On Bended Knees, page 1
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ISBN: 978-1-0983780-1-1
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 1
The heat index was at a sweltering 98 degrees on the southeast side of Memphis where Monster kneeled lurking. He was waiting for his prey in a suburban neighborhood called White Haven, off of Elvis Presley Blvd. The home that he kneeled next to belonged to one of the biggest drug dealers on the southeast side. It was a well-manicured, two-story, red brick, ranch-style home with hedges surrounding the side. Without the hedges, Monster wouldn’t have a place to conceal his large frame. The hedges gave him the edge he needed to execute his long thought-out plan. He pondered and laid on this plan for months, knowing that in order for this to work it had to be executed with precision and at the precise time.
Winds were building, moving at a rate of 8 to 12 miles per hour from the south, escaping a brewing tropical storm that was developing out of the Gulf of Mexico. The wind gave a much-needed breath of fresh air from the excitement and fear that intertwined within him because of the warmth. Looking at his watch, he gasped, closed his eyes, and waited. Gazing up he began to feel it was time.
Fluorescent lights could be seen in the distance, getting brighter and brighter, illuminating the darkness as it passes
Monster adjusted his vision, fixated on the object that was coming his way. A noise in the hedges that he kneeled behind gave way to his thoughts. He turned instantly only to see the leaves moving in different directions. Taking a deep breath, gathering his composer, Monster got down lower to make sure his identity wouldn’t be exposed. He knew that this wasn’t an option. The life of him and his siblings depended on this day.
Thoughts of malice consumed his mind. Not only because of what he was about to do but the life he had to endure as a 14-year-old. His mother was strung out on heroin, his father didn’t exist and his two younger brothers depended on him. Never having a chance to live and do what teenagers do at his age. He wasn’t about to let him and his brothers get lost in a corrupt judicial system designed to enslave the mind.
The sound of rubber calmed his thoughts as the black Mercedes Benz he had been waiting for turned into the driveway. It continued to cruise heading into a two-door garage that slowly began to rise.
“This ain’t the time to get scared,” he whispered to himself as his heart rate increased. Then he started to quote one of many rap songs that motivated him. Bushes by Plies came to mind. “Got to your house be right in your bushes,” he sang, running into the garage before it closed with 9mm in hand. Snatching the driver’s side door open. “Put your hands up,” pointing the gun at the driver. “You know what this is.” Adrenaline at an all-time high. “You try anything, you’re a dead man.” He stated through clenched teeth so no one could be alerted if they were present. The driver can see the seriousness in this young man's eyes. And his voice was that of someone who meant business. “ man, you can have the car,” the driver petitioned. “I’ll leave the keys in it for you.”
“Look like I want this car,” Monster stared, red-eyed. “Where’s the safe?”
“Just take the car, please, “the driver stated, hoping that this was some random robbery and the robber was questioning not really knowing who he was Before you say anything else. I know who you are. I will kill you and whoever else in this house. So if you don’t want anybody to get hurt like your precious boys and wife, don’t play on my intelligence. Now come on.”
The driver hesitated for a split second, he realized that he got caught slipping. All these years he ran the streets this was the day that he feared the most. Should he take his chances so his loved ones won’t be at risk?
“I wish you would,” Monster looked on, shocked at the calmness that came over him. He felt in total control. All fear had faded away. He didn’t even realize that it dissipated. This feeling of calmness had come to be known all too well. After his first two robberies, it would proceed to dissipate while robbing.
Contemplating that this situation can go from bad to worse, the driver started walking. Before he could turn the doorknob, Monster motioned for him to stop upon reaching the door.
“Careful partner,” he stated, then proceeded to walk the driver into the house with calculated thoughts and steps.
“Everything was going as planned, but he knew in a split second things could change drastically.
The sound of the television could faintly be heard coming from within the house. The aroma of freshly fried chicken filled the air making his mouth water. With every step he started reminiscing about his mother, making him miss her even more. Her home-cooked meals of fried chicken, mac-n-cheese, mashed potatoes, and homemade biscuits. She was an excellent cook. Until now he never realized how much of a sacrifice his mom made for them. She worked two jobs, cooked their meals, cleaned behind them, washed laundry, and helped them with their homework. That’s when his mom met her new boyfriend Jimmy. Life as he knew it changed. Neither he nor his younger brothers cared for Jimmy from the start. He smelled like a whisky barrel and tried to wrestle with them like he knew them all their life. Jimmy was the one who introduced their mother to drugs. He started to sense something was wrong the first couple of nights she didn’t come home, especially on a school night when they had homework. Her look started to alter, her once radiant skin looked dull. She was the most attractive woman he knew, standing 5’8, 126 lbs., dark flawless skin, crop hair that she kept styled, hazel eyes, a flat stomach with no visible stretch marks, and a brain to match. Monster had a fight just about every other day because of his mother. He was overprotective so any little word about her butt ended in a brawl. She would smile when they come in from school, give them big hugs and tell them “first things first. I love you! Always have your priorities straight.” before heading back into the kitchen to finish dinner. Now she was a no show. He was nervous and scared for her but remained calm and in control for his little brothers. Advanced for his age, he began taking over the adult role. So his little brothers wouldn’t be as affected by her absence; he tried to mimic her actions and instructions as much as possible.
