Table of Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
“In order to eat roast corn your fingers have to burn.”
That’s what my mom used to tell me and man did she know. She was an old Jamaican soul lost on these shores trying to make a living for all her children. For her that represented going through a fire. I guess if you really look at all that on face value then you will miss the fact that it’s just another way to say if you want something bad enough you may have to go through barriers to get it. I’d like to thank Jason Claiborne for going through the fire with me. Thank you Lisette Matos for helping out from the beginning and still hanging in. All your suggestions have been really helpful. You’re greatly appreciated. Tamiko Maldonado thank you for all your help, you’re on the team now. Sanyi Gomez, photographer extraordinaire; shout to you and your fam, thanks for looking out with the book covers. Iris, goodlookijng. Jasmine Clemente, thank you for all your input and cuts.
In order to achieve you’ve got to be able to conceive a plan of action and stick with it. When I first started out I accepted a deal with a company run by brothers, but to my surprise they were only wolves in sheep clothing. Beware and guard yourselves you scribes looking to sign deals. Get expert guidance through an agent or have an attorney take a look at any contracts before you sign. Don’t get caught out there. Devils come in different colors and from all angles of this game.
I’d like to thank the following people for their continuous support: Sue Shapiro, Gloria McFarland who’s been like a mother to me. Thanks for the compliment Laura Shumate, I’d like to thank Dorothy Baker (Mom I love you) my sisters Veronica thanks for taking me to church and telling me about King David and such. Thanks God for putting the sword and your shield in my grasp. I’m armed and ready to battle. Thanks for supporting always Juliet, Pam, Gloria, Ayo and Zee, good luck or better yet knock ‘em dead. To my brothers who always gave me inspiration: Ty, Jay Clay, Cecil, Raymond, Shannon Holmes, thanks for holding me down. All the best to you Treasure Blue. Like Show Biz and AG, Can I get a Soul Clap? Shout to the following peeps: Justice Born Allah, Champ M.C. Peace to Tasheim and the Gods from the CHOP SHOP Crew. Michelle Robinson and family, thank you. Mr. and Mrs. Gaillaird thank you. RIP to Karen Roper Lafayette gone but not forgotten. God bless, you encouraged me to always strive for success. Never accepting less…
One Love,
ONE
NO DRUGS OR ALCOHOL ALLOWED read the sign outside the club.
“A yo! You girls can’t stand here. You’re gonna have to move it on. Be ghost!” the doorman yelled, pointing down the block.
“I hate this shit,” Coco sighed. “But you know what? One of these days I’m gonna own this fucking club, and then I’ll probably be doing the same shit, anyway.”
Coco, her friends, Danielle and Josephine, the crew, she called them, started to walk. They had just been tossed out of a jam for teens, thrown by Disco Dave at club Deep. The girls were caught lighting up a blunt. Now they stood around outside, at 23rd and fifth enviously checking out all the happenings. They watch all the party people stepping into the club, some they knew and some they didn’t. It really didn’t matter, they were outside scheming on getting back inside the club when headlights hit them.
“Check