Falling for a Hustler: A Benton Harbor Love Story (2 page)

“We’ll be out in 30 minutes tops,” she tossed me the keys. “Be ready to drive.”

I anxiously nodded my head and watched as the two made their way into the club. Those 30 minutes were the longest minutes of my life! I switched radio stations and checked my phone continuously as I waited. Confusion crossed my face when they finally came out and they weren’t alone. Now I was really curious. They had a tall ass nigga between them with his arm draped around each of them. He talked as Amia just giggled; meanwhile, Yandy was whispering sweet nothings in his ear. It was apparent that he was falling for everything she was spitting. He walked toward his car, but Yandy stopped him. Again, she whispered in his ear before licking his lobe and the next thing I knew, he was headed toward her truck. The three climbed into the back as I sat there looking dumbfounded, waiting for instructions.

“Jasmine, you can take us to the 6,” she said, winking at me. At first I was thinking who the fuck is Jasmine, but then it dawned on me that she was using code names.

“Damn, is Jasmine part of this lil party too?” he asked, eyeing me. “Shorty is definitely fine as fuck!”

I rolled my eyes so far in my skull that I was surprised they weren't stuck. Typical arrogant ass nigga. I did, however, check him out. He had big ass diamond earrings in his ears, a thick platinum rope chain, and had some crispy ass blue RocaWear jeans on with a powder blue button up of the same brand. White One’s graced his feet, and a white fitted sat low covering his glossy brown eyes. I may have been green to the game, but I knew this nigga had some type of money.

“Nah, I knew I was gon’ be a lil faded so I called my home girl to pick me up.”

“That’s too bad then,” he said, licking his lips at me.

I hurried and put the truck in drive. All of a sudden, I wanted to get the fuck away from this nigga.

When we arrived to the hotel, Yandy got out and paid for the room. One of her homegirls worked there, so she received a discount and was able to use an alias to put it in. When she came out, we headed to room 306. Everyone got out but my clueless ass. Amia led the strange man in the room as Yandy came to the driver side window. She handed me her pistol and the spare room key. My eyes widened.

“Yandy, what the fuck you on?”

“Look, you wanted to know what I did so bad, right?” I nodded my head. “A'ight then, quit actin like a lil bitch then. It’s time to boss the fuck up. I don’t know about you, but bitches like me ain’t made for a 9 to 5.”

“What you want me to do?” I was still nervous, but like I said, it was too late to turn back. Plus, Yandy had been doing this shit for years, so I knew everything would run smoothly.

“Mia is in there now fixing him a drink. We slipped him a roofie at the club, and she’s hitting him off with another. In about ten minutes, the nigga will be out like a light. So I want you to come in exactly ten minutes after I close the door.”

“What if he wakes up?” I was panicking. It was only my first night, and she already had me in the middle of some bullshit! I was starting to regret even asking her if I could come.

“Usually they don’t, and if they do they don’t remember shit. But just in case the nigga got some type of tolerance for this shit, that’s what the gun is for. If you come in and shit ain’t going right, don’t hesitate to pop his ass. Me and Amia gon’ handle the rest; I just want you to be a look out.”

Once again, I nodded my head in understanding and watched as she disappeared into the room. This time around, the time flew by quick. My stomach was in knots, and it felt like I would shit on myself at any moment; I was just that fucking nervous. I eased out the truck and slid the card key into the slot, waiting for the light to turn green. When I walked into the room, I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw he was knocked out.

“Go over there and help Mia tie him up.”

I tucked the gun in my waist and went to the opposite side of the bed as Amia. She threw some duct tape toward me, and I wasted no time wrapping it around his limp arm and the lamp on the wall, just like I had seen her do. While we were doing that, Yandy was checking the pants that he had stripped from. Wanting to get something out of this shit too, I relieved him of the necklace he wore and then one of his earrings. Amia caught on and cuffed the other. When we had everything we had come for, we left the room and got ghost. The entire ride home, I was silent.

“Oh my fucking God!” I said once we were finally in the comforts of our home. Since it was late and her car was at our spot, Mia decided to just stay over. “I can’t believe we just did that!” There was so much adrenaline running through me. I was too geeked!

“Hell yeah! Only a stuntin ass nigga walks around the club with three g’s in his pocket. That nigga was asking to get robbed!” Yandy was sitting on the floor counting the bills we collected. She split the cash evenly, and told me that I could keep the jewelry that I came up on. For the umpteenth time that night my eyes widened, but this time it was out of shock. I thought maybe we would cash the shit in and split that as well. The necklace alone would get me about five bands, so I tossed her the earring.

