Rise Above Hate: May God Save the King

By Khalid M. Ali

Khalid M. Ali wrote the testament based on experiences spanning from 2001 to 2008. During that period, he never anticipated that a novel would be derived from his memories. As time swiftly moved forward, he witnessed himself and his experiences fading away due to an act of desperatio

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliant Books Literary
• Release date: Sep 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798889453598

Khalid M. Ali

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1980 Mr. Ali was a premature baby at 2 lbs. 8 ounces. Graduated from High school in 1998, and Delaware State University in 2004. Mr. Ali acquired a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications and minored in Political Science.

Book preview

ebk_cover.jpg

Rise Above Hate:

May God Save the King

Copyright © 2023 by Khalid M. Ali. 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 author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Genre:

Religion Spirituality and New Age

ISBN 979-8-88945-359-8 (e)

2023.09.06

Brilliant Books Literary

137 Forest Park Ln,

Thomasville, NC 27360,

United States

Prelude

S

o I haven’t left

the country since the spring of nineteen ninety- eight. Visited Spain with a few friends from work, it was the greatest trip ever. But one gloomy thing did happen the Chairman of the Board passed away. I’m busy globetrotting outside of North America and we lost another hero. Fast forward to two thousand twenty-two since that bad omen still ain’t left the country. I’m punching a clock @ the historic Fontainebleau, Miami Beach Florida back residents side. I’m working K solo out there all alone every time I think I gotta breather the phone rings or multiple families show up to window requesting their vehicle.

I’m flying Zoom Zoom, beep beep, Arriba Arriba, andale, andale, all over the place in total control of the operation. Past high noon closing in on one p.m. and residents who left in the morning are starting to come back home. Papi Chulo & Maria pull up in the Porsche truck cool as the other side of the pillow. Outta respect I don’t even look at or flirt with his girl. On this day they park close to the edge too far left and forward almost blocking garage door. (I grab the keys) Right behind them residents guests pulls up in a silver Chevy equinox parking the same way too far to the left and directly behind the Porsche bumper to bumper. (I grab the keys)

Next up is the man himself not saying any names. It’s a Rolls Royce big boy but he parks it so that nothing can touch it. In his gravelly voice he lets me know the keys are in the car and disappears inside. This is all happening so fast I don’t have time to put any keys in the office plus cars are behind the Rolls and a traffic jam is starting to form. That simply cannot happen I jump into the Porsche and move it forward and to the right. Hop out in a split second climb into the Equinox and do the same now traffic’s flowing as the car passes I turn to my left and in the passenger side beyond the window one inch away from the suit jacket is a white dress shirt. I look up better yet pan backwards and I see him laughing, clapping right at his neck hysterically like he’s at the funniest comedy show ever. Automatically I smile big big smile teeth showing and chuckle . . . SINATRA!!! As the car a Chrysler Pacifica North Carolina blue paint, mirror tint old body style passes by.

Check the camera’s February 22nd, 2022.

Khalid H. Ali

Welcome Back

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects always trusts, always hopes, always preserves.

