Ch. 1| Nigga Who You?

Ch. 1| Nigga Who You?

Nami

Mount Sinai Hospital

 6:20 a.m.

“Miss please, slow down” I heard the nurse frantically saying behind me as she hustled to keep up with me, but she could miss me with that. All I needed to know was where my baby was I didn’t need her assistance in finding her.

“429…” I mumbled to myself as I power walked past other rooms trying to get to the one Dutch was in.

“430…”

“432!” I finally reached it, but I couldn’t bring myself to go in. My emotions got the best of me; I was just on the phone with her. My night wasn’t supposed to turn out like this. I was supposed to cuddled up with my baby watching Sophia shade Blanche for filth while feeding my baby cheesecake. Maybe pass a blunt or two just between us. Instead I’m trying to wrap my mind around how Dutch just got out of surgery and now has two broken legs and four broken ribs. Her doctor said her surgery was a success, but she barely escaped the grips of death. Wearing her helmet, kneepads and arms guards helped more than he could express. He said she’s sleeping and could be out for hours or days only time could tell me when her healing process actually begins.

“Are you going to go in?” The nurse asked curtly with an attitude from behind me still trying to catch her breath.

“Bitch don’t you have some patients to tend to? Fuck you all in mines fuh?” I snapped back.

She rolled her eyes and mumbled something to herself as she walked away. Any other time I wouldn’t hesitate to buss a hospital tray over her head, but I had more pressing matters to deal with. That ass whoopin’ would have to wait. I took a deep breath and walked in. I saw other figures in the room, but my focused zeroed in on Dutch in the middle of the room on the hospital bed.  I pushed past the figure on her right and delicately touched her cut and bruised face. I didn’t want to cry because I wasn’t alone, but seeing something of mine look so frail and broken tore me to my soul. My grief is mine and mine alone so shedding tears with others around wasn’t an option. Her smooth chocolate skin now scraped and the stitches on her eyebrow made me angry. I couldn’t see her lower half because she was tucked so neatly in the bed, but I don’t think I’m ready to face that just now. 

I finally looked up and saw two detectives looking at me with eyes full of concern and inquiry. I could tell they were detectives by the suits they wore, no need for a badge to be flashed a man’s suit says a lot about his character. The other man in the room had a caramel complexion and a few bruises and scratches on his face. He looked at me with so much guilt and regret, I could tell he wanted badly to avert his eyes from my stare, but he didn’t dare. I instantly had a gut feeling that he had something to do with this.

“Excuse me ma’am, but what’s your relationship to the victim?” One of the detectives asked.

“Out of respect for the “victim”,” I said in air quotes mocking him “why don’t you step out and not return until she’s awake.” I said dismissing him and his question, turning my attention back to the man in the room.

Taken aback by my straight forwardness, him and his partner walked away with their tails between their legs back out the door from which they came.

I had so many questions to ask him, but I couldn’t think of the first.

“How did this happen?” I finally asked breaking the awkward silence.

He took a deep breath and his deep voice broke as he started to talk. He stopped and looked at the ceiling as he tried to compose himself.

“I let my mans Riley drive my new whip and shit got outta hand” he began “he was drinking before we linked up. Had I known he was drinking prior to him getting behind the wheel of my shit I would have never allowed it. He’s been going through shit lately, but to be honest I didn’t think it was deep enough for his to keep a bottle on him and try to sip even when behind the wheel. He had no regard for my life or his, I’ve never seen a look like that in his eyes before.” He stopped and looked at me he was truly perplexed about what occurred tonight.

I took in what he said and my blood began to boil “What’s your name?” I spat with venom. It as if he was trying to shift blame to his mans without accepting responsibilities for his wrong doings in the situation. It ain’t hard to tell when somebody’s been drinking, why would you even put yourself in that predicament. Something in the water ain’t clean I just didn’t have all the facts yet. 

He instantly felt the mood shift “Beau Wade” he said, his voice with much more strength than it had before.

