Page 11 of Mercedees: Forever An Atkins
“I’m lovable, that’s why. Aye, I just put some M’s in the Greek’s pocket. I don’t ’preciate all this hostility, Big Worm. Any who, why you ain’t tell me you was married, Scar? I had to hear it from big mouth over here,” he said redirecting the conversation as he pointed to Shaun.
When it came to other people’s business, Ashaun was gon’ tell it. It didn’t matter what it was or who the hell it was to. My focus shifted in his direction as I stood with a shot of cognac in my hand. It wasn’t shit else to do but glare his ass down. Going in his mouth wasn’t gon’ make him shut the fuck up, so what was the point.
“Yo’ ass always telling somebody’s business but conveniently learns how to shut the fuck up when it comes to yo’ shit. How fuckin’ ironic.”
“That’s ‘cause it ain’t shit to tell. I’m at where I’m at, and I’m gon’ be where I be. See how simple that is. The difference between me and you is, I know what I want when I see a bitch, and it ain’t jumping no damn broom like yo’ goofy ass. Pick a lane and stick with it. Oh yeah, Pops did that for you. Finding yo’ wife is sitting at that beginning of that muthafuckin lane so worry ‘bout you big bruh,” Shaun spat.
“Why the hell yo’ ass even watching my five, if you gon’ sit back and watch me marry some random ass hoe? Then, then you up and let the bitch leave afterward?” I went from calm, cool, and collected, to really fighting tooth and nail from laying hands on my baby brother. He knew what was going on and still let it happen. You goddamn right I was furious.
“You asking everything I want to know. Enlighten me on why the hell you let it happen?” BG chimed in. That interjectioncaused Shaun to pipe down a lil’ as well as slump down in his seat. He ain’t have to answer me but BG was gon’ get an answer out of him one way or another.
“Nah Pops, I ain’t even ‘bout to let you pin this on me like that. He the fuckin’ oldest and should know better,” he said pointing over at me. “With that being said, I shouldn’t have to answer a muthafuckin’ thang. But if you must know, the nigga looked like he was in love, Pops. I’m talking that love at first sight shit. My boy was all over shawty. Did everything but turn her loose. We went out there to celebrate our return back to the states, and he turnt that bitch all the way up. I watched something magical happen that night. Plus, who am I to interfere in the middle of God’s plan?”
God’s plan? This nigga crazy!
This fool had the nerve to place his hand over his heart as if he believed the bullshit he just spat. Bentley was thoroughly entertained. He was laughing so hard tears were streaming. Me and BG on the other hand just stared at the nigga withpuzzled expressions.
“If yo’ lil’ ass ain’t mirror my face, I would tell everybody you was switched at birth‘cause let’s be real. We all know yo’ mama is loyal to a fault. Nevertheless, if you ever drop yo’ guard like that again, yo’ ass gon’ have a new expiration date. What if that was an enemy, and you watched that shit take place? Is that goofy ass yolo shit the only thing you think about? Slip one more time, Shaun, and I’m gon’ show yo’ lil’ ass how to slide. Feel me?” BG roared. He was over Shaun’s bullshit.
He let us joke from sunup to sundown. However, he refused to bury one of us. Safety was preached and instilled in us at a young age. Shaun didn’t ever have to watch his back ‘cause he knew I had it at all times. It was him that needed reminders on sticking to the Greek code. We were told we’d bury BG, not the other way around. I’m a beast with any tool, but the fact remainsthat if I was faded enough to get married, I was faded enough to catch a grave. It was that simple, and Shaun putting on like he ain’t know that was what had me annoyed with him.
“I asked, did you feel me lil’ nigga. You better respond,” BG warned him sitting up in his seat.
Bentley and I both shifted a lil’ in case we needed to protect Shaun from BG. I scolded my brother every chance I got but wasn’t nobody gon’ put their hands on him, not even our father. Bentley was gon’ follow my lead just because he was my day one. Once again, his loyalty was unquestioned.
“I feel you,” Shaun answered in a defeated tone.