—1 Corinthians 13:4-7

A

toothache can be one

of the most painful experiences you ever have to face as the nerves inside your mouth riddle from your gums to your brain and the pulsing ache quakes away at your jaws and the only thing that can save you is a trip to the dentist, the tooth doctor and as patients sit with mouths wide open the last thing they want is an interruption in the operation but that is exactly what is going on as the door gently cracks open and two heads go poking through to peek inside. I have to find my mom so I can get the keys to the car. And like children they search room to room through the dentist office. I can’t believe we are checking every room this is crazy, just call her on her cell phone. She turns around and face to face at Lid and says I tried to call her it’s off, don’t you think I already thought about that? He air whispers to her gimmie a kiss and grasp forward to kiss the best ever but she quickly turns back around and continues to search from room to room. Fed up with the games he takes his right hand and smacks her on her backside as hard as he can and all you hear is smack echo throughout the quiet dentist office, she turns around with her full blushing caramel cheeks smiling away and says I’m going to get you surprised of her reaction since they’ve never been this playful with each other he pushes the envelope even farther and ask Can I please have a kiss? This time she turns around and just stops and looking right into each others eyes the window to their souls lock and they finally kiss. Lid wraps his hands around the bottom he just smacked and she wraps her arms around his cut and toned body courtesy of working out all summer and they kiss, when finally they come up for air still interlocked in eye contact he goes back for seconds when Sister Kareema finds them. What are you two doing back here? He bust out in a smile and she turns to her mother and says Mom I’m looking for you to get the keys for the car. Here she hands Jasmine the keys and Lid comes over to give her a hung I’m leaving in a few hours to go back home, Mrs. Kareema so thank for everything and it was nice spending the summer down here with you. The always pleasant Mrs. Kareema smiles and says It was nice to have met you Lid; it was no problem you just stay out of trouble up in Philly and finish school o.k. I will They hug Lid and Jasmine walk out the dentist office hand in hand whispering to each other You better call me as soon as you get home I will they walk outside and stand in front of Mrs. Kareem’s white Jaguar, when Lid’s phone rings, he answers and say Yo I’m at the dentist office on Carrolton in front of a white Jaguar, gotta go and quickly hangs up. That was T Money? Yeah he on his way I don’t wanna leave babe and like that Jasmine goes from glamorous girlfriend to your best friend and she smiles with full cheeks blushing away and says You better go silly I’ll be home next week and you better get your butt to New York every weekend. I will can I have another kiss? Jasmine says nothing but her brown eyes tell it all as they flare up and she leans up to kiss Lid. Lost Lid doesn’t even answer his phone as T Money is calling him and the sound of the hot boys blaring from T Money’s ride doesn’t distract them as they kiss. Finally coming for air Lidkisses Jasmine on her hand and steals one more quick kiss from her. You have to go silly, I love you. I love you to and Lid hops in the passenger side of T Money’s ride when he remembers Oh shit my luggage! Jasmine! I gotta get my luggage out ya mom’s car. She smiles and puts her fingers to her forehead and using the keys pops the trunk of the car, Lid grabs his luggage and puts it into T Money’s trunk, and Lid gets back into the passenger side, Jasmine still standing in front of the dentist office says Call me as soon as you get home babe. I will she blows him a kiss as they pull off. Dog I don’t know what you did that but last semester you two where ready to kill each other and now y’all hugged up like Adam and Eve, what happened? I don’t know essence fest T Money, Teena Marie I don’t know but since she been down here this summer we been inseparable. But y’all was trying to kill each other last semester? I got her number from her girl friend Portia and called her during the spring time we started talking all summer I’m buying phone cards apologizing about everything that happened, it was crazy. But we used to talk every night when the phone got turned off I was calling on phone cards at the Piggly Wiggly till my cell phone was back on. Since she been down here it’s been like a dream. When she goin back to NY? Next week You goin right up to see her? You better believe it I need her yo, you know how many years that kiss was in the making. Like two years man I can’t wait to get back home and be like two hours away. Can’t believe you leaving man? I gotta go tuition too high, plus I gotta see if I can save my house in Philly man. Man that house is gone, I know why you leaving. Yeah me too, this shit better work out or I’m going to loose it up north. T Money turns up the music and when they get to the airport the two old friends shake hands and hug Thanks for being there T Money, first week of school we was in the same group forty niners fans yo, that’s crazy, I’ll be back. Nigga I’m gonna never see you again! Lid smiles never say never, and walks into the airport carrying his two bags of luggage disappearing into the crowd. The last time he was in Philly was the previous year the summer of 2000 and before he left he asked his moms not to sell the house. She assured him that she was not selling the home she kept her promise and two months later she did not sell the home she just abandoned it. Eighty thousand dollars down the drain, but that’s what happens when you lack true male leadership from a husband, and you’re not financially savvy. Lid now regrets leaving Philly for New Orleans but back in ninety eight he had to get away from Philly his plans to marry his childhood sweetheart foiled as she found another husband, Lid just wanted to get away and New Orleans seemed the most remote and far out place. New Orleans was fun but he lost his religion falling into drug, and alcohol abuse, Muslims don’t smoke weed, or drink but being away from his family and Philly Lid forgot about God and forgot about his contract with God. Prayer five times a day, forbid what is wrong and stand up for what’s right, give charity, and being humble. The changing political climate also intrigued him and getting out of the south seemed like the smart thing to do, everyone knows that the Presidential election were stolen, driven by his ambition to please his father the forty first President of the United States , forty one his son forty three made a deal with darker figures to win the White House. No one took to the streets, Americans did not stand up against clear election fraud, and everything was put to rest when the United States Supreme Court ended the recount. What kind of future did America have in front of her? We all just kept going with our lives, going to work, paying bills, watching television, on our own pursuit of happiness when the republic that we should hold dear fell into the hands of the neo republican party. What made us all continue our normal routine and not take to the streets as a whole did we stop caring about our country and started caring more about money? Coming back home to Philly were everything started for Lid and the city where it all started for America in 1776 the declaration of independence marked the birth of a new nation. He thinks about his family, his half brother Sharif’s finally home after spending the past ten years behind bars in up state Pennsylvania. Life’s always been tougher on Sharif they share the same father but different mothers which made a big difference in their upbringings Sharif’s mother was slipped a date rape drug in a bar of North Philly when he was just a toddler. The experience alone of being rapped had devastating effects on Mrs. Jackie, but the date rape drug had lasting effects on her brain and she took her pain out on her new born baby, her son Sharif. When the authorities finally took him away from her, in public she was beating him up punching him in the face closed fisted mercilessly while the three year old was being choked to death with a leather belt. How could you value human life after a gang of brothers decided to rape you? The state took Sharif away and the streets have raised him every since. Lid looked forward to finally spending some time with Sharif running the streets of Philly with his notorious older brother. Word has it that he is that Sharif is a knock out street fighter, a man of honor and respect and would fight you three times in one day to get his point across, but all the memories Lid has are just pure legend since they’ve spent more time seeing each other in a visiting room as apposed to out in the free world. One day while his baby sister Adesha was playing with the kids in the neighborhood one of the knuckle head boys had pushed her onto the ground busting her pretty face up on the concrete. He’s always had a very strict rule about the girls not playing with the boys and this was exactly why. From the back porch of another neighbors house Lid jumps down and smashes the kid for pushing Adesha on the ground. Then he began beating on the kid, when it was all said and done the kid had caught a pretty bad beat down. He was member of the Davis family and they had a pretty big crew like six boys and one girl, and Lid immediately sought out the oldest brother Hakim, to let him know exactly what happened. Hakim agreed that his younger brother was out of order and assured Lid that he was even going to beat his little brother up for pushing Adesha to the ground. But later that day things changed as Mrs. Davis demanded that Hakim defend his family’s honor and so a show down was brewing and as Hakim went around the neighborhood collecting a gang to beat Lid down he just sat on the porch with a baseball bat and his best friend Bilal. And as the day turned into night the gang of six came around the corner and down the street and right before they made it up the front steps one of the neighborhood’s old G’s brother Muhammad drove by and asked What was going on? After both parties explained their sides Muhammad bluntly said Y’all don’t touch him his brother is Sharif and this whole city owes him because he kept his mouth shut when he could’ve talked and brought the whole Black Mafia down. That was it Hakim went back home and Lid went back to his porch. But just off the reputation of his older brother a lot of people did mess him and being sheltered a true home body the streets was something he knew very little about. Most niggas will go after money quick drop out of school, get busted for selling drugs, whatever but most don’t make it to twenty without a criminal record or better yet without getting a chick knocked up, Lid always stayed out of that kind of trouble trying to lay the ground work down for his younger sisters and cousins seven girls in total and just be a good Muslim. The closest he came to the streets was the occasional nights out with his Uncle Sha, another old G of days of earlier ages always ahead of the trends and at this point of his career his twist was the white collar thing travelers checks, credit cards, and fake bank checks, he always says They count the time in months with this stuff, it’s a no brainer. Optimistic about the future with a new love and new possibilities things are looking up as he stars out the window of the airplane looking down on God’s creations of the blue sky, and white clouds.

