The Women Of A Breadwinner

By Bruce J'El

If it is true that this is a mans world then Detroit hustler Bruce Daniels aka B knows firsthand that it would mean nothing without the love and strength of a good woman. Through his relationships with two of the baddest female hustlers in "The D", B eventually becomes the connect for a major cocaine ring. With the knowledge he has gained from the strong and streetwise women, B feels as if he can't lose traveling throughout the US and the Carribean, he knows that huge risk are involved while employed by the streets. From cops harassing him, ATF and DEA agents thirsty to make an arrest, to the loss of a true friend, snitches, shootouts and an improbable setup, B soon realizes it is time to leave the game. But as a true baller who is always on the grind, the streets are all he knows. Although he is certain two things await him when this journey ends, he tries his best to elude both jail and death. The question is, will he be successful in escaping the inevitable?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bruce J'El
• Release date: Aug 21, 2013
• ISBN: 9780988929326

Bruce J'El

About the AuthorBruce J’El is committed to delivering riveting depictions of gangstas while also shining a spotlight on his hometown of Detroit, Michigan. A Moorish American who loves to work out and help those in need, Bruce J’El is an advocate for literacy and change and believes in healthy living and positivity.Bruce J’El lives by the principles of love, truth, peace, freedom and justice and has a message to spread to the youth of today of self-love and rational thinking. It is his goal to uplift and change the path of at least one individual by his actions, words, and deeds.Follow this author as he continues to deliver entertaining stories and self-help pamphlets. He is the author of The Women of a Breadwinner, From Negroes To Moors To Now, Da Mile & Da Wash, Hustlers Nightmare, and the Best Of Brothers And Others. The Detroit native is currently working on his next release.

Book preview

Chapter 1

It was 1994 when I met Treva, the sexiest but slickest woman I ever encountered. She owned a hair salon called Amirsa, located on Seven Mile and Rutherford. It was known as one of the hottest spots to be if you were in the street life. It also was a hunting ground for hustlers like me to meet some of the baddest females ever to live in the city of Detroit. I mean, these chicks differed in looks so much that whatever type of beauty a man could imagine patronized the shop. I’ve had my fair share of dime pieces, but there’s something in the eyes that tells a real man when he’s dealing with a bona fide woman. And Treva was the one.

I found out about her and her place by my play sister, Ann, who worked at Amirsa’s as a stylist. Ann was trying to hook me up with Treva and sent me her photo to see if she was my type. Treva wasn’t the everyday around the way girl that I usually dated. She had these hypnotic gray eyes and a Caribbean sun-kissed complexion that complemented her beauty. From what I could see on the photo, she was a head turner for sure. That alone, is how I became determined to meet her, so I called Ann on my cell.

What up, Ann? Where you at? I asked.

The shop. You coming up here? she replied.

Fo’ sho’. I wanna meet ol’ girl from the picture you sent.

Meet ol’ girl? B, I ain’t even seen yo’ butt in almost nine years and all you can think about is a chick you don’t even know. Anyway, I can’t wait to see yo’ crazy ass. But you’ll get to see Treva anyway once you get here."

I’ll be there in about forty-five minutes.

Cool. Ann hung up.

I showered, brushed my sparkling whites, and dressed in black slacks, a gray shirt, and gray gators. Yeah, that’s how Detroit niggas do it. Always clean, but ready to get dirty if necessary. After I brushed my fresh fade, grabbed my chronic, money roll, and keys, I hopped in the Bronco and in minutes, I entered the Lodge freeway while bumping Snoop Dog and bobbing my head to the beat, knowing I shared the same instinct of being a true G.

Finally getting off at my exit, I turned the corner of Seven Mile and immediately spotted the shop and parked across the street from it. I called Ann on my cell phone and told her to come outside.

Treva ain’t here, Ann said smartly.

Girl, bring yo’ ass on outside and stop playing, I said. You know I wanna see you.

I got a client in my chair that I gotta style. Then I’ll come out when I’m done.

Okay, I said, and ended the call. I pulled out a blunt from the ashtray and lit up. I was mellowed out in about sixty seconds while watching my surroundings. The Detroit pavement had changed slightly with new boutiques, gas stations, liquor stores, and beauty supply stores, but Seven Mile remained clogged with traffic, plenty of hotties and niggas. They looked grimier than before too. Like if you were stupid enough to get caught with your pants down, they’d definitely get the ups on a brother. Although the bud had taken effect, I stayed on alert, nonetheless. I peeked at my gold nugget watch. Only about fifteen minutes had passed even though shit seemed to be moving in slow motion.

