Part 69 (1/2)

”Oh s.h.i.+t that's Lonte' and them,” said Boo as she turned her head down and to the side. ”I thought he was locked up.”

Lonte' was a tall, lanky, dark-skinned juvenile, the color of a coffee bean. His eyes were narrow and his jaw protruded from his face like it was swollen. His posture was arrogantly thuggish. He wore a long white T-s.h.i.+rt with some jean shorts. The shorts were cuffed and came to his kneecaps.

”He got out two weeks ago, He just ain't been comin' around here 'cause he was in a group home,” said Shontay.

”d.a.m.n, d.a.m.n, d.a.m.n,” said Boo. ”He play too much. I don't feel like bein' bothered right now. He probably still think we go together.”

Black remained quiet as they slowly shortened the distance between themselves and the group. He thought about the possibilities that lay ahead. He conjured up an image of the boy saying something to him or about him and how he would react. He developed tunnel vision down a road called ”worst possibilities.”

Boo grabbed him by his biceps and said, ”Pretend you my boyfriend.” When he didn't immediately respond she followed up with, ”Aiight. Aiight.”

Black's uneasiness grew exponentially as they approached the group. Most of the boys were already staring at them with looks meant to freeze them stiff, even as they calmed down their raucous interaction. None of them could've been over twenty years old. Black's heartbeat rose wildly. He tried to check it by holding his breath, but it didn't do any good. He thought Boo could hear it because she was draped on him. He kept his face expressionless. Boo plastered a smile on her face as they encountered the group standing directly in their path.

”Shontay,” said one of the boys.

”What's up, Man?” replied Shontay.

The boy ran up beside her and said, ”Hold up.”

She stopped and faced the boy as he talked. It was her old boyfriend, the one who hooked Boo up with Lonte'. Black and Boo stood several feet behind her on the edge of the sidewalk under a tree. Their position was awkward. Standing like Siamese twins between the four boys to their left and Shontay and Man to the right. Boo had the side of her head embedded in Black's shoulder. She made sure her b.u.t.t wasn't facing the boys. All of them gazed l.u.s.tily at her but one stare was particularly piercing. Lonte' leaned against the rail of a fence with his arms crossed. He had a maniacal gaze and appeared to be holding something back. Black just wanted Shontay to stop talking so they could move on.

”Ohh, you can't speak, Boo,” said Lonte'.

”Hi Lonte,” said Boo in a shy, sullen tone. ”Where you been at?”

”I was locked up. Remember?” Lonte' said gruffly. ”Who is that?”

Black knew it was on. He wasn't gonna get out of here without trouble. Even if he b.i.t.c.hed out he would have to fight. He knew the jealous ex-boyfriend routine.

”This my friend,” said Boo as she squeezed hard on the inside of Blacks biceps.

”I thought I said you can't have no friends,” said Lonte.

”Lonte', stop playin' with me. Why don't you carry your a.s.s back around where you came from?” Boo spat out the words with a defiance that surprised Black.

”You don't want me to do that,” said Lonte' and the boys laughed like it was an inside joke.

”Whatever,” said Boo.

”Why? You tryin' to go wif me?” Lonte' asked amid a chorus of laughter.

Shontay and Man had walked down a bit and were involved in a serious conversation about the future of their relations.h.i.+p. For her, getting back together. For him, having s.e.x tonight.

”Ill. Nah. Don't no body wanna go nowhere with you,” Boo said, still squeezing Black's arm.

”So what you sayin, I can't still hit it?” Lonte' asked.

Boo stormed off, pulling Black. When they got to where Shontay was standing Boo interrupted their conversation saying, ”Come on Shontay, Lonte' getting' on my nerves. Oooh.”

”Why don't you just go home?” Shontay said, turning to look at her house which was a few yards down the street, ”Call me as soon as you get in the house.”

Boo pouted, then she turned and they walked up the street toward the boys. Black felt like a death row inmate waiting for his number to be called. The group parted, letting them pa.s.s through.

”Come here, Boo,” Lonte' said hopefully.

”No,” said Boo. ”Leave me alone.”

Lonte' pushed off the fence with his b.u.t.t and followed them. They felt as well as heard his black Nikes sc.r.a.ping the ground. Boo simultaneously rolled her eyes, took a deep breath, and looked at Black. Black looked at her and exhaled while shaking his head. They kept walking. Black was tense but he wasn't scared. His adrenaline pumped, causing him to inadvertently ball his fist. The sounds of Lonte's sneakers scratching the concrete got faster as he s.h.i.+fted into a jog. When he got close enough he reached out, grabbed Boo's arm, and pulled her to a stop. She let out a yelp that sliced through the calm night air. She was holding on to Black so tightly, she pulled him back.

”Don't fake for cuss,” said Lonte.

”Leave my girl alone, young,” said Black, staring stoically into Lonte's lazy eyes.

He couldn't believe these words ”my girl” had rolled off his lips. An incident was about to kick off and it was all because he was supposedly Boo's boyfriend. The idea was almost funny.

”What? Oh you fakin' cuz,” exclaimed Lonte' in a high-pitched voice as he pulled up his britches and braced himself. ”What's up then. How you wanna carry it?”

”Fakin', you the one tryin' to put your hands on my girl,” said Black.

”That's my girl, cuz,” said Lonte. ”But f.u.c.k all that, how you wanna carry it. It's whatever,” and he spread his arms like bird wings.

His boys began walking up on the scene. Their postures were aggressive. Boo stood to the side and observed the fracas with an awed expression.

”Whatever, man,” said Black as he turned his head to the side exposing his profile.

”Oh, it's whatever than,” said Lonte' as he stepped closer to Black.

He breathed hot air into Black's face. Black remembered how his friend CJ always told him to have his back in the streets no matter who or what it was. And how he advised him to throw the first punch at all times. He also told him gangstas don't start fight; they end them.

”Man, if you don't get the f.u.c.k out of my face, cuz,” Black barked, high off the thought of his brother's words.

”What? Man I'm 'bout to break this n.i.g.g.a jaw if he don't stop fakin',” said Lonte' as his boys hovered close by.

”Oh, y'all gonna jump me. That's f.u.c.ked up,” said Black in an attempt to buy some time while he mustered up the fort.i.tude to swing on Lonte'.

”Nah, n.i.g.g.a I'm a bang your b.i.t.c.h a.s.s out myself,” said Lonte'.

Black turned his head quickly to look at Boo. She had a blank look on her face that he'd never seen in the fifteen years they'd known each other. Turning his face back around to meet Lonte's eyes, Black c.o.c.ked back his arm and threw a wild haymaker, picturing every dude who he let slide with some slick-a.s.s comment or nasty look. By the time it connected with Lonte's lower jaw it was a virtual club. The punch shattered Lonte's jaw bone and caused him to bite down, chipping teeth in the process. He staggered backward, dazed and disoriented. Black was bent over on his left leg like a pitcher falling off the mound just after he releases a pitch.

Man and Shontay ran up on the scene as Boo grabbed his wrist.

”All that fakin' and got slam knocked out,” said Man. ”Aye, cuz,' you better roll out young.”

Boo started up the street pulling him. Black was hype so he resisted her.