A Trap Within A Trap

Chapter 19

Jaquez pulled his luggage out, closed the trunk and walked to front door, without saying a word to Fish. They had that kind of relationship, simple with a sprinkle of respect. Ah, the happy suburban life style of the L.I., an escape from the hood both Omari and Jaquez came running to. This was the where and way they wanted their kids to grow. It was unspoken between them, they were both looking for their kids to grow without much of the hardship and hurt they had gone thru in the streets.

The tough brisk dawn air of the island's cold winter breeze allowed Jaquez's breath along with the exhaust of Fish pulling off to exude like a waking dragon. He stood looking over his home, his respite from the bullshit. And when he was straight up with himself, it was his break from the fear he had to hold close to him, keeping him sharp and aware of game. The game of the streets that will always lead its players across it's traps. Most trigger it to snap shut, though some, only those select few escape to live with the scars they earn elsewhere.

The fun grogginess two bottles of Ron Cubay between Fish and him helped smooth out the rough convo they started, which finished with an ironic twist at Brooklyn's Cuban joint named Mojito's. Fish didn't like being told he was wrong, but Jaquez let him think he won anyway cuz he knew if he didn't the whole fight would just come up again later, and probably worse. The more Jaquez considered the simple logistics of the new shit Feed was pushing on the streets called Mojo, the more excited he became.

'I hate that I can't tell Fish everything like how over usin Mojo without using dope would cure a fiend of the dragon. Feed said I had to keep that on the low. Him AND that fine ass cougar Mrs. White ...' Jaquez realized he spent too much time looking at her fine plump ass, and didn't even keep up with most of what all else she said. '... what the fuck did she say she was doing for Feed? Damn see that's what I get! I gotta focus! She probably was a scientist, or a doctor like Marisa's cousin Mrs. Gordon that was showing me around. Shit! I forgot to mention that shit to her cousin said to me. How she wouldn't want me to miss my flight to Newark to see her ... main family, then said something about betrayal. I did really get all of what she was sayin cuz it was Italian, but that's usually not too far off from Spanish.'

'What the fuck am I doing goin off on Fish? That shit ain't gonna do nuthin but blow up in my face. His dumb ass can't see shit past just being crazy. Nah, that's not even it, cuz his Nina is probably smarter than his dumb ass. Like Feed said one day "Every thinking man running work should always keep a tool by his side, a half thinking tool which is more useful than a cold burner in most cases." So Fish got Nina, and I got Fish.' Jaquez finished his thought, yet didn't let it stay long enough in his mind to retain. 'Problem is Fish is more of a monster than a dog, and you can always expect a monster to turn on a you.'

He gripped the door knob and breathed heavily 'Aight Jah get ready for yo ass whoopin?' That made him smile while he opened the unlocked door. Omari always loved sleeping in an unlocked home, something that reminded her she made it out the hood. Jaquez however felt it was just tempting fate. Pulling his duffle bag off he walked over to the sitting room where he noticed the light was still on in the low dawning light, and expected her to be in the lazy boy waiting like a worried nagging parent.

The chair was empty and the place was quite. He allowed all the muscles in his body to relax as only the peace of home would allow. After resetting the home alarm system and locking the door, he crossed to the empty lazy boy and collapsed into it, thick winter coat, boots, and all. He smiled at the tipsy buzz he still felt along with the slight dizziness from the fall, and enjoyed it. No stress, no worry, no grind, no faces to put on, just chill.

He looked at the stairway along the wall and considered going up, but decided against it, for there was a chance he'd disturb the peace he felt, and maybe even awaken the nag monster herself.