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  Ruby and the others bumped into Renika in the hallway. She asked her granddaughter if she would like to join them in going to praise the Lord. Renika shook her head and said, “I'm past saving, Grandma. Take those who still have a soul.”

  Renika walked on into the dining room, where Li'l Will and Machumu were already eating their breakfast. She said good morning to them and sat at the opposite end of the dining table. The kitchen helpers brought her a plate of waffles, Sunnyside eggs, bacon, and her choice of orange or apple juice. She ate in silence.

  Machumu, done eating her breakfast, finished drinking her glass of juice. She looked down the table at her husband's oldest daughter and smiled. “So Renika, what do you like doing for fun?”

  Renika forked a piece of bacon and devoured it before answering. “Depends on mood and company. Why you ask? Don't tell me you're trying to play mommy, because that is out of the window.” She went back to work on her breakfast.

  “No, I wouldn't ever try to take the place of your mother. I'm just seeing where we might be able to meet on common grounds. You know, to get out of the house for a while, doing womanlike things.” Machumu replied. The conversation was already exhausting to her.

  Renika nodded. “Well, let's see, Machumu. I enjoy doing bad things to people who are bad for business. Other than that, I have my own personal hairstylist, massage therapist, nails doer, etcetera. All the above I like doing by myself.”

  Machumu set up straight in the chair, staring at Renika in disbelief. She was nothing like her father in personality. “Are you really so self-absorbed?”

  Renika downed the glasses of orange and apple juice right behind each other to wash down the waffles, eggs, and bacon. “I'm a loner. I don't play well with others, Machumu.” She looked over at Li'l Will. “I thought my pops would've given you the heads up by now.”

  Frustrated, Machumu slid the chair back and stood to her feet. “I can't with you, Renika,” she said as calmly as possible.

  Renika's nonchalant expression faded into seriousness. “You can't what with me, exactly? Play family? I thought I made myself perfectly clear that shit wasn't happening. My mother's still alive and doing damn great,” she replied coldly.

  “Renika James!” Li'l Will exclaimed, jumping up out of his seat. “What the hell is your damn problem?”

  Renika remained sitting, well composed in her mannerism. “I don't have a problem, Pops. I came here to spend some time with my father, thinking maybe I would view you a little different than I've been the past eighteen years. But that's not happening.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” asked Li'l Will.

  Renika stood up. “Here you are, a big family man. Another child and a wife. I apologize if it seems too complex for you to understand that you not giving me the time of day that you're giving your daughter and wife might be overwhelming to my mental.”

  That statement hit home with Li'l Will. He could see clearly what her temper was about. The crazy part was, he didn't have a sound response to offer her. “Just calm down, Renika. Let's talk about this,” he said, his voice full of emotion.

  Renika had a smirk on her face. “Maybe eighteen years ago I would've been glad to listen to what you got to say. But not eighteen years later, Pops. Matter of fact, I'm gone.”

  He looked at her, confused by her statement. “What are you trying to say, Renika? Go ahead and tell me how fucked up of a father I've been to you and all of the berating shit you can think of if it'll make you feel better. But you know I've provided for you since you were born.”

  She laughed hysterically and threw her hands up in the air. “Money can't buy or excuse a missing parent! I would've rather had you in my life, at all of my graduations and proms, than your fucking money!”

  He started to say something, but she cut him off. “My bags are already packed in the trunk of my car. I'm gone. Peace out.” She threw up the peace sign with both hands. She walked out with her head held high, not wanting to hear another word her father had to say.

  “Well, aren't you going to redeem yourself? She got all the right in the world to be pissed off at you,” Machumu said.

  Li'l Will walked out of the dining room, heading for the front door with Machumu hot on his heels. When he flung the front door open, he paused, seeing Renika's crew posted on the hoods of their rides with automatic and semiautomatic assault rifles and pistols on display. Machumu looked over his shoulder and ducked back behind the door. “Shit!” she yelled before she knew it.

