Back Down Memory Lane

A/N: Now for a quick message from our sponsors at the local Houston liquor store right in my kitchen bar that got my head right for this chapter because this has been a long week! 🙃😬 What is it that you have to say to our readers Oh wise tipsy one:

This chapter has been brought to you by Vanilla flavored E&J mixed in with a tad bit of Coca-Cola (and such to be wrapped and rolled), please leave negative kinds of energies, vibes and auras behind so you can fully enjoy this chapter.Feel free to get on her level if you must! (it's encouraged on a Friday) She did wait until she got home to engage in such activities involving drinks and greenery. This is a no judgement zone. No animals were hurt in the making of this #whatsgoodPETAsponsorMe 😊 please excuse the tipsy typos now without any further interruptions..

*"I stumbled on this photographIt kinda made me laughIt took me way back,Back down memory lane..I see the happiness... I see the pain,Where am I... back down memory laneI see us standing there,Such a happy happy pairLove beyond compareLook-a-there, look-a-there"_Minnie Riperton- Memory Lane*(Yes I have an old soul y'all 🤷🏿‍♀️ y'all should come over and kick it, we'd have a good time sis my playlist is so dang on BRAZY 😚😘)•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Flashback to where Joshua was the night before he disappeared  and went to go handle some business..

Eyes of Joshua:

Seeing that picture of me and Kai made me feel alot of ways..It put alot of things into perspective for me.I loved Kai even before she became a distant memory.But this could never work if I wasn't honest with myself.And I'm honestly torn and I don't know how to tell her that.Knowing her father was one of the main reasons my pops and unc got knocked off and the fact that he was still trying to do dirt with Nutty after all of these years of playing devil's assistant didn't sit well with me at all..And I trust Kai, I do..She stuck her neck out for me and I'm forever indebted to her for going against her family for me and my daughter and for everything she's been to us in this short period of time.Nothing will change me being here with her.I wanna keep the peace but every time I think about her pops I wanna cap him.I been planning this day out for a long time.I've plotted how I would watch him burn alive in my head many, many nights.I've killed and tortured him in a thousand different ways inside the deepest pits of my mind.So much that it would keep me awake, way too many sleepless nights.But now the circumstances are different..I was alot of things but I wasn't a dirty nigga.I would have to suck up my pride and find a way to make peace with Kai's Father for her sake and me and Marina's sake just for the time being.Depending on how he responded would be his own demise. But this situation is either really fucked up or I can knipped it in a bud right now.Because honestly the way I see us going and the way I want to be in her world, I gotta get that out of the way.And I had to step to her dad eye to eye.I had to look him in his face and man to man this shit.Popping up one day with Kai would've been all bad.This is the way I see it.Me and him are one in the same.We both love our daughters to no end and we both have a crazy way of the come up depending on how you look at it..Except there's a huge difference in the both of us;I didn't step on my mans toes to get to the top.And I didn't kill his pops.As much as I love Kai and I do with every inch of me.Everytime I think about her being in my life since I got that photo in my hand I just can't help but think about how my dad looked the man who would soon be the cause of his murder right in the eyes on the very day I met Kai.I don't know if this is a full circle or a broken song but either way I was going to use this moment to my complete advantageI needed to go handle some business..I called up my man's Richie Lawson who was brother in law's to Lenny Romaine (refer to chapter Shits Real) who had a private jet..We been through crazy shit and he was this crazy ass white nigga that always had my back..I knew him for 8 years and just like Jones and Quan I could trust him with my life.I could come to him at anytime and he'd dropped whatever it was he was doing just for the kid.I knew it wouldn't take me long to get to Cabo, Mexico on a jet.He had alot of power.And if you wanted anything done in Jersey, New York, Philly or Chicago you had to run it through him.Knowing him is like the golden ticket to life.I parked my whip in the back of his crib..I called him up..

"YOOOOO. My main guy J Smooth, talk to me."He said picking up..

"Son I need you, I'm out back"I said checking my surroundings..

"Come on up, you know the code to the door.. I'm in my room, glad you showed up got a quick surprise for you.."

I shook my head, I knew exactly what he meant.I couldn't go there with his "surprise" the only surprise I need these days is Kai.."Ight on my way up."I parked my car in his garage cause I had the opener to it..I walked through the back and let myself in..I made my way to his room only to see what I wasn't surprised by..The usual freaks of the week naked giving him a lap dance.

