Crooked

One

Crooked

One

           Epiphany and Leroy were among the many tenants looking out of their projects' window, stunned at the scene that unfolded in front of them. Fifteen cop cars surrounded the NYCHA housing complex as they arrested one of the most ruthless gangs in NYC. "I can't believe they got the Woos!" Leroy enthused in shock, looking at his older sister.

"Yeah..." Epiphany trailed off, not making eye contact. Unbeknownst to Leroy, his sister was the reason for the Woos getting caught up. When the storm settled down and the Feds left, word got around the streets of the Bronx quick.

On the other side of Sedgwick Houses, Ty Ty sat back on the leather couch in his living room. He was counting his money he had made that night from selling halves and quarter bags of weed. "Yeah, I heard 'bout it." Ty Ty spoke to his partner, Antoine on the other line. Ty Ty and Antoine were corner boys who worked for Crook. Crook wasn't apart of the Woo gang, but Ty Ty and Antoine both were. They felt as if they were touched by the grace of God, not knowing that they were blessed by the grace of Epiphany.

Epiphany and Ty Ty knew each other since the 3rd grade. Epiphany knew what Ty Ty did for a living and refused to rat him out to Agent Banks or anybody else. She made sure that when she gave up the Woos that she left out Ty Ty and Antoine's name.

"Man, what we gonna do? I ain't tryna get locked up, my baby momma be trip--"

"Nigga calm the fuck down. Ain't nobody gettin' locked up."

"Aight, but I think we should lay low for a while. Just in case the Feds still watchin'."

Ty Ty wasn't trying to hear anything he was saying. "You can lay low, I'm good." He replied before hanging up the phone, rudely. Ty Ty checked on his deaf mother before finishing up the blunt he had for the night and going to sleep himself.

The next day...

"Leroy! C'mon we gonna be late for school!" Epiphany called out as she pulled her jumbo knotless braids that she had done herself up into a high, long ponytail. Leroy dreaded going to school. He was in the 8th grade going onto the 9th and kids bullied him for not having the latest sneakers or designer. He didn't tell Epiphany about it because he knew she would go over to Bronx Academy middle school and make a scene.

"E, I don't feel like going." Leroy said with a fake groan. He locked himself in the bathroom just so Epiphany wouldn't force him to go to school. She believed that school was the number 1 thing to getting out of the hood. Leroy wasn't that good at academics, but he was a beast on the basketball court. He dreamed of making it to the NBA and taking care of his sister and father for life, but sadly the odds were stacked against him and there was a 0.03% of making it to the NBA from high school.

"What's wrong with you?" Epiphany asked, concerned, falling right into her brother's trap. A random stranger wouldn't be able to tell that Leroy and Epiphany were siblings. They were like night and day. He was light skin, she was dark. He was scared to stand up to people, she was outspoken. He looked more like their mother, and she looked like their father.

"I think I'm dying."

Epiphany rolled her eyes and sucked her teeth. "Stop playing and get the fuck out the bathroom!"

"Forreal, I'm throwin' up, lemme just stay home." Leroy said, since today was a Friday and he wouldn't have to face school until Monday. There was silence for a while before Epiphany responded.

"Ok," Epiphany said. Surprisingly, she didn't put up much of a fight with him this time. "But get out, I need to pee."

After Epiphany relieved herself, she was on her way to her high school. She had $5 to spend today on snacks from the Deli instead of a dollar. She always gave her brother more money than she gave her own self. When she got to school, her classes quickly went by and before she knew it, it was lunchtime. Epiphany met up with her friend Aaliyah in the cafeteria.

Aaliyah was a beautiful girl who had a light caramel skin tone that glowed because of her 5-month pregnancy. Her baby bump was considered small by others for its gestational age. Epiphany met her earlier that senior year and ever since then they were close. They exchanged hugs before sitting down at their usual lunch table. Epiphany could see through Aaliyah's smile and could tell something was going on with her.

"Is he hitting you again?" Epiphany asked, already knowing the answer. Aaliyah lived with her 32-year-old boyfriend, Darren. He was abusive to Aaliyah even though she was pregnant with their child. Epiphany hated him and thought he should be in jail for dating and impregnating a minor. Aaliyah was raised by her grandparents whom she had left to move in with Darren. They knew Darren was older, but they were under the impression that he was only 21. Aaliyah hid his real age from them because she knew that they would try to press charges on him.

"It's my fault. I-I don't listen, and I make him mad." Aaliyah held her head down in shame. Before Epiphany could reply to Aaliyah, Shay, Epiphany's best friend since the third grade, strutted over to the girls. Ty Ty, Shay, and Epiphany knew each other for 9 years. Their friend group was tight ever since the 3rd grade and they remained close friends.

"Hey sissies!" Shay shrieked as her 32-inch burgundy straight Brazilian weave flowed behind her. She had on tight high waisted jeans that made her butt look good and a white crop top that showed off her flat stomach. She was in a good mood from the dicking down that she had gotten last night from Crook. Shay was in love with Crook and wanted to become his girl, but Crook wasn't having it. He told her what it was from Day 1, but she was still trying to tie him down. Shay felt that based off her looks, he would be trying to wife her expeditiously, but that wasn't the case.