away for you and do something with it.” Snake Eyes stood. “The ceremony will be over soon, so I’m gonna go attend the fam. Listen to your homey, G,” Snake Eyes said over his shoulder as he made his way down the aisle.
THE DOORS to the mosque opened up and people began to file out, some orderly and some not, but all respectful. The LAPD and OSS were posted up across the street trying to be inconspicuous as they snapped pictures. Some of the most notorious gang members in all of California had come to see Gunn off, and they were anxious to match the faces they knew against their extensive database and log the ones they didn’t into new files. It was for this reason that some of the more unsavory characters chose to just send flowers as opposed to attending.
The crowd parted like the Red Sea as Jamal Ali stepped from the mosque leading the procession. As opposed to a coffin, Gunn was wrapped from head to toe in white linen. Three men on each side wheeled the gurney that held one of the Crip’s greatest heroes. Rahshida brought up the rear, flanked by Stacia and Monifa. Lil Gunn came out shortly after. His face was as hard as ever, but Gutter could tell from his ashen cheeks that he’d been crying, as was his right. Spotting Gutter approaching the quartet, Monifa turned and went in the other direction.
“Hey, Auntie”-Gutter ignored Monifa’s snub and attended to his aunt-“you cool?” He took her hands in his.
“No, but what can we do? My brother is free now,” she said, trying to keep from crying more than she already had.
“That he is,” Gutter said. “Listen, I’m sorry I can’t go with y’all to the vault.”
“Don’t worry about it, Kenyatta, I know how it is.” She glanced across the street at the police and sheriffs. “They’re minding their manners now because they know disrupting the funeral would turn into a riot, but they’re gonna swoop down soon enough. It’s best you not be here when it happens.”
“I know that’s right. Tears is gonna take us to the airport and then come back to the house to join y’all. You need anything before I leave?”
“No, I’m fine, Kenyatta. All I need is some peace of mind.” She sighed. “Nephew, I’m sorry I was so short with you earlier. I’ve just got a lot on me right now. Two funerals in two days is a little more than I’m prepared to deal with.”
“You sure you don’t need me to stay for Rahkim’s ceremony?”
“No, Ken. I don’t want to chance you getting deeper into this than you already are. If the police don’t already know you’re in the city, they will before long. The last thing we need is for them to start playing connect the dots and yours might be an extended stay,” she told him.
“True.” He tugged at his beard. “Well, you know if you need anything I’m just a plane ride away. When all this dies down me and Lil Gunn might fly back out here to check on y’all.”
“Don’t bother, Ken. After we lay Rahkim to rest I’m gonna have Snake Eyes sell our properties out here and I’m leaving L.A.,” she informed him.
“Auntie, if you’re worried about retaliation I can make sure y’all are protected round-the-clock,” he assured her.
“And live like a prisoner in my own home? No thank you. Besides, I’m not leaving because I’m afraid, I’m leaving because I’m tired. Ever since we came to California death has been a constant companion of the Soladines. I need to put this state and all this ugliness behind me.”
“Where will you go?” he asked.
“I don’t know. I was thinking about traveling for a while. Maybe visit Algiers for a few months and settle somewhere down south when I come back. I haven’t quite made up my mind yet… maybe even take a look around Arizona.”
“Well, if you need anything from me just let me know.”
Rahshida smiled and touched his face. “Kenyatta, all I need you to do is be here for your family. Change the way you’re living so your wife doesn’t feel the kind of heartache I’m feeling right now, nephew.”
“I’ve been hearing that a lot lately.” He recalled his conversation with Snake Eyes.
“Then maybe you should try listening.”
“I just might,” he said honestly.
“Well, we’ve got a little bit of a drive ahead of us so I’m gonna go now, but you be safe, Kenyatta, and know that Allah loves you.”
“I know now.” He hugged her.
“Take care of my nephew, Kenyatta, and don’t let it take another death to bring us back together.”
“I got you, Auntie,” he said, trying not to break down himself.
Rahshida wiped her eyes and started in the direction of the limo. Gutter looked over and found Monifa staring at him intently. He started to say something to her, but decided against it. They had said their goodbyes already, so there was nothing more to discuss. That chapter of his life was closed and he needed to focus on the new beginning with his wife and family. After saying farewell to the homeys, Gutter, Danny, and Lil Gunn climbed into Tear’s truck and headed for the airport.
chapter 43
THE SKY was incredibly blue that morning, seemingly more so than Gutter had ever remembered seeing it. At that altitude the clouds appeared solid enough to walk on, but it was an illusion, as was the temporary peace Gutter felt looking at them. He knew that once he touched down it was back to business.
The flight home went far smoother than the one into Long Beach, but that all depends on whom you asked. Danny-Boy sat directly behind Gutter, trying his best to put the moves on a buxom flight attendant. Though she smiled, Gutter could sense her uneasiness. The innocent part of Danny that first drew Gutter to him was gone, replaced by the taint of a killer and whether he knew it or not, he wore it on his sleeve.
During the ride to the airport, up until just before takeoff, Lil Gunn bombarded Gutter with questions about New York City and the game. When the plane took to the skies all questions ceased, and a look of panic came over the young man’s face. Gutter was sitting next to Lil Gunn, who was a nervous wreck. Every time the plane lurched he looked as if he was going to be sick. When the Boeing finally bounced roughly on the airstrip he heard his cousin whisper a prayer of thanks that he hadn’t perished in the air. Had he gripped the armrest any tighter it was sure to come off.
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen,” the captain’s voice began over the loudspeaker. “We’re now arriving at JFK. The time is four thirty, with the weather being a warm seventy-three degrees. At this time you may power on cell phones and electronics. Once again, thank you for flying JetBlue.”
“I never thought I’d be so fucking happy to see the ground,” Lil Gunn huffed.
“Buck up, lil cuz. You’ll get used to it after a while,” Gutter told him.
“Man, fuck that. I ain’t never getting on a plane again. The next time we hit the West we’re driving and I don’t care how long it takes,” Lil Gunn declared.
Gutter laughed and powered on his cell. The digital screen alerted him that he had five new voice mails and two text messages. The homeys, no doubt, wondering if he made it back yet. They were going to send a convoy to receive him, but Gutter declined, assuring them that he’d get with them later the following evening to discuss plans to deal with Major Blood. On his first night back, he intended to devote himself to making sure Sharell was good. Before he had a chance to check the messages the phone was vibrating.
“Speak,” Gutter answered.
“Kenyatta?” Sharell asked in a shaky voice.
“What’s good, baby? I just touched down. Is everything okay?” he asked. She was silent for a minute. “Sharell, you there?”
“Yeah… how was your flight?”
“It was a’ight, but I think Lil Gunn might’ve shitted his pants,” Gutter joked, but the laugh she gave him was half hearted. “Sharell, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I was just worried. How’d things go in California?”
“Not good, but I’ll explain it all to you when I get out there. Sharell, I need to talk to you. Some things are
