Entangled (24 page)

After they left Roscoe’s, they took a tour bus through Beverly Hills. Dream looked in amazement at the big mansions. She felt like she was at a taping of
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.
From the tour bus they also saw the landmark Hollywood sign. The tour ended at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Dream took a picture beside the Eddie Murphy and Wesley Snipes stars. “Keisha ain’t gonna believe that I was actually at the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” Dream said before ordering Jamal to snap more pictures.

The Lakers beat the 76ers in double overtime. It was 12:08 P.M. when the game was finally over. Jamal and Dream headed back to the room.

Dream got into the shower and came out wearing a leopardprint thong. Jamal was lying on his back in his boxers. She lay next to him. Surprisingly he didn’t respond.

“What’s wrong, baby?” she asked as she sat up on the bed. “Nothing. I’m just not in the mood,” he said as his mind went back to Candy. Then he thought about the day he had left the doctor’s office before getting the results of the HIV test.
“That’s a first.”
“I was just laying here thinking about prison and how much I hated it.”
“I can’t imagine being locked up with somebody telling me what I can and can’t do,” she replied.
“It’s rough, and the funny thing about it is, I ain’t even been out long.” He looked uncertain about what lay ahead.
Dream didn’t hear the confidence she had once heard from him, and for the first time since they’d left Charlotte, she wondered if she had made the right decision.

Jamal woke up around 6:00 A.M. He called the airlines and found that there was a 1:00 P.M. flight from L.A. to Charlotte. When Dream awakened, he told Dream they would be flying back to Charlotte. “Are you crazy?” she asked.

He frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“I am not about to go through what I went through the last time. Did you forget that you're being watched? By now you might even be charged.”
“No, I didn’t forget. I have a new ID, remember?”
“You do, but I don’t, remember? My name may be on some sort of watch list by now.”
Jamal hadn’t thought about that possibility. After all, Dream had been harassed by the DEA in the San Diego airport as well. “We can always drive,” he suggested.
“How long will it take to get back to Charlotte?”
“We can do it in about two and a half days if we hurry, but I ain’t in no hurry. We still haven’t visited The Mall of America like we had planned.”
She looked confused. “Do you think that would be a good idea? I mean, with the drugs we got on us, and with Angelo probably after your ass now, shouldn’t we just go somewhere and get settled?”
He laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ve done this before. Nothing is gonna happen to us.”
Within the next hour, Jamal wrapped the product in fabric softener to kill the scent. He also painted JUST MARRIED on the back of the car. He knew that people, including police, were receptive to newlyweds. Dream giggled when she saw the car. “Jamal, you are crazy.”
“I gotta do what I gotta do to be safe,” he said.
“It’s creative. I can definitely give you that.”

The next morning the DEA picked up Tony Jennings and brought him in for questioning. Tony had always been fairly comfortable in the interrogation room, but today he appeared really uneasy as Mark and U.S. District Attorney, David Ricardo hammered away with questions. “Do you know why you’re here?” Mark said.

Tony shrugged. “I ain’t got no idea. Why am I here?” “Do you know Jamal Stewart?”
“Yeah, I know Jamal.”

Mark took a seat beside Tony and looked him directly in the eye. “We just received word that you have been extorting him and Steven Davis.”

Tony turned from Mark and breathed heavily. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Did Jamal tell you that?”
“Actually, Jamal hasn’t been arrested yet. Did you or didn’t you do it?” David asked.
“If we find out you did do it, you know you’re going to prison for a long time. There’s a good chance you’ll be in jail with some of the same people you helped us bust,” Mark said.
“If I admit to it, what will happen then?” Tony asked curiously.
“We know you had someone helping you who worked with us. We need to know who assisted in this corruption,” Mark said.
“Agent Tolliver helped me. He supplied the information to me that I used to bribe Jamal and Dawg with, and this ain’t the first time we’ve bribed big drug dealers,” Tony said.
Mark and David looked at each other. “Jeremiah,” they said in unison.

It had taken Jamal and Dream three days to reach St. Paul, Minnesota. Many travelers seemed to take notice of the JUST MARRIED sign on the window. Complete strangers rode by honking their horns in congratulations. A couple of cops even drove by and gave them the thumbs-up. They checked into a Hampton Inn in Bloomington, Minnesota. After they were settled, Dream called Keisha from the hotel room phone. She knew Keisha would be worried.

