on the real -intro and chpts 1-3

8/4/2019 On the Real -Intro and Chpts 1-3

1/21

On the real

This is the book I call an experiment that came out better than I thought it

would. It deals less with the streets and is more about a man adjusting to life after

prison while trying to fulfill what he feels are obligations to two of his closestfriends.

Fifteen years ago Gene Gibson better known as G-Man, an all around street

hustler, beat a pimp to death for mistreating his eight year old daughter, Tiffany.

Now G-Man is out and he and Tiffany decide to become roommates as she pursues

her masters degree. They split the bills on the apartment and the seven year old

Gran Am they share. She is a clerk at Sears and he works at a warehouse and does

some petty hustling on the side.

G-Mans main focus is helping Tiffany but hes stuck on trying to solve a

ten year old murder of his partner Easy Erv. He also runs back and forth to see his

other partner Fast, who is serving a life sentence for a murder he didnt commit. G-

Man vows to find Easy Ervs killer and find a mystery woman who can free Fast.

Along the way G-Man bumps into Ervin, Easy Ervs son who is the same

age as Tiffany and a couple of dollars away from being a major drug dealer. Ervin

and his sixteen year old sidekick everyone calls Stacks, help G-Man try to find

Easy Ervs killer.

As the months roll by, G-Man falls for a female pool hustler known as

Queen Shark and Tiffany sees how much of a hustler her father really is as money

is slowly not becoming a problem anymore. The main reason for that goes by the

name of Dapp A Low. Since they were teenagers, Dapp A Low was a master thief

in the making, pulling off daring capers. He is on another level now and needs G-

Man for his skills to drive anything from a go-cart to a Semi and for the ability to

elude police on high speed chases.

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2/21

Chapter 1

Nothing to sleep on

Dropping a box next to three other boxes in the middle of the empty living room floor, G-

Man exhaled and said, This is the last box, whats in here, cement?

Tiffany smiled as she stood wiping the kitchen counter, No daddy, those are my books, she

said. He sat on the box and extended his legs. Being 62 with a well built frame, he was

uncomfortable. For 39 years old, he was in good shape and looked younger with a clean bald

head and neatly trimmed goatee on his dark brown face.

A smile formed on his face when his only child walked in. She was tall with smooth light

brown skin in a slightly medium frame. The raggedy jeans and dirty T-Shirt did nothing to alter

her pretty face with her hair in a ponytail. She had just finished four years of college forpsychology at Morris Brown College in Atlanta, and he had just finished thirteen years in prison

for manslaughter at Florida State Prison. Its been three weeks now and they decided to become

roommates to bond and share the struggles as she pursues a Masters Degree at the University of

South Florida and he adjusts back to society, and do what he does best, survive.

With no furniture, she sat down on the floor and leaned against the freshly painted wall

across from G-Man. He looked at her to say, Well baby, this little shabby apartment aint much,

but its a roof over our head. Wont be long before we get some more furniture.

At least we have beds, she said. Are you sure you dont want the bigger room?

Trust it baby, Im cool. The small room is bigger than that cell I just left and had to share wit a

nigga that had a sinus problem.

Tiffany laughed as she stared at him. It was funny how he said it, but she felt bad for her

daddy. Even though she was eight years old when he went to prison, she didnt see him again

until her aunt took her to visit when she was sixteen. Since then they have been writing each

other for the last seven years and she loved him dearly.

She calmed down and said, Im just so happy youre home. For one, I didnt want to live with

Aunt Tina and Uncle Dewayne, they did way more than enough for me.

Nodding his head G-Man said, My sista married a good nigga, Dewayne a class act. If I can

ever do anything for him I wouldnt hesitate. So, what you got planned for tonight?

Dameeta doesnt have to work, so shes taking me out to eat and we might catch a club. She

complaining about only seeing me twice since I been home, but she likes that Ive been with

you.

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3/21

Yall been friends since you was fourteen, said G-Man as he stood up. Good friends like her

are hard to come by, so you always try and be just as good a friend. But I think Ill hit the streets

tonight, since its a Wednesday, not much should be happening. Gotta go to work in the mornin

so I wont be late.

Tiffany stood up, Hope I get that clerk job at Sears so I can at least pay my half of the bills.

Calm down baby, the important thing is we give it our best shot. He put his hands on her

shoulders and looked into her eyes, Check this, the last four years you busted your butt to

maintain a 4.0 and worked part time. No doubt Tina was a phone call away, but you wouldnt

call. You say your boyfriend helped a little and Dameeta sent you things, but for the most part,

you held you own. It hurt me to my heart to know you were struggling and my hands were tied.

Its still not much I can do now and you still have two more years of college, he squeezed her

shoulders. The difference is, now we can do this together and the bigger the difference is my

hands are no longer tied. Tings may get rougher or they may get easier, but they will definitely

get done.

