The King Of The South Read Free Page A

Kareem’s funny side didn’t set too well with the judge. At his trial, he kept asking him if he thought something was funny, because of the way he kept smiling.
    The judge decided to make an example of him. He wanted to give Kareem more time, but King had paid a top lawyer to represent his boy, so instead of ten years, he got five. King hoped that Kareem would now take life seriously, and get his game up.
    King turned off the water and stepped out the shower feeling energized about seeing his boy. As he wrapped the towel around his waist, his cell phone whistled in the bedroom. He checked the text, and laughed.
    Nigga you better get out from between dem hookers’ legs and come get ya boy! The text read.
    King just texted Kareem back, N.I.G.G.A .
    He knew that he understood. They both were Tupac fans, and used the phrase all the time. Never Ignorant Getting Goals Accomplished. “Yeah, take that fucking word crackers used and turn it into something positive, Pac.” King said and went into his bedroom to get dressed.
     
    __________
    King pulled up to Tiana’s house and considered going inside, but thought better of it. He did not want to hear Tiana’s mouth. Today was a day of celebration, and he wasn’t in the mood to hear her nagging. So instead, he honked the horn twice.
    “Nigga, lay off that horn. I ain’t no trick you picking up for some ass!” Kareem said as he walked down the driveway.
    King shook his head as Kareem jumped over the door into the car. “Nigga! Don’t scratch my shit!” King said. “I thought Niggas got big when they go in. Your ass ain’t gained an ounce!”
    “Boy, you know I’ve been Skinny with plenty all my damn life, nigga.” Kareem shot back.
    King reached out his hand. “Damn, homie, it is good to see your ass.” He said as he pounded Kareem up.
    “Nigga, fuck that, give your boy a hug.” Kareem screamed. The two men embraced and held each other tightly.
    While letting go, King saw Tiana standing in the door. He waved, then checked his side mirror and pulled out into the street.
    “Damn, how was the homecoming with your girl, brah? I already know she didn’t like your ass coming out with me, huh?” King said as he turned onto Ashley road.
    “Man, the same old, same old. I got her, though.” Kareem said laughing. “So what’s going on? I heard about Strap and them.”
    “Damn nigga, how you get that shit that quick?” King asked.
    “Man, niggas behind the wall know shit before it even happens. They been blowing up my phone all morning,” Kareem said, shaking his head. “So what we gonna do about this?”
    “Man, thanks, but I ain’t trying to get you caught up in this shit. You just got out and…”
    “Nigga is you serious? Did your ass get soft while I was locked up? I know you ain’t letting that shit Tiana spitting get to you,” Kareem said, adjusting his .45 in his waistband.
    He shook his head. Although he was talking shit, her voice echoed through his mind. Every conversation they had while he was locked up was about him getting his shit straight when he came home. He would listen to her cry on the phone and tell him how much she and the boys needed him. When he said he was going with King, she threatened him. She told him that she would take the boys and leave if he didn’t leave the streets alone. She refused to watch her boys grow up and have to worry about them following in his footsteps. He loved her and his sons, but King had been with him since multiplication tables. He couldn’t turn his back on his boy, and Tiana would have to just understand that shit.
    “Dude, you know we got to handle this situation. You let this ride too long, and other hungry niggas will take it as a sign of weakness. You gotta set the example so they know and respect our game, homie.” Kareem said, patting his .45. “Shit, you know Strap would expect no less, man. No fucking less.”
    King continued driving and listening to Kareem. Everything he said was true, but