Gangster Love: Book 1 the Wonder Years

Chapter 1

A king was made to order for Odessa Maxie. Tyrone, her son was brought forth on August 19th 1951 in a back room on west 65th St., you could tell by the stately look on his tiny face that hell had finally come to earth.

As a baby he never cried, just looked at you and smiles, not an angelic smile like a little kid, but a chilling experience of the like that he was crushing your very soul. I know it may sound far-fetched, but no one would touch him. You know how people pick up little babies and play with them? Not this kid, the only thing you wanted to do was pay your respects to his mother and get the fuck out.

Nothing came easy for him growing up and he never made anything easy for anyone. He wore his nickname like a crown of glory which was Cold Blooded and that he was to the very bone!

Chapter 2

On a cold January night in the year 1967, Tyrone and his crew were undecided on what they actually wanted to do. You know how it is with a bunch of seventeen-year-old boys, standing around on the corner playing pocket pool; life is full of mischief with plenty of nothing for them to do.

Hey Hookum! Titta screams. What’s up with yo mama? She ain’t getting enough at home? I told the bitch I should have been yo daddy.

Fuck you Titta! Is the reply that came from Hookum as he also decided to throw an empty beer bottle at him.

Hey, quit screwing around silly ass niggers, before you hit me with something and I knock both yo Asses out. Says Joe The Boss, a big black, 6ft. 200lb barrel of laughs.

You ain’t go’n do a damn thing to me, you big gruesome looking motherfucker. says Hookum.

"What you say…? You little…

Hold up! Warns Cold Blooded.

Everybody cool it before the man comes around and starts fucking with us, and if I go to jail, I’m going to kill all you cocksuckeres! It’s colder than a poor ho’s heart out here, and all you silly ass niggers can do is talk about each others mamas and throw shit at each other, you need to grow up.

FUCK YOU! Yells everyone in unison, as they laugh, split up and head in the direction of their homes.

As they paired off Lil Hookum and Titta encountered a truck sitting in the alley behind Tobacco Road, (a small lot right off 65th and Morgan) idling with a couple of guys unloading cases or boxes or something, and taking them through the back door of Mr. Bakers store. Now its damn near three in the morning, and we all know that ain’t no deliveries being made that’s legit at this time.

Hey, what do you think there doing? Asks Hookum.

How the hell should I know, why don’t you walk up there and ask them if they need help bitch.

I’ve told you about calling me that shit. Hookum says. And another thing…

Shhh! Titta warns. They’re coming back.

. A couple of blocks in the opposite direction Joe and Tyrone spotted a few members of a rival gang sitting in a car with the lights out. Just sitting, like they were waiting for someone, they were, it was Linda Clark the sweetest piece of ass on the south side of Chicago. (Of all the hoe’s she was the boss, she’d fuck you, suck you, jack you off).

They wondered what would Linda be doing with the likes of them? They looked at each other in disbelief; this situation had to be checked out. As the car drove south on Racine Ave. Joe knew for a fact that the plans Cold Blooded were making for her at this very moment, could possibly cost her life.

As Titta and Hookum watch the men unload the rest of the merchandize from the truck, and proceed to stock Bakers store with mysterious boxes, they crept closer for a better look.

You take a look in the truck Hookum, and see what they might have had in there or what’s left; I’ll take a peek in Bakers and see what’s going on!

Now Titta was a thief, one of the best (He could sneak up on a ghost) but as soon as he got close enough to the building he heard a noise, a clicking sound, at first he thought it was a gun but it wasn’t… it was a lighter, a fucking cigarette lighter. An act that was performed with perfection by that idiot that was supposed to be on his job, but instead was firing up a joint.

"I’ll deal with him later. Titta thought. But now first things first."

Clearing his mind and getting his nerves back in order Titta preceded to see what was going on inside Mr. Bakers store. What he saw was the dudes from the truck and Mr. Baker joking around, talking, and money being exchanged.

As he passed Hookum on the run out of the yard, Titta yelled; Move Out! As they ran down the alley and Hookum slowing down and laughing saying; Don’t you want to hit this? Titta turned and says; You dumb motherfucker you scared the shit out of me back their, fucking around firing up a joint, when you were suppose to be checking out the truck!

