OAKLAND's GREATEST

Chapter 1

Chapter 1: the run-in.

Present Day.   2020.

Isaiah POV

"Mommmm I am not mad about the fact you are going to miss my opening tomorrow. You are doing great things in Miami. How is the news station treating you. Cross-eyed Bertha still eating your lunch?" I told her as I wiped down my pink see-thru counter tops.

"No I had to check the bitch. Ugh, Izzy I am so sorry but I need to be up in a few hours. Love you and I am so so proud of you. Your father is surely looking down at you smiling and will be there in spirit no doubt." My mom said as my eyes watered and I replied, "Love you." I hung up and quickly rushed down the beauty bar and went into my office and grabbed a tissue from off my desk. I wiped my tears and took a deep breath as I stared down at the picture of my dad and I at my high school graduation 5 months ago. Thats actually the last time I seen him. He had to catch a flight and on his way to the airport after leaving my graduation he was caught in crossfire and was killed  on Racine Road. Supposedly, two beefing gang members had a shootout on the street and my Dad car was caught in the middle.

What hurt the most is that he had brought me this space as a graduation gift...I had been apart of this program to get a business license during high school and I passed the classes. So instead of running off to the University of Miami I stayed back to make my Dad happy and run this place. He left us not a lot of money in his insurance but it was enough to foot most of the bill for the salon chairs, the nail booths, and the chairs for pedi's. I hired a few local beauticians and we open next Monday. However, tomorrow we are having a grand opening. I can skin some nails I did about 50 girl nails for my High School Prom.

Yes so I am now 19 black and gay with my own damn beauty bar. You bitches could never.

Suddenly, I heard arguing from the window behind my chair. I went up to the window and quickly closed the blinds as I heard a deep voice.

"We meet here every 4 months for pick up and drop off. Now you telling me my pick up is light. I have one fucking rule...if its light you die." I heard as my eyes stretched wide and I stared thru the blinds and seen this dark chocolate slim man dressed in black. He had pulled a gun out and pointed it at the much smaller scrawny white boy.

I mumbled, "what the fuck is going on?" I felt the urge to help due to my father being killed in gun violence and plus I didn't want a dead body messing up my damn opening. I rushed out my office and out the backdoor and stepped into the alley.

"Hey!" I snapped scaring them both. The black man stared over at me and I looked back at him. He damn near stared into my soul.

"Mind your business, yo." The angry man stated as I stepped out into a puddle in my Yeezy Slides.

"Umm, this building is my business. As of 5 months now. Now take this else where or I will be forced to call the cops." I told him as I crossed my arms and he chuckled, "You honestly think you or this cracker will make it out of this alley with blood in your body. Now I'm being nice and telling your ass to go back on inside and let me finish my business."

"Oh that was the part in the scary movie where I was suppose to shit myself?" I asked him sarcastically. He even laughed and looked at the scared white man and asked him, "You know this man? Are you fucking this dicksucker?"

"What? No man. I just need one more day Rome. Ill have your money." The man suggested. Rome is his name. He doesnt look like a Rome. Must be a damn street thug name he goes by. He suddenly grew in rage and pistol whipped the fuck out of him and fell back on the hard concrete floor. I quickly rushed over(stupid ass move) and scream, "STOP!" Rome looked over at me and asked, "You got a death wish or something? Im the scary black man with the fucking gun and yet you choose to play captain save-a-ho."