I went to my room and couldn’t stop the smile that appeared after I shut my door. I was only out with Yandy for maybe three hours, and had already come up on about six thousand. I could get used to this shit!

From that moment on, I was hooked. A job was nowhere in my future. My only goal was to stack and save so I could dip from this raggedy bitch I called home. I would always love my city, but I couldn’t see me growing here. Once I had enough for me and my sister to move and live comfortably, we were on the first thing smoking!

Destiny

As soon as I walked through the door to the home I shared with my older sister and my aunt, the lights came on, scaring the shit out of me. Lyric was sitting in the living room looking ratchet as hell in some too little shorts, a tank, and an ugly ass bonnet on her head, smoking a blunt while she scrolled through Instagram I’m guessing.

“What the hell took you so long?” she asked, not looking up.

Before I could answer, Yandy walked through the door and strolled into the living throwing a duffle bag at Lyric’s feet. She eyed the bag and then us before reaching down and opening it. When she saw the contents, a big ass Kool-Aid smile spread across her face.

“That’s what took us so long, bitch!” I was too geeked. Every time I tried to go out with them, I heard the same thing.
‘You’re too young, we don’t want you doing this’
blah. I wasn't trying to hear that shit. Hell, they was making good money – why couldn't I? I hated being given shit by Lyric when I was fully capable of getting it myself. Now looking at the three bricks of Cali Kush, a Rolex, and five racks, I bet those hoes thinking they should have put me on sooner. It was the first time they had let me run with them, and I had already hit a good ass lick. This shit was my destiny. Get it? Destiny? Fuck you if you don’t!

Lyric licked her lips as she looked inside the bag again, while Yandy excused herself to get us some drinks. I had just turned twenty, but Yandy put me on my first drink when I was seventeen, so it was nothing for me to throw back a few shots and shit to get me right. Besides, it was sorta like their ritual to smoke, drink, and talk shit about the latest heist they pulled. Tonight would be no different. I was officially a stick up bitch.

After about five minutes, Yandy returned to the front room with a bottle of Red Berry Ciroc, a pint of Hennessy, some Cool Ranch Doritos, a big dumb ass bag of penny candy, and a box of oatmeal pies. She sat everything on the table and pulled a sack of weed from her bra, throwing it in my direction.

“Roll that shit up and tell us what happened, new booty.”

Lyric laughed like what Yandy said was the funniest shit ever, while I looked at her like she was the stupidest bitch ever. These hoes stayed cracking on me just because I was the baby.

“Anyway bitches, the nigga Calvin was whispering some good ass shit in my ear the whole time Lyric was on stage.” I started while breaking down the rello. “I had already hit his drink, so the nigga was good and loose and just kept telling me what he wanted to do. I ain’t even gon’ lie! The shit sounded so good that he had my ass ready for the dick!” I filled the rello with the weed and proceeded to roll it.

“So we get to his house, and because I’m trying to get my kitty licked on, I hold off on the second pill. Now why the fuck did I do that?” I paused as I sealed the blunt and ran it over the lighter to dry it before lighting it and taking a hit. With everything I had been through tonight, I needed this shit – believe me! “Baby! When I tell you this nigga confidence level was through the roof, I just knew his ass was packing an anaconda! This muthafucka must’ve dropped his pants, and when I saw that shit I almost wanted to cry. That shit was so disappointing, man! Mini-me shit was probably bigger than that. My shit dried up so quick, and his thirsty ass was trying his hardest to get some pussy so I told him I needed a drink. He agreed and went in the bathroom, so I pulled a roofie from my purse and slid the shit in his drink. Once he fell out, I ran that nigga pockets and took his Rolex. On my way out the door, I saw a duffle bag and just grabbed it. I ain’t even know what was in the bitch until Yandy opened it at the liquor store. I’d say when we cash this Rolly in and pop this kush off; all together, we should see anywhere between fifteen to thirty g’s easy.” I passed the blunt to Lyric.

After I finished my little story, these bitches fell out laughing. Not no fucking chuckles either; I mean real deal from the gut with tears laughing. I didn't find the shit funny! I wanted some dick so bad, and this nigga had catfished my ass!

“A'ight a'ight! We gotta get serious now. I know a nigga in Grand Rapids I can have pop this kush off. Selling it around here would be too hot, and I ain’t tryin to have nobody on to us fuckin up our cash flow,” Yandy said. “Take that watch over on Empire to Chester first thing in the morning. I already hit him up, and he gon’ cash you out on it. Once we get all that done, bring the money here so we can split it evenly.”

