It Is What It Is

By Montez Jordan

The lure of the Charm City streets can be addictive. Money moves fast and the lifestyle that goes along with it moves even faster. No one knows that better than Cho, a Baltimore hustler who, along with his crew, dominates the city's drug game with an inventory that lines dope fiends up for blocks. But the notoriety and the privilege of being at the top comes with a long list of life-or-death consequences that Cho and the people he loves are forced to accept everyday. In this story of 'hood ambition, the fate of one man plays out against the inevitabilities of street life and the loyalty of homeboys tempted by greed. Paper or peace of mind, love or lust, honor or heartache even a fast life comes with choices.

• Language: English
• Publisher: eBookIt.com
• Release date: Apr 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781456605094

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Acknowledgements

First and foremost, I thank God for making this a reality. Without Him, I’m nothing. God revealed my writing talent to me a few years back and I am truly blessed to be able to finally share it with the world.

Thanks to everyone who was instrumental in bringing this project to completion: Erica Dorsey, Nellie Chew, Dineesha Moon, Purcell Carter, Brian Henderson, Natalie Graham, Janelle Harris, Monique Hardy, Chawntay Willie, Tova, Danielle Tucker, Winchester Publishing House and Lightning Source. You all played an essential role and were a tremendous help throughout this whole process.

To my parents, Montez Sr., Janet, Pam and John, I am still striving to make you proud of me. You molded me into the man that I am today. I know I had you worried for a minute, but the hard work you put into raising me hasn’t been in vain. Thank you for not giving up on me.

To my friends and family, thank you for your love and support. Friendship is everything to me. I value you all in ways you could never imagine.

REST IN PEACE Grandma Nellie, Grandma Barbara, Juan-Juan, Money, Mikie, Weedy, Pimp, Juicy, Willie D, Flake, Diesal, Larry, Avon, Fat John, Bo-Bo, Rat, Chris Qs, Waynie, Dereck, Samont, Damo, Ginnie, Chew and so many others. You’re gone but definitely not forgotten, and you’ll always be in my heart.

ROO to the distinguished Omega Men of my fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. A special thanks to my dear brothers of Beta Chapter (second in the fold, but first to many) for standing behind me through all of my endeavors and being there when I really needed you. Friendship is truly essential to the soul.

To my beloved block, Winchester Apartments, this is for all of us: our fallen soldiers, those behind bars and those still standing. Our time is coming—let’s get it while we can. Stay true and SUCKER FREE!

This book is dedicated to my children M’kiyah, Messiah, and Montez III. You can do anything in this world as long as you stay focused and keep the faith. Daddy loves you!!!

CHAPTER 1

Another beautiful morning, Cho thought as he sat on the stoop watching the sun rise and counting his money. He’d only been out for about an hour and a half, and already he’d made a few thousand dollars. He knew he had no business being out on the street by himself, but he didn’t mind. As long as he had the 17 shot S&W nine millimeter that he never put down, he would allow his team to sleep until around 9:00.

He knew their routine and figured they would be recovering from the previous night. Smoking weed, drinking and poppin’ pills were the norm after they closed shop. But Cho opted to eat good and go home, leaving them niggas to do that other shit. He knew he had to get up the next morning. If he didn’t, then who would?

Morning money was important. That early rush consisted mostly of the working class getting their fix before they went to work. Doctors, lawyers, nurses, school teachers, construction workers, white, black, Chinese, young or old — people of all sorts got high. It was sad but it was the truth. They would come from all over Baltimore city. Some would even travel from the furthest counties of the surrounding area just to get that gate shot from Cho and his team. It was very hard to find good dope in Baltimore, but Cho and his crew kept a monster. They nicknamed it the truth after Beanie Sigel’s album. That’s what they were listening to while they were at the table making the testers and since the dope was so good, the shit stuck.

• • // • •

By the time Cho got up from the stoop and went to put the money up, the cloudless sky had turned orange with streaks of red and purple that started to vanish as the sun became brighter. There wasn’t a fiend in sight and looking at his watch, he knew he had a good 15 to 20 minutes to step off. He cautiously walked up the street looking for anything out of the ordinary. Cho knew every car that was in his neighborhood and was familiar with each resident’s routine. The slightest change caused him to raise an eyebrow. But today, everything was normal and to Cho’s satisfaction. He rounded the corner and sauntered to Sheila’s house, which sat right on the end of the adjacent street. Cho could see his whole operation from Sheila’s bedroom window.

He opened the door to Sheila’s house and stepped into dead silence. It was obvious that everyone was still asleep. Cho glanced at his watch again. 6:35 am. He heaved a sigh of frustration. Sheila had yet to get her kids ready for school. She had four children ranging in age from 3 to 13. They were very intelligent and Cho made sure that they always went to school.

He crept downstairs to deposit the money in a safe he kept in the basement, and then went straight to Sheila’s room. As he opened the door he knew what to expect. Sheila was lying there naked, as if she was in a deep sleep. The sunlight streaming through the window reflected off of her honey brown skin.

