From the Gutter to the Green

By Shaquana Gaskins

The drug game is a serious battle field many consequences. The streets can either make you or break you. Surely enough one woman tests how far she can go to proclaim her dominance as HBIC of the streets, but at what cost?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781669837244

Shaquana Gaskins

A Baltimore city based author , who believes that imagination and creating a good story line are some of the key points in creating a good book. Writing to entertain and relate to some of life’s everyday realities is my way of connecting to an ever growing and evolving audience.

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From the Gutter

to The Green

Shaquana Gaskins

Copyright © 2022 by Shaquana Gaskins.

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.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 07/11/2022

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

844744

CONTENTS

A Dollar A Dozen

Sweet Taste Of Revenge

Roses Aren’t Forever

The Birth Of A Legacy

A Monster In These Streets

Deep In The Trenches

When Secrets Are Revealed

A DOLLAR A DOZEN

"They say the world is built on money and power. Well I can agree. It’s not just all money and power though. It’s different levels to this shit. I know better......lol well I’ve learned better. This world is built on supply, demand and most of all greed. All of these things will have you in trouble but that last one greed. Man, that can follow you and ruin your entire life. It’s not always what you know, it’s who you know. The more people you know, the bigger the come up. It all started when I was just a young girl. I grew up in the west side projects, which wasn’t the best. Needless to say, I grew up with close to nothing. I would never complain because I knew somewhere out their better things were waiting.

"I was no bigger than a training wheel bike. A light skin, skinny girl, with beautiful long pigtails to match. Like I had mentioned in the beginning, I grew up in the west end. Yes, I’m a project baby, born to a single parent with no siblings. My mama was a waitress at a nearby café. Despite the lousy tips she bought home, my mama loved her customers and they loved her. I spent most of my summer days on the stoop with my brodies. I’ve never been outside the city but would love to travel one day. That was rare in my city. I would sit for hours dreaming about what it would be like to leave the hood one day. But I knew that’s all it was. Just a simple dream. A black caddy pulls up across the street.

I have never seen a car so clean. A man well known in the hood as Rick, stepped out. I was always amazed at his jewelry and clothes. Now I’m not the sharpest tool in the box but I know no job equals no money. Rick didn’t work, yet he stayed with wads of cash and expensive cars. Anyway, kids are taught to mind their business about grownup stuff but I couldn’t help it. I was a nosy little girl. I wasn’t allowed across the street. Mama said, "It was too many niggas over there and I was a child who needed to be around children. That was her response to everything.

Hey baby, is your mama home? A voice asked. As I stopped daydreaming, I was blinded by the ugliness of one of my fake uncles. My face turned up as if I was eating a sour lemon and smelling funky fish at the same time. Yes, she’s in their cooking. Silk said unwelcoming. As he brushed pass me, his cologne disturbed my spirit with hate. I’ve never felt such a burning sensation in my nose and throat. My friends who were sitting on the stoop laughed and pointed at me. Silk got a new stepdaddy! Silk gets angry and shouts out, Shut up he isn’t my dad. Akeem laughs jokingly. You know that’s your mama new boo. That don’t make him my daddy. She shouted at him.

"I’ve had a lot of fake uncles. I knew better though. My uncle Sam was locked up for fifth teen years without the possibility of parole. My fake uncles were nice but ugly to say the least. Half the time I don’t know what my mama was thinking. Thank god I had a handsome father.

The night fell on the city with cool air and a touch of gloominess. The next day, the sun surprised Silk with a warm touch of light on her cheek. She scrunches her face confused as she hears the distant yelling and screaming. She gets up and makes her way down the stairs.

She notices her mother frustrated and yelling at someone on the phone. I can’t believe I’m being let go! Eight years...eight long fucked up years I spent bending over backwards for this company and this is what I get! Silk moves towards the kitchen entrance. ‘Mama are you ok? Silk’s mother sits down and lights a cigarette as one tear rolls down her face. She turns to silk. Sit down baby let me talk to you." Now things are already bad around here but it’s about to get worst. I’ve always been honest with you and as you have just found out, I’ve lost my job. I can’t get a lot of your wants, but your needs will be met. Her mother gets from the table.

"My mama was right. She was always told me the truth and I knew things would be bad. I just didn’t realize on how bad they could get. What I didn’t know is that I would find out sooner, rather than later. The struggle started off slowly. We never had two items that match or even a complete meal. The days began to turn into weeks and the weeks into months. Soon it was years that had passed now and the times became so hard. Sometimes I thought about hitting the pole, lowkey and lying about where the money was coming from. It was just thoughts. I was too young anyway. If you pinch at a knot of money, its unnoticeable.

