Senior Brother Author Tatum
“I’ll take your best whiskey, your darkest beer, and a glass of water.” He was a creature of habit. Brown socks. He wore the same brown socks that matched his somber mood. He would introduce himself like we were meeting him for the very first time. “Laughter. Professor, A.W. Laughter,” he would say without fail to any to those who knew him and those who did not. He had a low tolerance for listless, boring language. A boring tongue, he would say needs to be ripped from the mouth because it has no chance of playing a satisfactory role. He could not envision the role of bruised tongues in a society in which people are tethered to pain.
Purple tongues, he would call them, had no place in our society. It was something about colors that fascinated him He used them to - well – let me give you an example. This first time I entered the Den. He offered, “Laughter, A.W. Laughter. Welcome the Den. The days will be blackened like soot, soaked in red, but forever in search for permission from the Nile-like blue that flows upstream. The language was strange coming from a young professor. The beard overmatched his thin face and broad nose. The sprinkles of gray on his chin stood in contrast to his hair that was midnight-black; dyed for sure to secure his youthful gait. His language seemed to come from an earlier century. He refused to use our language because he thought it was too wasteful.
He became increasingly jittery. An unanticipated cough or unexpectant sound startled him. Noises would interrupt his writing, and invoke short-lived mumbling fury toward the object. It was odd to see him mumble, particularly because he was so posed and polished when he spoke.
I knew he would refuse to speak today. It troubles me to see him forced to sit here. His quiet, unassuming stance does not surprise me, but I am torn because I know his voice will give this room a different weight than I cannot offer. Professor Laughter is his best defense, but he’d rather die. It does not matter that his innocence will be later revealed. He would tell us, “A good writer never reveals his secret even when death is imminent.” The Den Master will never allow us to peel away his integrity. That would be more offensive to him than death.
“Professor Laughter, please speak to us, please.”
“Do not talk to the accused.”
“The accused to you, the Den Master to me.”
After experiencing the death of Sonya, his lovely wife who was so kind to us, he is reluctant to fear that which she faced so bravely. He refused to cry at her funeral, as she lay clothed in a warm brown dress that complimented her fair skin and natural hair.
“Laughter, Professor A.W. Laughter. Welcome to the Den.”
We also are fortunate enough to have in the building with us tomorrow- One of The Senior Brother Authors, Christopher Paul Curtis. I hope you enjoyed reading, Bucking the Sarge.
Post the next chapter of your novel here.
BA 8
Kelly Fredrickson
IBM Building
June 25, 2010; 2:59am
The office on the 32 floor of the IBM Building was quite large. 40 cubicles stretched from one side of the building to the other. The walls were covered in blue paint, unlike many offices. Each cubicle decorated with pictures of family, calendars, and mountains of paperwork. Kelly was working late tonight; she had to document some customer suggestions from earlier in the month. 487 slips of paper never seemed so daunting. Finishing the last suggestion, her phone rang. Her father’s picture appeared across the screen, he hadn’t called her in almost a month. Why was he calling at this time of the morning? She blew off the call and let it go straight to voicemail. She gathered her belongings and walked across the worn carpet to the staff lounge and clock out. Her 6 inch heels shuffled along the linoleum floor, the bright red reflecting the florescent lights from above, a brown trench coat draped across her shoulders, drenched in the rain from yesterday morning. Petite in all, she looked no taller than a teenager with a hormonal deficiency, who barely got any sleep. She reached the stairwell, stepping gingerly in case she slipped on a chip on one of the stairs. Normally, Kelly would be lazy and take the elevator, and ride down to the parking garage, but after hours but the cleaning staff shut them down. So she had to walk down 36 floors to get to her car—yippee. It took a few minutes but she managed to make it. No broken heels at all. The parking garage had terrible lighting, added with the fact that there was no sun out, it was nearly pitch black. Kelly clicked her Automatic Lock, she knew her car was near the door but she forgot where. The red lights blinked to her silver 2007 Mazda Impreza, a gift from her dad, he had gotten it for her with her grandfather’s inheritance. She began to walk in the direction of where she last saw the lights blink. Along the way her worst nightmares had come true, the last thing she wanted to happen…she had broken her heel.
