In today's urban society, the American dream seems to be about money, drugs, women and cars. One aspect ties into another. Longevity is out the door. The 'Get Rich or Die Trying' anthem is prevailing. This seems to happen at any cost. Many want the street fame but don't truly understand what it takes to get there and to keep it. With today's youth, recklessness is common. It appears as if either they don't fear or truly understand the consequences of their actions until or if their families are involved. That's where this story takes place. Enter Tre', the next upcoming thing on the streets. Tre is quickly on his way to becoming the next general within his organization with the help of his best friend and right hand man Derrick. Together, they seem to have it all figured out; until the dreadful night when Derrick is killed. Like anyone else, it's natural to want to bring the killer to justice. But Tre's justice is street justice. The dilemma comes in when street justice has to be placed on Tre's younger brother, Kory, who just might happen to be the killer. Kory, who lived with his mother across town idolized Tre' and thought that his forming his own gang would give him the street cred his brother had. The trouble is, Kory's street affiliation automatically places him as his brother's rival. Can Tre' take revenge out on his brother or let his best friend's death go without retaliation? Without taking action, his own members and leader will take action against him. How can he get out of a situation and go on to live the positive life like he and Derrick dreamed of secretly? Can he truly carry out this command or is he really just a 'Toy Soldier?'

Toy Soldiers

By Duane Christian

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2010 Duane Christian
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4490-9162-0

Chapter One

It's said that gangsters move in silence. They don't promote who they are because they know what they are. They know its best not to draw attention to themselves so they can keep their business going. Gangsters don't work by themselves either. They have a code to live by and loyalty to their respected families. If you mess with one, you mess with them all. Whatever a gangster starts, they are sure to finish. I've seen enough 'Godfather', 'Good fellows', and 'Scarface' movies to pick up on what a gangster is. The problem is, my boys on the streets try to copy but just can't seem to get it right. Most of us are flashy with our bling, try to fuck every girl we meet, drive the fanciest car around, and wear our colors or symbols like a badge of honor. We draw so much attention to ourselves yet we cry out about injustice.

I'm twenty years old and I feel like I live on top of the world even though my upbringing doesn't reflect it. My father was the only adult in my life. My mother didn't want any part of me since I have my father's blood running through my veins. Even though he came home every day, he was more of a street guide than a father. Even though he's in jail now, he set it up so that I will be taken care of while he's away. Of course, everything has its price. My job is to make sure that I pick up 'packages' from designated spots and deliver them to my father's friend. From there I get my cash and live my life. To help me out, I use my childhood friend Derrick, better known as 'D-Stro'. We became friends back in the seventh grade. He had just moved up from down south with his mother. Being new on the scene, Derrick had to go through the motions like everyone else. Even though he was bigger than the rest of us, we always cracked on his accent and clothes. One day as we were cracking on him, Derrick just snapped. He attacked everyone who had something to say about him. In a matter of seconds, my classmates went down one by one. Everyone did except me. My father did teach me how to box. I was the only one who was able to hold my own against Derrick. He was stronger but I was faster and more agile. We went toe-to-toe. What seemed like an hour was more like a few moments. I had a 'stick and move type' of style and he had a more 'brawling' style. His punches hurt like hell but I didn't give up. I wouldn't give up. Even back then, I had to live in my father's shadow. To go down in a fight was unheard of. My father wouldn't accept it. The fight ended in a tie. Everyone was proud of the fact that I held my own but at the same time, they realized Derrick wasn't one to be fucked with. At that moment, we had instant respect for one another. We became inseparable. One reason why we were so close was that we had what the other one was looking for. I always longed for a mother figure and he longed for the life he wasn't allowed to have. Like most of us, Derrick had only one parent in the home but his mother worked hard. She owned her own house. She was at every PTA and parental conference. Most of all, she stayed in the church. Derrick did too. Everyday of the week he had choir rehearsal, usher practice, bible study, etc. After school, she always made sure we had a healthy snack. If it weren't for her I wouldn't respect women at all. How could I? My own mother lives in the next town over and wants nothing to do with neither my father nor me. From what I heard, once she found out what he did, she gave him the ultimatum to live a straight life with her or she was gone. My father couldn't leave the game so she left him and the baby. I always thought females would take the children with them. She left me behind when I was about four years old. My father's side of the story is that she always knew he was a gangster and loved him deeply. It was her parents who made her leave. Since I was a boy, he hired a big time lawyer to win custody since, at the time, she had no education or job training and her parents proved to be abusive. He won the case, obviously. Now that she has remarried and has another son named Kory, she wants nothing to do with us. My father claims that he was still messing with my mother on the down low even while she was married and that Kory might be his. I always laughed at the way he would talk to his friends and say how he knows his dick is bigger than her new husband's and how he can't handle that entire ass like he could. I know my father still loved my mother but their choices kept them apart. I will never understand how my choice to have a relationship with her will never be an option. I'm living a life I know can't last forever. It never does. It's only a matter of time before my father's power is lost and I will be stuck out there. That's why I stack my money so when it's time to leave I won't be caught out there. But until that time comes, I'm going to enjoy living at the Avalon in Westchester County. The apartment is in his friend's name and my name is on the lease as well so I can't get kicked out. In my apartment, everything is done by remote control. I have LCD screens in all the rooms including the bathrooms. I got it hooked up so that even my windows open up by remote control. The TV in the living room has caller ID hooked up to it. I don't need it but it's fly anyway. It's a great showoff piece for the ladies when they come over to get some of this dick. Around town I usually drive a 03 Ford Expedition. It's a gas guzzler but it doesn't attract attention. At night I drive an '07 Mercedes SLK 300. I put it in someone else's name in case the cops come knocking. Seeing a young black male driving this car with his cap to the back attracts attention. I usually dress upscale casual when I drive this car and make sure to obey all traffic laws. Yep, over $50,000 in cash hidden in sneaker boxes in the apartment and over $75 thousand in several of my father's friends bank accounts (which are really mine)isn't bad for a year's 'salary'. And this is after my expenses.