Parking the gray, eight year old Gran Am on the side of the pool room, G-Man got out

wearing a pair of jeans, black t-shirt, and New Work boots. Since the sun had just set, he took off

his shades and threw them in the car before walking in. Like most pod rooms in the hood, smoke

from cigarettes, cigars, and marijuana filled the building. The sounds of the pool balls being hit

echoed over the music playing form the juke box. Hustlers of all types stood along the walls or

sat watching the pool sharks gamble. G-Man looked around and finally spotted a familiar face in

Rocky J, the owner, and sat down on an empty bench to watch a game.

In a matter of minutes Rocky J who was tall, dark, and had a smile covered with all goldteeth, came over and sat next to G-Man. Well goddamn, said Rocky J. You wasnt bullshittin,

you got a gig for real since I ain't seen you in two weeks.

Yeah, Im at Templetons Warehouse out there on Adamo Drive. My brother-in-law the top

dawg out there and had me on the clock two days after I got out. It ain't all that, but itll keep me

out a soup line.

So you dont want no more of the game? asked Rocky J.

Did Bruce Lee know Kung-Fu? said G-Man.

Rocky J laughed and said, Should of known a nigga like you would never lay down. You, Fast,

and Easy Erv together three of the youngest, purest, all around hustlers in town. Niggas was in

here bout a month ago talking bout yall.

You know how niggas hype shit up, said G-Man as he lit a Newport.

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4/21

Shaking his head side to side, Rocky J said, Ain't no hype, remember I was on the scene when

yall was doing it large. All in high school yall had everything a young nigga could want,

money, jewelry, cars wit music and chrome rims. Im only forty0nine so my memory ain't shot.

That was rare back then for young hustlers to do it like yall did. I guess wit Easy Erv dead and

Fast wit a life sentence, makes you the last man standing.

G-Man exhaled a cloud of smoke as his heart ached. He hated what Rocky J had just said,

but it was a reality. Easy Erv and Fast were his childhood friends and the only two he ever called

partner even until this day.

Matter face, said G-Man. What you know bout how Erv got killed?

Jus that they found him and a trick ho dead in a motel and that she set him up.

Seems like thats the same story everybody know. But nobody seems to notice Erv had some of

the baddest females in Tampa. Now why would he get caught up wit a prostitute?

Good point, said Rocky J. Easy Erv was way too sharp for an ambush like that.

Im gon see what I can find out.

Cmon G-Man, that was nine or ten years ago.

Ten, but that ain't worth a damn to me. Somebody got to know something. Ain't no statute of

limitations on murder, but I find out who did my partner, fuck a court room G-Man stopped

when he realized killing was on his mind. Rocky J was one of the good ones but its never safe to

tell anyone you plan murder. How long you had this spot?

Bout four years, I stopped sellin heroin after I got out from a six year bid. The five pool tables

alone pay my bills but the card games on the weekend give me a chance to build a bankroll.

Theres Keith Liggins.

G-Man smiled when Keith noticed him and ran over. Now if they ain't never let a nigga out that

supposed to be out, they just did, said Keith as G-Man stood up to shake his hand and hug.

Good to see you, said G-Man as he took a good look at Keith who was a little shorter than him

and a shade lighter. Like G-Man, he had two gold teeth side by side on one front tooth and a

small one next to it. You keep eatin you gon be a fat man.

They laughed as Rocky J walked off and Keith said, They call that good livin nigga. Heard you

was out, so how you rollin? I need know what part of the game you gonna play cause you can get

down anyway it come.

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5/21

Sitting down next to each other G-Man said, Jus keepin my eyes and ears open for now.

Whatever I decide will be on a part time level. Jus a lil somethin to keep the chill off me. You

still into hot cars?

Not really hands on anymore. I mostly deal with the chop shops now and deal with hot

merchandise, only brand new shit and jewelry. But you still one of the best drivers ever to gracethe game, so I have to keep it real with you. The game so twisted up with these new breed of

niggas I cant co-sign for none of them. Not many keepin it real like back in the days.

I already know, said G-Man, Thats why Im glad to at least see niggas like you and Rocky J.

Let me ask you this though, do you know where that mothafucka Pimp Light at?

Laughing Keith said, Yeah, he over in Highland Pine and got a lil shop on Twenty First Street.

Almost forgot that was you, Easy Erv, and Fast main man back in the day. He stopped selling

dope and pimpin but he buy and deal in hot shit from select niggas.

Im gon check him out tomorrow. How bout this, can you tell me anything about how Erv got

killed?

Shaking his head Keith said, Naw, I was in jail fighting an auto theft case. Lets go out to my

truck and smoke a joint.

Closing the door of the black Escalade, G-Man looked around and said, I like this.