Dream knew she must have looked on the Caller ID to figure out where she was. “I’ll be home in a couple of days.”
“You better come on back. I spoke with your mother the other day, and she is about to file a missing persons report if you don’t show up. You need to give your parents a call.”
“Whatever you do, don’t let them file a report. Let my mother know that you spoke with me and that I’m alright.”
“What am I suppose to do when she asks me where you are?”
“Just tell her I wouldn’t say, but I assured you that I was alright.”
“You know they’re blaming Jamal for your disappearance, don’t you?”
“What?” Dream said as she sat on the edge of the bed.
Jamal looked on wondering what had happened.
“Yeah, they’re accusing Jamal of abducting you, and debating whether they should go to the police.”
“You can’t let them do that. You have got to go over and let them know I’m okay. Promise me that.”
“You got my word. I’ll go over and let them know.”
After they hung up, Dream lay on her back and stared at the ceiling. “What’s going on now?” Jamal asked.
“Nothing. My parents are just worried about me since they haven’t heard from me in a while.”
“Maybe you should call them.”
“I’ll just see them when we get back to Charlotte.”
“Have it your way, however you want to do it. In the meantime let’s go to the mall. You have got to see it. You ain’t gonna believe the size of this thing.”

T
HE
M
ALL OF
A
MERICA
had 525 specialty stores and four major department stores: Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom’s, and Sears; a huge amusement park; and a wedding chapel. Dream was completely astounded by the size. “This thing is unreal. I have never seen anything like this in my entire life. It’s gonna take us forever to walk around this mall.”

“I know what you mean. I heard someone say the last time I was here that seven Yankee stadiums will fit in here,” Jamal said.
Dream and Jamal walked around for about two hours, visiting at least twenty different stores. Leaving Bloomingdale’s, they saw the wedding chapel. The Chapel of Love was beautifully decorated. The pews were all white, and the walls were decorated with elegant floral arrangements. There was no difference from a real church. Wedding ceremonies and christenings were performed daily. Jamal and Dream looked at each other upon entering the chapel.
“Let’s do it,” he said.
“I don’t know. Do you think we should, especially since we don’t know what the future holds?”
He looked into her eyes. “Let’s not worry about the future, because whatever is gonna happen is gonna happen. I know I said earlier that I didn’t think we should get married, but I want to do it, because honestly this may be my last chance.” He knew that he would probably leave the country if he didn’t get killed shooting out with the police, but he had been fortunate enough to find someone whom he truly loved, and marriage was something he wanted to do before it was too late.
“You really are serious, aren’t you?” Dream blushed.
“Yeah, I am.”
“I guess we can do it since the car already says we’re married,” she said, laughing.
The attendant’s name was Meagan. She was a tall blonde with a lean frame. She showed them the various packages, including music, photos, and flowers whenever requested. They were surprised to learn that the chapel even had a bridal boutique.
“You mean I can pick out a wedding dress?” Dream asked as she beamed with excitement.
“Yes, our designers include Jessica McClintock, Alfred Angelo, and a lesser known company called U.S. Angels. What size are you?” Meagan asked.
“I’m a size six,” Dream replied.
Dream decided on a ravishing, cream strapless, floor-length Jessica McClintock gown with a flared bottom. Jamal chose a black-and-gray Hugo Boss, single-breasted, three-button tuxedo.
“You two make a lovely couple,” Meagan said with a bright smile. “Now, do you guys have a marriage license?”
Dream and Jamal looked at each other. Neither had thought about a marriage license. “How long does it take to get one?” Jamal asked.
“There is a five-day waiting period if you’re from Minnesota. Where are you guys from?”
“North Carolina,” Jamal answered.
“Well, I can probably get you guys one today. Fill out these papers, and I’m going to need a copy of your birth certificate and your driver’s license.”
“Excuse us for a minute,” Jamal said as he pulled Dream aside. “Listen I forgot that I don’t have my real ID. There is no way we can do it unless you want to marry Andre Von.”
Dream looked down at her gown. She had really hyped herself up for a wedding ceremony. Though she would be getting married in a mall, this was supposed to be her day, but there was nothing they could do. “I guess I can take this dress off now, because I don’t have my birth certificate either.”
“Let me talk to the attendant. Maybe we can go on with the ceremony and just pretend we’re really getting married. We really don’t know what’s ahead for me anyway.”
Jamal stepped over to Meagan. “Listen, I don’t have my ID,” Jamal lied, “but I was wondering if we could go ahead with the ceremony without the license. We’re more interested in the symbolism. We don’t actually have to be married for real.”
She looked at him oddly. “So you just want to go through the motions?”
“Yeah,” Jamal replied.
“I don’t think we’ve ever done this before,” Meagan said.
Jamal pulled $300 from his pocket and handed it to the attendant. “It’s really important to my girl that we go through with this. Do you understand?”
“I’m sure I can work something out with my boss,” Meagan said as she folded the money and put it in her pocket.
Ten minutes later.” By the powers vested in me, by the state of Minnesota, I unlawfully pronounce you husband and wife,” the minister said.
Jamal, Dream, and Meagan all burst out with laughter.