“Well Beau I don’t like you and you better hope Dutch fully recovers from this if not I got a bullet for you and I got one for your mans too.” I said calmly and coolly looking in square in the eyes. I’m deadass. I needed him to know where I stood from the beginning we will never be cool and could never become friends. He’s irresponsible and dingy as hell. I could never see myself forgiving him for not only putting Dutchess’ life in the cross hairs of death, but his own and the driver. 

He looked at me and smirked like he knew something that I didn’t and it irked me. Just as I was about to swing on his butter pecan lookin’ ass for being a smartass the Dr. walked in.

“Hi, I was just coming in to check on Ms. Blake’s vitals and see how she’s adjusting.” He came in walking around me checking her all beeping machines, seeing her with a tube in her mouth crushed me and reinforced the hate that I felt for this man sitting inches from me. Aside from the few scratches and bruises on him he looked perfectly fine nothing a little ice couldn’t fix, he had some dried blood on his shirt from his wounds, but a fresh t-shirt could fix that too. Here he was sitting up and breathing perfectly fine while my baby is laid up in that bed helpless. As bad as I wanted to swing on his toffee colored ass I had to be strong and keep my composure for Dutch. I’ll have plenty of time to beat that ass, he ain’t going nowhere I reminded myself with certainty.

“I’m going to go down and grab some coffee,” I said aloud not particularly to anyone just to let them know I’ll be back in no time so don’t try no funny shit.

“And you,” I turned back directing my attention back to Beau, fuck kind of name is Beau anyway I thought to myself “don’t even think about going anywhere” I said sternly.

He surprised me when replied back, “I don’t plan on leaving her side,” he said while looking back at Dutchess, resting so peacefully in the bed next to him. I saw regret and longing in his eyes when he looked at her. When said he wasn’t leaving her side he meant just that. The way he said it didn’t sit well with me but I shook it off and proceeded to head out to Dunkin Donuts down the block.

As soon as I made my way downstairs I reached in my purse and took out my phone, lighter and pre-rolled joint. I unlocked my phone and searched for Autumn’s number as I lit my joint and proceeded to walk to the store.

After three rings she finally answered “Yo” she said groggily “we making drops earlier today?” she said already in work mode, I could hear her shuffling on the other end which meant she was ready to hop out the bed and go if need be. That made me smile; my team was always bout getting to that paper.

“No” I said taking a long drag from my joint letting it hit me. God knows I need to feel something because since I’ve seen Dutch lying motionless in that stale ass hospital bed I’ve been void of all emotions except anger and blind rage.

“Dutch got hit by a drunk driver last night, she’s at Mount Sinai” I said venom lacing my voice thinking about her being there. 

“Oh my god! I’m on my way,” she said frantically.

“Aight ma, I’ll be waiting out in front for you,” I told her as I hung up and finished my J stepping on the clip with my timb just as I walked up to Dunkin Donuts. Now I’m high and hungry as fuck, bout to get one of everything on the menu like a true fat nigga would.

  Beau

4:45 a.m.

My eyes fluttered open and I slowly took in my surroundings, the piercingly bright lights, pristine white walls and the constant bustle just outside the oak door confirmed my suspicion. I’m in the hospital, last night really did happen. As bad as I wanted this to be a bad dream this shit was real I’m still dumbfounded as to how it even happened in the first place.

“Oh good your awake” the Dr. said as he walked into my room.

“How long have I been out?” I asked groggily my voice coming out more hoarse than I expected.

“Not long and lucky for you have minor injuries just some scrapes and bruises that’ll be gone in weeks to come you can, whenever you get your things in order I have the forms here for you to sign so you can checkout” he said.

“Cool cool, how’s Riley?” I blurted out anxiously.

“He’s got a broken arm and a few scratches, but he’ll make a full recovery. He’s currently sleeping off the alcohol in his system, but when he wakes you can head down the hall to see him.” He turned to walk out, but turned back and looked at me with an unreadable face. I instantly thought back to the night events and it hit me. I closed my eyes and asked, “Did he hit something?”

