And that was what it took for Suave to stay in school. He had already built his drug empire in his mind and wanted all the resources to make his dream come true. So, he continued to work for Mason while he finished high school.
“Hey, Mason, can I talk to you for a minute?” Suave asked as he entered the living room where Mason and Junior sat on couches facing each other.
“Can’t you see my father and I are busy?” Junior sneered at Suave. He still hated Suave, and over the last few years, the two fought day and night. “Why don’t you pack up your little bundle and get out of our house?”
“Junior!” Mason glared at his son, and Junior quickly looked away, his face filled with contempt for the young man who had been sharing his father. “Go and open the shop until your mother comes.”
Junior stood to his feet, muttering curse words under his breath as he walked toward the door.
“Yes, go open the shop, King Kong,” Suave mocked. His laughter grew louder when Junior flipped him the bird and stormed out of the house.
Over the years, as Suave and Junior’s hostility toward each other grew, Suave nicknamed Junior “King Kong.” “You’re ugly like the big gorilla,” he had told Junior. “That’s why none of the girls want you.” While Suave’s good looks made him very popular with the girls, Junior was the opposite. He did get a few dates now and then on his father’s reputation in the community, but Suave was the one in demand. His charismatic personality and handsome face made him a chick magnet.
“How many times have I told you to stop calling him that?” Mason asked as Suave took the seat that Junior vacated. “The two of you are my sons. I want you to be close as brothers and have each other’s back.”
Yeah, when hell freezes over. Suave grinned at Mason. “Don’t worry about Junior and me. You know we have a love-hate relationship. But that’s not what I want to talk to you about. I’m eighteen years old now, and in the eyes of the law, I’m a grown man.”
Mason leaned back into the couch and stared at Suave. “That you are.”
“I was thinking that it’s time for me to launch out on my own. I’ve learned a lot from you over the years, helping you to run your business, but I need to start building my own.”
Mason bobbed his head. “Uh-huh. So, you don’t want to work for me anymore. Is that what you’re saying?”
“I’m saying I need to do me,” Suave noted. “You know I’ll never leave you, Mason. You are like a father to me, and I love you like one. I just want to follow my dreams. That’s all.”
“Follow your dreams, huh?” Mason looked at Suave, anger flashing in his eyes. “After everything I’ve done for you, you want to compete against me?” His voice was getting louder. “I fed you, gave you a job, took you into my home, and treated you like a son. And now you want to betray me?” Mason jumped to his feet and closed the distance between him and Suave. “I deserve better from you!” He leaned over Suave, who was still sitting on the couch. “And you should be loyal to me.” He pointed his finger in Suave’s face. “But no, now you’re getting greedy.”
Suave took his time rising to his feet and came face-to-face with his mentor. He was a tall young man. “As I said before, I won’t be competing with you. I’ll find my own spot and do my own business. I’ll continue to help you with yours, but I want to do my own too.” He locked eyes with Mason, refusing to back off.
After taking the life of his molester, Pastor Ralph, Suave became a fierce young man. He feared nothing or no one, and his hard reputation was becoming well known in his community and surrounding areas as he climbed the ranks in Mason’s operation.
“I have the money from the sale of my uncle’s house,” Suave continued in a hard tone. “I’ll buy my first supply from you and do my thing.” It was a statement, not a question.
“Go to hell.” Mason’s spit sprayed Suave’s face. “I don’t want your money, nor do I need you in my business. You’re fired!”
Suave stared at Mason for a moment. The man’s words hurt him to the core, but he refused to show his emotions. Suave’s vulnerability died with Pastor Ralph. “I’m sorry you feel that way. I was hoping you’d support me as you’ve always done.”
“Support you? Support a traitor? I don’t think so.” Mason glared at Suave. “Get out of my house and never come back. Now I see why Junior hates you so much.”
“Your son hates me because he’s a coward. I’m everything that Junior will never be.”
“Get out!” Mason yelled. “My son will take over my business one day, and you’ll be sorry that you walked away from it.”
Suave gave Mason another long look. I guess this is it. I’m once again on my own. He walked out of Mason’s door for the last time, leaving his clothes and personal belongings behind.
Mason burned everything a few minutes later.
Suave was furious as he walked up the street toward the bus station. “I’m a traitor because I want to do my own business. Right, Mason? I’m supposed to work for you forever?” Suave talked to himself, pissed, and hurt at the same time. He loved Mason and Miss Pam.
“Yo, Suave. Wait up,” Cobra shouted from behind as he hurried to catch up with him.
Suave
