Block Party 2: The Afterparty

By Al-Saadiq Banks

Teenagers, Ahmir and Ahmad Pierson are the offspring of Newark's infamous ghetto legend Donald "Cashmere" Pierson. Ghetto fame and admiration have been a part of their lives for as far back as they both can remember, thanks to Cashmere. Cashmere's addiction to the fast life and the love for his two sons have always conflicted but the love his sons have for him has always been unconditional. Nothing in the world means more to them than their father whom they've always held on a pedestal. Ahmir and Ahmad's lives change drastically after they both witness a horrifying act that they'll never forget. The old cliche' is true "for every action there is an opposite, but equal reaction." What becomes of two traumatized teens whose hearts are filled with vengeance? What does their future hold for them? Or do they even have a future?

• Language: English
• Publisher: True 2 Life Publications
• Release date: Mar 1, 2006
• ISBN: 9781625175502

Al-Saadiq Banks

Al-Saadiq Banks is a Best Selling Author of 18 urban fiction and street lit genre titles. Al- Saadiq Banks made his entrance into the literary world in 2002. He is the co-founder of an independent publishing house operating under the imprint of True 2 Life Publications. His first title "No Exit," was the launching pad to knocking the doors of the genre off the hinges, selling approximately 90,000 books the first year. His readership base widely respects him for penning True 2 Life, raw and uncut crime novels, which all take place in Newark, New Jersey, dating back from the 1980s to the current day. Al-Saadiq and True 2 Life Publications is that thin line where Fiction and Fact meet, and the lines blur and cross.

Book preview

Ninety-Four

One

January 1, 2004

Puddles of tears flood the marble tombstone. The words Donald Cashmere Pierson, Rest In Peace 1964- 2001 are etched boldly in block lettering.

A beautiful petite woman stands in between two towering teenage boys. They all have their eyes glued to the tombstone.

The woman, who happens to be Cashmere’s widow, cries shamelessly. The sound of her cries touches the boys’ hearts tremendously, making it almost impossible to keep their composure. They have to fight the tears from pouring from their eyes.

Ahmir, the oldest boy takes one huge sniff, to fight back the tears. As he stands there, he envisions that horrible day when his father died in his arms. No matter how many years pass he’ll never be able to erase that horrifying memory.

Watching his father die has had a traumatic effect on him. He hasn’t been the same ever since. Witnessing that tragedy made him a cold and hateful person. He hates the world and everything that lives in it. His father meant so much to him. When Cashmere died, Ahmir’s dreams died.

A part of him hates his father because he feels like he gave up on life. He’s almost sure that Cashmere could have fought a little harder to stay alive. He often thinks of how his father always preached about never giving up. To see him give up and die on the pavement right before his eyes made him feel like his father was nothing but talk.

Ahmad on the other hand deals with the death quite differently. The tragedy made him shun away from everyone, turning him into an introvert. One positive came from the entire situation. It made him realize that he wanted no parts of the street life. That incident is all the motivation he needs to try and succeed in life.

For many years neither of them could sleep an entire night through. Both of them would wake up immersed in sweat. The vision of their father sprawled on the pavement, covered in blood haunted them gravely.

No one could erase that horrifying experience; not even their psychiatrist. The doctor somewhat helped Ahmad but Ahmir on the other hand didn’t even give the doctor a chance. He refused to go to one session.

Even Cashmere’s widow, Love had to visit a psychiatrist twice a week, to learn how to cope with the tragic loss of her husband. Many years have passed since Cashmere’s death and she hasn’t even considered dating another man. Instead of her trying to get over it, she spends a great deal of her time applying pressure on detectives to find and charge the murderer.

She can’t believe that the judge found the Mayor innocent. In her heart, she truly believes he committed the murder. She won’t be able to go on with her life until he is convicted for the hideous crime.

Ahmir and Ahmad have a plan of their own. They made a pact to each other that they would one day bring their own justice by repaying the murderer; even if it takes their entire lifetime. One way or another they are sure they will make it possible for their father to rest in peace.

