Jackie D. - Life After A Balla

“What the hell is she doing with paper from the shelter we stayed at?” Kareem wondered.

Grabbing one of the pictures, he continued to flip through them until one with Felicia in a wedding gown, instantly caught his attention. His eyes instantly enlarged. Not only was Kareem unaware that Felicia was ever married, but the man standing beside her in a tuxedo was none other than Justice. His heart rate began to increase as he saw one picture after the other of the happy couple smiling. In each picture they seemed to be on some sort of vacation and obviously enjoying each other’s company. When Kareem came across a picture of Justice and the same man he’d seen leaving her house the week prior, it didn’t take long for him to finally start piecing everything together.

So, that was Justice’s car the guy was driving. No wonder Le Le has been asking me so many fucking questions. She wants to know what happened. She’s been setting me up this whole time !

It was at that moment when Kareem looked at the white coat he’d pushed away from before and noticed the words, Dr. Felicia Mitchell M.D . engraved on the top right corner. Everything was all a lie.

Rage consumed Kareem’s body as he stormed out of her bedroom and towards the bathroom. Hearing his rapid footsteps, Felicia who was only acting as if she was in the shower immediately tried to end her phone call when he stormed inside. However, before she had a chance to react, Kareem quickly snatched her up by both arms.

“So, bitch you been playing me the entire time, huh? Did you think I wouldn’t find out what you were up to or who that nigga was?”

Startled, Felicia looked into Kareem’s crazed eyes. “Get off me! What the hell is wrong with you?”

Realizing that she never cared about him and it was all just a ploy to find her husband’s killer made Kareem go even crazier. At that moment, he pushed Felicia so hard it sent her body flying to the bathroom floor. Seconds later, he jumped on top of her landing several massive blows across her face. It all happened so fast, Felicia couldn’t do anything but put up her hands to try and block the constant punches.

“Why are you doing this to me?” she asked as blood trickled down her nose.

Without responding, Kareem put both of his hands around her neck and started applying pressure. Unable to breathe, Felicia became hysterical and started gasping for air and grabbing at his hands.

“I can’t believe I actually fell in love with your old ass. My mother was right about you!”

Just the thought of her betraying him caused Kareem to suddenly throw another punch. He then grabbed Felicia by the hair and pulled her badly beaten body over to the toilet.

“You shady bitch. Let’s see if you like using people after this,” Kareem said, lifting the seat with one hand while pushing her face inside the bowl with the other. Felicia desperately tried to keep from drowning, but she was no match against the strong hold he held on the back of her head.

“I should kill your ass for playing with my fucking emotions, Felicia Mitchell!”’

Hearing Kareem call her by her real name, Felicia finally realized he’d found out who she really was.

He continued to push her head back and forth in the toilet water until suddenly she heard a male voice say, “Get your fuckin’ hands off her nigga before I kill yo’ ass.”

Kareem instantly released his grip and turned around looking into the barrel of a gun. Dre had rushed over after hearing the entire incident over the phone. It was him Felicia was talking to when Kareem stormed in the bathroom.

Felicia coughed and cried uncontrollably.

Dre reached down and helped Felicia off the floor. “Are you okay?” he asked, still pointing the gun at Kareem.

“No…I’m…not,” she said, coughing in between words. “What…are we going to do now? He knows who we are.”

“Don’t worry about that. Just let me handle it. Here, hold this and keep it pointed on his ass,” Dre said, passing Felicia his Glock 17.

I shoulda took over a long time ago instead of wastin’ time waitin’ on Felicia’s ass to make somethin’ happen , Dre thought. He walked over to Kareem and got in his face.

“Instead of beatin’ on woman why don’t you fight a man,” he said, pushing Kareem against the wall. “I guess you inherited beatin’ on women from your bitch ass father. I should crack your fuckin’ head open right now.”

Kareem looked at Dre wondering how he knew his father. But more or less he didn’t ever want to be like him.

“I was locked up wit’ your father and now I see you’re just as heartless as that nigga was,” Dre continued.

“Man, fuck you and him!” Kareem yelled.

Dre took the gun from Felicia’s hand and told her to leave.

“No, wait Dre, don’t do anything stupid,” Felicia cried.

“Felicia, I said leave!” Dre roared. “Now!”

As soon as she closed the bathroom door, Dre took the butt of the gun and pistol whipped Kareem across his face. Blood spattered everywhere and it wasn’t long before Kareem broke down crying.

“Shut your bitch ass up!” Dre yelled. “Let me hear you talk shit now!”

“Please don’t kill me. I’ll do whatever you need me to do,” Kareem responded.

“Now that’s what I want to hear. Did you kill my brother, Justice?” When Kareem didn’t respond, Dre got in his face again. “Muthafucka, I asked you a question. Did you kill my brother?”

“No, I didn’t!”

“Well, I suggest you tell me what happened. What about your mother? I don’t wanna have to hurt your family, but I will if I don’t get the information I need,” Dre informed.

“Leave my family out of this.”

“Then start talkin’! Where is Justice? Is he dead?” As soon as Kareem nodded his head, Dre’s excitement escalated. “Where is his body?”

“I don’t know, but I know someone who does,” Kareem snitched.

“I knew it. I knew y’all muthafuckas were involved. Who killed him? Who got rid of his body?” Dre pointed the gun at Kareem again to show him he meant business.

“My mother’s boyfriend. Cruze.” Kareem felt bad, but throwing Cruze under the bus seemed like the right thing to do.

“Call that muthafucka right now. I need to see him,” Dre responded. “I don’t even wanna know how shit went down. I just wanna know where my brother is.”

“But I don’t have his number. I…” When Kareem saw the seriousness in Dre’s face, he took the cell phone out of his pocket and quickly called his mother. He prayed she’d answer.

“Hey, Kareem,” Skye said when she answered the call. She sounded so excited to hear from him.

“Hey, Ma. How are things going?” Kareem, on the other hand sounded nervous.

“I actually can’t complain. I’m on my way to Payton’s doctor. She’s recovering well and Jordan is doing great. How are you? We miss you.”

“I miss you all, too. Hey Ma, is Cruze still in Georgia or did he come to Miami?”

“Can you believe he’s in Miami now? Why?”

“Just wondering. Hey, I’m coming back to Miami. Things with Le Le didn’t work out. I’ll tell you about it when I see you,” he informed her.

Skye smiled from ear to ear. Not only was Kareem moving back home, but it sounded like he was done with his girlfriend. I knew it wouldn’t last with that bitch .

“Can you text me Cruze’s number?”

“Yes, but why are you trying to reach Cruze? I thought you didn’t like him.”

Dre started waving the gun at Kareem telling him to cut his call short.

“I just need to talk to him about something, so text me the number as soon as we hang up please.”

“I hope you’re not planning on doing anything illegal with him Kareem,” Skye replied.