp her in his arms and become lost in her bliss. She was all-woman and she was the kind of woman he needed in his life. She reminded him of Ashley’s mother.

Ashley came over to her father with her things in her arms. He threw on her book bag and began to head for the door.

“Bye, Ashley,” Audrey said.

“Bye, Miss Audrey,” Ashley said back waving bye.

“Bye, you,” she said to Promise smiling at him.

Promise smiled back. “Bye, see you tomorrow.”

Audrey continued to smile as she watched Promise exit with his daughter. “Cute,” she uttered to herself and then went back to attend to the other children left in the room.

A few days passed and Promise contemplated asking Audrey out. Not a date or nothing, he just wanted to chill. He loved her company even though so far it had only been for short periods of times when dropping off and picking his daughter up from daycare. He thought about her constantly.

He tried to chill from hanging out in Brooklyn too much, especially wit’ his niggas but when Squeeze called him up to talk about making that money, he was down for it. He needed to keep bringing in that paper so he and his daughter could live.

The other day, they committed a string of B & E’s out in Long Island and the other night, they fucked up a pimp over by Pennsylvania Ave and raped his hoe. Promise stood on the sideline watching while Squeeze, Show and Pooh each did they thang wit’ the trick running up in her raw too.

Promise felt that shit was getting too hot in Brooklyn and Squeeze was wilding the fuck out. He was out of control. For Squeeze, it wasn’t even about the money anymore. It was about the thrill, the love of being out there on the streets and terrorizing, dominating, or causing as much chaos as he could. Squeeze was about making his paper but the nigga was also about maintaining his rep. He was wild, crazy, and fearless and the beef escalating between Nine and Squeeze wasn’t making the streets in Brooklyn any safer for him.

Thursday evening, Promise ran late when it came time to pick up his daughter. While driving, he glanced at the time on the radio and it was close. He got caught up and the daycare closed at 6:30 pm. If the parent was running late, the staff would drop the child off at a nearby day care and they’d keep the child till eight. But the parent is charged an extra $20 for every night he or she picks the child later.

Promise’s X5 came to a screeching stop on the sidewalk and he dashed out his Jeep and ran toward the building.

“Shit,” he mumbled.

He knocked on the door and felt relieved when Audrey answered.

“There you are. We started to become worried,” Audrey said smiling as usual. “Ashley, your daddy’s finally here.”

“Daddy,” Ashley excitedly shouted out. As usual, she came running into her daddy’s arms.

“Get your stuff, baby girl.”

“You had us worried there for a minute,” Audrey said to him.

“I lost track of time. I’m sorry.”

“That’s okay. It’s understandable. Things happen.”

There was a brief pause as they waited for Ashley. Promise wanted to ask her out but felt hesitant. Do it, ask her out, he told himself. He peered at her. She was still close to him and was attending to the other three children still left waiting. He wasn’t shy when it came to the ladies but there was just something about her that made him kinda nervous. Maybe it was the fact that he actually liked her and wanted to spend time with her instead of trying to fuck her.

“Um…Audrey, can I talk to you for a minute?” he asked.

Ashley came up to her father saying, “I’m ready, daddy.”

“Give me a minute, sweetheart. Watch television and give Daddy a minute.”

Audrey came closer to him. The aura and her perfume enticed him and become embedded into Promise’s mind. He felt hypnotized.

“This kinda hard for me,” he admitted.

She raised her eyebrow at him curious as to what he had to say. “What is it?” she asked.

He let out a quick sigh and then just bluntly came out with it. “Are you busy sometime tomorrow night?”

She smiled. “Why, Promise, are you asking me out on a date?”

“Nah, nah…it ain’t nuthin’ like dat. I’m just sayin’ you seem to be cool peoples and I wouldn’t mind chillin’ wit’ you a little more often. You know, besides seeing you twice a day for my daughter. I mean, if dats ahight wit’ you?”

She let out a slight giggle and stared into his eyes. Audrey definitely was attracted to him, no doubt. She loved his style and, to be honest, she liked and admired the street in him. Audrey knew he was from the hood by the way he come bopping in there for his daughter with baggy designer jeans, fresh new Timberlands on his feet, freestyle braids in his hair, and the trendy, hood-rich chain around his neck. Audrey thought he was cool and the fact that he loved his daughter so much and took care of her on a daily basis gave him extra points.

“You say tomorrow night?” she asked.

“I know a cool spot for us to chill out, dance and maybe have a few drinks.”

“Oh, that sounds cool. I like that.”

“But you sure it’s okay, you won’t get into trouble for dating a parent, right?”

She laughed. “Nah, I’m sure the folks in here won’t have a beef with that. I’m old enough.”

Promise smiled. “Ahight.”

“Oh, I forgot.”

“What? What happened?” Promise asked becoming suddenly worried. “You don’t have a man?”

“No, tomorrow night, I promised to hang with my home girl. It’s her birthday this weekend and we were supposed to do our thing together.”

“Oh, she can hang. I don’t mind.”

