I Can Touch the Bottom (13 page)

Three long grueling weeks had passed since Devin got his face shot half off by Stackz. After selling chicken and fish dinners and dry begging everyone they knew, Devin's family had finally put enough money together to lay him to rest. Today is the day. Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. services will be held for Devin James Boyd at Swanson Funeral Home on Mack Avenue and East Grand Boulevard.

Rank and Mickey had been in hiding since the shit popped off at the club, but today, they agreed to chance their lives to pay their last respects to their fallen homeboy. They'd convinced Leela into going and pay her last respects to Devin as well, seeing that she claimed to be carrying his child. Of course, Leela wanted to attend to say her final farewells but knew her presence would not be a good idea. She'd already sprung for a floral arrangement to be sent and that was all she was willing to sacrifice, knowing, in reality, Devin wouldn't be around no more to bless her with money here and there after he hit a lick or caught some dope dealer slipping. Leela knew she was on her own also when it came to having his baby. After all, it took his broke-ass family three weeks to scrape up on funeral fare, so asking for milk and diapers would be out of the question.

After some coaxing from Rank and Mickey, Leela finally agreed as long as they promised that they would stand by her when she tells his family about the baby. And not let Devin's crazy still-out-for-blood-holding-a-grudge sister jump on her. The mournful pair assured her that they would, as long as they both could be godfather to Devin's baby. Wanting all the potential financial help she could get, Leela agreed.

* * *

It was a little after 1:00 p.m. and the service had started for Devin Boyd. Having been left with half a face, the known setup individual had a closed casket service. The family couldn't afford to pay for the best reconstruction specialist, and even if they could, unfortunately, Stackz didn't leave them much in the way to work with.

Upon hearing of his victim's state, Stackz made insensitive jokes about Devin having to have a closed casket. He said, “All the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't put Devin's face back together again.” T. L. and Gee thought it was funny, but Stackz would never say anything that ugly to Ava, let alone in ear range of Leela.

Rank, Mickey, and Leela arrived at the funeral home. After parking, they rushed inside the building. Quickly finding the room Devin's services were held in, Leela felt as if she was going to pass out or throw up. All three of them were unnerved. Mickey and Rank was looking for the unexpected killer to stand up in the middle the services and start shooting at them in retaliation for the attempt on Stackz's life, while Leela was afraid Devin's family wasn't going to be reasonable with her even being there; at least, his vindictive sister, for that matter.

Once the frightened trio entered the quiet room, everyone looked up to see who was coming in except for Devin's mother, sister, and aunt. They were sitting in the front row where no one really ever wanted to be. This was the time the best seats in the house weren't up front center. Some of Devin's people were grieving hard, bawling their eyes out about him dying so young, while others were whispering that they knew this bullshit was gonna happen considering the street lifestyle he led. Sad church music played low throughout the room as the three of them got their courage up to approach the bronze and sky-blue-colored casket which had a huge black-and-white picture of Devin sitting near it on a pedestal.

“Damn, closed casket. Man, look at this picture of him they used, all dressed up going to the comedy concert downtown last year. I remember that picture from off this Facebook page,” Rank nudged Mickey, speaking in a low tone. “This shit is so messed up. I can't believe Devin up in that mug dead; gone.”

Although Devin had been dead and gone weeks ago, this day, this time, seeing his picture alone beside a closed casket made the bullshit seemed like it just happened a few hours ago. It was like scraping the scab off a slow-healing wound.

This picture is terrible. Out of all the ones they could've used, why in the fuck did they pick this one?
Tears flowed like a water facet turned on full blast from Leela's red eyes as she stared at the photo of Devin. She couldn't help but think about the last time she saw him on the restaurant floor looking so pitiful at her as she stepped over him like he was no more than a mere piece of garbage.

Rank held back tears. He cautiously scanned the room for anyone that looked like they didn't belong. Paranoid, he was ready to shoot it out inside the funeral home and risk killing anyone that got in his way if he had to, including Devin's grieving mother. He, just like Mickey and even Leela, didn't want any trouble. Like everyone else that was hopefully there, they just wanted to pay their final respects and go home. Huddled together as if they were connected at the hip, they walked up the middle aisleway. Moving closer toward the casket and the front of the room to offer their condolences to the family, Devin's sister lifted her face that had been buried in her hands when Mickey reached over, placing his hand gently on her shoulder. No sooner than she turned her head around, she looked on the other side of Mickey and locked eyes with Leela. As if on cue—all hell broke loose.