A 2006 and jus a year old, had it bout a month but this what I wanted to tell you. Me and Fast

did a few capers bout a month before he got popped. Keith handed G-Man a lit joint. Fast felt

it was more to it and was tryin to figure it out until he ran into his own problems.

Exhaling G-Man handed the joint back and said, I know and once I get my money right, Ill get

a phone and go see him.

Keith handed the joint back and reached behind him to grab a box. He pulled out three smaller

boxes with digital cameras in them. Take these on me, they top of the line and cost bout $400 a

piece.

Preciate it, said G-Man as he grabbed them.

Ain't nothin, you, Fast, and Easy Erv always been down as niggas with me. He wrote a number

down and handed it to G-Man. Call me when you get a number and tell Fast Im here if need

be.

Ill do that, said G-Man. And of course I can see us doin business in the future.

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6/21

At work the next day G-Man was unloading some boxes off a pallet when a younger

worker named Jeff came hurrying over to say, Make sure you right because here comes Jenkins

and he dont play.

Jeff ran off to tell the others who started scrambling around. G-Man turned around to

look through the door toward the locking dock to see a golf cart pulling up with a tall, brownskin man driving. Steve, G-Mans supervisor who was a short, buff, older white man met the cart

as the man got out. He wasnt dressed in jeans and a dark blue company shirt with his name

sewed onto a badge like everyone else. He wore gray pants, with a light button down shirt, and a

dark blue neck tie with matching shoes.

They entered and Jenkins looked around as G-Man finished unloading the boxes. Out of

the corner of his eye, G-Man saw Jenkins inspecting a clip-board a worker had. He pointed some

things out to Steve, and then walked off toward G-Man. As Jenkins stepped in front of G-Man,

he stopped working to stand face to face.

Steve says youre the first one here and the last one to leave, said Jenkins.

Smiling G-Man said, I take things serious when it is a benefit to me.

I see that, and like I told you, its no problem if they know you are my brother-in-law.

Dont see no reason to put them in my business.

Dewayne smiled. Youre still you. Anyway, Tina told me to beg you and Tiffany about coming

over for Sunday dinner. You know how she wants to baby her big brother.

As they laughed Steve walked up and looked at G-Man. Gene, youre going to have to talk tothe boss on your time, we are on schedule so far and I want to keep it that way.

Yes sir, said G-Man before walking off.

Dewayne was impressed at how G-Man followed orders and was glad to see he was

serious.

Chapter 2

Where legends are made

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7/21

Still wearing his work clothes, G-Man parked behind the red, customized can and got out.

As he closed the door he realized how hot the sun was and all the unfamiliar eyes on him. It had

been 13 years since he had been on Twenty-First, a street known for drugs, violence, and

anything else that comes with the game.

He got ready to walk toward the pool room when he heard his name being yelled.Turning around, he saw a big, light skin dude wearing Timberlands boots, sagging shorts, and no

shirt on exposing muscles, tattoos, and a big gold chain. His hat was turned to the third, still

showing his braids. G-Man was confused knowing the kid was too young to know him but as

they got closer the smile with all the gold teeth made G-Man realize it was Red Dawson, a

twenty-six year old he met in prison six years ago.

Boy goddamn you got bigger than a mothafucka, said G-Man as they stepped on the sidewalk.

Im chillin though, my nigga G-Man! yelled Red as they shook hands. All the old school

niggas knew who you was when I got out my nigga!

G-Man couldnt help but laugh at how loud and excited Red was. Calm down, calm down. I see

the game bein good to you.

Still loud Red said, Yeah my nigga F-Man, and thats my purple Cutlass Vert with 24 inch

rims! You wanna ride my nigga?

Laughing, G-Man said, Ill take a rain check, but I need to cop a dime bag of weed.

Fuck that my nigga G-Man! Red went into his pocket and pulled out a box of Black and Mild

cigars. He poured out one cigar and three blunts, and then gave G-man one.

Here you go my nigga G-Man. I dont smoke dirty, it ain't nothin but dro in that.

Preciate it, now I need to know which one of these spots Pimp Light at?

Right in front of the van my nigga. Be careful, Pops ain't wit the bullshit, he got guns

everywhere.

Ain't like that, me and him got history. He shook Reds hand. Me and you gone ride in that

pretty car one day.

Fsho my nigga G-Man, just holla.

Walking to the front of the building, G-Man saw two chairs and two bicycles. He looked

in the front door and saw the place was only twice the size of his living room and full of all sorts

of things, from a coffee table to a set of rims. Shelves lined the walls that had books, CDs,

DVDs, video games, one pair of shoes, and a real huge boom box. The window had letters

painted Sell-Buy-Trade. The man facing sideways fumbling with one of the four T.V.s. G-Man

smiled and said, I should rob your old ass, know its some money in there.

