Urban Mind State

By A.C. Jones

Mitchell Daniels, better known as MD, was born in Memphis, TN to his mother who came from a prestigious suburban family. MD followed in his father's 'Xavier' footsteps who was the complete opposite of his mother. Xavier, with the street moniker X, was known in Memphis as a notorious gangster, dealer, and hustler.

Despite his ri

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alvin Jones
• Release date: Aug 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9781088051214

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URBAN

MIND

STATE

A.C. JONES

URBAN MIND STATE

Copyright © 2022 by A.C. JONES

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022914441

ISBN: 979-8-9863613-9-0

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher or author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Although every precaution has been taken to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for damages that may result from the use of information contained within.

This is my first novel of hopefully many more to come. This book is dedicated to my late mother Juanita Jones and sister Angelique Jones. It is because of you I found a love for writing. You both inspired and nurtured my creativity and were always my biggest fans. I first started writing Urban Mind State when I was 18 years old, and you immediately encouraged me to follow my dream. I hate that we were never able to write our book of poetry together, but I hope this novel makes you proud of me. There are so many things I would have loved to tell you before you passed and so much more I have done, wishing I could share it all with you and trying to make you proud. I love you Nita Boo and Shorty. Rest in paradise.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1 Xavier

Chapter 2 Kendi

Chapter 3 The Product

Chapter 4 New Experiences

Chapter 5 Remember Me

Chapter 6 Who Said Blood Is Thicker

Chapter 7 Best Served Cold

Chapter 8 Best Laid Plans

Chapter 9 Choices

Chapter 10 Is It Worth It

Chapter 11 Five Years Later

Chapter 12 New Moves

Chapter 13 Love

Chapter 14 Watch Your Back

Chapter 15 What’s Next

Chapter 16 Inevitable

Chapter 17 WTF

Chapter 18 Bad Move

Chapter 19 Peaceful Torment

Chapter 20 Damn

Thanks

Introduction

A mixture of sweat, blood, and hard rain drips from his forehead down onto his opponent beneath him. Anger and desperation are exerted with each swing. His opponent’s grimace becomes fainter as each swing connects. Exhaustion is being fought off with the overwhelming feeling of finality. As a crowd surrounds them, the sound of sirens becomes louder, echoing in the night air. Years of mental torment, anguish, and eluding the discovery of his whereabouts are resting beneath his fists. Mental flashes of images from his past are plaguing his vision and impairing his judgment. I should of jet a long time ago, he tells himself. He releases himself from the bondage of vengeance and stands up to see the squad cars approaching. The flash from cell phones disturbs his gaze, bringing him back to reality. Emotionless, he looks amongst the crowd with all sense of familiarity now lost. No longer does he feel as if he is a part of this world, as he walks like a zombie toward the crowd. His appearance frightens those that look upon his scarred, bloodied face and wet, blood-stained clothing, which are barely hanging on by the threads.

History has finally caught up with him, disturbing his present with a vicious vengeance. The flashes of red and blue combined with paparazzi-like flashes have no effect on his disoriented existence, as he turns astonished to hear the gurgling sound of the bloodied, mangled, and twitching flesh blending in with the stained pavement. Before he could take a step, he is interrupted by an entourage of voices commanding him to put his hands behind his head and drop to the ground. He follows the commands while never removing his eyes from the hideous figure. As his arms are yanked behind him to his waistline, and the feel of cold steel encapsulates his wrists, he notices the paramedics rushing to his nemesis’ aide. He doesn’t have the strength to object and figures it would be best not to anyway.

After years of being careful, smart, and getting out of sight before police could arrive to connect him with any crime, he is finally caught. He knows as careful as he may have been that there is at least one crime that he can be connected to. He cringes as visions and memories invade his mind. No more running, he mumbles. Truth is, he was tired of running. He’d been running away for too long and now he feels a hint of relief. He notices the paramedics gesturing to each other as their pace slows. Its official; he is dead. Relief and panic grab his chest simultaneously. Murder, is the word that breaks his stare and brings him back to reality.

As he is escorted to the backseat of the car, he becomes aware that the officer had been talking to him. As the officer notices that he has his attention he asks again, What is your name? with an exasperated tone.