I watched as Yandy accepted the blunt from Lyric and began inhaling. Once she exhaled, she hit it again and passed it back to me.

“I got another lick too. I gotta sit this one out cause this nigga knows me, and I can almost guarantee he won’t hesitate to body my ass on sight.” I noticed a sad look in her eyes, and found myself wanting to know more about how Yandy knew this nigga. Her eyes said it all; he had to have been more than just a lick to her.

“So you just gon’ throw us out there?” Lyric yelled. “I ain’t feeling this shit, Yandy.”

“Bitch he ain’t gon’ even know we know each other. The only thing is, this nigga ain’t stupid when it comes to his paper, and he ain’t into tricking. If he ain’t watch his drink being poured, he ain’t drinking it. He ain’t new to this shit at all.”

“So how the fuck we supposed to get at him?” I asked.

“Shit, every nigga needs a wifey. This won’t be an in and out job, I can tell you now. It might take a few months or even a year, but this nigga is worth a mil if not more. And I can guarantee you the pay will definitely be worth the wait.”

“So who is this nigga?”

“Bryce ‘Brick’ Donovan. One of the biggest niggas in the Harbor.”

“Ain’t that nigga locked up though?” I had heard rumors about the notorious Brick. Last thing I heard, he had gotten five years in prison last year, and I couldn’t understand why he was getting out so soon.

“What street nigga you know that ain’t got no stash for when they go away? When this nigga got locked up, the boys only hit him for fifty thousand. That ain’t nowhere near how much that man got. Trust me...I know.”

“How we supposed to find this stash?”

“Easy. Visiting day is coming up soon, and I have just the plan,” she winked at me and threw back her shot. I swear, this bitch was always up to something.

Bryce “Brick” Donovan

July 10, 2014

“Are you sure you can get me off Rich?” I looked at my attorney Richard Herrington. Shit, for the $40,000 I paid him and the $50,000 bribe I paid for the judge, my ass should have nothing but a fucking slap on the wrist and some damn probation.

He looked at me like I was a fool for even fixing my mouth to say some shit like that.

“Mr. Donovan, I can assure you that you will never see the inside of a prison. Everything has been taken care of. All I need for you to do is show up.”

“I’m just saying, ninety g’s is a lot of money. I ain’t trying to take no loss, man.”

“I do understand, and I certainly have your best interest at heart.” He held his hand out with this dumb ass smile on his face, waiting for me to do the same. It was sad that this muhfucka didn't even know that I had just threatened his life. I stuck my hand out and shook his before making my way to the door. His ass better fucking pray I walk back out that damn courtroom tomorrow.

After leaving my lawyers office, I decided that I needed to go spend some time with my girl. Even though I was the one facing jail time, you’d think by the way she was acting that she was going in. She whined daily about losing me and being alone. I tried my best to make her believe that everything would be ok and I wouldn’t be locked up, but how the fuck could I make her believe it when I didn't my damn self?

As soon as I made it home, the smell of Pine-Sol and weed invaded my nostrils. I took a moment and looked at my home. My shit looked like it was a damn mansion, and only two of us lived here. I always wanted a big family so the first thing I did when I came up on some money was bought a house; seven bedrooms, five bathrooms, a basement/mancave, two kitchens, and a big ass pool that looked like it was a damn island or some shit. This muthafucka was expensive, but it was worth every penny I spent. My kids would have everything they desired. No questions asked.

Sadly, after a year I was still alone, so instead of sitting around all depressed and shit, I said fuck it and I ended up going to my nigga Tyriq’s kickback. He was known to bring the city out to his mini-mansion damned near every weekend, so I knew I had to be clean as fuck! I threw on a brand new pair of dark blue Robins and a white tee. I had just copped an all-white pair of Giuseppe high top sneakers, and a white snapback sat on top of my head hiding my waves. I never went anywhere without my platinum Jesus piece or my diamond studs. When I walked past the mirror in my hall, I couldn't help but smile. A nigga was looking a'ight!

When I made it to Riq’s crib, I called him to let him know I was outside. A few seconds later, his garage was going up and I wasted no time pulling my old school Cutty in. I’d be a fucking fool to leave my shit outside. This was the fuckin Harbor! The last thing I needed was some tender ass nigga or some salty ass bitch doing something to my whip. I had put a few grand in that muthafucka, so a nigga would definitely see me if it came down to it. Once I pulled my car inside, I stepped out and brushed away imaginary lint before going inside.

“Muthafuckin Brick done decided to grace my kickback with his presence! The fuckin world GOTTA be ending!” Riq cracked.

