It Ain't over First Round: Another Philly Joint

By BJ

It Aint Over First Round

This hood-licious story and characters are used as metaphors to show how God fulfills his will and promises through people. The cries of the Ghetto have been heard however God reigns on the just as well as the unjust. But his message of love is that he will turn your darkest hour into sunshine when you believe and depend on him. The time period is set in the late 80s early 90s when crack reached its true peek and our souls had been lost to material gain. These friends will give you the Ghetto tour guide that proves the Holy Scripture We dont fight against flesh and blood but principalities and spirits I high places.

Let me hear your war cry people because Dream sets it off. Little children afraid of the dark and sick and tired of the Boogie Man stealing their innocence and dreams will gain hope from Dreams story and learn that god has already conquered every boogieman in your life no matter how big or how small.

Lil Zap, Bliz, Rome, Reif and Bookill grow up believing that life is what you make it but later learn that the symphony of storms encountered have been orchestrated and conducted by Gods hand before the foundations of this world. It Aint over First Round is filled with excitement, laughter, love, murder, betrayal and mayhem all the things that make a riveting debut novel. Endurance is the test and faith is the promise of light.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 15, 2013
• ISBN: 9781479773978

Book preview

It Ain’t Over

First Round

Another Philly Joint

BJ

Copyright © 2013 by BJ.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2013900244

ISBN:         Hardcover                               978-1-4797-7396-1

                   Softcover                                 978-1-4797-7395-4

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4797-7397-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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Contents

Murder in the First Degree

It Ain’t Over First Round!

