Читать книгу The Downfall of a Hustler - G Money - Страница 5

Chapter 1

Word spread throughout West Savannah that Rich was being released from federal prison. Everybody was anticipating the release of Rich kid. Rich was a legend in Savannah, Georgia, straight outta Fellwood Homes, and for many years, Rich and his crew ran the projects. Rich was like the mayor of his neighborhood; he put every nigga on “who wanted to get real” paper. The end of ’96, all that came to an end when Rich was locked up and sentenced to ten years in federal prison. The ten years was finally over, and everybody knew that the hood was about to rise again. It was a regular day in the projects, and the basketball court was crowded as usual. A black Bentley pulled into the projects followed by a fleet of luxury vehicles. The way the cars maneuvered through the rough streets of Fellwood Homes, you would have thought the president was in town. The cars came to a complete stop, and everybody was looking and waiting to see who would step out the cars. The car door finally opened, and Rich stepped out of the car, along with his two beautiful daughters, Victoria and Paris, and auntie Donna. Everybody outside started chanting his name, “Richard, Richard, Richard, Richard.” Rich took a deep breath and thought to himself, Damn, it feels good to be home. Rich looked around; so much has changed over the course of ten years.

Everybody welcomed him with open arms. Rich gave everybody daps and hugs as he made his way through the crowd of people. His daughters have blossomed into beautiful young women, and his auntie Donna looked as she hasn’t aged since he was gone looking young as ever. Donna was Rich’s mother baby sister. She took care of Rich after his mother passed away. They have a special bond. Every bailer, drug dealer, and handyman in the projects wanted to make Donna his woman, but she wasn’t having it. She was saving herself for a special man to be a part of her life. Later that night, everybody showed up to the party at the ballroom of the Savannah Civic Center. Rich took the mic from the DJ and asked to have everyone’s attention. The room got quiet as everybody hung on his every word.

“I want to thank everyone for coming out tonight to celebrate this special moment with me. I really appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. While I sat behind those walls, all your prayers and thoughts really helped me get through those hard times and when I was at my lowest moments. I want to tell all of you thank you.”

The music started blasting through the speakers. Everybody started to get their groove on with that same ole two-step. Rich really enjoyed himself; he was with the people he love the most—his two daughters, Victoria and Paris, who are now twenty and eighteen.

Rich said, “Victoria and Paris.”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“I missed you two so much.”

“Daddy, we missed you so much also.”

“Victoria, how’s college?”

“It’s great, Dad. I love going to Georgia Southern University. It has been a wonderful experience.”

“Enjoy this college time because once it’s gone, you can’t get it back. And, Paris, my soon-to-be high school graduate, how is school going?”

“Dad, it’s awesome. Now that you are home, you can come with me to check out some of the colleges.”

“What do you want to do when you finish college?”

Paris said, “Daddy, I want to be a teacher,” and Victoria replied, “I want to be a lawyer.”

“Great choices. Paris, you can help Daddy with his publishing company, and, Victoria, you can help Daddy with his legal representation.”

Paris asked “Daddy, do you have a publishing company?”

“No, not yet, but I will have one soon. Paris, you haven’t changed not one bit with all your questions.”

“Really, Daddy?” They both smiled at each other and embraced each other with big hugs. “Dad, I just be wanting to know things.”

“Okay, baby girl.”

You can tell from all the love Rich was getting that he was truly missed. All the major players who was getting real paper came to the party with gifts and money. Every bad bitch in the city wanted to fuck Rich, even the ones who were married. Rich was really bossed up that night. He had his right-hand man, Dollar, with him. Dollar came home two years before Rich. Dollar was the one who put the party together for his man Rich. Dollar is what you call a stand-up guy. I’m talking about sharp to a tee; Dollar had Rich back to the end no matter the situation. His man Kareem came home eight months prior. Kareem was what you call true to the game. He stood by everything he has said or ever did. Kareem had moved to Atlanta with Keke after he was released from federal prison. Kareem was solid as they came. Police ass Smitty’s whereabouts were unknown. When it came to Smitty, Rich always said to himself he’ll “kill him if somebody ain’t did it before him police ass nigga.” Smitty got sentenced to twenty-five years. But after cooperating with law enforcement, he got his time cut to thirteen years. Alexis moved to Dallas to start a new life, but her day was coming sooner than she thought. She thought she got away with that snitching shit. Her ass was fish-greased as soon as she popped her head up from underground. Rich’s bodyguard, Big Al, was watching his back to perfection. Rich met Big Al in federal prison. He used to look after Rich’s man, Arkee, who got a life sentence. Arkee introduced the two.

Arkee told Rich, “This is one solid dude. You need him on your team once you get back on the outside.”

The two exchanged information, and Rich told Big Al once he got out, he’d look him up, and that’s just what he did. Rich faded off into his uncle Blade’s house with big Al leading the way. Five of Rich’s li’l homies were in the house waiting on him. They each owed him $25,000. When he walked in, they greeted him and they each tossed bags in his direction.

“Damn, I see you niggas been getting to the money since I been gone. I like that.”

Rich groomed his li’l homie to perfection. They stayed down to themselves and got money. They didn’t let anybody stand in their way. Rich tossed the bags to Big Al, who went to put the money up. He chopped it up with his li’l homies for a minute and then was right back out the door to do him. As the day winded down, Rich made his rounds. When he got ready to leave, he saw a lot of people standing around this fly kid with a pretty slim thick chick on his side. The chick happened to be his best friend, Tracy. Tracy was always on his side pretending to be his girlfriend. Rich called Dollar over.

“Yo, Dollar, who’s the dude over there with the red polo jogging suit on?”

“Li’l Sevyn. He runs a weed spot in the east side. He owns a few barbershops and hair salons. He’s a cool li’l fella. He was an inspiring book writer, but he lost interest and stopped writing.”

“Maybe one day I can get him back on the right track because it’s major money to be made in the book publishing business. One day, maybe he can tell my story.”

“Yeah, Rich, that would be dope. His barbershop and hair salon is having a cookout next week.”

“Okay! Me and the guys will fall through.”

“Yeah, do that. And who is the girl he got with him.”

“I don’t know but I like what I see.”

“Man, Dollar, you crazy.”