We stayed afloat though. The many men who entered and exited our lives made that possible. Mama looked for work every day. I give credit where its do but with little to no work experience and limited education, it seemed impossible. I was now a sixteen-year-old teenager, who discovered so much about myself as well as my body. I loved rough necks and was no longer a stranger to sex. No one ever knew though. I don’t discuss things like that; besides I have to save face. I was just a girl to the streets, who never left the stoop...so they thought.

The one thing I discovered the most about myself, would be the one thing that would define me. I had a desire and love for money like no other. It was weird for a young girl who grew up without it. I loved the way you could buy what you wanted and the way it felt in my hand. Not having any took a toll on my mamma. She became a heavy drinker which caused a lot of her male friends to disappear. Eventually, there was no one. She spent most of her days on the couch. Silk walks pass her mother, as she lye in her drunk and slumber. She makes her way to the kitchen. Always empty. She said sadly. Mama...Mama! She screams but her mother doesn’t respond.

She slams the fridge shut and heads to the stoop. Hey silky! Freddy yells as he walks up and sits next to her. Hey Freddy. She replies. Freddy was my friend and had biggest crush on me. He was cool but I don’t do geeks. I have a vivid image of the men I deal with and Freddy was the complete opposite. Look at those good for nothings across the street. Freddy says in disgust. Why do you hate on them so much? They are out here getting that money. Freddy rolls his eyes. ‘Yeah getting locked up for it too. He says sarcastically. Silk flops her arms across her legs. "Well they have that money. Can you say the same?

Freddy stood up and wipes off his pants. Come on let’s walk to the store. Hey Mr. Robinson. Freddy says as he walks into the store. Silk walks through the isles carefully picking her snacks with limited amount of money. She slaps her money on the counter. Mr. Robinson looks at her. I’m sorry sweetie but you don’t have enough. Your two dollars short. I’ve got it. A voice says from behind her. Silk is amazed by this tall, handsome gentleman. His expensive clothes and wad of cash had her intrigued. Thank you, sir. She smiled. He took This as a welcoming invite." Hi, I’m Vett. He responds. No thank you needed.

He takes out his phone and unlocks the screen. I’m going to do you a favor and give you my number. he says. Use it but not today. I’m a busy man. He exits the store leaving silk with a look of stupidity. ‘Whoa. says Freddy. Do you know who that was? He is bad news. Silk its best that you stay away from him. He is bad news. Oh, stop Freddy he’s not that bad. she said. I think I have me a winner. Silk goes home and lays patiently across her bed. Her mind plays Marco polo as she wonders whether to call or not. After a long debate, she decides to make the call.

Vett picks up, showing off his sexy deep voice. Silk breathes heavily. Hi, I know you have said not to call so early but I just couldn’t wait. Lol, its ok boo, I see you’re a little dare devil. I like that. Silk flares her nose. "Well I’m not a same thing everyday type of female. He chuckles as their conversation took off into the night. It never dawned on her how deep and how quickly she would fall for him. She began to grow closer to him as the limitless days presented themselves. He wasn’t foreign to showering her with gifts and trips, she had once used to dream of. She becomes so consumed with him, that Freddy and the life she once had become a distant memory.

A year later, she gets great news to hear that her mom was clear of her alcohol faze and found a man she soon would marry. Life was even better now. So good she made the big decision to move in with Vett. She had everything she ever wanted. A man who loved her, a huge house and most of all financial stability. As long as the money came n and bills were paid, she never once questioned him about his line of work. The door slams shut as she is cooking in the kitchen. ‘What’s wrong baby? She asked. Vett ignores her pacing back and forth. "Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! He accuses himself of.

Silk becomes even more concerned. What’s wrong? She demanded. Vett sits on the couch and looks at her. Sales are down and money is low. I had a major setback which is costing me a great deal of money. One of my main girls overdosed last week and I’m just finding out today. Silk looked confused. Main girls? Overdosed? Vett what are you talking about? Vett rubbed her shoulders in comfort. Silk you know I love you right? And you know I’d give you the world, right? Yeah. She says curiously. I think it’s about time you start earning your way around here. She scoots back away from him. What do you mean work? Vetts face changed." I mean its time you put in some work.

Silk is appalled by his words. Vett stands up with one eyebrow raised. I need you to take care of a couple of clients. She stands up in front of him with her arms folded. No! You are crazy. I’m not giving myself to some dirty old man turning tricks.