My Team

Philly Home Sweet Home

Graduation Day

First Round

Bliz

Action News Live From Collin’s Avenue

Drama on the Block

Back On the North Side

Operation Shut Down

Dream and Angel

Just put it in the bag

The Weeks End

Full Throttle No Turning Back

Fatima’s Beauty Salon

Lil’ Zap’s Hood Drama

The After-Math

Things Are Never as They Appear to Be

News Flash

Sunshine and Rain

Virginia Bound

Virginia is For Lover’s

On the River’s Bend

On the Other Side of Town

What Da’ Business Gone Be

Deception

Deception Doubled Over

Dream and Angel

It’s Getting Hot in Here

It Ain’t Over

Keep it Moving

No Time to Waste

The Boogie Man Is Dead

What’s Really Good in the Hood

Down at the Dock

Pooky and Mike—Mike/ Wrong Turn

About his Business

The Rain Must Come To Bring About Brighter Days

VA Ain’t Never Been Hotter

News Break

It’s Show Time

Love Conquers All

A New Morning

After the Smoke the house of Holy hell came Tumbling Down

Murder in the First Degree

Brown you dragging too far behind and it’s freezing out here, I told you to stop eating all them damn pork chops and grits. Lil Ray I’m hungry and cold it seems like we been walking forever. Didn’t your momma say don’t come home without no money, stop whining you walking too slow come on! Philadelphia was known for its cold merciless winters; me and Brown trudged through the cold as best we could with our hand me down tattered coats, hats and gloves. I wasn’t one to complain on a regular basis but it was 32 degrees outside with a wind chill factor of 14 degree’s below zero. I was trying to get Brown’s ass to school and I desperately needed to make some money. To go home without money, food or some type of come up was not an option. Yeah, Brown’s Mom Ms. Fanny was always yelling and screaming about bringing home some damn money but she was really only directing that noise to me. Brown and I were raised under the same roof but we were cut from a different cloth and the same life rules didn’t apply to Brown as they did me. Life dictated no choices for me I was a man child in training. Brown on the other hand just didn’t have that hustle in him but I wasn’t mad at him he just always saw life with possibilities I didn’t. The crime rate was high in the mid 40’s amongst the black communities and living was hard for black folk around the world. We were still viewed as less than second class citizens and had rights to nothing. Every day was a hustle for me and this day was no different. Brown and I would leave out for school every day but I would never actually make it inside the actual school house building most times. Brown was very much so different than me he loved school and books and always had dreams and aspirations of changing the world for the better. I respected that so I made sure he went to school every day while I scoured the streets for a pay day or some type of come up. School wasn’t gitten dem bills paid or putting food on the table. I never discouraged Brown from wanting to make changes or feeling like he could actually do something good and positive. I just never bought into the idea that one day we would all be free walk hand in hand or having a cracker as my neighbor and we share barbeque. Nope, no way not gone happen I wasn’t trustin no cracker’s to give me or aid me in nothin. The world and the people in it were just too cold and heartless but I would never discourage Brown with my negativity. Brown’s people were poor just like everybody else but my Pops taught me to always pay my own way. No matter how good people are to you; never give them the opportunity to say they did anything for you cause you best believe they gone throw whatever it is no matter how small right back up the minute they in need of something that they want from you. I hear his voice every time I don’t feel like getting out of bed, Boy get your ass up it’s always work to do and money to be made. I miss him so much. Every morning as Brown and I are leaving the house Brown’s mother would yell out Hewitt, you and Little Ray better not bring yall raggedy ass’s home wit out no damn money. Brown’s family had taken me in after my mom passed away from a heroin over dose. My question to her was Where the hell were two kids suppose to get money from and we at school; well at least Brown was at school anyway? The Brown’s were basically good people and had been close to my father before his tragedy. Mrs. Brown was a piece of work though. I almost want to blame her for my beginning as far as robbing and stealing. She knew damn well that’s the only way we was gone get some money; oh my bad, how I was gone get some money cause Brown wasn’t built for them cold Philly Streets and his momma knew that. My father and Brown’s father had come north after leaving the small town of Apalachicola, Florida right off the Gulf Coast of Mexico in hopes of a better life away from the severe racism and lack of better paying employment for blacks within the south. The sad part about my parent’s and many other blacks migrating north during that era is that they didn’t realize that racism is all around us not isolated to one group, culture or section of the globe and when your salary is controlled by someone else it ain’t never gone be enough. My father, Big Ray was what you call a porter on the railroads; he carried bags, ushered and helped people to their seats. My pops had gone from building railroads to actually riding the trains and getting paid for it. My pops was a proud man. He would tell me daily, ‘Lil Ray the system ain’t set up for you to win that’s why you got to work the system and not let it work you." One day Big Ray held a conversation too long or maybe tipped his hat the wrong way to a white woman boarding the train and was found a week later by me hanging from a tree. I had to cut my father down from that tree and become a man far earlier than a child should ever have to. I was eleven years old. Once my daddy died it was like my mother’s heart broke and she began to medicate the pain with drugs as many people do. Her drug of choice was the bitter sweet candy they called heroin. In the end it wasn’t so sweet as it was bitter. I can still feel her taking her last breath in my arms.

As we walked and I hurried Brown along to get to school we stumbled across two of the prettiest white girls you could imagine. I was 17 years old at the time soon approaching my18th birthday. I felt myself to be quite the ladies man, I was tall and lean with a mocha chocolate complexion and full kissable lips. I had an athletic build standing at 6ft and 4 inches tall with natural deep waved hair. Not to toot my own horn but my smile was incredible, or so I’ve been told. You would have thought they had invented crest white strips at the time because my teeth were perfectly straight and white. Brown, look at them white girls calling us over to their car, I pointed. Lil’ Ray, I ain’t trying to mess with them broads they look like trouble plus I got to get to school was Brown’s response. Brown always thought about doing the right thing first, you have to love him. The white girls came on very strong and were extremely flirtatious. They asked if we wanted to come home with them. Brown was against the idea from the start but as always I had other plans. Brown look, this is the break we been looking for. As soon as we get to the crib we gone tie them chicks up and take everything that’s worth taking. Lil Ray I got to get to school and them white folks gone give you life for messing with them white girls. Didn’t your momma say don’t come home without no damn money? Come on Brown I’m gone need you for this one just to watch my back you ain’t got to do nothing else and I promise I ain’t gone hurt nobody I’m just gone rob them real quick and you can just go to school a little late. Plus them white girls ain’t bringing no black faces around knowing somebody gone come home or be around to see us. Just trust me Brown, I got you. Brown hesitated but went along anyway. He knew we needed to make some money because I always pulled the weight. He would be in school and his momma was serious about us coming home without no money. I usually didn’t involve Brown in criminal activity because I always felt like his life was worth something more and destined to do great things. Not to say that my life wasn’t worth anything I just didn’t want to tarnish or taint Brown in anyway because his heart was genuinely good, he wasn’t built for crime or the repercussions’ that come with the life style. However, on this particular day I went against our normal routine and had Brown accompany me. As much as he was against it he knew that if I asked him to come I really needed him.

