Crave All Lose All by Erick Gray Page B

only about an hour and half ride,” he said.
    “Shae coming…?” I asked.
    He smiled, took a few pulls and said, “You feeling that, huh.”
    “She cool,” I smiled nodding.
    “You fucked her in Albany?”
    “Nah, we kicked it,” I said. My mind started wondering if Tyriq had fucked Shae. I was too scared to know the truth. I let it be.
    “Talk…?” Tyriq said.
    I was ready to hop out his truck and get some sleep.
    “Yeah, I’m gonna give you call. And be ready for that trip.”
    I got out not trying to even think of another trip. Tyriq looked like he
wasn’t gonna take any shorts. Another ten grand in the bank wouldn’t be too bad, though.

    It would be a week before I’d leave for Philly. The following day I stashed some of the money under my mattress and went shopping on Jamaica Avenue with the rest. I picked up some things for my son, and myself. It felt good not worrying about pricing shit. Whatever my eyes rested on, I was able to afford. I hit up so many sneaker and clothing stores, that the money felt endless.
    I went into the Coliseum mall on 165 th street and walked downstairs into the jewelry exchange. Soon the owners were calling me to booths, each offering to give me a better price on any piece of jewelry. I had eight grand on me and kept reminding myself that I’d pay bills, saving the rest for a rainy day . That thought didn’t last long.
    I spotted an expensive necklace that would fit perfect around my neck. The last piece of jewelry I bought was back in ’96.
    “That piece right there…?” I asked the Hindu man behind the glass counter.
    He removed the piece I was pointing at. “I’ll give you good deal, my friend.”
    I examined it closer. It was a heavy white gold necklace matching 18K diamond cross pendant which would look impressive around my neck.
    “For you, fifteen hundred…”
    Treat yourself for once, Vince , I told myself. “I’ll take it.”
    I walked out the mall feeling like I was on top of the world.
     
    I knocked on Chandra’s door carrying bags of clothes and toys for my son. I couldn’t wait to see the look on my son’s face when he saw me. I heard the radio playing so I knocked harder. The apartment door opened and Chandra stood in front of me looking so good in a pair of tight blue jeans and a tight T-shirt that highlighted her thick breasts.
    “Vincent,” she said, wide eyed. “Why didn’t you call?”
    “I was in the area. I got some stuff for my son.” I held up the bags.
    “Oh…but I got company.”
    “Yo, I’m here to see my son,” I blurted.

    “And you should’ve called first,” she repeated standing in the doorway and blocking the view inside.
    “Chandra, I don’t give a fuck who you got in your apartment, I’m not here for you. I’m only here to see my son and give him the gifts that I got for him,” I said. I was lying. I wanted to see her.
    She sighed and stepped aside, allowing me entrance. I walked in and was upset to see my son sitting on the lap of the same dreadlock dude I had the stare-down with from before.
    “Daddy,” my son shouted jumping up and running to me. I scooped him up in my arms hugging him tightly.
    “What’s up lil’ man. You miss me?” I asked.
    “Yes, daddy,” he said hugging me.
    “Guess what.”
    “What?”
    “Daddy’s got some gifts for you.”
    “Yeah…” My son beamed with joy when he saw the three bags.
    I remembered that Chandra had company and wished the nigga would disappear. He was in a black and gray tracksuit. His long dreads tied together neatly in a ponytail and sporting a nice Rolex and diamond studs in his ears. It felt awkward with him being there.
    Chandra felt the tension and came over to introduce us. She stood between us, glanced at him and me and said, “Vincent, this is Jamal…Jamal, this is Vincent, my son’s father.”
    He gave me a slight head nod, but I didn’t return it. I tried to let his smirk not affect my mood. My son tugged at my shirt and then went