The plane lands finally home, as the other patiently waits in the back of the plane as the other passengers leave flying as student has its advantages because it’s cheap, but you have to wait for an available seat, and most of the time you usually end up in the back of the plane. Once off he moves through the crowd and heads towards baggage claim, he turns on his cell phone and calls his mom As-Salaam Alaikum Mom Wa Laikum Salaam baby, did you get off the plane yet? Yes I am on my way to baggage claim meet me at arriving flights, did you bring the girls? Yes they are with me In the background Lid hears his sisters yell I’ll Lid! I’m going to kiss the ground when I get outside You are so over dramatic. At baggage claim Lid checks the scene out in his bright yellow leather jacket flamboyant as always he casually flirts with some females in baggage claim. Once his luggage comes around he grabs his bags and heads out the automatic doors. Immediately he sees his mom and two sisters, and notices their not wearing the traditional hijab covering their hair. Before he crosses the street true to his word Lid drops his bags, falls down and kisses the ground. And loudly shouts I miss home I love this town! His sisters meet him half way in the street. They exchange hugs and Lid meets his mom sister Halima on the other side of the street. As-Salaam Alaikum mom Wa Laikum Salaam son boy you are such a drama king this is not Ghost Busters. Like most African American females sister Halima has raised her children alone. She and her husband split when the children were very young and the strength of a race is shown by the actions of its community. At first alone Halima got help from her family went to nursing school found full time work after graduation and paid all the bills, clothed herself and her children, ran the Sunday school at the mosque, and took care of all the needy children in the neighborhood. The strong African American women did it with three children no boyfriends, and no Halima time if she wasn’t at work she was home caring for her children she was caring for others. His father Raheem left his family when they were only six, the old G from Germantown did time up Graters ford prison with the higher ups in the nation of Islam Imam Malik and Chris Valentine and after getting released he was quickly married to sister Halima at the historic Sister Clara Muhammad school by Imam Malik, like so many African American males Raheem was unfaithful to his wife and his family, and the horrible shadow of domestic violence over shadowed their marriage towards the end truly if I grant you old age you will be reversed in nature And for sure that is exactly what Raheem did after the divorce completely neglecting the children he brought into this world spending his time chasing joy and fun. They all get into the car and as always since the girls abandoned their home there is a sense of uneasiness as that conversation still looms over them.

