A Hustler's Wife (6 page)

Kissing ass wasn't something that he was good at. He never had to cater to anybody, man or woman. Not even his own mother, whom he loved very much. As bad as he felt, he wanted and needed to have Yarni as a part of his life. He'd have to play up to Gloria.

Gloria was an excellent mother. She had always taken a part in every activity and function in Yarni's life. Yarni was Gloria's everything. Gloria was an active parent in every organization in Yarni's school, as well as in any other extra curricular activities Yarni participated in. Everyone was envious of the role Yarni's mother played. She was "super mom." As a matter of fact, Yarni had been looking for an eligible bachelor to befriend her mom so she could focus a little less on Yarni's life.

Yarni and Des started seeing each other regularly. Every morning he would take Yarni to school. Of course he was on his way in from gambling and hustling all night long. Des would sleep while Yarni was at school. He stressed school and its importance to her and would never let her skip school to be with him.

One day at Des' house they were watching "Krush Groove" on tape, and she asked, "Des, why do you stress school so much to me? When you don't even go yourself?" Des was shocked at her question. He turned to look at her and spoke from his heart. "Look, baby, I inherited this life, you haven't and I won't let you. You think I like this lifestyle?"

"Sure looks that way to me!" She said softly and slowly.

"Well, baby, you're wrong."

"Then why do you do it then, if you don't want to?" Des took a deep breath, then got up and got his brother's picture. "This is my brother, Les, he was a real O.G. doing it up.

He never let me get involved in the drug part. I only watched while he babysat me while our mother worked 3-11, second shift. He dropped out of school when he was in the seventh grade because our mother was forced to work her ass off to take care of us. He began providing everything for us. He taught me the game, never ever allowing me to put my hands on any drugs.

When I got to eighth grade, no longer was anything handed to me. I had to work for mines, counting the money and studying anything pertaining to investments." Yarni listened attentively.

She had heard Des mention his brother Les, but never had she got any details from Des only that he and his brother were very close.

"Well, when I was in tenth grade, my brother took a bullet for a little girl who was riding her bike when some dudes came through the 233 projects trying to do a drive by." Des paused for a moment. Yarni put her arms around Des. She could see the hurt and the anger in his eyes. He continued. "So, once he was buried he still had a lot of loyal men on his team, and a lucra-tive empire, so rather than let it all fall, I was convinced by my homeboy, Slim, to take it over. So, I stepped up to the plate, and kept shit rolling."

They both were quiet as she continued to scratch all over his back lightly with her fingernails.

"Did they ever catch the boys who did the drive-by?" Des looked at Yarni as if she had asked a stupid question. "I was out there that day. When I saw my brother fall to the ground, I just grabbed a pistol and ran out there and started fucking gun-ning. If you recall, the 233 only got one way in and one way out, right?" Yarni nodded in the positive. Des continued, "Well, when they realized the entranced was blocked off, they couldn't get out, so they hopped out the car and ran across the street to the school trying to get to those apartments. Baby, we hunted them niggas down and shot them making them squirm to their last breaths."

Des went into silence for a minute. Yarni, judging by her sheltered life, should have been scared of him, but this only excited her. Des sharing this side of him made her want him more.

"Baby, I apologize. I know I shouldn't be telling you this, but you asked and I had to give it to you real." He was surprised that she wasn't alarmed or in shock.

"So, baby, this is why I want the very best for you. I mean I graduated from high school and I have even taken some classes after, but due to my lifestyle I couldn't stay focused. You are very dear to me. I want you to have the best education. Because an education can get you a long ways." Yarni was very intelligent, and he was going to see to it that she didn't lose focus. He started rewarding Yarni for any good work or grades she got in school. He would give her all kinds of expensive gifts. Gucci book bags with a purse to match, every color leather coat and suits, trench coats, as well as short jackets. The jewelry he gave her was on the level of Gloria's jewelry, if not classier. It wasn't long before Yarni had jewelry on every finger stacked. Two and three rings on some fingers.

Gloria started questioning all these exquisite gifts. On the one hand, she was relieved that she could finally get to do some things for herself. Gloria always poured all of her money into Yarni. She wanted Yarni to have the best of everything. She secretly felt guilty that Yarni had to grow up without a father, which is why she went overboard and spoiled Yarni. For the first time in years, Gloria started doing things for herself. Yarni even slipped money into Gloria's jewelry box where she kept her money. It was the only way she would ever get Gloria to take money from her. But still, Gloria asked Des to tone down the gifts. He wouldn't, and just kept them coming. Now, it had been six months they had been faithfully together, and Gloria had a certain amount of respect for Des because of his concern for Yarni's education. This is what kept her allowing him to see her daughter. The way he diligently took her to school and picked her up. And before he would take her on any dates, he'd question her about her homework and would get permission from Gloria.

Their six month anniversary was a few days away. Des and Yarni were in his car on the way to drop her off at school. Des turned down the music from the cassette tape playing, and glanced over at her, as he turned into the school parking lot.

"What do you wanna do for our anniversary?" I thought you'd never ask, she thought.

"Do you have anywhere in particular you want to go?" Des asked

Yarni smiled. She looked directly into Des' eyes as the car stopped at the student drop off point. She knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid to ask.

"Des, the only place I want to go is in your arms, while we make passionate love." Thrown off with her answer Des swerved the car, letting off the brake by mistake.

"Baby, listen, I want you to be sure you are ready for that because once you lose your virginity, it's something you can't go back and get."

"Oh, I am ready. I want to consummate our relationship.

