Page 4

Prosper

After my last class, I left school and drove to a privately owned gym I frequented for both workouts and business. Upon entering, I headed straight to the back room to change. Because this was a business meeting no other customers were present. When I returned to the front, the owner was already waiting for me by the equipment, as usual.

“P,” he greeted me with a nod as we slapped hands.

“Santana… How you feelin’, fam?” I plopped down on a bench to begin my workout.

“Shit…I’m alive. Can’t complain.”

“I feel you,”

“You been good?”

“Hell yeah,”

“Cool, I got an issue that needs to be solved.”

“I’m listenin’.”

Santana Rossi was more than just a gym owner; he wore many hats. In addition to managing the gym and a recording studio, he served as a major drug distributor across Texas. Niggas had their own crews, but they all sourced their product from him. Our connection traced back to his late grandfather, Maverick, and my grandfather.

My grandfather was one of Maverick’s enforcers, and as he got older, he trained my father, who eventually passed on the skills to me to step into that role. Aside from the inherent risks, I had no complaints about the position within the organization. At just twenty-five years old, I was raking in more money than niggas twice my age.

The room fell silent as we worked out. Once Santana was done, he said,

“I got a muthafucka trying to make his way into another territory without permission. He’s stepping on one of my best buyer's toes. I need you to send a message to prevent a war from fuckin’ up my bread. But most importantly, I need niggas to remember how things are supposed to go. Understand?”

“Understood.”

That meant he wanted me to make an example out of him. A reminder that anyone wanting to switch up and serve elsewhere had to get his blessings first. Santana ultimately controlled the entire board, and there were severe repercussions for not following his guidelines. He wouldn’t hesitate to cut off someone’s entire supply line—or worse, their entire bloodline. It was a dangerous game.

“Cool, I’ll send the details right after this session.”

“Bet.” I lifted the weights.

“P, one more thing.”

“Sup?”

“I need you to handle that tonight . I’ll throw an extra for the inconvenience. I know it’s last minute.”

“Say less,”

An hour later, I pulled up to my crib. I knew the sound of the garage door rising would have my dog on high alert. Sure enough, as I entered through the door, there he was, wagging his tail. My foot barely touched the floor inside before he jumped up, eager for attention.

After deactivating the alarm, I bent down to give him the affection he was so eagerly begging for. Had I been anyone else, shit would’ve gone a lot differently. Black was good until he wasn’t. He was trained to kill and protect just as much as he was trained to love. I always said, if a nigga rolled up in here, he’d better come prepared for war. Black would slaughter his ass before my bullets could.

“Down, boy,” I instructed, and his legs immediately dropped back to the ground. “Sup?” I lowered myself to the floor and extended my hand.

With a loud bark, Black tapped one of his paws on my fist, giving me a dap. This was our usual greeting. My lil nigga was smart. I’d had him since he was a puppy and trained him well.

“That’s my boy.” I rubbed the top of his head before standing up. “You been straight?”

Again, he barked.

“Aight, let’s roll so you can handle ya business, mane. I got shit to go handle.”

He made a noise in response; a certain sound that let me know he wasn’t happy about me just getting home and leaving again.

“I know, I know. Pops been real busy lately. But as soon as I’m done getting this degree and my wife , we gon' be back to regular programming. Might even fuck around and give you a sister or brother to play wit’, ya feel me?”

He barked once more as if he understood, and I chuckled.

I removed his chain from the hook on the wall and clipped it to his collar. With Ms. Mosley on my mind, I headed outside for a walk with Black. Together, we strolled the area for about twenty minutes before I took him to a nearby park. With barely anyone around, I let him roam wild with a toy, giving me some time to sit down and stalk Ms. Mosley’s Facebook page.

I’d been keeping tabs on her ever since I got her full name off my schedule. That’s how I initially discovered she had a man. Their photos had long since vanished, though. Good for him, considering I’d been contemplating taking his bitch ass out just to clear the path. I scrolled through her profile for about ten minutes, studying every photo as if I’d never seen them before.

Once I felt satisfied, I exited the app and rushed back home. I filled Black's bowls with food and fresh water before heading upstairs to get dressed. With a gloved hand, I retrieved my gun from the safe, ensuring the silencer was securely attached. Then I rolled out just as quickly as I’d come in.

∞∞∞

The next day, I awoke to my phone vibrating relentlessly on the nightstand. Since it was Saturday and I didn’t have any classes, I opted to sleep in. After the long days I’d had during the week, I needed the rest.

“Yeah,” I answered, eyes still closed and agitated as hell.

“Sup, bro? Been callin’ yo’ ass all mornin’.” My best friend, Peanut, said.

“For what? I’m tired than a muthafucka.”

“I’m tryna make sho you straight. Yo’ T lady been blowing me up looking for you. Thought something happened to yo’ ass last night. I know you had that job.”

“Fuck,” I opened one eye and scrolled through my screen. Sure enough, I had multiple missed calls and voicemails. “Ah, shit.”

“Told you,” Peanut chuckled. “That’s yo’ ass, nigga. She been on my line talkin’ shit.”

