A Hustler's Wife Read Online Free Page A

gangsters.
    Nobody messed with anybody who was dear to him. His workers would even steal from their own mother to keep from being short on any of his money.
    Des was the worst kind of dope man to deal with. Rumor was, and this rumor was close to the truth, that he was a cold-blooded killer, cunning, and very intelligent. He was charismat-ic and a master of head games. With his business-oriented mind, he had goals and things he wanted to accomplish in life outside of the drug-game. He had book sense--common sense--and street sense!!! Very rarely would you find a street hustler with all three of these traits. When you do, all hell can, and will, break loose. Which it did.
    Melanie took all these things into consideration and decided, being the thrill seeker that she was, that they were going to call Des anyway. Hell, it was Friday night and he probably wouldn't be available anyway. She picked up the phone and hung it up, then picked up the phone and dialed. The phone rang twice. She hung up before anyone picked up, and then burst out laughing.
    "What are you laughing at?" Yarni asked.
    "I am about to call this guy," she said.
    "Call him then. Don't keep hanging up," Yarni demanded as Melanie followed her orders, a male voice answered.
    "Hello," the receiving voice said.
    "Hello, can I speak to Des?" Melanie said.
    "How did you get this number?" The male voice inquired.
    "Des gave it to me," Melanie responded in a casual tone.
    "Well, this is Des and I don't know who this is playing games, and I know you are playing because nobody would or should be calling here for me. Now tell me why you insist on lying?"
    Melanie bucked her big pop eyes. She wasn't expecting Des to even be there. She was totally caught off guard. So, she just tensed up. She had to think quickly.
    "Des, this is Melanie, Baby Joe's little sister from around
    "The 233."
    "Okay," said Des, "Is something wrong with Baby Joe?" sounding sincere.
    "No," replied Melanie.
    "Then what other reason would you be calling my family's home?"
    She immediately came back with "My friend, who lives in the county, seen you come through 233 and is dying to meet you."
    Yarni immediately hit Melanie. Melanie got up off the bed with the telephone in her hand, speaking into the receiver with her hand around the mouthpiece of the phone. Melanie was good on her feet.
    "Every since she saw you, she's been calling me asking who you were. She's very fly. Not to be disrespectful in any kind of way, but she looks better than any of the girls I've ever seen you with. She has real long black hair with copper streaks and ain't got no bumps on her face. She got a real big butt!" Yarni's eyes got big as Melanie continued. "She ain't no yuk mouth chick either. She got pretty white teeth, and bout 5'5. I ain't gay or nothing, but she bad, Des."
    Yarni was struggling with Melanie to try and hang up the phone. Melanie couldn't believe she still had Des on the phone listening. So she guarded the telephone with her all. She would not dare hang up on Des anyway.
    "I told her that you already had a girlfriend and that you wouldn't be interested in her, but would you at least say hi to her please?"
    "Where is she?" Des asked.
    "She's right in the other room."
    "Put her on the phone," Des demanded, but laughing to himself. I can't believe these little girls are playing on my phone, but I am gonna go ahead and play along with them.
    Melanie called out, "Yaarrrnnieee", as if she wasn't standing right there. Melanie extended her hand out handing Yarni the phone. Yarni shook her head no, but Melanie begged and pleaded with her on her knees until Yarni took the phone and softly said, "Hello."
    She was sweating from tussling with Melanie to hang up the phone, and tried very hard to catch her breath. She was also a little scared that Gloria might wake up, hear them, and come into her room to hang up the phone. Or even worse, pick up the phone and embarrass her in front of the king of all the big boys.
    Des went