TYCE (11 page)

He got out the car and opened the back door of his truck. The man froze behind the wheel when he saw Omar get out. He almost pissed in his pants when he saw a horse like Doberman jump out the back seat unleashed! The fat man began to panic as he realized he was trapped in the drive thru line with no escape. Omar and Bonnie walked briskly up to the tiny “
Nissan Sentra
” that Mr. Fat was crammed into. With shaky hands, the frightened man fumbled with the handle trying to roll the window up but it was too late, Omar was already at the driver side door. Bonnie’s massive head was level with the window and her eyes narrowed in on his face. The man's head instinctively backed away from the dog but he didn't dare make any sudden movements. Omar’s face appeared next to his dog like they were taking a picture together.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS YOU HONKING FOR?!!" Omar shouted. Yo big ass don't even need to be her nigga! You need to hurry up and wait...now, honk that FUCKIN’ horn  one  more  muthafuckin’ time and I'ma let my dog munch on yo greasy ass! You extra hungry ass muthafucka! SPEAK BONNIE!" Omar boomed tapping her on the side.”

"RRROUUGGGHHH!!! RRROUUGGGHHHHRRRR!!! Bonnie threatened.

The man's eyes were as big as pool balls and his face turned two shades whiter than it was before. He’d raised his hand up to protect his face in case the dog attacked him. Bonnie’s breath shot at his face and made his eyes water and blink rapidly. His ribs were pressing against the armrest as he leaned back almost in the passenger seat. His obese body shook like a spin cycle as a dark circle began to form and spread over his pudgy crotch. Omar chuckled at his accident and pulled Bonnie back by the collar. He stood up and walked casually back to his truck letting Bonnie jump back in her seat as  he returned to his.

"My fault Tyce." Omar apologized picking up the phone still laughing.

"What tha fuck was that?" Tyce asked.

"Naw, this fat bastard was honkin' and shit in tha drive thru. I had to get out and tell him to shut tha fuck up. Shit, Bonnie made that nigga piss on himself! That shit was funny as fuck tho!"

"You crazy nigga!" Tyce added his laughter. “I bet he aint hungry now?"

"Hell naw!"

"Wasup tho?" Omar asked eyeing the man in the rearview mirror.

"Oh yeah, tomorrow night meet me at tha spot, we need to talk about that move." Tyce remembered.

"Aight, what time?"

"I need you there round nine."

"Bet." Omar confirmed.

"And naw, I aint heard shit from Biz but keep ya antennas up."    Tyce advised.

"Always my nigga do tha same." Omar said lowering his window to place his order and hanging up.

Omar was ready to hear what is homeboy had in mind, whatever it was meant more money for him and he damn sure was ready for that shit!

The Meeting

      Tyce was there an hour before everyone arrived. The warehouse was home to him; it was where he'd lived after he ran away from the group home. Later on he bought the abandoned building and used it as his head quarters, it wasn't much, but it was private and low key. The old home brought back memories, this is where he’d planned and plotted the moves that changed his whole life. This was the building where he ate countless cans of tuna fish and bowls of chicken flavored “
Ramen
Noodles
” but he was far from that memory now. Tyce was dressed casually in a cream and red “
Michael
Jordan”
jump suit as he walked around the open space. Three hundred dollar matching J's decorated his feet and his barber had just lined the edges of his hair making his points hit like a Chinese star. Angelique was the first to arrive walking in like she was on a runway.

"Hey Tyce." She said smiling.

"Wasup, thanks for coming." He responded giving her a warm embrace.

"No problem, you know you gotta girl curious. Is it jus’ me and you tonight? She questioned.

"Naw, O and some other people will be here shortly. He informed walking to the window.

"Oh ok." Angelique said now more curious.

Moments later, she heard the bass from Omar's truck as he pulled up. Omar hopped out and made his way to the familiar building. He spotted Tyce's Jeep parked on the side of the warehouse but wondered why his new Benz was there also. Omar walked in and was surprised to see Angelique leaning against a wall.

"What up my nigga." Tyce greeted his friend with a pound.

"Aint nothin’, wasup with you? Omar asked shifting his eyes toward the female in the room.

"I'm good." Tyce reassured.

"Wasup ma? How you doin’?" Omar now addressed Angelique.

"I'm straight O. It's good to see you again." She answered thankfully.

Tyce stood in the background and observed the exchange between the two of them. He knew Omar was distrusting of Angelique but this was his show and everyone had a role to play. The sound of an engine and a car door closing interrupted their little reunion as the third guest

arrived. Omar looked at Tyce showing his confusion about the situation. Tyce nodded at his partner with an "it's good" motion. Angelique just relaxed and let the scene unfold as she popped a piece of “
Orbitz”
gum in her mouth. Tyce’s phone rang and he told the caller he was inside and waiting, seconds later Sway came walking in. He wore blue jeans and a white v-neck shirt that showed his athletic physique. Sway had short curly hair and a clean-shaven face. Two platinum dog tags hung from his neck with the names of his children in the center. A serious yet calm look was in his deep brown eyes. On his left side a small band-aid was stuck to his cheekbone, besides that his face was smooth. Sway scanned the room, his gaze landed first on the beautiful woman chewing gum, then to the silent man watching his every move. He walked toward the only face he recognized in the huge room.