Wasn’t anything in that raggedy ass truck you scary motherfucker. I saw you sliding your ass on the ground like a snake or something, G.I. Joe ass motherfucker. But all bull-shitting aside (as he saw Titta, about ready to snatch an attitude). This is something that should be told to Cold Blooded. First thing. Titta agreed.

First Thang!"

I’ll find out soon enough what that bitch was doing with those hooks Joe, count on it.

Slow down Cold-Blooded, maybe she was just turning a trick or something?

I’m going to find out what that something is!

"But…

But my ass! Tyrone says; She’s an enemy of the state and I’m stating right now, she will explain!

Whatever you say Cold Blooded.

I’m going home to get some sleep, we’ll talk tomorrow. As Tyrone walked away Joe knew that the peace that was enjoyed in the hood for the last few months ended this night. And he wasn’t about to let his friend walk home alone, Even if that meant being a half block behind him.

Chapter 3

Everyone met up the next morning about midday; the Hawk was really at work. I mean that wind was really blowing. It was colder than the doorknob on an Eskimos Igloo. I believe it was colder than the day before, but they were in their spot, there little corner of the world, 65th and May. Laughing, joking and just generally fucking around. Everyone knew who had the bottle, someone in the crowd says; "Hey Hookum! Pass the drink."

What drink motherfucker, mine? Where’s yours? I’ve got mine.

"Man! Pass the damn drink you little tight ass freak before we take it."

As Hookum starts to back away he starts laughing and says; Fuck you Titta and all the rest of you punk ass niggers, y’all ain’t go’n do shit. The next thing you know snowballs began flying and all hell broke loose, you know fun, teenage shit. It must have been about fifteen or twenty guys and girls, slipping and sliding, falling and laughing, I mean everybody in the neighborhood, everyone but Tyrone, Cold Blooded.

I believed. (I mean I know). Was the only one that didn’t get hit! The only snow that was on him was the flakes that fell from the sky. (And they did a pretty good job of missing him).

As the fun began to subside, Tyrone finally caught the eye of Titta and motioned for him to follow… just him.

Of course Hookum and Joe weren’t far off.

Titta we’ve got a problem. Tyrone began. Last night or should I say this morning when you and Hookum left I spotted a car sitting in front of our girl Linda’s house. And guess who was in it? About three or four of those hooks, from across the park and that’s not all. She got in the car with them and took off.

Are you sure Cold Blooded? I mean Linda’s one of us. Didn’t you have a thing going on with her at one time, she knows the score.

Yeah I know, but theirs something funny going on around here, and I aim to find out what’s going down.

"Hey man that’s not all. On our way home Hookum and me ran into some weird shit too, listen…

Now on the way to Titta’s house, to get out of the cold and to talk more about the events that are occurring in the neighborhood, they encounter a friend of there’s that goes by the name of White Folks Joe asks him to go into the Marquette Club and get them a pint of some cheap liquor, and a couple of six packs

When they received the package and tipped Frank for going (White Folks real name) they’d now have to devise a scheme of slipping pass Titta’s mother with the booze. Now his mama wasn’t anybody’s fool. First Titta says; Hey ma’dear.

Gives her a kiss on the cheek and they all follow suit, passing her on their way to his room, which was upstairs in the attic

Wait a minute, she calls out Where’s that little slick ass Hookum?

Who mama? Titta says.

Hookum motherfucker, you heard me. Where’s he at? In jail? That’s where all y’alls asses go’n be, fucking around with that boy. He’s crazy as a bitsy bug, smoking them reefers and shit and God knows what else that boy does.

Ah ma’dear… Hookum’s alright, maybe a little wild but a good guy all the same.

(Now while Titta was talking to his mother and trying to convince her that Hookum loved her like he was her own son). Joe The Boss was sneaking him in the back door.

What the fuck took you so long letting me in, slow ass nigger. It colder than a witches tittie out here.

Shut up and get your ass on upstairs with the shit, you little long head motherfucker, before Titta’s mama hears you.

What the fuck yo big ass doing back their in my kitchen Joe?

Nothing ma, just going to the bathroom.

With my back door open? What you doing, pissing out it?

"No mama, your back door ain’t opened I…

Shut your lying mouth boy and all y’alls go on upstairs. And tell Hookum’s ass to use the front door like everybody else next time, before he gets shot coming thru my back door.

Now once upstairs they started laughing about what happened and how smart Titta’s mother really was. Titta put some records on the box and everyone started on the beer and liquor. Letting Hookum get the first shot out the bottle since he was so damn cold.