“Maybe you can bring a friend with you so she won’t feel awkward,” Audrey suggested.

“She ain’t ugly?” he asked.

Audrey chuckled, “Nah, she’s cute. I’ll vouch for her.”

“Ahight, I’m gonna take your word for it. I got someone in mind that’ll probably come along.”

“Okay so tomorrow night. It’s a date.”

“Say around eight.”

“That’s perfect,” she assured him.

They both smiled and Promise called to his daughter. He hadn’t felt this good and been in this kind of mood in a long time. He felt like jumping up and down and doing cartwheels. The nigga was ecstatic about tomorrow night.

Friday evening came and Promise was ready to roll. He dropped Ashley off with his neighbor, Ms. Watts. She was like family, very charming, and very motherly to Promise and his daughter. She constantly baked and cooked for the two and loved watching Ashley whenever Promise dropped her by. It was a second home to her. Ms. Watts was dependable.

Promise met Squeeze at Nelson’s Barbershop, a popular neighborhood hangout in East Flatbush Avenue. He parked the X5 and walked into the crowded barbershop.

“What’s poppin?” Promise greeted Tech outside.

“I got that Jigga remix with Kanye West and Lil’ Wayne. I know you gon’ feel it, one hundred,” Tech offered returning the pound.

“Got dat old-school R&B shit?”

“You know I do. I got some classic Jodeci, 112, player,” Tech said shoving couple CD’s in Promise’s hand.

“Now you talking,” Promise chuckled.

He handed Tech ten bucks and walked into the barbershop. Squeeze was already in a chair, getting done up.

“What up?” Promise greeted Nelson, the owner and gave Squeeze a pound.

“You next,” Nelson said. “Rick got your spot reserved.”

“Good-looking out, Nel,” Promise said and gave Rick dap as he sat in the chair.

“How you like it?”

“Just line me up,” Promise said glancing at himself in the mirror.

“No doubt,” Rick said.

Promise sat in Rick’s chair as Nelson continued giving Squeeze a fresh one. Othe patrons spend time watching videos playing on BET. Heads of customers and barbers alike swiveled to check Jigga’s latest video.

“I done told y’all them chicks don’t make a dime, shaking ass in those videos, you feeling me on that?” Nelson announced.

“C’mon Nel, you know they eating. I used to date one of ‘em video-hos, I mean chick and I’m sayin’, the bitch was getting paid,” Rick said smiling.

“Would you let your daughter become a video ho?” Nelson asked.

“My daughter…? My daughter’s gonna be a lawyer or a doctor. She ain’t gonna have time for any activity like that,” Rick answered.

“What about you, Promise? You got a young daughter, right?”

“Yeah, but hell fucking no, I’ll be damn if she gonna be rump shaking in any damn video,” Promise said shaking his emphatically.

“I’m feeling you, might as well just start ho’ing and start making some real money,” Rick said with a chuckle.

“How you know there’s any real money in ho’ing? What you pimpin now?” Laughter erupted throughout the barbershop. “Lemme find out you out all night pimpin’?” Nelson laughed.

“He talking plenty shit, huh Nel?”

“Like Tech would say, that’s one hun’red,” Nelson laughed.

They walked out of the barbershop so fresh and clean. Squeeze and Promise got in the X5 and jetted out to Long Island to pick up Audrey and her girlfriend. Promise was nervous about Squeeze coming along but he was the only nigga suitable in his mind. Show, that nigga didn’t know how to act right when he came around bitches or pussy. Pooh, he was still a young nigga in the mind and heart.

Squeeze wasn’t perfect, but the nigga was old enough and Promise thought he’d be the only nigga in the crew acceptable. Squeeze wasn’t ugly. He was definitely gentle on the eyes with the ladies and he had some manners - sometimes he got too rowdy. Promise prayed he didn’t show his true colors tonight in front of Audrey.

Promise prepared for the night and dressed in purple velour Sean John sweat suit, his wife-beater showing underneath. He was flossing with his chain and white Air Force Ones on his feet. Squeeze was geared up in denim jeans and jacket to match with fresh new beige and white Timberlands on his feet. He was sporting his blue fitted Yankee baseball cap the gangsta hood way, low over his eyes.

They took exit 21 off of Southern State Parkway and drove into Baldwin, Long Island. Promise followed the directions that Audrey gave to him over the phone. Ten minutes later, they pulled up in front of a sprawling Ranch style home with the manicured lawn out front.

“Nice crib,” Squeeze uttered.

Promise picked up his cellphone and dialed Audrey’s house number from the Jeep.

“Hello?”

“Audrey?”

“Yes.”

“It’s Promise. We’re outside,” he informed her.

“Oh. Why don’t y’all come in? My homegirl isn’t ready yet.”

“Ahight,” he said clicking off.

“What she say?” Squeeze asked.

“She told us to come in.”

Promise was about ready to exit his Jeep when Squeeze said to him, “Hold on.”

“What’s good, nigga?”

“Why da fuck you bring da gat for?” Promise barked.

