When Shadee woke up he was looking up at bright hospital lights, lying in a bed at the “Med;” the local hospital. He now had fourteen stitches traveling down the back of his head. He tried to sit up but felt dizzy and his head was throbbing so he slowly laid back down. He felt around for a switch, button, or something to page a nurse. Unable to find it, he said, “Fuck it! Mind over matter,” and forced himself up.

      “Mr. Watson, how are you feeling? I’m Nurse Richards, Debbie to you. I need to check your blood pressure.” She grabbed his arm.

      “I need some pain pills.”

      “I’ll get you some.”

      “Where are my clothes?”

      Sensing that he was trying to leave, she said, “The doctor would like you to remain overnight for observation, Mr. Watson. But your clothes are over there in that closet. You have two family members out front waiting to see you. Visiting hours are well over but I will allow them five minutes,” she told him with authority as she recorded his blood pressure and then placed a thermometer in his mouth. After the machine beeped she said, “I’ll send in your visitors. Remember, five minutes Mr. Watson. You need the rest.” She left the room.

      Shadee tried to sit up but his head was spinning. He eased back down on the bed.

      “What up man?” Born burst into the room. Shadee’s seventeen-year-old nephew was relieved that his uncle was all right.

      “Get me the fuck outta here. That’s what’s up!”

      “Where’s your clothes nigga?” Kay-Gee, who had been down with Shadee since day one asked.

      “Over there in the closet.”

      They helped him get dressed so they could bounce before the police decided to stop back by. When Nurse Richards saw them come out of the room she ran over to them.

      “You can’t leave now Mr. Watson. The doctor hasn’t discharged you yet.” Plus I wanted to get them digits, she thought to herself.

      “I’m discharging my damn self. I’m grown.”

      She looked from Shadee to the two thuggish niggas on each side of him and decided against arguing. “Well here, let me get these papers for you to sign.” She took off for the front desk.

      “Fuck her man. She probably goin’ to get security. Let’s roll!” Born said, grabbing the nearest wheelchair and helping Shadee sit down.

      “I’ll go pull the ride around front,” Kay-Gee told them and jetted.

      Nurse Richards hurried back. “Here you go, Mr. Watson. Can you please sign right here, here, and here.” Nurse Richards pointed as she held the clip-board steady for him. “And here are the rest of your painkillers.” She shook the bottle. “We need you to come back on the seventeenth to get the stitches out. Any questions?”

      “No ma’am. No questions.” Born was already wheeling Shadee towards the elevator.

      Kay-Gee was waiting out front. They helped Shadee into the car and headed towards his house. “A’ight. What the fuck happened and where’s my money, my dope, and my ride?” Shadee wanted to know as soon as the car door slammed. “Ah, shit!” He groaned out in pain.

      “Doc has the loot and the dope. We’re gonna meet him at his spot later on. Slim is taking care of your ride.” Born reported.

      “Who the fuck did this shit?” Shadee was pissed.

      “Them Jack boys. Them niggas ain’t see us lying in the cut down the street and we didn’t see them until they was up on you. But I’m willing to bet it was that bitch Brianna. This shit got that hoes name stamped all over it. Your bitch set you up man. I tried to tell you that hoe ain’t shit!” Born was pissed off.

      “Brianna? How you know it was a set-up?” Shadee moaned in pain.

      “Nigga, that medication got you fucked up! Them niggas was waitin’ on you dawg! I’m tellin’ you it was that bitch! I got much love for you Unc, but that hoe got your mind fucked up!”

      “Naw man, it wasn’t her. Your mind is fucked up young nigga!”

      “A’ight, Unc. I see this conversation is going nowhere. Anyway, those stick-up kids Hook and Rob, are the ones she sicked on you. When we left, Hook was being handled, but who knows what shape he’ll be in once Teraney finishes with him. You know how that fool is. Rob is already chillin’ with tha Grim Reaper.”

      “Naw. I wanna see Hook.” Shadee began looking for his cell phone.

      “Here man.” Kay-Gee handed it to him.

      Shadee grabbed it and dialed Teraney. “Teraney, what’s poppin’? I need you to hold up.”

      “Won’t nothin’ be poppin’ in a minute. You know I don’t like to sit on shit like this. But if you insist, I’ll hold up. But y’all need to meet me at our chillin’ spot, soon.”

      “Wait for me. What do it look like?”

      “What it look like?” Teraney looked at the phone as if he was insulted. “It looks like one of your bitches! And I hope you know which one.”

      “I’ll holla at you later.” Shadee turned off his cell phone, leaned his head back on the headrest, and closed his eyes. “Let’s swing to our chillin’ spot.”