"You bitches line up so my man can take his pick..Look it J..I got Asian Persuasion, Blacker the Berry, Light skin Sprite skin, Snow Bunny Hoe Money and Indian Hindian.."I shook my head.."Well I'm still working on that last rhyme but you get the just, nothing but daddy issues around here.."He said extending his arms and going down the line motorboating their naked chest.

I laughed."Nah son I'm cool on that.."He looked at me funny.."I need a favor pronto.."

"Enough said."He pulled out a couple stacks and through it their way.."Well what y'all waiting on!Get dressed and get the fuck outta here..And don't steal none of my shit!Take the money and beat it!"He shook his head glancing at me.."Bitches, am I right?"

"You wild Rich.."I said laughing..

"Hey Black Cinnamon!"He called to the chocolate one as she looked up Rich's way picking up her money..

"Yes big daddy Rich?"She said seductively to him but licking her lips my way..But she couldn't compare to what I had waiting on me, none of what she was doing to temp me was phasing me.

"I want you to come back when I get done handling shit, matter of fact you can stay here and wait for me.. Just give me a little privacy for now.."

"Okay Daddy!"She said smiling then winking and licking her lips at me as they all got their ends and headed out..

He shook his head watching her switch past as he lit up a spliff.."I might just have to settle down and marry Cinnamon..I'm pushing 55 it's about that time, what you think?"

I turned my lip up at him.He laughed taking a long pull.."Yeah you're right I know I ain't shit but man she's my favorite."He shook his head shaking off the thought.."Nothing like a black woman with those original mother land features. You know that ass is all hers by how it sits and moves. No Dr. Miami for her."

I chuckled."Man fuck you know about the motherland white BOI!"

He laughed."More than you think my friend.."He stopped looking at me.."Let me get a good look at you.I swear you look more like your old man then he looked like himself.He's proud!So is your uncle..So J, haven't heard from you in a year, what's up?Gotta be major!You not into the bitches anymore?"

I shook my head.."Nah son I got a girl now, she'd spilt my shit to the white meat word life.."

He shook his head passing me the spliff.."That's good, just don't get married!I'm telling you that from experience..You cheat one time and they go getting all emotional..I mean I gave my ex four kids what else do you want from me.It's like come on now, the bitch I was with only gave me head..But hey can't win em' all.."

I shook my head.."Still the same ole Rich. She should've left your crazy ass at the alter."

"What can I do for you?"He said buttoning up his Versace shirt..

"Fly me out to Cabo.. I got 30 stacks for you.."

He nodded."Okay how soon you gotta be back in town?"

I passed him back the spliff.."Tonight!"

"That's pushing it J.."He sighed.."If it wasn't for your dad and uncle and your loyalty I'd think you were a mad man.You stuck your neck out for me how could I ever say no..Let's go, we'll take the Bentley to the my port gateway.."

I nodded.."Good lookin'."I said trying to pass him the duffle bag of cash I knew he wouldn't take..

"Come on now..We better than that..Put that up for a rainy day.."I just sat it down.."Damn she must be something special huh?"I nodded.."Same glow I had about Barb when we first met.. Old BITCH!"He said as my eyes got big."Hey Lenny told me about what happened with Hopskins, told me you shot his foot off.If it was me I would've aimed for his knee caps. Motherfucka thought he was untouchable all of these years look at em' now in a nut house.."He said laughing shaking his head passing back the spliff."Kill it I gotta fly a jet can't be unprofessional.. Let's head out.."

I looked at him funny."Rich son what you on, you good to fly?"

"I always fly like this, COMON'.."He said turning out the lights leaving out..

"Rich?! RICH MAN STOP PLAYIN'!"

"Let's go don't bitch out on me now!"

Eyes of Kevin Preston (Kai's Father):

Karroll was at the beach enjoying the breeze.Her health was much better and I wanted to celebrate.What else to do here in Cabo.I smiled at my wife sitting in the sand, kicking her feet in the blue ocean water..After all these years she was the only one for me and each time I looked at her I could still see the day she went into labor with Kai.Nothing I could do for her would ever amount to her giving me a daughter.I kissed her lips and made my way back to our Bungalow that overlooked the beach..I walked in grabbing the bottle of champagne and champagne glasses..I turned around and the door was wide open but I knew for a fact that I closed it..I grabbed my gun looking around cautiously..Trying not to make any sudden moves I put down the champagne bottle and glasses on the bed..Picking back up the bottle I placed in my left hand and gun in my right.."Don't be a bitch show yourself!"I yelled..There were swift movements..I turned around towards them and looked that way..On the bed appeared a photograph.I picked it up and seen Kai and some other little boy..I never forget a face but couldn't recall the name..But I could recall this day vividly.This was the day I met up with the Longpackers for the first time.."Nathaniel, you in here?!I held my end of the deal so what's going on face me man to man!"I heard laughter and took a spin.There was nothing in my sight.."So you wanna play mind games, what this you in the picture?I promise you it's the end of you and anybody you know when it comes to my daughter."I said cocking back my pistol.."Show your face BITCH!"

