Caught Red Handed (Or Just Hated On)...? PART 2
So here I am cuffed and sitting on the ground while this off duty brother playing Robocop calls in favors on HIS cell phone. His mission? To try to have someone come and lock me up. This dude was serious. He wanted to make an example out of me without a doubt.
The Reverend I was supposed to meet and the reason I was up at this spot in the first place finally showed up. As he came around my car I saw the expression of disbelief on his face. By this time Robocop was walking back to us from getting his haircut.
The Rev introduced himself and talked (very carefully) to the Fulton County officer and subtly pleaded for my release. Also carefully pointing out that the officer was off duty.
“You’re police 24/7.” Was Robocop’s response. The Rev figured out what I already knew. Best to leave this situation alone.
The Rev looked down directed his conversation towards me, “James, if you need anything just call me. I’ll come bail you out.” The Reverend pulled out a couple of credit cards. “Me and my wife will be in town for a few more hours if you need me just call.”
I thanked the Rev and he left. Robocop looked confused.
“The Reverend wants to help you out?” Robocop asked with a grin over his face.
‘I’m a good dude,” I responded “I take care of my people.”
“You take car of them with what?”
“I do a lot of things.” Was all the words I cared to say.
Another 15 minutes past… still no squad car. It appeared that Fulton County was very busy with “Priority Calls” and my situation was far from priority. Robocop got back on HIS cell phone and made phone calls DIRECTLY to dispatch. The Marta officer and I were looking at each other like “This is some bullshit.” He knew it as well as I did.
So there I sat, I saw my customers drive by in their cars. Some of them waved. My boys in the nearby barber shop came by and asked if I needed them to make a call for me. I told them everything was good. I wasn’t sure what kind of help I would need but I’m glad I had options.
Mz Nici Nicole (my homegirl and book editor) drove by and saw the situation. She called my ex-girlfriend Mz Mental and let her know what was going down (appreciate that girl!).
New York pulled into the parking lot. I didn’t see him but he sent his Lady over and had her tell me that if I needed her help to call her. I nodded because I knew what she meant.
Robocop’s face was twisted. “In all my 6 years on the force I never seen anyone offer help to someone I had in handcuffs. Never! They usually stay away from me.” He laughed. “I guess you can’t be all that bad.”
My reply, “I’m a good dude.”
Robocop began to rant about how he locked up many dope boys (drug dealers) and how everyone was scared of him. Blah, blah, blah…
So there I sat on the ground, cuffed and leaning against my bumper listening to the rhetoric of Robocop when Mz Mo, a fellow Hustler and friend, pulled up with her son and daughter. She sized up the situation when she saw me.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” she asked.
“No I’m good sweetheart.” I said.
“If you need me just call me.”
I thanked her and Robocop looked around in shock.
“That’s another person! And she has kids!”
What difference the kids made I didn’t know but I smirked. He continued, “If another person comes up here and asks if you need help I’m going to pass out. I don’t know what you do but it must be good.”
“I told you, I take care of my people.” I said and began to try to get comfortable. The ground was getting cold as the temperature began to drop.
Another half hour past and my shoulder began to throb from sitting in the cuffed position for so long. And all this time I’m still listening to stories from Robocop. I could tell even the Marta officer was getting tired oh hearing that shit.
More people came by asking if I needed them to make a phone call for me. By this time Robocop was blown away.
Are you familiar with the saying, “The Lord works in mysterious ways?” well I’m proof that it does. Check this out.
The straw that broke the camel’s back was when one of the shop owners who Robocop knows and respects came by. She’s an older lady from the islands who’s a sweetheart that I just adore. If I was a few years older I’d holla at her… anyway… I saw her shaking her head as she walked up to us. I felt her anguish, it practically radiated off of her. She looked down at me and I gave her a slow nod. She tuned to Robocop and asked to speak with him alone.
They took a couple of steps away from me and the Marta cop, so I could barely make out what she said. I could tell she was pleading with him on my behalf though. I looked at her face and she the verge of tears. That not only shocked me, it threw Robocop for a loop!
As she walked off he turned to the Marta officer and said, “I respect her so much. She knows me! She’s usually like, ‘Lock them up!’ but not for him.” He looked down at me and back at the Marta officer, “Did you see her? She was damn near in tears!”
The Marta officer gave me a hidden thumbs up and a nod. I nodded back on the low.
Robocop continued, “I mean I respect that woman. I trust what she says. I believe her! And if she says he’s a good person then…” Robocop threw up his hands. He could no longer deny my reputation.
The people that I show so much love to came by to show love to me. It was in his face. I made a silent prayer of gratitude to the Most High. It was like divine intervention; Robocop’s cold heart was turned warm and sympathetic. He went from looking down on me to helping me back to my feet and having the Marta officer take my cuffs off.
I sat on the bumper of my car and stretched my shoulder which was sore at this point. And oddly enough, it was then a Fulton County Supervisor FINALLY pulled up. This whole situation had been going on for almost two hours now.
The funny part is that now Robocop was fighting for MY freedom. He didn’t want them to take me to jail, instead I ended up with a citation and a court date.