Love’s sudden outburst echoes throughout the graveyard. My husband, she cries as she collapses to the ground. I can’t believe he took my husband! she shouts. I want my husband back.

Ahmir stands close to her patting her back. The tears flow down his face without shame. Don’t worry, Stepma. It’s gone be alright, he tries to comfort her. I got you, he says confidently.

Two

One Month Later/ February

It’s a sunny yet cold winter day, with temperatures barely exceeding 35 degrees. Two young boys stand in the middle of the intersection on opposites sides of the street, holding off the oncoming traffic, as the canary yellow Ferrari spins around recklessly. The driver’s entire torso is hanging out of the vehicle as he sits on the window’s ledge.

Thick clouds of smoke hover in the air. The pavement is covered with tire marks. The spectators gag as they inhale the foul smell of burning rubber. The driver continues to perform as the spectators cheer him on.

Everyone is so busy watching the show that no one has even noticed the police car zipping down the block at top speed. The police car’s sirens turn on just as it reaches the intersection. All the spectators dash onto the sidewalk, to get out of the way.

The Ferrari comes to a complete stop. The driver ducks his body inside the vehicle. Seconds later, two more police cars come zooming down the same block. The first cruiser comes full speed in the direction of the Ferrari. The cop in the passenger’s seat has his gun waving out of the window, aiming at the windshield of the Ferrari. The driver of the cop car slams on his brakes, just as he’s about to crash into the grill of the Ferrari. Don’t move! the cop shouts over the loud speaker. The driver of the Ferrari and the gun-toting policeman lock eyes. The other 2 cruisers are creeping alongside trying to box him in.

Just as they get close, the driver slams the Ferrari into reverse and speeds up the block backwards. The chase begins. The boys on the sideline jump up and down with joy. Go, go! they shout enthusiastically.

The 3 police cars follow cautiously as the Ferrari soars the speed of 60 miles an hour backwards. The driver zips through the first intersection recklessly. Now he’s approaching the second intersection. He cuts the wheel to the right while simultaneously slamming the gear into the drive position. The tires screech as they grip the pavement.

The Ferrari peels off at full speed.  He zooms down the block, doing 80 miles an hour. The passenger looks back and is shocked to see that 4 more cop cars have joined the chase. Go! the passenger shouts.

The driver peeks back. In a matter of seconds, 2 more police cars have joined in. The driver’s adrenaline starts to pump. Ahmad, press play! the driver shouts.

The passenger does as he’s told, and the tune of Tupac’s Ambitions of a Rider blares through the speakers. The music gives the driver an instant rush. He bops his head crazily to the beat as he mashes the gas pedal harder, increasing his speed to 110 miles per hour.

As he nears West Market Street, he notices the heavy traffic flow, cutting off his path. With no regard for life, he zips through the intersection without looking in either direction. Tires screech as the drivers slam on the brakes just to avoid the loose Ferrari. He has a full stretch on the police cars. He slows down drastically just to allow the police cars time enough to catch up with him, in attempt to taunt them.

Three right turns bring him right back to 12th Avenue. The police cars are at least a block behind. The driver stops in the middle of the street and leans his entire body out of the window.

As the cops finally catch up to them, he waves them on, gesturing for them to come on. Just as they get close, he hops back onto the seat and takes off. The police are now furious. Leaving them in the dust, he pulls back to the block. The spectators give him the intersection by holding off the traffic coming from all directions.

Go Ahmir! they all yell as the driver speeds by with his left leg extended high out of the window. He’s leaning back in the seat. His face is blank with no sign of worry, while the passenger smiles from ear to ear.

He makes the left up 9th Street and the police don’t get there until minutes later. The right on 10th Street brings them right back to 12th Avenue. They make it back to 7th street in record-breaking time.

All of a sudden, the driver does the unheard of. He gets out of the car, leaving it idling in the middle of the intersection.