Jamal and Dream arrived in Charlotte two days later. Jamal checked into an Innkeeper motel, and he finally turned on his cell phone to check his messages. Angelo had called repeatedly with death threats. The last message was from Thomas Henry. He said it was urgent that they spoke. When Jamal called him, he learned that he had been indicted.
“What?
When did this happen?” Jamal asked.

“Actually it happened yesterday. As soon as I learned about it, I called you, but your phone wasn’t on.”
“What do you think I should do?” Jamal asked
“The last time I spoke with you, you already had your mind made up on running. I personally think you should turn yourself in. We may be able to beat it since your friend hasn’t informed on you.”
“You think so?”
“I don’t know, but we have a good chance. If you run you’re going to make it worse. I tell you what, I’ll get a copy of your indictment and see exactly what’s going on, then I’ll call you back.”
“Cool,” Jamal said.

They returned the rental car and Jamal asked Dream to rent him a white Toyota Camry—a common car that could easily blend. Dream drove while Jamal slumped down on the passenger side so nobody would see him. He had her to drive to Boulevard Homes, a local housing project where he could have his cocaine cooked into crack, doubling his amount of product. Jamal had always prided himself on not selling crack. He felt it was for the lower level guys, he told himself. Money came fast selling crack, but the prison time was much more severe. Jamal tried to stay away from it, but since he was already wanted by the Feds, he now wanted to make as much money as possible.

Groups of teenage boys were huddled underneath the streetlights. Wine bottles and beer cans littered the streets. Crack pipes could be found sporadically. Windows in many buildings were boarded up. They stopped in front of Building 12. Jamal got the product out of the trunk and they entered the building. He tapped lightly on the door of Apartment C.

“Who is it?” a frigid voice asked.
“It’s me, Jamal.”
An old woman with a prosthetic arm opened the door. She

The apartment was dingy-looking. Cigarette butts and dirty clothes covered the floor. Jamal and Dream stepped inside. “Minnie, this is my girlfriend, Dream,” Jamal said. Dream forced a smile.

Jamal grabbed a shirt from the floor and placed it on the sofa before sitting down; Dream chose to remain standing.
“I need you to cook some coke for me,” he said.
“How much?”
“About two kilos today, but there will be more as soon as I get rid of this. You know I’m going to take care of you.”
Minnie smiled. “Let’s go to the kitchen.”
The kitchen did not have a refrigerator or a stove, nor did it have any kitchen utensils or a place to sit. A microwave, a hot plate, and a small Styrofoam cooler with dingy water sat in the corner. Dream cringed as soon as they entered the kitchen. She had never known of anyone to live in such conditions, but it was no big deal to Jamal.
“Okay, let’s see what you’ve got,” Minnie said.
Jamal took two brick packages and placed them on the table.
When Minnie opened the kitchen cabinet and grabbed a large Pyrex dish, roaches leaped out at her —big ones, small ones, white ones. Some even had wings.
Two hours later, when the crack was finished cooking, Minnie excused herself while Jamal sat on the floor gathering the product. Crack covered the floor and a foul smell hung in the air.
After Jamal had gathered everything, he put a little portion aside for Minnie. He figured she could make some extra money. They had waited for twenty minutes and still there was no sign of Minnie. Finally Jamal called her name. She didn’t respond.
They entered the living room. Still no Minnie. Jamal remembered she had excused herself, so they headed to the bathroom.
“Minnie,” Jamal yelled again, but still no response.
Flick, flick, flick.
Jamal opened the bathroom door; it was very dark inside.
Flick, flick, flick.
He heard the sound again, but this time it was followed by sparks of light. When Jamal turned on the light, he almost gagged at the sight before him. The frail old lady sat on the edge of the corroded bathtub holding a crack pipe to her mouth with the prosthetic limb. She had a cigarette lighter in the other hand. Jamal became disgusted. Suddenly he thought about his mother and how she had been addicted. Minnie kept flicking, oblivious to their presence and unaware that the cigarette lighter was out of fluid.