Circles

Chapter Three A Crazy Harlem Dream When I got to the hospital the next day the gang was already there, so I sat down for a little girl talk. Candy was just lying very still, while everyone talked around her. “My curiosity was getting the best of me so I turned to Squeak and Honey, and asked them why have they been keeping secrets and what were the two of them into”. They both looked speechless and of course Squeak put her head down. “But that bitch Honey had the nerve to ask me, what is it to you?” “So I said the Crimeez’s don’t keep secrets, we are one for all and all for one, now answer the fucking question.” I looked between those sluts to see which one would open up their mouth first, and once again it was Honey. “She said if you must know, we are making some much needed cash.” “So I said making money how? “ “Squeak says we have been running drugs for Big Boy.” Honey screams, and tells Squeak you stupid bitch you talk too much! Of course that weak bitch Squeak starts crying, because that’s all she ever does. “Tiny says Squeak don’t cry, then she looks over at Honey and says so what if she told us remember your number one rule no secrets.” What could Honey say nothing, so she just put her head down and looks away. My thoughts traveled back in time, to when we decided to join forces and become a crew. We all made up a rule, which we were all supposed to live by. Honey’s rule was no secrets; Squeak’s rule was never to lie. Tiny’s rule was we stand by each other, no matter what. Candy’s rule was we get money by any means necessary, and my rule was never mess with someone who your crewmembers dealt with first. I thought we all lived by those rules until now. Candy’s voice brought me back to reality, and what she was saying shocked me. “She said she was going to kill Eddie, and then she asked if we had her back”. Everyone told her yes, and then I said but we don’t know where Eddie is. Honey shocked us all by saying don’t worry about that, I have eyes all over Harlem and if Eddie was still around we would know about it. “Next Candy asked where was she going to stay, because the hospital was releasing her tomorrow?” “I told her not to worry that I had that covered.” “I told her that I moved all of her stuff to my house, and she would sleep in Karen’s old bedroom.: As I said the last word Honey said Te, I knew I had something to tell you. “Then she said that Karen was out there smoking crack, and Tommy and his brother were selling her ass all over town.” “I yelled out, what are you sure? Honey says yes I’m sure me and Squeak saw her ourselves yesterday. When we tried to talk to her Tommy pulled her by her hair, and told her she could only talk to customers and only when him and Johnny said so.” “Then Candy surprised me again when she said that we would handle everything, when she came home.” For the rest of the visit I was quiet, I could not even think straight. When visiting hours were over I could not wait to get home to call Danny’s cell phone, and let him know about Karen. I called him from nine pm until I fell asleep, I was so drained I could not even write that night. I just knew something was wrong with Danny, because he always answered his phone. I was not sure what to do about it; hopefully tomorrow would bring me peace of mind and a whole lot of answer. The next day when I arrived at the hospital to pick Candy up, she was already dressed and ready to go. She signed her discharged papers, and we got out of there. When we reached the apartment, the rest of our crew was already they’re waiting for us. When we got inside Candy went to her new room to put her things away and Honey went to the kitchen to make us something to eat. The rest of us went into the living room to watch some television, and just relax. When the food was done everyone ate, and then Candy told us her plan. We were going to take back everything that was taken from us, and she meant everything. Candy would average her mother’s murder, and we were going to get Karen off the street. And get her away from those pimping bastards, who were trying to ruin her life. Tiny asked where would we start, and Candy said at the beginning. First we needed money, that’s where Honey and Squeak came in. With the money we all had, we would put it together and get some drugs from Big Boy and start selling our own shit. The plan sounded real good, but would it be that easy? Candy said no it would not be easy, but we would do it anyway. “Then she looked at Honey and asked her if she heard anything about Eddie?” “Honey looked real happy all of a sudden, and said I almost forgot. Big Boy’s lieutenant Hammer said Eddie is staying on 112th street, between Lenox and 7th Avenue at that fleabag hotel. You know the one I’m talking about the Ebony.” “I said word, has he been there since all of this happened?” “Honey says yes, and then she told us that Eddie was smoking crack and he was on it heavy.” When I looked over at Candy I saw the wheels already turning and just like that, Candy knew how we would kill Eddie. We would give him some bad drugs, but first we had to see how much money we all had together. I had over three thousand dollars, money that Danny had been giving me and I’ve been saving. Candy had five hundred dollars, money that her mother gave her the night that she died. “She said that’s why Eddie was beating her mother, because Maria would not give him any money”. Now we know why he wanted it so bad, to buy crack. Honey and Squeak had six thousand between the both of them, and Tiny had five hundred dollars. She got it for her birthday, but was saving it for a rainy day. So between the five of us we had ten thousand dollars, and the plan was set in motion. Honey and Squeak left a little while later, and took five thousand with them to get the drugs. We were not sure if that was enough but Honey said not to worry she would handle everything, and for us not to sweat it. The next thing we had to do was take the g e d test. So we could be finished with this school shit, and focus on what needed to be done. For the rest of the night the three of us just chilled, and watched television until sleep overcame us. The next morning we were woken up by a ringing telephone. When I answered it was Squeak, telling us to get ready they would be here in an hour so we better be up. When we hung up I jumped in the shower and then Candy and Tiny got in. By the time that Honey, and Squeak arrived we were ready to roll. First we stopped for breakfast at McDonalds, and then we went to the state building to register for the g e d test. The next test date was in two days, and they had room for all of us. With that taken care of Honey suggested that we go by her house, so she could show us what they got from Big Boy last night. When we got there the only one who was home was Honey’s gay brother Dwayne a k a Sunshine, and his friend Donny a k a Rain. Girlfriends were a hot mess and funny as hell. So we knew we were in for some laughs, and as soon as the door closed behind us the jokes started. “Here goes Rain, oh no miss thing looking straight at Tiny.” “Where did you get those jeans from, and where can I go to buy some ass like that?” ‘Girl your ass looks like it was molded by big brother bootie himself.” I had to ask, “Rain who is big brother bootie. He snaps his fingers, rolled his eyes, and said but who else the butt fairy”. We all fell out laughing, and when I wiped the tears from my eyes I was looking straight at Candy, and once again I saw her wheels turning. She told the Queen’s as they called their crew, that we would be right back. When we got in Honey’s room she looked at all of us one at a time, then said I want the Queen’s down with our plan. “What do you’ll think?” I looked around at everyone’s face and I knew the deal was sealed.