Hey boys, I bet you never rode inside a red convertible before, said white girl #1 with straight blonde hair and green eyes. Brown didn’t respond of course but I walked straight up to the car and said Pretty lady this gone blow your mind. Not only have I taken a ride in this pretty car but I been driven cars like this since I was thirteen. I had always been a smooth, fast talker and always presented myself as older than I actually was so this scene was playing out just the way I wanted it to. We jumped in the car and rode out to a place called North Hills, a suburb right outside of Philly.

As we reached the destination I noticed the houses were not attached, the grass was perfectly green, manicured and the hilly ground separated houses for a good 3 to 4 block radius. The tree’s that lined this block were different from any I had seen. They hung low and were not barren regardless of the frigid temperatures. I asked the question to no one in particular What type of trees are they? White girl #1 turned to look at me and said, You’ve never seen or heard of a weeping willow? She laughed. I’m afraid not pretty lady but they are beautiful, thank you for informing me. As we walked further along I noticed there were 4 cars parked by what was considered a garage. The walk way was long and winding. Brown was a little out of breath by the time we reached the door way, I told him about all that damn eating and snacking. Brown loved all food but he was especially fond of pork chops smothered in gravy. Brown wasn’t what you would call fat but he wasn’t in shape either. Brown’s features put you in the mind of a young Theo Huxtable from the Cosby show. He wasn’t good looking enough to make you take notice but there was a lot of potential for when he got older and showed signs of prosperity, at least that’s what the ladies at Brown’s momma’s church used to say. If I had to describe myself I would lean more towards Morris Chestnut, coco brown smooth and maybe a little taller.

We approached the door so I gave Brown the look that it was time to make our move as soon as we entered the house. I wasn’t into prolonging the inevitable. Ladies, Ladies the ride was nice but I’m sorry we can’t party with yall. I only came along to take whatever’s here that’s worth taking and I’m sorry to say white girls just ain’t me and my FAM’s favorite flavor. Now this will go a lot easier if you let me and my family here know exactly where the doe is so we can be on our way and you can possibly live to see another day. Now how does that sound to you two pretty ladies? I pulled out my gun to show that I was serious; yeah I was handling even back then. White girl # 2 with brunette hair and brown eyes didn’t hesitate. She walked straight to the picture on the wall and unlocked the safe. I thought the behavior was odd to not even try to scheme or stall for time but I allowed the fleeting thought to pass; I was like What the hell it only made my job easier. Brown’s eyes got big as saucers upon looking at the contents within the safe. The safe held 5 solid gold bars with the estimated worth of 5 million dollars I later found out along with 100,000.00 in cash and 5 bricks of pure white. Brown was frozen behind what he saw but I was sure that I heard the faint but clear sound of sirens upon the lock of the safe clicking open. As the sound became clearer Brown looked to me and said, Whoa, what’s going on you hear that, Lil’ Ray? I blocked out the sound and continued to empty the contents of the safe in a golf bag that was near. White girl #1 began to speak, I’m sorry but we have a little surprise of our own boys. This isn’t exactly our house. We planned this heist for a very long time so don’t get cute and mess this up for us. We knew you would try something like this because all black people steal; ain’t that right handsome or should I say Lil’ Ray. I looked at Brown like I can’t believe you said my name but I couldn’t get mad because like I said Brown wasn’t cut out for crime. White girl #1 began to speak again. Boys don’t get so flustered or upset we used you because we needed someone to take the fall for us for robbing my father; so you can just put your little gun away because those sirens you here are real. Brown began to panic, Lil Ray lets bounce I ain’t trying to get in no trouble. I knew Brown was scared because he began to tremble as he spoke. I ain’t leaving until we clear this crib out Brown. You my brother and all Lil Ray, but dem sirens is gitten mighty close. My momma gone kill me Lil Ray for what we up here doin. Brown was always my voice of reason but I wasn’t going no where until I cleaned them white folks out. As I turned again towards the golf bag the door flung open and in came a white male, age approximately 18 with a gun in hand to shoot the first black target his eyes laid upon. It seemed like all I could do was blink my eyes to see him pull the trigger. As I ducked for cover Brown broke out of his fear and jumped in front of the bullet to save me. I heard him scream, Lil Raaaaaaay!!!!!!!!!!!! Brown was supposed to duck not try and stop a bullet. The bullet pierced Brown’s left side causing him to pass out and loose consciousness as well as a lot of blood. The sight of Brown’s eyes closing made me lose it and go into a fit of rage. Damn Brown, what the hell is wrong with you? The room almost became still. It was like the white boy was shocked that the gun actually went off. I jumped from where I was positioned and rushed the white boy with a vengeance! I just couldn’t lose another loved one. Brown was so innocent he wouldn’t hurt a fly. It was as if the scripture that my father would constantly repeat to me flew off the page and became real. "Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends" john 15:1 3 "I screamed full of hurt and dismay. I held brown in my arms and cradled him as I did my mother. I felt a pulse Brown was still with me. I then cautiously lay Brown’s head on the carpet and came up shooting with a rage and fury that could not be contained. You cracker ass white devils tried to take my brother he is all I have left in this world. I screamed! Seeing Brown close his eyes caused me to completely lose it. I left a bloody massacre in North Hills that would go on to be talked about for years to come. That white boy’s face was beyond unrecognizable after I beat him to death with his own gun.