Leaping to her feet, Devin's already mentally distraught and drained sister went berserk and had to be physically restrained. She couldn't believe that after all that had been said and done over the past few weeks since her brother's death that Leela had the bad taste to actually show up. That she had the nerve, the balls, the guts, to march right up to her deceased brother's casket like she was his loyal wifey or some shit like that.

“Get her out of here! Your ass not welcome in here! Bitch, it's your fault Devin lying up in a casket now in the first place; running around trying to impress your high yellow ugly ass!”

“Really?” Leela slowly spoke looking at Devin's sister, praying she didn't have to reach in her purse and pull out the double-edged butcher knife she brought with her just in case Mickey and Rank wouldn't or couldn't do as they promised. Taking her chances, Leela didn't flinch or move; she stood her ground. Right then and there, she decided if anyone deserved to be standing at the right side of Devin's casket, it would be her; his soon-to-be baby momma.

Rank and Mickey moved in front of Leela with their hands up, pleading with Devin's sister to calm down and just hear what Leela had to say. The older aunt reined Devin's sister temporarily back in line, quickly becoming the sole voice of reason. Hoping to diffuse the explosive situation, she expressed to everyone that this isn't the time or place for this type of nonsense.

Leela didn't want any trouble and tried to let Devin's enraged sister know just that. Still in tears, she went on to explain to his entire family she was having his baby; his seed; his firstborn, meaning his only born. Leela told his mother that she'd carry on Devin's memory with his child and wanted them to be a part of the baby's life as well. Their involvement in Devin Jr. or little Devina's life was totally up to them.

Mumbling amongst the family and friends in the funeral moved around like a tidal wave. Caught off guard, no one knew what to say or what to do. They were speechless at Leela for dropping her newborn love-child bomb. After a short speech about the true meaning of family, the aunt painstakingly got everybody on the same page, reluctantly, to accept Leela and the glimmer of light out of this dark day. With her head still containing several staples, thanks to Ava, Devin's sister didn't care what her aunt said or this bitch claimed. She knew Leela was nothing but a whore and a liar.

All the while the confusion was taking place, Mickey and Rank kept searching the small crowd fearing possible retribution. Spooked, they felt like they had been exposed too long out of hiding. They were still doing E-pills that had the two of them paranoid. Rank and Mickey informed Leela they had to get off the street; it wasn't safe for them to be out like that exposed. Then they slipped out the rear exit so as not to be seen by anybody that might be looking for the infamous pair.

* * *

Leela had made it home from the funeral and was having mixed emotions. She felt relieved that she'd gotten somewhat of an understanding with Devin's family about her having his baby. Already having three kids whose fathers or their families were not around, Leela, deep down inside, truly didn't give a fuck about Devin's people either, but welcomed their help, if any, with the baby when he or she was born.

Ava's friend's car was parked out front of the house. Leela hated her, because she always thought she was better than everybody else. She was worse than Ava on that tip, if that was at all possible. Just to be spiteful, Leela took her house keys out of her purse and walked up on the girl's car. Having no concern or remorse, she dragged her key along the side of the car causing a deep long scratch.

After doing her dirt, Leela tiptoed up to Ava's, just to be nosey. She moved quietly, so as not to be heard. She peeked around the corner and didn't see them in the front room. Hearing voices coming from the back, Leela eased down the hall toward Ava's bedroom. Getting closer, she could hear them gossiping about Ava and Stackz's night out and how good he'd fucked her and how she was really feeling him.

Leela was heated to hear her blood be so two-faced. As she held her belly looking down, Leela swore she'd make Stackz pay as well as Ava.
Fuck her and that murderer; he gon' pay for killing my baby daddy.
Needing to throw up, Leela crept back downstairs as quietly as she'd come up.

Stackz and Gee sat in the driveway waiting on a phone call to go pick up money they were due. They agreed a long time ago how they would conduct their business and govern themselves in the streets. No re-up money; no bag, no shorts, or I-owe-this-much excuses. Stackz wasn't playing around about his money; never had and never would. He understood that this life they were living was not promised. He'd spent enough time locked behind bars to know, in a drop of a dime, shit could go from a nigga sitting real right ... to him being down on his luck with his knuckles scraping the ground. Not only had he seen it happen firsthand to some of his direct competitors but heard thousands of tragic stories from dudes giving time to the prison just like him.

The serious subject changed from getting money, making money, and keeping money, to Gee expressing to Stackz bad vibes he was feeling about him dealing with Ava. It didn't sit well with Gee that Stackz was in as deep with Ava as he was. He advised his big brother that he needed to cut her loose. After what had jumped off at the club, Gee felt, in the long run, Ava was like her sister, Leela; grimy and couldn't be trusted. He predicted he only saw more bullshit coming their way if Stackz kept fucking around with the manipulative she devil in high heels.