“I’m already knowin’. Ain’t no point in calling her back. Gotta get my ass around there.” I quickly stood up, sliding my feet into my Nike slippers.

“Hell yeah. Well, now that I know you straight, I’ma ‘bout to bust this U. Need to hit up this club and make sho shit straight for Josh tonight. You still coming through, right?”

“Fuck, that’s tonight?”

“Figured yo’ ass forgot.”

“Don’t trip. I’m on it. See y’all niggas tonight.”

“Bet.”

As soon as the call ended, I took care of my hygiene and made my way to where my Queen resided. It didn’t take me long since she only lived about fifteen minutes away. Black and I stepped through her door and found her lounging on the couch, feet propped up, engrossed in the TV. He wasted no time taking off, barking.

“Oh, my goodness. Come here, baby.” She said to him, pulling him into her arms. “Feels like forever since your big-headed daddy brought you by.”

I let them have their moment before I chimed in. “Sup, ma,” I spoke, handing her roses and kissing her cheek. That was my way of easing any potential wrath.

“And where the hell have you been?” She snapped. “I been calling you, son.”

“I know, my bad. I was asleep. Had a long night.”

“I been told you to get around here to see me though, Prosper. If you were ever home, I would come to you, hell.”

“I know, ma. I apologize. You been aight?”

“Yeah,” She eyed me with a mix of scrutiny and affection before bowing her head and examining her flowers further. I could tell they softened her up a bit. “Thank you for these, baby. They are beautiful.”

“You know I got you.”

“Mmhmm. Let me find out you don’t wanna spend time with your mama no more, boy.”

I chuckled at her spoiled ass. She often feigned hurt when I let more than a week go by without coming over. After she and my father divorced, it had always just been the two of us, and she missed me staying here.

“Never that. Charge it to my busy schedule, never my heart. It’s been hectic for me.”

“Understandable,” she nodded, giving me another once-over. “It’ll all pay off in the end. I’m so proud of you. I know your nana and cheatin’ ass daddy are looking down, proud too. Especially nana. You’re keeping your promise to her.”

“You know I ain’t breaking no promise to Nana. And stop talkin’ about my pops, woman.”

“Yeah, yeah. May his soul rest in peace.” She waved me off.

I lost my father to brain cancer when I was twenty-two. All that work he put in these streets; you’d think a bullet had his name on it. But nope, it was a tumor that took him out.

“What you been up to?”

“Work, then I came straight home. I’ve just been sitting here relaxing. I’m tired myself.”

“That’s ‘cause you been working too hard.” I shot her a firm look.

She winced as she adjusted her small feet on the recliner. “Ain’t that the truth. These damn things hurt like hell. Some days, I feel like I’m going to need a wheelchair to get around.”

“Keep tellin’ you to stay off ‘em. Retire and let me take care of you.”

“Boy, please. What am I gonna do all day at home but be bored out of my mind?”

“Pick up a hobby. Workout… find a show to binge…go shopping. Something.” I argued.

My T lady had been working at a local market since before I was born. She started as a cashier and worked her way up to general manager of the entire store. Earlier this year, I had told her she could retire and let my bread take care of her.

However, she wasn’t having none of that. Mary was an independent woman who preferred to take care of herself, though she never wanted for anything anyway. Even before I grew up and started making my own money, my father would break her off. He was a lousy husband, but a great father and provider—let her tell it.

“I have a hobby. Drinking my wine while workin’ on my crossword puzzles. But I can’t see myself doing that all day.”

“Then find somethin’ more. Your feet are swollen.”

“Boy, leave me alone. I’m not retiring.”

“And you call me hardheaded. I wonder where I get that shit from.”

“Your damn daddy. Now, hush. How’s school going? You been missing. Catch me up.”

“Great,” I said, blushing like a fuckin’ lame before I could catch myself.

“Great, huh?” She grinned, curiosity lighting up her face. “Boy, school’s never been great to you. You’ve always hated it and skipped. Only went to college ‘cause nana stayed on your ass. Who is she ?”

We both laughed, knowing I stayed flirting and pursuing. A pretty face had always been my weakness. But this time was different for me. I wanted more than just to fuck. Ms. Mosley didn’t even have to spread her legs for me off the rip. Something in me just wanted to take her out and spoil her pretty ass while getting to know her on a deeper level.

“Yeah, I’ve never seen you like this about school. It’s got to be a girl involved.”

I shook my head, giving her a look. “She bad, ma.” I admitted.

“Mmhmm, I believe you. She got to be truly special to have you grinning like that. What’s her name?”

“Nia’Rose,”

“Nia’Rose? Ooh, that’s different and pretty. Have you made your move yet?”

“I tried,” I kept it real.

My T lady and I were like best friends; I could talk to her about anything. It wasn’t the first time we shared insights into our love lives. When I was growing up, we had one rule: don’t bring anyone home unless we were serious about them. She established that rule to prevent different men from coming in and out of my life, and I respected her so much for that shit. Despite the grudge she held against my father for consistently breaking her heart, she stood firm on the belief that I already had a father and didn’t need another one.

Her brows dipped. “What lil chicken head done turned my son down ‘cause aht aht.”