“Wasup Tyce?” He asked giving him a pound.

“I’m good, I appreciate you showin' up.”

“Shit, I wouldn’t miss it.” He said cracking his knuckles.

Angelique and Omar were both wondering who the mystery dude that just entered the warehouse was.

“You seen him before?” Angelique quietly

asked Omar.

“Naw you know Tyce really don’t get down with nigga’s like that so this should be real interesting.” Omar responded in a low tone.

“A few more minutes and we can get started.” Tyce said interrupting their thoughts.

The agitation was beginning to spread over Omar’s face. He tapped his hand on the side of his thigh as he stood against the wall. First Angelique shows up then this new nigga, what the fuck was going on. Omar was under the assumption that he and Tyce were getting into some new shit he wasn’t expecting “
Kool
And
The
Gang
.”

Tyce began to slide some chairs closer together, then moved to the window to look out front. Not seeing what he wanted to see, he turned around and smiled.

“Alright, I aint gonna keep ya’ll waitin’ no more, I know everybody got shit to do tonight. I’ve been thinkin’ on this shit for ‘bout a year now.” He paused and eyed Omar. “Me and O been gettin' it in for a while now but it’s time for a new direction.”

 No sooner, had the words come out his mouth; there was a light tapping at the warehouse door.

Tyce turned his attention to the door and went to open it, leaving all in attendance confused. When he opened it, Dallas was on the other side.

 “Girl you late.” Tyce said.”

 “My bad.” She smiled.

Dallas instantly made herself at home, as she sashayed toward the group of strangers. She grabbed the last empty seat and crossed her curvy legs slowly enjoying the attention she was receiving as the late comer. Angelique on the other hand was now chewing her gum extra hard, keeping her left eye on Tyce and her right eye on Dallas. She still was the picture of calm but inside she was impatiently waiting. 

Tyce began, “Now that I have you all in the same place I have a proposition for you. I been thinkin’…all the work and shit we’ve done, why haven’t we retired yet. I’ll tell you why; ‘cuz you can’t get rich working for someone else. What I’m thinkin’ ‘bout will set us all up for retirement in a short matter of time.” Tyce continued. “You see everyone in this room has talent. Sway you were in the military, so you’re good with covert ops, weapons, and shit.” Tyce shifted his eyes to each of the lovely ladies in the room. “Dallas and Angelique, you ladies have intelligence and a loyalty that most men lack. Omar and I, well, we the best jack boys this side of tha Mississippi.” Tyce stated proudly. 

Omar nodded in agreement while making strong eye contact with Sway. Unfazed Sway returned the brief stare then turned his head toward Tyce again. Angelique and Dallas smiled independently, flattered by the comments about them, but all were listening intently to the only man standing up in the room.

Tyce eyed each of them. “Now I aint gonna lie to you, this shit is dangerous, it could get you killed if you get stupid and reckless. If you take this shit serious and stay focused, it can also get you paid. Now this aint mandatory, so if anybody aint feelin' this so far jus’ say so and you can leave before I lay my plans out.” He said in a serious tone.

The four chairs remained occupied, Tyce smiled and happily continued. “Ok then, I’m talkin’ ‘bout three major hits and all of em are different. The first one is Diego Alverez. The second is an underground gambling spot and the third is a bank in China town. With all three combined we lookin’ at twenty million dollars. I know ya’ll can divide so twenty divided by five is what I’m talkin’ ‘bout.” He joked. “Four million reasons to get down.”

Tyce paused his financial sermon to get the crowd reaction; Angelique was the first to break the silence.

“That’s wasup!” She excitedly approved.

“Diego Alverez! That nigga been running shit for decades on the west coast, I see why you want his ass. And if you talkin’ ‘bout tha Club House, that’s a good move ‘cuz everybody I know gambles up in there.

Tyce aimed that billion dollar smile at Angelique as his attraction for her bubbled up. He looked at Omar, Sway, and Dallas and waited for their response.

“Shit T, you already know I’m wit’ it.” Omar said crossing his arms across his chest.

“Hell yeah I know that shit O, I wasn’t really talkin’ to you.” Tyce assured his long time friend.

Omar looked directly at Sway, feelin’ good about himself and his position. Sway cracked his knuckles again and leaned back in his chair.

“I been knowin' you since you was shootin’ dice in the hallways at the boys home Tyce. I’m honored that you even came to me with this, ‘cuz I know you coulda’ found another

nigga if you wanted to. I done killed folks overseas for the government-came home and me and my wife arguing and stressing over the light bill. You better muthafukin believe I’m all in with this shit!” Sway said still leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed.