Crackhead II: A Novel Read Online Free

whole good, bad, angel, God, and devil thing was something to really think about,” Laci admitted. “You and Mr. Giencanna were about to make that T.J. guy mad, though.”
    They both laughed.
    “Well, if you think about it, Laci, he has a point. We were brought up believing in something that we were told exists but in actuality, how do we know? I mean, we know that Jesus was a man who walked the earth, but how can we validate God, the devil, or angels? What about the religions that believe in God, but don’t believe in Jesus? That is truly subjective reasoning.”
    Laci chuckled. “Subjective reasoning?” She stopped and faced Dink. “I didn’t even see you take notes.”
    “I have everything right here,” Dink pointed to his forehead. “How do you think I made it this far? You can’t take notes on thestreet, sweetheart. I may be a college student now, but I’m a hustler at heart. I bet Giencanna was a hustler back in his day,” he joked.
    Laci frowned at the thought.
    “The greatest lessons learned come from the streets, baby, and you can’t trust everybody, so you have to use more than just common sense to peep game.” Laci loved to hear him talk with such passion. “On the streets, baby, a hungry nigga would do anything or say anything just to get put on and come up. But for me, I listen to what’s being said. When I hear something that don’t make sense, my radar goes off and I automatically think someone’s try’na fuck me. It doesn’t necessarily mean that they are, it’s just that with all the shady shit folks do, you can’t trust just anybody and those that can be trusted, you keep close to you. I fucked up in the beginning, but as I grew with the streets, I started looking at stuff differently. I became more defensive, on guard, and more aware of what was going on around me. In the game you have to be careful, because one fuck-up, it’s over. It all boils down to being able to spot the real from the bullshit,” Dink told Laci. “Besides a broke hustler, ain’t nothin’ worse in the game than a wannabe hustler, because shit bound to go down.”
    Dink’s thoughts went to Marco and Dame. He was still shocked that his boys would try to play him shady, but repercussions in the hood were a muthafucka. Disloyalty was honored by death. “Niggas will try to get at you all the time, but you have to be sophisticated enough to be able to differentiate between the straight shooter and the nigga tryna take you. You have to work on that balance, and that balance is called . . .”
    “Objective reasoning,” Laci said out loud.
    “Exactly,” Dink confirmed. “Niggas take kindness for weakness so you still gotta be cool, all the while, ruling with an iron fist. There’s a time to be hard and there’s a time to finesse shit.”
    Laci looked at Dink in awe and with respect. She didn’t realize that hustling required that type of thought. “Do you miss it, Dink?”
    “Do I miss what?” Dink replied.
    Laci was studying the look on Dink’s face as he talked about his former life. “Do you miss being on the streets?” she asked.
    He paused momentarily. Everything was still fresh and new to him. “Nah, not really. That was just something to do for the time being. But things happen for a reason. I’m where I want to be now.”
    Dink stepped toward Laci and put his arms around her waist.
    Laci smiled at him, and then placed a tender kiss on his lips.
    “I knew there was more to you all along,” she confessed. “You are truly a smart man.” She kissed him again. “And guess what?”
    “What?”
    “You’re all mine,” she smiled back at him. “But right now,” she looked at her watch, then grabbed her backpack from Dink’s grasp, “I’m late for my next class, and this isn’t the way to start the new school year. I’ll see you after class, baby.” Laci quickly kissed Dink and ran in search of her second class.
    Dink loved Laci’s innocence and smiled while he watched her scurry