“FUCK!” Kelly exclaimed. She reached down to take off the shoe, these 400 dollar Prada 50th anniversary shoes just went down the drain. Walking with one shoe off and a nasty limp, Kelly reached her car. She clicked her beeper one more time to check, her car was the next one over. Enraged with a broken heel and misjudgment of cars she casually walked over. She clicked unlocked and grasped the handle. Just then a soft hand grasped her shoulder, startled; Kelly twirled around to see a tall man, tall and scrawny. She had to arch her neck to look him in the face she was frozen in her stance, almost like she had been hypnotized by the mysterious man.
“Why the hell are you standing there, I don’t know about you but I have a bed waiting for me at home.” She tried to enter her car but the man had her by the arm.
“Lemme go”
“No”
Just then he began to pull her away from the car, despite her protests and profanity, he kept the grip.
“NO! PLEASE DON’T DO THIS, I DON’T WANNA DIE, JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!”
At the sounds of her words the man hit her across the face, indicating he wanted to hear no more from her. He continued to drag Kelly as she began to think, broken heels, documenting paperwork, and getting kidnapped…perhaps the shittiest day ever. As she further was dragged into darkness, the more she regretted not answering her dad’s call, it was probably the last time she would have heard his voice.
BA 12
Bad Livin’ (Rough Draft)
“Yo man,” Matt said while stuffing some ravioli in his mouth, “fuck was you doing out on them streets bro, I told you to stay in the crib.”
Matt swallowed and stared at Andrew curiously.
“You been fuckin around out there?” he finished.
“Nah man,” Andrew said while looking down and pushing his ravioli around with his fork.
“Man, stop playing with yo food Andy, you fifteen and tell me what you were doing out on the streets when I told you to stay inside.”
“I was just drawing people man.”
“Drawing? You still doing that Andy?”
“Yeah, you’d know if you weren’t always gone.” Andrew said a little more viciously then he intended.
Matt put his fork and knife down on the table, sat straight up and eyed Andrew up and down. His voice took on a considerably softer tone from the deep roughness of usual.
“Andy,” he said while looking his little brother directly in the eyes, “you know I’ve got to live out my service and if I could quit believe me I would and I’d be here everyday taking care of you, making sure you good but I cant. The penalty for desertion is prison and that’s not gonna do anything for us. At least this way I’m bringing in some income so we can keep this shitty roof over our head and have some food to eat.”
“I know man, I know,” Andrew said calmly “its just what am I supposed to do in here all day?” Andrew was standing up now and he looked like he might snap at any moment.
“Andy calm down boy, sit down. Lets talk about it. What’s up with you?”
“I just feel like I aint doing nothing with my life, school is out and I don’t have a legit summer job, we struggling in this shit hole and I’m just living off of you and not helping, I’m fifteen I should be able to do something!!” Andrew was yelling and chocking back tears, tears built up from years of frustration ever since both they’re parents died when he was 11. Matt understood immediately and his face was streaked with the same tears. Matt took a deep breath got up and held Andrews shoulder firmly.
“I know bro,” he said, the same amount of years of responsibility evident in his voice, “ we gone be cool though, we got each other we don’t need nobody else. I’ll help you find a way to pull yo weight if it’s that important to you and we could use the extra bank.”
Andrew looked up at Matt and held his stare, a mutual feeling of love and respect passed between them.
“That’s why I been drawing and stuff,” Andrew began to say as he wiped the tears from his face, “ I do portraits and caricatures of people and charge for it. That’s what I’ve been doing Matt. Running my own business, look.” He was excited now as he pushed his hand into his jeans pocket and pulled out an abundance of crumbled and folded dollars and handed them to his brother. Matt took the money and stared at his brother wide eyed.
“Count it.” Andrew pressed.
Matt walked over to the kitchen table and spread the money out, straightening the crumbled bills and unfolding the folded ones. Five ten-dollar bills, six five-dollar bills, and two twenty-dollar bills.
“Andy, this is one hundred and twenty dollars,” he looked at his brother amazed, “you made this in one day?”
Andrew felt proud of himself.
“In four hours,” He exclaimed, “and this guy gave me this address to a tourists attraction hotel so I can draw for all the tourists that come by the lobby I suppose.”
“Andy that’s great bro, ill come with you tomorrow and make sure it’s legit.” Matt was shaking his head left and right in disbelief.