Not trying to hear what Gee was saying in the way of leaving Ava alone, he told him to mind his own business; he had his personal relationship with the “she devil” under total control. Stackz then reminded Gee that he should be worried about finding the two clowns that needed to be dealt with and leave his pussy problems to him.

Gee assured him he was on it and their time running around town like they'd done no wrong was soon coming to an end. He exposed he had gotten word earlier today that they may have been hiding out somewhere across town. One of his people shot him a text saying that the two MIA small-time thugs had been spotted at the funeral home where Gee and Stackz thought they may have showed up at to see their fallen comrade. Gee also mentioned that Leela was also seen going in the funeral home with them to say her final farewells to one of her fuck buddies.

Stackz rubbed his chin and nodded his head, satisfied their low-level reign of terror on the unsuspecting would be thwarted.

“Yeah, bro, real talk. I knew Leela was probably gonna go to ole boy hookup and whatnot, but she still been on some other shit lately.” Gee put Stackz up on game that Leela had been acting funny toward him over the past few weeks, and he didn't trust her anymore. Trying to put all the pieces together before he reacted, Gee wanted to find out if Leela knew where they were going to the night of the shootout. Because, as he stated the night the shit had popped off, it wasn't any random coincidence they just “happen” to be at the club the same night at the same time.

Stackz felt the same as his baby brother. Something just wasn't right. Without hesitation, he let Gee know he would ask Ava later on tonight when they got together.

“Get together? Again? Tonight? Man, what the fuck? Is you sprung? So, damn, she's your main bitch now or what?” Gee barked at his brother, not believing Stackz was turning his player's card in. “Next thing next, your ass gonna be trading in the Range for a station wagon.”

“It is what it is, nigga; ain't no secret,” Stackz popped right back at him with a huge grin on his face.

* * *

Later that evening after Stackz got his business in order he headed home. Blessed to make it back to his crib and out of the mean streets, he took a deep breath and thanked God. He loved his line of work, because after five o'clock, no later than six at the first of each month, his work day was over. That was the beauty of trapping heroin; you set your business hours and when it's over, it's over; fuck it, it's over. His clientele knew to get all they needed to get them through the night because it was mad crazy dangerous after dark trying to chase that dragon.

Stackz hated it when he used to sell crack. He had to work three times as hard and stay up for days on end—make what in one week what he makes now in one day. After counting up all the money his team got out of the mud today, Stackz rubber banded it all up in thousand-dollar racks. Moving the dining-room table over, he then placed the money in the floor safe he'd had specially built. No one knew where this safe was at; not even Gee. Stackz knew that if he ever died out in the streets, the new owner of his house would be blessed if and when they ever decided to get new carpet.

After calming himself down from the day, Stackz took a long, hot shower. Preparing a fruit smoothie, he grabbed a protein bar as well and caught the tail end of the news. An hour later, he called Ava telling her he would be by to pick her up shortly because they needed to talk. With a raised eyebrow, Ava wanted to know exactly about what; however, Stackz told her she'd find out when he picked her up; just be ready.

Ava hung up the phone and was puzzled about what it could be. She'd noticed something in the way he said,
just be ready
. That bothered her.

* * *

Stackz picked Ava up like he said he would. They sat at an upscale bar and grill to eat and have a few drinks. After awhile of talking about this and that, Ava finally cut off into him. She knew something wasn't right with him. She could tell he had something on his mind because he wasn't himself.

“Okay, dang, bae, what's wrong?”

“Just one thing in particular, Ava.” Stackz, like her, went right to it. He got straight to the point. He wasn't going to let no good pussy blind him or get him off his square. “Okay, it's like this. Somebody told those niggas where we would be the night we all went out. I mean, on some real shit, you think outta all the places in the city, they just stumbled up on us and Gee? Just on the damn humble?”

Ava pushed her empty glass to the middle of the table and looked at Stackz questioning. Then asked him what he was trying to say . . . that she told them where they would be that night? “Hold the fuck up. I know you ain't trying to say I told them nothing-ass bums to come shoot not only you up but my black ass too! Is
that
what the fuck you saying?” Her voice grew louder with each passing word.

Stackz told her he wasn't saying she did it and to calm down. He knew she was official. However, then he asked her the million-dollar question, and that was . . . Did she tell her sister. Ava put her hand over her mouth. It now all made sense to her. Her eyes narrowed as she looked in Stackz's eyes confessing that she had indeed told Leela where she was going that evening. “That bitch asked me where the turnup was that night right before you picked me up. And I swear to God, I never thought about it or put two and two together that that trick would be so messy!”

