Going Under

Chapter 4

Kent was real respected on his side of town, which was the southside. Drug wise he had to do what he had to do. Every real drug dealer has had to defend themself. If it meant stepping on a few toes. Overall he was well respected. He gave back what he took from the hood. If you needed groceries he had you covered. With different junkys foodstamp cards. They made it possible.

"I guess Nachelle couldn't get out." Mahogany shrugged, sitting on the cooler.

"I guess not." Mahogany shrugged.

Mahogany looked out of the corner of her eye and noticed Uncle Kent's friend eying her.

"How old are you?" One of the brave men decided to ask.

He looked every bit of 30. Mahogany lowered her eyes and smirked.

"How old are you?" Mahogany asked looking up to him from the cooler.

"I asked you." He looked around and made sure Kent wasn't in sight and moved closer to her.

"It depends, how many years you wanna do for statutory rape?" Mahogany questioned.

"None, because we ain't gotta tell nobody." He whispered to her.

"Tell nobody what?" Uncle Kent stood behind them catching the two of them off guard.

Mahogany crossed her legs and smiled. Danna flipped the meat and laughed loudly.

His friend was speechless. He was mute.

"Man I was just playin' around." He managed to say.

"Naw fuck you wasn't." Uncle Kent balled his hands into closed fist.

Danna's eyes widened. All talking and laughter seized. Everybody's was on Kent. They knew his temper. Mahogany didn't.

Mahogany watched nervously as veins popped out of Uncle Kent's neck.

"Man chill. It wun nothin' like that." The man waved him off and continued to sip his beer.

Danna bit down on her bottom lip abd eased in the house to get her mama.

"You a grown ass man. This is a child."

"Man, she ain't yours so what's it to you?" The man chuckled.

"Bitch ass mf she is mine and if she wasn't yo overgrown as ain't finna try to holla at no child around here." Uncle Kent spat.

"Y'all hear this superman ass nigga?" The man joked.

Mahogany noticed how angry her uncle was and eased out of the way. At that moment she was afraid of him.

Aunty Ann, Danna, and Gegee walked outside in unison. Before she could take in what was going on Uncle Kent pounced on him like a lion on his prey. He was about to eat.

He sent blow to blow, back to back to his face. Aunty Ann knew how deadly Uncle Kent's hands were so she stood in shock and watched.

His other friend with his little boy way brave enough to stop it.

He gave his little boy to Mahogany and pulled Uncle Kent from the man.

"Come on chill man. Not around the kids." The man with the child urged. "You'll see his ass on another occasion."

Finally getting Uncle Kent off of the man. The man stumbled to his feet. His face had been beaten bloody.

"Bitch ass nigga." The man managed to say and turned to walk off.

"Yeah you right, Chris." Uncle Kent sat on the concrete porch and observed his swollen fist.

"I'm finna go take lil man home. I'll be back later. Take it easy ni." He threw up his finger and took his son from Mahogany.