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8/21

Pimp Light turned around quickly with a frown on his face. G-Man saw all gray hair and

wrinkles that showed his age. His height was tall as G-man, but his build was smaller. When he

recognized G-Man he said, The day you rob me is the day youll be a week away from your

funeral.

With a hard laugh G-Man hugged him tight. Last I heard you was in Memphis with a mansionfull of whores.

They laughed and let go. Not hardly, not hardly, but its good to see you out.

Good to be out. Whats all this stuff up in here?

For sale, thats what it is. Come and sit out front with me.

Thats your van? asked G-Man as they sat down.

Yes indeed, comes in handy the way I move, said pimp Light. He looked at G-Man and talked

in a said tone. I really missed you three young niggas. I know Ill never get a chance to tell Easy

Erv and its looking bad for Fast but Im telling you I cared about you three.

Nodding his head slowly, G-Man knew Pimp Light meant it. Way back as teenagers trying to get

their feet wet in the game, all three used to listen to Pimp Light as he always had a jewel to drop

on them. He was one of the reasons they came who they were and even the one who gave Gene

Gibson the name G-Man, Ervin Cox the name Easy Erv, and Frankie Jackson the name Fast.

Look here you old ass nigga, dont go to getting soft on me now. We idolized you and had

major respect for you. Even when niggas put is in the boss player category, we still looked up to

Pimp Light. You was not only the top pimp in the slick city of Tampa, but in the whole state ofFlorida and arguably in the entire dirty south. Easy Erv, Fast, and G-Man was on your team and

we loved that shit. They smiled at each other. What I really need to know is heard anything

about Erv getting killed?

I was p in Memphis at the time and he was dead bout nine months when I got back. So what

else on your mind, drugs, stealin, or drivin?

Not sure yet, mostly concentratin on my daughter and this 9 to 5 I got.

The same daughter you uhumdid

Nodding his head G-Man said, You know I only got one daughter. We roommates right now. It

gives us a chance to vibe and her money funny like mine so we split the bills on the apartment

and that two thousand dollar car we payin four thousand worth of payments for, that I got for

three hundred down. Since I borrowed a grand from my sister and in-law, Im already in debt.

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9/21

Aw shit, a nigga like you be out of the red and back on top in no time. Im glad to see you and

your daughter together. Dont care how long you gone, its still a lot she dont know or cant see,

so she gonna need you to guide her.

Ill go for that, but so far she turned out to be a pretty sharp girl, despite all the foul shit she

went through cause of her mama. She ended up in foster care and all kind of shit.

Right now she said, said Pimp Light. Youre back in her corner so you can put all that behind

you. Its definitely a whole new era out here but it wont be hard for a breed nigga like you.

Just a breed of nigga that had Pimp Light as a mentor to the game.

They laughed. So I guess when you stopped, pimpin is dead?

Its not dead, it jus changed.

So you tryin to tell me Pimp Light couldnt keep up.

Pimp Light exhaled and had a dejected look on his face. Naw, what happen is Pimp Light saw

the Light. He pulled out a pack of Kools and lit one. You remember I had two sons, my

youngest Marcus got twenty years in the Feds, and my oldest Jerome is forty now and always

been square. Well he been married bout fourteen years and have a fifteen year old daughter. He

puffed on the cigarette and exhaled. Sheikah, shes my heart string.

I see how your eyes lit up when you said her name.

They laughed. And she been pimpin me for eleven years. Her birthday next week and she wants

a car, and goddamnit Granddaddy gonna but the mothafucka. They laughed again. G-Man, thefirst time I met her she was four years old and within thirty minutes we was in my Mercedes on

our way to Busch Gardens. I kept her all day and the next day took her to Disney World. He

puffed the cigarette and slowly exhaled. I ain't took money from a woman since.

Who would of thought a four year old would be the one to reverse the game on Pimp Light?

said G-Man.

Yeah, who would of thought, but Lord knows I love that girl more than life itself.

SO this lil spot keep you afloat?

Hell no, just somethin to do. Im sixty-two years old and lived off women for over thirty years,

but had other irons in the fire.

I forgot you was trafficking all that dope to Georgia and Virginia. You had them girls pushin it

while you rode in a decoy car. What happened to all those houses you had?

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10/21

Still have em and a few duplexes so thats where my money comes from. This spot is like a toy

and I like bein here but I will sell everything in here only because its for sale.

Later that night, G-Man was sitting at a fold up card table playing with a digital camera

when Tiffany walked in the front door with Dameeta. G-Man looked at Dameeta who was an

inch taller than Tiffany with caramel skin and a much thicker body with all the curves and asmile that could melt a rock.

Hey G-Man, Dameeta said.

Whats up Lady, he said while fumbling with the camera.

Daddy where did you get the T.V., coffee table, and this table with the two chairs?

Traded two of the cameras. Yall post up so I can see if I got it down right.