Here Ahmir! a young boy shouts from across the street. He tosses a bottle of spring water to him. Ahmir snatches it out of the air. He then turns it up to his mouth and guzzles the entire contents. Just as he finishes, the police approach. Before jumping back into the vehicle, he further disrespects them by tossing the empty bottle at the windshield of the police cruiser. Once again, he stretches on them. In no time at all, they’re on South Orange Avenue.

They’ve managed to accumulate a total of 20 police cars behind them. The passenger looks back and begins to get nervous when he sees the cherry tops blazing behind him. This excites the driver even more.

Mir, Mir, the whole force is on us! the passenger shouts nervously.

Don’t worry. I got this, Ahmir says confidently as he glances over into his little brother’s eyes. His fear is evident. This makes Ahmir mash the gas pedal even harder.

Ten blocks later, just as he crosses the intersection, he quickly turns down 20th Street. As soon as he turns into the block, he slows down. Get out, Mod! he shouts. With no hesitation the passenger jumps out while the car is still rolling. He dashes through the nearest alleyway nervously.

The chase thickens. The Ferrari approaches the ramp of Route 280. The only problem is the fact that he’s going in the opposite direction. He’s going against the oncoming traffic. All the cars steer to the side in order to give him a clear path. He looks down the highway, he has the lane all to himself; all except for the huge 18-wheel tractor, which is quickly approaching.

Ahmir quickly peeks to his left side, then to his right. To his surprise both lanes are occupied. The tractor is coming closer and closer. He closes his eyes and cuts the wheel to the right. Miraculously, the tractor slides by without even touching him, but a small SUV, just barely taps the nose of the Ferrari, causing him to lose control. He swerves right into the cement divider. The combination of the speed and the impact of the hit cause the vehicle to flip three times before landing on its roof, smashing the entire vehicle, like a pancake.

Three

Two Months Later/ April 2004

Ahmir stands before the judge. He stands in between his lawyer and his mother, Desire. As Ahmir looks into the victim’s eyes, he replays the situation in his head that led to this horrible day.

A middle-aged Caucasian and his daughter come strolling out of Bloomingdales. Ahmir and his crew have been staking out the parking lot for over two hours, waiting for the driver of the yellow Ferrari to come out.

The lights illuminate the parking lot as the man presses his automatic starter. His daughter stands by his side as he packs the bags into the car.

Now! Ahmir shouts. The driver steps onto the gas pedal of the Audi S4. The tires squeal as he mashes on the brakes in the nick of time, just barely missing the little girl.

Ahmir jumps out of the passenger’s seat, waving a chrome nine-millimeter in his right hand. The Caucasian man turns his head and faces Ahmir. He’s petrified. He can’t see Ahmir’s face because he’s wearing a red bandana covering his face from the bridge of his nose on down. His Cincinnati Reds baseball cap is pulled down so low that his eyes can barely be seen.

The man pays close attention to Ahmir’s long dreadlocks, which extend down to his shoulder. The man keeps one eye on Ahmir, and he focuses the other eye on the occupants of the Audi. To his surprise all the passengers look identical; red bandanas and dreadlocks.

Give me the keys, cracker, Ahmir says aggressively. The man hands over the keys without hesitation. The little girl’s cries echo throughout the parking lot.

Ahmir runs to the driver’s side, while still aiming his gun at the man. He jumps in and pulls off at full speed, leaving the owner and his daughter in a cloud of smoke. The Audi follows close behind as they jump on Route 24 headed back to Newark.

Ahmir can still feel the pain of the brutal ass beating the cops gave him when they finally caught him after the accident. His face was so distorted that they didn’t let Desire see him for 2 weeks, trying to keep her from seeing what they had done to him. They blackened both eyes and chipped his front tooth, not to mention the six-inch scar that extends across his forehead. The 80-stitch wound is the result of his head banging into the windshield. He had so many lumps in his head that he had to sleep sitting up for weeks.

The judge’s voice interrupts Ahmir’s thoughts. Ahmir Pierson, you stand before me once again, huh? he laughs. I told you last time, if you entered my courtroom again, I would finish you. Obviously, you didn’t take me serious. Mr. Steinfield, you can leave, he says sternly.