  Renika heard her and turned around, but she wasn't in sight. However, her father was. She cracked a smile and said, “Well, family guy, I'll see you around. Maybe I will call every now and then to check up on you. I'll be sure to tell my mother you said hi.” She hopped in her car and drove off, followed by her crew.

  Li'l Will watched them go. Machumu came outside and wrapped her arms around her husband from behind and said, “Baby, she'll come around in her own time. She's just angry right now.” Her phone vibrated in her pocket. She let go of Li'l Will and answered. “Hello?”

  “Good morning, my friend. How are you doing?” the caller said.

  Machumu knew Demetri's voice from anywhere. “What's going on, Demetri? How's life in Italy?”

  “Oh, I don't know. Just been shot at. Other than that, I have no complaints,” he replied.

  “Sounds adventurous. What can I do for you?” she said.

  “Well, I was trying to call Renika, but I keep getting her voicemail. Would you happen to know where she is?” Demetri said.

  “Hold on.” She handed the phone to Li'l Will. “It's Demetri.”

  Li'l Will sighed and grabbed the phone. “Li'l Will speaking. What can I do for you?”

  “Why isn't my niece answering her phone?” asked Demetri, getting straight to the point.

  Li'l Will already knew this was coming, and he wanted to do everything he could to sidestep it. But it was upon him, and he had to answer for his circumstance. “Well, Demetri, she stormed out of here with no intentions of coming back, if that gives you any clue of why she's not answering her phone.”

  There was a moment of silence. Li'l Will wasn't certain of meaning when it came to Demetri's way of thinking.

  “I see. I guess we have you to thank for her sudden mood swing,” Demetri said with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. “Oh well. Before I hang up, I must tell you that Montana is no longer with us. He committed suicide a couple days ago. At least, that's what the report says.”

  Before Li'l Will could say anything, Demetri hung up. Li'l Will sighed while handing the phone back to Machumu. “That didn't go over too well.” H said.

  “All this gloomy shit ain't flying around me, baby. Pep your ass up. It ain't the end of the world,” Machumu said demandingly.

  “Yeah, I know. But it damn sure feel like it,” he replied while looking across the lawn. It was always a beautiful sight to take in. The trees, shrubs, and grass stayed freshly manicured, making things look so alive.

  Machumu realized her husband was not coming off of his guilt trip at the moment. She wasn't about to stick around to watch him drown in his sorrow either. “Listen, baby, I'm about to leave your depressed ass alone for the day. Ain't nobody got time to have your life draining energy rub off on them today. I'll be back.”

  Machumu walked down the front porch steps and over to the four door parking garage. Li'l Will watched as she pulled out, driving her dark purple Mercedes Benz Jeep.

  ***

  Cedric woke up to pounding on his cell door. It never failed; after a night with Tiffany, he would sleep like a baby. The banging continued until he answered. “Yeah! Quit banging on my fucking door!” he yelled.

  “Young blood, get your ass up. It's breakfast call,” the man outside the door said.

  Cedric knew the voice. It was James. He jumped up out of the bunk, gargled some mouthwash, and splashed some cool water on his face. James banged on the door again.

  “Bring your ass on, youngster.” He walked back
over to the front door, making sure it didn't close because once it did, the guard on shift wasn't opening it again.

  Cedric hurried up and put on his pants before popping out of his cell with his shirt slung over his shoulder. He bent down and tied up his Reebok Classics before putting his shirt on and catching the door. “Appreciate that, OG,” he said to James on the way out.

  James could smell the perfume on him. “Young G, you been doing your thang lately.”

  All he could do was smile. “Yeah, something like that, OG. Shit is getting real between us.”

  James laughed. “Alright my nigga. As long as you keep your business straight, you'll be alright.”

  They walked into the dining hall and fell in at the back of the line.

  James's brother DeQuan was already sitting at a table along the back wall, eating. They got their trays and made a beeline for the table he sat at alone. DeQuan said good morning to them as they sat down.