He looks at the officer, glances over to the paramedics, and then back to the officer. He decides it’s time to break the silence. My name is Mitchell Daniels.

Chapter 1

Xavier

Damn momma, you looking good! Shit, holla at ya boy.

Boy, please! she snapped with a look that said those words contained an awful stench.

Shit I’m saying though little momma, how can I get atcha? I’m trying to get witcha.

Hmph! she sounded. By acting like you have some common sense and acknowledge me as a lady. Shocked at her rejection and embarrassed in front of his homeboys and her girls, he decided he needed to switch up his approach. He thought she was fine as hell, but most of all she was a challenge; he wasn’t used to being challenged.

I apologize. I was just showing out in front of these knuckle head niggas. My name is Xavier, and they call me X. I meant no disrespect in my approach and you are right, that is no way to talk to a lady, especially one as beautiful as yourself. You deserve to be treated like a queen, and I would very much like the chance to treat you like one if you will forgive my ignorance and give me a chance to do so.

She was taken aback by his change in speech, leaving her breathless. She had mistaken him for a common ‘thug nigga’ like most of them around there. Giving him a second glance, she noticed he was different than the rest of the guys he was with. Avoiding the windows to his soul, she observed that he was tall with an athletic build, clean cut, with no curl fade or gold teeth, common in Memphis at the time. He was in Ralph Lauren from head to toe. His polo shirt was tucked into his drycleaner-pressed khaki pants with the polo boots to match. A single diamond stud graced his left ear lobe, and his gold watch and bracelet were expensive, but not too flashy.

Now that’s better. My name is Kendi, she said with a flirtatious grin. Kendi was half Native American and half Nigerian. She had long black hair that stopped at the small of her back, which brought more attention to her round, heart shaped butt. Her skin reminded you of a silky hot fudge with a glow. She had beautiful breasts that she had no shame flaunting. Standing at 5’6 with a body most would kill for, she was used to the attention, so at times her attitude would match. You would never know by the way that she carried herself that she was still a virgin, and that’s the way she wanted it. Her parents were strict in so many ways, but she always found a way to get away to strut her stuff," and she relished the attention. Still, if it wasn’t for her girl convincing her to go to the mall that day, they may have never met.

She was a senior at Germantown High School, which was in an East Memphis suburb. Xavier was a senior at Hamilton High School, which was in the hood of South Memphis. The Mall of Memphis was the ideal location for them to have laid eyes on each other. A two-story shopping mall complete with an ice-skating rink, a movie theater, and an arcade, which was considered common ground for all social groups. It had great shopping with all the stores you could think of, and plenty of restaurants to keep your belly full. It was quite the hang out for all, making it a great place for Xavier to make money and meet girls.

Well, what do you say Kendi, can I have your number?

No, she said with a slight neck roll. She knew that her parents didn’t play that boy calling the house tune and wasn’t about to try.

I tell you what, here is my beeper number. Page me if you change your mind or need someone to talk to, Xavier said confidently.

Hmph, okay. I’ll take it. You never know, I might use it. She was intrigued but wasn’t quite sure about him. He looked nice but something about him bothered her. He has a pager, dressed nice, and could talk too smooth too quickly. Still, she couldn’t subdue her attraction and interest in Xavier. She wanted to satisfy her curiosity, but first she would make him wait.

Mane, she ain’t going to call you! She just toying with ya, nigga, his brother Knot said.

Naw, naw, Knot. She took the number mane, she going to hit me, boy; just watch.

Aight nigga we’ll see, but mane fuck that bitch. Lets’ go eat mane, I’m hungrier than a mutha fucka! Knot said rubbing his stomach eagerly.

Shit, yea let’s go to Al’s Tasty Burger on McLemore. Xavier replied. I got to stop thru Black Haven first though and make a drop.

Bet that up.

********

Xavier!

Ma’am, he yelled back to his grandmother.

I need you to go to the grocery store for me so I can make supper.

Yes, ma’am.

