ENVY

ENVY

a short story

By

Jocelyn Causey

RIP Mae Mae, Love you Grandma

Thank God,

Thank you to those who believed in me

Dedicated

To those who anticipated this achievement

TWO ONCE CLOSE COUSINS GROW APART AS THEIR LIVES TAKE DIFFERENT PATHS. ONE BECOMES BLINDED BY WHAT HE WANTS, HE CREATES A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT FOR THEM BOTH. WHILE THE OTHER IS FOCUSED ON A PERFECT FUTURE. IT’S COUSIN AGAINST COUSIN. WHICH COUSIN WILL STAND OR WILL THEY BOTH FALL? 

-ENVY

Based on actual events

PREFACE

This ain’t no fairy tale, La La land, singing in the rain, made up bullshit. This true shit. Actual occurrences that come into play when the love is fake and the hate is real. Envy shows up and becomes the deadliest move in the game, which is played non-stop. Players choose the game thinking it’s sweet. From pissy hallways and repeated blood stains to fast cars, diamonds and cocaine. Endless cash is often a hustler’s dream. Reality is, no sleep, stay strapped. Trust will get your muthafuckin’ brain blown out. ‘You ballin’ now? Gotta move in silence ‘cause the hungriest one always eats. Play smart, think fast. Enemies plot on your downfall, ready to attack. The game ain’t no muthafuckin’ joke. The players come and go, like broken dreams and constant nightmares. No escape for the weak. Deprived of hope, eventually becoming embodied by their own mischief. Leaving envy to consume the mind until it emanates hatred, betrayal and ultimately death. The envy of my enemy is my envy. 

CHAPTER ONE

BACK IN THE DAY….

The freezing rain created a thin sheet of ice that covered everything outside. Chicago is well known for having quick climate changes, in other words, shitty weather. One minute its sunny, calm and clear. The next hour or so the weather can change from sunny to rain and the temperature can drop lower. High winds are always near. This particular fall day was no different. The day began with the sun shining. As the middle of the afternoon arrived, clouds blocked the sun out and the rain began. The temperature dropped and the rain started. The city’s local public transportation bus pulled up to the corner at the bus stop. A male passenger exited the back doors of the bus. He walked pass two young men as they walked into an empty bar. The bar wasn’t open yet. It wasn’t even noon yet. As they entered the bar they saw a man. He was big and solid like a football player, tall and peanut butter brown skinned. Dressed in a maroon suit with a black button up collared shirt with no tie, he was leaning on the edge of the all black pool table holding a cue stick. The bar was medium size. It was an intimate lounge with the bar in the front on the left side across from the front entrance. The pool table sat in the far back and on the right side was the small dance floor. Empty tables and chairs were situated accordingly.

Y'all want a drink? Asked the big man.

Yeah, gimme a shot of that. Rico said to the bartender, pointing to a bottle of dark liquor.

The female bartender pours liquor in a glass and sets his drink in front of him.

Juju, what’s this all about, why did you call us over here? Staxx asked.

A business proposition for you two and I’m not talking about drugs. You two muthafuckas got the South side on lock. It’s impressive but y’all still just small-time hustlers. It’s time to level up, don’t you think?

Juju asked, looking at Staxx.

Juju Lu also known as Julius Lu the business man, was known for the work that he put in back in the day. He was known for slitting throats and selling ‘hella dope. Unlike others, he moved on and became a businessman. He started acquiring properties around the neighborhood. Juju Lu was not to be crossed. So, by him asking to see them meant he was dead ass serious and to not go would have been disrespectful. Staxx thought to himself.

I want you two to come work with me. You know like a partnership, maybe?

Hey, man I don't know about all that. I’m eating good and I ain’t got to answer to nobody. So why would I switch up? Staxx asked.

I guess you like getting sweated by the cops. Huh? Juju said smirking.

Getting up from pool table, Juju walked up to Staxx with a serious straight face and said

Your mutherfuckin’ corners are bad for my businesses. I need for all that ghetto shit on them corners to cease. It’s bringing down the value on my properties.

So, what the fuck you sayin’ bruh? Rico asked as he threw back another shot of brown liquor. We supposed to just stop ‘cause you say so. If it ain’t us, then it’s gone be some other muthafuckas running them corners, so your properties ‘fucked any way it go. Rico said.

Juju takes a sip from his glass and then slowly sets it on edge of the pool table.

Guns and Butter. Juju said.

Staring mean at Juju, Rico asked What the fuck is you talking about?

I’m talking about owning property. You know, building wealth by having an in-demand product that sells itself. Juju said.

Rico leaped up off of the bar stool.

What? What product?

Guns. Juju Lu said firmly.

Staxx and Rico looked at each other for a moment, then back at Juju.

Why you bringin’ this shit to us?" Staxx asked.

I figure if you can hustle them bricks, then you got a business mind, plus I'm expanding. More business means more money.

What the fuck? I make more bread touching bricks! Rico replied.

Why should I trust you? Staxx asked.

"How about you trust the money? Juju said.

Staxx, I’m straight on this shit. Rico said.

Hold up ‘cuz. Staxx said. Rico threw back his final shot of liquor and walked out of the door.

I’m talking about being a legitimate businessman. Here’s my number. Juju Lu said, handing Staxx one of his business cards.

I’ll give you a couple of days to think it over. Juju said.

Staxx put the business card in his pocket and walked out of the bar.