“Nigga, I don’t know these bitches. You never know,” Squeeze said lifting his shirt and revealing his .380.

“It ain’t dat kind of party, Squeeze,” Promise stated. “Leave dat shit in the car, Squeeze.”

Squeeze lifted the gun from out his waistband and hid it under the passenger seat. “You happy, nigga?”

Promise didn’t reply. He stepped out and headed toward the front door. Squeeze was just a few steps behind him. They got to the door and before he could ring the bell, Audrey opened the door smiling.

“Hey you,” she uttered, cheesing as she peered at Promise. “Who’s your friend?”

“Audrey, dis is Squeeze. Squeeze, dis is Audrey,” he introduced.

“Hey… Squeeze huh? Where do y’all come up with these names?” She giggled looking at Squeeze. He’s cute too, she thought.

“What up, luv,” Squeeze said in a deep toned voice.

Promise stared at Audrey and complimented her, “God, you’re beautiful. You look nice.” He bent down to kiss her on the cheek, inhaling her scent.

“Thank you. You’re looking mighty fine yourself too and you smell so good. I like that cologne you have on.”

“I can’t come to your crib stinking and shit. Gotta smell nice.”

Audrey liked that. A nigga thugging like him, looking the way he was and smelling sexy. He was fine.

Audrey had on a denim miniskirt with the shin high boots, a tight white shirt, and her breasts protruded out something lovely. Before they headed out, she threw on her denim jacket. Her sinuous hair fell gracefully down her shoulders. Her beautiful presence lit up the room.

“Where’s your friend?” Promise asked.

“Oh, she’s in the bathroom. Y’all want something to drink, a snack maybe, while we wait for her?”

“Nah, I’m good,” Promise said.

“What about your friend?”

“Nah, I’m good, luv…thanks anyway.”

“Well, y’all chill out and give me a minute. Let me go get my friend. She be taking forever sometimes,” Audrey said leaving the room.

“Damn, nigga…dats you?” Squeeze asked soon as Audrey was out of their sight.

Promise smiled. “She fine, right?”

“You fucked her yet?”

“Nigga…chill…it ain’t even like that.”

“Whatever, nigga…you know you want dat. All I know is her friend better be just as fine or I’m gonna embarrass the bitch. I tell you Promise, she better not be coming back out here wit’ a fuckin’ baboon leaching on her back.”

“Nah, she told me her friend is cute. She vouched for her.”

“Ahight, nigga…we’ll see. I’ll be the judge of dat.”

They sat and waited for about ten minutes until Audrey stepped back in the room with her friend following right behind her.

“Everyone, this is Camille,” Audrey introduced.

Damn! Both men thought at the sight of Camille. Audrey was right she was definitely a cutie. Camille was light-skinned with a slender sexy figure, brown eyes just like her friend, and her breasts a lil’ plump, not a handful like Audrey but they were right enough.

She had long braids, freshly done, and they went down her back. She was dressed in a white mock neck and pleated skirt, white stilettos that made the structure of her legs definitely stand out, and her sweet lips were glossed out.

Squeeze was unquestionably impressed by her looks and the way she stared back at him. It was on and poppin’. No regrets here for either of ‘em.

They piled into Promise s X5. Audrey rode shotgun and Camille hopped in the back with Squeeze. Promise drove out to Jimmy’s Bronx Café, out in the Bronx. The four of ‘em talked, laughed, and cliqued lovely; everyone was feeling everyone.

The ride ended in front of Jimmy’s Bronx Cafe around ten thirty. It took Promise ten minutes to find a decent parking spot. Afterwards, the four of ‘em strutted into the place looking like two million dollar couples. Audrey walked close to Promise and Camille was next to Squeeze. The host of the restaurant sat the four near the oversized window overlooking the Deegan Expressway. Being the gentlemen that they seemed to be, both men pulled out the chairs for their ladies.

“Thank you,” both ladies uttered simultaneously taking a seat.

“This is nice. I never been here before,” Camille said glancing around.

Promise and Squeeze sat opposite of each other. Both men looked like true ballers sitting with their attractive dates for the night.

“So, gentlemen, I’m curious. Why do y’all call y’all selves Squeeze and Promise? I know y’all mammas ain’t give y’all them names,” Camille inquired.

Promise smiled. “Actually, Promise is my middle name. I don’t care to disclose my first name at dis time.”

“Why, state secret or your mamma gave you a geeky name?”

“Nah, I just don’t like a whole lot of folks knowing my government like dat,” he explained.

“What about you, Squeeze? I mean, what’s that about?”

Squeeze let out a slight chuckle. “I’m wit’ my nigga Promise here. Squeeze is what every nigga out there on dem streets know me by and they don’t know me by no other name. Dats how I like it and dats how I keep it.”

“So, y’all some two gangsta ass niggas, huh?” Audrey joked.

“Nah, we just keep it real,” Squeeze said.

The waiter came over and asked if they were ready to order. Promise told him to give ‘em a few more minutes. Everyone looked at their menus and tried to decide on what to order. Everything flowed smoothly. Squeeze was behaving and the night looked good.