BG rarely, if ever, raised his voice. That shit caught us all off guard, I wasn’t gon’ hold you. “And you,” he said, looking over at me. “Find this woman.” I gave a nod. “Bet. Now let’s eat. I’m overstimulated all goddamn ready,” he expressed, rubbing his hands down his face.
His ass needed to take up some golf lessons or something. All that stressing wasn’t gon’ do shit but put his ass in an early grave. I understood him wanting to be involved in his children’s lives, but he was like a reporter the way he questioned us for new details every day. Wasn’t shit new ‘round these parts but my marriage.
“Hell yeah, what’s on the menu? I’m trying to feed my face and get the fuck on. I fear if I stay any longer, I’m gon’ be put to use. I’m already assigned to one search party, I ain’t trying to be attached to another. A nigga straight up refuse that bullshit. And BG, I thought yo’ ass was retired. Why you all in the mix like that?” Bentley finally chimed in.
“When yo’ ass getting the hell out my house, Bentley?” BG immediately countered.
“When our wife feeds us. What you thought?” Bentley replied with a chuckle.
That seemed to break the tension, causing the room to erupt with laughter. Bentley didn’t elaborate on what the hell he was talking ‘bout, and we didn’t ask. Although, I couldn’t lie ‘bout my curiosity being sparked. Then again, if he wanted me to know, he would’ve told me. It wasn’t my business, so I was keeping my mouth off it.
Shaun didn’t like being reprimanded in no shape or form. Knowing him, he was gon’ be in his bag for a lil’ minute. Squashed or not, he knew where he went wrong and was gon’ reflect on it in his own way. I had no choice but to reassure him a nigga was good, ‘cause the truth of the matter was, I was.
The kitchen doors opened, and Linh entered the dining room, placing the food on the table for us to dig in. We did so immediately, speaking a lil’ ‘bout the business all while clowning my father ‘bout his fake ass retirement. My thoughts tended to drift to mywifefrom time to time as well. I couldn’t help but wonder who this woman was who held the title of being a Greek.
A detail I didn’t miss was shawty remembered what she was taught in kindergarten. She ain’t touch shit that wasn’t hers. When I woke up that following morning, all my shit was intact. She wasn’t trying to hurt a nigga, either, at least I ain’t think she was. That, or I wasn’t her target.
I swear to God if she ugly, I’m unapologetically bowing out and taking whatever comes after it.
Coming up with personalities or backgrounds for shawty was all I could do. A nigga was hopeful like hell shawty was a preacher’s kid that just so happen to let the devil’s juice sway her into a one-night stand. Then again, I couldn’t handle that bullshit either. That type of woman didn’t belong in my world. Lowkey, my fingers were crossed on her being in the medical field. At least I knew she’d be too busy to try and keep up with a nigga. Business never stopped and I didn’t need to be questioned ‘bout my whereabouts.
Watching Shaun dig into his food, that feeling of wanting to slap the shit out of him slowly but surely left. My level of exasperation was already high so moving furniture ‘round would result to Pops putting another bullet hole in the ceiling or us. He was quick to hit us in the shoulder or area that didn’t do much damage. He ain’t play that fighting each other shit, especially around Linh. I was ready to finish sharing a meal and get the fuck on ‘bout my business.
* * *
Tonight, the new artillery was being delivered on a cruise ship coming in from Jamaica. Being the owner of Greek Coast Cruise Line was one of the smartest moves I made. Grandpa Myth had his own plans on the way drugs were imported, but the cruise ship, that was all me. One way or another, I was gon’ get what the fuck I paid for and what better way to outsmart the FEDs than to do this shit thelegalway. I had inventory to stock.
Standing on the loading deck, I chuckled as a new shipment approached it. I was gon’ do whatever I had to, to make sure the money flowed. My family and clients depended on me. Couldn’t hold the title as the plug and not have shit to show for it.
“Nigga, it still amazes me how your damn brain works. This cruise line shit is fuckin’ genius. Muthafuckas thinking they getting on a boat to party they life away, not knowing they two stepping over a cargo hold full of guns. That’s worth millions, might I add.” Ashaun was with me as usual and felt the need to give me my props. I ain’t know if it was out of guilt or what.
