Gangsta Twist 3 (11 page)

By the time Taz, Sacha, the kids, and the crew made it to Oklahoma City Mama-Mama had been transferred from Spencer Hospital to Mercy Hospital, a hospital better equipped to take care of Mama-Mama's needs. Taz had been a nervous wreck up until the doctor came and told them that Mam-Mama was in stable condition. That calmed him tremendously but only temporarily because the doctor then informed him that Mama-Mama needed to have heart surgery due to clogged arteries to her heart. A bypass surgery needed to be scheduled as soon as possible.

Taz shook his head and sat down so he could think straight. He knew that Mama-Mama wouldn't want to have any type of surgery. She told him a long time ago that if it was her time to go then let her God take her 'cause she would be ready if He was ready for her. Her words were clear in his head, but he wasn't going to let that stubborn old woman be taken from him. He stared at the doctor for a moment and asked him, “How soon can you schedule this surgery, Doctor?”

“As long as her condition remains stable we can do it within the next twenty-four hours.”

“What are the risks involved, Donald?” asked Tari who used to work as a nurse at Mercy and knew that the doctor assigned to Mama-Mama was very competent, which made her feel better about this situation.

“It will be fairly routine bypass surgery. The risks are minimal as long as her vitals remain as stable as they are now. That's why I would like to monitor her for twenty-four hours before proceeding.”

Taz was shaking his head from side to side. “What's wrong, baby?” asked Sacha.

Tazneema answered for her father. “Mama-Mama has always told us that she will never have anyone cutting on her. She said if it's her time to go then she will be ready for the Lord's calling. She made us promise to never let anyone do any kind of surgery on her.”

“Come on, man, Mama-Mama can't be that stubborn on this one, dog. We can't let her go out like this, Taz,” said Red.

Taz sighed heavily and said, “Will she be awake anytime soon, Doc?”

The doctor smiled and said, “Right now she's heavily sedated for comfort and to help her vitals. If everything remains in good condition by the morning I'll ease back some of the sedatives I have her on and she would wake up say around evening time.”

Taz returned his smile and asked, “And when would the surgery take place if her vitals are still good?”

“I would schedule it close to ten a.m.”

Taz stared at his daughter and asked her, “What you think, Neema?'

“Uh-uh. You ain't putting that on me. I want Mama-Mama here healthy and safe, but I'm running for the hills when she wakes up and finds out you approved having surgery done on her, Daddy. This is your call to make not mine. And I'm making sure she knows it, too!”

Everyone inside the waiting room started laughing because they all knew and loved Mama-Mama. They also knew that she was going to go off on Taz for going against her wishes. But each member of the crew plus Sacha knew that Taz was not about to let his mother die because she didn't want to ever have any form of surgery done on her. Taz took a deep breath and told the doctor to schedule the surgery and he would sign the necessary documents to approve the surgery for Mama-Mama. After shaking the doctor's hand Taz turned toward the crew and said, “Y'all niggas better make sure you help me when Mama-Mama comes to because she is going to kill my ass!” The laughter from everyone this time was more like a tension reliever because everyone knew that Taz had just made the right decision as far as saving his mother's life.

 

 

“I've just received word that Taz and his merry crew along with his wife and kids are now in Oklahoma City.”

“What made him make that trip so suddenly?” asked Saint Tramon.

“His mom had a heart attack last night.”

“Mmmm. Does this mean he will remain out that way for a while?”

“Too early to tell, but I would think so with him being the only child and all.”

“How will that affect your plans?”

“It's a setback because I don't have people in place out there like I do out this way. But it's nothing that couldn't be taken care of when the time is right.”

“Are you sure? That's his home turf; he may be able to spot any suspicious behavior.”

“I doubt it. Like I said I would have to put people in place and look at it closely before I made a move anyway. It's not like I'm rushing with this. We have all the time in the world to make this move on him and his crew.”

“Actually we don't. Once Taz is removed from the equation things will get hectic for the Network. Time is important in several ways. Taz should be removed no later than summer's end; is that enough time for you?”

“More than enough.”

“Good. You do know that you cannot miss. This has to be as strategic as possible. The entire crew must be handled. If not, everything will blow up in our faces because they won't hesitate to bring everything that they have at us.”

“When I get down I don't do misses, Saint Tramon,” Danny Orumutto said seriously.

“I hope you won't start either.”

 

 

Each member of the crew went to their homes in Oklahoma City to get some rest because they would all be returning to the hospital in the morning to wait it out during Mama-Mama's surgery. Taz and Sacha were making themselves comfortable at his mini mansion, waiting for Gwen to bring the twins from her and Bob's place. While Sacha was fussing around the house making sure everything was in order, Taz had a few calls to make. He called back West and spoke with his head of security to let him know that he would be gone for an undetermined amount of time. He wasn't going back to California until he knew without a doubt that his mother was okay. The more he thought about the move, he wanted to make Mama-Mama leave with him when she got out of the hospital. He had to laugh that off because no one made Mama-Mama do a damn thing. The more he thought about things, the better he began to feel. Coming back home may have been a blessing in disguise. He felt more comfortable in Oklahoma City and would be able to spot any bullshit coming his way if Saint Tramon or any of the council members tried to make a move against him and the crew.
Yeah, this may just work out right,
he said to himself as he called his head of security back.

“Say, Mack, I need one more thing from you.”

“Holla at me, boss, and you know I'm on it.”

“I need you to get my dogs and have them flown out here to me.”

“Damn, Taz, you know I do not like fucking with them damn Dobermans when you're not around.”

Laughing, Taz said, “Man, come on with that shit. You are six foot six, 275 pounds of solid mass, and you are scared of my babies?”