Mr. Steinfield is Ahmir’s lawyer. He’s represented Ahmir in all of his previous juvenile cases. You won’t be able to save this menace today. There’s nothing that you can possibly say to change my mind today. I’ve already heard all the excuses. I already know that he’s growing up without his father. I already know that he watched his father die right before his eyes. That’s the reason that I had sympathy for him the last ten times. I can’t let him go this time. Next time he may be standing before me with multiple homicides. Ahmir, you messed up real big this time. We got carjacking, on top of all your old charges, in which you are on probation for. Mrs. Jackson I’m sorry that I have to do this but I have no choice. It’s because of you that I was a little linient with his sentence. I hereby sentence him to 12 years.

The number 12 rips through Desire’s soul, tearing her to pieces. Just to think, that her baby will be almost 28 years old when he’s released. She cries loud and hard, almost collapsing onto the floor. The lawyer catches her in time, and places her in her seat before she almost faints.

Surprisingly, the victim stands up. Your Honor, he says in a deep voice. Can I speak?

You are already doing so, the judge says sarcastically.

Your Honor, there was no carjacking, he mumbles. I walked out of Bloomingdales and I saw him pulling out of the parking space in my Ferrari.

No carjacking? the judge asks with disbelief in his voice. What about the gun?

Your Honor, there was no gun, he lies.

Well, the police report states that there was a gun involved.

Your Honor, I didn’t make the police report. Witnesses made the report. I was too shaken up at the time. You can’t charge him with carjacking. He didn’t carjack me.

Ahmir can’t believe his ears. He can’t understand why this man would lie to save him. He stands there with a look of confusion on his face.

Recess! the judge shouts furiously.

Minutes have passed and Desire is still crying her head off. She’s huddled over the bench in the back of the courtroom, while the lawyer tries his best to comfort her.

Ahmir sits hunched over the table with his face buried in the palms of his hands, sniffling and sobbing as quietly as he can.

Bang man, whispers a voice from behind him. Ahmir takes one last sniff and tries to wipe his eyes sneakily to erase any evidence of his crying. You made your bed, now you have to lay in it, Slim whispers. I told you over and over about them damn cars. Now look, you got your Mama all upset.

For once Ahmir doesn’t have a slick remark for Slim. He just looks into his eyes as he speaks. That’s one thing that his father taught him that sticks in his head. Cashmere always told them to look a man dead in the eyes whether you’re wrong or right. He’s heard it so many times that it comes automatically, like he was programmed.

Bang man, there’s no need in crying now. Suck it up. This is just one of life’s lessons. Trust me, there are many more to come. Every man makes mistakes, but only fools make the same mistake twice. Psst, psst. The loud noise of him sucking his teeth echoes throughout the courtroom.

Ahmir truly wishes he had listened to Slim sooner. After Cashmere’s death, Ahmir didn’t listen to anyone; not even Desire. Watching his father die altered his life. It made him have no fear or respect for anything.

He dropped out of school a year ago. He was only in the ninth grade at the time. Watching his grandfather bent over nodding off of heroin made him lose any respect that he could ever have for him. Watching Ice whip Desire’s ass made him lose the little respect he had for her. He still loves her from the bottom of his heart, but it’s hard for him to respect her when he’s watched Ice disrespect her and then two days later she’d allow him back in the house.

The only person in the world that he’s halfway listened to is Love, his father’s wife. Even after the murder, they still didn’t lose contact. Love treats both of them like they’re her own sons. She loves them and they love her just as much.

Desire is so jealous of their relationship. On several occasions she has tried to keep Love away from them, but the harder she tries, the harder Ahmir and Ahmad try to see her. Desire even tried threatening Love. She told her that if she didn’t stay out of their lives she would beat her to death. Love stayed away after that, but the boys begged to visit her. The only reason, Desire allowed them to see her is because she eventually got tired of their pleas. Also she realized that Love is the only one that Ahmir will listen to. It took everything to make her suck up her pride and allow someone else to play mother to her two sons.