We laughed in unison.

“I won’t hold you. She shot me down for good reason. I’m puttin' in that work though.”

“Hmph, well okay then. I ain’t never heard you talk like this. She must be a really good girl.”

“She is fasho.”

“Okay,” She smiled. “Well, in the meantime, you still have mama to take care of you. Do you have anything to eat at home? I cooked a little something. I can fix you a plate.”

“Nah, my fridge empty. I was planning to grab something on my way to the club tonight. I'm meeting Peanut and them in a few hours. It’s lil Josh’s birthday.”

Without missing a beat, my T lady shot up and headed into the kitchen. I knew it was pointless to tell her to stop and that I could fix my plate. Her ass wouldn’t listen.

“How old lil Josh turning?” She questioned from afar. “I talked to Peanut this morning, and he didn’t even tell me it was his birthday.”

“Nineteen, so you know we gotta show out.”

“Oh lord. Well, make sure to tell that knucklehead I said happy birthday. It feels like just yesterday y’all were all running around my house getting into trouble. Time flies by so fast.”

“Yep, will do.”

“And please watch your liquor intake, son. If I wake up to news that you hurt because you done flipped that car over, I’ll blow up Peanut, Lil Josh, and that entire gotdamn club.”

“Now how you gon blow them folks up ‘cause I done fucked up?”

“You heard what I said.”

I chuckled, shaking my head at her dramatics. “I got you, woman.”

“Enjoy,” she said, handing me my food. The spaghetti she made smelled good as fuck. “And big boy is staying with me tonight.” She glanced down at Black. “You okay with that, baby? We can snuggle up and watch movies while daddy goes out to trick. I got everything you need here.”

Black barked, hopping onto the couch next to her as I dug into my meal. The warmth of the food and the comfort of being home felt good as hell.

“Say,” I said to Black once I finished, and he dropped from the couch to the floor to meet me in the center of the living room.

Squatting down to his eye level, I told him, “Be good, aight?”

He barked as I patted the top of his head.

“And if anyone comes in here fuckin’ with ma, you…” I slid a finger across my throat, gesturing for him to take their fucking head off.

Again, he barked, standing firmly, as if he understood every word.

Once I finished lecturing my boy, I set aside a stack for my T lady before I left, encouraging her to treat herself tomorrow to a pedicure and anything else she desired.

∞∞∞

It didn’t take long for me to head home, freshen up, and switch rides. Tonight, I opted for my slab; I had been eager to show off the new paint job on this muthafucka. This was the perfect occasion to do so.

I arrived at the club around eleven o’clock, pulling up to the curb. After hopping out, I tossed my keys to the valet.

“How are you doing today, sir?” One of the guys asked.

“I’m straight. Just don’t fuck up my shit. Otherwise, my night takes a deadly turn, ya feel me?” I shot him a glare, and he nodded nervously before sliding into the driver's seat.

I watched him drive off as I stepped inside the building. My best friend Peanut had paid the owner extra to let us enter through the side, so we couldn’t be searched.

“Sup,” I slapped hands with Peanut before turning to his younger brother, Josh. “Happy birthday, lil bro.”

“Appreciate you, bro. What you got for yo’ boy?”

“This nigga… that’s all he cares about,” Peanut shook his head, watching Josh rub his hands together in anticipation. “I’m worn out from putting all this shit together. If I’d known you just wanted cash, I could’ve given you that shit and stayed at the crib tonight.”

“No shit,” I agreed, reaching into my pocket and pulling out two stacks. “Here you go, nigga. Damn.”

“Appreciate you, bro. Good looking out.”

“Always.”

Peanut and I had been best friends since elementary school, and our families were just as tight. I considered Lil Josh like my little brother too; blood couldn’t make us any closer. Even though Peanut and I were deep in the streets, he’d turned out to be a decent kid. While I made money taking niggas heads off, Peanut moved work for Santana.

“My nigga,” Peanut handed me a bottle he’d been holding. “We celebrating more than just Josh tonight. Cheers to gettin’ this money, ya feel me?”

“Fasho,” I agreed, popping the bottle open and taking it to the head.

“I got a lil somethin’ else for you, bro.” He nodded towards a couple of girls he’d brought along. “Check it.”

“Yeah?” I glanced over.

“Hell yeah. Nice, right?”

I slowly surveyed them from head to toe before shrugging, unimpressed. “Shit…they straight. I seen better though. A lot better .” They did not have shit on Ms. Mosley.

Peanut laughed. “Damn, ol picky ass nigga. Bring yo’ ass on and quit complaining.”

For a while, I sat and chilled, tuning out the crowd of bitches in the section. They were on dick hard tonight, but I wasn’t moved. And as if the universe knew where my mind truly was, I spotted a familiar face stepping into the club half an hour later.

Thinking my eyes were playing tricks on me, I quickly stood for a better look. And sure enough, it was Ms. Mosley, wearing a dress that had certain parts of her body completely exposed.

Fuckkk . I thought as I caught a glimpse of the large rose tattoo adorning her back. I nearly lost my muthafuckin’ mind seeing her like that.