Infamous Part 1: An Urban Novel | Respect, Loyalty and the Streets Collide

By Michael Hendricks

Infamous must make a decision between the streets, hood love, and loyalty in this urban novel that pits history against destiny. Spoken from the voice of Michael Hendricks, a current inmate whose life was anything but rosy, but whose pen continues to write despite the cell he currently lives in. These street stories are authentic to the life he witnessed and worked in. You'll leave with a better understanding of street politics and how a shift in mindset can change the trajectory of your life, or can it?

From the author: "Thank you for purchasing this book, which pays for my commissary while I'm still locked up. When I'm released, I want this money and my books to pay for me to go legit and never return to a life of crime."

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Mar 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9781667834276

Book preview

Chapter 1

Infamous, don’t be comin’ round here with that bullshit, my homegirl Racheal tells me as soon as she see me stroll up on the block. It’s been quiet since you been gone!

I guess she thinks I am showing up to shut some shit down. The block starts where Elgin turns to Westheimer and goes straight through to the southwest. It’s so much money that muthafuckers from all hoods come to the block at different points to make money and don’t bump heads.

I ain’t on nothing lil momma, I say assuring her.

I’m just passing ‘through. You seen Pat?

Yeah, he was over on Hyde and Park a while ago. ‘That nigga know I don’t fuck ‘round back there’ I say to myself.

Say lil momma you think you can tell him to meet you at Cherry Park? I asked.

No way was I going back there.

I got you.

Bet that!"

Here I am out of the county all of 12 weeks and I’m already in the midst of some crazy shit.

Infamous! I heard my name behind me.

Damn Pat. You tryin’ to work me tonight or something? I asked, turning around seeing Pat.

He was brown skinned with an athletic build. He had on a graphic tee with heavy starched short black Nike cortex was pulled on over white ankle socks.

Naw nigga, I just got through choppin‘ it up with this chick on Fairview Pat responded. She got a homegirl! We smiled.

Pat, you know damn well a nigga can’t roam 'round there without some heat on his waist and some work in his drawers.

Nigga have I fucked you yet? He had me on that one. One thing about Pat: the nigga was paranoid as hell. So if he say it’s, cool then you can bet your bottom dollar plus some. Aiight! I said looking at the fool; the homegirl better not look like that monkey off Congo either!

You’ll still hit it nigga don’t act new!

Only if she pay! We both laughed cause that’s how we do: we toss bitches and make them pay us. Sometimes we get two chicks ready for whatever. The problem occurs when it’s two of them. Then we have to divide and conquer. Make them pay separately.

As we hit Fairview I spot this dark chocolate thick beauty she resembles a thick version of Ashley off the T.V show ‘Fresh Prince of Bel Air’. She had on tight blue jeans and a white cut off top that looked printed on. Her breasts had to be about a 34DD.

Pat! I said stopping in my tracks.

Yeah, he answers frowning at me.

"You see that fine ass black mare across the street?

Where at?

Across the street at the corner nigga! He follows my gaze and whistles.

Damn bro, we might need to call a raincheck on them other hoes if we go after that!

I don’t know what he meant by that.

Real spit, we in for a long night fucking with her. He said studying her. You think we can break her down? Infamous, I’ll say this. Even if we can’t get her to break it’ll be worth the try! Pat looked at me and smiled.

You know what you might be on to something Pat I said, looking at black beauty and loving what I see. It’s like she can sense us with our radar on her because she turns and makes eye contact.

Fuck! Decision made! As we get closer I notice this chick has a face of a model with high cheekbones and the body of a video vixen.

What’s good shorty? Can you spare a minute? I ask as I walk up on her.

Depends, she says sassily.

On what? I reply.

What your conversation’s about. If it ain’t up to standards, it’s a waste of time and that costs coins! She responds like a boss bith. I’m already diggin’ this bitch secretly.

I can dig that, I say, looking her over approvingly. I’m Infamous and this is my brother Pat, I say, introducing myself as I point out Pat.

What’s your name? I ask.

Everybody calls me Diva, she answers, giving me the once over.

What you two doing out this time of night? she asks. The hustle calls for the dollar and it can’t be made sittin’ on our ass! Pat responds for the both of us.

What’s your hustle? she asks, eager to see whether we an opportunity that interests her.

Like Malcolm X its by any means necessary. You make a call and the Get it Boys comin’, ya feel me?" I reply.

What’s your profession and occupation short? Pat cuts in. Diva looks from Pat to me as we hold contact for a minute. I’m a boss bitch that, like ya’ll, can get my paper more ways than one.

Oh okay, I see where this is goin’ I say excitedly. But then somehow, I get this feeling like I know this chick from somewhere. I never forget a face so I start pondering the connection, studying her face and body language.

I hope this conversation is headed toward a profit because I don’t know any other language, she says beating me to the punch. Oh this is gonna be fun, I think to myself. I love Diva’s feistiness.

