(2 days later)
I am in the law library… that’s where I spend about 2 hrs in the mornings at least three times a week looking up cases and researching 7:30 am to 9:30……
trying to find a case that can get me back in where I can get some rhythm….
When I first walked in the education department… I had to walk past the Leisure part of the library, where they had books of all topics as well as dvds of all topics…and tv screens where you can watch the dvds ….
The library was crowded…like a little over 100 convicts….moving around and some sitting at the tables doing whatever they do….I saw Balil behind the desk assisting someone….O.K. …so that’s where he be at…he works in the Leisure dept…as I walk by without stopping his way….he had his head down so I don’t think he seen me….as I made it inside the law library dept…where it is all computerized… as I sat down by a computer and put in my access code
( 1 hour later)
Balil comes in the law library dept….dressed in his institution beige khaki outfit…and wearing a white kufi on his head…with a folder under his arm.
“As Saalam Alaikam Ack!!….ShaKim.. is your name right Ack?” as he made himself comfortable with the open seat right next to me…as soon as he sat down he stuck his hand out for a handshake….but this time I gave him my fist for a pound instead of that firm handshake shit….
“Yeah….I’m ShaKim….I’m not Ack though…I’m ..”
” I know…I know…” he interrupted Balil …” Look Lil brother ..I just wanted to clear a few things up…because I heard you just got here like a month ago and you suppose to be this stand up dude…with great morals…and character… you know the outstanding run down I was given about you by some very honourable men….meaning I asked about you…….. Well anyway” as he opened up this folder he had and starting shuffling papers as he started back talking again….
“I’m an old timer and was up north prisons back in the 70’s with some good dudes from Queens…where in Queens you from?…..jamaica?”
Before I can even answer him…he started back
“Cause I know a lot of people in Queens….I didn’t move around there much, but one of my top dogs is from there….Cuff….John Cuff…I’m better sure you know who Big Cuff is” as he went to his shirt pocket and took out some reading glasses…putting them on…
I went to say something….but he started back up again ….not allowing me to talk..
“This is SOME paperwork on my case….what I’m in here for…see…I got the R.I.C.O. Act….and a lot of murders…they said 40 murders, but I copped out to 16 of them…I sacrificed so my family…my son & daughter can be free and others can stay out…I’m not the type to take people down with me…I hate those who do…I want you to read these and understand what I did..that I did not tell…no one ever went to jail because of me…I was told on…you can’t tell on a rat” as he started trying to pass me these loose pages and was still fast talking…this old ass dude had just disregarded that I was on the computer reading cases….I was researching… being peaceful…I was taking notes and in my own zone…and here comes this old ass dude invading my space with this bullshit..as he hands me a page…
All I see is …MURDER….MURDER…MURDER….EXTORTION…
KIDNAPPING….MURDER…MURDER….with different names as he takes the page and replace it with another page which has all kinds of murder..kidnapping… and extortion counts…as he kept taking the page replacing it with another page and talking at the same time….I also noticed that the page numbers wasn’t in order…they kept jumping…he gave me page # 6… page # 11…. page # 17…..# 28….
“Yo….Hold the fuck up Basheeme” I said his name incorrectly purposely.
“Its Balil….Balil Ack” he quickly corrected me
“O.k…Balil…I was in the middle of researching these cases…I was tied up with that and in my zone”….I explained
“Yeah Lil brother ..I saw that …I saw you when you first entered the library….I just wanted to clear a few things before someone who don’t know my story comes and tell you different…corrupts your mind about me and I am forced to come and kill one of these dumb fucks…..I just want to be able to do my time and be in peace….I’m in my deem now…trying to get right with Allah… all these dudes is talking and whispering behind my back now ShaKim is here” as he smiled….then continued ” I know you heard about what happened with me and Prince…. he jumped the gun….worrying about my case when he got problems of his own….7 life sentences…but he act like he wants to do mine for me and not his”
“Yeah”…..I interrupted him…” I’m not trying to get into all of that right now” I spoke as I looked him in the eyes.
“Well….” as he cracked a smile “I just wanted you to look over these papers so you will know that I did not rat….I am not a rat…and if someone tells you that I did…you will know for yourself that it isn’t true…so you can come and tell me …so I can confront that person and I will straighten it out with violence” as he stared back at me
“Well….I will look at them when I get done with my research” as I reached to pick up the papers….he immediately pulled them back and put them in the folder…closing it
“When will you be able to sit down and listen to my story …so we can go over these papers together?” he asked me
“Soon…..Balil…Real soon” I responded.
Why the fuck did I tell this old ass niggah that?????