He snapped the pictures and sat back down. Well let me go and get ready for work, said

Dameeta.

Whats the name of the club again, asked G-Man.

Exotic Island, she said. Please dont come, youre my best friends daddy.

Sorry baby but I dont do strip clubs. Never was into porn on paper or film.

Thats a first, never heard a man say that before, said Dameeta as she stood next to Tiffany.

Everybody ain't the same Lady. Im not saying its a bad thing, Im sayin its not my thing. I

respect it all and all who are into it.

I met a lot of haters, men and women, said Dameeta.

Well baby, Im nobody to paint a bad picture about nobody wit all the wrong Ive done in my

travels. You a good lookin woman and found a way to get paid for it. I tip my hat to you.

She smiled and bent down to give him a hug. I didnt know Tiffany daddy was such a cool

brother.

I try to be Lady, now get to Exotic Island and handle your business.

Tiffany walked Dameeta to her car and came back, I got the job at Sears and start Monday, now

I wish it was full time.

Damn baby, thought full time job and full time student would be too heavy. Cause if thats the

case you could of got a good job with your degree.

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11/21

She sat in the chair across from him. I know but school doesnt start until August and this only

the first week in June. We need phones and furniture. Then when school startsso many things

and so little money.

He smiled and said, Welcome to the real world baby. Dont focus on the furniture too much

right now cause like I told you, we wont be in this rat trap too long. Thats why I avoided a spotwith a lease. He went in his pocket, pulled out a small roll bills then peeled off three twenties

and handed them to her.

I thought you didnt get paid until tomorrow?

Remember, Im G-Man, but this nothin. An ex-pimp jus over paid me for the camera and dont

think I know it. I know I wrote and told you about Pimp Light?

UmIs he the one that bought your first car?

Yeah, well actually it was my money, but he put the car in one of his girls name because me,Fast, or Erv had licenses.

Im going to miss the letters you used to write me. Seems like I heard all the G-Man, Fast, and

Easy Erv stories. Even the years I lived with Aunt Tina, seems like everything she told me about

you it had Easy Erv and Fast in the story. You never told me if it was true or not that when yall

was seniors in high school, yall had a brown paper bag full of money.

With a smile on his face, he said, Dont know why Tina told you that, but yeah we did. It was a

drug deal that went bad at a Holiday Inn. We was in the parking lot trying to steal a car when two

Cubans or whatever they was came out one of the rooms. A Mercedes pulled up and shot the

dude with the bag and the other dude ran wit a bag, so a dude jumped out and chased him as

another dude came out of nowhere and shot the driver as he got out to get the bag. Then he

chased the other two so Fast ran over and got the bag as I humped in the Mercedes. Just as me

and Fast drove off, he shot the car up and Erv damn near ran him over in the other car we stole.

Daddy that sounds scary. Why didnt yall run when he shot the first man?

We did run baby, straight to that bag and the Mercedes. The bag almost had forty-thousand and

we got fifteen hundred for the car.

Thats when you bought your first car?

Second car, I got a Seville, Fast got an IROC-Z, and Erv got a Fifth Avenue and we waited until

Prom to drive them.

You said you dealt with a lot of money at a young age, I didnt realize it was that much.

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12/21

Thats because a lot of things I wouldnt put in a letter. Thats why Im glad were roommates

so we can talk about some of them things. Ill admit, its somethings I wont feel comfortable

talking to you about so I wont. But always remember what I said when it comes to me, I cant

change who I am or what I did and I absolutely love Gene Gibson or G-Man.

No matter what, I still love my daddy.

He smiled. See, we got something in common. You even try to keep money the way I did.

I was almost broke after buying the bed and the deposit. I have eighty-three dollars left in my

savings account, and Im so glad you convinced me not to get any of them credit cards. Id be so

far in debt.

Now will be a good time to get one, said G-Man. We will be ready to go our separate ways by

the time you finish school and good credit will be a must. I dont plan on bein at Templetons

forever but Ill be there until I dont have to worry about money.

The next night was Friday and since G-Man bought a pair of Nikes and two pair of

shorts, he decided to chill on Twenty-First. The pool room across the street from Pimp Lights

store had a good vibe to it as he stood watching a pool game at one of three tables. With a

Michelob in his hand and the effects of the other half of the blunt Red gave him, he felt nice. He

really wanted to play dominos at one of the four tables along the back wall, but he was in no

shape financially to gamble. It was a decent crowd and he recognized a couple of people he met

through Pimp Light yesterday, when he heard somebody yell, My nigga G-Man! He knew it

was Red and turned to see him walking up.

Whats up? said G-Man as they shook hands.

Chillin my nigga G-Man. Want to smoke one?

No. Hell no. Im high as hell off that shit you gave me. I cant smoke too much of that.