By then Ann had come outside and glanced both ways looking for me. I rolled my window down and called her name. She ran over to the truck and I got out and gave her a big hug. We hadn’t seen each other in almost ten years. The curves of her body told the time. Yeah, she was all woman now.

I had done a bit in an out of state prison and I couldn’t leave Kansas City until my five years of probation ended. Ann and I constantly kept in touch, but this was her first time seeing me other than on photos or talking on the phone. From what I could tell, Ann had grown up all right, and she looked beautiful. Dark brown skin, slender build, but shapely with a pretty face. Ann asked me a ton of questions. B, why didn’t you put me on your visitor’s list? I could have made the trip out there with your mom. Where’s your home girl, Charlee? Ann didn’t even wait for me to answer her. And why didn’t you write me back when I sent you those last set of pictures? What were you up to? The girl hadn’t changed a bit, still a talker from back in the day.

What’s wrong with your eyes? she asked, giving me a puzzled expression.

I grinned. I just finished smoking some of that sticky-icky.

Ann said, Shiiiiit, I could use a bud break, so let’s see what this sticky-icky is all about.

Get in the truck, I told her as I opened my door and got back in the Bronco. Ann rounded the front part of the truck and then got in.

Now Ann was young when I left the 'D.' She was smoking weed back then, too, but I knew this weed would have her coughing up her lungs. This ain’t your normal bud. This is what makes grown men cry from coughin’ so hard. Your lungs have to get used to it.

Ann looked doubtful. Look into my eyes. You can’t see the weed-smoking look on my face? Hell, this is what I do to stay sane around this shop with all the drama that goes on down here.

Several minutes passed as we smoked and talked shit about the past. As her high started wearing off, I steered the conversation toward her girl, Treva, and what was going on with her. Ann told me Treva’s beauty shop was just extra income. She wasn’t sure what else Treva was into, but she used to dabble in the streets big time when she was coming up, but not so much these days. Treva was the mother of one son and her baby’s daddy was a real sucker. They weren’t really together, yet they were.

I told Ann, Look, lil sis, I ain’t trying to be a part of that type of shit. I have no problems, and I would like to keep it that way, okay?

A luxury car pulled up beside my truck and this red bone, brown-eyed sista with long black hair and full red lips that stood out like beautiful roses stepped out wearing a white sun dress. Ann said, That’s Jackie right there. She’s my next client. She’s good people. Fresh out of the Feds.

What she go in for? I asked, watching her retrieve something from the backseat of her Jaguar XJ.

Drugs. She’s a true go-getter.

So when can I meet her? I asked.

Boy, you need to make up your mind.

Why I gotta do that? I’m single. As I was still checking this beautiful sista out, I quickly got out of my truck and called her name.

Yo Jackie. Ya girl Ann wants you, I yelled.

Jackie turned around. Her eyebrows narrowed because she didn’t know who I was.

Ann got out of the truck. Once Jackie saw her, she headed toward us.

Hi Ann, Jackie said. What’s up?

Ann said, Hi is right. This bud he just gave me got me higher than a muthafucka! Jackie and I looked at Ann and laughed. But don’t worry; I’m not so high that I don’t know how to hook your hair up.

I’m not worried. It’s not like you haven’t done my hair after you’ve smoked. But I’m a let you chill for a little while to let some of that shit wear off. I’m early anyway.

Jackie, this is my big brother. B, this is Jackie, Ann introduced us. Can you do me a favor and take a picture of us? she asked.

Sure, no problem. Where’s the camera? Jackie asked.

I got a camera, Ann said. It’s in my purse in the truck. Hold up. I was gonna take a picture of your hair when I finished it for my hairstyle photo book. She took her camera out of her purse that she’d left on the front seat. I noticed Jackie’s eyes scoping me from my feet up to my face. Yeah, for sho' she was checking a brother out.

Make sure you get doubles so I can have one, too, I said.

Jackie took Ann’s camera and Ann and I posed. I had my arm wrapped around her shoulder and her arm was around my waist. Jackie took at least five pictures of Ann and me. I didn’t smile in any of the pictures, but Ann wore the biggest grin on her face. Ann also let me snap a couple of pictures of her while she posed.

But I couldn’t take my eyes off Jackie’s red lips, and I knew she felt me looking directly at them. That’s when she glanced up at me and asked, Is there a problem?

It could be, I said, giving a light shrug.

And how is that? she asked, crossing her arms.

If I don’t leave here with your number.

She smiled and said, Ann, your brother is too much.

I can be enough for you if you allow me, I said.

Yeah, he is still crazy as hell, Ann said, bumping against my arm. Let me go get my chair set up for you. See y’all later. She took her camera from Jackie and then gave me a hug. I kissed her on the forehead.