I followed Robocop into the store where the shop manger was to thank her. I shook Robocop’s hand, got in my car and put on some Aaliyah to change my mood. I was going to get gone before he changed his mind, feel me? The time was just about 7pm.
On my way out the parking lot I saw Mz Bee’s car out the corner of my eye. My eyes popped open wide as she pulled up beside me.
“You’re still here? I thought you were getting you’re hair done?” I asked with surprise in my voice.
“Yeah I didn’t know what to do or what was going to happen to you. But I was watching.” I saw stress in her eyes but what she did was some real woman shit. She was holding me down all that time and I didn’t even know.
“Well come on,” I said, “We need to get out of this parking lot.”
“I know. I’m following you.” We pulled off and drove to a nearby park so I could tell her what went down.
I called everyone who showed me love to thank them for looking out for a Hustler. I was truly appreciative.
I went to get some food since I was hungry and damn near dehydrated. I Called up New York and filled him in on the situation and took my ass home. It was an interesting day, no doubt.
My court date is in early May so it will interesting to see what happens then.
All of this reminds me of a story about one of my teachers. He was once approached with an investment opportunity. It involved real estate and it was one that could have made him a good piece of pocket change. He looked carefully at the man who presented this investment plan to him and said, “When I invest, I invest in people.”
It seems that now, more then ever, that statement sticks with me.
I counted my blessings and gave thanks. I know this story probably sounds like a bunch of bullshit but it’s a true story. Thanks for reading. Much love Fam!
MUCH APPRECIATION TO:
Mz Nici Nicole (Quick thinking on your part. Whatever you need, you know I got you! And hey, what’s up with that banana pudding cake?)
Mz Mental (I know that situation stressed you out but I know you were ready to do what needed to be done. I couldn’t ask for a better friend.)
Mz Bee (You were like the hidden witness, watching everything just in case anything funny went down. That was some real shit.)
Mz Mo (Where you came from that day I don’t know, but just knowing you were there to hold me down if I needed you says enough. I got you for whatever you need.)
Reverend M. (Big thanks to you and your wife. Same is same, may the Most High bless you and yours. And don’t feel bad, it was my choice to meet you up there that day, I take responsibility for that.)
New York (What’s good! I know you don’t read my blog, but if you ever see this just know you’re a man of your word at all times. Much respect to you and your Lady.)
And finally Ms J. (It was your sincere words that finally got those cuffs off. I don’t know what you said, but just know that you have a hidden team of people who are now looking out for you. Thanks again sister.)
The Reverend I was supposed to meet and the reason I was up at this spot in the first place finally showed up. As he came around my car I saw the expression of disbelief on his face. By this time Robocop was walking back to us from getting his haircut.
The Rev introduced himself and talked (very carefully) to the Fulton County officer and subtly pleaded for my release. Also carefully pointing out that the officer was off duty.
“You’re police 24/7.” Was Robocop’s response. The Rev figured out what I already knew. Best to leave this situation alone.
The Rev looked down directed his conversation towards me, “James, if you need anything just call me. I’ll come bail you out.” The Reverend pulled out a couple of credit cards. “Me and my wife will be in town for a few more hours if you need me just call.”
I thanked the Rev and he left. Robocop looked confused.
“The Reverend wants to help you out?” Robocop asked with a grin over his face.
‘I’m a good dude,” I responded “I take care of my people.”
“You take car of them with what?”
“I do a lot of things.” Was all the words I cared to say.
Another 15 minutes past… still no squad car. It appeared that Fulton County was very busy with “Priority Calls” and my situation was far from priority. Robocop got back on HIS cell phone and made phone calls DIRECTLY to dispatch. The Marta officer and I were looking at each other like “This is some bullshit.” He knew it as well as I did.
So there I sat, I saw my customers drive by in their cars. Some of them waved. My boys in the nearby barber shop came by and asked if I needed them to make a call for me. I told them everything was good. I wasn’t sure what kind of help I would need but I’m glad I had options.
Mz Nici Nicole (my homegirl and book editor) drove by and saw the situation. She called my ex-girlfriend Mz Mental and let her know what was going down (appreciate that girl!).
New York pulled into the parking lot. I didn’t see him but he sent his Lady over and had her tell me that if I needed her help to call her. I nodded because I knew what she meant.
Robocop’s face was twisted. “In all my 6 years on the force I never seen anyone offer help to someone I had in handcuffs. Never! They usually stay away from me.” He laughed. “I guess you can’t be all that bad.”
My reply, “I’m a good dude.”
Robocop began to rant about how he locked up many dope boys (drug dealers) and how everyone was scared of him. Blah, blah, blah…
So there I sat on the ground, cuffed and leaning against my bumper listening to the rhetoric of Robocop when Mz Mo, a fellow Hustler and friend, pulled up with her son and daughter. She sized up the situation when she saw me.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” she asked.
“No I’m good sweetheart.” I said.
“If you need me just call me.”
I thanked her and Robocop looked around in shock.
“That’s another person! And she has kids!”
What difference the kids made I didn’t know but I smirked. He continued, “If another person comes up here and asks if you need help I’m going to pass out. I don’t know what you do but it must be good.”