What’s the new house like? It’s got three floors; you and Raquiaa have to share the room on the third floor. Replies Adesha. Mom why don’t the girls stay on the third floor? Adesha interrupts Because I get my own room It really doesn’t matter because I am moving back to Philly in a few months anyway. Lid sharply responds What’s up with the old house? It’s gone, some Korean family moved into the house they got it for sheriff sale for like three thousand. I still can’t believe y’all walked away from the house that was equity for our school loans. I asked you if you were going to move, I would’ve transferred schools or something. Look boy we are not going to talk about the city was getting way too dangerous and I was worried about Adesha she was falling in with the wrong crowds. Yeah well that’s eighty grand out the window, WOMEN! That’s enough of that cause I’m ready to put you right back on a plane to New Orleans! And with that statement Lid shuts his mouth on the ride back from the airport Lid scrolls through his phone calling friends letting them know that he is back in town. His childhood friend Omar is the first person who answers. Omar has done well for himself dropping out of college he’s made a name for himself in Delaware and Philly getting arrested on campus shooting somebody, and getting into a few shootouts in Wilmington. Childhood friends since the days of elementary school at Sister Clara Muhammad, they reconnected in high school and the combination of the two drove teachers so mad that by there sophomore years the faculty had arranged it that the two of them would only have home room together and nothing else. The teachers actually got their schedules together and made sure the two of them did not have any classes together. As-Salaam Alaikum, Omar? Wa Laikum Salaam, yo you still down south in Louisiana somewhere? Naw I’m back in town the money got funny down there and I had to transfer schools. So you dropped out? Naw I’m at Delaware s State your old school Aw man you don’t want to go there that’s a party school. Yo I just gotta graduate that’s all, plus I wanted to be closer to my family and that stuff with Forty Three yo everybody know he didn’t win those elections. Here you go always got some conspiracy theory or something. It doesn’t matter who the President is it’s not going to change shit in your world or my world. I wish you were right but some things up Whatever it is boy you ain’t gonna stop it, you got some money saved up? Yeah but I have to hold on to it for school, and if I don’t have to pay them I am going to hold on to it and go up New York. Whats up the rotten apple? This girl I know Nigga its millions of girls in Philly what’s your problem? You know how I get waited two years to get with Aisha in high school. Yeah you did and you got her too, so were you staying at? At my moms in Delaware. ‘What happened to the house uptown? We just was arguing about I don’t even want to start talking about it. Well Delaware nigga’s are sweet; I took an entire block from them in Wilmington in no time. Yeah well that’s not my kind of party they got minimum mandatories and federal sentencing guidelines for that stuff. Scared money never made no money. The conversation takes a brief pause I’ll be up there this weekend yo, in shah Allah until then be safe cuz As-Salaam Alaikum. Wa-Laikum Salaam. He hangs up the phone and taps his sister Raqayya Yo you heard from Ra-Zen since he’s been out? Jokingly she say Don’t be touching me, he’s in Philly out of the half way house and I heard he is already in trouble. You got a number for him? Sister Halima breaks up the conversation You know your brother is nothing but trouble, and you are going to end up in jail along with him if you start hanging out with him. Mom he’s not in jail anymore and I am grown my decisions are my decisions. Well you will not be bringing that nonsense into my house? Aren’t you renting you walked away from your house, and how are you going to believe some cop? The probation officer said he’s suspected of killing a few dozen people for hire? Yo he’s not even supposed to be telling you anything like that. He turns around and begins to continue talking with Raqayya Can I have that number for him? It’s his girls number Elaina I think he is staying with her. The number is 215-471-3120. Thanks Lid saves it to his phone, the rest of the ride is pretty quite as Lid reflects on his time in New Orleans, changing his major from Biology to Public Relations, how he lost himself being away from his family picking up bad habits using Marijuana, and drinking conduct so unbecoming of a Muslim, how he stopped making prayer and he thinks about what the future could be reconnecting with Philly and educating his people. They pull up to the new house and the three story town house looks nice from the outside, but unlike the brick built row homes in Philly the houses in the burbs are made out of plastic and Lid is not impressed. Once inside he takes a look around and his mother ask him So how do you like it? How much is the rent 1200.00 That’s fourteen thousand a year, utilities included? Nope, that’s why y’all better pay rent on time where’s my money? She puts her hand out and Lid quickly says I need my money to pay for school. Stop lying boy I heard you on the phone you said you were going to New York to see some girl. Lid smiles that’s only if they don’t ask me for any money during registration. Don’t worry honey I won’t collect anything from you until you get a job. Thanks mom Exhausted from the flight Lid falls asleep on the couch. The next morning Lid awakes and makes Fajir prayer, a few hours later the family is all in the kitchen having breakfast. Lid has plans to go to Philly so as soon as she comes downstairs for breakfast he ask Mom can I hold the car and drive to Philly today? There are some people I would like to go visit and I really would like to go to grandma’s house too. Don’t use my mother to soften me up. Just to be in his business she ask him Who else are you going to see? I want to see your brother Uncle Sha and Omar. I’m home mom; I’ve been gone for an entire year I just want to go see Philly. She opens the kitchen drawer cabinet and pulls out a pamphlet, Here boy this is the train schedule for the R2, and I’ll drive you to the train station in an hour. Just to be smart Adesha then ask for the car Can I hold the car to go to the mall later? Yes Adesha bird just put gas in it. Lid says nothing he just smiles and goes upstairs to get ready for his train ride. As an adult Lid understands he must have his own and he should never get