Andrew was beaming, he felt as if he was finally worth something to his family. Finally becoming a man. The two brothers sat down, finished the rest of their meal, and cleared the table. They prayed, brushed their teeth and took showers. Then they went to sleep in the bunk bed in the room they both shared. Andrew got on the top bunk and closed his eyes. Water dropped from the ceiling and fell on his face.
He couldn’t wait till tomorrow.
BA 13
Chapter Two
I walk in to my house and I’m instantly tackled by Carter our Doberman Pinscher. “Hey what’s up Carter” Carter wags his stub tail and his droopy ears lay flat against his head. “Hey dad I’m home, Is Stokely home yet?” “Ask him your self Calvin” his voice muffled saying that he’s still in his office working. “Bro where are you” I say as I walk down stairs to the basement/apartment that we transformed to a game room and guest area with their own room and bathroom. I see my brother playing the new Skate It game that we bought. He’s been waiting to get this game for almost a year.
“Hey bro”
“Shhh I’m in the zone”
“Whatever, stay black, I’m goin to get ready for….”
“Calvin take Carter to the Bathroom NOW!”
“O.K Dad”
I walk to the back door and grab Carter’s Squeaky ball. The small little squeak that the ball utters calls the dog like a siren and he’s down the stairs so fast I was scared he would run into me, but at the last second he swerves to the right and runs into the door. “Ha Ha!” Now your probably thinking that it’s harsh to laugh at your dog like that but honestly he could have broken that door and plus he’s really strong and smart so I’m not really worried. And just like I thought he was up and trying to get the ball from me in about two seconds. I open the glass and metal door that is now slightly dented and my dog sprints into our gated back yard. “Carter come,” Right when he is a foot from hitting me I sling the ball far down the yard but he’s their right after the first bounce. We do this simple routine over and over again until he’s finally too tired to run right when I take him in I get a phone call, Bri. Crap I forgot her mom was dropping us off today at . “Umm hey Bri”
“Where are you, were right outside your house?!”
“O.K one sec I’ll be out side in five minutes K?”
“Hurry”
I hang up and run to my room, I throw on a new green and black Alien Workshop T-shirt my Black skinny’s a black Sox hat to cover my uncombed Fro and my green Lakai’s while yelling bye to my dad and bro and run to her car. “Hey Bri, Hello Mrs. Ruby”
“Hello Calvin”
“You jerk!” Smack I feel the sting of an angry black girls hand across my face. Wow I always thought that people were exaggerating about how when you get slapped by an angry black woman that it was like getting hit by a railcar to the face but they were telling the truth.
“Dang, girl you crazy” I say trying to sound cool even though I can feel the red mark on my face shaped like a hand burn my skin.
“Fool were gonna be late now”
“Wow like two minutes man you act like the worlds gonna end gosh the party starts at 7:00 and it’s barely 8:00. Just calm down we’ll still be at least their for ohhhh maybe Four Hours!” She thinks of saying something but decides against it and were quiet for the rest of the ride.
Bad Livin’ (Rough Draft)
ReplyDelete“Yo man,” Matt said while stuffing some ravioli in his mouth, “fuck was you doing out on them streets bro, I told you to stay in the crib.”
Matt swallowed and stared at Andrew curiously.
“You been fuckin around out there?” he finished.
“Nah man,” Andrew said while looking down and pushing his ravioli around with his fork.
“Man, stop playing with yo food Andy, you fifteen and tell me what you were doing out on the streets when I told you to stay inside.”
“I was just drawing people man.”
“Drawing? You still doing that Andy?”
“Yeah, you’d know if you weren’t always gone.” Andrew said a little more viciously then he intended.
Matt put his fork and knife down on the table, sat straight up and eyed Andrew up and down. His voice took on a considerably softer tone from the deep roughness of usual.
“Andy,” he said while looking his little brother directly in the eyes, “you know I’ve got to live out my service and if I could quit believe me I would and I’d be here everyday taking care of you, making sure you good but I cant. The penalty for desertion is prison and that’s not gonna do anything for us. At least this way I’m bringing in some income so we can keep this shitty roof over our head and have some food to eat.”
