TYCE (15 page)

I turned down the volume on “
Steve Harvey's”
radio show and listened as Flash aired out his feelings. I'd never seen him like this but I could definitely relate. I just noticed early in life that the dope game on the street level was a dead end for most niggas. Yeah, people bump the music of ex-hustlers but those niggas were the exception...not the rule.

"I blame yo ass for this new found conscience I have. He joked.

"Me?" I asked pointing at my chest.

"Yeah you-ever since you had me drop that package off at the Mosque I been poppin’ in ever since. I even joined the study group!"

"That's beautiful man...I know a lot of Muslims and they good people. I thought about checkin’ more into it myself but a nigga like me gotta sin to win...at least for now. I still got some shit to do that God aint gonna like; I gotta fight fire with fire and be hotter than hell in the summer on these niggas. But keep ya head in that Mosque and watch ya ass on these streets." I warned. "If you need my help...jus’ let me know."

"No doubt Tyce. I been talkin’ with Brother Cory down there and he got me thinkin’ ‘bout makin’ a move. I been takin’ some classes to get my GED and he said he got a spot for me at his insurance company when I finish. He said he'd train me to be a financial planner and help get me certified and shit when I turn 18. Corey said it's basically the same shit I do out here but legal." Flash laughed.

I nodded in agreement. I was proud of the way he was thinking. I sent him there on purpose ‘cuz I saw a lot of me in him. Flash just needed a little direction, his mom died of breast cancer when he was ten and he wouldn't recognize his daddy if he walked right by him ‘cuz he never even seen the dude. I could definitely relate to that shit!

"Yo, that's wasup. When you become an advisor...I'll be your first client." I smiled.

"I'm thinkin’ on it, but it's easier said than done, a nigga still gotta eat you know?"

"I feel you but your head is in the right place...jus’ pray on it, ‘cuz I know you been doing that shit to, them Muslims pray five times a day in shit!" I teased.

Flash laughed at my accurate statement and shook his head. I reached in my pocket and handed him a piece of paper, "If you can't get a hold of me call this number, and ask for Angelique. This number is for you only." I said focused.

"Bet." He said pushing the paper in his front pocket. "Yo Tyce, there is one thing I wanted to ask you. I got a little female hangin on these days and I wanna shoot down to Vegas for the weekend. I wanted to know if I could twist one of your rides, she like that flossy shit." He grinned.

"Yeah that's cool, jus’ don’t wreck my shit or

leave some coochie crust on my seats." I joked.

"Naw man, I'ma take care of your whip, good lookin’ out tho. Let me get on down the street, I got some impatient ass people waitin’ on me. I’ma call you when I'm ready to leave...I’m gon my nigga."

Flash gave me a pound and hopped out the car. I watched him adjust his Raiders hat again and pull his black jeans up just below his hips. Now I didn't pray five times a day but I was gonna get at least one in for Flash…me and God would settle up later.

Dallas

  
Dallas walked to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. She was on the hunt for her turkey and avocado sandwich. White tube socks were pulled up past her calves and she had on red boxer shorts. She wore a black tank top with the words “Open Late” written in neon green. This was the complete opposite of her work attire but since she had a new job, she could afford to relax a little. The condo she stayed in was borderline luxury. She filled it with all the things she loved…if she didn’t absolutely adore it…she didn’t buy it. So every room was her favorite for a different reason. She made her home her sanctuary, a place where she could escape from the demands of her career. Dallas was completely at ease with her job title. Being a call girl was different than walking the corners. For one thing the pay was different…she wasn’t giving up ass for 50 dollars, her time and pussy demanded four figures per hour. She didn’t care if some women considered her a hoe…fuck them simple bitches. She would counter, how many men have you fucked for free? If you    

woulda charged their ass, you’d be at the car

dealership with my hoe ass buying a new “
BMW”
too.

Excitement had moved into her life ever since she’d met Tyce, he was the kind of man that could make her a monogamous woman. Knowing men was her specialty and she knew Tyce was not like the rest of the tricks she met. Sure, he paid for sex but the difference was he didn’t
have
to or
need
to. He preferred to have no attachments and zero drama from women. She could respect that, she couldn’t stand women either. Dallas liked her new boss but she had a feeling she wasn’t the only one catching feelings.

“Beep Beep Beep.” The phone came to life on the counter top.

“Speak to me.” Dallas answered.

“Hey lil’ mama.”

“Wasup Simone, what you doin’ girl?”

“I’m jus’ getting ready for my date.”

“Oh…so you’re working tonight?” Dallas questioned.

“No my dear, this is a personal date! All work and no play isn’t good for a girl.”