You want a profit to be topic? I say, I got something for her. I’m a M.A.C., ya feel me? That’s a man about cashflow. You got two Boss nigga’s in your face that know the lingo. I let her know. I’m really starting to feel the vibes as I continue to speak.

That’s our talk. I add.

I’m a T.O.P.S. type nigga Pat chimes in.

That’s the original pistol starter. So let’s talk profit without loss. I like your style and I know Infamous does too." He shares, cutting his eyes at me.

We sell dope, we jack, and we slang dick. The con is on point and the hustle we have is unique. We the Jack of all trades and the masters of many. Show us some money and we gone make a way to get it. Pat added slyly on some Dolemite type mannerisms. His body language, his tone, his stance, was on some ghetto poetic shit. He was on a roll.

To show you we not slow, simple or stupid let me tell you your profession but not your occupation. Pat drills in. Your profession is as an escort to be politically correct. I take up the vibe from Pat. We got that chemistry. That’s why we’re the perfect team.

You employer is the dollar bill. Now notice we speaking on your profession and not occupation, I’ll let Pat lace you in on that one. Understand that? When we say ‘by any means’ that’s exactly what we mean. You say you the same.

Now let me cut you off for a minute, Diva cuts me off. "I see you two think you ready for a bitch like me. I don’t join teams. My team is joined. Infamous right?" She says looking at me.

My profession ain’t escort, it’s money management Diva declared.

As she kept talking, I kept studying her. This girl was familiar. I’ll tell you what, answer this for me cause this shit keep buggin’ me. What school you went to? I asked.

"Middle or High?

Both.

I went to Welch MS

I start to go back through my memory. Her face looks so familiar now.

Niesha. I question remembering.

Nigga how you know me? She frowned now, studying my eyes.

Well, Welch MS 1998 we had a class or two together, you sat in front.

I could see in her eyes that she’s remembering.

The only difference now is you filled out. Nigga I thought I knew you, her eyes light up with recognition. You sat in the back always tappin’, your fuckin pencil gettin’ on my nerves. But now that that shit is out the way, let’s talk money! Diva said, getting back to the business!

Chapter 2

After meeting Diva and explaining shit to Pat, now I get to get rid of Lil Puss’ destructive ass. I hear the shower going so I know Pat is up I look down at Lil Puss. She looks so beautiful and peaceful but as soon as she wakes up……

Lil Puss I whisper trying to wake her up gently.

Hmmm? she responds sleepily with her eyes still closed.

Wake up momma we need to talk!

I don’t know if it was the tone I used or what. But whatever it was her eyes snapped open and I see the fire burning in her eyes. Good thing I had Pat move her shit.

Talk about what? She asked, becoming fully awake. She sat up in the bed wearing only panties no bra. I hear the shower cut off Pat’s finished. Good.

About us and what we doing to each other!

What’s that supposed to mean? She asked, scowling. Lil Puss is small. She’s like a super Ghetto Jada Pinkett Smith. Her light brown eyes got a Chinese like slant. She’s small but she’s a tornado when provoked. I know shit’s coming next. I really don’t want to deal with her right now. But I need to. I’m trying to gather my emotions, choose my words carefully.

Nigga, what’s that supposed to mean?

Lil Puss you know I love you, I begin calmly. But shit ain’t right with us.

I look her in her eyes. When shit fucked up you go from me to Bo. Then you want to leave when shit don’t go your way. I just got out of jail because of some bullshit with us. She looks me in the eye.

Nigga, we gone talk this out and we gone be good! she responds. Wrong answer!

Naw Lil Puss we're done, we got to end this chapter lil momma!

Pat comes out of the bathroom and we lock eyes. He goes straight for the door. Coward!!

You got me fucked up nigga! Lil Puss yelled jumping out of the bed. Aww shit!

You ain’t goin’ nowhere. We gonna talk ‘bout this shit! I get out the bed and began putting my clothes on before she can snatch them up.

Answer this. How’d I lose my job? That was not my fault! she defends.

The fuck it wasn’t! Now I’m getting angry. I got a weed and assault charge because this bitch wanted to fight and act a donkey.

I told them you did not touch me, she defends again. I don’t matter what you told them. The shit could’ve been avoided. I’m steady taking losses fucking with you. How can a nigga make money and keep money if we losing money ‘cause a nigga getting locked up! I said; ready to be done with Lil Puss and her bullshit-ass dramatic water works.

Just then Pat walks through the door. When he nods and goes back out the door I hit her with the bomb.

I want to be with somebody else! I watch her closely while I speak.

She ‘bout her paper and she ain’t with the drama. So you can go find Bo or I can go find him for you! Finished dressing, I turn to leave.

Wham! Where the floor come from?

Oh you big dicking now? Lil Puss, standing over me talking shit.

Ain’t this a bitch. This bitch done put her hands on me again. You just gonna try to drop me like I’m a nothing ass bitch she raves.

I pick myself off the floor, my head hurting.

See that’s what makes you nothing I say angrily, rubbing my head. A nothin’ ass broke down bitch would have helped me find the fucking door!!

I walked out the door but not before I hear her scream out.

