Azmir nods in assent, but in a flash, his face turns tight as his brows wrinkle. “I need to talk to you about something. Think we can chat after counseling on Wednesday, over dinner?”
I don’t know what to think about the impending topic, but quickly decide not to panic. That quickly, I choose peace over angst. I shake my head then realize a nod is more appropriate. “No problem. Any time you want. Sure.”
Azmir plants a gentle kiss on my forehead causing those trustee zaps to shoot through my body. I turn to walk away to ensure he doesn’t pick up on it. As I approach the door, I hear him call out, “Dinner in Redondo Beach with YS.”
That stops me in my tracks. I know immediately he’s referring to Thanksgiving dinner with Yazmine and Samantha. Azmir and I discussed a few days ago where we would spend our first Thanksgiving together. I’m perfectly content to have dinner alone at the marina and covertly expressed it. He mentioned Yazmine’s desire to have us over along with Samantha, but it didn’t sound definitive. I guess it now is. Ughhhhhh!
“Perfect,” I muster an ominous grin as I watch Azmir take his seat. “I’ll make the biggest and sweetest ham you’ve ever tasted!”
Azmir spits out the heartiest chuckle I have ever seen in public. I mean he’s tossing his head back and grabbing his abdomen in an all out laughter. My face cracks a mirthful smile.
I made the great A.D. laugh? Wow!
“Yeah, right! Yazmine would have you and your swine out on the curb before you could say, ‘But my name is on the deed,’” he belts out, as he’s unable to slow his humor.
At that, I laugh as I make my way out of the door.
These darn black Muslims. Ain’t no pork ever hurt nobody! I joke to myself, leaving Mr. Jacobs and his associates to their business.
~~~~~~~~~~
Azmir
I’ve just left a meeting with Petey, Kid, Santiaga, and Paulito, who both seemed impressed with Kid’s knowledge of trade. Santiaga and Paulito were of Mexican and Italian heritage, respectively, and were of a different breed than us. They weren’t ecstatic about my departure—hell, they were competitors in many markets and never met together. But I’d always been a unique individual. It had taken three years for me to get into the same room as Santiaga, and five for Paulito. They don’t meet low-level pushers. I had to prove myself and establish my reputation in the streets before they’d even acknowledged me. Sure, they’d known exactly who I was. They’d supplied to me for years. But it wasn’t until I annihilated my competition and started to request more stock that they’d considered breathing the same air as me in a room.
They understood taking over my competitors was no easy feat. There were men in the game longer than I’d been out of training shoes, but I was hungry…and clever. I knew how to steal their most valued soldiers right from underneath my competitors. And the ones that I couldn’t weren’t strong enough in numbers to go to war with my newly constructed militia. For two years, there was a blood bath in South Central L.A., some of which I organized, orchestrated, and eventually triumphed from.
I had to earn their respect and I did, which is the only reason why they agreed to this sit-down and transition to Kid and Wop. They didn’t like it because they didn’t understand. In their world, businesses were of heritage and arrangements were not temporal. They were lifetime commitments that were passed down from generation to generation. You didn’t make it to the levels that I have and just walked away from it as if it no longer satisfied your passion. Again, because I’ve been so loyal and lucrative to them for so long, they respected my decision and even agreed to transition their transactions to Kid, with provision. That meant if Kid fucked up, it was his own ass.
The meeting was intense and draining. I knew Kid was nervous out his ass, but forged ahead. We concluded on a handshake and agreed to never keep in touch. Ever. They can’t risk me flipping. Paulito specifically said he wouldn’t tolerate indecisiveness. That’s fine with me. It’s taken me years to withdraw from this business. I’m sure I won’t regret it tomorrow, the next day, or the next year.