DRUG MONEY

The only way out

Terrance threw the money he had earned from essence his pocket. $1000 was tucked safely in his pocket. He held the pocket with the $ in it as he turned the corner 2 Santa Grove avenue. The street was splattered with graffiti and thugs standing on the curb drinking and smoking. One of the thugs was a little too old in terrance's perspective 2 be on the street smoking like it was his life. '' aye young $'' the old thug said 2 him'' he had a white marijuana cigarette in his hand and was motioning Terrance 2 come near.'' U terrance corbit?'' he asked as terrance moved closer. '' who wants 2 know''Terrance retorted.'' I'm Keshaun. U look like ur old man. When I was coming up, ur daddy used 2 own this block. How's he doing? He got sentence 25 yrs in the Pen 4 killing that officer'' he stated. Terrance shrugged'' I wouldn't know'' he glanced down at the marijuana that was burning away without a care. Terrance sucked in the smell. '' yeah, but anyways,I heard u be getting designer shit out the back of the truck'' the thug hinted putting his lips 2 the cigarette.''u think u could get me anything next time yall go?'' he blew the smoke into the air. '' I don't do shit like that no more'' Terrance inhaled the second hand smoke. ''how much u want player?'' one of his friends asked budding in. ''I'll pay u $2000 cash'' Keshaun said pulling out a wad of cashfrom out of his back pocket. '' if u stacking like that why cant u buy the stuff urself?'' Terrance asked getting ready 2 step away from the conversation.''u know when u gets paper u spend it however u choose. Come on im tryna look out 4 u, give u some easy $'' he nudged .'' thow in a marijuana blunt and I'll do it'' Terrance gave in. A wicked smile grew across keshaun's face. He handed terrance a fresh marijuana cigarette from his pocket and passed him the $. He pulled up his green shirt, a gun was placed into his belt buckle. '' don't disappoint me'' Keshaun threatened. Terrance who wasn't afraid of guns or Keshaun just laughed 2 himself then strolled off.

'' at my old apartment whenever I was scared of something I would hide underneath the staircase" Stacy remember telling Amaru 1 time. Stacy was turning 14 that year. " what? Don't let me ever catch u saying that u cant be afraid of nothing out here cause that fear only makes u weaker' 'I'm only afraid when daddy's beating on mama and it sounds like she's gonna find a way 2 get me mixed up in the mess" stacy frowned.''u must really hate her?'' Amaru asked. ''Yep'' he said. '' I hate my mama 2, ever since she lied" ''Stacy laughed'' people would lie about the dumbest things'' '' crack is stupid'' Amaru scowled. '' so is my mama'' stacy added. Stacy unballed his history assignment.

Stacy tore the paper into tiny pieces and threw them in the air,letting the wind carry the pieces away. His chest was burning. He couldn't understand why. It was because of Mercedes but he couldn't understand why. Somehow along the line she got into his body and decided 2 plant herself there. 2 everyday that Stacy woke he would rotten from the memory of her insides being blasted in the chest.of Mercedes faint cry before she tumble onto the ground. The worst face of all was the look Amaru gave Stacy. The look of a innocent child being lied 2 . Amaru eyes had grew wider than Stacy had ever seen before as he watched Mercedes life fall before him. It was a mixed expression of a lost puppy and a far away look. Like he was remembering something. Something about his father. Whenever he spoke about his father his face would screw up 2 almost a grimace. Something about that look. Amaru was whispering 2 himself, Stacy remembered. He was in his lonely thoughts and that long face was glued 2 his face.I wonder what he was thinking. '' aye'' Amaru said surprised 2 see Stacy Amaru had came home somewhere around midnight after he finished serving detention. he stayed outside until dark knowing that queenisha would get a clue then leave. Stacy was outside Amaru's apartment steps thinking hard about something. '' what took u so long?Terrance paged u an hour ago let's go''stacy yelled. '' I know.'' Amaru lied.''I was coming 2 get u'''' yeah right''Stacy sighed a long sigh'' u remember the old days when I used 2 live here?"''I wouldn't have met u if u didn't'' ''u were a dick head back then'' Stacy laughed.'' Thank u'' Amaru took the offence. ''that hoe queenisha came by'' Stacy told him.''Who cares?'' Amaru answered.''Where's terrance'' Amaru swiched the topic. "he said he's gonna come by in a couple of minutes 2 pick us up'' '' Alright'' Amaru sniffled a little.Stacy could tell he had been crying but he didn't have the heart 2 ask Amaru why. Amaru and Stacy climbed the stairs 2 his apartment and got comfortable on his couch. Amaru could tell by the ashtray and ash scattered across the living room that his