“You fucking right! I know them dogs are trained to kill, and I swear I'm not trying to beef with you, Taz. If they ever try to get at me, I'm putting two in each of they head!”

Taz stopped laughing and said in a very serious tone, “The day that happens will also be the day your ass dies. Get them on a flight out here to me and let me know when the flight arrives, big scary-ass nigga.”

“Will do. I'm telling you now I'm delegating shit on this one. I am not going near those vicious fucking dogs!”

“Do what you gotta do. Just get my dogs to me, Mack.”

“Will do, boss.”

“One more thing.”

“What up?”

“Find some discreet folks on the team and put some eyes from a distance on Danny Orumutto for me.”

“Like that?”

“Yeah, like that. That slimy fuck may be on some shit, so I want to keep tabs. Can you handle that?'

“Done deal. Anything else?”

“Not at the moment. Might as well tell the rest of the team they can chill for a minute 'cause I'm out this way and ain't no telling for how long at this point. Stay ready. Never know I may need y'all to hop a bird this way.”

“We're always ready, boss.”

“I know. Talk to you later,” Taz said and hung up the phone. He then called Snuffy in Texas and told him that he wanted him to fly out to OKC and come and meet with him in a few days. After that was taken care of he stretched and yawned loudly. He was dead tired; all he wanted to do was take a long, hot bath and get some sleep.

 

 

Tazneema was feeling much better now that her father and play uncles were in town. Their presence gave her instant confidence that everything would be all right. The mere thought of Mama-Mama dying was terrifying and way too much for her to handle. When she stepped into her new home she sighed and thought about all of the work that she and Lyla still had to do and how it would have to be put off until after Mama-Mama's surgery. Lyla was sitting down in the living room when Neema entered and asked, “How's your grandma, Neema?”

“She's in stable condition but needs to have bypass surgery. It's been scheduled for tomorrow morning as long as her vitals remain okay.”

“That's good news I guess, huh? I mean she being stable and all.”

“Yeah, it's good news, could have been worse. Mama-Mama's going to be so pissed at Taz for authorizing that surgery. She always told us she never wanted to be cut on no matter what.”

“I know Mama-Mama is stubborn, but even she wouldn't be that stubborn.”

Smiling, Neema told her besty, “You don't know, girl, you really don't know. Anyway, what you been up to?”

“Nothing much, just lugging my stuff over here and now tired from making five trips. Geesh, I didn't know I had this much stuff.”

“At least we won't have to worry about room. We've got plenty of space,” Neema said as she waved her arms around.

Laughing, Lyla said, “You ain't never lied, girl. My God this mini mansion is like really not mini at all. Why do they even call a place like this a mini mansion anyway?”

“I don't have the slightest idea. All I know is I love it and I'm glad I decided to make this move. It works out perfectly for the both of us.”

“I know that's right. You do know once we get everything in order with our personal touches we're going to have to throw a little something here to break in our home right?'

“You know I don't do parties so you need to dead that one, girlfriend. This is our home, our safe haven. Let's enjoy it together, Lyla.”

Frowning, Lyla said, “It's not about breaking in the house. It's more about starting to live again, Neema. It's way past time that you knock them cobwebs off that coochie, girl, and start living again. We need to party more and get out. Shit, I've let you lull me into a damn funk. It's been like three months since I've had me some! I am so sick of my toys!”

“Ugh. TMI, Lyla.”

“TMI, my ass, it's the truth! You know damn well I know your freaky ass have plenty of toys your damn self so don't even try that with me, Neema. Seriously, I know what you went through and I understand, but it's time to start living again. You have a great career, plenty of money, and now you got a fantastic home. All you're missing is some fun. I'm not trying to get you all the way out there like I was when we were in school. I'm saying let's enjoy life. Let's get back to clubbing and, you know, doing what it do.”

Neema smiled at her best friend and knew that she was right. It was way past time for her to move on with her life, just like Mama-Mama had told her. “This is one of those rare times when you are right and on point, girlfriend. So this is what we'll do. After Mama-Mama's surgery is complete and all is well with her then we can start making some plans on hanging again. I'm dead serious this house is not for everyone to know about. Taz would have a fit and get to preaching to me about security and how I am not the normal type of female because of who he is. So we have to maintain a strict privacy code when it comes to where we stay. Cool?”

“I got you. Are you saying if I meet someone and feeling him I can't bring him here to get my freak on?”

“Yes and no. If you meet a guy at the club or around the way and want to fuck him day one like you have been known for doing then hell no, he can't come here! But if it's something serious and you've taken the time to get to know the man then I have no problem with him coming over here. You just have to be careful is all I'm saying, Lyla. This is not just my place; it's our place. I am not making all of the decisions; we're making them. Being safe is my father's main concern and after looking at my past situation I have learned not to go against the grain when it comes to Taz. Been there and done that and that's not happening ever again.”

“I'm with you, girl, and I understand. We got a super place and we will enjoy it together. Can you answer one question for me?”

“What?”

“Why does this place have like four bathrooms? Didn't your Uncle Keno stay here by himself?'

Shaking her head, Neema said, “You are the stupidest smart girl I have ever met in my life you know that?”

“Whatever. I know one thing, we're splitting the bathrooms. I want the one with that huge-ass bathtub; you can have the smaller ones.”

“Whatever you want, Lyla. Let me go to bed. I have to get up early to be at the hospital for Mama-Mama's surgery.”

“All right. I'm going to do some more unpacking and may make another trip or two back to my old place. Is it cool to store my extra stuff up in the attic?”

“Yeah, that's where I was going to put some of my uncle Keno's stuff, too. I already boxed up his clothes and stuff.”

“What about his cars? I like them old school Chevys he has. They are clean, girl.”'