He started to say something else, but he closed his mouth. He wanted to lecture the kid on the do’s and don’ts of running a heroin operation; what his years in the game had taught him. He wanted to tell him how the drug game was changing, the strides that law enforcement was making and how they needed to take preventive measures to assure that they had a long run. However, right now wasn’t the time for all of that. These were his brother’s peoples and anything he had to say, he would tell Stink and let him relay the message to them. Everything would be done through Stink. He didn’t know these dudes well enough to trust them.
“Nah yo, we just fuckin’ around right now. We ain’t got no work,” the kid explained.
Stink interrupted, “Well, this ya lucky day yo.”
Immediately the kid’s face lit up, he was excited about the prospect of working for Black.
“I’ma come holler at you tomorrow. Early yo,” Stink promised. “Have all ya niggas out here. We bout to open this strip up, bright and early tomorrow morning.”
Black didn’t say another word, it wasn’t his place. Instead, he did like his brother had done. He offered his goodbyes as they drove off. Black knew that they had a long night of cutting and bagging up dope. It was a necessary evil that they had to perform if they wanted to open up shop tomorrow.
“Stink, you gonna be runnin’ shit out here,” Black told his brother. “You gotta be smart though. You gotta pay attention to everything and always be aware of your surroundings.”
“Don’t worry, yo,” Stink said. “I got this. You gone seen how thorough I am, Black. Watch!”
Black didn’t say another word, he chose to stay quiet as he mulled over the long night ahead of them.
12
The next day, Netta’s morning began with a parade of doctors and nurses visits. She was subjected to a physical examination and lots of medical terminology. Under the circumstances, Netta often felt like they were talking about her rather than talking to her. During these conversations about her physical welfare, Netta’s mind tended to drift to life outside her hospital room. She had spent most of the night mulling over the idea, so she didn’t have a hard time picturing herself leaving the hospital. Not that she’d tell her doctors that. Still, it was a thought, one that was cause for alarm in her battered condition.
Black’s unpredictable nature would ultimately factor heavily into her decision. Her fears were beginning to get the best of her.
By the time Tone arrived at the hospital later that morning, Netta was lost in her thoughts, seriously weighing her medical options. His presence was a welcomed distraction.
“Yo, what’s up?” Tone announced as he entered the room.
Almost instantly he took notice of her somber mood. Netta’s facial expression was easy to read. Her face was full of frustration. Her emotional state wouldn’t change anytime soon, since she had been contemplating the same thoughts all morning over and over again. However, Tone did his best to cheer her up.
He continued, “Why you look so sad?”
“I wanna go home,” she replied.
“What the doctors say?” he asked.
“I don’t give a damn what the doctors say!” Netta insisted. “I’m ready to go.”
“Damn, it’s like that?” he said.
“Yup. I’m gettin’ tired of this shit,” she announced.
“Aiight, I guess you gotta do what you gotta do,” Tone commented. “Just keep me posted.”
“Oh, you’ll be the first to know, Tone. Trust me on that,” Netta answered.
Tone smiled, flashing a set of pearly white teeth. “Anyway, I gotta surprise for you this morning. Hopefully this will cheer you up. Yo, Aja, come in,” he yelled out.
“Who you inviting into my room yo?” Netta asked as she suddenly became self- conscious about her appearance.
“Chill, don’t worry about it. I got you,” he said.
“Chill my ass!” Netta snapped. “What type of games is you playin’ yo? I don’t want nobody to see me like this.”
An innocent looking teenage female, short, dark skinned with braces, enters the room with a black knapsack on her back.
“Who you?” Netta snapped.
“I’m Aja,” she replied meekly.
“Yeah, this is Aja. Aja that’s Netta. I bought her here to braid ya hair. Thank me later,” he told her.
Tone knew better than to bring an older chick to Netta’s hospital room, out of fear they just might recognize her.
“I don’t know what I’m gonna do wit’ you boy.” She smiled, thinking this was so sweet and thoughtful. “But thank you. I didn’t know how much longer I could have kept wearing this damn scarf on my head.”
Tone was glad Netta was receptive to his idea, that she didn’t take offense to him bringing someone to her hospital room to braid her hair. He knew if Netta was anything like most black women, then she was funny about her hair. Anyone couldn’t just do a black woman’s hair. But under the circumstances, she had to roll with the punches because her hair was a mess and any style that the girl provided would be an upgrade from the way her hair looked now.
Netta climbed out her bed, and sat down in a nearby chair while her hairstylist positioned herself in back of her. She placed her knapsack on the table and began removing all the things she needed, a comb, a brush, a mirror, some hair gel and a few packs of 32-inch virgin Remy weave. Gently, she parted Netta’s hair straight down the middle. Aja had to be very careful doing this since Netta still had bumps and bruises from the beating. This caused her to be tender headed. From time to time, Netta winced and grimaced, even though Aja was being as gentle as possible and moving at a slower pace.
The painful twinge that throbbed in Netta’s head turned into a full-blown pain. She ignored it. She had to. Netta decided to grin and bear it. She wanted her hair done in the