mother sprung out on the kitchen floor or on her bed. Amaru looked around the room trying 2 remember a lost thought. Amaru snapped his fingers. ''I'll go'' Amaru said.''go where?" Stacy asked. ''I'll go 2 see Ant''''Ask terrance if he wanna come 2'' 'Terrance been around 2 much jail scenes 2 wanna experience that shit again. His mama, Pops, he was fucking with a girl that ended up n jail'' ''ooooh, yeah!'' stacy lit remembering the good old days'' I 4got that Terrance was engaged 2 be married so he could fuck her when she got n the pen,at least that's what he said. She sure was fine, I wonder what happened 2 her'''' I don't know, he never told me. All he said was that lisa had dreams far 2 big than what he could see. I don't know what the fuck that means. I cant even picture Terrance without her. He loved that girl like she was the air 2 his lungs."Amaru reminisced" terrance got a sweet spot 4 women he sleeps with". ''And he's committed'' Stacy assumed. "Even when they not. I feel 4 the man tho, always hurt by these stupid bitches who don't know a sure thing when they see 1''A piece of Amaru's heart ached 4 him. '' The phone rang. Stacy turned 2 Amaru '' u gonna answer that?" he asked. "It's Vanessa" he read the caller ID" I'm done with her" "Why? Tired already?" "I'm liking this girl named Michelle"Amaru bit on his lower lip thinking about her'' she's different'' he said. Stacy couldn't hold back his laugh "Awwww . someone's finally being mature . u think she might b the 1 2 make u change" " I didn't say all that. I'm just liking her"The phone was still ringing at their ears " Wait pretty michelle? The bitch that cant stand ur guts?" Amaru went over 2 the phone and clicked a button.The ringing stopped " Yeah" Amaru finally said" but she likes me now" "How did that happen?" "I told her the truth"Amaru said."well that's a first" Stacy gave him his props. There was a brisk knock at the door and Stacy and Amaru both jumped up. Stacy went 2 answer the door. "Yall ready 2 bounce?" Terrance quizzed them. They didn't even have 2 answer the expression on their face said it all. "Let's go then" Terrance told them. Terrance led them out 2 where his car was parked."Damn Terrance ur car is nasty as shit!" Amaru complained when he got into his car that was slobbered with empty McDonald cups and white stains that Amaru was afraid 2 touch" U really need 2 clean this stuff up. Like u don't know what a garbage is" "Or a bed" Stacy joined in eyeing one of the mysterious white stain. '' ur mom liked it"Terrance told Stacy. "Come on man don't even joke like that before I get on ur mama"Amaru defended Stacy. Terrance didn't speak after. he sped past 100 MPH and zoomed thru red lights and busy intersections until they reached their destination. "Aye" Amaru announced before they snuck out the car'' On Sunday, Vanessa , Terrance and I are going 2 church with u". Terrance face was perplex and terrified."I don't know why u olenteering me 2 do shit"Terrance was about ready 2 start brawling. He didn't care where he was. "Come on Terrance,Vanessa got a friend", Amaru nudged."She fine?" Terrance forgot all about his furry. "U have 2 come see" "I thought u were tired of Vanessa" Stacy said. "I am but u know" Amaru dropped his logic on Stacy. Stacy sighed in disbelief. Terrance face was fixed in a grimace. I don't even know if I believe in God, he wanted 2 say but knowing that Stacy was a so called Christian, he didn't want 2 get a lecture from Stacy. "What time?" Terrance asked instead. "I'll get my daddy 2 pick yall up at 9:00" "What? In the morning?" Amaru and Terrance leaped back in shock. "Why are u deciding 2 go 2 church with Vanessa?'' Stacy asked bewildered at the thought of Amaru going 2 church. "Cause Vanessa be like we don't spend enough time together and I guess church would be a good place" "Nah he tryna go in them panties then quit it by pretending 2 b some church boy" Terrance took a good guess."Hey im going 2 listen 2 the service but why not try 2 get some pussy while I'm at it?" Amaru crackled with Terrance exchanging a look that meant "I'm going straight 2 hell 4 laughing" "That's funny?" stacy asked angrily. ''here we go'' Terrance sighed'' why yall gotta diss God like that'' He mocked Stacy.Amaru joined in on the teasing'' that nigga do b like that! Religious ass only on Saturday and Sunday thou" before Stacy could say anything Terrance spoke again'' the truck is coming in right now'' the three watched wide eyed at the truck that opened the back door gates of Foot Locker. '' u know the drill. Stace'll be the look out. I can get the job done and Amaru is the distraction. Every body got it?" Terrance couldn't have been more serious n his life. Stacy and Amaru nodded. "So let's go get it" Terrance said 2 Amaru cocking the pistol n his hand. He covered his face n a ski mask as Amaru got out of the car. A