“So that explains it then.” Stackz finished his drink, needing another.

Ava knew she and Leela went at it constantly and had been since childhood, but this was beyond a fight over borrowing each other's clothes or lipstick. This was unimaginable. Ava couldn't believe her sister would put her directly in harm's way. “I would be lying if I said she wouldn't do anything like that to maybe someone else, but the bitch knew I was gonna be with you and didn't care if I got shot—her own sister! She always been jealous and envious of me. She so damn petty. I ain't even tell you what she did with the flowers you sent me. That heffa threw 'em away!”

Stackz paused, then gave her a halfway smile. “What you mean threw them away?”

“Meaning, I came home from work and found the flowers, the box, and the note stuffed in the trash.” Ava was in full confession mode, giving Stackz a glass insight on who she was when she got pissed and where her loyalties really lay. “I went in on her silly ass. I already told her she had to move outta my house 'cause she refused to get right. But now, trust, she gotta go tonight! Let's go. Pay the damn bill!”

Stackz shook his head in disgust at what he was hearing. Waving the waitress over, he told her he'd have another double shot of 1738 and to bring Ava another of the same she was drinking. “Chill out, okay?” he smiled. “Pump your brakes. Let's just drink these drinks and eat. She'll be there when you get home.”

Ava was still pissed and not ready to let it go that easy. “Naw, Stackz, I'm tired of carrying that girl on my back, and she the damn oldest! She don't want jack shit for her or her kids. Matter of fact, me and my momma do more for her kids than she even think about. And the bitch was like fuck my life!”

Stackz got Ava to finally calm down. After a few more drinks and a good meal, she started to feel some sort of way realizing who she was with, and the fact that he didn't play no games. Cut nothing like her sister, Ava couldn't have a blatant disregard for Leela's life like Leela obviously had for hers. Maybe it was the liquor that had changed Ava's mind-set or maybe it just wasn't in her to be so callous, but whatever the case was, for her nieces' and nephew's sake, she spoke out.

Ava placed her hand over the top of Stackz's hand. With tears about to bubble over and fall down her face, she begged him not to kill her sister if he really cared about her. “Please, Stackz, please let her dumb ass live. I know what she did was fucked up, and she don't deserve another chance. And matter of fact, I don't wanna give her another chance to fuck over you or me either. Trust me, I'm gonna throw her fake ass out as soon as we get back. She's dead to me, I swear.” She allowed her tears to drop as she pleaded her case. “It's just my mother and her damn kids would be hurt if her ass wasn't around no more. Period. Please, Stackz, for me!”

Stackz took everything she'd said in consideration and against his better judgment, he decided to let Leela live. He knew she was going to be trouble in the long run, and he would make sure she got hers one way or another, but just not directly by his hand. “On some real shit, Ava, I feel nothing for your sister; absolutely nothing. And you're the only reason Leela is still breathing right now, because I care about you. Now I know you just talking shit about her being dead to you, but you better watch yourself because one day, her good hating ass gonna mess and get you into some shit you can't cry y'all way out of. Remember, bae, being blood to motherfuckers nowadays don't mean shit.”

And on that note, Stackz swore to Ava he'd keep this conversation between the two of them, because he wasn't the one she had to worry about killing her sister. Ava knew exactly what Stackz was saying; he could never tell Gee or especially T. L.

* * *

The ride back to Ava's house consisted of little to no conversation between the two. They both were in their own thoughts about the whole Leela situation and how it should be handled. Ava was beyond fed up with her sister's selfish ways. She had her mind made up. Leela had to go; not tomorrow, not next week, but tonight. Ava knew she wouldn't feel comfortable with her under her roof one more night after Leela's shadiness had been fully exposed.

Finally pulling up at Ava's, Stackz came to a complete stop. Reaching under his seat, he grabbed his gun and began scanning the block for anything or anybody out place. Ava sat in the passenger seat with her arms folded looking straight-ahead, trying to think of what to say to Stackz. She was in her feelings with him, and she was sure he was in his toward her. Ava didn't want to get out of the truck and leave things up in the air. Turning to Stackz, she told him with no hesitation that she wanted to be with him. And if she had to choose between him or Leela, she chose him. Stackz let his guard down for a moment as he looked at Ava and took in what she had just told him. Not having to say anything else, Ava got out of the truck and began to walk toward the porch. Stackz called out to her, and she looked back over her shoulder to see what he wanted.

“Bae, you sure you good?” he threw his hands up.

“Yeah, bae, I'm more than good,” she replied, taking her house keys out of her purse. “'Cause we good!”