“Someone, he hit someone. A young woman” He said solemnly.

My heart sank not only did Boogz’s reckless ass put my life and his in danger, but he put an innocent life in the mix. “Is she…?” I couldn’t bring myself to finish the sentence. If she was dead I couldn’t live with myself. How could I let this shit get so out of hand? I mentally kicked myself.

“No, by the grace of God she pulled through her surgery and it looks as if she’ll make a full recovery,” his voice began to trail “but at the current moment she is suffering from two broken legs and four broken ribs.”

 I cringed as he finished telling me the extent of her injuries, shorty was fucked up and the fact that I was partly to blame for it, it ate at me slowly.

“Can I see her?” I asked with urgency.

“I’m not allowed to release her information to you,” he huffed; fuck all that he was giving up that info.

“I didn’t ask you all that, can I see her now, please.” I said with assertiveness. I wasn’t taking no for any answer and he could tell by my tone that my mind was set on seeing her. He could help me or I could tear this bitch a part brick by brick until I find her. I don’t have time for his bullshit ethics or politics I had to see her and he was going to take me me. From the time he told me she existed I was drawn to her.

He let out an exasperated sigh “Let’s go.”

___

“Just be quiet she’s sleeping and needs as much rest as possible” he said smugly before nodding me in the direction of her room and continuing on to the rest of his shift. I heeded his words as I slowly made my way.

My eyes were met with the sight of a fairly slim, brown skin woman with monitors beeping around her and the loud sound of her breathing with the respirator tube. I instantly felt like the shit I am for helping her get there.

“I’m so sorry” I whispered to her as I made my way closer to her side. Even with the minor scrapes on her face she was flawless. I mean drop dead gorgeous and it made me a little uncomfortable. Why is she so damn pretty though? Her layered hair fanned out around her, some of it framing her face while other waves flowed out on her pillow. Her skin had a glow to it even with the given circumstance. I wanted to badly touch her bruised bottom lip and make it disappear, her lips are too juicy to have a flaw on them.  I don’t know what brought it about, but I couldn’t stop myself from reaching down and touching her face. I used my thumb to lightly trace her bottom lip and some of the scratches on her face.

“You might not be able to hear me, but in the event you can just know I’m not going anywhere.  I promise you that I’ll be with you every step of this recovery process. Riley and I both, I’ll be there when you hate me, when you don’t like me, and when you don’t want to even look at me I'll still be here. I can’t allow myself to allow you to go through this without me. When times get to an all time low, I’ll be there.” I said while absentmindedly stroking her cheek. I felt her stir under my touch and instantly drew my hand back hoping she would wake up, but to no avail.

Instead I pulled up the seat next to her and held her hand. I began talking to her; it was like I had word vomit and talking to her was the only medication I could take to cure it, even if the conversation was one sided at the moment.

I heard a knock on the door indicating our little heart to heart moment was over. More like our heart to heart hour and a half. Somehow I knew we wouldn’t have many more moments alone anytime soon especially since one of the nurses said she got in contact with someone from Dutchess’ family.

  Autumn 

7:00 a.m.

I had no time to think or process what I had been told by Nami. How could this happen? Rolling out of bed hustling to the bathroom with my phone still in hand. I told Siri to call Nas while I started brushing my teeth, but he sent me straight to voicemail. Now was not the time for this nigga to want to act up. I knew he wasn’t a morning person, but fuck all that I dialed him again.

“Fuck you calling me so early fuh?” He said answering the phone in a huff on the second ring, his country twang mixed with sleep and animosity made me chuckle.

“Fuck is so funny?” he said getting agitated “You called me to play games or you calling me bout a job?” He said turning his attention straight to business.

“No I’m calling you to tell you that I’ll be outside in 10 mins we’re going to the hospital,” I said as calmly as I could, but internally my nerves are all over the place.