By nightfall, I decided to pick Derrick up after work. We both have a job to hide our real money. We both work for contractors. It's a decent paying job for guys our age and it doesn't draw attention to our spending. We don't spend our money crazy but every now and then we do treat ourselves to something nice. Pussy is one of them. By 10 o'clock I was outside his home in the town we called 'Money earning'. Since I do respect his mother, I turned down the music and changed the station to WBLS instead of the gangster shit I had rocking through my system. God bless his mother, she's always arguing with Derrick about us going out into the Devil's world but she knows she raised a man and can't tell a man what to do. If she only knew the half of it. The lifestyle we go through is filling the void he desires which is adventure. Parents have to realize that you can't shield your child from the world but rather teach them how to survive in it.

Within a half hour, we were in Manhattan going through valet parking. The place looked like it was packed. I love it when the ladies go through without their coats. It allows the guys to candy shop before going in. If the line doesn't look good, then we don't go in. With my father being who he is, it allowed Derrick and I to get through without ID. The main bouncer always lets us in. We tip and then go and pop champagne. I don't dance much since I don't like to sweat. Plus I do have sort of a temper so if I get into it with somebody and the cops get involved, I will be on the radar when they do a background check. I don't have a criminal record but it will come up who my father is and they will fuck with me just for that. Nah, if I get beef than I pay someone to handle it for me. Derrick and I only use our hands for business purposes. Fighting in the clubs means nothing. If you can argue then you can calm down to settle the matter. When we fight, the warning was put out there already and that warning wasn't adhered to. It's just to help those relearn the basics. Now if an enemy pops off at the mouth then we use our hands as well or we have one of our boys do it depending on how high ranked the person is. We only use guns in case the situation gets too hot. So far, I never had to fire one. I usually have to send another one of my soldiers over there to get my words across. I have to keep a low profile as much as possible. Anything happens, I get tried as an adult now. I'm no longer a young boy according to the system.

While in the club, Derrick and I found our regular VIP spots waiting. The DJ was playing some new shit by 'Jay-Z'. Man, that dude got some lyrics for you. Across the dance floor I noticed this new rapper who got one single out. I forgot his name but they played his record before they played Jay's and he went crazy rapping his own song. I also noticed his entourage looking at us since most of the girls by his side started to make their way over to us. Chicks aren't stupid; money always outlasts fame. You're only as hot as your last record. In the record industry, you always owe the company when you don't recoup. The drug game is different. What I bring home is mine and I don't owe anything. People take care of things for me. It's funny, here is this guy who I don't know and we looking at each other as if he wants to be me and I want to be him. My lyrical game is tight. I would do mix tapes but everybody and their mamma wants to be a rapper. I have the money to fund my own project but what I rap about would draw attention to my crew. I would have to give them a shot out. I refocused when Derrick tapped me on the shoulder and pointed out this Spanish girl eyeing me. I love Spanish women. Don't get me wrong, I love my sistas but when I make a Spanish girl cum and she says something in her foreign language it turns me on. I left the VIP to approach her and ask her name. She told me it was Tamarra but to call her 'Madi' for short. Now Madi was fine! She was about 5'5 and nicely thick. Her low cut blouse looked as it she was trying to hide two giant size melons down her shirt. Her waist was tight and she had hips and ass. Not too much. She definitely had a coke bottle shape. Her smile lit up the place with deep cherry lipstick on her small lips. They were thin and small but heart shaped. Her eyes had a slight slant to them that were accented by her eyeliner. Her complexion was honey and her hair was shoulder length. I introduced myself as Tre' and I asked her to dance. She didn't reply but just obliged me. Since the floor was crowded, I didn't have a choice but to get close to her. As the Hip Hop stopped playing, the DJ played Dancehall. I don't like Reggae because I can't do all the dances from the Sean Paul video so I just grabbed her close and grinded on her. I know she felt my penis become erect since she grinded harder back. Now we were both sweating. As the base thumped, so did our own personal rhythm. It was only a matter of time before I took her back to the VIP and offered her a drink. As I got to know Madi, Derrick got to know her friend. By 3 am, we decided to leave and go to a caf to get something to eat. My car is two seated so Derrick rode with her friend as Madi rode shotgun in my whip.