Red started laughing, Thats dro my nigga. Red answered his phone then walked off.

Less than a minute later a young, brown skin brother walked with a Budweiser in his

hand. He stood 511 with dark black hair with thick waves around his whole head. G-Man

noticed his clothes was designer and the thick gold necklace was not hallow as diamond studs

was in both ears.

He asked, Are you G-Man Gibson? Just by looking at him G-Man knew who the young hustler

was. Before he could answer him, he said, Im Ervin Cox Jr.

Hugging him tight G-Man said, I know who you is young nigga,

12


13/21

My Gran Ma said you came by her house a few weeks ago and you had just left Pimp Light

when I showed up.

He told me you was doing big things, said G-Man.

Trying to do them bigger but you know how the haters and bitch niggas operate.

That I do, said G-Man. You bout twenty-one now?

Yeah, he said as the juke box blasted.

You feel like steppin outside so we font have to yell at each other?

As they got outside, G-Man looked across the street to see his car and many more cars

parked on both sides of the street. IT was crowded in front of the restaurant next to Pimp Lights

store and another crowd in front of the bar next to the restaurant. To the left of the pool room

was a barbershop, and parked in front of it was a maroon, candy painted, Mercedes Benz with

twenty-two inch chrome rims and dark tinted windows. G-Man looked at it as they walked that

way and said, Not thats a bad ass Benz.

Thanks, said Ervin. Its mine.

I can see you really handlin your business. So hows Cynt?

Mama chillin, you know she been out the street life when I was a kid. I go chill wit her

sometimes.

So whos the teenage nigga Pimp Light say you roll wit.

Ervin leaned against the Benz. Thats my partner Stacks. He sixteen and stay across the street

from my Gran Ma. Ever since she moved in my daddy house when he got kilt, its been like my

second home.

You sure its a good idea to have such a young nigga that close in your game room?

G-Man, he jus gon have to cross me, cause thats my nigga, said Ervin in a serious tone.

Thats Stacks comin now in the silver Impala. Turning around G-Man saw the 2005 Impala

with big rims and even with the dark windows up they could hear music playing. When Ervin put

his hands up the car stopped and the window came down. Park right quick gotta holla at you,said Ervin.

He drove away and parked in front of the laundry mat across from the bar before walking

back. He was tall to be sixteen but skinny. His clothes looked brand new as his black shorts were

baggie while wearing a Dewayne Wade Heat jersey and Wades signature sneakers. Two long

gold necklaces was around his neck, two gold bracelets on the same wrist with a gold watch on

13


14/21

the other and small diamonds in his ears. His skin tone was the same as Ervins and his long hair

was braided backwards. For sixteen, G-Man was highly impressed.

Ervin pointed at G-Man and said, This G-Man.

Smiling, Stacks extended his hand said, Sup G-Man, everybody call me Stacks.

They shook hands and G-Man said, You seem excited to meet me.

Stacks pointed to Ervin, This my nigga for real, so Im gon ride or die bout him. So that means I

know a lot bout him so I know bout his daddy and that means I got know bout G-Man and Fast,

you feel me?

Nodding G-Man said, Sounds like you a sharp young nigga.

Jus sharp enough to know I got to pay attention in order to survive. You feel me?

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CHAPTER 3

Object of haters envy

Driving up the driveway of the big, red brick house, with the perfect manicured grass, G-

Man parked behind his sisters dark blue Chrysler 300 that was parked next to Dewaynes allwhite Lincoln Town Car. Just as he and Tiffany got out, two kids came running out of the house.

Dewayne Jr. was 11 and Angela was 9. They were excited still in their pajamas and DJ had an

envelope that he handed to G-Man.

I appreciate it Lil Man, this letter from my partner Ive been waitin for, said G-Man as he

rubbed DJs head.

Angela was wrapped around Tiffanys leg before they walked in the house. As they got

into the front room with the elaborate furniture, Tina came walking down the hallway. She was a

female version of G-Man, who no longer had her youthful shape but was secure, in who she was.

She yelled, Baby, Tiffany and Man are here. She used G-Mans family name as she hugged

both of them.

Whats up sis, what you know good?

Talked to Joanne and she got promoted to chief master sergeant, and I talked to Daddy, and he

sounded like he wanted to talk to you.

You lucky the kids standin here.

She laughed. Well talk about it later. Oh Tiff, Lewis called about twenty minutes ago. Hell

call back.

See you ain't waste no time letting that nigga know you was going to be here, said G-Man as

they laughed.

Tiffany jumped to her own defense, I was talking to him at Dameetas apartment yesterday.

G-Man held up his hands like he surrendered, No need to explain to me.

For the next three hours G-Man was in the den printing pictures from his camera on

Dewaynes computer and writing Fast a long letter. Just as he finished, Tina came in and sat on

the couch behind him.

