K'wan - Gutter

“So what you saying, I shouldn’t ride for the set?” Gutter asked defensively.

Snake Eyes laughed at Gutter’s quick mood change. “Nah, I ain’t saying that. You put in more work for the set than any nigga, red or blue, in the last ten years. L.C. is done, as are most of your enemies, what you got left to prove? Man, let the soldiers deal with that, you’ve got more important things to attend to.”

“What could be more important than riding for mine?”

“ Living for yours.” Snake Eyes jabbed a finger in Gutter’s chest. “For the last few years you’ve had a cause to die for, but now you’ve got something to live for.”

“Snake, you tripping, this don’t sound like the homey that smoked that pig with me and Lou-Loc,” Gutter accused.

“Because I ain’t that nigga no more, I grew up. I got a big house, a fat bank account, and more pussy than I know what to do with; why the fuck would I wanna keep throwing stones at the pen or the grave? Gutter, ain’t a muthafucka living or dead that can question your gangsta or your love for the nation. All blood debts owed have been settled ten times over, except the most expensive one and that’s to your wife and that baby she’s carrying. You ain’t gonna be no good to either of them if you’re dead or in the can.”

“I don’t know if I can just let go like that, Snake. I got a responsibility to the homeys in New York,” Gutter tried to reason.

Snake Eyes scrunched up his face. “Man, you don’t owe nobody a muthafucking thing. You’ve organized one of the most powerful sets, on either coast, and made all them niggaz hood rich. If they can’t maintain without you, then they was some fucking busters to begin with. I love the homeys, Gutter, but I love you more. I’ve already lost one brother because he waited until the eleventh hour to decide he wanted to get out, and I don’t think I could stand to lose another one. Do something with that second chance you’ve been given.”

“I hear you talking, Snake,” Gutter said, mulling over his friend’s words.

“Do more than hear me, Gutter, listen . Take some of that money I’ve been tucking away for you and do something with it.” Snake Eyes stood. “The ceremony will be over soon, so I’m gonna go attend the fam. Listen to your homey, G,” Snake Eyes said over his shoulder as he made his way down the aisle.

THE DOORSto the mosque opened up and people began to file out, some orderly and some not, but all respectful. The LAPD and OSS were posted up across the street trying to be inconspicuous as they snapped pictures. Some of the most notorious gang members in all of California had come to see Gunn off, and they were anxious to match the faces they knew against their extensive database and log the ones they didn’t into new files. It was for this reason that some of the more unsavory characters chose to just send flowers as opposed to attending.

The crowd parted like the Red Sea as Jamal Ali stepped from the mosque leading the procession. As opposed to a coffin, Gunn was wrapped from head to toe in white linen. Three men on each side wheeled the gurney that held one of the Crip’s greatest heroes. Rahshida brought up the rear, flanked by Stacia and Monifa. Lil Gunn came out shortly after. His face was as hard as ever, but Gutter could tell from his ashen cheeks that he’d been crying, as was his right. Spotting Gutter approaching the quartet, Monifa turned and went in the other direction.

“Hey, Auntie”-Gutter ignored Monifa’s snub and attended to his aunt-“you cool?” He took her hands in his.

“No, but what can we do? My brother is free now,” she said, trying to keep from crying more than she already had.

“That he is,” Gutter said. “Listen, I’m sorry I can’t go with y’all to the vault.”

“Don’t worry about it, Kenyatta, I know how it is.” She glanced across the street at the police and sheriffs. “They’re minding their manners now because they know disrupting the funeral would turn into a riot, but they’re gonna swoop down soon enough. It’s best you not be here when it happens.”

“I know that’s right. Tears is gonna take us to the airport and then come back to the house to join y’all. You need anything before I leave?”

“No, I’m fine, Kenyatta. All I need is some peace of mind.” She sighed. “Nephew, I’m sorry I was so short with you earlier. I’ve just got a lot on me right now. Two funerals in two days is a little more than I’m prepared to deal with.”

“You sure you don’t need me to stay for Rahkim’s ceremony?”

“No, Ken. I don’t want to chance you getting deeper into this than you already are. If the police don’t already know you’re in the city, they will before long. The last thing we need is for them to start playing connect the dots and yours might be an extended stay,” she told him.

“True.” He tugged at his beard. “Well, you know if you need anything I’m just a plane ride away. When all this dies down me and Lil Gunn might fly back out here to check on y’all.”

“Don’t bother, Ken. After we lay Rahkim to rest I’m gonna have Snake Eyes sell our properties out here and I’m leaving L.A.,” she informed him.

“Auntie, if you’re worried about retaliation I can make sure y’all are protected round-the-clock,” he assured her.

“And live like a prisoner in my own home? No thank you. Besides, I’m not leaving because I’m afraid, I’m leaving because I’m tired. Ever since we came to California death has been a constant companion of the Soladines. I need to put this state and all this ugliness behind me.”

“Where will you go?” he asked.

“I don’t know. I was thinking about traveling for a while. Maybe visit Algiers for a few months and settle somewhere down south when I come back. I haven’t quite made up my mind yet… maybe even take a look around Arizona.”

“Well, if you need anything from me just let me know.”

Rahshida smiled and touched his face. “Kenyatta, all I need you to do is be here for your family. Change the way you’re living so your wife doesn’t feel the kind of heartache I’m feeling right now, nephew.”

“I’ve been hearing that a lot lately.” He recalled his conversation with Snake Eyes.

“Then maybe you should try listening.”

“I just might,” he said honestly.

“Well, we’ve got a little bit of a drive ahead of us so I’m gonna go now, but you be safe, Kenyatta, and know that Allah loves you.”

“I know now.” He hugged her.

“Take care of my nephew, Kenyatta, and don’t let it take another death to bring us back together.”

“I got you, Auntie,” he said, trying not to break down himself.

Rahshida wiped her eyes and started in the direction of the limo. Gutter looked over and found Monifa staring at him intently. He started to say something to her, but decided against it. They had said their goodbyes already, so there was nothing more to discuss. That chapter of his life was closed and he needed to focus on the new beginning with his wife and family. After saying farewell to the homeys, Gutter, Danny, and Lil Gunn climbed into Tear’s truck and headed for the airport.

THE SKYwas incredibly blue that morning, seemingly more so than Gutter had ever remembered seeing it. At that altitude the clouds appeared solid enough to walk on, but it was an illusion, as was the temporary peace Gutter felt looking at them. He knew that once he touched down it was back to business.

The flight home went far smoother than the one into Long Beach, but that all depends on whom you asked. Danny-Boy sat directly behind Gutter, trying his best to put the moves on a buxom flight attendant. Though she smiled, Gutter could sense her uneasiness. The innocent part of Danny that first drew Gutter to him was gone, replaced by the taint of a killer and whether he knew it or not, he wore it on his sleeve.