Bread: A Hood Love Story

Michael (XXII)

Michael
July 26th
9:49am

     The sun beamed down on my face, making me squint. I yawned, stretching and letting out a groan. I knew that today I had to get all of my crew together, and to tell them about what I planned to do about The Boss, but I was tired as hell and could barely get out of bed. I didn't get enough sleep last night, and I know why.

     Gabi wasn't here. I didn't even realize it, but I had gotten so used to her sleeping next to me, I couldn't even be comfortable when she wasn't here, which hadn't happened until yesterday. And I was the one to blame for it.

     But I can't get down about it. I have to keep it moving. I had a strategy in place, and I was going to visit her as soon as I got the crew settled.

     I unplugged my phone and dialed Nelson's number, and he picked up on the first ring.

     "What's good, Mike? You got a plan?" he asks eagerly.

     "Not yet. We got more work to do before we put a plan in action. Get the crew down here as soon as possible, and don't let nobody follow you."

     "Aight, boss man. Looks like Maverick's back in action!" I could practically see him cheesing, calling me by my old street name.

     "Yeah, yeah, just get everybody down here." I chuckle.

     "You got it. I'll be by in 20." With that, we both hang up.

     I get up and head in the shower. Can't be smelling funky while I'm trying to give a strategy to my crew.

     After I get out, I throw on my black wife beater and jeans and head downstairs to make something quick to eat, tapping my foot in anticipation. Time passes and I eventually hear a knock on the door. I get up to answer it, and I see Nelson, Melanie, and Q at the door.

     "Aight y'all, come on in. Where King and Bishop at?"

     Nelson shrugs while Q steps inside first. "Bishop is on his way, but King got stuck behind at the trap. He probably ain't gonna make it today."

     I nod. "Aight, I'll get the message to him somehow. Everybody get comfortable, it's gonna be a while."

     Nelson went to sit on the couch with Q and Melanie, who's been quiet since she came surprisingly. Usually she'd be the first one busting in trying to rush me into making a plan, but now she's calmly sitting next to Nelson, hands folded in her lap. The weight of all that's been going on must be getting to her.

     "Aight, guys, we got a situation on our hands. You know The Boss ain't letting us go without a fight, and what we need to figure out is --"

     "AYE, DON'T START TALKING YET, NIGGA, I'M OUTSIDE!"

     Well, looks like Bishop's here.

     I go back to the front door, opening it and smacking Bishop upside his head.

     "Nigga you want the whole neighborhood to hear you? Quiet your ass down!"

     He kept grumbling, rubbing his head while he sat with everyone else on the couch. I followed him, standing back in front to tell the strategy.

     "Aight, as I was saying. The Boss ain't letting us go, and we need to figure out why. I've been in this game long enough to know that he's threatened by us just by his actions, and the reason why could be something huge if even he's going to all these lengths just to get us out of the way and his business under control."