After everyone gave their orders, the ladies got up to use the restroom. When they were out of sight, Squeeze joked, “Damn, nigga…Audrey gotta pair of balloons stashed under her shirt. You sure you can handle dat by yourself. Her friend Camille is fine though. You know a nigga gotta ease up in dat sometime tonight.”

“Behave yourself, Squeeze…don’t fuck dis shit up for me,” Promise said to him.

“Damn nigga, you really like dat bitch?”

“She’s cool people.”

“Yeah, whatever. Man, you’re just trying to get some pussy. I ain’t hating nigga. She a bad ass bitch, though.”

Promise smiled. “Chill nigga.”

“Nah. I’m cool. I ain’t gonna fuck your game up tonight. I’m trying to do me, too.” Squeeze glanced back at the restroom to see if the ladies were coming out. When he didn’t see ‘em; he turned back to Promise and said, “Yo, Promise, let me pull your coat to sump’n.”

“What’s up, nigga?”

“I’m working on dis deal right now…major money, yo.” Squeeze enlightened quietly.

“What you talking about, Squeeze?”

“Look, you my nigga but this stick-up shit we doing, it ain’t kicking it anymore. Shit getting too risky for us out there. I’ve been thinking… I established this connect, right? He got the product but he ain’t got the muscle out there to push his shit for him. He needs workers. He need niggas dat know how to handle the streets. He wanna work wit’ us, cut us in. Move his weight out there for him and we get dat percentage.”

“What you talking about? What kinda weight do he wanna move?”

“Mostly trees and white powder.”

“Damn, Squeeze, dats some serious shit.”

“Yeah but check dis out. We move in on dem Tompkins Ave niggas and take dey shit over. Dem niggas is weak out there, they can’t hold down fort like dat…fuck dat nigga, Nine. We get dat territory poppin’ and let niggas know we ain’t playin’, dat we in charge…and you just watch dat money pour in. I need this long-term money, nigga.”

The girls came out the bathroom laughing and headed back to the table.

“What y’all fellas over here talking about?” Audrey asked smiling down at Promise.

“Nuthin’, just missing y’all, dats all,” Promise said.

“Umm hum, whatever. They probably discussing about our bodies. You know how niggas do, Audrey,” Camille said. “You know they been looking.”

Squeeze laughed. “Hey, I ain’t gonna front. Shit is tight. Is it wrong to notice?”

“As long as the two of you are only noticing me and my girl here for the night we cool,” Camille said.

“Luv, we don’t even get down like dat,” Squeeze mentioned. “Anyway, y’all the two finest ladies in the place. These chickens in here can’t fuck wit’ y’all.”

“I like him,” Camille uttered giving him a hug.

“Camille, you’re crazy,” Audrey chimed in.

The waiter finally arrived with their orders and placed their food gently down in front of them. Everyone started to dine, drink and continue to have a good time. By one in the morning, the girls had enough to eat and the men wanted to move on. Squeeze suggested that they go to the bar located in the back of the restaurant. The night was still young. Everyone got up and started to move to the bar.

“Y’all go on. I gotta make a quick phone call,” Promise said.

“Ahight…you know where we at,” Squeeze replied heading to where the fun was. Camille was under his arm and Audrey was at his side.

Promise called Ms. Watson’s crib to check on his daughter. He waited patiently as the phone rang multiple times before she picked up.

“Hello? Ms. Watson, it’s Promise.”

“How you doing, sweetie.”

“How is she doing? She ain’t giving you any trouble?” he asked.

“No, Promise, we had a good time. I put her to bed at 9. Stop worrying yourself and have a good time. I mothered four children and eight grandchildren.”

“Thanks Ms. Watson. I appreciate this so much,” Promise smiled.

“You’re welcome. Now don’t be having that girl of yours waitin’ too long while you talking to me…enjoy the night.”

He hung up and proceeded to the bar where the music was bumping. Squeeze and the girls sat at a small table set up with drinks.

“Sorry about dat. I had to check up on my daughter,” he explained.

“Nah, that’s cool. We didn’t mind,” Audrey said smiling at him and definitely feeling his vibe.

They continued drinking. Camille suggested they hit the dance floor because one of her songs was playing. She pulled Squeeze up by his arms gesturing that she wanted to dance. He didn’t resist. They began to grind, drawing minor attention to themselves.

Niggas were ogling Camille. She had it going on, hiking up her skirt a bit, her legs gleaming in the dim light, teasing niggas while she gyrated her hips against Squeeze. The both of ‘em looked like they were shooting a scene out of Dirty Dancing.

“Your girl’s crazy?” Promise stated.

“Hey, that’s her…she be bugging sometimes,” Audrey explained.

“Well, she got the right nigga to bug out wit’. He crazy too.”

“You dance?” Ashley smiled.

“Me? Nah, sometimes I ain’t a big dancer.”

“That’s cool.”

“Why? You dance?”

