The Kiss of Death [Dave East]

18

DEE ATE HER FROZEN YOGURT SILENTLY WHILE watching Spades texting frustratingly. "We gotta go, Marcus blowing my line." Dee nodded as he took her hand and they made their way back to the building. Not even ten minutes into the walk and Spades noticed a familiar lady packing groceries into the back of her car. "Mrs. Hayes!" He called, she looked up at him and smiled slowly. He helped Dee cross the road safely to the other side of the kroger. "Lucas honey, it's been so long? How are you?" Spades chuckled. Lena was just how he remembered her. "I've been great ma'am. How are you?" He asked politely as he and Dee helped with her groceries.

"Honestly, I've been struggling. I just don't understand how I lost him." Spades had almost forgotten her grandson was dead. "Cesar had his flaws and I know he ran off to leave me from dealing with his drama. But that was my boy." She sounded broken. "And now that Yorkie's back home, it's hard to keep an eye on her and plan her brothers funeral." He paused, staring at her with an intense feeling of panicked waving over him. "Yorkie?" His voice came out in a whimper. "When did she get out?" He asked. "Four days ago. She's taking his death just like her fathers. Bottling it up, she won't speak to us much." Spades lifted the large bag into her trunk just as Dee headed back to her cart. "Mrs. Hayes, this is Deandra. Dee, Mrs. Hayes. Cesar's grandmother." He decided the change the conversation. Dee's face almost dropped but she quickly picked her expression back up. "It's lovely to meet you." Lena smiled, shaking Dee's hand.

She suddenly turned her head in Lucas direction when he briefly passed by her. "Lucas you've got to give up that smoking habit." Spades laughed nervously, apologizing repeatedly. "Cesar's funeral is next month. We plan on having him cremated. Please. Come, bring his friends too. You were his family, Lucas." Spades looked at Lena with a sad expression. He quickly collected himself and nodded. "Thank you. I'll be there. I'm sorry about Cesar, he was a good guy, he had his demons like everyone else." Lena pursed her lips and nodded, adjusting her purse. "I've got some planning to do, but it was so great seeing you." She rubbed his shoulder. "I'll tell Yorkie you said hi." He let out a deep breath and nodded. Spades held Dee's hand again and watched as the car started and drove down the road.

"Anissa warned us about talking to Cesar's family." Dee muttered. Spades kissed his teeth. "Anissa not my moms." Spades tugged her along.
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Spades tucked his keys into his pants pocket freezing in his tracks. Marcus, Lucks and Dave were in the living area, deep in thought. "What's up?" Spades asked confused. "Tonya called. Marcus put her to work, she sayin that Piru is still alive." Dave answered with his arms folded. "How she know?" Spades asked shutting the door. "She went to the prison, she checked Cruz and he told her that the other locked up members were having visitors under the same name. The locked up members started getting more active. They went from playing court yard basketball and dice, to moving product and making 20 grand in there. Someone's putting them to work." Dave answered.

Spades nodded moving into the living room and sitting on the arm rest of Dee's chair. "So what you want us to do? Get locked up and handle them?" Spades asked with an attitude, rubbing his chin. Marcus scoffed looking away. "What? Marcus I'm serious! These niggas are behind bars, we can't do shit." He added. "Tonya's gonna keep seeing Cruz to keep tabs on them, she's even written down the names of their visitors." He noted. Spades chuckled humorously and nodded.