upset when someone say’s no regarding holding something that is there’s. Lid also understands the relationship between Adesha and their mother, for years it was just the four of them but things changed after the divorce and the birth of Adesha was like the emancipation of Halima. Soon after his mom and father were not even on speaking terms and Rashad slowly their father was out of their lives. A lot of pressure was put on Halima and Lid to help co-manage the household at the young age of seven. His responsibilities were no linger about himself, he had to take care of his two younger sisters and adhere to pretty much anything his mother asked of him. The quote un quote man of the house syndrome fell on his shoulders like so many African American males, what was different was Halima who stuck to her Islam and never had any relationships for six years until she remarried. During that time period there was no other man in this family’s life so with no challenges Lid had established his presence leading prayer, and being a good Muslim. To the best of his ability Lid did what he could washing clothes, dishes, ironing clothes, making breakfast, school lunches, doing homework basically taking over some of the homemaker role which used to belong to the wife as the husband would go to work. But in America the oppressor the rich and powerful have designed a system that changes these rules making the African American female the money maker. The key to conquering a race is destroying the male and because of the inhuman practices of slavery and segregation the American White man has accomplished just that. Lid and Raqayya represented a failed marriage and the pain and turmoil that followed Adesha represented her independence, so Lid walked upstairs feeling hurt but understood exactly what just happened and complaining would not change a thing. Still in the kitchen the women begin to talk amongst each other and depending on the topic of conversation it can be a good thing or a bad thing. Mom I don’t know how long this is going to work the two of us sharing a room on the third floor. It’s only been one night and he didn’t even sleep upstairs last night. There’s not enough room for the two of us on the third floor it’s only one room. He knows he has to move soon y’all better make the best of it and no fighting! Tee finally adds her two cents Well you are not coming down to my room Raquyya snaps backs Well if I wanted to I would! Sister Halima breaks the whole argument up and says He will be out in his own apartment by next semester. Upstairs Lid is getting washed and dressed; he gets dressed and throws a change of clothes in a city blue bag. Minutes later Lid trots down the steps and lets his mom know I’m ready to go to the train station. Sister Halima grabs her keys and they are on their way out the door. As Lid is getting into the car he calls his Uncle Sha. Sha lives by the famous words I’ve been everywhere but to work And that’s the truth a member of the nation of Islam and Black Muslim Mafia Sha has been involved in everything from Cocaine sales, real estate scams, pager and cell phone scams, fake check cashing, fake travelers checks, credit cards, and the one time he did try to work it was in the asbestos removal business and he along with a few others swear that they were the first to come up with the idea. Be that as it may Lid really looks up to his uncle Sha because his father has not been in his life and the opposite goes for his uncle Sha who lost his son when he was only fifteen. As Salam Alaikum Uncle Sha? Wa Laikum Salaam nephew I heard you were back in town. Who told you my moms? Uncle Sha wakes up and clearly says Come on brother you I get the information raw and uncut from Shirley. Yeah well I’m going to tell Grand mom you called her by her first name. Lid you will do anything to get in the good list with her? You better believe it the pancakes and ice tea is enough. They both laugh I’m in the car right now on my way up the city I have to catch the train so I should be there in like an hour and a half. Man it’s early you calling me before twelve o’clock is in total violation, you know how it is around here two o’clock on the weekends if that. Yeah I’m sorry, so what’s up you gonna get me from the train station? You gonna stay with us all weekend? Yeah I guess so I have to run it by Miko but they miss you so it should be cool. I have some things to do this weekend so you can drive, what train station are you getting dropped off at? University of Pennsylvania right across the street from Penn Field, I should be there around two o’clock. See you then and don’t call this early again As-Salaam Alaikum he laughs Wa-Laikum Salaam On the way to the train station Lid and his mother finally have a chance to talk without the girls being present. He takes the time to confront her about the old house and how it was abandoned. Mom you know I had plans to fix that house and sell it to pay off my college loans. Why did you lie when I asked you if y’all were going to move and just leave the house? Lid I told you Adesha was falling into the wrong crowds and we had to get out of Philly. But I asked you the summer before if y’all were going to move and you said no. I would’ve transferred schools and moved back home then that’s equity yo! I only paid eighteen grand for that crappy house, it needed a new roof, the back stairs were falling apart and I decided to leave it. But you lied mom, I asked you if you were going to move and you said no, when you brought that house it was just for you, you and dad brought that house for you and your family She coldly interrupts Don’t be bringing your dad into this he has had nothing to do with y’all since he left, I paid those bills and took care of y’all buts for years, and I’m still doing it now! You wouldn’t be if you kept the house I went to college out of state thinking I could return home and sell the house, now it’s gone in sheriff’s sale and my debt is going to be out of control. Just walking away from the property was stupid. That’s enough boy you better watch your mouth or you will be walking to the train station the rest of the way and you better stay your ass up there in Philly. Why you cussing at me. Because I can That’s no way for a Muslim sister to behave You don’t see me wearing my scarf anymore, I got news for you I’m not going to part of no hislam. Taken aback Lid is really shocked when he hears this from his mom as they continue to now argue about the house. You thought wrong, it was my house and I left, you got a problem with that you can just kiss my booty butt.