I had seen death too many times before in my young tender years. I cradled my first love, my mother in my young arms before she breathed her last breath. All behind the poisons that the white pusher man with crystal clear blue eyes like a Caribbean ocean came through selling as if it were candy. I cut my daddy down from a tree because he may have glanced at a white woman a little bit too long. But this was my first kill. I didn’t even take the time to feel. I had to get myself and Brown out of that house in North Hills but not without the big take. Too much blood had been shed for me to leave anything of value behind.

The news report headlined papers for weeks on end about the two white defenseless females and white male murdered in a house owned by a United States Governor. After much research it was found that the two white females and white male were actually illegitimate children of a high profiled Governor. The kids wanted some form of pay back for the Governor not acknowledging them as his own flesh and blood. The kids passed for white so they grew up as white children in an orphanage who took in white only children who seemingly just needed a little love, shelter and food. Once the smoke cleared it was found out that the three found dead in North Hills had been born to a black woman named Carrie Lee. Carrie Lee knew the struggles and pain the children would endure if their black heritage was ever found out, for she grew up as a mulatto child herself during an era where the smallest ounce of black if found out for passing as white would get you killed. So Carrie Lee did as any loving mother would do; she gave them away to a loving white only orphanage believing their lives would be better off never knowing the taints of her blood. The features of the three did not show any signs of black heritage but once the records were found of their original births their grand-mother was proven to be a former slave that was brought north by her slave owner and lover. The story of the murders in North hills was killed immediately and they no longer sought to find the murderer of the North Hills Massacre because the casualties were black. Blacks killing blacks was not a crime during those times it was actually applauded and encouraged by the powers that be very much like the world we live in today. Funny, if it was known that they were black from the beginning their family tree would have never been dug up. And how ironic was it that the white girl taunted me and said All blacks steal. Ain’t that about a bitch, damn, I wonder if they knew they was black too.

I escaped in the same red convertible that the girls said I had never driven along with the golf bag filled with cash, 5 gold bars and 5 pure cocaine bricks. Brown and I hit pay-dirt on our first take together. Because it was so cold on that day Brown and I never took off our gloves. Brown did make one fatal slip not realizing the potential danger and that was taking his old tattered jacket off to replace it with a navy blue hounds tooth toggle coat hanging on a coat rack near a side window in the house. I thought nothing of it at the time. I knew Brown hated the hand me downs that we were