Sheila was very pretty, but age and childbirth had taken their toll on her body. She had a big ass and nice breasts, but they were countered by a gut, stretch marks and baby fat that she couldn’t seem to lose. Mentally, she was 31 years old going on 17. She never wanted to grow up and acted like she never planned to. She was an assistant at a nursing home in downtown Baltimore and made pretty good money. You couldn’t tell her anything — the bitch knew she was the shit.

Sheila’s children had three different fathers. One of them had been murdered, another was locked up and the third was too trifling to do anything for his son. She didn’t care though. She made sure her kids were well taken care of and didn’t have a want in the world. Between her, Cho and her family, her kids had everything.

That’s one of the reasons she was in love with Cho. He made sure her and her children were well taken care of. She had this fantasy that he was her man and the father of all of her children. She conveniently blocked out the fact that the nigga had a girl that he went home to every night.

The two met a few years back when she first moved around the way. Cho and his homeboys were at the top of the block when she and her sister pulled up in a U-haul truck. It was just them and all that furniture. Ol’ head, the dude who put Cho on, had taught him that in order to be successful, he had to take care of the neighborhood. Being respectable and helping people out whenever they needed it kept them from calling the law. You don’t want any enemies in the ‘hood, he warned him, so everything had to be love at all times. While everyone else continued to smoke, Cho and his boys Radi and Swervo went over to be of assistance.

Damn, I wonder where these bitches from, Radi asked out loud as they walked across the street.

I don’t know but they fat as shit! Swervo said, shaking his head.

They probably from over East, Radi said.

Well, we’ll know in a minute, Cho smiled.

I’m tryin’ to get the driver.

I hear that shit Swervo, Cho grinned. Swervo swore every bitch wanted him. He thought his tall, lean stature, cornrows and golds made bitches melt. Cho got a kick out of his confidence.

Man, who is these niggas? Tiff whispered to her sister as she carried a box onto the porch. Sheila cut her eye as she picked it up to carry into the house. I don’t know but the short one is sexy as shit.

He alright, but I think the fat one is kind of cute, Tiff said. You know I like big niggas! Just then Swervo, wanting to be the first one to crack at the ladies, asked, How y’all doing? Can we be of some assistance?

Sure, Tiff smiled. We could really use the help.

Well, I’m Swervo, and this is Radi and my man Cho.

Hey Swervo. I’m Tiff and this is my sister Sheila.

How you guys doing? Sheila called over her shoulder as she walked into the house.

Sup? Cho and Radi said together under their breath as they surveyed all the furniture they were about to carry. They knew it was going to take up the rest of the day.

Well, Cho told Radi, Let’s just hurry up and get this shit over with. He grabbed one side of a couch and gestured to Radi to get the other end.

I feel you. Plus once we done, we can get some crabs, Radi said.

Crabs! I would sure love some, too. How ‘bout we treat y’all since you guys were so nice to help us? Tiff said, smiling at Radi. It was something about him that just made her panties wet.

That’s cool, Swervo interjected. And I’ll get the drinks.

I don’t drink too heavy, Tiff said, but my sister does.

Do you smoke? Swervo asked.

Weed or cigarettes?

Either.

Sometimes, she added.

That’s what’s up. Then once we’re done, we going get some crabs, drinks and some smoke, Swervo said.

Cool. My cousin should be off of work by then, Tiff smiled as she winked at Swervo. I think she would like you. That fucked Swervo’s head up. He just knew he had Tiff, and this bitch straight tried to put him onto somebody else. He wanted to drop the TV right in the grass and go on about his business but he thought, Shit, the cousin might look better than her.

Cho started laughing to himself. He knew Swervo wanted Tiff; he also could tell that Tiff had her eye on Radi.

Tiff was gorgeous. She had a light brown complexion with hazel eyes. Her hair was cut short like Halle Berry’s and she had a beautiful smile accented with two golds, one on each side. She was shorter than her sister and had a bangin’ body. Everything about her was right.

After about five hours, they finally finished moving all of the furniture except for a bedroom set that Sheila explained would be delivered the next day. She was relieved that the guys had helped them and now she had the rest of the night to do whatever she wanted. Her mother had her kids, so she was good.

While Radi and Tiff went to get the crabs and Swervo ventured off to get the weed and drink, Sheila and Cho sat on the front porch. Their conversation had gotten pretty deep — from her end anyway. She told Cho her whole life story up to the present, about her first baby father who had gotten killed when her son was only three and how the twins’ father got locked up for some shit he didn’t even do while she was still pregnant with them.

He caught 20 years for some bullshit and he wasn’t even out in the street, you know, Sheila explained in a sad tone that made Cho feel sorry for her.

