The Hill (Ch 17)

The night after the shooting, Reginald found himself back home. He slipped into his old apartment in the stillness of the night. None of his stuff had been moved since he left. He did find Brandie's key to his apartment on his dresser. There was no note and no sign of life in the unit. Reginald sat on the couch and eventually his exhaustion led him to sleep.

He dreamed of the encounter with Spit Fye. The difference was the shot was fired at Mike and struck Reginald instead. As the shot struck, Reginald awakened. He looked at the clock. It was 11:42 am.

He looked at his battered cell phone and saw 15 missed calls and eight voicemails. The calls were from everybody, even some unknown people. He had a voicemail from Craig, one from Duane, one from Carmen, two from Yvonne, one from Farley and one from Brandie. The others were reporters trying to get a scoop.

The call from Brandie was only 30 minutes ago. He listened to the voicemail.

"Hey Reggie, it's me," Brandie said. "I was calling to find out if you were alright. I heard about what happened in New York. I'm sorry about your friend. I just wanted you to know that I do still care. Bye bye," she said as the message ended.

Reginald sat in silence for a minute. Then he called Craig. "Craig, it's Reggie," said Reginald. "Reggie, what the hell happened up there the other night," asked Craig. Reginald sighed. "Spit and William Jones wanted to buy out my contract with Image and have me sign with them," said Reginald. "I was invited there by Carmen Lane, and she introduced me to them. When they told me what they wanted, I didn't really take them seriously. Then Mike showed up and things got really tense. Spit pulled his gun, and fired while I was trying to push Mike away," Reginald said. "I got hit in the shoulder, and Mike took a shot to the throat. He bled to death in my arms Craig," Reginald said, as his voice cracked.

"I'm so sorry you had to witness that, Reggie," said Craig. "The suits upstairs want you to keep quiet and to cooperate with the police in any way that they need you," Craig continued. "Where was Duane in all this madness," asked Craig. "He was back home, handling some personal business. He didn't have anything to do with this incident," said Reginald. Craig sat silently. "Hello," said Reginald. "Yeah, I'm here Reg," said Craig. "Arnold wants to meet with you about doing a couple of hooks," Craig said. "I think they are going to try to do a tribute to Mike and you were a good friend of his, so they want you involved heavily." "I'll call him, thanks Craig," Reginald said softly. "I have to go, but I'll call you later Craig," said Reginald as he hung up the phone.

He sat back quietly and closed his eyes. He found himself drifting off to sleep again, when there was a knock at the door. Reginald went to the peephole. It was Duane. He opened the door and walked back to the couch.

"Reggie, I got like five magazines blowin' me up right now, trying to interview you about the shooting. I keep telling them to back off, but they don't get it," Duane said. "Yeah, I got a call from Vibe and another one from Ebony," said Reginald. "I'm not even gonna get into what happened, except that I'm sorry about Mike. He was a good dude," Duane said. "But I have to warn you, the TV stations got a good video of you from several angles throwing a beating on Spit," said Duane. "I'd do it again if I had the chance," said Reginald. Reginald's fists clinched.

"Look man, why don't you come down to the club tonight," Duane suggested. "You don't gotta sing or nothing, but see your boys. They been asking about you," Duane finished. "Yeah, Farley left me a voicemail this morning," Reginald replied. "I'll get at them today." "So you coming through tonight," Duane asked. "I'll be there D." Duane extended his arm to Reginald and give him a fist pound. "Later, then," he said. "Lata," said Reginald as the door shut behind Duane.

Reginald sat in silence. He couldn't get the Big Mic out of his mind. He was angry and hurt. He went from anger towards himself, to anger towards Mike, then back towards Spit Fye, anger at Carmen, and the back to himself again. His anger was interrupted by another phone call. "Reggie," Yvonne said softly on the other end of the phone. "Hey," Reginald replied.

"I'm coming there to be with you," she said. "My flight from LA will be coming in around 3 pm. I'm on a layover in Dallas right now," she said. "Okay, I'll come get you from the airport," Reginald said. "I'll see you soon sweety," she said.