"I was never hiding."I heard from behind me, though this voice was unfamiliar it was strange how familiar it felt in a spooky unsettling way.I turned around and seen a guy in braids sitting behind me very comfortably..If I didn't know any better I'd say he was..Nah, they're dead.

I shook my head laughing.."So Nathaniel sent you?"

"Nah I sent him. Sent him straight to his maker, have a seat let's conversate.."He said..

"I'll give the orders, standing is good for me.."

He laughed.."Take a good look at that picture again."I looked down quickly and looked up silently..

"Nutty is gone.. So how long you gone play field with the dark side?"

"Who the fuck are you to be.."

"Uhn, uhn, uhn"He said shaking his pointer finger my way."It's best we be cordial and get an understanding."

I squinted at him hard."You're the little boy from this picture huh?"I chuckled."Kid Josh? Yeah I took this with my Polaroid back in the day.You kept this all these year's?"He remained silent."Now I know why you feel familiar, you Longpackers boy?"

"Actually it's Just Joshua..Now that you've figured out the mystery let me tell you what I know.For years I knew those tapes existed.I've been closer to you than you have to me.Everyday I plotted some things about you I won't mention out of respect to Kai."He cocked back his gun an aimed it.."Aht, aht! Behave I have muscle with me."

"Oh Hey Detective Preston.."I turned to see one of the strongest Force's over the law scale in the Tri-State's.It was Richie Lawson.I put my gun on safety..

"Richie."I said nodding his way..

"Long time no see Preston, how's the lowlife treating you?"

Spinning around so he could clearly see.."Pretty good as you can see."

He laughed.."Yeah this is cute.. should've stayed at my resort instead.."He said shrugging.

"Your resort?"I said squinting..

"Oh I own more than half of the resorts here in Cabo but this is nice for a retired couple."He said laughing.."Should've taken my offer a long time ago Pres..Instead you decided to take a dance with the devil and got lemons when you could've had lemonade.."

"You don't know what the fuck you're talking about, Hops did more for me then you could've ever.There was no way I was gonna dethrone my position and work for the likes of you.."I said breathing through my nose rapidly..

He laughed."And look where Hops is now, in a nut house while your miles away from one of my many Paradise..Look it, I think we both know that I know what's really going on. Starting from the bottom would've been better then anything Hops got you into.. But woulda, coulda, shoulda Huh?"He laughed lighting a cigar.."Anywho, I'd advise you to tread lightly and listen up.."I was defeated and all I could do was listen..I turned facing Joshua..It was like looking in a long distant memory that was coming back to hunt me..

"Okay I'm listening, what do you want from me..You can have it all just leave my family alone!"I said with my hands up.

Joshua laughed."All these years I wanted you dead.I wanted you to feel all the pain you caused me.You took my pops away from me.He was everything to me and to Harlem and unlike you he cared about his community and never went against his own kind like you did.Him and my uncle ain't deserve that shit.So all of these years I been plotting on how to get to those tapes and take you down..But I realized something.Your daughter taught me some valuable things in this little amount of time..She taught me to think before I act, how to remain calm and patient.And off the strength of her I'ma say you lost your way but bank on you finding it.That picture you're holding means alot to me..You should know me and your daughter are together and in love."We just watched each other, my thoughts were racing like the speed of light and the air was heavy and thick.."I have a daughter too and Kai made me see how in some strange way that we're one in the same."

"I could NEVER be like you. And you DAMN sure could never be me. We are nothing alike little nigga!"

He shrugged."Okay well I see we won't be seeing eye to eye..But just know she's happy and as long as I'm around it'll remain that way..And it's best you and your wife let her live.."

"You come into MY SHIT! Telling me about MY DAUGHTER!Do what you must but you got the game fucked up if you think I'ma let this continue young blood."