  Nobody said anything while they ate. It was Saturday, so breakfast was griddlecakes, eggs, chicken links, and milk. DeQuan waited on his brother and Cedric to finish eating. After they were done, the three of them got up and left together.

  Back in the cellblock, they sat down at the domino table. DeQuan sneezed.

  “Bless you, big bro.” Cedric said, but DeQuan continued to sneeze. “You alright?” he asked.

  James chuckled. “Hell no. All that perfume and pussy scent you wearing. Man, go scrub your ass.”

  DeQuan finally stop sneezing. He looked at Cedric and shook his head. “You're fucking up, young player. But your business is your business,” DeQuan said.

  Cedric didn't have a clue of what he meant. He walked on to his cell, grabbed his soap, towels, and boxers, and went to the shower.

  James's phone vibrated on his thigh. He pulled it out and held it under the table. There was an incoming call from a private number. He knew it could only be one person, so he excused himself and walked to his cell.

  “Talk to me,” James said, answering the phone.

  “What's going on inside the pen these days?” the caller said.

  “What's going on, Li'l Willie? How are you holding up out there?” asked James.

  “Business is good as usual, Uncle James. I heard about the move. I appreciate that love, family,” Li'l Will said.

  “No problem, Nephew. The li’l nigga proved to have some heart about himself, however, he ain't Slaughter Boy material. How my sister Ruby doing?” James said.

  “She's living her best life, Uncle James. Right now, she's at church. How's Uncle DeQuan?”

  “That nigga out there at the domino table, waiting on me. Make sure you tell li’l sis I asked about her,” James said. He peeped out of the cell window, making sure the guards weren't making any rounds inside of the cellblock.

  “Will do, Unc. Make sure you tell Uncle DeQuan I said love, fam,” Li'l Will said. He logged into his Jpay account and transferred funds into his uncles’ trust accounts. “Fam, I just hit y'all up with $300 apiece on the books. That should hold y'all over for a couple weeks.”

  “That's love, G. We appreciate you. Never think any different, Li'l Willie.” James peeped out of the window again.

  “Alright, Unc, I'm about to let you get back to your domino game. Y'all get at me whenever y'all need something,” Li'l Will said.

  “That's what's up, G. Hell, we'll be up out of here soon. Seven more months,” James reminded him.

  “Man, I had forgot. Keep me posted, Unc,” Li'l Will said and then hung up.

  James stashed the phone back inside of the homemade pocket on the inside of his pants before walking back out to the domino table, where DeQuan and Cedric sat in the middle of a game. He sat down and grabbed the score paper and pencil from Cedric.

  “Everything good, bro?” asked DeQuan.

  “Always. The fam said love, and they dropped $3 apiece on the books,” James replied.

  DeQuan and Cedric finished their game. James wanted in on the next game, so they played three way, taking out the cross blanks. They played until chow call. On their way out, Cedric noticed one of the Hispanic inmates watching him closely.

  He nudged DeQuan in the side to get his attention. “What's up, youngster?” asked DeQuan.

  “What's up with that Mexican over there? He been watching me all day,” Cedric replied.

  DeQuan didn't have to look around to know which one he was referring to. He'd peeped the move earlier. “Push up when we come from chow if you feel disrespected. You strolling with Slaughter Boyz, fam.” He walked on out into the hallway.

  They ate and walked back to the cellblock. When they entered the cellblock, Cedric didn't hesitate calling the Hispanic out. “Yo, homie, let me holla at you for a minute,” he said, walking to the back of the cellblock.

  The Hispanic inmate talked with the other Hispanics a moment longer, then walked over to see what he wanted. “What's up, homie?” he asked, standing out of striking distance.

  “I was wondering the same thing, homie. You been had the beam down on me. What's up?” Cedric replied, adrenaline rushing through his body.

  “Aye, homie, if you feel like I'm bitching you, let's shoot a fade,” he said defensively.

  “You speaking my language now,” Cedric replied as he threw two quick jabs, catching the Hispanic off guard. He stumbled back and regained his footing. He blocked the next set of jabs Cedric threw at him.

