In Too Deep

A Story (Part 1)

A Story (Part 1)

Skye

"A'ight. I ain't really ever told anybody except Tubby & them this shit before. But when I was about 11 years old my father was murdered. It was all because of my fuckin bitch ass brother. I'ont know exactly what happened that made my brother do this but he told these niggas who swore they was go kill my dad where we lived and they came and killed him. We were all home and forced to watch. My father made me promise him something that night that I didn't get until I was older. He used to call me "Young Prince" despite the fact I was a girl. My mom hated it. That night he looked me in the eyes and said, "Young Prince, promise me that you'll never let this empire die." And I promised him. I didn't know what it meant but I knew my daddy was the best man I have ever met. If he wanted to do it, then I would.

My brother took over Easton for a few years. But when I was about 14, I told my Uncle Tony, my dad's business partner and best friend, what exactly happened. He instantly tried to kill my brother but it kind of backfired and he was paralyzed from the waist down. I have no clue where he is. After that, my uncle said this empire was mine when I turned 18. He started to show me how to shoot a gun, how to make drugs, how to do all of it." She said, "Besides my mom, he was one of the people ill never stop owing. When I was 16, my sister was strung out on cocaine and ecstasy. She owed a big debt to some guy named Ruthie. I didn't know who he was at the time but I later learned he was her, um, her pimp I guess. Anyway, after my dad had died my mom put life insurance on us and only after I die would my sister get the money. So she tried to burn the house down."

I watched her close her eyes and give a dry laugh. I ran my hand through her hair, my food long forgotten along with hers. She took a swig of her beer before looking me in the face.

"That dumb bitch forgot to see if we were home. Luckily, we wasn't. My mom was busy cussing out my Uncle Tony for teaching me the same things that got my dad killed. We got home and saw our home was crisp and blackened. We stayed in a hotel for a while and one day we were leaving the room. My mom thought I was going to school but I was cutting school to chill with my Uncle Tony. And my sister was there with a knife. She said this was our faults and she was beat up real bad. Her face was destroyed. She stabbed me in the side one time." She showed me the grotesque scar that actually wasn't that bad.

"But my momma went incredible hulk and somehow my sister ended up with the knife in her chest. I don't really know what happened, I just remember my mom being put in handcuffs and being taken away as I went to the hospital. I visited her every day for a year until she begged me to stop and not become what I was becoming. She didn't want to hear about me dying next. But I promised my dad and she stopped talking to me. I mean, if I visited her and I was upset she would soothe me like a mother is supposed too but she wouldn't talk to me."

She paused and looked at me, her eyes glassy like she was about to cry. I felt myself pull her onto my lap and run my hands through her hair.

"I still visit her on her birthday, Christmas, thanksgiving, and I put money on her books every month. But see I'm scared I'm going to die before I have someone to take care of my empire. If I was killed right now, who would run this for me? Who would make me that promise? Who would take care of everything I've worked for?" She asked, I felt hot tears on my lap.

"What about Uncle Tony?" I asked.

"He died a few years ago. Ironically, he died of a heart attack." She said.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know." I said.

So much heartbreak for one person.

"Would you make me that promise?" She asked.

I lifted her head and wiped under her eyes. "Zayne what are you asking me?"

She looked me in the eyes and grabbed both of my hands, "I love you Skylander. And I want to know that if I died right now, would you take care of my empire?"

I looked down. Could I make that promise? Could I take care of all of this? I looked at the pain in Zayne's eyes and felt the pain in my heart. I didn't like to see her hurt and I knew right then that I'd do anything she asked if it meant seeing a smile on her face.

"I promise to do my best." I said.

She looked shocked, "Forreal? I ain't tryna pressure you or nothing."

I nodded, "I love you and I don't ever plan on stopping. If this makes you happy then I'll do it."

She smiled, "God, I love you. But don't worry you won't be alone and I'll teach you everything I know."

"I know. And I love you too." I said, leaning against her chest.

"So what's your story, Skylander?"