“A little. I don’t get down like my girl but I can hold it down,” she said.

“Want another drink?” Promise asked.

Audrey nodded and he ordered her a Long Island Iced tea and for himself a Hennessy and Cranberry. The conversation between the two was definitely flowing.

It was almost two in the morning. Promise and Audrey were having a good time until they heard a disturbance near by. He looked over and saw Squeeze getting into an altercation with two males.

Promise rushed up outta his chair and ran over to where they were arguing but before he could get there, Squeeze had smashed a bottle over one guy’s head and was cursing and carrying on. A quick fight broke out and Promise had his boy’s back. He jumped in and they both got thrown out quickly.

The girls met ‘em outside and Audrey, looking shocked but not upset, asked them, “What was that about?”

“Fuck ‘em pussy ass niggas. I’ll come back to this muthafucka and shoot the shit up…niggas keep fuckin’ wit’ me!” Squeeze yelled.

“Chill out, nigga,” Promise tried to calm his boy down.

“What happened?” Audrey asked again.

Camille spoke up for Squeeze. “They in there just hating on us. That’s all.”

“Niggas kept bumping into me, yo, while I was dancing wit’ shorty then one of dem niggas had the nerve to step up and stare hard at me like it’s my fault,” Squeeze said.

“Fuck ‘em niggas, you be ahight,” Promise said.

“So what’s next?” Audrey asked.

Promise looked at her surprised that she wasn’t telling him to take her ass home. “Oh, y’all still wanna chill.”

“Of course,” Camille spoke up. “I ain’t got a curfew. You got a curfew, Audrey?” she joked.

“No girl. I’ve been grown for a long time now.”

“So, what’s up? Where y’all niggas taking us next?” Camille asked sounding eager and up for more fun.

Promise and Squeeze glanced at each other. “Ahight, I know a spot where we can chill.”

They jumped back into Promise’s X5 and headed out to Brooklyn. They ended up parked by the rest area under the Verrazano Bridge enjoying the picturesque and tranquil view for the night. Squeeze and Camille stayed in the car while Audrey and Promise went out for a walk.

“I’m having such a good time with you tonight,” Audrey said.

Promise smiled and returned with, “You cool peoples…I’m having a good time too.”

They walked a good ways, staring at the downtown Manhattan skyline and at the Atlantic Ocean, before either spoke again.

“Can I ask you a question?” Audrey asked.

“Go ahead.”

“What happened to Ashley’s mother if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Nah, it’s cool. I don’t mind.” Promise paused then answered her question. “She was killed a few months ago,” he somberly explained.

“Oh… I’m so sorry.”

“It’s cool. I got custody of her now and she’s my heart. I can’t live a day without her. It was hard at first but I got used to it. We take care of each other.”

Audrey smiled as she listened intently.

“What about you? You got any kids?” Promise asked.

“Me… noooo…I’m not ready for children yet.”

“Yeah, don’t rush it.”

“I don’t mind taking care of everyone else’s children but having a few of my own right now…it’s not happening.”

“But you want kids sometime in the future, right?”

“Yeah, I want a little boy first because they’re easier to raise. Then whatever comes afterwards I’m cool with.”

“How many kids do you plan on having?”

“‘Bout three. But I don’t want three baby daddies…not my style. I plan on getting married first so my husband and I can raise our kids together.”

“I like dat. You got standards.”

“You got to. Too many fucked up things going on in the world today for females to be going out and getting themselves pregnant twenty-four seven.”

“So let me ask you a question,” Promise said.

“Go ahead, shoot.”

“What kinda men are you attracted to? I mean, not just physically but personality as well?” he asked. “Be honest.”

“Um…” Audrey murmured smiling. “I like em tall. I like dark-skinned men. I’m not into light-skinned men. He’s gotta be sweet, charming, and chocolate. No, I’m joking, a brother’s gotta be responsible.”

A smile appeared on Promise’s mug while he listened.

“He also gotta be stable and have a sense of humor. I can’t stand boring men. I like to have fun.”

“I feel you,” Promise uttered.

“And his hygiene gotta be on point. I can’t stand a nigga with a stench.”

Promise quickly sniffed under his armpits for good measure. Audrey started laughing. “Nah, you’re good. You smell fine. Believe me, you wouldn’t have made it this far if I wasn’t feeling you like that.”

“You feeling me, huh?” Promise smiled.

“So far…”

“How far?”

“You got potential. I’ll give you that,” she stated.

“Ahight, ahight…that’s cool. I’m feelin’ you too, girl.”

“I know,” she replied.

“Look at you, all confident.”

“A woman’s gotta be confident in today’s society.”

“I like,” Promise said quietly.

“You like what?” she said.

“Your assertiveness.”

“Lemme find out you using all them big words,” Audrey joked.

“I’m not that stupid, I can see when you’re playin’ round with me,” Promise joked.

“Yeah. I see that…”

They continued kicking it as the walked. Suddenly they stopped after realizing that they’d walked some distance because of how involved they’d been in their conversation. They decided to turn back.

