Down by Law by Ni-Ni Simone Read Free Book Online Page B

nothin’.”
    â€œAnd why not? What shouldn’t he say?!” 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. “Whatchu want wit’ my daddy and my brother?”
    â€œWhere are they? Are they out there in the street turning little girls into prostitutes?”
    He trippin’. And he got me and my family allllllll the way twisted. Ain’t no way I’ma let this pig talk about the Carters like that. Cop. Or no cop. I looked up and into this fool’s peach-colored face and said, “No. They out turnin’ yo’ blue-eyed mama into one.”
    Now how you like that!
    I could tell I’d caught him off guard by the way he lifted his left hand, reared it back, and froze midway in the slap he’d 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. “What you buggin’ for?! They ain’t here. Ain’t nobody here but us! So you and yo’ squad can leave! You don’t have no right bustin’ up in here. You don’t have no warrant!”
    â€œSo then why am I here?” He paused. Sneered. Looked me over. “Huh? Answer me.”
    I didn’t.
    He continued, “You know that your father and your brother is the reason I’m here, don’t you? You know that we have warrants for their arrests, don’t you?”
    â€œWarrants? Psst. Please.” I shook my head in disgust. Pig stayed makin’ things up.
    The head pig continued, “You know that they been committing a string of strong-armed robberies don’t you? Including the one they did last night, where they shot the gas attendant.”
    Last night? Now I know they lying. ’Cause me and Face was out on a lick and Daddy was probably laid up and drunk at the clean-up woman’s house.
    The cop continued, “Now where are the scumbags at?”
    I shrugged and did my best to hold a blank stare. “I don’t know what you talkin’ ’bout.”
    â€œOh, you know what I’m talking about.”
    â€œAll I know is that don’t nuffin’ you just said gotta do wit’ me or my brother, Schooly. So whatchu messin’ wit us for?! And you know you foul for even being in here right now!”
    â€œWhat the hell is goin’ on up in here!” Queenie spat as she charged into the apartment. She briskly walked over to me and snatched me from the cop’s face. I was now standing at her side. “Get over here, Schooly!” Schooly did as he was told and we were now all standing together. Queenie peered at the cops. “Why are you in my house?!”
    â€œThey said they lookin’ for Daddy and Face!” I spat out.
    â€œAnd why is that?” Queenie looked at the cop who was tryna chump me.
    I continued, “Talkin’ ’bout Daddy and Face did some strong-armed robberies.” I twisted my lips. “Lies. Talkin’ ’bout they shot some gas attendant last night. More lies. Straight bull. And to think they s’pose to protect and serve. Puhlease. And, Queenie, you already know Daddy was over there at Ms. Brenda’s house last night with them two baldheaded lil babies he got, probably drunk. And me and Face was together. So they tellin’ a bold-face lie. I swear to God, these blue fools stay trippin!”
    â€œWhere is yo’ warrant?” Queenie spat.
    The lead cop swallowed and then said, “Ma’am, we just need to speak to them. Ask them a few questions.”
    â€œSo you don’t have no warrant!” Queenie shoved a hand up on her hip. “But my kids tryna get ready for school and you in here scaring ’em ’cause you wanna ask some questions. Get