Dirty Little Angel

“What you doin’ here, nigga?” Magic asked as he carried a box up from the basement.

“I came to talk to you,” YB responded.

“Talk about what? I said what I had to say to you over the phone.”

“Yo, what my cousin did last night was stupid. I know it. I already talked to him and let him know that he fucked up.”

Magic walked behind the bar with the box. He set it on the countertop and began removing bottles of liquor and stocking the shelves.

Magic ignored him but YB continued to talk. “Shit popped off last night. We lost four keys raw and fifty thousand in cash. Harlem killed six people on the block and now the cops all over that shit like crazy. Now I gotta deal wit’ these fuckin’ Mexicans and their money. And Rufus, I know he’s my cousin, but he fucked it up. He beat down Toy-T and niggas came back on us. Now you know I don’t like Crown and I’m ready to murder that nigga, but I did listen to you, Magic. I was playing it cool. I was chilling. I’ve been chillin’ wit’ my moms and gettin’ things right wit’ me. But this shit wit’ Crown and Harlem—you and I know it’s going to escalate to some real ugly and bloody shit. And this is my reputation; these are my streets, Magic.”

“Your streets, huh?” Magic replied. He stocked the last bottle and turned to face YB. “You pay taxes for these streets? You went out and paved every fuckin’ road from corner to corner, nigga? You got a sign in your name?” he asked rhetorically.

YB just looked at him in confusion. Magic continued. “These ain’t your streets, nigga. You’re just another ghetto-ass, drug-dealing nigga that will come and go, like they all do. And when you go, those same streets you claimed to be yours and to love is going to have the next nigga on the block talkin’ that same shit you talkin’. You think when you’re dead and gone—or locked the fuck up—that the city is gonna honor your name with a fuckin’ ceremony because you claimed that these are yours streets and you get money? Nigga, please! You’re just a fuckin’ waste of breath and space in this city.

“And your cousin, I give him a year till he’s either in the grave or doin’ life. Niggas like that will always act on impulse; they don’t fuckin’ think. He’s stupid and disrespectful and if I don’t kill him first, believe me, then someone else will. I know he’s family, but family like that will fuck you over, as he already did wit’ you. You want my advice, YB? Cut your losses and just step away.”

“What?” YB was shocked.

“From what I hear from my sources, you might be under investigation,” Magic informed him.

“Investigation? The feds?”

“Nah, just city police. But still, it takes one cracker muthafucka to start prying into your business and get themselves a snitch. You’ll quickly see how shit for you will start to unravel. And with a nigga like Rufus, he will only add fuel to the burning fire. Now I don’t need the heat on me. I’ve been quiet for too long now. I’m comfortable with what I have, but y’all young niggas gotta learn when enough is enough. You can’t keep goin’ wit’ this shit forever, YB. Everything comes to a fuckin’ end. Everything! You retaliate against Crown and that will open more doors to the investigation that they might have on you.”

“So you’re telling me to chill and let that cocksucker be?”

“Nigga, I’m telling you to take what you got and walk away! Make it easy on yourself. Leave town for a while.”

YB chuckled. “I can’t believe I’m hearing this from you! I leave town and look like some scared bitch that’s running from his beef. And what niggas gonna think about me then?”

“Why the fuck are y’all niggas so fuckin’ hardheaded?” Magic threw up his hands in exasperation. “You know, your father was the same way—arrogant. Yeah, he taught me the game, but sometimes he didn’t know how to leave well enough alone. And that same way you’re thinking now, it’s what got your father killed in this game.” Magic sighed. “You can’t fight every battle, YB. You can’t go up against the world and think you can win. Sometimes, a man must pick his battles and know how to calm his temper. Myself, I learned that the hard way. You know me and your father was feared in these streets.” YB nodded. “We took what we wanted and niggas never asked questions. I almost got the death penalty for my violent and wild actions.”

Magic paused and then continued. “When I was locked up, I learned how to calm my head and started reading and started listening. I became more focused and in due time, I got my appeal going and learned to recognize many of the loopholes in my case. And when they granted my appeal, I knew that I had a second chance with life; a chance that many niggas behind them prison walls would give their right nut for right now. When I came home in ’82, you were still in diapers, fresh out your mama’s pussy and your father was still wildin’ out in them streets. I still did me, but I did it with more of a level head. But your father, he was like your fuckin’ cousin and that cost him his life.” Magic shook his head. “After his death, eventually I began to slow it down with the drug game and invested what I could into some small businesses. I opened up this spot, some grocery stores, and a restaurant and been comfortable ever since.

“You need to be comfortable, YB, not greedy. Being greedy in this game will get you twenty-five to life and once you get them numbers, you’ll soon be filled with regret. You know what you need, nigga? Some pussy to get into. You still soft on Crown’s bitch . . . what the fuck is her name?”

“Chaos.”

Magic smiled slightly. “Yeah. What’s up wit’ the two of you?”

YB shrugged. “I mean, she is what she is, right? Ain’t no changing on how she gets down. I peeped her on the stage the other night. I mean, I know it ain’t nuthin’ new, but I got my reputation to think about.”

“Your reputation?” Magic laughed. “I noticed how you look at her and, nigga, you’re sweet on her. So what, she fucked a few niggas and turns tricks? That’s only a small part of her. And I know you don’t want to hear this, but you think your mother was a fuckin’ angel when she was with your father? Your mother had a past, boy, just like Chaos. But your father was man enough to know that even though she did what she did on them streets, that with him, she was still all woman. And that’s what made your father fall in love with her.

“Chaos is too good of a woman to be tricking for that nigga Crown. Y’all two started something with each other and I advise you to finish it. You think I don’t know things? Nigga, I keep my ear to the streets and know what’s up. You think I don’t know about Rufus trying my name and status on them streets? I’m old, YB, but I ain’t soft. And aging doesn’t mean I’m stupid. This city is going to hell with all the murders and drugs. I know I shouldn’t be the one to talk, especially with my jacket, but wake up, nigga, and see! A lot of niggas are going to fall before year’s end. I’m telling you this because I care about you. You’re like a son to me. So do what you do, take what you can, get your bitch, and take a timeout from this shit. I’m telling you, it will be in your best interest.”

Magic wondered if he should mention that Crown beat on Chaos but quickly decided against it. Chaos was a prostitute and that came with the territory. And he didn’t want any trouble in his club.

“I hear you, Magic,” YB replied.

“Nigga, just don’t be hearing me! Take heed to what I say before it’s too late.”

YB processed Magic’s words, knowing the O.G. was the one person who would never guide him wrong. He thought about his options in the drug game and then his mind wandered to Chaos. YB knew that one way to get back at Crown was to take his bitch away from him. He knew that Chaos was one of Crown’s favorite chicks and to be spiteful, YB knew that he would leave town and take Chaos with him. He cared for her but he also wanted to hit Crown where it hurt. He had an idea about how to make that happen.

YB and Magic continued to talk about the streets and then the subject turned to Crown. Both men knew that Crown wouldn’t lie down easily when it came to his women, so they put together a plan to get at that nigga. YB promised Magic that he would follow his advice and be careful. YB remembered Magic’s words: “You need to be comfortable, YB, not greedy.”

YB left Magic’s spot with a clear head and a better understanding. He had his mind set on what he had to do.