She woke up with this scratch on her chest. It was unexplainable. She blamed it on a spirit. I feel it was a sign of my inevitable fate. My daughter had been begging to visit Cuba since she learned about the Cuban Revolution in school. So I took them on vacation, though I had other plans. Ever since YBI started making noise in the D, the city’s been flush with product. But I found a source that would give me ultimate control. I’ve been taking phone calls from Cuba for the past 8 months. My wife knows my business well, so she didn’t ask questions when she saw me pack an empty suitcase. Loyal to a fault, some would say.
I was smoking a Black and Mild outside of our resort. I’m too ghetto for the Cohiba’s. As I feel that beach breeze, that Cuban ocean water looks like liquid cocaine.
You think I’m making a bad decision?
I just needed to hear it from her. Was I being greedy? Is ‘King of Detroit’ worth my wife and daughter’s safety?
You know I can’t convince you one way or the other Malcolm.
You gonna always be who you are.
That was tough to hear. My family knows my ambition. And she was right. I kissed her and my daughter on the forehead, a car waiting to bring them to the airport.
I met with a cat named Fidel, who I met in the joint in ‘78.
You good my friend? You look like death is in your eyes.
I just need to get going jack, got a flight to catch.
This is only the beginning. We can flood you with so much more than this on your next trip.
He was too excited. Don’t sell me no dream, man.
He was chatty. That was a social cue for me to get outta there. I couldn’t trust him.
Headed to the airport I hummed this Count Basie song my mama used to play. Trying to feel that nostalgia that made me ambitious. Even when we starved I couldn’t ask for a helping hand.
The awareness in my wife’s hug when we met back up spoke volumes. Something felt off. But we made it onto our flight without a hitch.
I felt the butterflies of success in my stomach. As soon as we landed in Detroit. My heart was inside my intestines.
Get the fuck on the ground now!
I felt ashamed, unable to protect my wife and daughter. But my wife had a sly grin on her face.
German Shepherds and US Marshal’s everywhere. Guns drawn in the middle of the airport. My daughter crying.
It felt like a setup.
Why me?
Questions I still ask myself.
You are who you are.
You would have never changed, and now we’re free. I did what I had to.
Goodbye Malcolm.
She said as they pulled me away.
And now I’ll never be the same.
I am what I am