Page 26 of On Everything
“I’m positive!” I raised my voice, and regret instantly covered her face.
“Oh, my goodness.” She placed her hand on her forehead before I nodded to them that they could go on.
“I’m sorry, Ciara. I didn’t realize you sent them over here. Are they your relatives?”
“Yeah, that’s my family.”
Mindy took that explanation and I didn’t have to explain anything further. She looked over the entire day anyway and ready to go home, but I knew my time out here was just getting started. This tournament would go on well into the night and eventually spill into all the streets, making the hood a block party.
Once her and I separated, I went back towards the area where Princeton said Pernelle was. Sure enough she was back here with Emoney and her crew all huddled up, just looking like they were up to no good.
“Damn, you finally done.” Pernelle smacked her lips like she’d been the one working.
“Baby, I’m going to go and get an icee with Ciara.”
“Alright, but hurry up and get your ass back over here. Don’t get any of these niggas out here fucked up.”
Emoney tried to seem hard in front of her friends, like any of these Bronx niggas wouldn’t slap her.
Pernelle kissed Emoney on the lips before we linked arms and started walking towards the icee lady who was sitting on the corner, making a killing.
“What kind are you getting? Earlier, I just knew I wanted Strawberry bubble gum, but one of the Kelvez twins came by our tent with blue coconut with cream, so now I’m torn.”
“I will take whatever flavor Hov is.”
I joined her gaze over by the court where Hov was standing just as tall as the basketball players.
“What flavor do you think he is? Chocolate and caramel, or root beer float.”
“He is whatever flavor Emoney is.”
She laughed, but her eyes never left Hov. To be honest, mine didn’t either until we both ran into the back of someone.
“God damn! Watch where the fuck you going!”
The man turned around, fussing about us spilling his shaved ice, but once he saw us, his facial expression changed. He looked intrigued, but the smile on his face was almost like the villains in the movie when they finally catch their prey. He must’ve been in Hov’s crew. I mean, you can tell who the niggas are with real money because their diamonds dance different in the sun. Along with that, his skin is clear just like Hov’s. His haircut was lined up perfectly, and his scent drowned out every unpleasant one out here.
“Sorry, your name is Crew, right?”
Pernelle said a name I’ve heard my entire adult life, but I just couldn’t put a face to him.
Crew didn’t respond to us verbally, but he looked down at the large namesake chain on his chest to hint at the answer.
If you from New York, then you’ve heard of Hov and you’ve heard of Crew. Though not the undisputed King of the city, Crew was still just as much of a legend in every borough as Hov was. According to Kairo, Crew supposedly has many bodies tied to his name. None could ever be proven, howeva.
“You are?”
“I’m Pernelle, and this is Ciara.”
“Lesbians?”
“I’m not, but she is.” I quickly corrected him.
“I am not a lesbian. I’m bisexual.”
“Bisexual is better for me. If you and your bitch ever need some real dick, come get at me. I’ll supply it.”
“No thanks. My girlfriend is a stud, boo.”
