“Hey, why are you angry with me? What did I do?” Cobra was puzzled as he stared at his furious friend. “What happened?”
Suave took a deep breath before saying, “Mason. He just fired me.”
“He did what? When? Why?”
“Just now. I told him I wanted to start my own business, and he flipped out. Said I’m betraying him, and I should get out of his house and never come back.” Suave struggled to keep the tears at bay. He felt like he had lost his parents all over again.
“Oh man! What are you going to do now?” Cobra stared at Suave in concern. “Maybe you can stay with Mama and me for a little while.”
“Thanks, man, but I’m out,” Suave replied. “I’m leaving Tivoli Gardens and have no intention of coming back.”
Cobra pleaded with Suave some more. “I know you’re mad now, but think about this, Suave. You don’t know anyone out there. It’s dangerous, especially in our business.”
“You cut off the head of the snake and the body dies, Cobra.” Suave had a cold, hard, determined look on his face. “I dare anyone to try to stop me from doing me. I’ll link you.” He bumped fists with Cobra. Then Suave walked off with his head held high to catch a bus to an unknown place with an uncertain destiny.
Chapter Twenty
The next morning Suave awoke. “Ouch. Aaah, man.” He twisted his neck around and around, trying to ease the crick in it. He looked down at the piece of a cardboard box on the concrete floor where he had slept in front of a Court’s furniture store. It was now daybreak, and the sun was rising. Soon, it would be time for business in the busy, commercial Cross Roads, the center of Kingston.
I need to find somewhere to sleep, Suave pondered as he crossed the street to a wooden bench. I don’t want anything too expensive because the little money in my bank account is for my business. I’ll show Mason that I can make it on my own. He lowered himself onto the bench, staring off into space.
The thought of Mason caused an ache in Suave’s heart. Yesterday morning, he woke up in a nice, warm bed, and this morning, it was on a cardboard box on the streets. “Maybe I should go back and apologize to Mason,” Suave muttered. “I’ll tell him that I changed my mind about doing my own business, and I’ll continue to work for him.” But just as soon as the words left his mouth, he shook his head. He was born to be his own boss and run his own business. If Mason couldn’t understand that, then so be it.
At 9:00 a.m., Suave was in line at the bank to get some of his money from the sale of Pastor Ralph’s house.
“Here, put this up carefully,” Mason had said and handed Suave the bankbook. “By the time you’re ready for this money, it will have grown some interest.”
Suave had grinned as he looked at the bankbook in his hand. Killing Pastor Ralph had definitely paid off in more ways than one. He then hid the bankbook under his bed, where he left it when Mason kicked him out of his house.
“Hello, beautiful.” Suave smiled at the pretty bank teller when he got to the counter.
“Good morning.” The teller blushed before looking away from him. “How may I help you, sir?”
Suave handed her his driver’s license that he had gotten just two weeks prior. He had begged Mason to teach him to drive when he turned fifteen years old. And although he never owned a car, he often practiced when Mason or one of his men allowed him to drive. Everything was in preparation for his milestone eighteenth birthday. “Well, I forgot my bankbook, but I would like to withdraw some money from my account.”
“Here, please fill this out and sign the bottom.” The teller gave Suave a withdrawal slip, a smile flirting at the corners of her mouth. “I’ll use your name to locate your account.”
“I appreciate it very much, gorgeous.” Suave’s dimples winked at her, and she giggled before glancing around for her supervisor.
After receiving the money, Suave tucked the envelope in his pocket, his eyes locked on the teller. “What’s your name, baby?”
“Nadine.”
“Nadine, can I take you out to dinner later?” Suave didn’t even have a roof over his head, but that didn’t stop his game. He was a player for life.
“Huh? I... I don’t think so, but thanks.” Nadine’s mouth was saying no, but her eyes were saying yes.
“Why don’t you take the day and think about it?” Suave wasn’t giving up. “I’ll be outside the bank at five o’clock. If you still say no, I’ll go away, and you won’t see me again. Fair enough?”
Nadine chuckled lightly before stopping abruptly when her supervisor appeared at her side, sporting a big frown. “Well, have a great day, sir,” she said quickly.
Suave smiled and swaggered out of the bank as if he didn’t have a care in the world. With money in tow, he was able to rent an inexpensive, furnished room off Old Hope Road. After he showered in the dingy, stained bathroom that he shared with five other tenants, he slipped on his new blue and white sweat suit with white sneakers. It was time to make some links.
“I can be there in an hour,” Suave said into the pay phone moments later. “Cool?” He hung up the phone, a big grin on his face. He was about to make his first big marijuana purchase to kick off his business.
Suave kept information on Mason’s connections over the years. Mason might have put him out, but his money gave him an in with other drug dealers. For them, it wasn’t personal... just business.
* * *
“I can’t believe
