Cracked Dreams by Michael Daniel Baptiste Page B

unturned, huh?”
    â€œSee, now you feel me,” I said with a grin as I winked at him.
    As the food arrived, the conversation came to a halt. We all began devouring our meal, and then Don P. pulled up in a black Ford Expedition.
    â€œHere these niggas go right here,” said Trigger as he pointed out of the window. “I wonder what the fuck took them so long.”
    As they entered the restaurant, car tires screeching directed our attention to the street. All that could be seen from the restaurant window was a gray car turning the corner in a hurry. No one gave it a second thought except for Poncho, who thought the car looked familiar, but then brushed it off. Once it was out of sight we all paid the shit no mind and directed our attention as to why Don and P. were late.
    â€œWhat’s up, son?” I asked. “Where were ya’ll mu’fuckas at?”
    â€œWe had to go to Central Bookings real quick to get this nigga Little Jay out,” answered El Don. “He got picked up last night outside his crib. He wasn’t even dirty, or nothin’.”
    â€œIf he didn’t have no work on him, why’d they take him in?” asked Trigger.
    â€œThe nigga had like eight grand in cash on him,” answered Poncho. “He was coming home for the night from The Woods.”
    â€œThat nigga’s a dick,” blurted Cee. “What he doin’ with all that money in his pocket? Why he ain’t sending somebody to drop off after every two grand like he supposed to?”
    â€œI don’t really know,” responded Poncho. “But the kid is smart though. If he didn’t drop off, he must’ve had a good reason. He did say some shitabout not being able to trust the new nigga we put with him up on 227th.”
    â€œWho’s he talking about?” I asked. “That nigga Roscoe?”
    â€œI ain’t too sure. Let me look into it,” said Poncho. “I didn’t get all the details because we were in a hurry, but I’ll holla at you.”
    When we were all done with breakfast, I had Trigger take me to my crib so that I could drop off my bags and get my truck to run some errands. After everything, I’d end up over at Ginger’s place all the way upstate. I often tried influencing her to move in with me, now that I had my own place, but she’d just reiterate the fact that she didn’t want to leave her mother all alone. I didn’t want to come between her and her mother, so I backed off. It also benefited my situation if I ever needed to disappear really quickly, so it worked out. Her mother was hardly ever home anyway, ever since she’d made detective. It was kind of ironic though . . .a detective’s daughter in love with a notorious drug dealer. If only she knew.
    â€œHi, baby!” she said with excitement as she fumbled to unlock the door. “When did you get back? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming over? I could’ve cooked something for you. I missed you so much, baby. How was California?”
    She opened the door and gave me a big hug and kiss before I could answer any of her questions. The love she showed me was indescribable. It was so genuine that I could never doubt her sincerity for a second, or think that she was putting on a show, or saying things just to make me feel good. She really loved me a lot and I loved her just as much. She was my baby, my precious little Gin.
    â€œRelax, Gin,” I said, trying to calm her down. “One question at a time, Mommy.”
    â€œAll right then, Daddy. Just go upstairs and wait for me. I’ll be up in one minute, okay?”
    â€œCool, don’t keep me waiting too long.”
    She was upstairs in no more than two minutes with a Corona in each hand and wearing nothing but a smile. I looked up at her and thought to myself, That’s why I love her.

    That night, while Spits lay beside Ginger asleep at her place upstate, it was