Becoming A D-Boy

Chapter 6

April 2001

I walked through the store waiting for the right time. I really needed to get something for us to eat tonight. I grabbed two cans of spaghetti and stuck them in my pants before moving on to the next aisle. I grabbed a soda and put it into my pocket and then two cakes. I didn't really have time to grab as much as I wanted but this would do for tonight. I picked up some M&Ms and debated if they were going to be Kay's treat tonight.

"Hey what are you doing?" I looked up and saw the lady from the register.

"I'm not doing anything." I said to her looking mad.

"I saw you about to put that in your pocket.

"What you mean? I don't have to steal shit from here. It's because I'm black right." I threw the bag of M&Ms at her and proceeded to leave the store. "Fuck you bitch."

"Don't come back in here."

"I won't." I yelled leaving out of the doors. I took a deep breath as I left. I thought for sure I was caught but lucky for me she only thought I was stealing. I walked home and Kay was waiting for me.

"What up munchkin?"

"Nothing." I went into the kitchen and started pulling the food out of my pockets.

"Spaghetti again." Kay complained.

"I didn't have money for anything else." She looked at me like she didn't believe me. I honestly didn't want Kay to know I was stealing all this stuff but the money I had saved working with King was gone and Kev and Ty had done all they could too. I managed to keep the bills paid but we were officially out of money. This month the bills wouldn't get paid and we would be back to cold baths and candles. I didn't want that to happen. I cooked the spaghetti and tried to think. What could I do to get some money? King couldn't be the only guy in the hood that sold drugs. I could go talk to someone else.

"Tre you burning it." Kay complained.

"No I'm not." But I almost did. I made her plate and sat down to have dinner with her. It was one of those rare nights that neither of us had home work.

"Tre will you play dolls with me?" I looked at her and sighed.

"Please. I never have anyone to play with."

"Ok." After dinner we went into her room.

"When you get these?" I asked picking up two expensive looking white dolls. Momma never bought Kay white dolls and neither did I.

"I don't know." She said looking away. I turned her face to mine.

"Kayla tell me the truth." She sighed.

"I took them from Genie when I went to her house."

"Why?"

"Because I wanted them. I don't like her anyway. All she do is show off. She got everything. She make me sick." For some reason that hurt me. My sister shouldn't have to be jealous of anyone.

"Kay I'll be back."

"But you said you would play with me."

"I will when I get back." I stood up and left the house not exactly sure what I was going to do but I was doing it. I would usually walk toward King's block but I decided to go in the other direction this time. It was a while before I saw dudes that looked like they were doing they thing. In the last few months, I learn what they looked like. It was always a bunch of people on the block. Some were pretending that they sold and others were the real deal. I knew the difference now.