Every time I hug you, kiss you, look into your eyes, I know in my heart that I want you to be the first person I experience everything with. I want you to be my first, my everything, my all. I always think of the presents and gifts you give me. I think of all the extravagant gifts I'd like to give you. I'd give you my life if I could, that's how deep my love for you flows. You've earned my heart; through all the times you've been there and been so patient with me. I am not just speaking on the gifts. I'm talking about your genuine concern for me, the way you go beyond the call of duty for me and my circumstances. My virginity is price-less and I'd like to give it to you." The school bell rang and the car behind them honked the horn. She simply said in an energetic tone, "Baby, gotta go. See ya this evening." She kissed him;

"I'll call you at lunchtime, O.K?" she said as she hopped out of the car.

Des was astonished with the words that came out of Yarni's mouth. He knew that she was a virgin. He'd never pressured her for sex. He figured it would happen in due time. Besides, he got pussy on the regular from the other chicks that he fucked with from time to time. Pussy was no problem. He was leader of the

"233 Mob". He had broads throwing pussy his way, coming from the north, the south, the east, and the west. They all wanted him. He was a hot commodity on the streets. His relationship with Yarni wasn't based around sex.

Des had his own selfish reasons. He knew that Gloria was from the old school and she had instilled principles into Yarni, unlike a lot of the last generation of moms. He knew that he had to make love to Yarni mentally before the physical, simply because he was fully aware that the mental love would always last longer than the physical. He knew what type of lifestyle he lived. He knew in his heart that he may have to do some jail time one day. He was totally knowledgeable of the fact that his freedom could be snatched from him at any given time. Des never wanted to lose Yarni, and in order to always make sure she was a part of his world, he couldn't dare base their relationship on sex. He based it on the mental first and foremost. He was always fair and played with principles with anything concerning her.

Anything he gave her his word on, no matter what sidetracks and temptation the streets might've had going on, he kept his word with her. He very rarely lied to her. When he had to, he'd simply tell her he couldn't answer her because he didn't want to lie to her. He was a perfect gentleman. He was her best friend. They could communicate about anything from small things to major things. The only level he never communicated with her on was the drug game.

Des never wanted to put Yarni in any situation where she would know anything that could make her an accessory, or that the police could question her on. If she ever was questioned about anything, she couldn't speak on it because she didn't know anything. He did instruct her about some vital rules. Never ever tell the police anything, and never indulge in any drugs ever. Always keep a close eye on your enemies.

Des naturally spoiled her with material things as well with small intangible things. He'd take time out of his busy day to write Yarni letters and to go to Hallmark to read and select the appropriate card for her. Des cooked for Yarni, even though he wasn't a good cook. He practiced chivalry. The things he'd do for her were so astronomical. He'd fly her to New York to go school clothes shopping. At any given time, he'd take her to Georgetown to go shopping. He'd send her flowers, tulips, for no special reason, or rent a horse and buggie to take her on a ride. Anything he'd see on T.V., he'd naturally try to recreate for Yarni. Des sometimes laughed at himself when he looked at some of the things he'd do for Yarni. He simply told himself that

"Gangstas Need Love Too!" He basically made himself a measuring cup for Yarni to use to measure other dudes she'd encounter, in case he ever got killed or had to go to jail. He hoped that Yarni would be able to do a bid with him, but at the same time, he knew in his heart that the reality was that Yarni was very young and had never been exposed to anything. He was wise to the fact that she'd most likely stray. He was familiar with the reality that there was a limited amount of "sho nuff real niggas" left. None of the rest of those jokers could offer her half of what he had. She may get with them on the physical side and get into their pockets but guess what? None will ever have a clue how to get into her heart.

Three days before their six month anniversary, Des decided that he was going to take full responsibility for Yarni. He wanted to wake up to her every morning, and go to sleep beside her every night. He wanted to marry her. She was still underage. He knew for a fact that Gloria wasn't going for that, and there was no way around that, but he decided to try his hand with Gloria anyway, and went to talk to her. "Gloria, I am not going to talk in circles to you, or play any games. I love Yarni wholehearted-ly. I plan to spend the rest of my life with her. I want her to be my wife, to take on my name, and years from now, bare my children, but I need your permission to marry her." Gloria almost fainted. She was outraged, but she managed to keep her composure. She took a deep breath.

"Des, have you lost your damn mind?"

"No, I am serious. I love Yarni with all my heart."

"Des, I truly have a great amount of respect for you and I love you as if you were my own son. At the same time, my first priority is Yarni. She has her whole life ahead of her. She has yet to experience any growing pains. I am fully aware that you and I both want the very best that life has to offer for Yarni. I don't feel it's in her best interest to marry. Christ sake, she's only 15, but when she turns 18, she will be free to make her own decisions. Gloria raised her voice. "Until then, I am not, and I won't sign anything giving consent for my 15 year old daughter to marry a grown man."

Des decided that even though Gloria wouldn't agree to sign the papers so that they could get married, that still was not going to be a factor. Des decided at that moment that they were going to be married. He brought Yarni a three-carat engagement ring with a two-carat wedding band to match it. He brought himself a phat wedding band. They would wear them. He went to one of those computer places and had a marriage certificate drawn up. Both of them signed it, and that was their commitment on paper. He called his travel agent, to take care of the travel arrangements for their honeymoon. He knew if anyone could put this together in short notice she could. Des assumed complete responsibility for Yarni. He moved her in with him, and took full care of her. He made it clear to Yarni that she was not to go to anyone in her family for any type of favors. He'd provide her with everything she needed. The lovely thing about it was that he meant it from his heart.

Gloria was outraged as well as heartbroken. She felt like everything she ever wanted for Yarni was gone out of the window. She was hearing advice from a lot of people.

Funny how people always can voice their opinion about your child, when they don't even have their own children in check. They say Yarni is only 15, that she doesn't have any feelings. She may be 15, but she has her own mind and feelings. I don't want to forbid her from seeing him because she would sneak and see him. By no means would I want her to hide anything from me.