I told Dewayne to fry you five pieces of fish, will it be enough?

For sure sis, he said as he put some pictures in the envelope.

Want me to mail it for you, she asked as he sat next to her.

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I got it, need to pick up a fifty dollar money order for him.

How is he?

He good and told me the girls name I need to find.

Thats the girl who could testify on his behalf?

No, her cousin. Remember, the girl Debra from Daytona and Fast met her through her cousin.

The night the young gang nigga was killed, Fast was wit the girl in Daytona.

So she can prove Fast didnt kill the boy and get Fast out? asked Tina.

Well not really, he still got twenty five years for the thing about his ex girl and shootin at that

dude.

I forgot about that, it happen after Easy Erv was killed.

You not gonna believe who I was wit last night, Ervs son.

Get out of here, she said loudly.

And hes a serious young dude. He touchin sixty, seventy grand easy cause he buyin three kilos

at a time.

Are you for real?

Yeah, and check this, he roll wit a sixteen year old and the kid buyin a half of kilo and two

pounds of dro, a high tech grade of weed. They call him Stacks. And, I ran into Mimi, she worksin the bar her nigga own.

You mad at her?

Hell naw, she stuck it out long as she could. I had a fifteen year sentence. We had a good

relationship the three years before I went in and the two years she stuck it out.

She was good people and I like her a lot, said Tina. So you back hangin out?

A little, mostly on my old turf on K Street where Mimi work and a pool room a dude I know

run. Then, I like the vibe on Twenty-First. Thats where Ervin hang and he spotted me two

hundred to try the dice game and I coughed for six hundred, so Im goin to use it wit the

company that I could get a phone, cell phone, cable, and internet on the same bill.

You jus be careful out there, she said as Tiffany peeped in with the phone to her ear and

walked off. Its for certain your daughter is in love. They laughed.

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He got a few more years of law school, so we will see how the long distance thing plays out,

said G-Man.

They made it through last year and like a true Gibson she likes standing by her man.

Well you helped put that in her head. Dont know what I would of did without you.

Boy please, thats my niece and I was glad to do it. I just hate it got to all that, but when her

mama moved I had never seen her again until that day. I had already hated that lady with a

passion, at least before she moved she allowed me to buy birthday and Christmas gifts. Hurted

me to my heart when I found out thats all Tiff was getting, what I bought. That drunken tramp

of a mama she got.

Calm down sis, you getting upset.

Thank God, the Department of Children and Family Services sent you those papers about your

paternity. When you sent them to me and told me to check on it was sure a blessing. Told you Illnever forget how mad Dewayne was. Soon as I got your letter I called him at work and he left

right then. When we got to that social workers office and she start saying how Dameetas mama

called because Tiff ran away from home when one of those drunks tried to rape her. G-Mans

body tensed up. When they checked the house and Pamela was unfit, thats when Dewayne cut

the lady off and said, all that may be true but my wife and I are not concerned with that right

now. The only thing that matters is how do we get her away from here, not now, not tomorrow,

but yesterday. So if you cant tell me that then point us in the direction of a person who can.

Tiffany needs to be with her family and we family.

I can never pay him back for what he did for Mama and Tiffany, said G-Man.

Hes not the type of man to want payment, said Tina. You still havent told Tiffany why you

killed that pimp?

Shes better off now knowin, said G-Man.

I agree with you on that. Well what about Daddy?

With on expression G-Man said, What about him?

Man thats been over twenty-five years ago, not saying anything else she touched his arm.

Hes sixty-seven and getting old. By the end of the summer Dewayne and I are taking the kids

to Maryland to see him. Bring Tiff and go wit us, Joanne will be there. Please Man, you can

forgive him.

He looked her straight in the eye. Listen sis, youre my lil sister, Joanne my big sister, Tiffany

my daughter, DJ and Angela my niece and nephew, Dewayne my brother-in-law, and Fast my

partner, thats my family. The nigga just left us for dead, left Mama with a broken heart and

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three kids to be wit a white woman. You was eleven, I was thirteen, and Joanne fourteen. I

understand how much you and Joanne love that nigga and Ill never try and come between that,

but I ain't fuckin wit him ridin or walkin. She knew her brother well enough to know this

conversation would be a waste of time to continue. She felt heartbroken knowing her only

brother and father may never speak again.

Pouring hot sauce on a plate of fried fish, G-Man looked up to see Dewayne walk into the

screened-in patio with a plate of fish. He sat across from G-Man.

Tiffany still on the phone? asked G-Man.

If you count talking into the speaker phone, said Dewayne. Told you I met him at Tiffs

graduation. He really seems to have it together.

G-Man finished chewing and said, I jus talked to him and if hes not a good dude, he talk adamn good game cause he convinced me he solid. After taking another bite G-Man looked up,

I know I told you a thousand times how much I appreciate what you did for Mama and Tiffany,

but I jus dont know what I would of did without you.