Lid Just smiles and turns away, his mother is not the same women she was in the old days, she’s lost her Islam, her guide with him away in school they missed their prayers and stopped covering their hair, American feminism has turned her into a different person, a person foreign to Lid almost like a rebellious child trapped in the body of a middle aged women. The trust and respect that kept them close in early years was no more feminism caused her to let go of her Islam with no husband or male guide in the house the women went adrift. She no longer lived for the safety and advancement of her children but for herself she felt betrayed by God after being so devout and not once but twice loosing husbands Halima had here faith shaken and the foundation of Islam had crumbled. Knee deep in debt, without any equity, his most trusted advisor now reverted back into a teenager the rest of the ride to the train station is silent until Lid brings up a story. Remember the summer of 1999 when I came back home after college and stayed in the house for a month before moving down to Uncle Sha house? I told you boy I don’t feel like talking about the house anymore! I’m not talking about the house one night when I was sleeping down stairs on the air mattress I had a nightmare. You know how you wake up and you can’t move your body but you can see everything around you? Still upset Halima snaps back What’s your point, that’s when a witch has you. Mom you know we don’t believe in anything like that. When I was younger that’s what we used to call it. I was downstairs on the airbed and I could not move anything except my head and look around. I was laying down so everything was upside down, when I looked in the dining room beyond the dinning room table and up against the wall I saw a shadowy figure, in the dark I thought it was fluffy but on four legs it had these red eyes and was a little bigger than the cat. Lid what are you talking about? When I finally could move again I went to the basement door thinking let me let the cat downstairs, but when I opened it fluffy was at the top of the stairs with this look her eyes were wide open and she had this look like I was trying to get up here and let you know something is up there. Shut up boy what are you saying you saw a demon in 961? That’s the year I left and went to college, y’all stopped making prayers right? Why not then no one is making prayer in the house that could lead to a Jinn coming into the house you have the book you know. I don’t believe in that hislam anymore boy you better get yourself together because you have to get out of my house, and figure life out for yourself. Lid says nothing and as they pull up to the train station he graciously gives his mom the greeting’s of peace As-Salaam Alaikum mom, and even though she says she does not believe she still responds out of familiarity or because inside she really knows the right way for her is Islam Wa-Laikum Salaam. As Lid leaves the car he contemplates to himself is she even still Muslim? did a jinn take hold of his family? Is there anything he could do to save them or himself for that matter? The train ride on the R2 is quick and crossing into Philly is like a long awaited dream for Lid who has been away from his home town for a year. He sees the city skyline, the back yards of the row homes, center city, and everything is so familiar to him, looking out the window he just smiles, and gets ready to run the streets with his Uncle all weekend. Once off the train he gives his Uncle Sha a call Yo! As Salaam Alaikum, I’m at the university of Pennsylvania stop you on your way? Wa Laikum Salaam for real hahahaha well hold up there a few minutes good brother. I told you it was early for me. You went back to sleep? Hold your horses Sundance I will be there in fifteen minutes. Alright I will see you when you get here. As-Salaam Alaikum? Wa Laikum Salaam They both hang up and now Lid has to sit at the train station and wait for his Uncle, if he knew he was going to have wait 30th Street would’ve been much better because it’s more crowded. It’s pretty desolate at this stop, and other trains stop off at the station the ticket men asked Lid What train are you waiting for? Being African American draws a lot of attention especially at Penn even if there are only a few people at the stop, top priority in this part of town is protect the white people, but Lid patiently waits and takes the time to talk to a few friends on the phone. As Salaam Alaikum Omar? I’m in the city. Still asleep Omar grumble’s Wa Laikum Salaam Cuz you still in Delaware? Naw I’m in Philly I got the train and came up here Yeah well its early man the only thing I’m talking about is business you copping, cause I got pounds for five? I have to talk to my brother about that. He’s home? Yeah How long did he do? Like ten years up state, you know they wanted him to snitch but he didn’t so they roofed him. I know some people in Delaware they could set you up with a corner and everything. I’m cool but we can talk about that in person at a strip club or something this weekend. Sounds good were you staying at? Out west at my uncles Alright I have to go to Wynnefield in the morning he live close to their, you know I don’t know shit about no West Philly. Yeah he’s on the other side of the bridge See I don’t even know what bridge you talking about? Yeah you do right before you get to Overbrook anyway just call me and I’ll give you directions As Salaam Alaikum. Wa Laikum Salaam They hang up and Lid decides to give Jasmine a call, they met in New Orleans during his second year at Xavier on the way to class in the morning he used to pass an all white Lexus ES with Pennsylvania tags. Now Lid and his friends were the only guys from Philly during their freshman year, and arrogantly he thought he knew all the new freshman during his sophomore year, so every morning he would pass the ES and wonder whose car is this and why don’t I know this person? And finally after talking around the camp fire with the rest of the dogs he was put to shame when he admitted he did know who Jasmine was, and from that point on he was on a mission to meet her and find out what all the talk was about. It wasn’t until spring semester that he finally found out who this mystery person was. Lounging around in the administration building before class Lid and his friends were just talking messing with girls, having fun when all of a sudden the crowded hallway split like the red sea, and everyone moved out of the way as Jasmine walked down the hallway. Almost walking right past Lid on the way to class completely out of character stopped her and asked a question he already knew the answer to, Is your name Jasmine? She stopped and her brown eyes light up and she graciously replied yes Lid stuck and not knowing what to ask just took a moment to capture her beauty, her smile was so genuine and she used every bone in her cheeks and face, the dark blue dress and her caramel skin went together perfectly and Lid was truly at a loss for words. Surprisingly he did not have to do anything as she began to hold conversation with him. And you are? Lid I’m from Philly, and I know everybody from Philly and I don’t know you so you must not be from Philly? Surprised he challenged her about her home town she gives Lid a little attitude and says I’m from Philly and you don’t know me so I guess you don’t know everyone from Philly. What high school did you go to? Milton Hershey That’s not in Philly sweat heart, you ain’t from Philly. Taken aback Jasmine smiles and says I have to get to class. Bye A lot of eye contact was made in just seconds and before she walks away she smiles and says nice to meet you Same here we’ll be watching As she walked away Lid does not look as the rest of the guys take a look at Jasmine’s rear assets. From that point on he chased Jasmine like Captain Ahab in Moby Dick all over campus, and she played along until the summer break when both of them went home to Philly.

