Page 21 of Hooked On A California Kingpin

“I understand, just don’t get your hopes to high Teddy. That’s your mom, love and respect her no doubt. The people you love the most, always hurts you the worst. You dig? I live life not putting high expectations on people because sometimes they just can’t help who they are.” I didn’t respond to that, she looked out the window like something was weighing heavy on her mind.

“Some shit bout to change, everybody ain’t gone ride with me. They gon’ pretend to but actions will be exposed.” She sparked a blunt and rolled the window down halfway.

“I’m riding with you Queen.” I spoke in confidence. I hadn’t proved myself much to her, but I knew for a fact that I would never cross her.

“I know, and I promise all of this shit gone pay off. One day soon, all your troubles will be gone. I’m about to sacrifice some shit to make it happen for both of us. We both know the struggle. I just want you to pick your confidence up, you a boss ass nigga, a big steppa. You got to walk it like you talk it, Teddy.” She passed me the blunt and I declined.

“I ain’t tryna drive high and shit.” We both started laughing at that.

“I respect it, this is your car, so if you damage it that’s on you, nigga.” My eyes got big as fuck.

“What?” I didn’t think I heard her correct. A car would help me drastically.

“This yo shit, I’m giving you a month to get your L’s.” She smiled and I swerved a little, ignoring the cars honking my eyes got blurry from tears of joy.

“Queen.” Was all I could say at first.

“You really my nigga Teddy, I fucks with you tough. I’m getting ready to make an announcement, I called an emergency meeting so that’s where we headed. Niggas gone hate but they gone respect whatever comes out of my mouth.” I nodded my head in agreement, niggas knew not to test anything Queen said. She stood on every word she spoke, if she even sensed a challenge or a threat, she would nip it right there in the bud.

“Man, you know I don’t like accepting gifts and handouts. I wouldn’t dare disrespect you and turn it down. I really appreciate this shit, my sisters gone love it too. Thanks Queen.” I pulled into the back of her clinic and killed the engine.

“I got you as long as you got me. I ask for nothing back but your loyalty. Be my ears, and eyes when I’m not around. I don’t trust easily, but when I look in your eyes Teddy, I see apart of me in them.” She smiled and a feeling came over me. It felt like this was a deep moment for Queen and I. Some shit just didn’t have to be explained to be understood. Right now, I understood everything it was she was saying.

“Stay in the car for like ten minutes, enjoy your whip, then come join the meeting. You know how niggas get jealous if they think I’m paying one of y’all more attention than the other.” We shared another laugh and Queen got out the car. She was a pro when it came to transforming back into that cold calculated boss. Her face was void of everything as she walked with confidence. Bundy stepped out the back door and eyed me first. A look of curiosity crossed his face. His eyes landed on Queen as he held the door opened wide for her. A blind man could see how deeply in love he was with her. His whole intimidating facial features turned soft each time he laid eyes on her.

Taking my eyes off them, I couldn’t hold back the silly grin that was plastered on my face. I really had my own car now; this shit was real. When Queen got out the car, she left the pink slip in the seat. I picked it up and eyed my name in big bold letters. Putting the pink slip in the glove compartment, I looked into the backseat and noticed shopping bags. I envisioned my sisters sitting in the back seat big cheesing, I couldn’t wait to pull up to my house and show them the car we now had.

I reached over and looked in the bags and noticed that Queen not only laced me with what looked like summer clothes. She hooked my sisters up too. I wouldn’t even ask her how her crazy ass knew our sizes either. I wouldn’t be surprised if she went to my house and found out on her own.

Tucking my happiness, I stepped out of my car and hit the locks. I walked into the back door with a new feeling. I felt more confident in myself, I didn’t put the hoodie over my head or look down at the floor. I made eye contact with every nigga in the room as Queen words flowed through my head.

I just want you to pick your confidence up, you a boss ass nigga, a big steppa. You got to walk it like you talk it, Teddy.

Yea, that’s what I was on from now on. I listened to her talk and when she got ready to announce the new lieutenant everyone seemed like they were on the edge of their seats.

“Teddy, is a young ambitious nigga, he keeps his nose clean and I can trust him with my life. I will be back out of town for a couple of weeks rearranging some things. He will lead the meetings and count the dough. If respect is not given, then he will also handle that accordingly too.” I made sure to lock eyes with every nigga and female that sat around in folding chairs. Although my heart was thumping hard, I dared a muthafucka to step up and get bold.

Clapback had a look on her face like she wanted to protest but knew it wasn’t in her best interest.

“Bundy will be the second Lieutenant, when I leave to go back to Mexico, I expect for shit to run the same but better.” Queen gave Clapback a stern eye as she mumbled some shit under her breath.

“So, what we gone do about the syndicate shit. We just gone sit here and act like that nigga didn’t kidnap you. Are we getting down with them niggas? Falling in line or what?” Clapback sounded like she was pissed off.

“It’s more to it, deeper than what the naked eye can see, when I’m ready to explain that I will.” Bundy handed her an already lit blunt. He looked like he was just happy to be right next to her.

“Everybody here is gang. You leaving us in the dark now Queen?” Clapback didn’t know when to shut up and that was a major flaw of hers. Something about her didn’t sit well with me, so I kept my distance from her. I never wanted to disrespect Queen’s sister.

“I’m keeping you out of my personal business. If it pertains to the gang then I will make that shit known. Right now, its personal, its not F.Y.F business. So, drop it… or you can figure out a way to stop dealing with that nigga Killa. It’s bad for business.” Clapback shut her mouth as we all sat in silence. I was thinking about the new position along with all the responsibilities it came with. I was ready for the challenge, ready to get this money by all means necessary.

“Let me make it clear, we don’t bow down. If I see a big opportunity for us all, I will take it. We are small right now, very close knit. I love that for us, I just want you all to be prepared for something far greater. If I come back from Mexico and call an emergency meeting, then just know we have expanded. Longer sleepless nights will occur. If I also decide to get down with the Syndicate, nigga then best believe it will involve more money for us.”

“It won’t Queen, them niggas extorting people out of their dividends,” Murk’um spoke up.

“That won’t be the case with us if or when I do make my final decision. Now if any of you feel like I’m not making good decisions for us as a whole then any of you are free to walk away. Walk away before you attempt to do some shady shit. No matter how many years we got together, I won’t hesitate to kill you.”

I tuned out the conversation and start thinking of ways to step my own shit up. I had to move smarter. I definitely had more on me now and had to figure out just where I could relocate my stash.

Once the meeting was over, I walked out to the parking lot forgetting that I even had a car. Usually, I’d catch the bus back home or one of them would take me home. Instead, I was holding the keys to my own shit. Excitement flowed through me the closer I got to my Impala. Hopping in my car felt surreal as fuck, I turned up the radio and cruised all the way home. I wouldn’t bitch up in front of Queen. I let the tears of joy fall from my eyes and didn’t wipe them away until I pulled up in front of the projects. Looking at the time it was only about seven, deciding to detour from in front of my house, I drove past Jocelyn house and blew the horn.