"This is YOUR car?"

"Yes it's mine. Why? A black man can't have a decent car?"

"Not this decent! I wonder what you do?"

"Go in the glove compartment. You will see my business card in there."

Madi took out a business card from the glove compartment. When she read it, she realized I worked in construction.

"It's a family owned business" I explained. "Well, not my family but a close friend of the family who took me under their wing when I graduated from High School. I don't have any bills, no kids, business is good and I can make payments." I lied. This car is paid for but she doesn't need to know that. Since it's a certified pre-owned car, the price was a little less. At the caf, we only shared a cheesecake as I notice myself gazing at her constantly.

"What time you have to be home? Can't keep a woman out past her curfew."

"Well, Papi, just to answer your poor delivery of questions, I live alone, no kids, I'm twenty three and I'm in school. I go to Bronx Community College with a major in Nuclear Medicine Technology."

Damn! A smart bitch I thought to myself. She's going to be one girl I have to bring my 'A' game with. I was trying to analyze her every move as we sat there. I could see her hands were well kept. Her manicure was fresh. She also wasn't like most Spanish girls I fucked with by cutting off their eye brows then penciling them back on. I though that to be idiotic. Her teeth were straight like mine and she chewed slowly. It was like she savored every bite. I wondered if she would savor my dick in her mouth the same way. I loved the way her hair looked smooth and silky. At first it did smell good, but I know now it must smell like smoke from the club. I couldn't help but notice her nipples erect from the chill in the air inside the caf. Oh yeah, this was going to be a worthwhile hunt.

While I was asking for the check, my cell phone began to ring. The caller ID let me know it was 'Lord'. Lord was the leader of our organization. He was my father's best friend like D-stro is to me. When my father went away, Lord made sure I got taken care of. Of course I have to pull my share of the load. He's showing me the 'family business' so I can one day expand. In public, I call him 'Lord' but behind closed doors, he's Uncle Troy or just 'Unc'. He treats me like his own and even his wife accepts me as a son. I never knew him, but I do know Lord had a son who died at an early age. I think it was SIDS but I'm not sure. From there, he's been in my life even more than my father. If it weren't for Lord, I wouldn't even visit my father once a month. He's in jail. I really don't care to see my father behind bars but I guess me becoming a man before his eyes helps keep him going.

Now the thing about Lord is that he never goes on the streets. Every time I turn around, he's meeting the mayor someplace, building some real estate project somewhere in Westchester, having lunch with the police chief or off on some other business venture. He keeps promising me to take me to the next NBA game at box office seats. I can't wait.

"Tre' here, what up?" I try to play cool.

"Tre', I'm going to need you and D-Stro to pick up an extra assignment for me tomorrow. Go to City Hall and at around 11 and ask for Ms. Garnder. She's going to give you an envelope. Just drop it off at the house when you pick it up. Can you handle it?"

"Yeah, I got it. I will let Dee know. I love the Lord."

"And you damn well better."

We were taught to always say, 'I love the Lord' whenever we speak to him. He claims it shows allegiance but I think he's just ego tripping.

I returned my attention to my date. I apologized for the interruption.

"So what do you want to do now?" I asked her.

"DO you like movies?"

"Yes, but it's a little late for the last show. There's no way we can catch one now."

"Don't worry, I know a spot." I had to sound confident. Girls like that stuff.

"Okay player, take me there. What's playing?

"What do you want to see?"

"Not sure what's out."

"Don't worry. Just come with me."

I paid for the dessert and we left. Inside the car, I tuned into a satellite radio station just to show off that I had the latest equipment. I played the gentleman rule and opened the door for her and then closed it. I entered the car and drove off. I was thinking of ways to impress her.

When I approached the Avalon, I noticed her eyes lit up with amazement. She's probably trying to figure out how I can be in a place like this.

"What do you do for a living again?" she asked.

"Contractor; work for businesses" I replied. "They need work throughout the year as opposed to residential business."

"And you're only twenty!"

"Business is good and like I said, no bills."

When I parked the car and we went upstairs, I grabbed the remote to set the lights to a dim tone. We both removed our shoes at the door. After that, I showed her around. She was very impressed with the walk in closets and the kitchen island. The whole kitchen had marble trimmings. She fell in love with the cabinet space. Just like on MTV Cribs, I had to open the refrigerator. She had no idea that I could cook at such an early age. There was nothing but organic food, natural juices and spring water. My bedroom had a king size bed with lots of mirrors around and pillows on the bed. Lord's wife picked out the linen. I tried to tell her I like to see how I look in my clothes from all angles but I don't think she bought it. I led her back to the living room where I let her look through my four hundred DVD movie collection. Personally, I only watch adventure, comedy and porn (which I keep in a locked cabinet), but I buy all types of genres to satisfy all company. She picked a mushy movie called, 'How to lose a Guy in 10 Days'. Not my cup of tea but if it gets me closer to getting some ass then so be it.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Toy Soldiersby Duane Christian Copyright © 2010 by Duane Christian. Excerpted by permission.
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