The first day he came home from school and his mother wasn’t waiting felt strange. He wanted to throw his book bag on the floor and run outside to play until she came home but he knew if he had done that he would have had to explain to her why no one did their homework first. He knew his little brothers would have followed suit so he decided to do what his mother would have expected of him. He reminded his little brothers about the first thing first and made them do their homework. It seemed like every ten minutes they were asking when their mama was coming home.
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The sound of thunder in the distance broke Monster’s train of thought. “The storm is getting closer,” he thought.
“Don’t do anything crazy, or I’ll have to get crazy in here,” he insinuated, hearing singing from the kitchen area.
“Come on man. You don’t have to do all that,” the driver replied.
Instantly Monster gave him a stiff nudge in the back to let him know that this was not a game. The driver turned only to be face to face with steel. Monster had the 9mm pointed at his face. Even with the driver standing 6’2, 240 lbs., Monster still could level the playing field. At 14 years old he stood 5’9 ½, 156 lbs. Dark like his mother with wavy hair. Very muscular for his age.
“Don’t tell me what I don’t have to do! Just get in there.”
The driver stumbled a little. Just when he turned to proceed, Monster slapped him in the back of his head with the pistol.
“Aww,” he screamed. “Just be cool brah.”
He grabbed the back of his head feeling moist from the blood that started to drip.
“You think I’m playing with you!” Monster stated with authority. He could hear the movement of the driver’s wife coming in their direction. “I’m the one giving orders.” he continued in a low sinister voice.
“Baby are you OK! The driver’s wife inquired before she completely made it into the living room where they stood. Stopping in mid-stride, placing her hands over her mouth.
“Yeah if he does what I tell him,” Monster sternly stated, giving her a glimpse of the gun.
Her pupils widened in shock. “Big Man, what’s going on.”
“Everything’s OK baby,” Big Man replied, trying to assure her that he has their best interest at heart.
Monster never knew of the nickname Big Man. He was called Solo on the street.
“Big Man huh. Get down on your knees. Who else is in the house?” he stated in an octave higher than a whisper. Just when he was about to slap Big Man across the head again a voice came from upstairs.
“Mama, can we eat now? Plus Lil Man won’t stop crying because
“Tell “Mama, can we eat now? Plus Lil Man won’t stop crying because of the thunder.” to come downstairs.” Monster beckoned.
“Please!” Big Man pleaded. “I don’t want my sons to see this. They’re just kids.”
Monster thought about his little brothers, he would have asked the same of them. “Well tell them to go to their rooms.”
Not getting a reply from his mother, Jr. named after his father, asked again. This time at the top of the stairs. Still out of view from what was transpiring in the living room. “Mama, can we eat?”
“Not yet baby!” Big Man's wife replied, as her motherly instinct kicked in. She knew there would be a problem if they came downstairs. They loved their father, he was their idol. “Go back to your room and I’ll come to get you when it’s time to eat.”
“But mama! Jr. cried out. “Lil Man won’t stop crying.”
“Do as I said,” she yelled with tears in her eyes. Yelling at her babies for no reason hurt her to her core.
She could hear them sniffing, she just prayed they would do as she asked.
Monster waited until he heard the kids’ room doors closed, unbeknownst to him Lil Man didn’t go in his room. Once he heard his father’s voice, nothing was going to keep him upstairs. He played like he was going into his room by closing the door, then started making his way downstairs. He knew once in his father’s arms he was safe.
“Playtime is over partner, come up off the cash.” Monster demanded. Not seeing Lil Man making his way downstairs.
Lil Man looked on in disbelief with every step. Witnessing his father in submission down on his knees. His idol, protector, superman. A man whose voice shakes the existence of his heart. It caused him to cry out. “DADDY!”
That very moment lightning struck, sending a tremble through the foundation that held the home together. This startled Monster. Then there was a flash both from the heavens above and the 9mm he held.
Chapter 2
“Hey baby have you seen my Bible? I can’t find it anywhere.” Jason said to Tiffany. His wife of ten years. They had a wonderful marriage. Every day wasn’t peaches and cream, but they had more sunshine than rain. Jesus Christ was the foundation on which they built their house. When a storm did come it was able to stand.
“You left it here on the counter,” said Tiffany. She was all too familiar with him laying things around the house and forgetting where he had put them.