Staxx got inside his silver luxury sedan car with Rico sitting on the passenger side.

I hope you not believing shit that nigga said in there. Rico said. 

I don't know, but I am getting sick of the cops sweating our corners all the time, and this muthafucka may be our way out. You know, it just might be time to switch up. Staxx said rubbing his chin.

So, you gone fuck with this nigga over me, your own cousin. That’s messed up man, but fuck it. These my streets I ain’t never switching up. Rico said.

Rico looked at Staxx from the corner of his eyes. Staxx made sure that no traffic was coming as he looked out the driver side mirror then drove away.

ALMOST A YEAR LATER…

Rico was sitting at his trap spot when four plain clothes detectives and two uniform officers pull up at a blue abandoned looking house. Two front windows were boarded up. There was no grass in the yard. The front yard gate looked as if it had been hit by something. An old rusted car with no doors was in the back of the yard. Getting out of their police issued vehicles, the plain clothed officers approach the house with guns in hands and positioned themselves around it. Two in the front, one on the left side of the house, one on the right side of the house and two in the back. One detective on the front porch holds up three fingers and counts down. A voice comes over their radios, giving them all the signal to enter the house. The second cop on the front porch runs toward the door with a metal steel rod knocking the front door down. Police enter the house, pointing their guns.

Get Down! One officer, shouts. Two females were screaming while two males ran, one ducking behind the couch and the other ran toward the back door. Rico tried climbing out of a side window in a back bedroom but was apprehended. All together there were two females, two males and Rico inside the house. Police handcuff and walk them all outside to the police van. The police found a few bags of weed and a loaded nine millimeter gun, that Rico had on him. 

After waiting nine days to see the judge, Rico stands beside a public defender in court. Rico cut his eyes at the public defender and then at the judge, giving them both deadly looks. Rico was pissed off because one of the guards had hung the phone up on Rico’s call before it connected. They never gave him another chance to use the phone. Therefore, he couldn’t reach his lawyer in time for court. Rico knew if his lawyer was there it would be a dismissed case. Rico used the same lawyer as Staxx. Andrew Colfax, a powerful, expensive attorney that Staxx had on retainer.

Jerico Griffen, bail is set at $20,000.

The Judge bangs the gavel and Rico punches his court appointed attorney in the mouth. Two Bailiffs immediately grab Rico and one bailiff handcuffs him. Get the fuck off me. This some bullshit, bro. Rico shouts out and his deep voice echoes the courtroom. The Judge bangs the gavel. The public defender wasn’t bleeding but he was stunned a bit. He shook it off.

Just for that, you are in contempt of court for eight days and your bail is now set at $50,000. Court is adjourned. The Judge bangs the gavel twice. Get him out of here. Call the next case.

A Bailiff helps the public defender stand up as two other bailiffs escort Rico out the of the courtroom.

A few days later, inside the prison food hall, Rico notices a few familiar faces from the neighborhood. A couple of dudes looked like they had been turned out. Another guy he used to sell to looked sick from withdrawal.  He saw the ex-deacon from his Grandmother’s church sitting down at a lunch table, eating slowly. He looked like he had been recently beaten up. Rico didn’t want to even be seen in there. The whole scene made Rico frown with disgust. He felt like he was losing control. Rico told himself that he was going to get back on top no matter what it took.

Rico picked up his food tray. He walked over to a nearby seat. Immediately as he sat down, a guy sat down across from him.

"Yo’ Rico, hell ‘naw they got yo’ ass. Them niggas wasn’t bullshitting. Bamboo was clapping his hands and laughing. Rico knew Bamboo from the ‘hood, but he had no idea what he was talking about. Rico just looked at him like he was stupid and thought to himself, clown ass nigga.

Yo’ for real though, what’s up, Rico? Bamboo asked, reaching his fist out for Rico to fist bump his fist.

Nothing. Rico replied without bumping his fist back.

Bamboo put his fist down.

So, what ‘cha in fo’?

For contempt of court.

Laughing loudly and clapping his hands, Bamboo asked

Nigga, what’s your real charge?

Annoyed with his laugh Rico replied

Why, muthafucka? Damn.

Chill, bruh. Pull your skirt down. Come ‘hollar at me later. Bamboo said laughing, getting up and walking away to another table.

Rico wondered what his clown ass wanted to talk to him about.

Six Months Later…..Present 2005

It was a busy day for Ronique’s Fashion Boutique on the South side of the city…

Ooh Girl, that outfit is fierce on you. Devonee said as he helped the last customer with her items.

You are right. I do look fierce in this! Said the satisfied customer.

"I told you so. I’ll take the rest of your items upfront to the register. Devonee said. 

Thank you. I’ll be out in a second, the customer replied.

Leaving the fitting room and returning to the front of the store he glances and smiles at the store owner Ronique.

Miss Roni, do you want me to lock up the store tonight for you? Devonee asked.

Devonee loved Ronique so much, because of her style. Ronique was a flawless, black woman in her early 40s with a silky black long weave, pecan brown skin tone and long beautiful legs. She stood at 5’10 and had the curves and features that were all feminine. She could have been a model if she wanted to but instead her passion was fashion design.

Oh, thanks Devonee, but that’s okay. I’ll lock up the shop. The customer walked up to the counter.

Are you all done? Devonee asked the customer.

Yes. She replied and handed Devonee her credit card.

What are the store hours?