It was nice and warm up here in the room. Tyrone thought.

As he watched Joe making his move on one of Titta’s sisters. Alice a nice looking girl but with just too much mouth for his taste. Titta and Hookum were going at it as always laughing and arguing, calling each other names and loving every moment of it. Tyrone stood back in thought, always really by himself no matter how many people were around him.

Than a voice said; What’s up Cold Blooded? Relax. What you thinking about so hard?

It was his boy Titta; bringing over a shot of whiskey and a can of beer for him.

A lot of things Titta. says Tyrone. What that bitch Linda was doing with those motherfuckers from across the park. What was in those crates you and Hookum saw being put in Bakers store at 3 a.m. It seems to me that all this shit ties up some how.

Well you know Linda works in Mr. Bakers store don’t you? Titta tells him.

No I didn’t know that., admits Tyrone. Since when has she been working there, and doing what?

She works behind the counter, ringing up shit; she’s a cashier Yeah that’s it, a cashier. I know more about your woman than you do.

She’s not my woman anymore motherfucker! Tyrone snaps all of a sudden. Suddenly everyone got quiet Joe came into the room wondering what had happened, Hookum stood up; Titta just froze, too afraid to move looking into his eyes. Looking into them where like looking at Tombstones.

Then Hookum said; "Wait a minute man… that’s Titta, that’s Titta, Cold Blooded."

And just as suddenly as the madness had come over him, it left. He began to relax and so did Titta and Joe. Alice was standing in the doorway scared stiff and crying, tears just running down her cheeks unable to move. Joe went to comfort her and you could hear Hookum in the background laughing and saying;He ain’t goanna get no pussy now. Cold Blooded than scared that girl so bad, her pussies than drawn up tighter than a virgin.

"Fuck you Hookum! Says Titta. "Don’t be talking about my sister.

Even Tyrone laughed and said; Everybody I’m sorry. And called for Joe and Alice, to apologize to them.

That’s all right man. Says Joe, We know how it is"

You’re a damn lie! shouts Hookum. It ain’t all right, you made me spill my drink all over, you psycho motherfucker. Now buy another one.

Tyrone just looked at him and smiled, then said; OKAY! And gave him the money to go find White Folks.

Chapter 4

It was evening when the boys finally left Titta’s mothers house. They were a little tipsy and full from the chicken, which Hookum also happened to bring back with him a little earlier. As they started back to their little slice of heaven, which was on 65th and May. They wanted to make a stop at the Marquette Club first, to grab another drink to take back with them. But Frank was nowhere to be found or no one else for that matter, to get the liqueur for them. They decided to keep on going toward 65th and if they still wanted something to drink by the time they got to their destination, they could always send someone from there, to go to the Club Shenandoah which was a few blocks over on Carpenter St.

On the walk there the wind was blowing so fierce, that they had to walk backwards to catch their breath.

Damn man! Joe says; We should have stayed at your house Titta, where it’s warm.

Don’t you have any heat at home? Titta answers.

Not like your sister. Says Hookum Who was trying his best to fire up a joint, but not having too much success do to the wind.

I hope that fire turns back, and burns your face off, you dirty mouth motherfucker, Exclaims Titta.

As they continued to walk to their spot, Hookum tried one of his slick moves, but wound up dropping the bottle that he had stashed from early on.

You dog ass motherfucker! Exclaimed Titta and Joe, at the same time.

As Hookum bent down laughing to pick up the drink

You had something all the time and didn’t say anything?

Well you knew that I was going to share, don’t you?

Sure we do. They agreed as they took the bottle from him and threw his ass in the deepest part of the snow that they could find, and left him there.

He just lay there and laughed.

By the time they got to the corner on 65th and May, Cold Blooded, Titta, and Joe were damn near frozen. So they went inside the store for a minute to get out of the cold An old preacher owned the little store that sat on the corner, and the Club Shenandoah, on Carpenter St. too. He was the Rev.C.L. Mitchell, which everyone affectingly calls Reb.

If you’re running from the police get out! If your not buying anything, get out. If you’re just standing here to collect heat, get the hell out! says Reb." In that wonderfully loud voice of his.

Come on man its cold out there, give us a break Reb. someone said.

"I’ll give you a break alright you little…

Just then Cold Blooded stepped up and says; Hold it Reb. We’ll get something, here take this ten spot and get us some lunchmeat and crackers or whatever else they might want, and let us use that heater in the back for a while, deal?