The phone rings and rings and finally her answering machine picks up, and Lid leaves a message Hey I’m back home; I’m going to catch the bus to New York next weekend. As he leaves a message the phone clicks on the other line and its Jasmine calling him back. As Salaam Alaikum I’m leaving a message on the other line babe. She replies softly Wa Laikum Salam I just got home last night, can I catch the bus up to see you next weekend? You can come up on the bus right now silly, I don’t know how much time we can spend together because I have to work, and we have group study sessions tomorrow. On a Sunday, that’s crazy I know but it’s the only day everyone can get together outside of class. Next week would be better but it’s up to you babe. I’m waiting for my Uncle to pick me up at the train station now and as usual he’s late. The one whose house I went to and he said look what Santa brought me when he answered the door? Yeah that uncle, it was cracking up when he told me that upstairs. Jasmine sharply replies Well it wasn’t funny the way you were acting though, how could you turn so cold and stop talking to me. You had another man in the bedroom; I could’ve killed dude and you for that matter I thought we were not going to bring that up. You brought it up in the first place! I’m sorry I just wasn’t ready to be with just one man, it’s my life and I can do whatever I want to do. That’s where ya wrong it’s not just your life it’s our life and you didn’t take me into consideration coming home and seeing things like that. I’m sorry, so when are you coming up here today or next week? Next week I will see you then babe I love you Ditto As salaam Alaikum Wa Laikum Salam They both hang up the phone and in such a short period of time Jasmine and Lid had a lot of history and when they went home in the summer of 2000, she took him in like a stray dog and like a special edition comic book it was Batman and Wonder Women teaming up for a limited engagement. Lid would accompany Jasmine everywhere which really made things awkward because she couldn’t pick up any guys, and as the summer went along she stopped talking to or about any other guys and it was just the two of them. The problem was intimacy both being Muslim they knew the rules you have to be married and just having Lid around like that was wrong, but both of them showed restraint until Jasmine brought some guy home. On evening after work Lid comes home and Jasmine is home in the bedroom with what sounds like another man. Lid grabs the bottle of Puerto Rican rum and storms in the room and to his dismay she’s in the bed with some Puerto Rican guy. Heartbroken Lid steps into the bedroom door and calmly ask What are you doing? whatever was going on had stopped as he turned the bedroom light on and the guy immediately gives Jasmine a hug and leaves. Jasmine goes on through the night trying to explain what happened how she was attracted to the guy because he was an ex con and how this was her apartment and Lid had no right to open the front door with his key and come inside without calling. Then SShe goes on to explain how they would never be a couple because Lid is light skin he doesn’t even fit the criteria of the man she’s attracked to. Everyday and night together for a whole summer and that was her story? Lid says nothing still heartbroken he finishes the bottle of rum and falls asleep on the couch, in the morning he packs his things, and with the reality that she might be losing him her story changes. Mikhial lies and says that he was coming right back but in reality he knew and she knew as well that was the last time they would share the apartment and those memories and as he walked out the door Jasmine started to understand that when dealing with Lid there will always be consequences to her actions. Fighting the guy wouldn’t of made any difference the responcibility fell on her shoulders not to let him get that close, that fast and the only way that happened is if she wanted it to happen so here is the consequence you loose Lid and so she did until Portia gave him her numbers the following spring semester after she transfered schools and moved to New York.