Ahmir and Love are much closer than Ahmad and Love. Ahmad loves her just as much, but he’s truly a Mama’s boy. His only concern is basketball and Desire. If he’s not somewhere playing basketball, he’s in the house up under Desire and his little brother and sister. Ahmir on the other hand was never home. Sometimes he would go days without anyone hearing from him.

There were only a few times that Ahmir would allow Ahmad to hang out with him when he was getting into trouble. The event that led to this charge happened to be one of the few times Ahmad was involved. It was a good thing that Ahmad got away or both of Desire’s boys would be on their way to do a stretch. That would drive her crazy.

Listen boy, Slim says. Don’t think that I don’t feel sorry for you. Even though we don’t get along, you’re still my first grandbaby. It hurts me to see you going through this. I wish I could take the weight for you, but it don’t go like that. Every man gotta pay for his own mistakes. What you eat don’t make me shit, he whispers. You fucked up this time, Ahmir. You fucked up, he repeats, while one tear trickles down his ashy face.

Ahmir looks Slim over from head to toe. It’s the middle of April and Slim is proudly sporting a wrinkled long sleeve, huge butterfly collar dress shirt, which he’s had since the sixties. He embarrassingly hides his tracked up arms under his long sleeves.

His gigantic leather applejack hat swallows his tiny, shrunken head. If it weren’t for his overgrown, yellowish- gray Afro, his head would disappear under the hat. Just looking at the hat, Ahmir can almost smell the sour odor that he knows to be trapped inside that hat.

By now, Slim has a face full of tears. Psst, psst, he sucks the last five rotten teeth that he has. He only has one top tooth and four bottom teeth. His yellow teeth and his bloody red gums, makes Ahmir think of Cherry Lemonade. Slim shakes his head from side to side before walking away.

Watching Slim cry tears Ahmir to pieces. In all his years on earth, through thick and thin, Ahmir has never seen Slim shed a tear; not even the times when the virus won’t even allow him to get out of the bed. Now more than ever, he realizes how much trouble he’s really in.

Seconds later, the car jack victim confidently walks back into the room. He stares straight ahead, trying to avoid contact with Ahmir or the rest of the family. He surely can feel the heat that’s coming from Slim. Slim stares at him with hate. His hate comes from deep within. He hates all white people. He can’t even stand Puerto Ricans because he ignorantly believes that they’re white, because of their skin color. He considers anyone who isn’t black to be the enemy. He declares that they’re devils in human form.

The judge makes his way to his bench and bangs the gravel. As he sits down, he stares coldly in the direction of Ahmir and his lawyer.

Desire gets herself together and sits close to Slim, who pulls her closer and wraps his arms around her. The smell of his stale clothes doesn’t seem to bother her at this moment. Normally she won’t let him touch her.

The judge sits there for a matter of minutes, just staring without saying a word. The suspense is killing everyone. Finally, he clears his throat, Uhhm uhmm. Ahmir Pierson, he sings. Little Ahmir Pierson. Today, I’m going to do something that I have never done, he claims. By doing this, I’m going against all my beliefs. I never change my mind. I never do that! I always go with my first decision. You see that man over there? he asks, pointing to the carjack victim, who lowers his head. Today, he gave you a second wind. I don’t know why. I truly don’t believe his story, but he denies that you carjacked him. So as much as I hate to do this, I have no choice but to dismiss the carjacking charges. Desire’s eyes light up. Hold up, Mrs. Jackson, it’s not that simple. I reviewed his juvenile record, and he’s been in and out of trouble ever since he was 12 years old. I can’t let him walk out of my courtroom scot-free. He has to learn to pay for his mistakes. So, I hereby sentence him to 12 months in a juvenile correctional facility. He bangs the gravel once again. Good day, folks! he yells as he stands up and walks away.

Everyone is disappointed but a part of them is jumping for joy. 1 year is a lot better than 12 years.

A heavy burden is lifted from Ahmir’s shoulders. He hates to do another day, but he’s relieved that he doesn’t have to spend all his young years in jail.