“I told you, I take care of my people.” I said and began to try to get comfortable. The ground was getting cold as the temperature began to drop.
Another half hour past and my shoulder began to throb from sitting in the cuffed position for so long. And all this time I’m still listening to stories from Robocop. I could tell even the Marta officer was getting tired oh hearing that shit.
More people came by asking if I needed them to make a phone call for me. By this time Robocop was blown away.
Are you familiar with the saying, “The Lord works in mysterious ways?” well I’m proof that it does. Check this out.
The straw that broke the camel’s back was when one of the shop owners who Robocop knows and respects came by. She’s an older lady from the islands who’s a sweetheart that I just adore. If I was a few years older I’d holla at her… anyway… I saw her shaking her head as she walked up to us. I felt her anguish, it practically radiated off of her. She looked down at me and I gave her a slow nod. She tuned to Robocop and asked to speak with him alone.
They took a couple of steps away from me and the Marta cop, so I could barely make out what she said. I could tell she was pleading with him on my behalf though. I looked at her face and she the verge of tears. That not only shocked me, it threw Robocop for a loop!
As she walked off he turned to the Marta officer and said, “I respect her so much. She knows me! She’s usually like, ‘Lock them up!’ but not for him.” He looked down at me and back at the Marta officer, “Did you see her? She was damn near in tears!”
The Marta officer gave me a hidden thumbs up and a nod. I nodded back on the low.
Robocop continued, “I mean I respect that woman. I trust what she says. I believe her! And if she says he’s a good person then…” Robocop threw up his hands. He could no longer deny my reputation.
The people that I show so much love to came by to show love to me. It was in his face. I made a silent prayer of gratitude to the Most High. It was like divine intervention; Robocop’s cold heart was turned warm and sympathetic. He went from looking down on me to helping me back to my feet and having the Marta officer take my cuffs off.
I sat on the bumper of my car and stretched my shoulder which was sore at this point. And oddly enough, it was then a Fulton County Supervisor FINALLY pulled up. This whole situation had been going on for almost two hours now.
The funny part is that now Robocop was fighting for MY freedom. He didn’t want them to take me to jail, instead I ended up with a citation and a court date.
I followed Robocop into the store where the shop manger was to thank her. I shook Robocop’s hand, got in my car and put on some Aaliyah to change my mood. I was going to get gone before he changed his mind, feel me? The time was just about 7pm.
On my way out the parking lot I saw Mz Bee’s car out the corner of my eye. My eyes popped open wide as she pulled up beside me.
“You’re still here? I thought you were getting you’re hair done?” I asked with surprise in my voice.
“Yeah I didn’t know what to do or what was going to happen to you. But I was watching.” I saw stress in her eyes but what she did was some real woman shit. She was holding me down all that time and I didn’t even know.
“Well come on,” I said, “We need to get out of this parking lot.”
“I know. I’m following you.” We pulled off and drove to a nearby park so I could tell her what went down.
I called everyone who showed me love to thank them for looking out for a Hustler. I was truly appreciative.
I went to get some food since I was hungry and damn near dehydrated. I Called up New York and filled him in on the situation and took my ass home. It was an interesting day, no doubt.
My court date is in early May so it will interesting to see what happens then.
All of this reminds me of a story about one of my teachers. He was once approached with an investment opportunity. It involved real estate and it was one that could have made him a good piece of pocket change. He looked carefully at the man who presented this investment plan to him and said, “When I invest, I invest in people.”
It seems that now, more then ever, that statement sticks with me.
I counted my blessings and gave thanks. I know this story probably sounds like a bunch of bullshit but it’s a true story. Thanks for reading. Much love Fam!
MUCH APPRECIATION TO:
Mz Nici Nicole (Quick thinking on your part. Whatever you need, you know I got you! And hey, what’s up with that banana pudding cake?)
Mz Mental (I know that situation stressed you out but I know you were ready to do what needed to be done. I couldn’t ask for a better friend.)
Mz Bee (You were like the hidden witness, watching everything just in case anything funny went down. That was some real shit.)
Mz Mo (Where you came from that day I don’t know, but just knowing you were there to hold me down if I needed you says enough. I got you for whatever you need.)
Reverend M. (Big thanks to you and your wife. Same is same, may the Most High bless you and yours. And don’t feel bad, it was my choice to meet you up there that day, I take responsibility for that.)
New York (What’s good! I know you don’t read my blog, but if you ever see this just know you’re a man of your word at all times. Much respect to you and your Lady.)
And finally Ms J. (It was your sincere words that finally got those cuffs off. I don’t know what you said, but just know that you have a hidden team of people who are now looking out for you. Thanks again sister.)
posted by The_Hustleman AKA James W. Dennis @ 12:08 AM
1 Comments:
At 12:03 PM,
Anonymous said…
Tight story! Haven't had that experience yet and I'm hoping I never do. Me & police are not good together. They have all the things on their side, yet they are some of the most sensitive people you'll meet. My butt's allergic to prison.
I'm just glad it worked out for you. You've got good Karma because you give out solid vibes.
Stay sharp! This Brother's with you!;]
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