The preacher just stood there dumbfounded with his mouth open, Cold Blooded stuffed a ten-dollar bill in Reb’s shirt pocket and they proceeded to head to the back of the store where the heat was.

Chapter 5

AS HOOKUM PICKED HIMSELF UP FROM the snow, and brushing himself off, he fired up a joint while watching the boys’ head toward 65th Just when he was about to go and catch up, he spotted Frank (White Folks), leaving out of someone’s house. He motioned for him to come there and made the deal with him to get the liquor that they wanted. Since they were so close to the Marquette Club, he’ll settle with the fellas about their part of the money later, when he catches up with them.

As soon as he paid Frank for the package he started toward Reb’s store, but low and behold who did he spot getting out of a car on 66th and May, nobody but our girl Linda Clark. He placed the bottle that he had gotten from White Folks into the breast pocket of his overcoat then asked her; Where you coming from girl? And who’s that, you were with in that car?

I’m coming from work Hookum, if you must know. And as far as who was in the car, that’s none of your damn business.

Hookum grabbed her by the arm and said; Who you getting smart with bitch? I’ll beat your motherfucking ass out here. Now who was it in that car? And talk fast.

Linda was terrified, as he continued to squeeze and twist her arm, then she says; It was my cousin Janet you know Janet, you know her Hookum… you’re hurting my arm.

I’ll hurt more than that, if I find out your lying.

Then she asks him; did Tyrone put you up to this? Because if he didn’t, do you think that he would really appreciate you hurting me like this? Do you?

Hookum began to think about what she was saying and says; Treating you like what? All I was doing was asking how you were doing, and did you want to hit this here joint or want a drink.

"Naw, Hookum I don’t want shit from you. Just stay away from me OKAY! Okay Hookum?"

Sure baby, I’ll stay away… for now. As he watched her walk away toward Ogden Park heading in the direction of the girls gym.

Everyone was starting to get warm, standing around the heater in the back of the store eating lunchmeat and crackers, drinking can pop, and wishing they had found Frank to have a real drink Then Titta says; (Not to anyone in particular). Where you think Hookum’s got off to?

Just then Hookum appears, and hearing what his buddy Titta said, he says; "Why, you miss me baby? Hold this!" And threw the bottle that he had gotten from White Folks to him. Then motions with his head to Cold Blooded, that he wanted to talk to him in private.

Hookum started the conversation off with; Guess who I ran into getting out of a car, up on 66th St. a few minutes ago.

Who? Asked Cold Blooded getting a little frustrated.

Your friend Linda Clark, plus she said that she was just getting off work.

So what’s wrong with that?

Well? Hookum continued. Why would you get out of a car, with your cousin steal in there, and your down the street from your house, or a half block from the gym, where your suppose to be going and the cars going in that direction?

What cousin? Tyrone asked.

She said it was her cousin Janet.

Janet? That can’t be Hookum.

Whys that?

Because Janet’s out of town, she’s in Detroit. I know, because Linda and me went with her to the bus station around the end of last month. She said that she wouldn’t be back until the first of March.

Hookum started to smile and states; I knew that bitch was lying about something, I could feel it. What are you going to do about it?

I don’t know yet. But by the time I’m finished with her, she’ll think the devils pitchfork is her mothers’ gentle hand. Right now, lets get back to that bottle before Titta and Joe kill it.

All right boys, where’s the bottle? And your part of the money on It. says Hookum.

As Joe, passes the bottle to Tyrone, Hookum says; "Damn man! We weren’t gone that long, and you long throat motherfuckers than damn near dranked up the shit. Y’all need professional help."

You’re the one that needs professional help, Says Titta. And don’t fire that shit up in here either, asshole.

Man I’m not firing up this joint in here, but if I did what you gone do about it?

Come on man; don’t light that thing up in here.

Nobody bet not light nothing up in here but a cigarette, and I’m not to particular about that! Says Reb. Don’t you young people have homes to go to? Standing around drinking and talking like grown men, how old are you boys anyway about 15,16,or 17, maybe? You need to be in school somewhere getting an education. Don’t you think so?

"Ah, we go to school Reb. Sometimes!"

Yeah sometimes. They all laughed.