Slim suddenly gets a change of heart. He can’t understand why the man would cut Ahmir loose. He begins wondering why. Psst, psst. The loud noise of Slim sucking his teeth echoes throughout the courtroom.

Just as the Caucasian is packing his things away, Slim makes his way over to Ahmir. Bang man, that cracker boy saved yo life. 1 is a lot better than 12. If it wasn’t for him you would be damn near 30 when you come home. I say, you go over and thank him.

By now the bailiff is on his way toward them. He’s coming over to take Ahmir away. As he gets closer, he speaks, Let’s go, son.

Ahmir looks at Slim as he hesitantly steps toward the bailiff. The look in his eyes is begging for Slim to rescue him.

Please give us one second, Slim begs. We need a few seconds, please. The bailiff replies with a slight head nod. Come on, boy, Slim mumbles as he walks toward the victim. Ahmir follows close behind. The Caucasian man is stepping toward the door quickly. Excuse me, Sir. Slim hates himself for using the word Sir. It takes his mind back to the days of slavery. The man stops in his tracks. Psst, psst, Slim sucks his teeth. Uh, he stutters. Ahmir, don’t you have something that you want to say? he asks while pushing him directly in front of the man.

Ahmir is hesitant at first, until he thinks of how much heartache the man just saved him and his family. He lifts his head up and looks the man square into the eyes. His look almost makes the man melt away from fear. Thank you, Ahmir says sternly.

In return, the man rolls his eyes with disgust. Don’t thank me, just get your life together, he says before turning around and walking out of the courtroom.

The bailiff immediately cuffs Ahmir and escorts him out of the courtroom. Desire begins crying all over again. This is a mother’s second worse nightmare.

Slim hugs her tight before leading her out of the courtroom.

Four

12 Months Later/ April 2005

It’s a beautiful spring day. A taller and much more mature, Ahmir stands at the gate of Jamesburg’s Juvenile Correctional Facility, where he did the smaller portion of his bid. After sentencing, he stayed in the youth house for 2 months before they shipped him to Epson. Eight months later, they shipped him out of Epson because he was getting into too much trouble. To their surprise he got in more trouble in Jamesburg than he did in Epson.

In just 1 short year, Ahmir has grown into quite a mature young man. Not only has he beefed up tremendously, he’s managed to put on quite a few inches as well. He’s grown 3 inches and has gained over 50 pounds. He now stands 6 feet 1 and he weighs a solid 180 pounds.

He spots a red Mercedes CLK convertible cruising up the road. He squints his eyes tightly to make sure. That’s them, he thinks to himself. He quickly inhales, poking his chest out. He gets his stance right, as he looks himself over from head to toe.

The car is only a few feet away. As the car is approaching, he can’t help but think of his father. Just seeing the car reminds him of Cashmere. He misses Cashmere so much. He hates the fact that someone took his father from him. While in jail, he constantly wondered what would have become of him if his father were never murdered. He promises himself that one day, he will get even with his father’s murderer. Just thinking of it, brings water to his eyes.

He still remembers the Christmas morning that his father surprised Love with the car. That is one of Ahmir’s most memorable days. He’ll never forget the way him and Ahmad zipped up and down the street on their dirt bikes.

Before the car can even stop rolling, the passenger jumps out. Ahmad damn near tackles Ahmir to the ground. They wrestle each other for minutes before hugging. Joy fills both of their hearts. After 12 long months they’re finally re-united.

Love hops out of the car and impatiently waits her turn. After waiting for minutes, she finally interrupts them. She stands there with her arms wide open. Ahmir runs right to her. He almost squeezes the life out of her petite little body, as he lifts her off of her feet and twirls her around. What up, Step-Ma! he shouts. As he examines her, he clearly understands why his father chose her to be his wife. Ahmir only hopes he can find a wife as beautiful as her.

Hey, baby, she replies with tears of joy in her eyes. They all have been waiting for this day to come.

Love took care of Ahmir, the entire bid. She went to visit him 3 to 4 times a month and she wrote him faithfully. Desire on the other hand visited once a month if he was lucky. The only time she would visit more than once, was if she found out that Love had been there. Ahmir called Love more than he called home. This bid has brought them even closer.