After a moment’s silence, Promise unexpectedly blurted out, “Jayson!”

“Excuse me?”

“My first name is Jayson. I thought you should know.”

“Jayson, huh, not a bad name. Cute, I like Promise better. It’s endearing and unique.”

“Thanks.”

“So, Promise, you don’t mind if I ask you something else?”

“Nah, go ahead…shoot away.”

“What do you do for a living?”

Now that question caught Promise off guard. He wasn’t expecting her to ask about his personal income so soon. He was scared to be honest, fearing the worst; if he said he was a stick-up kid in Brooklyn plus a drug-dealer, it would drive her off.

They stopped walking. “Be honest with me, Promise,” Audrey insisted.

Promise stared into her warm brown eyes and couldn’t look away. At this point, it would be hard to lie.

“Audrey, on the real,” he began to speak, “I do me and doing me is sump’n I ain’t too thrilled about right now,” he deadpanned.

“Oh, really?”

“I do what I gotta do to maintain. I’m taking care of my daughter and myself at the same time.”

“You’re honest at least. I like that.”

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For not being truly real wit’ you. I’m scared if I told you everything about me, you wouldn’t wanna deal wit’ me no more,” he explained.

“Listen…I like you and I wanna continue to see you. You’re cool,” she smiled. “But I’m not about to be all up in your business, at least not right away. You got your daughter to take care of and maintain and what you do with’ your boy Squeeze…I know it’s hard out there for a bro but think about that little girl in your life.”

“Always, Ashley comes first. I thought about getting a job but I ain’t got the sweetest background. I got priors on my record.”

“Damn, baby,” Audrey softly sighed.

Hearing Audrey call him baby perked his ears up a little.

“You know what? I refuse to see another black man destroy himself out there. Especially when he got a beautiful baby girl to take care of. I got family that may be willing to help you out with a gig.”

“Gig?”

“A job.”

“But you don’t know me like that,” Promise protested.

“I feel you’re a respectful, charming and wonderful man who got caught up with the wrong people doing the wrong things,” she said pulling him gently closer to her by his shirt as she backed against the metal railing that separated them from the sea. Promise didn’t resist.

“Why you looking out for me?” he asked quietly.

“Because I know a good man when I see one and I can’t let you fall, especially after meeting Ashley. You need to stand strong.” She moved towards him until their bodies became intertwined and their lips locked against each other. They stood, kissing passionately beneath the stars and the near-by bridge. Promise clutched Audrey tightly and didn’t want to let her go. He felt that he could hold onto her forever. She was a blessing!

Promise had a hunch that things were going to be different for him now that he met Audrey. He thanked God for bringing this angel into his life. He needed her and his daughter needed her too.

He drove Audrey and Camille back to Long Island around four that morning. Promise kissed Audrey passionately once more and then drove Squeeze back to Brooklyn.

Over the next few weeks Promise and Audrey became closer spending so much quality-time with each other and Ashley that they felt like family. For once, Audrey made Promise forget about his peoples and troubles in Brooklyn. He was having fun and he didn’t want it to ever end. Summertime was around the corner and they had so much planned.

Audrey persuaded her uncle out in Long Island to set Promise up with a summer gig selling cars at a used BMW lot. If her uncle liked the way he performed and if he did a good job then he might put Promise on fulltime. Promise was down for it since he pushed an X5 and BMW’s were one of his favorite types of cars.

The chemistry was explosive and popping. Promise had never met a woman like Audrey who looked out for him the way she did. He was in love with her. The most important thing was that Ashley loved Audrey too. It got to the point where he began considering marriage, and this was after knowing her for only two short months.

Promise knew that he had to choose between two families, his street-life and girlfriend. He had practically grown up with Squeeze. They’d been like brothers since they were young along with Pooh and Show. Squeeze had always looked out for Promise when Promise needed money.

When he had beef, Squeeze was there. Anything Promise needed or any problems he had, Squeeze, Pooh and Show had always been there. His niggas from Brooklyn had become like a surrogate family to him over the years.

Now Promise felt that he had a new family in his life. Audrey and her peeps looked out for him in a way that was safer and socially acceptable. He got a job for the summer, so that kept his ass out of Brooklyn and out of trouble. Audrey was always around. When Promise needed someone to talk to, Audrey was there to listen. When he had a problem, she was there especially when it came to his daughter. Audrey became a surrogate mother for Ashley.

Who was he more devoted to? Was it his niggas that he had known for life, or Audrey, the angel who had come into his life and had became a major driving force in his existence? It was either the streets or his sweet.

It was late June and Promise was laid up in between Audrey’s thick brown skinned thighs, enjoying her womanly bliss. He was stroking his manhood submissively inside her as he grunted and clutched her sheets. He’d been at her place for the entire weekend while Ashley stayed with Ms. Watson. They needed some alone time.

Audrey lived with her mother but her mom was never home and the mom had also taken a liking to Promise and Ashley. It was always a pleasure for her to have them both come over.