He just laughed.."You really think you can stand in front of me and tell me anything after all the shit you did.After all the dirt you caused..Look I know all about Darlene and Kevin Jr."My eyes went wide.What the FUCK?"That's right so just let Kai move on in peace..You ain't really gotta fuck wit me like that.. only reason I ain't been send you is cause of Kai.. But on some bygones type shit let's just agree to be cordial for Kai's sake.I wouldn't want your wife to find out about your mishaps..It's funny how you can stand there with your nose up looking down at me like I'm the scum of the earth when you got a whole unclaimed seed out here that you pay off to keep quiet..I would never do no type of shit like that to Kai, I'm loyal to who matters the most..She's at the top of that list.I hold her up at the most high."

I just looked down.."Please don't bring my wife or Kai into this.. They'd be torn, I could never face them..I made mistakes I'm not proud of.."

"As long as we have an understanding?"He said watching me closely..

"What's that exactly?"

"Simple. Let Kai live her life, she's not happy in that house.. she's not happy at that job..She's making her dreams come true and I need you both to be okay with that..So get your wife on board or I will.."I nodded.. What else could I say my family's hearts were on the line and for them I had to swallow my pride..Everything I had done was paying back it's karma in full force..He seemed sincere and if my daughter being with him meant something to her than I had to be a man and let her go..The hard part would be trying to convince Karroll to do the same.

I nodded his way holding out my hand.."Deal. Just don't hurt my baby girl, she's everything to me."

"I would never lay a hand to Kai.. I love her way too much, she was literally my first love long ago."He said pointing at the picture."I seen that bitch nigga DJ the other day and wanted to snap his neck.But instead I showed him how a real nigga cleans up after a clown ass cornball like him.. everytime I think about him laying hands on Kai."He grunted his teeth and I seen the same fire in his eyes I had the night I shot Desmond..

"You really love my Kai?"I said trying to figure him out see if I could pinpoint any doubt.

"You have no clue.. Loves prolly an understatement at this point.."

I looked down at the picture again with a slight smile.."Take care of her and I'll handle Karroll."

"That's all I wanna do, that's why I'm here.."

"Hey look about everything, I.."

He put his hand up.."Save it, you wanna make it up to me get rid of her for me."I said handing him some pictures of my baby moms.."She's straight trouble.."

"Melissa?"I said looking up as he looked at me funny..

"Yeah how you know?"

"Well when I was working with Nutty I believe if I'm not mistaken she was his shorty as he described her.."

He stud back.."WHAT!?"I pointed to the picture again.."You mean like they was a couple an shit?"I nodded.."Yeah get rid of her.."He gave me a black card.."That has no limit, it's all yours.Just make sure not to try an shake me."

I looked at the card and gave it back to him.."Use that to spoil my daughter and yours..I'll take care of it, let's just call it even."I said holding out my hand..He watched me as he hesitated to shake my hand.But by the firmness of his shake I knew he was a man of his word."We'll make a special dinner just let me know when's best.."

"Will do, POPS IN LAW!"He said hitting my shoulder..

Pops in Law?I said to myself, feeling a tad bit faint.."Let's not go too far son.."I said handing him the picture..I turned to get the glasses for me and my wife.."Hey while you're both here.."I turned around only to see how they we're both gone.. just like a thief in the night they took off without warning..I made my way to Karroll thinking of ways to explain everything..

Eyes of Joshua..

I sat side by side Rich on the jet..As we flew above the skies..He had one of his pilots take us back.

"How long you gonna let him last?"I just remained quiet looking out the window..My thoughts were deep and insane..But at this point all I wanted to do was get back to my daughter and Kai.

"I know what's on your mind but whatever you have planned make sure that you know what you're doing.."I nodded putting on my head phones..

"Shut the fuck up Rich."

Too.Be..Continued...

New chapter in progress as we speak!

°What do you guys think about Joshua and Kevin? 😭😱

°What do you guys think about Kevin's long "lost" son?

°Do you think Joshua and Kevin and can really keep the peace?

°Do you guys think Joshua really forgave Kevin for everything he's done?

°Do you guys think Joshua's wrong for keeping the secret about her unknown brother from Kai?

°Anything you want to ask a character?

But AYE ITS FRIDAY!!!

Sorry this chapter was so eh.I tried y'all, let me keep on sipping it'll get better 😂..I promise don't hate me 😩..Next chapter I'm going hard 🙌🏿🖤🖤🖤