The Ex-Con

Chapter 17: All Eyez On Me

Thursday January 24th, 2008

4:00pm

Roderick

It's been about two and a half weeks since the incident with Jeremy and ever since then i've felt like all eyes have been on me. It seems like people are talking about me behind my back like they know that I'm the reason he was in the hospital, that could just be paranoia at this point. I mean it was no secret that Jeremy was into drugs, i mean he was really into weed, but he started getting into cocaine, i remember it was a party i went to back in July of last year, me, DaQuan & Savon was getting turnt up, smoking weed and partying.

{Flashback}

Tuesday July 10th, 2007

"Yo this party is lit Courtney, i'm definitely enjoying this." I told her.

The party was packed, it was maybe 25 to 50 people there. We was all listening to T.I., NWA (Niggas With Attitude), Master P, Dr. Dre, Lil' Wayne & other artist on these CD's. Everyone was either drinking, eating, smoking, some were fuckin' in the back rooms, it was turnt.

"I'm glad you like the party, I mean we can go and get a little freaky if you want." She said. "This party can really get wild."

"No i'm good on that." I told her as i walked away. "But maybe you can keep my boys entertained." I told her pointing to DaQuan and Savon. She smiled and rubbed my dick and kissed me on the cheek before she went over to them. "On second thought, meet me in about 10 minutes in your room." I told her.

I walked over to the food and punch bowl opposite of where she was and that's when Jeremy came over to me.

"Yo what's good Jeremy?"

"Can't call it, just chillin', enjoying this party, good food, good fun, and fine women you know?" He said laughing. "Anyway i wanted to ask you about something."

"Bet go ahead."

"You have any party favors?"

"I mean i got weed and blunts....why what's up?"

"No, party favors, you know like some powder, some nose candy or some shit like that?"

"I mean i happen to have a few..."

"Cool, can i get some, i'll make it worth your while man."

"Whoa hold up, i don't get down..."

"Not like that bro, i mean money wise, i got you." He said pulling out a $50. "It's not fake, trust me."

"Bet i got you." I told him.

{End Of Flashback}

And from there it got worse, and that's how we're here at this crossroads. I snapped back into reality as i heard a car honk in front of me. I was sitting at what was a red light, it had turned green. I drove down to the grocery store nearby, the food market on the corner of South Lowe Avenue & West 63rd. When I got there I got out of my car and went into the store and grabbed a cart, I heard a familiar voice as I was in the store.

"Yo Ro!" I heard a familiar voice call out to me. I looked over and saw who it was.

"Yo, what's up..."

"Marquez, my name is Marquez Smith." He told me.

"Hey Mr. Marquez, from Detroit, how you been?"

"Been okay, what about you?"

"Just going through some things, but that's just life you know. But i'm not gonna bore you with my life." I told him laughing. "I just came to get some groceries. So how long you plan on working today?" I asked him.

"Well probably until closing, which is around 10pm, after that i'm heading home."

"Cool, cool. Well i'm just going to get some groceries then head back home, i don't have much planned." I told him.

"Sounds good, well i guess i'll see you around then." He said.

******

******

8:00pm

Angelo

"Come on, you got this." I heard one of my boys saying. "Don't let him punk you out, show him who you are!" He said, as I laid left and rights into the guys ribs. "There you go, now knock his bitch ass out!" He said as I hit the dude with a right hand. "Let's get his wallet." He said.

"Man it's only $100." I told him. "You take $50, I take $50." I told him.

"That's cool." We heard sirens blaring and saw the lights. "Ooh shit!! It's the cops, let's split!" He said.

We split, i went down an alley on West 70th street and came out the other side on west 71st, then went down another alley, came out on West 72nd street, then after i came out that alley i stopped and composed myself, i didn't hear the sirens anymore.

"Shit, that was close." I mumbled to myself. I wasn't that far from the house on South Lowe Avenue & West 73rd Street so i headed there, and i got there a few minutes later, i was hoping no one had been home, but boy was i wrong.

"Where have you been?" I heard my dad say.

"Why do you care?"

"Don't talk to your father like that." Derrick said.

"That's not my father, this dude, i don't know this nigga." I said. "This nigga is a Ex-Con, he's nothing but a sperm donor that made me, he's nothing at all." I said.

"Wow, you know what....go to your room." Derrick said.

"Gladly..." As i walked away i felt hands grab the back of my shirt and bring me back. "Nigga what the hell...."

"You know what, i've tolerated enough disrespect and bullshit from you!" My pops looked me right in the eyes. "Now you apologize to me, as well as Derrick and you sit your ass down, because we need to talk." He said, now for the first time I can honestly say this dude had me a bit shook. "How long are you going to hold a grudge against me, i know i messed up son, but i'm here now trying to make some things right, i mean that. It's not going to happen overnight but we can find a way to form a bond, i know you're running the streets, don't end up like me." He said. "Just don't end up like me."

End Of Chapter 17