  James and DeQuan watched the fight from the domino table. They didn't know how good Cedric's fight game was, but they knew Chaves was a hard hitter. He use to fight pro. He was at the end of a bid for involuntary manslaughter, from beating his right hand man to death in public. High profile lawyers got him off easy because he was intoxicated when it happened.

  Cedric and Chaves continued to stand toe to toe. Everybody who knew Chaves, knew he was only toying with Cedric because he really didn't want to fight. But, since Cedric wasn't understanding that, he went on and gave him what he'd asked for.

  Cedric threw a left hook. Chaves weaved and caught him with two breathtaking body blows to the rib and kidney before taking him down with a left hook of his own to the jaw. Cedric was asleep on his feet. To avoid a possible charge, Chaves caught his unconscious body and eased him down to the concrete floor.

  “Definitely not Slaughter Boy material,” DeQuan stated and went back to washing the dominoes.

  Chaves walked by the domino table and nodded to James and his brother. “Aye, big homies, the puta got balls, but he ain't got heart.”

  Neither said anything. DeQuan reached in his pocket, pulled out a balled-up piece of paper, and handed it to Chaves. “That's a Green Dot Money Pak Card for a $1. Good looking.”

  “Aye, anytime,” Chaves replied and walked off to join his partners.

  “Hopefully, the young nigga learned a lesson,” James said.

  “Bro, fuck dude. We used him for what he was worth.” DeQuan replied and looked at the nine dominoes he'd pulled from the boneyard. “4 for 50.”

  Near the end of the game, Cedric finally regained consciousness. He picked himself up and wobbled over to the domino table and sat down. His pride was hurt, so he just sat quietly and watched the game. Knowing it, James and DeQuan had to stifle a laugh.

  Chapter Eight

  Dink had called a South side Mafia Family meeting at the spot on Corn Street. It was Saturday, so Teddy and Mike were able to be in attendance. Everybody had shown dressed to impress. Teddy had insisted on the whole crew switching to a casual dress code instead of the typical dope boy attire. Nobody had complained or objected.

  Dressed in Armani, Polo, and other brands of business suits, the crew sat in casual conversation, passing around blunts of different grades of marijuana while waiting on Dink to say whatever he had to say. After about the fourth rotation of blunts, he finally had his thoughts composed in a way to deliver it in words.

  “What's good, family? Y'all bear with me and try to understand where a nigga coming from when I say this shit. Fam
, something got to be done about this pig brutality. Young innocent niggas getting popped on the streets like they're target practice by one-time,” Dink said. He paused for a minute and looked around the room. Everyone was following what he was saying, and some even looked mad.

  “I know it ain't going down like that in Albany, but Albany is only one of the few cities pigs know better. To make a long story short, I'm going to put together a squad to even the playing field with these crooked-ass swine. I ain't asking for permission; I'm telling y'all, so there's no misunderstanding.” Dink sat down.

  Mike looked at Teddy, who sighed before standing up. “Bro, you know it's Slaughter Boyz and SMF for life. But, this save the world shit, is for dreamers. We got to worry about us. My nigga, we getting this paper, we eating, and nobody's starving or hurting for shit around us. You want to start your own security firm? That's some shit I'm down with. But all that Captain America shit ain't flying. Remember what we lost the last time your ass wanted to be selfish,” Teddy reminded him.

  The room was quiet. Dink was in deep thought. He understood where Teddy was coming from, and he knew everyone else did too. “You say start my own security firm, right?”

  Teddy nodded. “Yeah. On some real live protecting the communities shit.”

  “Alright, fam, I'm with that. Just let me do my homework on the business and I'm going to hit you and Mike up one day next week,” Dink replied. He was getting ready to leave when Henry told everybody to hold up for a second.

  “We got 150 uncut bricks washing ashore midnight. Be on point for delivery. T will text everybody the pickup location after the shipment is transported to the secure spot,” Henry said.

  They left in an orderly fashion. Henry's report changed everybody's mood from fuck the police to grind mode.

  ***