“That’s right I did leave it in there. What are you cooking?”
“I’m making some spaghetti with chef salad and garlic bread.”
“That sounds good. Have you decided if you’re going to let your cousin do your hair?”
“Yeah. I think I’m going to give her a try. I’ll just have to be prayed up before I go over there.”
“I know what you mean. Do you need me to go and walk around her house seven times before you go?”
“No thanks. I think I can handle it.”
“Has her daddy gotten out of prison yet?”
“Not yet but he’s probably getting ready to come home?”
“Oh yeah. Why do you say that?”
“She’s been talking to him a lot more than usual lately.” And one of his friends has come over to her house a few times.”
“There’s no telling what’s going on with that. But if he is about to get out I pray that he changes his ways before he does. It seems like every time I go to the barbershop his name comes up.”
“Baby if God was able to change you then He can change Uncle Killa.”
Jason chuckled. “He might want to start with changing his name. I can see it now. And now let’s welcome Rev. Killa.” Jason was always finding a way to bring humor to a conversation.
“And his partner Eddie can be one of his deacons.” Tiffany gave him a look of disapproval.
“All right baby I will ease off of Uncle Killa.”
“Thank you.”
“Eddie is probably the one going over to Keisha’s house. He loves to play and she loves to lay.”
“Jason Turner. Do I need to get my oil?”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea. You can put some on Keisha when you go over there.”
“I’m talking about you.”
“Is that right?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“Well, your lips are oily. How about giving me some of that oil.” Jason said as he gently kissed his wife on the lips.
“But seriously baby you might want to check on that. If it’s Eddie going over there it’s probably not good. He and trouble seem to go hand and hand.”
“I certainly don’t want Keisha to get herself into any trouble.” Tiffany and Keisha were close as kids. Actually, they were more like sisters. Tiffany always felt like it was her responsibility to protect her, but over the years Keisha slowly drifted down another path.
“Eddie is known for using women to do his dirty work. There’s a couple of women in prison now because of him.”
Even though Jason wasn’t in the streets any longer he still kept his ears to them.
“In prison. That’s horrible. What kind of man would let a woman go to prison for him?”
Tiffany could feel herself getting tense and highly upset. She started thinking thoughts about Eddie she knew she shouldn’t be thinking as a Christian. Violent thoughts. Tiffany didn’t have a violent bone in her body but when she heard about a man mistreating a woman she wished someone would do something violent to him. She knew this was something she would have to pray about later.
“Eddie is not a man baby. He’s a snake.”
Jason’s street instincts started to kick in. He felt like something just wasn’t right.
Chapter 3
Eddie sat as motionless as a praying mantis while he listened to one of his newest workers explain why he didn’t have all of his money. Robert started working for Eddie only two months ago. He wasn’t even a street person. He just needed to make some money to make ends meet until he found another job. Robert worked for the same company for fifteen years but when they all of a sudden went out of business it left him high and dry. Now here he was explaining why he was fifty dollars short out of the $3000 he owed Eddie.
“Mr. Eddie I promise I’m going to have the rest of your money in two days.”
Robert couldn’t understand why Eddie was acting so cold over fifty dollars. When he first met him he seemed like such a loving and helpful person. Eddie didn’t respond. He looked. And looked. Staring into Robert’s eyes as if he was looking into the depth of his soul. Silence. Only three seconds passed, but to Robert, it seemed like an eternity.
“So you don’t have all of my money,” Eddie asked in a monotone voice.
He had to learn how to overcome emotions in moments like this. His older cousin, who was the only father figure he had taught him to be cold-hearted. As time progressed his heart got colder. And colder.
However, not to the point where it was totally cold. There was always a struggle. An internal war. Mercy. Forgiveness. Hope. Compassion. They would never leave. Even now compassion was speaking. Softly. Eddie thought about Robert and his family. They all seemed so happy. Robert had three well-mannered kids and a beautiful wife. Eddie on the other hand didn’t have any kids nor a special lady in his life. He was married to the streets. There was no place for compassion.
“Coming up short.”
Eddie paused for a few seconds. He wanted Robert to clearly understand what he was about to say.
“Will have you coming up short,” Eddie said calmly as he looked at one of his other workers who was next to him and just finished a beer. Robert could feel the tension getting thicker.
“Mr. Eddie I…”
Glass shattered. Robert fell to the floor. Blood eased from his head. Eddie’s jaws tightened. Eyes narrowed. A vein on his temple bulged out.
“I want my money, Robert.”
“Eddie I’m going to pay you I promise man,” Robert said as he slowly got up from the floor.
“I don’t want to hear anything about promises. Promises are made to be broken.”
He waited for Robert to look him in his eyes.
“Look at what you made me do. Over fifty little funky dollars. That’s chump change, Robert.”
“I know. I know. I got you, man, I’m a …”
