Page 27 of Desperate Times

Red:

Morning, bae. I am trying not to beat a dead horse. But this past week has felt different. Are we good?

I read her text but didn’t respond; instead, I just tucked it back into my pocket. Women had a way of complicating shit. I couldn’t walk into this meeting with her on my mind more than she already was. She reminded me of Scarlett, they both made me soft. And Que was conniving. While me popping up here would be a surprise for him, I still needed to be vigilant. There's no telling how many surprises he’d have for me.

“Good afternoon. How can I help you?”

“Yes, I am here to see Quincy.”

“Right this way, sir.” I followed the butler in, taking note of their security and the exits.

He led me up the stairs and into another suite that could have been another house. A light-skinned woman who looked like she had one too many fat transfers greeted me, holding a baby a few months older than Scarlett. A set of twin boys were also holding on to her leg, but they were much older, three years old at the most. She led me to another room, and that is where I saw him.

The glow of the massive flat screen TV flickered across the sleek marble floors, creating shadows against the high walls of the mansion’s game room. The scent of beer and weed lingeredin the air. Que’s attention to the game was apparent. He clicked the controller rhythmically and sank into a plush leather chair. Call of Duty Black Ops took over the screen, how ironic. He didn’t even see me, so I made myself comfortable.

“Handsome set of twins you have here,” I spoke up. He paused the game and stared at me. His sheer look of terror and shock told me everything I needed to know.

“Jahsir, what's up, man? It's been a long time.”

"It has,” I nodded. “It's been a very long time. I would ask you to catch me up, but I see you got a lady here, three beautiful kids. Life's been good to you."

"Thanks, man.” He added, sitting up in his seat.

“Parents out of town again. I know how much they love to travel.” I knew everything about him. He overshared so much over the years, and I collected the information and stored it in the back of my mind. See, he failed that portion of Being a Street Nigga 101. You keep your mouth shut. Not one person should know everything about you. You stay quiet about your moves. But because Que was a boastful muthafucka, he overlooked that advice.

“Yes, traveling again. They’re in Tokyo.” Silly nigga was still messing up. “So, what's up, man? What you need?" he asked

“Just here to collect.”

“Collect?”

“Nigga, you surprised? You can’t be.”

“Aye, man, that wasn't my fault.”

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees and locking my hands together. Cocking my head to the side, I stared him in his eyes. “What wasn’t your fault? Say it. I want to hear you say it.”

“It's been years, Jahsir. The details are fuzzy. Hell, I can’t remember the name of the bitch I fucked last night, let alone some shit that happened four years ago.”

“Well, let me refresh your memory. You managed to get away with more than you were supposed to. I had to lay low, and Rashad got time, and Dro got murked. Now, how does that happen?”

“There were bullets flying everywhere. How is Dro getting killed my problem?”

“You didn’t cover him. He was shot point-blank.” I had to remind this nigga, because clearly he thought I was stupid. Matter of fact… “You must think I’m stupid! Ain’t no flying bullets hitting point blank. Meanwhile, you're out here raising a family, huh? Have your boys met their sister?”

“I didn't steal money from you, Jahsir.”

“Then what the fuck you call it?”

“We knew it was a chance we wouldn't all break even.”

“Breaking even is one thing. You getting away with more than me and Rashad is another. Considering we brought you into the fold, you should have a little more respect. But see, I told Rashad you were a snake. You took his money, mishandled Crimson, and now you’re lacking on your responsibilities to your own child.”

“Crimson is a grown woman who made grown woman decisions. It's simple.”

By this point I was pissed. He talked about her like she was nothing. And this is what I was trying to avoid. I didn’t need to be getting off target, because if he said the wrong thing, I’d splatter his fuckin brains all over this tacky ass carpet on the floor. I bit the inside of my cheeks and calmed myself.

“I’mma make this easy for you. We got away with 720k. Dro died, which means you have his 180, am I right?”

---