“You got that right.” Dallas agreed. “So who is it this time some basketball player?”

“No, he’s a player alright jus’ not on the court.” She joked.

Dallas took a big bite of her sandwich and sat

at her table, “Tell him I said to watch out ‘cuz he don’t know what he’s in for.”

“I’ll be sure to let him know. Speaking of watching out…I haven’t seen you around the office lately. The boss lady told me you’ve been MIA since you seen Tyce that night. I gotta tell you girl I was a little salty with her for not sending me. I love fuckin’ his sexy ass!”

Dallas sipped her tropical punch soda and took another bite of her sandwich enjoying the conversation. Maybe Simone had a thing for Tyce outside of the bedroom as well.

“Well don’t get to salty girl ‘cuz I never fucked him, we jus’ talked a little. Not that I didn’t want to…it jus’ didn’t happen.” Dallas corrected.

“For real and he still paid you?” Simone asked intrigued.

“Yep.” Dallas answered licking crumbs off her lips.

Impressed Simone commented, “Tyce does know how to break a chic off, that’s why I like him. I seen him a lil’ while ago and he had

some cover girl lookin’ broad with him. She

was lookin’ a lil’ to hard at me, I started to say somethin’ to her ass!”

Dallas stopped chewing and turned her ears up.

The cover girl broad Simone was talking about had to be Angelique. Ever since the meeting at the warehouse, she and Angelique had gotten kind of close. She suspected her new friend had a thing for Tyce but that didn’t bother her. After all, she was the one about to wear his dick out in a hotel bedroom not too long ago.

“Why did he come to see you?” Dallas asked.

“He asked me for a lil’ favor.” Simone chanted lazily. “I thought we could fuck like rabbits for the twentieth time but he was all business and I wasn’t planning on a threesome.”

Dallas listened as her co-worker fed her information. She couldn’t help but wonder why Tyce needed Simone for something besides her pussy.

“Anyway lil’ mama, I jus’ called to check up on you since you all low key now. I gotta finish tweezing my eyebrows…I’ll talk to you later.”

“Ok Simone, have a great date! Talk to ya soon.”

Dallas hung up and stared at her half-eaten sandwich thinking about the interesting conversation she just had.

Sway

      Sway was busy doing what any man would do when he’s about to get a large sum of money- decide what to do with it. Sitting on his back patio watching his kids play tag in the small back yard he fantasized about a better life for them. Currently there was no college fund set up for them. Their only hope for higher education was good grades or good athletic skills. Maybe they could secure some scholarships or something but that put the elite schools out of reach for them. The mortgage was being paid but many times that meant half ass paying other bills. He felt as if he was running faster and faster on a treadmill that he couldn’t jump off of. So as his daughter caught up to his son and tapped his back, he imagined both of them graduating college, his wife instructing their private chef on what to cook for dinner, and himself sleeping peacefully without dreaming of bills. The vision made him smile, and all he had

to do to make it real was follow a man he respected. He’d followed men he couldn’t stand into combat, risking his own life. Killed men without knowing their names and didn’t stay to watch the body fall. Now all he had to show for his services was a few medals, bad memories and a drawer full of late bills.

“Honey it’s getting late, you should start the grill.” Ranae said coming outside.

“Yeah, I’m starting to get a lil’ hungry myself. After we eat I want you for desert.” Sway flirted.

“I’m not on the menu…but I’ll see what I can do.” Ranae played hard to get.

They had a good marriage but it was infected with a financial virus. Ranae couldn’t know what he was about to do. He needed a clear head and didn’t want to deal with all the questions and concerns she would surely have. He would tell her after the jobs were done and they were in the clear. They had a no lie policy in their relationship, which he intended on honoring…just after he got the money. He ran his fingertips through his curly hair scratching his scalp. Ameenah’s playful screams grabbed his attention as she ran from her brother. He noticed her worn out shoes; they were her play shoes but her school shoes weren’t much better. Inside the phone rang and the answering machine picked up,

“Yes this message is for Mr. Daniels; my name is Rachael Montgomery calling from CTR collections on behalf of “
Ford Motor Credit
.”

This is the fourth call I’ve made this week

regarding your past due account and would highly appreciate a return call to discuss this financial matter further. My number again is 323 841-6982 extension 147. Avoiding my calls only makes your situation worse and my patience is wearing thin, the next step is to begin the process to garnish your wages. I expect to hear from you soon.”

As they both listened to the message, Ranae looked down at her husband with tired eyes. She rubbed his back gently to show they were in this together. Sway stood up and walked toward the grill, “Fuck this shit.” He whispered to himself.