nothinâ.â
âAnd why not? What shouldnât he say?!â The cop pushed his chest into my face, the metal buttons in the center of his uniform shirt kissed my nose.
I took a step back and bumped into the wall behind me.
Breathe. Breathe. You got this.
I looked up at the cop and slammed my hands up on my hips. âWhatchu want witâ my daddy and my brother?â
âWhere are they? Are they out there in the street turning little girls into prostitutes?â
He trippinâ. And he got me and my family allllllll the way twisted. Ainât no way Iâma let this pig talk about the Carters like that. Cop. Or no cop. I looked up and into this foolâs peach-colored face and said, âNo. They out turninâ yoâ blue-eyed mama into one.â
Now how you like that!
I could tell Iâd caught him off guard by the way he lifted his left hand, reared it back, and froze midway in the slap heâd obviously intended to lay across my face.
I flinched. Just a little. But then I did my best to regain my stance and boldly looked back into his face. âWhat you bugginâ for?! They ainât here. Ainât nobody here but us! So you and yoâ squad can leave! You donât have no right bustinâ up in here. You donât have no warrant!â
âSo then why am I here?â He paused. Sneered. Looked me over. âHuh? Answer me.â
I didnât.
He continued, âYou know that your father and your brother is the reason Iâm here, donât you? You know that we have warrants for their arrests, donât you?â
âWarrants? Psst. Please.â I shook my head in disgust. Pig stayed makinâ things up.
The head pig continued, âYou know that they been committing a string of strong-armed robberies donât you? Including the one they did last night, where they shot the gas attendant.â
Last night? Now I know they lying. âCause me and Face was out on a lick and Daddy was probably laid up and drunk at the clean-up womanâs house.
The cop continued, âNow where are the scumbags at?â
I shrugged and did my best to hold a blank stare. âI donât know what you talkinâ âbout.â
âOh, you know what Iâm talking about.â
âAll I know is that donât nuffinâ you just said gotta do witâ me or my brother, Schooly. So whatchu messinâ wit us for?! And you know you foul for even being in here right now!â
âWhat the hell is goinâ on up in here!â Queenie spat as she charged into the apartment. She briskly walked over to me and snatched me from the copâs face. I was now standing at her side. âGet over here, Schooly!â Schooly did as he was told and we were now all standing together. Queenie peered at the cops. âWhy are you in my house?!â
âThey said they lookinâ for Daddy and Face!â I spat out.
âAnd why is that?â Queenie looked at the cop who was tryna chump me.
I continued, âTalkinâ âbout Daddy and Face did some strong-armed robberies.â I twisted my lips. âLies. Talkinâ âbout they shot some gas attendant last night. More lies. Straight bull. And to think they sâpose to protect and serve. Puhlease. And, Queenie, you already know Daddy was over there at Ms. Brendaâs house last night with them two baldheaded lil babies he got, probably drunk. And me and Face was together. So they tellinâ a bold-face lie. I swear to God, these blue fools stay trippin!â
âWhere is yoâ warrant?â Queenie spat.
The lead cop swallowed and then said, âMaâam, we just need to speak to them. Ask them a few questions.â
âSo you donât have no warrant!â Queenie shoved a hand up on her hip. âBut my kids tryna get ready for school and you in here scaring âem âcause you wanna ask some questions. Get
Lightnin' Hopkins: His Life, Blues