Reginald looked at the time, it was only 1:15 at this point. He turned on the TV and saw himself on one of the celebrity gossip shows. One of the hosts called him a thug. Reginald felt his temper getting the best of him. He turned off the TV and chose to return the phone calls he had received, except for Brandie. He wasn't ready to talk to her. He advised the reporters that he spoke to that he wasn't authorized to speak about the shooting, but he did send out his condolences to Mike's family.

By the time he finished his calls, it was time to head to the airport to pick up Yvonne. When he finally arrived in the terminal, he found himself surrounded by people. "Damn, why do I always forget that folks know me," he asked himself. Cameras began to flash, and cell phone cams were aimed at him from all angles. People were asking for his autograph and a few people who were confused about the news they heard called <i>him</i> a murderer. Reginald just shook his head. He looked through the crowd and finally saw the Yvonne coming his direction. She was being escorted by bodyguards and several security guards.

As they met in the middle of the crowd, they embraced tightly. Even though the hug hurt his wounded shoulder, he didn't want to let go. "Let's get out of here," she said as they followed the entourage to a limo waiting outside. "What about my car," asked Reginald. "You can come back and get it later, when things die down, honey," said Yvonne.

As they settled into the limo, the silence was awkward. Yvonne broke the ice. "Where do you want to go, Reggie? Do you want to go eat or go home, or what?" "I just need to be alone with you," Reginald replied. Reginald gave his address to the driver and the driver brought them to Reginald's building.

Reginald opened his door and carried Yvonne's bags into the bedroom. Yvonne made herself at home on his couch. She kicked off her pumps and rubbed her feet. Reginald came back into the room and sat on the couch close to Yvonne. "I'm so glad you're alright," she said. "Yeah, physically, I'm fine, but right now I can't even get my thoughts together," said Reginald. "I just want some peace," Reginald finished.

Yvonne put her arms around him and held him closely. She kissed him softly on the cheek and he rested his head on her chest. Reginald felt comfortable and completely at rest for the first time since Mike was murdered before his eyes.

Reginald opened his eyes, after falling asleep with Yvonne on the couch. It was almost 7 pm. "Yvonne, I'm going to the club to hear my friends play and to hang out with them. Do you want to come," Reginald asked. "Sure, I don't mind going with you," she said as she yawned. They slowly dragged themselves off the couch and got ready to head out on the town. Reginald called one of his friends at the cab stand to take them to the airport so he could get his car. Once he had his car, they made the trip back across town to The Hill.

Parking was terrible, as usual. But Reginald found a suitable space to park his car. There were people everywhere, most of them recognized both Reginald and Yvonne. As they walked in, Reginald saw his friends sitting at a table, taking shots. Reginald slowly walked over to the table. He was very happy to see his friends, but it was hard for him to show it under the circumstances.

"We Crew," Reginald bellowed. Vance turned around, and shouted! "Negro, you made it!" "Hey Vance, good to see you brotha," said Reginald. Farley and Tommy both stood up. Reginald shook hands with them both and pulled them into a hug. "Man, it's just so good to see you guys," Reginald said as he smiled. "Reg, are you going to introduce us to your beautiful friend," asked Tommy. Reginald looked back at Yvonne and smiled. "Yall know she doesn't need an introduction, but for your benefit, I'll give her one. Yvonne, these are my boys, the Crew. Vance, Farley and Tommy. Guys, this is Yvonne Summers," Reginald said.

"Fuckin' aye," Vance yelled. "It's a pleasure meeting you Miss Summers," Tommy said shaking her hand softly. "Miss Summers, it's nice to meet you. You should watch the company you keep," Farley laughed as he pointed to Reginald. "Knuckle head, shut it," Reginald laughed. "It's nice to meet you all, Reggie talks about you guys all the time," Yvonne said.

The group all sat down a talked. Reginald got caught up a lot the happenings at The Hill and in the city over the last six weeks. He heard more about how Duane was trying to steer clear of trouble and about the missing guy and his three Escalades.