A good education ain’t no laughing matter. The old man continued You better get it when and while you can. You know the world is changing, and you need more out there than just a high school diploma. And that’s the Gods honest truth!

Titta says; I don’t need no more schooling, I make more money on the street, than my old man ever made on a job.

Doing what? Stealing? Robbing your own people? I don’t see any of you guys going across Western Ave. messing with those white folks and I’m not talking about that nigger down the street that buys liquor for you either.

They all started laughing.

It’s no joke young man mark my words! Reb continued. Life’s tough out there in the real world and your not going to make it without a good education and the right people behind you.

Chapter 6

IT WAS ABOUT 7 P.M. WHEN they all decided to leave out of Reb’s store and see what was happening on their streets. Now Joe always stayed by Cold Blooded side no matter what. He was his so-called self-proclaimed bodyguard. Joe was kind of a quiet type of guy. Big and strong as an ox, with a deadly loyalty true kings could only admire.

So what do you think about all that stuff that was said back they’re at the store Cold Blooded, you know, about school and things?

I don’t really know Joe. I’ve never really given it much thought, why?

"It seems to me that a lot of the things Reb. was saying made sense, you know schooling an all. Your smart Cold Blooded, you even finished high school, you read a lot. I like reading sometimes to, but…

Hold that thought goodbuddie, I see someone I need to talk too, lets go.

Now Hookum and Titta walked straight down May St. when they came out of Reb’s store. Heading toward 64th St. making their rounds checking on their goods, with the plan in mind for them all to meet up in front of the Club Shenandoah in about a half hour or forty-five minutes.

What you think about that schooling shit, Reb was talking about Hookum?

I don’t think nothing about that stuff Titta, right now the only thing I’m thinking about is firing up this here joint I got in my hand. And getting the fuck out of this cold. Now give me a light or you fire up the damn thing.

As she was coming up the street, with her head down against the wind, Linda didn’t notice who was directly in front of her, when she bumped into him.

Oh excuse me, I didn’t see you. Looking up into his eyes, a place she hadn’t been in a very long time. That cold and distant space that seemed so far away.

Hello love. Tyrone said. Long time no see.

You go on ahead Joe. I’ll catch up with you boys later at the Shenandoah; I have to talk to Linda here for a minute. Joe didn’t feel right about leaving him there alone with Linda, but he did what he was told and headed in the direction of the Shenandoah, to meet with Titta and Hookum to appraise them of the situation.

Come on, lets get out of this cold. Tyrone whispered softly to her. I’ll walk you home. Once he got her safely to her door, he asks; if it was possible for him to step inside for a minute to be out of the cold? She reluctantly agreed, knowing that it was still things between them that had to be settled. (Since their break up two weeks ago they hadn’t had a chance to talk).

Let me have your hat and coat, and I’ll see what we have warm for you to drink. Would you like some hot chocolate or tea? Or would you prefer to be with your friends drinking cheap whiskey and beer?

Now don’t start. sighed Tyrone. Its cold enough outside, must it be that way in here to?

She looked at him and smiled warmly, asking him to; "follow her into the kitchen so she could prepare the hot chocolate or tea." Whichever he preferred. Linda knew that he could be quite charming when he wanted. So right now she wanted to know just why he was being so gallant. He hadn’t bothered to get in touch with her in all this time. Or maybe it was just and accident, that they ran into each other.

On the way to the kitchen, they had to pass Linda’s mother room, her door was open so Tyrone did what he was suppose to, he spoke; Good evening Mrs. Clark how’s every little thing? I hope you’re feeling well?

I’m feeling fine baby, who’s that?

Its Tyrone mama he just wanted to know if you were all right.

"Oh! I’m doing all right, haven’t seen you around here for a while is everything all right between you two? Now maybe that girl in there will stop being so mean to everyone around here. You think so?"

I hope so Mrs. Clark; she can be a hand full when she gets her habits on.

Ms Clark just laughed and they proceeded to head to the kitchen, where Linda’s little brother and sister were playing She sent them out of the kitchen to their room. It was pretty early about 7:30 p.m. They didn’t have to go bed, so they could play in there.

And Tyrone and Linda could now finally have their much-needed talk.

When Joe finally caught up with Hookum and Titta, they were warming themselves by one of the lighted garbage cans that sit in the lot called Tobacco Road. Which happens to be almost directly across the street from the Club Shenandoah, that also gives them a clear view of every direction.

"What happen to