I understand, said Dewayne. But if you see it from my angle youll understand it was not that

big of a deal. Just put yourself in a similar situation. Youre married living in a three bedroom

home and when she got sick it was nowhere else for her to go since Tina and Joanne was out of

town. Now youre your mamas only hope, where she going to live?

Wit me, G-Man said quickly.

Would you wife be able to talk you out of it?

She better not even think or let me think she thinkin that Francine Gibson wasnt welcome.

Exactly, said Dewayne. Now would you leave Angela in foster care if something would

happen to Tina and I?

Long as I got a place it wont be none of that.

So you should see my point, said Dewayne. Had it been my mama or niece I would of done

the same. They bit into the fish, When I married your sister I married her problems bothpresent and future, so when my wife has a problem, my job is to be a part of the solution.

Being at a lost for words G-Man chewed slowly before saying, I guess my sister feels the same

way?

Dewayne shrugged his shoulders and swallowed. I probably never would of married her if I

thought different. So how you really getting along on the job?

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Cant complain, the dudes I work wit seem all right and the money on point wit the work.

Pulling a bone from his mouth Dewayne said, Glad to her it, keep up what youre doing and Ill

make sure you get a better position. Im buying another forklift for your department but I cant

have Steve give it to you this early.

Understandable, said G-Man.

But Ill make sure you get the next one. I told Steve youre my in-law so he keeping close eyes

on you. Give me a solid year like the last few weeks and Ill make you a supervisor. I only have

one black supervisor and I want it balanced. The one I do have, Arnold, he been late ten minutes

late every day for the last two years.

Why you still keep him if he late every day?

Because in order to be late everyday means hes at work every day. Also, hes dependable and

very reliable. Hes in line for a promotion and youll get his spot.

You dont think theyll say its cause Im your brotha-in-law?

They might but its called Nepotism. However, Im the boss and between five departments and

two shifts I have over two hundred employees and have one buss, the owner who lives in Texas.

He pays me a whole lot of money to make sure we operate successfully, and I do it my way.

Who gets demoted, promoted, hired, or fired is my call and anybody who doesnt like it is free to

resign.

I got to admit you run a tight ship, said G-Man. And you know what else?

What? asked Dewayne.

G-Man licked his fingers. You fry a mean fish.

On the way home, G-Man lit a Newport with the car lighter and Tiffany said, I didnt

know Auntie and Dewayne been together since ninth grade.

Yeah, they been ridin a while, G-Man started laughing. You should of seen how hard Erv was

on Dewayne. He used to say Im watchin you nigga and waitin on you to mess up. Tiffanystarted laughing. My Mama used to tell Erv to leave Dewayne alone.

Auntie say you used to fight bout her and Auntie Joanne all the time.

Keeping his eyes on the road he said, Not all the time, jus every time a nigga got out of line.

Never had any problem out of Dewayne, but he wasnt into no wrong. All he wanted to do was

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play drums in school band and be around Tina. Then he messed around and got that job at

Burger King, seemed like he never took that uniform off. They laughed.

They made it through four years of college in different states, said Tiffany.

Why do I get this strange feelin you easin Lewis in our conversation? She smiled as G-Manglanced at her. You really like that nigga huh?

Its been four years.

I know, said G-Man, But I keep tellin you I dont get in grown folks business, yall grown.

Now I know you happy to have him and want to talk about him but thats what Dameeta for, you

know if you need a shoulder to cry on you got both of mine.

I know Daddy but I want you to like him.

Me likein him shouldnt be an issue, but jus by you likin him is reason enough for me not to

dislike him. But I would tolerate him even if I didnt like him jus for you. Now its time to

change the subject.

Okay Daddy, I understand.

Youre goin to have to drop me off at work Tuesday to take care of the phones and stuff.

Want to wait for the internet?

Get it now because if one of our credit card applications comes through, well get the computer.

Remember, its all about building a good credit score.

All this time you had me thinking credit is the wrong thing in the world.

When you abuse it and dont utilize it right, said G-Man. I told you I dont plan to work till

Im 65. Right now Im jus tryin to keep somethin solid while you still in college. By then I

should have some money in the bank and two years worth of good credit. Right now I cant tell

you what ever my next move will be, but whatever it is Ill try my best to make it big and at the

same time try and stay out them white folks jail.

You keep sayin that Daddy.

Cause for people like me jail is a reality and anything can happen. No matter what I am, who I

am, and what I do, certain things come along wit that and seekin more than survival is one.

She watched her daddy and heard the tone in his voice to match the expression on his

face She had ever seen or heard him like that and now she realizes its more to her daddy than

what she was told. Not sure what, but she knows she loves him and never wants him out of her

life again.

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21

on the real -intro and chpts 1-3

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