It had been almost two-weeks since Promise had hung with Squeeze and the others. His time was caught up with Audrey. It felt good to get away from the streets, the drama, the problems and headaches of Brooklyn, New York. Long Island was tranquil and passive. It provided an escape from Brooklyn where there was constant traffic and it was so congested with people and problems.

Each time he visited Brooklyn, he noticed the constant gunshots echoing even more. Although he used to have an apartment out here, now for the first time, he felt removed. When he looked around in L.I., this was a place where he’d love to raise his daughter. Far Rockaway, Queens wasn’t that much of a better place for Ashley to live. It wasn’t Brooklyn but it was still the ghetto and they had their ways too.

It was eleven on a Sunday night when Promise’s cellphone began ringing off the hook. He tried to ignore it but something told him to answer it. Audrey asked him to put it on vibrate or to turn it completely off but he disregarded her suggestion. He finally answered after the umpteenth ring.

“Nigga, where da fuck you at?” Squeeze shouted, his voice guttural. “I’ve been trying to reach you all night.”

“I’m busy,” Promise explained. “Why…. what’s going on?”

“Pooh got shot!” Squeeze bluntly said.

“What?” Promise uttered as he rose out of bed and released himself from Audrey’s precious grip. He rested his back against the headboard. Hearing that Pooh got shot suddenly bought him out of the paradise he’d escaped to for the past two-weeks. “When?”

“We need you out here, Promise.”

“Okay, I’m on my way… where y’all niggas at?”

“We at Kings County hospital,” Squeeze informed him.

“Ahight, I’ll be there soon.” Promise hung up and rushed outta bed. He began searching for his clothes.

“Promise…who was that? What happened?” Audrey asked looking worried.

“I gotta go, Audrey. Sump’n came up.”

“I’m coming too.”

“Nah, you need to stay here.”

“I know you’re going out to Brooklyn. Promise, what happened?” she asked jumping out of bed naked. She began searching for her clothing.

“You can’t come wit’ me, Audrey…it’s too dangerous out there for you.”

“Promise, tell me what happened!”

“A friend of mine was shot tonight,” he dryly explained as he threw on his Timberlands.

“Omigod! Is he all right?”

“I don’t know.”

Promise was fully dressed and ‘bout ready to head out when Audrey grabbed his arm. She looked gravely worried. “Don’t go, please.”

“Audrey, I gotta go. I gotta see what went down.”

“There’s nothing out there for you anymore, Promise. You need to stop thinking about those friends of yours who are gonna get you killed one day and start thinking about us and your daughter. You start your new job next week.”

“These are my niggas, Audrey. They’ve been looking out for me forever and I gotta see what happened.”

“Promise, if you go out there… they gonna get you in some shit.”

“Audrey, I can take care of myself. I gotta go see my nigga Pooh and find out what went down,” Promise said.

“I’m coming.”

“No!” Promise shouted. “I don’t want you out there. It’s not your world. I gotta go on my own. I promise you, Audrey, dat I ain’t gonna get into no shit,” he assured her staring into her eyes.

Audrey’s eyes began welling up with tears. Her woman’s intuition told her that if Promise left her side and went out to Brooklyn, something terrible was about to happen. Audrey had never felt so strongly for a man before and she didn’t want to lose Promise so soon.

Promise pulled himself away and walked briskly to the front door. Audrey followed behind staring helplessly out her living room window, watching him as he got into his Jeep and drove off hastily. She collapsed on the couch, tears trickling down. She worried for his safety as he made his way to Brooklyn to meet up with friends that he had just said were too dangerous to be around.

She whispered a silent prayer and begged God for her man’s safe return.

Promise arrived at Kings County Hospital a little after midnight. He didn’t care where he parked. He just jumped outta his X5 and dashed into the emergency room where he was greeted by Squeeze and Show.

“Where he at?” Promise asked.

Show, a somber expression on his face, bowed and shook his head. From that, Promise knew the deal.

“Da nigga’s dead!” Squeeze straightforwardly told him.

Promise shook his head. “Stop playin’…what da fuck happened?” he asked staring directly at Squeeze. He knew Squeeze had the answer to Pooh’s death.

“Da nigga, Nine, yo…he gotta go,” Squeeze yelled.

“What…Nine shot Pooh?”

“Da nigga gotta go, Promise…he disrespected us, yo…dem niggas from Tompkins Ave killed Pooh. They gotta get got, yo.”

“Squeeze, I’m down,” Show chimed in.

“What happened?” Promise asked again.

“Fuck you mean, what happened? Pooh’s lying dead and you standing here all nonchalant like Pooh’s death don’t mean shit,” Squeeze shouted. “Da bitch from L.I. got you soft, huh? You suppose to fuck dat bitch and let her be - like I did her friend. We suppose to be family; niggas know each other since we knee high. Don’t put a bitch before your niggas. You should be ready to murder right now! Ask what da fuck happened later, nigga. You gonna be down wit’ your niggas who had your back for life or you gonna diss us for some bitch you don’t even know like that?”

