Hold You Down

by Tracy Brown

“My mother used to say, ‘A fool has to get burned before he believes that fire is hot.’

Xavier

Deon was too young to understand that Benny was the plug, the faucet that kept the cocaine flowing through G’s hands. In turn, Benny was the one keeping money raining down on Lenox, and Benny became someone

she admired and respected. Lenox and Benny were a lot alike. Benny was fearless, unapologetic, calculated, and always thinking three steps ahead.

Benny

Everything that glitters ain’t gold. Sometimes people seem like they’re having a good time when really they’re scared

to death. Looking over their shoulders all the time, worrying constantly. No amount of money makes that easy to deal with.”

Lenox

He watched her from safe distances, always careful to avoid detection. Soon, he had her routine mapped out, on weekdays at least. Weekends she was harder to pinpoint.

G