Three Deep

Down to ride

By 3:46pm, Diamond was sitting outside of her aunt’s house on the porch. As punishment for getting expelled, Diamond had to stay with her aunt for a week. The only reason her aunt didn’t make it permanent, was because of Diamond’s gang relations. Her aunt knew how dangerous it could be to house a gang member. Both her oldest and youngest sons caused her house to be shot at on separate occasions. Not to mention, having Diamond around was risky for her youngest daughter Anisha. Anisha was doing very well in school, and the last thing she needed was a no good cousin influencing her.

            Diamond sighed, watching Anisha and her friend play with Valaisha. If it were up to Diamond, she would be inside getting high flicking through the channels; not baby sitting her little cousins. Diamond grabbed a twig off the ground and started to draw in the dirt. She was beyond bored, when Justine pulled up on the curb. She hopped out the car with Axe.

            “Dia you okay?” Justine asked. “Trip told us everythin’.” Diamond shrugged her shoulder’s not really in the mood to talk.

            “Heard you beat somebody ass,” Axe added. “Mad I missed it,” he studied Diamond and noticed a black mark around her left eye and her busted lip. “Damn, she got you right there though.”

            “Shut up,” Diamond cracked a fragile smile. Justine sat next to her friend while Axe leaned on the porch rail.

            “So what happen? Why you fought that girl?” Justine questioned.

            “Bitch said some disrespectful shit… bout Bonez” Diamond answered. “You know I couldn’t let that ride.” Axe nodded in complete agreement. “And how bout the school gon shit on me. They expellin’ my ass.”

            “Got damn,” Axe cursed. “That’s the last thing you need. You should check out Ridgewood academy. See if they let you in.” He referred to an alterative school.

            “Yea,” Justine added. Diamond looked at them offensively.

            “Neva’!” she protested. “I’m done with school. I aint need it.”

            “Come on cuz, at least get a diploma, G.E.D, or soemthin’.” Axe persuaded. “You know how hard it gon be to find a job without that?”

            “I don’t care.” Diamond shrugged. “With the way shit flowin’ now. I’ll be lucky to live long enough to regret droppin’ out.”

            “Oh Lord,” Justine sighed. “What’s wrong? Why you talkin’ like that?”

            “I don’t know man…” Diamond admitted. “I’m so pissed off right now, I don’t know what to think, or do.” Axe took a seat next to Diamond. “I ran into Taz when I been locked up. Nigga said,  ‘ I’m next’  … ” Justine and Axe froze when they heard what she said. Even Diamond felt a chill up her spine after repeating Taz’s statement.

            “You’ll be Ight.” Axe assured. “You know we got yo back, not to mention Trip, yo cousins, and them.”

            “Yea…” Diamond exhaled slowly. “I need to smoke cuz.” Diamond looked up when her cousin Anisha walked to her.

            “Hey Dia, Me and Amber, takin’ Laisha to the park. Wanna come?” Anisha asked. Valaisha ran to Diamond and tightly hugged her leg.

            “Pleeeeasse DD!” Valaisha squealed.

            “Eh, why not” Diamond smiled. “Ya’ll comin?” she glanced at Justine and Axe.

            “Sure,” Justine nodded. She led the group to her car and got in. Justine drove up three blocks to the local park. She parked her car on the side of the road and jumped out with the others. Once out of the car, Valaisha ran to the swings. Anisha and her friend walked to the tables under the shade to continue their conversation about friends and relationships. Diamond, Axe, and Justine sat at the table next to Anisha.

            “You said you wanted smoke aint it?” Axe asked, pulling a blunt out of his pocket. He grinned until he noticed the blunt was bent from being in a tight space for a long period of time. “Aw man.”

            “It’s all good. It’s gon smoke the same.” Diamond said. Axe shrugged his shoulders and lit the blunt up.

            They smoked for twenty minutes with nothing to do. Axe was stretched out on the bench almost sleep. Diamond and Justine had their heads on the table, looking like they’ve been up all night. They were too tired and high to witness the dark vehicle that eased next to Justine’s car. Three people wearing black slid out of the doors coming in Diamond’s direction.

            “Dia!” Trip shouted, awaking Diamond. Axe and Justine jerked at the sound of his voice. He dapped her in their gang handshake. “I thought that been you.”

            “Boy you scared the shit out me,” Diamond confessed. She sat up on the bench looking at her gang.

            “Aye check this out son. I just got off the phone with my mans… and we gon hit this nigga D tonight.” Trip informed.” My nigga told me everythin’ we need to know to get this nigga, like where he be at and all that.” Anisha and her friend glanced at Trip when they over heard the conversation.

            “Nisha…” Diamond called. Her cousin looked at her. “Give us some private time real quick.” Anisha nodded and led her friend away from the gang. Diamond turned her attention back to Trip. “What you want me to do?”

            “Get ready.” Trip answered. “Meet me at the ‘Wiz’ at twelve. . . We gon ride out.”