It wasn’t until days after he saw the news that he ran into Fast Eddie. Not knowing how to approach him about the gun, he just stared at him from a distance while Fast Eddie was conducting his business on the blacktop. Just as Say No was about to give up the thought of approaching him, one of Eddie’s goons called out to him, telling him to come over. Feeling scared and nervous because he didn’t know exactly what their state of mind was, whether they were going to kill him or reward him, he stood there for a few seconds debating on should he make a run for it or go see what was up. Choosing to go over to them, he willed his legs to get moving.
Upon reaching the blacktop, Fast Eddie walked over towards Say No. Looking over to one of his guys, he asked, “Is this the nigga who grabbed my bag?” Nothing was said back to him; just a nod of the head was enough to let him know the answer. Putting his arm around Say No’s shoulder, Eddie proceeded to walk him toward his car. It was the longest walk in Say No’s life; no words were spoken while three goons walked along with them staying twenty yards behind.
Once they reached the car, Eddie turned around and said, “I heard you have something that belongs to me. Now, is what I’m hearing correct?”
Knowing it was all or nothing, Say No looked Fast Eddie directly in the eyes and replied, “Yea I have the bag you threw. I hid it and came up here for the last couple days to let you know I got it.”
Noticing that Say No was shaking, Eddie told him to relax and that what he did was an honorable thing and that he would reward him for his loyalty. “So where’s the gun at lil’ man?” This was his first time mentioning the contents of what the bag held.
“I can take you to it. It’s just a few blocks away,” replied Say No.
“Well jump on in and let’s go get it. Then we’ll see about straightening out your pockets,” Fast Eddie assured him. Jumping into what appeared to be the same car that the police was chasing, they made their way to the abandoned apartment complex Say No stashed the weapon at. It wasn’t until later in life did he realize that all Eddie or anyone in his crew drove was ’68 or ’69 Cutlasses.
After retrieving the gun, Eddie reached into the glove box of his car and pulled out what looked to be at least ten stacks – more money than Say No ever saw in his life. Eddie tossed the bundle of money in his lap. Say No looked at the money and then turned to Eddie and picked the bundle up, handing it back to him saying, “If its alright with you, I’d rather you put me down with the team. I’m a loyal nigga, and I won’t ever make the mistake of crossing you.”
Eddie was shocked that he would rather work for him than take the ten “G’s” knowing he more than needed the money. Eddie saw hunger and desire in the young man’s eyes and respected his gansta for not turning it into the law for a reward. He tossed the bundle of money back to Say No and said, “Look I’m going to give you a chance, but there is no room for error. The price of betrayal is death. I’m going to tell you this once – God forgives, I don’t. So if you’re willing to follow the rules of the Family, I’ll give you a chance.”
Fast Eddie knew that Say No, like everyone else, feared him and he intentionally made it a point to distill fear in everyone’s heart he encountered. His philosophy was – “It’s better to be feared than loved, because fear you can control, love you can’t.” Eddie told him that every morning at ten he was to meet up with the rest of the Family on the blacktop and after saying that he would be there, Eddie got out of the car and walked over to the passenger door. He tapped on the window, signaling for Say No to roll it down.
Say No rolled down the window and said, “What’s up?”
Eddie casually replied, “The car’s yours. Go shopping and get your wardrobe together.”
Shocked that Eddie just gave him his Sunkist Orange Cutlass, he thanked him about ten times. He slid over to the driver’s seat expecting Fast Eddie to get in the passenger’s seat but he didn’t get in. Looking in the rearview mirror was the first time he really realized how big and serious Fast Eddie was. He was just getting into a Midnight Blue Cutlass, one that had been tailing them the whole time, without Say No even knowing it.
Pulling off, Say No’s thoughts were running wild. His mind was telling him to go cop some dope and get high, but his heart said something entirely different. His heart told him that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of something real. Deciding to go with his heart is what got him a spot on the team. After ten years of putting in work and staying true to his Family, he became Fast Eddie’s right-hand man.
CHAPTER SEVEN
After several attempts to contact his wife She She, she finally answered the phone. “Hello, Johnson’s residence,” was her way of answering the home phone.
“Hey baby! Ya had me scared for a minute. What was you doing? I called three times back to back,” interrogated Say No.
“I’m sorry baby. I was downstairs in the basement finishing the laundry, while trying to get dinner done. Speaking of which, are you going to be here to sit down and enjoy dinner with your family?” Say No knew her comment was her way of being sarcastic. Sheila was the type of woman who valued family structure. She firmly believed that a family should eat dinner at the same time and because of the life Say No lived he couldn’t accommodate her all the time.
“Yes baby, I will be there. Actually I’m pulling up right now.” Hanging up the phone he smiled because just the thought of his sexy wife made him appreciate her for all she does and has done for the sake and preservation of their family. Say No prided himself on being a smooth laid back individual - one who finessed things with the skill of a person who has been a part of the streets. He was taught that the finesse was a wise man’s game - understood by only a few, used by even less.
Walking into the door, he was greeted with a big hug from their two-year old son named Jewell. They named him after Say No’s Grandfather. Picking up his son, he made his way into the kitchen where the huge pot roast was being made. Entering the kitchen he saw his wife Sheila looking so sexy and seductive, standing at five feet seven, one hundred and forty-five pounds with hair to the middle of her back. Her skin was perfectly tanned from using her tanning bed that he bought her for one of their anniversaries.
“Hey sexy lady. When’s all this good smelling shit going to be done,” he teased.
“Give me twenty minutes and we’ll be ready,” Sheila replied, giving him a wink in her special seductive way. She had an unbelievable quality about her to where every move she made was unintentionally provocative.
“Cool. I’m going to go get washed up, but not before I get me some sugar from those sexy lips.” Leaning over she gave both him and Jewell a kiss. Placing Jewell in his chair, Say No proceeded to go up the stairs to their master bedroom. Knowing that the mission they were about to embark upon may be his last one; he was going to make sure Sheila would be straight. See, he’d taken Fast Eddie’s advice about stacking his money for occasions just like this. And because he listened, he had over a quarter mil in the walk-in safe in his closet, along with seven savings bonds totaling a half a million dollars. Money he invested for the future; money that no one but him knew about, until now.
Changing his clothes and putting on black from head to toe, he sat on his bed contemplating the entire situation that was about to transpire. After what seemed like hours, but actually was only minutes, She She yelled up for him to come eat. Sitting down at the table, still in deep thought, Say No glanced at the pot roast with carrots, potatoes, green beans and hot water cornbread. Not really having an appetite, he picked over his food. Looking at the clock on the wall he saw it was a quarter to seven, time to start heading back to the trap house. He needed to be there before anything jumped off because he was now the head of the family, he needed to be extremely meticulous about anything they were going to indulge in.
Finishing up his food, or at least all he was