“Fuck you nigga. You know I had to come through one time.”

Before I could finish, my baby sister Mariah walked up with a friend I had never seen before.

“Hey baby,” Mariah said before kissing Tyriq’s lips. The shit still pissed me off, but I knew I couldn't stop them from what they had going on, but I put it out there that if he hurt her I would kill his ass. Trust and believe my word was my damn bond.

“What’s up Brick?”

“The fuck you gon’ speak to this nigga before you speak to me? All them damn egg sandwiches and shit I used to make for you? Yo ass just ungrateful as fuck, man,” I shook my head smiling. She punched my arm and then gave me a hug. My eyes drifted to shorty next to her.

“My fault, I’m so fucking rude! Journee, this is my brother Bryce, but everyone calls him Brick. Bryce, this is Journee.”

Journee smiled and waved. She tried to act like she was the shy type, but I knew better.

“You smoke Journee?”

“No.”

“Drink?”

“A little bit.”

“A'ight what you sippin on? Let me get you a drink or something.” Shorty was kinda straight, and being that I had been too busy for pussy lately, my dick was dry as hell. If I played my cards right, my lil nigga would be wet the fuck up tonight.

“Just about anything clear will work for me,” her smile still hadn’t dropped, and I couldn't help but notice how fine she was.

I excused myself and went into the den, which served as a bar for the night. After grabbing a red plastic cup, I filled it about halfway with 1800 and went to the mini fridge and pulled out a Mike’s Hard Lemonade, mixing it with the liquor. I shook the cup a little and made my way back over. Tyriq had disappeared, and Mariah and Journee where talking and laughing.

“Here you go, babygirl.”

“Damn Brick, you ain’t bring me shit?” Mariah pouted.

“Nigga that’s why you got Riq bright ass.”

“Fuck you! Get off my man,” she turned to Journee. “I’ll be back girl. Let me find this man. Y’all be good.”

Once we were finally alone, I moved closer to Journee. “How long you been kicking it with my sister?”

“A few months now. We met at LMC.” I nodded my head. There was nothing I loved more than an educated chick.

“What you in school for?”

“Psychology.”

“Aw, so you like gettin’ in niggas head and shit, huh?”

She winked and giggled. “Something like that.”

Long story short, we ended up talking a little more and shorty started loosening up. Three drinks later, we were in Tyriq’s guest room getting it in. Baby girl rode a dick like no other! Needless to say, what was supposed to be a one-night stand ended up turning into something more. I ended up falling in love with shorty. In my eyes, she was the complete package. She was a redbone cutie with brown eyes. Her head was shaved on one side, as flawless ass curls hung from the either. Journee wasn’t the thickest, but baby girl definitely wasn’t lacking! She was about 5’6 with deep ass dimples, and she stayed dressed to impress. It was only right that I made her mine.

“Hey baby, I didn't know you were home.”

The sound of her voice brought me back to reality. I quickly pulled her into my arms and kissed her lips. Traces of weed smoke still lingered on her tongue.

“You been smokin my shit?”

“I only had a blunt, bae. I’m nervous as fuck about tomorrow. I know you ain’t trying to hear it, but what if they end up locking you up?” she stared at me, and I saw her eyes watering.

“Journee, chill out with that dumb shit. Them bitches ain’t got shit on me really. Plus, Rich said ain’t nothing to worry about. The judge agreed to let me walk for fifty thousand. Who you know passin up a deal like that?”

She nodded her head and wiped her eyes. “I’m just an emotional wreck right now,” she cracked a smile. “I wouldn’t know what to do if I lost you.”

“You won’t, Journee.”

***

Despite what I told Journee, when I walked in that courtroom my nerves took over me, but I refused to let that shit show. Instead, I strolled up in that bitch fresh as fuck in an all-black Armani suit, and an expensive ass pair of dress shoes. My nigga TK had just lined my dreads up, and I had Journee pin ‘em up in a neat bun, like I was Wale or something. The only jewelry I had on were my two diamond earrings, and them bitches was hittin’! Like my nigga 2 Chainz said,
“Imma be fresh as hell if the FEDS watchin.”
I didn't give a fuck what I was going through; muthafuckas would NEVER see me in shit but the best.

I walked Journee to the pew-like bench, and kissed her cheek before she sat down. I looked over her body, and images of me fuckin her that morning flooded my mind. She was stunning in her skintight pink dress and spiked heels. Her hair was pulled into a bun as well. I almost wanted to mess that shit up right there on the bench. We had been together for about a year, and I couldn’t see myself without her. As soon as I got through this shit, I was gonna take her away and marry her. She was it.