I’m happy you’re home, B, Ann shouted as she made her way across the street.

Jackie followed Ann toward the salon.

Hey Red, I called. Jackie stopped in her tracks and turned to face me.

Who told you my name was Red?

No one. You are Red. The prettiest red bone I’ve ever seen, and I’m not letting you leave until I’m able to get to know you better. Hell, even on your bad hair day you are still beautiful. She tried not to grin, but I had her. The dimple in her right cheek showed.

You are just too much, man! Flattery will get you nowhere. You think I haven’t heard all the lines before? She smirked.

Well, you don’t think I’m the finest brother you’ve seen today? I said, ignoring her last statement.

Jackie turned, walked closer to me, and studied me with her eyes. Finally, she said, What do you want from me?

Some of your time.

Well, I definitely don’t have a lot of that to waste.

I don’t have time to waste either. So, if you gone make it that difficult, then forget it. I opened the door to jump back into my truck. Yeah, you look like a winner, but if you were you’d be able to recognize one when you see him.

She looked off to the left, thinking my words over. All right, okay. You got a pen? she finally said.

No need, I got my memory. She told me her number and I repeated it back to her. Would it be possible to take you out to dinner so I can see what Ann can do to make you even more beautiful than you already are now?

She blushed. Yeah that’s possible, but don’t play games with me. I’m so fed up with bullshit. You know? Jackie went into the shop after I assured her that the games I wanted to play would be nothing but fun.

Just as I got in my ride and turned the ignition, Ann knocked on the window. Boy, I almost forgot my purse in here. She opened the door and reached inside. Jackie is still getting money in the streets. You know that, right?

I said, All it is, is dinner.

Make sure you just be careful, okay? I still want you to meet Treva though. I told her all about you. She just had to make a run on business. She should be back soon.

I’ll meet up with y’all later. Just call me once she gets back and Jackie leaves.

I’ll do that, Ann said and went back into the shop.

As I got ready to pull out of the parking lot, a black BMW pulled in. The driver wasn’t paying attention to where she was going. I honked my horn and slammed on brakes to prevent the BMW from hitting my truck. The driver just kept coming into the parking spot.

No driving ass, I cursed. My phone rang and I took the call. Hello.

Treva just called. She said she was pulling in the parking lot and some fool almost hit her backing out of the lot, Ann said. Was that you?

By then, I had made it out of the lot when I caught a back view of Treva. That view alone almost made me hit a car that had stopped on a moment’s notice. Yeah, I saw her, but I’ll be back. Tell your friend to learn how to drive. That was me she almost hit.

Ann laughed. You all have something in common already, huh?

You’re crazy, Ann. I’m outta here, I said, ending the call.

Running into two fine women in one day, minutes apart made me a very happy man. They were both fine as hell. I just didn’t know which one was a better fit. Jackie seemed to be on the same level with Treva. But in time, I would soon find out.

Chapter 2

Now by me just coming back to the 'D,' there were a lot of people to see, things to do, and big plans to be made. The only person who knew I had been home besides Ann was my closest home girl, Charlee. We’d been close since we were shorties. Charlee was my right hand, my trigger finger, and business partner. The chick was a chameleon. She kept it gangster when it was time to hustle, but she knew how to flip the script and be a woman when needed. She and I had been hanging out for a minute, even while I was still in Kansas City on probation. But other people needed to know I was back home, too. So I decided to drop in on my favorite cousins, Nicky and Janetta, who didn’t stay that far away.

Fifteen minutes later, I drove up to their house and parked. The door was wide open, but not the screen door. I pressed the screen door handle and walked right inside. Two little boys came running up front with a female following them. They must have thought I was someone else at first, because once they were close enough to see my face, they grabbed my cousin Nicky’s legs. She scrunched up her face, looking confused as she stared at me right along with the two frightened boys. Her head reared back, as if wondering who had intruded into her crib. But then she finally recognized me. Nicky grinned wide and shouted, Oh my God! It’s cousin B. Get up y’all! We hugged for a while and she told me that she missed me and was glad I was home. I told her the same.

Janetta, whom we called JJ, ran up front. She screamed as she ran toward me and jumped into my arms. Cuz, what up, Doc? she said.

You! What’s goin’ on, JJ? It’s been a long ass time. I squeezed her small, lanky frame tight and placed her back on her feet.

JJ and I were super tight. I used to keep her with me all the time, so we had a stronger bond than I had with my other cousins. I loved them all, but JJ and I were just closer.