"Where is Duane anyway," asked Reginald. "He's in his office with Earl and Hank. There's no telling what them niggas are up to," Tommy said. Farley scooted over close to Reginald, and began to speak softly. "I heard about you and Brandie, and I'm sorry. But just to let you know, she's seeing this other cat and they are in here regularly," Farley whispered. Reginald swallowed hard. "Really, I don't even know how I feel about that," he said quietly back to Farley. "Look at it this way, you have Yvonne on your arm, you can't get much better than that," Farley said and he gave Reginald a playful forearm nudge. Reginald smiled and looked over at Yvonne. "Do you want a drink," he asked. "Yeah, a Coke please," Yvonne said. "One Coke coming up," Reginald said as he got up to walk to the bar. As Reginald got up, Tommy slid into his chair. He looked at Yvonne in a semi-serious seductive manner, "How you doing," he asked. Yvonne laughed.

Reginald walked up to the bar and ordered a Coke and a Corona. He sat on an empty stool and waited for the drinks to arrive. "What up nigga," asked an unfamiliar voice. Reginald looked over at the guy. He was similar height, but a little smaller build than Reginald. He had locks and wore these thin framed glasses. Reginald didn't recognize him. "'Sup," Reginald said as he turned his attention back to the club patrons. "Yo, I know you don't know me, I but I sure as hell know you," said the man. Reginald stretched out his hand to shake the man's hand. "And you are?" "I'm Shaun. Shaun Colston," said Shaun. The two shook hands. "So you saw me perform here, or got my CD or what," asked Reginald casually. "Naw, nigga. I fucked yo bitch," he said smuggly. Reginald quickly turned and looked Shaun in the eyes. "What," asked Reginald. "Brandie, she gettin' some real dick now, and she takes it how I give it," Shaun replied. "Look man, what you and Brandie do is between you two. We aren't together anymore," Reginald said. "Shit, I was fuckin' when yall were together. How you like that partna," Shaun said.

Reginald was getting angry. He didn't believe that Brandie was cheating on him all along. He just thought that Shaun was trying to push his buttons. Reginald began to breathe deeply. He didn't want to do anything he'd regret.

"Look at yo bitch ass. I see why she left you, because she wanted a real man," Shaun said with a laugh. "You ain't shit. Ya money don't mean a motherfuckin' thing, because you don't even have the respect of ya bitch. That's why I been knockin' the dust off that ass," Shaun continued. Reginald's fists began to tighten.

"Oh, now you wanna get mad," asked Shaun sarcastically. Shaun laughed. "Yeah, that's why your boy got clipped at the club the other night - bitch ass ni..." before Shaun could finish his words Reginald gave him a right to the jaw that knocked off his glasses. Shaun fell into the bar and knocked down four people on the stools. Reginald grabbed Shaun by his hair with his left hand and continually punched him with his right.

Shaun grabbed a bottle from the bar and smashed it over the right side of Reginald's head. Reginald fell to the ground. Shaun dug his fingers into Reginald's gunshot wound . Reginald cried out in pain. On his back, Reginald mustered up enough strength to push Shaun off him. Both men got up, Reginald punched Shaun in the stomach and when he doubled over, he kicked Shaun in the face. At that moment, Duane came through the crowd with Farley to pull Reginald back.

"Fuck you, you fuckin' pussy," Reginald screamed. "Don't you ever come at me like that," he continued. "If I ever see you in here again, I will fuck you up!" "Get this bitch outta my club," Duane yelled over the racket. "Colston, if I see ya ass anywhere near here, I will drop you where you stand."

"Fuck both of yall," Shaun yelled. "Reggie, I'm going home to fuck ya bitch again," he yelled as he was shoved out the door. "And, I'm suing you and Duane."

"What the fuck happened, Reggie," asked Duane. "Man, I was getting drinks and this nigga just walked up talkin' shit. I was amused until he started in about Brandie and Mike," Reginald said as he attempted to catch his breath. Yvonne made her way through the crowd. "Oh, baby," she said as she put her arms around him. She and Reginald began to walk out of the club.

"Duane, I'm sorry bro," said Reginald.

To Be continued...