“The hospital?” He spoke confused.

“Yeah, Dutch got hit by a drunk driver last night and shit is bad. Nami is already there, she sounds hella stressed son.” I said cutting him off.

“Say no more imma tell this nigga A to meet me at the crib and we’ll all go together” he said breathlessly, I could hear him already hopping out of bed.

“Bet” I said hanging up the phone as I ran through my room like a tornado grabbing everything I needed and shoving it into my bag. I have not a clue as to how long we’ll be at the hospital so I had to be prepared. I grabbed a blunt from my top drawer and put it in my mouth as I grabbed my bag, shut off the light and headed downstairs. Normally I’d just hop on my bike, but with everything going on I felt that taking out one of my whips was necessary.

After choosing one I hopped in and peeled out of my garage to pick up Nas and A.

___

 “We got here as soon as we could Nami,” I said as we approached her while she was fucking her bacon, egg and cheese up. High ass nigga.

“Damn fat nigga you gon’ share some or you just gon’ stuff your face?” Nas asked while reaching for her bag of food being the greedy nigga he is.

Instead of arguing with him or snapping at him Nami surprised us all by allowing him access to her food. Nami didn’t play around with her food so the fact that she didn’t black on him for even making an attempt at her food meant that shit was intense.

All she did was grab her cup of coffee since Nas’ greedy ass passed the rest of the food to Aaron and turned inside the hospital leading the way to Dutch. Any other time Nami would have cussed me out and called me every name in the book for telling Nas and telling him to come with me, but I didn’t know whom else to call. The two of them can fight like cats and dogs, I’ve even seen them go blow for blow on a few occasions, but for the life of me I couldn’t put my finger on what brought about the anger between them. He and Aaron really care about Dutch and wouldn’t wish any harm to come to her not to mention we’ve all worked side by side for the past 4 years how could I not tell them?

“How bad is it?” Aaron asked Nami while stuffing his mouth full of her sausage, egg white and cheese flatbread as the elevator dinged signaling that we had reached our destination.

“4 broken ribs and two broken legs” she sighed as I gasped.

“So that means she can’t ride any more?” Nas asked thoroughly concerned while wiping crumbs away from his mouth. This shit can’t be happening.

Nami looked at the floor fighting tears as she nodded her head. I instantly put my arms around her as she continued to lead the way. “Looks that way,” she finally said.

“Don’t let this get you down Nami we’re here and we’re going get through this together,” Aaron said with so much compassion and assurance, but I could see the fire in his eyes clear as day. He was pissed. Shit I would be too; Dutchess is his best worker even though she didn’t really work for him. Neither did we, we had a mutually beneficial understanding. He and Dutch came up with the idea to have a delivery service, anything someone needs delivered we do just that. 

On a strictly confidential basis no one actually knows what they’re delivering until you get it from the client. From that point the anonymity of what’s in the package stays between the client and the deliverer. I know I’ve personally delivered damn near everything from narcotics to precious gems to top of the line sports car.  So I can only image the type of shit Dutch delivers because she’s the best at what she does. People will pay top dollar to have their shit delivered and if it’s done properly in a discreet manner you can guarantee they’ll keep coming back. Our circle is tight, but it’s for the best, bread can only be broken so many ways.

Walking into Dutch’s room I saw a light skinned man sitting by the side of her bed holding her hand completely oblivious to our presence in the room. All his attention was focused on Dutch as he ran him thumb over the back of her hand with care.

“Nigga who you?” Nas said being the rude nigga that he is finally letting our presence be known, but asking what we all wanted to know. His head snapped in our direction, but the hold he had on Dutch’s hand didn’t slack nor did the stroking of his thumb against the back of her hand.  

“Oh that’s Beau” Nami said emphasizing his name chuckling bitterly as she sipped from the cup of coffee in her hand before he could open his mouth “he was in the car that hit Dutch.” The air in the room instantly got thick and all eyes were fixed on him. I knew shit was about to hit the fan.