Carl Weber's Kingpins by Smooth Silk Read Free Book Online Page A

I’ll let you decide what that will be. If things work out, I have some other jobs I’d like for you to take care of for me too.”
    I cracked my knuckles and bit down on my bottom lip. Even though this shit sounded like it was up my alley, I still wasn’t so sure. I stared at the money, thinking how badly I needed it. I could give some of it to my grandmother to help her out, but not all of it because she’d grow suspicious. Either way, I hadn’t had that much money in my possession, at once, for a long time.
    â€œI’ll do it,” I said. “You’ll have your souvenir soon.”
    Mango nodded, and for the first time, displayed a crooked smile. He rolled up the money and slapped it right in my hand. “I hope I can count on you,” he said. “Ain’t too many niggas like you left around here. I always knew that you were kind of... special.”
    I didn’t respond. I knew what he meant, because the streets talked. Talked about me and about my abilities as a bone crusher. I dreamed about one day working for the CIA, being a spy or being on some James Bond shit. Never did I suspect that I would be utilizing my talents in this way.
    Mango provided me with a key location where this nigga, Quinton, could be found. But before going on my search, I went home to kick my grandmother out with some paper. She was sitting at the dining room table watching The Price Is Right and eating her ice cream. Foam rollers were tightened around her gray hair, and she was still in her pink nightgown. Her chocolate skin had very few wrinkles, and for a sixty-eight-year-old woman, she still looked good.
    â€œYou were up early,” she said as I came into the dining room. “And take that hoodie off your head. Look like you be up to something when you have that thing over your head like that.”
    I pulled the hoodie off my head, then reached into my pocket. I laid $900 on the table and lied my ass off. “I got paid yesterday. Cashed my check this morning, right after I had to go fix my car. It stopped on me last night.”
    â€œDid you have enough money to fix it?”
    â€œYep. It wasn’t nothing but the battery.”
    â€œGood. Now move yo’ tail out of the way so I can see if this woman gon’ win a car. I like to see people win, especially the black folks.”
    I laughed and went into the kitchen where she had fried some bacon, scrambled eggs, and made some hash browns. After pouring my orange juice, I sat at the table to eat.
    â€œWhy you eating ice cream for breakfast and you cooked this?”
    â€œBecause I needed some dessert. I know this ol’ diabetic body of mine don’t want me to have it, but you know I gotta have my ice cream and sweet potato pies. If you think about it later, pick me up one of those pies from that soul food joint I like. Then again, never mind. I’ma drive to get me some chicken later. I’ll stop then.”
    I chewed my eggs, then swallowed. “Now, you know you shouldn’t be out there driving, especially since you always complaining about how much you can’t see.”
    â€œI can see where the chicken house is, and I damn sure know how to make my way back home. If somebody get in my way, too doggone bad.”
    My grandmother was a trip. She was sweet as pie, though, and was, without a doubt, the only person I had ever loved.
    I finished breakfast, then headed to my bedroom. It was a ten-by-nine foot small room with a full-sized bed and dresser. A black rug covered the polished hardwood floors and several crooked pictures of me with my grandmother were on the wall. I also had a picture of me and Mama too. It was in my drawer. The entire room was simple but clean. My bed was already made, thanks to my grandmother, and the smell of Lysol infused the air. There was no question that I could’ve found a place of my own, but for whatever reason, I just didn’t want to leave her. The only person