Richard placed his hand on my shoulder, and together we walked through the small swinging door and took our seats. The judge hadn't made it in yet, so I took the moment to question Rich.

“You sure everything’s good?”

I watched as he shifted uncomfortably and started tugging at his tie. “Well Bryce…Judge Hackney was on board with everything. But we ran into an issue…”

I lifted my brow and waited for him to continue. I had to grip the damn table to keep from snapping his fucking neck.

“Um...his assistant called the office this morning. He has food poisoning.”

“What!” I yelled. Everyone in the courtroom looked at me. I mugged they asses and turned back to Rich. “What the fuck you mean food poisoning? Where the fuck is my fifty thou?” If this nigga said the wrong thing, I swear to God nobody was walking up out that bitch!

“I...I never transferred it.”

I sighed and turned my head. When Judge Riley walked into the room, I could have shitted on myself. It was my first time dealing with him, but I had heard stories about this hunky and I knew he was as hard as they came. I was going to fucking jail!

We went through the bullshit standing and sitting, and listened to the prosecuting attorney make it seem like I was some type of fucking animal or something. After about five minutes of them throwing dirt on my name, it was Richard’s turn.

“Your Honor, we would like to request a probationary sentencing. Now, before you respond, let me explain why. Mr. Donovan has been a leader in the Benton Harbor community for almost three years now. He has a thriving barbershop, as well as a local corner store in which most of the proceeds he earns, he gives back to the children and less fortunate in his community. Mr. Donovan’s record is clean. He’s never had so much as a parking ticket. Now, I do understand that he was pulled over with a substantial amount of marijuana, but I guarantee the drugs were not in his possession with any intent to sell.”

I watched as Judge Riley’s eyebrow shot up in amusement. The smirk that was plastered on his face made me feel uneasy. This cracker was gon’ fry my ass!

“Mr. Donovan was pulled over with over twenty pounds of marijuana. Don’t mind me for asking, but how is that not with the intention to sell?” the judge asked.

Richard cleared his throat and walked over to the table, going through his briefcase. He pulled out a manila folder and flipped through a few pages. When he got to the page he was looking for, he pulled it out and skimmed it over. He motioned for the bailiff to take it and give it to Judge Riley.

“That is a copy of my client’s medicinal marijuana card. Since there is no distillery in his area, Mr. Donovan has to drive almost five hours away to the nearest one. So that he doesn't have to do this weekly, he makes one trip once a month.”

Judge Riley’s face was expressionless. Part of me was still nervous, but the other part felt like maybe I had a chance to walk away…that was until–

“According to the prosecutor, we have a witness who says differently.”

A witness?
Besides Tyriq, no one knew the ins and outs of my operation and I knew my nigga wouldn’t sell me out, so I was extremely lost.

The prosecutor began pulling what looked like pictures out of his bag. He passed them over to Richard, and when the color drained from his face I knew I was fucked.

“Your Honor, in this picture we have the notorious ‘Brick’ serving one of his many clients. The same black duffle bag in the picture is the one from his car when he was pulled over.”

“Where’s the witness?” Riley asked. I could tell he was ready to sentence me and move on with his life.

“Our witness did not want to testify or show their face for their safety. Mr. Donovan is a very powerful man. I can assure you that everything the witness said was true. With the warrant we obtained, we were able to search his store, and it was there that we found multiple pounds of marijuana.”

Since I opted to not have a jury, I had to sit and wait for the judge to reach his decision. After a five-minute recess, he came back and me and Richard stood to our feet. It seemed like my life was at a standstill when he announced that I would be serving five years in a maximum security prison.

I was pissed, but I had no choice but to do my prison time like a man. When I saw Journee look at me with cold eyes, I could have died. She always looked at me with love and admiration, so I didn't know how to take that shit. To add insult to injury, she stood to her feet and walked straight out of the courtroom. I knew she was upset, but damn! She couldn't show a nigga no love?

The first few days of lock up were hell. I fucking starved because the food was nasty as fuck, and I refused to eat it. I went from steaks and potatoes damned near every day to fuckin mush!

On day four, I ended up getting into a fight. This nigga named Bo was two cells over, and from day one I could constantly hear him talking shit out the side of his neck about some damn fresh meat. The shit didn’t sit well with me, and if we were on the outside I would have been bodied him. Since the last thing I wanted to do was add more time to my bullshit ass sentence, I kept cool and said nothing. Bo could talk all he wanted, as long as he didn't try me.