As she was talking, Cho was taking in everything about Sheila. He really wasn’t all that interested in being with her, but he did want to fuck. He didn’t know the bitch so he wouldn’t give her any information about himself. All he told her was that he grew up around there, and he didn’t have any kids but he did have a girlfriend.

Cho always said he had a girlfriend, but he really didn’t. Most women didn’t really care anyway, but he thought it would keep them from getting too attached. He was right about them not caring, but wrong about them catching feelings. They always did.

Once everybody came back, they all ate, drank and got high. Cho didn’t smoke weed and Sheila couldn’t because she got pissed at work.. Everybody in the house was fucked up, tripping all night and laughing at all kinds of shit.   

Tiff was all over Radi, and Swervo was on her cousin Shae, who had finally shown up. Cho was dozing on the sofa and Sheila couldn’t take her eyes off of him. She gestured to Tiff, hinting for her to get Radi to take her home.

Once she got the others to leave, she woke Cho up by rubbing her hand across his leg. She wanted him but she was too shy to come out and say it. When he woke up he realized what was going on and went straight at her. They fucked in the middle of the living room floor until the sun came up. When Cho had that drink up in him, he could fuck for hours. That’s one of the reasons women caught feelings. And that’s exactly what Sheila did.

• • // • •

Sheila heard Cho come in the house, so she threw the sheets to the side to expose her naked body. She always slept in the nude because she thought maybe Cho might come in and fuck the dog shit out of her like he used to. Sometimes he did; sometimes he didn’t.

Years had passed and he was still around. They were never a couple, just good friends. He had become very fond of her children and even when she did have a boyfriend, Cho played the role of her little brother.

Because she appreciated their relationship and the mutual agreement they had, no nigga was ever allowed in Sheila’s house unless he was with Cho. She always told the guys she dealt with that she didn’t allow no man around her children unless he planned on marrying her. That really wasn’t the truth. Cho didn’t want any niggas being nosey where he chilled. He paid the bills and helped her take care of the kids so if it wasn’t him, then couldn’t any nigga lay up in there. She respected that rule and that’s the way it was. None of the niggas she dealt with compared to Cho anyway. The way he dressed, his looks and his swagger were so much more advanced than the guys she dated — not to mention his money was much longer.

Sheila always thought one day they would be together as a couple. Then she got pregnant. She had met some nigga named T in the club one night and they hooked up. They kicked it for a couple of weeks and she thought he was the one. T had a nice car, a bangin’ crib and a few dollars. He told her everything she wanted to hear and she fell for it.

It wasn’t until a few months later that the truth came out. T was actually housesitting for his brother Bruno, who had taken his girl on a vacation around the world. His brother was the one who had that cheese and wanted to show his lady how much he loved her by taking her around the globe before he proposed. Their vacation lasted two months and he had left his brother with the crib, the car and some dough.

T started shitting on Sheila because he knew his brother was about to come home. He didn’t want her to know that he was broke, didn’t work, didn’t hustle, didn’t do anything. It had been fun while it lasted, but just as fast as he hooked up with Sheila, he cut her right back off. She couldn’t believe or in a million years understand why he started acting that way. She was hurt for a minute, but in time she got over it.

Cho paid attention to detail. It was rare for him to forget a person, place, car or event. It didn’t take long for him to realize that T was driving Bruno’s car and that they shared some facial resemblance. Bruno had West Port on lock. He and Cho didn’t know each other personally, but they knew of one another.

One morning Cho was in the breakfast spot on Edmondson Avenue. He overheard a group of girls gossiping about Bruno’s little brother being a lame ass flunky. Evidently one of them was friends with Bruno’s girlfriend and had dated T in the past. She went on to talk about Bruno’s trip and recent proposal, and how she had gotten the wrong brother. After Cho heard that conversation, he didn’t hesitate to call Sheila and put her down with the whole situation. He rode her back for falling for such a nigga and warned her about being so careless. She accepted the scolding and they laughed together while Cho reennacted the conversation between the girls in the restaurant in detail.

Little did she know at the time, but Sheila was pregnant. By the time she found out, she was too far along to get an abortion. And to make matters worse, T denied the baby and refused to see her. That crushed her spirit — bringing a fourth child into the world without a father was the last thing Sheila wanted to do. She became extremely depressed.

Cho didn’t want to be with Sheila but he didn’t like seeing her feeling like that, either. He tried to comfort her and support her through her pregnancy. He made an extra effort to take on the responsibilities that T was neglecting and her other babies’ fathers were unable to carry out. He promised Sheila that she would never have to depend on another nigga for shit as long as he was breathing. Cho saw himself stepping up as a true friend, but Sheila took it as more. She already wanted Cho. She disregarded his actual intentions to twist his actions and words into her own little façade. In her world, her children had a father and her fantasy family was complete.

• • // • •

Sheila hadn’t fucked in God knew how long and she hoped Cho would give her some sex this particular morning. Girl get your ass up and get them kids together! Its 6:40 already, Cho exclaimed as he smacked her on her butt. Damn, she looks