This is our rich cousin, Bruce from out of town. But just call him cousin B, JJ said to her two boys. We all laughed; JJ was in full stride and always had jokes. B, these are my son’s Andre and Tony. A little girl entered the room, ran, and jumped into Nicky’s arms. And that’s Nicky’s daughter, Sierra.

After things settled down, JJ and her boys left to go and get dressed. Nicky kept me company and we reminisced about back in the day while chilling in the living room.

Thirty minutes later, JJ came out fully dressed in a green T-shirt, black flats, and jeans. She’d un-wrapped her short hair and combed it into a nice style. Her boys were dressed in jeans and red T-shirts.

So what’s really going on, cuz? When you get back? JJ asked.

I stretched and sat up straight on the brown sofa. I’ve been back for a minute—‘bout two months. I’m staying in the suburbs right now and trying to come up with a master plan to get money.

We all tryna come up with a plan to get money. Lint is in my pockets from this nickel and dime ass job I’m working, JJ said, pushing her hands in her pockets and turning them inside out. Shit just been dry lately. So what you come up with?

A good hustle to get my pockets fat, I replied.

I’m with that. JJ nodded.

So, did you get you some since you been back? she asked with her hand on her hip and a dead serious expression.

What you talkin’ ‘bout over there? I’m talkin’ ‘bout this money and you on something else. I laughed. Been there, and always get that.

You should let me hook you up. I know just the girl for you. JJ smiled and sneaked a look over at Nicky.

Hook him up with who? Nicky asked.

You know who. Who’s about to come over here? JJ asked.

Oooh! Nicky said with wide eyes. That might work, too.

I looked at both of them. Nah, I’m cool. JJ, last time you hooked me up with a fat chick, I replied. I ain’t tryna go that route. JJ had all the jokes and I wasn’t going to fall for that bullshit again.

Naw cuz, for real, Kim is our friend. I went to high school with her, Nicky said, pushing her shoulder-length hair from her face. Nicky reminded me of Faith Evans plus twenty-five pounds.

Go ahead with the bullshit, y’all, I said, nodding my head.

Well, you’ll see for yourself if we are bullshittin’ or not because here she comes now. Nicky stood up and looked out of the big picture window. I quickly got up from my seat and walked to the front door to get a better look.

A blue Lexus Coup 300 pulled up in the driveway and the kids went crazy. They ran outside to greet her, and the kids were yelling, Auntie Kim! This tall, brown complexioned woman got out the car with this sexy ass strut that couldn’t go unnoticed. Her medium-size breasts, small waist, and curvy hips seemed created specifically from a man’s request for his fantasy woman. I got in position by stepping outside.

JJ walked to the screen door and said, Now you believe me, cuz?

Looks can be misleading, but so far so good, I said.

Kim made her way to the porch and walked up the stairs.

The kids said, Auntie Kim, this is our rich cousin, B.

Kim and I made eye contact and from that point on, I knew this would be a day that I would never forget. I didn’t get a chance to say my name thanks to the kids.

Kim spoke first. So you’re cousin B. Oh! My bad. Rich cousin B. We both laughed. I opened the door for her. And you’re a gentleman also, she said. Thank you.

I don’t know about the gentle part, but I’m a man who does what he likes for who he likes, I replied. She glanced at me as she walked by. I couldn’t help but watch her fat ass switch past me.

Once she got ready to sit down, she glanced over her right shoulder and caught me looking. You like what you see? she asked, putting a slick smile on her face. Nicky and JJ tried to hold in their laughs. They told us they’d be right back and took the kids with them.

So far, I replied, sitting across from her. We began the usual small talk, but ten minutes into the conversation, her cell phone rang.

I’ll leave the room so you can take that call. I don’t want your man to get mad, I said. She smirked as I stood up.

I wish I did have a man, Kim replied.

As I passed by, she answered the call.

Hello? Hey girl . . . Nothing much . . . At JJ and Nicky’s house chillin’ and talking to their fine ass cousin . . . He’s fine as hell, girl! Kinda looks like Will Smith. His name’s B. Yeah . . . I might . . . Tall with a nice body, dresses very well, too. Girl, instant chemistry. She paused. So I know he’s checkin’ for me, too, Kim said loud enough for me to hear. I smiled as I went into the kitchen searching for something to eat.

It was gonna be on and popping for me and Kim.

Only JJ was in the kitchen when I sat at the table. Uh-huh, I knew she was your type, she said, grinning at me as she put dishes away.

I’m hungry, man. What’s in the fridge? I asked, going over to raid it for whatever I could find.

Probably not much. I’ve gotta go to the store.

I opened the refrigerator door. There wasn’t much food in there except some milk and cheese, and leftover spaghetti. Since I was trying to come up