Fuck you bitch ass nigga!!

I still can see her in my mind standing there topless talking shit to a closed door cause I’m gone!

That went well! Pat joked. It would have been funny if my head wasn’t aching from where she popped a nigga. Let’s go before she realize I left her with what I met her with, I say to Pat while walking away.

Good idea! Pat says following me.

You know you bleeding like a stuck pig, bro! Pat informs me.

No shit where? I start looking down at the robin egg blue Polo shirt I had put on.

Straight head shot! Look at the shirt!

That’s impossible because she hit me in the back of my head Bitch! I cursed. This bitch done drew blood.

That she is bro. You want me to call Diva?

Naw bro. she don’t need to see a nigga like this! I shook my head.

After all the game we done spit, let that shit marinate for a few days. If we see her or run into her then we’ll go from there!

So what you wanna do? Sittin’ on our ass ain’t no option, Pat stated wisely. We goin’ to the block or are we going to the west?

"Da west been calling my name for a couple of weeks now. It’s time to put our uniforms on and go to work. We can re-up when we run into Diva cause something tells me we gone

need some bread!!"

…

What time is it? Pat asks.

10:05! I answer. It’s dark out and we been laying in wait for something to sting.

We been ducked off for 2 good minutes bro. I think we need to change spots! Pat said, anxious for some action. Give it a minute or two. It’s been too quiet, I responded, trying to calm Pat down.

Patience is a virtue, but I can understand Pat's anxiousness and impatience. Usually you could count on Woodfair to produce a good lick in no time flat. But tonight was a slow night for the hoes and the johns, and we had been hidden out for about ½ an hour. Traffic was slow tonight.

We had been sitting in the parking lot of the Villa de Cancun apartments patiently waiting for some action. The game Gods must have heard my prayer. Because just then a little black Ford Focus pulls in.

Check it out I said needlessly, It’s two heads in that ride? Looks like a female in the passenger seat! Bingo!

You know the routine; circle and get in position. I said coaching. When I see her head go down and his head go back, I’m coming full speed!

Infamous, what about the hoe? Pat asks.

What about her? You know the target is the trick! I glance at him making sure everything is still understood. Okay, Pat nods his head. Catch and finish him quick! If the hoe scream, snatch the trick out and close the door! I’m gone! like a ghost he disappears into the dark. I keep my eyes on the car. Before Pat gets to his spot the hoe head leaves sight. A few seconds later the dude head falls back. I take off like a rocket. As I reach the car Pat appears out of nowhere right next to me. I snatch the door open and Pat snatches the trick. The lanky black man comes out headfirst with his plants at his ankles. With practiced ease, Pat puts the man to sleep while I’m rifling through the man’s pockets. I hear Pat curse.

Ain’t this a bitch! Look who’s in the car? I follow Pat’s eyes and I’ll be damned.

Diva? I question frowning. I’ll be damned, just when I thought this was gonna be a boring night!

Finish yo job, we can talk later.

Diva putting Pat’s focus back on the business at hand. Pat strip him, I say, getting in position to apply pressure to the trick’s neck, because he starts to come around. Goodnight Prince charming! I say as I put him back out. After he’s stripped we throw the clothes into the car. I look and Diva’s already in the driver’s seat.

Where to? she asks, pulling out of the spot where the car was parked.

Hit the creek and make a left, I instruct. I look around and make sure no one is watching us or witnessed our caper. It’s another set of apartments that’s half empty we can go through the car in!

We find the apartments and park. We start to go through the car like we’re the law and they got hidden compartments of dope and money.

Diva you got your car out here? I ask.

It’s on Lansdale at the Premier.

We gonna take you to your car and Pat gone ride with you, I start to lay out the plan to them. "We going to Sandpiper to

Regency Square to drop this bitch off until we can get rid of it!"

I know where that is, Diva states.

Well I know the back streets so try to keep up or you’ll get lost. I’m for real! I inform her.

Bet I get there before you! She says giving me a look. Don’t lose no money lil’ momma. This my neck of the woods! I warn.

$20 bet? She asks

Don’t do it! Pat warns. He really know what he’s doing. Bet or not? She asks, determined to lose her money.

Bet! I say confidently. I give Pat a smirk.

As we get to her car, her and Pat jumps out once I park. Her car is a white Galant and looks like it can push. I’m in a Ford Focus. I watch her get into her car. Allow her to start up. And we’re off!

We make the left on Bissonnet and drive like bats out of hell. Instead of taking the turn off Braeswood, I go down Bissonnet until I pass the golf course. I make the right and I see Diva brake fast. I slow down until I see her headlights behind me. ‘This gone be the easiest $20 I’ve ever made!’ I say to myself as we come to Fondren she takes the lead and makes a left on Braeswood. But I keep straight. When I reach Willow Bend I make the left so I can come from behind the apartments. When I make the left on Sandpiper and head to the entrance I see a set of head lights coming towards me so I stop at the gate an lower my window. I hear Lil Wayne’s Hustler’s Musik banging in her trunk