PAYBACK IS A MUTHA
WAHIDA CLARK
KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP.
http://www.kensingtonbooks.com
To my favorite uncle, John.
The world would be a much better place
if there were more men like you. RIP.
Your favorite niece, Wahida
Contents
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Acknowledgments
All praise is forever due to the Creator. To my family and supporting cast, you all know who you are. Thank you for your continued support and dedication. I love each and every one of you.
To all of my fans, there would be no me without you. I love y’all and thank you so much for your loyalty and support.
To all of you authors out there trying to get published, stay focused and keep writing. This isn’t a process that happens overnight.
Nikki Turner, I enjoy our visits, so as soon as you get your next breather come holla at your sister. My newest fam, Mark Anthony, you about as real as real can get. Don’t change and thanks for all of the books you send me. Brenda Thomas, thanks for your letters and I can’t wait for your next book. Relentless Aaron, the Grand-daddy of this new writing hustle, thanks for your words of wisdom. Darren Coleman, I appreciate the books you send me as well. They are all page-turners.
To the other authors who send me books and shout-outs: K’wan, Carl Weber, A.J. Rivers, Mike Sanders, Marvin Ellison, Valencia Williams, Keisha Irvin, Darrin Lowery. I appreciate the love.
Project Pat, don’t forget you told me you was gonna wear that FREE WAHIDA CLARK T-shirt on 106 and Park. Yup! I’m puttin’ you on blast. Now the whole world is waitin’ and watching. Glad you’re out. Can’t wait to hear what you puttin’ down in the studio. Money Mike Reid! It’s all about you, playboy. Let’s get this money. My little brother, Chi-Ali, I think I done spoiled you enough! Get to writing! Latif Lamar and the entire Paper Chase fam, stay up. My big brother, Al Saadiq Banks, you wrong for gettin’ ghost on your sis, but it’s all good. Caught ’em Slippin’ was tha bomb!
Renay Coachman, you are da bomb! You know I got mad love for you for helping me decide on a title after mine got jacked and for reading everything I throw at ya. Other helpers on this project, Kim Moffet, Bridget, Twin (Lampkin), Tee Tee, Robyn, Andrea Walker, Dee Malloy, Mesha Honeycutt, my roommate, Angelia A. for her help, Brenda Walker, and Happy, thanks for the Memphis Tour. Baby Agnew, Jennifer Branch, Keisha Bruton, K.K. Walls, Maria, Adrienne, Jan Livingston, Kareenah, Ebony, Karen, Phyllis Smith, Angela F., TuTu, may your son RIP. Keep writing that poetry, and my prison mom, Dianna Sanchez, keep ya head up, Lashawn James thanks for the pens and the good meals, my other hair stylists Yolanda Burgess and Karen Brown along with the rest of the Alderson crew.
Karen Thomas, editorial director at Kensington, I love the way you handle business and how you are always willing to listen to my feedback. Thanks Lydia Stein. Jeracha Estavez, you are the bomb diggity! Marc Gerald and Earl Cox, I appreciate the teeth you had to pull on my behalf. Keep doing what y’all do.
To all of the bookstores, street vendors and book clubs, especially Raw Sistaz and Just Between Girlfriends, thank you.
Oh, I can’t forget my brotha and partna, Kwame Teague. Your mind is awesome. Shout-out to Victor Martin, Joe Black, Buddy Row, Trick Daddy, C-Murda, Ce Ce Greathouse, Kaywan, and Seth “Soul Man” Ferranti.
Last, but not least, to my loyal team: Fisepe “Ice” Vival, Mike Reid, Dempsey Nolan, Raphael Spencer, Ronald Thompson, Eric Van Buren, Stanley Bellamy, Tennette “Missey” Jackson, Steven Dixon, Aaron Bebo, William Ewing, Andre Garfield, Tysheem Crocker, Dontez Mack, Doggy Mac that Philly Cat, Intelligent Tareef Allah, Parish Sherman, Bonta, Jessie Leflore, Shawn “Jihad” Trump.
Jules Rutledge of Felon magazine, thanks for the interview.
I know I forgot some people. My original acknowledgments got lost, so I’m coming off the top. If I forgot you, forgive me and I got you on the next go-round.
Holla at ya girl!
Wahida Clark
P.O. Box 8520
Newark, NJ 07018
Wahida [email protected]
1
SHAN AND BRIANNA
“Gurrll, guess what?” Shan was almost jumping up and down as she shouted at her best friend Brianna through the phone.
“Why are you screaming?” Brianna asked with obvious agitation.
“I got the job, girl! I got the J-mutha fuckin’O-B!”
“Which one? You done interviewed with damn near fifty thousand people.”
“The computer instructor for the prison, FCI Memphis. They just hung up.”
Brianna sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes. “It took them long enough. I would have changed my mind. I don’t see why you want to work for the prison system or work, period! All these niggas out here with money.”
“Bitch, please! Everybody ain’t a gold diggin’ hoe like you. I need my own cash and I don’t want to suck dicks to get it!”
“You better get with the program. What the fuck you think these niggas are for? There’s absolutely no excuse for bitches like us to be broke!” Brianna shrieked in bewilderment. “And the last time I checked you were talking to two niggas! Where are they! You ditched them? Sometimes I don’t understand your line of thinking.” Then she frowned. “Working at a prison?”
“Bitch, just because you were in the BOP, and I choose to work for the BOP, don’t hate. Congratulate! Plus, I’ve only been kickin’ it with Calvin for a month. He likes me because he sees it ain’t all about the cash with me. I’d rather get my own and have my own.”
“Girlfriend, please! Do you hear yourself? Like I said, you better step up your game and get with the program. You can fall for that weak shit if you want. That nigga knows it’s all about the cash. Niggas ain’t nothin’ but tricks.”
“Do you, B, ’cause you know I’ma do me, so are you down to help me celebrate or what?”
“Like I said, if you were on top of your game—”
“Girl,”