Love and Ahmir finally conclude their hugging session. Now Ahmir and Ahmad stand eye to eye or better yet eye to nose. In just one year, Ahmad has managed to rise over Ahmir by 3 inches. At 6 feet 4 inches tall, Ahmad looks like he only weighs half of Ahmir’s weight. He’s all legs; tall and linky. They both are the spitting image of their father. That is if you cut off their long, thick dreadlocks. If their father were alive there’s no way in the world he would have let them grow dreads.

They both sneakily compare each other’s dreads to see whose are actually the longest. Brotherly competition is all it is; purely harmless. These two always find something to compete with each other about.

Hours Later

It was a long uncomfortable ride up the highway with both of the six-footers cramped into the tiny vehicle. Ahmir was so happy to be home that he didn’t complain the least bit.

Love drove Ahmir directly to his mother’s house after the shopping spree she funded. He was so happy to see his mother and his two siblings. He didn’t catch Slim at home, but coincidentally they did run into him on a little side block not too far away from the house. A lot of things have changed but one thing has remained the same. Wherever the good dope is, Slim will always be somewhere near. When they pulled up on him, they caught him right in the act of copping his dope.

Normally Ahmir would be furious with him. In his younger years, it was so embarrassing watching Slim buy dope from his friends. Ahmir’s schoolmates clowned him for years about his grandfather. Ahmir and Slim were always the butt of the jokes.

It was strange this time when he saw Slim copping. For once, it didn’t even matter. He was just so happy to see his Pop- Pop.

There’s only one person that Ahmir hasn’t seen yet. That person Ahmir wants to see more than anyone else. He’s been anticipating seeing him for over 12 months now. When he finally sees Ice, all hell will break loose.

After Ahmir left, it seems like Ice lost his mind. The entire bid, Ahmad had been telling Ahmir how Ice continuously mistreats Desire. Not only was he physically abusing her, he was also verbally abusing her. He calls her Bitch more than he calls her by her name. He totally disrespects her in front of Destiny and Rahmid with no regard. On several occasions, Ice and Ahmad have literally gone to blows. Ice has even talked Desire into throwing Slim out of the house. Slim now lives in the basement of his own house.

Ahmir is willing to bet things will change now that the man of the house has returned. He promises to repay Ice for all the torture he’s caused around here.

Five

Days Later

Ahmir is locked in his room blasting Juelz Santana. The music is so loud that the bass is making the walls tremble.

He jumps up from the floor. He’s just finished his 50th set of 100 push-ups. He does this twice a day, everyday. This is part of the regimen he picked up while incarcerated. He worked so hard to obtain his picture perfect body. He refuses to lose it like so many other guys do once they come home. He plans to work as hard as he needs to, just to maintain his jailhouse physique.

He shakes his long dreadlocks loose as he poses in the mirror. He peeks through his half opened, sleepy looking eyes admiring what he sees. He winks at himself before smiling sexily exposing his bright white teeth. His chocolate skin is dripping wet with sweat. His chest and his bicep muscles pulsate erratically as he breathes extra hard trying to catch his breath. He places his hands on his hips while slightly twisting his torso, posing like a body builder. He tightens up his brick-hard abdomen exposing his beautiful 8 pack. He then stretches his arms straight out. As he flexes his arms, his triceps hang like a bag of sand. Finally, he turns his back to the mirror and flexes his back muscles. His wide muscular back expands like the back of an eagle. His body looks more like the body of a grown man instead of a teen-ager.

He’s so full of himself. He still can’t believe that his once skeletal frame has turned out to be so perfectly sculpted. He’s confident that he’s any woman’s eye candy. All the while he was locked up, he couldn’t wait to get home to show off his body. He kept himself motivated by just imagining how many women he would obtain with his body. He always considered himself handsome but now that he has the perfect body to go with it, his arrogance level has risen to the ceiling. Just the thought of how women are going to look at him makes him drop down and do 200 more push-ups.