Lid takes a look at his watch and twenty minutes have gone by, and he begins to walk upstairs to the street level and once up top he calls his Uncle Sha and no one answers, and just as Lid is about to leave a message a gold mini van pulls around the corner and talking on his cell phone while eating a sandwich Uncle Sha smiles through the semi tinted window at his nephew. He jumps into the passenger side of the mini van and gives his Uncle the greetings As Salam Alaikum? Wa Laikum Salam black man, what are you staying for a week you packed a big bag? Man I gotta change clothes for tonight were going to work later right? No I’m going to work, your just going to look cool and hang out with all the gangsters, and flirt with girls. Yeah well that’s what Sinatra did y’all better start calling me old green eyes. They both bust out in laughter, then whoever Uncle Sha is talking to on the telephone comes back on the line. No way man! Its two parts the two’s have thirteen numbers and the three’s have fourteen numbers. Only fifty seven work out of the eighty that you got after a week of having the box! Meet me tonight at the social club! Shamp’s hangs up the phone, and finishes his sandwich, with food still in his mouth he begins to explain the faults we have as African American s regarding business especially illegal activity. Nephew stay legal because you can be as sharp as a razor on your end but the people you deal with are a mess and never have anything together. And that will lead to both of y’all getting locked up. It takes this guy two days to get this box over to me, for two days he’s like he is going to bring it after having it for a week. The other day it was the kids, yesterday it was some other stuff and he just stopped answering the phone. He finally brings it over to me and in a week you would think he had five hundred numbers on it and it only has eighty numbers. And fifty seven of them work. Time nephew black folks have no commitment to time and efficiency everyone thinks it’s a game. I could’ve gave that box to Dee and he has this girl works at Fridays and would’ve been had it back and filled with numbers. Confused Lid just ask What box? Uncle Sha laughs and replies O yeah you’ve been gone for a year the last thing you remember is the American Express checks, I’ll show you when we get to the lab. You had boxes of checks like five hundred thousand in traveler’s checks man that was crazy! Yeah I had to tone that down for a while FBI had a special investigation niggaz buying them from me using them in Philly to buy stuff, Philly the fraud capitol of the country! I tell them every time to take those checks out of state or down south and nobody wants to listen. Yeah well that’s the life, they just better not be snitching on you. So what’s the agenda for tonight? Hold up lets talk about school. You didn’t drop out or anything did you? No I transferred to Delaware State. Uncle Sha rolls his eyes and exclaims Oh lord that’s a party school I know that. What happened down South? A few things I went there because I wanted to be a doctor, but that stuff did not work the chemistry was on a whole nother level. So I’m paying all this money to major in public relations at a school that is not even known for its communications department? Then mommy left the house uptown and there goes my equity. ‘Yeah my sister made a real dumb move walking away from eighty thousand in property value. She should’ve called me I would’ve at least got her fifty thousand for it minus my cut. Yeah well I needed that Unc that was part of my decision for going to such an expensive school. So what about my Christmas gift where is she at? Lid just bust out laughing I was just talking to her on the train platform and we brought that up. What she’s down there waiting for the train? And uncle Sha quickly motions to make a u-turn when Lid stops him. No No No I was talking to her on the phone, she’s in New York I’m going up their next weekend. Oh because I ready to make that u-turn I see, we spent some time together in New Orleans over the summer, but that’s not why I transferred. Uncle Sha frowns his face as if to say stop lying Alright she had a lot to do with the decision moving back up here especially after the last few weeks we were together in New Orleans. We went to the essence fest concerts together, and spend the days together, I was spending the night over her moms house, the whole nine yards the last night I put Frank on and it was a done deal. A’int nobody ever played no Sinatra for her, then Summer Wind came on and I kept playing that we feel asleep outside all hugged up touching is so crazy yo, the summer wind was blowing I’ll never forget that night. The morning I leaving for up here, so she had to go to the dentist so we at the dentist office like kids yo, love punches, I’m smacking her on the but, nibbles on the neck, then finally when I was ready to leave she kissed me, I kissed her it was like magic, pure, like we kissed before a thousand times in past lives, and finally things were right and we found each other again. Damn nephew she really moved you? Lid exhales Yeah she had a lot to do with me leaving New Orleans and moving up here, the elections, and money issues too. Well there’s nothing wrong with that nephew just don’t put all your eggs in one basket women change like the wind brother. Thanks for the advice Unc. What’s up with the mini van yo? What happened to the big boy Benz? Uncle Sha lets out a big exhale and deeply sighs Miko crashed it up going to work in the morning, a fucking tire falls off a tractor trailer! What a tire came off the tractor trailer! Naw the truck was carrying tractor trailer tires like a flat bed and one of those tires for the tractor trailers falls off onto ninety five. She tries to avoid it you know she has whip game and crashed along the divider between ninety five south and ninety five north. Is she alright? Yeah the Benz for that matter was wrecked, I mean wrecked. So y’all got insurance, they ain’t pay for it? Yeah the damage was way too much they cut us a check and I picked up an Expedition and this mini van. Lid begins to rap I pull up in the expedition and the girls be like no no no no no he didn’t. The trucks hers, she took the Benz thing pretty hard. I’m stuck with this but it’s like Get Shorty hey it’s the Cadillac of mini vans. They pull up to the house and waiting at the front door is Lid’s younger cousins Naim and Khadejah. One year apart Khadejah is eight and Naim is seven, like younger versions of their parents the kids have pretty much ran the house from day one, one of their earliest adventures involved them pushing over the spring water from the tank and lying in the spring water as it poured to onto the floor. When their parents finally awoke and found the kids playing in the water they proclaimed they were taking a bath. But the kids have always been pretty self reliable and trustworthy, and after not seeing their big cousin for a year they took off out the door at first sight of Lid. I thought I told y’all to stay in the house when no one is home? Uncle Sha pleas go on deaf ears as Lid is already out of the car and giving Khadejah a hug, always happy she exclaims It’s been like forever since the last time you were here, were you been at? You know I was in college, your getting tall Miss Lady Naim interrupts and shakes hands with Lid As Salam Alaikum? Wa Laikum Salaam What she means is you usually come home in the summer time man what happened? You better ask your Aunt Halima about that one Naim, but long story short I’m back home now and that’s it. So are we going to play Star Wars master Jedi? I don’t know man I’m getting a little too old to be running around the neighborhood with broom sticks and the Star Wars soundtrack playing in the background. Naim shattered by his cousin’s responds say’s I know man Star Wars is getting corny Come here Khadejah, so what’s going on with you grown lady?" She smiles and they march upstairs and into the house. Lid and Khadejah have a special bond he’s her only older male cousin and when she was born Lid spent a lot of time at the house taking care of both Miko and baby Khadejah. Uncle Sha was on the other side of town with his girlfriend Angela, and he and Miko got very close like brother and sister outside of Uncle Sha Miko too has never really had another trusting male in her life. She had a very rough child hood and rumor has it she used to jump out of her fathers window to run