slender female was unloading shoes off the truck. She did it the job warily. Amaru took 1 good look at her and almost fainted. He rubbed his hands together as he approached. ''Excuse me'' the woman said seeing the dark figure coming near. Amaru cleared his throat.'' Hi he said simply. '' who are u" she asked sharply. He reached out 4 a hand '' im jaquan, the supervisor 4 Foot Locker Inc..They didn't tell u I was gonna b here?" Terrance crept out of the car crept out of the car and did his best cheetah crawl. ''no they didn't" the woman said getting more annoyed but her back was turned to the truck. '' Goddamn!'' Amaru hit the side of the truck really making a performance.'' Jaquan the supervisor they say.. They never tell truck drivers that I come every month 2 regulate this place" Her attention was only on Amaru. Terrance hopped into the back of the truck and began 2 snatch boxes that felt like had something good inside them. It was dark out, even in the crack of light shooting above the truck it couldn't help see any clearer. ''so ur gonna give me a grade based on how I performed?" Terrance could hear her ask giving Amaru her full trust. I don't know how he does it, terrance thought as he assembled as much boxes that his 2 hands could carry. '' yeah, but it doesn't have 2 b strictly work related'' Amaru eased n smoothly as he saw terrance carrying boxes that were stacked up like a tower. Terrance took meticulous steps so the tower wouldn't fall. Amaru held the woman's shoulder so that terrance could sneak the boxes away without her turning around.''what r u talking about'' the woman was curious.'' U give me some and I'll give u a good grade'' Amaru started 2 say. Terrance made it halfway out of the gate that led towards his Car when a shoebox tapped against the cement. The woman started 2 look around alerted when Amaru n and gave her a slobbery kiss. Terrance did splits in the air sprinting 2 his car. Stacy was behind him rushing 2 pick up boxes that were tumbling on the ground. The four legs moved like the cartoon characters on Scooby Doo running full speed 2 the car. Amaru was still holding onto the kiss and when she least expected it, made a run 4 it headed in the two's direction. Amaru shouting GO even before he made it 2the car. ''go go'' Stacy was yelling 2 dispite the lack of oxygen he had. The car zoomed out of Foot Locker and onto a busy highway. " WHOOOOO!!!" Terrance was yelling at top lungs. "Way 2 go Amaru" Terrance praised. ''he was lucky'' Stacy snickered jealously'' he had a female truck driver. Females r always gullible'' '' I just have a charm with females. Is that a problem?'' Amaru asked blamelessly. '' he did what he had 2 do stace and nobody got hurt" Terrance put a end 2 the 2's small altercation. '' nobody got hurt? When the footlocker staff rewinds the robbery tape,her job will b on the line'' Stacy pointed out. ''oh well'' Terrance smiled innocently. "Terrance revealed a thick marijuana cigarette from out of his pocket and sparked it. Terrance sucked on it 4 a few seconds then blew. Then he passed it 2 Stacy who was n the back left passenger seat. Stacy took joy at alleviating his pain with it then passed it 2 Amaru, who was breathing n the smoke like an aroma at a bakery shop. Amaru put his lips on it and sucked n all the tangy and wild flavors that went into his mouth. His eyes were turning orange. "where we going nigga?" Amaru looked up and saw them turning in2 Santa Grove avenue. " 2 Keshaun's crib" Terrance said. "who the fuck is Keeshaun?" Amaru asked. Stacy put a hand 2 his chin I know I heard that name before he thought as déjà vu hit him. " Some nigga who paid me 2 hop on the back of the truck" Terrance was telling Amaru as he parked onto the curb of the street. Thugs were standing on the corner of the street drinking and smoking. "It's 12:00. Why don't these niggas ever go home?" Amaru asked rhetorically. " Keshaun!"terrance rolled down his window" I got the shit!" Keshaun and his crew walked towards the car 2 see who was there. " Stace give him the boxes, Keshaun eyed stacy rolling down his window as he grabbed 4 boxes and handed it 2 him. "I know that mutherfucker" Keshaun retorted passing the boxes 2 one of his crew members" that's the nigga who beat me up" He balled his fist " u said if u ever if u ever saw me again u'd kill me." Keshaun lifted up his shirt and pulled out a metal object. "Oh shit!" Amaru hollered as blood splattered on his face. Keshaun and his crew ran away. "what the fuck?"terrance yelled speeding 2 the nearest hospital." Hurry! Hurry!" Amaru was screaming. Everything was passing by 2 quickly 4 Stacy 2 see. I cant fucking breathe! He wanted 2 cry out 2 Amaru who was holding onto Stacy's chest trying 2 console him. ''We gonna get u 2 the hospital" he was saying in a calm voice. Please, Stacy wanted 2 say, let me die, but he couldn't.