He jumps up and turns the radio off. He’s worked up a huge appetite. He’s so hungry that he could eat the entire refrigerator in whole.

He walks to the kitchen, where Ahmad is already sitting down eating. Ahmad takes a sneak peak at Ahmir’s pumped-up body. The protruding veins and glistening sweat makes Ahmir look a lot bigger than he actually is. Ahmad snickers with jealousy. There you go with that workout shit again, he mumbles under his breath.

You hatin’ B, Ahmir says as he flexes for Ahmad. You better get with me, skeletor. Bony ass! he shouts as he walks toward the refrigerator. As he bends over looking through the fridge, the creaking of Desire’s bedroom door catches his attention.

When he looks in that direction his heart pounds rapidly, feeling like it’s about to jump out of his chest. His adrenaline starts pumping. He’s been waiting for this day for 12 long months. Him and Ice are finally face to face. He’s furious but he’s trying to play it cool. Suddenly, he’s no longer hungry. He closes the fridge door nonchalantly.

Ahmir, what up? Ice shouts.

Ahmad huffs one time before burying his face in his bowl of cereal. He can’t stand the sight of Ice.

What up, Homie? Ahmir asks as he makes his way toward Ice, who is standing there with the biggest, fakest smile on his face. The anxiety is killing Ahmir. The closer he gets, the more the beast wants to jump from within.

Finally, Ahmir is within arm’s reach of Ice. Ice looks upward at him. Ice only stands at 5 feet 7 inches tall. Damn boy you got tall as hell! he shouts as he extends his hand for a handshake.

Ahmir cracks a devilish smile before quickly peeking over at Ahmad. SMACK! The sound of the surprising smack echoes throughout the kitchen. Ice didn’t even see it coming.

The loud noise of the slap reminds both Ahmir and Ahmad of the time when Cashmere slapped Ahmir for standing there while Ice blackened Desire’s eye. Ahmir couldn’t fight his father back but he now feels even that someone finally got it back.

Ice backpedals, holding his face in shock, while Ahmir runs in for the attack. Using all of his might, Ahmir kicks Ice in the chest. The impact of the kick forces Ice to crash into the refrigerator. He tries to get out of the way, but he can’t. Ahmir has him cornered.

Ice hates to do this but he has to. He quickly puts his hands up, not to fight, only to defend himself. Ice is so busy watching Ahmir that he doesn’t even notice Ahmad creeping up on the side of him.

Ice has to be a fool to even make this attempt. Anyone that knows them knows that there is no way that anyone will get a fair fight against them. Cashmere always told them there is no fair ones. He said if he ever found out that either of them let the other one fight by himself, they would have to fight him. Ever since then, they have jumped anyone that they have fought; even if they were sure the other one could beat the opposing fighter.

CRACK! Ahmad’s head turning sucker punch catches Ice’s full attention, causing him to stumble. Ahmir catches him before he falls, by wrapping both hands around his puny little neck. Ice struggles for air as Ahmir tries to choke the life out of him. A huge vein appears in the center of Ice’s forehead. He tries desperately to pry Ahmir’s hands from around his neck.

All the commotion causes Desire to come running out of her room. Little Destiny and Rahmid follow close behind her. Ahmir, what’s going on! Desire asks. Ahmad fades away at the sight of Desire.

Instead of stopping, Ahmir tightens his grip. Fight me! he shouts as he shakes him by his neck. You like fighting women, right? Desire manages to step in between them. Watch out, Ma! he shouts. I’mma let you go. Just give me the one, Ahmir suggests. That’s all I ask. Just shoot me the fair one. You owe me that, he claims. Ahmir loosens his grip and Desire pushes him back. Ahmir bounces back immediately. "Ma,

Reviews for Block Party 2

[marcalene85 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this book. Now I'm ready for Block Party 111

[William Herring · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting read from a saga that has been consistently relevant for over twenty years.No matter the city the mayor is always your favorite candidate.

[denise · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was ok. expected better.. It was slow until the end

[Sha Leys · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

awsom!!