The intensity in Squeeze’s eyes let Promise know that if he wasn’t down tonight, there was going to be beef between him and Squeeze later. Show and Squeeze glared at him waiting for his reply. Promise knew that Squeeze was upset because of Pooh’s death and that was why he was trippin’ like that.

Promise’s conscience ran wild while he rode in the back of Squeeze’s truck on the way to Tompkins Ave to get retaliation for their man. Promise had known this day was inevitable; today he had to prove himself to the crew and take a life for a life for their fallen brother, Pooh.

It had come down to a choice between his loyalty to the streets and his niggas or becoming a family with the girl he loved. Promise thought on this as he gripped the black nine-millimeter in his hand, his heart beating rapidly, palms sweating, mind racing as he peered out the passenger window.

Ashley and Audrey had become the two most important people in his life right now. So, why was he in this truck on his way to commit murder? He had a future, yet here he was traveling down a Brooklyn street with Brooklyn niggas ready to commit a few 187’s on this hot June summer night.

The truck was quiet, everyone deep in thought. Show drove while Squeeze rode shotgun. Promise’s cellphone rang insistently with Audrey’s special ring. The calls went straight to voicemail.

It was 1a.m. and hot outside. July 4^th was right around the corner. Everyone was still outside their apartments, drinking, socializing, smoking and a few hustlers out still operating business—business as in the drug dealers were still out in the court yards and lobbies treating and feeding their coke and dope addicted fiends through the morning hours. It was 95 degrees and the unfortunate residents in the building without air-conditioning had decided to keep cool by staying out of their sweltering apartments trying to catch a night breeze.

Nine and his cronies were also out, chilling and mingling in front of their place of business on Tompkins and Myrtle in front of the building where their customers could find them easy.

Squeeze’s truck slowly turned the corner with its headlights off. They quickly spotted Nine and his peeps. Show put the truck in park and shut off the ignition.

“Fuck dat, we just gonna run up on these niggas,” Squeeze said cocking back his weapon and stepping outta the truck. Show followed and Promise was the last to exit.

Squeeze wanted to run up on these niggas and murder them all. He didn’t give a fuck how many heads were out at one in the morning. As far as he was concerned, he was taking and making it his business. The beef between Nine and Squeeze became personal when they killed Pooh.

They slowly crept up to Nine and his peeps with their guns out and held down to their side advancing quickly and quietly toward their targets. Before they could get up on them, the element of surprise was lost when one of Nine’s men spotted the attack coming and shouted out, “Nine, look-out,” while drawing his .45 and firing into the night.

Squeeze and Show quickly returned fire. Promise became startled, ducked and then he returned fire. His life was in danger. Rapid gunfire echoed out into the night and folks and residents who were out just trying to enjoy the summer night quickly dashed to take cover from the gunshots riddling the projects.

Promise let off multiple rounds at six men firing at him. He didn’t see Squeeze or Show as he darted into the street, bullets whizzing by his ears. He felt alone; he knew he was on his own. It wasn’t about revenge now; it was about survival. They were outgunned and outnumbered. Police sirens pierced the air.

When Promise saw the blue and white cop cars rushing in with the overhead blue and red lights blaring repetitively, he panicked and fired at the first oncoming squad car striking the cop in the passenger seat in his chest. The driver got out when his partner was hit by a bullet he returned fire. But Promise had already taken off running.

He sprinted through the projects with his gun still in hand, scared to drop his weapon, fearing the cops would find it and trace his fingerprints back to him. Having his gun on him was too risky so when Promise came to a nearby corner, he dropped his gun down a sewer drain and continued running.

Promise heard the wailing police sirens. He tried not to panic and look suspicious and to stay out of the cops’ sight knowing that if they saw him sweating, exhausted, and not too far from the crime scene, it was his ass. Promise would see Central Booking tonight and probably jail for a long, long time if he got caught.

He crept his way through the night, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. Beads of sweat trickled down his face. Promise couldn’t stop shaking. He thought about his daughter and Audrey. He needed to get out of Brooklyn fast. He had shot a cop and the police would be harassing every young black male in the vicinity.

Promise stumbled upon a cabstand and ducked behind a parked car when police cars suddenly raced by. After the area cleared, he darted into the cabstand and told the dispatcher that he needed a cab fast. There was a cab on hand in five minutes. Promise jumped in and told the driver his location. He needed to get back to King’s County to get his ride where he’d left it parked and bounce outta Brooklyn and back to Queens or L.I.

It was three in the morning when Audrey heard a loud knock and the constant ringing of the bell at her front door. Luckily she was home alone or her moms would’ve been very upset at the sudden disturbance at the front door so early in the morning. She wasn’t asleep. She had been up since Promise left. He’d been gone for four hours so when she heard the loud knocks, Audrey silently prayed. Deep inside she felt something was wrong.

She scurried to the door in her house robe and slippers and relief surged through her when she peeped outside. Promise came flying in, sweaty and bleeding.

“Ohmigod! Baby, what happened?” Audrey cried panic-stricken.

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