Xavier was raised by his grandmother in the Lemoyne Owens Projects. A two-story rundown apartment complex ran by the Memphis Housing Authority taken over by drugs, gangs, and dealers. He never knew his mother, who ran off shortly after she had him. She wasn’t ready to raise a child or obey her mother’s rules, so she had to move out. After leaving, she started using drugs heavily. Her life ended abruptly when she was raped and murdered in a crack house at the young age of 18. His dad was too busy in the streets hustling to raise a kid. When Xavier was eleven, his father was murdered when he attempted to run from the police in a car chase. Xavier didn’t even cry at his funeral. There was a coldness about him, even at a young age. He figured that his father was basically dead his whole life, so why act like it was any different just because he was in a casket.

Being raised by his grandmother gave him freedoms that others didn’t have. His grandmother loved him and turned a blind eye to a lot that Xavier did. So, it wasn’t long before he became a product of his environment and caught on to the dope game. His father didn’t make things better. The few times he did come around to take him out to hang, it was in the streets. He didn’t hide anything from Xavier, which introduced him to the game. It seemed exciting. He was so intrigued that it became his secret indulgence. He paid attention to everything. He knew about weed, coke, heroin, and how to cook and bag. At the age of 10, some of the guys in the neighborhood took him under their wing, especially Big Gutta, who was from White Haven in the southwest side of Memphis, better known as Black Haven, but did his real dirt in South Memphis. He would sell a little weed in his hood but saved the hard shit for the south, where all the real fiends were centralized.

All the guys used to let Xavier make re-up runs for them, but Big Gutta showed him how to cook, cut, and sack up everything. He caught on quick, but they didn’t let him hit the streets running. They still thought he was too young to hold his own. He was determined to prove to them that he had what it took to hold his own and handle his business. On the day his dad died, he was riding with his dad when the police got behind them.

Yo listen up, Xavier, his father said in a panic, shit bout to get real. Take this nine and this duffel bag. It has cash, weed, and that white lady. When we get to the next cut, I’m going to slow down just enough for you to bail. Take this stash to the house and when I lose these mutha fuckas, I’m gonna come see you, feel me?

Xavier thought to himself. Is this nigga for real! I’m eleven and you want me to do what? asked Xavier angrily.

Stop acting like a bitch-ass little nigga! You think I ain’t seen you out there in the street, boy? You better get some act right and man up! Hurry up nigga, what you gonna do?

Xavier was astounded but looked in his dad’s eyes sternly when he said, Aight, I got you!

He did just what his dad said and jumped out the car into the alley, scraping his knees and arms instantaneously, turning red with blood. Despite the agonizing pain, he jumped up and hid in the bushes until the police rolled by. As he began to run away, he noticed his dad’s car crash. As his dad tried to jump out of the car, one of the police cars slammed into him, crushing him in between the two vehicles killing him instantly.

So much for coming to see me, Xavier said with a chuckle, staring at the mutilated body. He realized this was his chance.

Days later, after the funeral, he went home and locked himself in his room. His grandmother assumed that it was to grieve, but he didn’t want to be interrupted while he looked over his goodies and started putting his plans together. The next day, he went to see his brother Nathanial, better known as Knot. A name he earned as a toddler because the first time he tried to walk, he fell, hit his head on the coffee table, and had a knot on his forehead for a week. It started as a childhood joke and stuck. He was one of his dad’s many kids. They were the same age and Knot was the only sibling he got along with. Knot was not as smart as Xavier, but he was down for whatever, and Xavier knew that he would have his back.

Yo Xavier, sup mane? said Knot.

Sup, kinfolk! Xavier said returning the greeting, grabbing Knot’s hand and bringing him in for a quick shake, which he ended with a snap off his fingers.

What you got in the bag mane? Knot asked.

Aye yo lets go in your room right quick, Xavier stated nodding towards Knot’s room.

Aight, let’s go. Knot said anxiously. They went back to Knot’s room, as Xavier looked over his shoulder in a very paranoid and anxious way.

So, sup kinfolk? What you got in the bag mane, what’s good? exclaimed Knot.

Check it out, you know I was riding with pops the day he died right?

Damn for real mane, but… Knot said wide-eyed with an oh shit look on his face but was cut off by Xavier.

I know, I know. He made me jump out of the car and off in the cut. I saw the whole thing.

That’s fucked up mane. I can’t believe that nigga gone mane. Good thing you got out though, but what he make you bail for?

"That brings us to