“I know man, I know,” Andrew said calmly “its just what am I supposed to do in here all day?” Andrew was standing up now and he looked like he might snap at any moment.
“Andy calm down boy, sit down. Lets talk about it. What’s up with you?”
“I just feel like I aint doing nothing with my life, school is out and I don’t have a legit summer job, we struggling in this shit hole and I’m just living off of you and not helping, I’m fifteen I should be able to do something!!” Andrew was yelling and chocking back tears, tears built up from years of frustration ever since both they’re parents died when he was 11. Matt understood immediately and his face was streaked with the same tears. Matt took a deep breath got up and held Andrews shoulder firmly.
“I know bro,” he said, the same amount of years of responsibility evident in his voice, “ we gone be cool though, we got each other we don’t need nobody else. I’ll help you find a way to pull yo weight if it’s that important to you and we could use the extra bank.”
Andrew looked up at Matt and held his stare, a mutual feeling of love and respect passed between them.
“That’s why I been drawing and stuff,” Andrew began to say as he wiped the tears from his face, “ I do portraits and caricatures of people and charge for it. That’s what I’ve been doing Matt. Running my own business, look.” He was excited now as he pushed his hand into his jeans pocket and pulled out an abundance of crumbled and folded dollars and handed them to his brother. Matt took the money and stared at his brother wide eyed.
“Count it.” Andrew pressed.
Matt walked over to the kitchen table and spread the money out, straightening the crumbled bills and unfolding the folded ones. Five ten-dollar bills, six five-dollar bills, and two twenty-dollar bills.
“Andy, this is one hundred and twenty dollars,” he looked at his brother amazed, “you made this in one day?”
Andrew felt proud of himself.
“In four hours,” He exclaimed, “and this guy gave me this address to a tourists attraction hotel so I can draw for all the tourists that come by the lobby I suppose.”
“Andy that’s great bro, ill come with you tomorrow and make sure it’s legit.” Matt was shaking his head left and right in disbelief.
Andrew was beaming, he felt as if he was finally worth something to his family. Finally becoming a man. The two brothers sat down, finished the rest of their meal, and cleared the table. They prayed, brushed their teeth and took showers. Then they went to sleep in the bunk bed in the room they both shared. Andrew got on the top bunk and closed his eyes. Water dropped from the ceiling and fell on his face.
He couldn’t wait till tomorrow.
My Tears Weapon
ReplyDeleteChapter 1
She fiddled with her keys, nervously attempting to open the door for us to enter her quarters and cap off our evening. I had her wrapped in my charm like a baby in a blanket. I deceived her with every word that I uttered since we first met. I cradled her and rocked her better judgment to sleep. She was in a reverie of my bewildering charm. My excitement overwhelmed my soul. My soul upon entering the apartment turned dark crimson. She looked back at me as she cracked open the door, as if to say come in without a word. Her undergarments were calling to me even though there lips were shut and sealed. I answered back to her silent invitation by entering the corridor. I slid off my shoes on the rosy mat filled with her high heals. She finally spoke out of her nervous voice, “This way.” I followed her down the endless hall way holding to her fingertips to guide my way. She had no idea what I had in store for her.
“Sit over there?” she suggested to me.
I sat.
“Wine?”
I nodded arrogantly.
She walked to the kitchen so innocently. No swishing of her petite hips. No arch in her slender back. All it was, was a walk. But the innocence in her walk further revealed to me the innocence in her mind and her spirit. Oh yes this would be easy. Her kitchen was immense. Cherry cupboards, marble counter tops, a stainless steel double sink to compliment the refrigerator. She has it all, now I just have to take her from it. She returned to the cream couch and accompanied me. She sat fourteen inches away from and handed me the crystal wine glass filled half way with white 1909 wine. I started the conversation, breaking the awkward silence that she had created.
“You have a nice home,” I complemented her with a devilish grin. We talked for about a hour. I made her laugh until her stomach was in knots, and she was forced to cry. She was having a magnificent time and I could tell that she had it set in her mind that this would be her best date ever, but I was the only one in the room knowing the end to this illusory evening. She asked me was I hungry.
“Yes,” I replied.
“Do you like red velvet cake?”
“My favorite,” I said with a smirk. As soon as she turned her naïve hips and eyes away I struck her in the back her head with my wine glass. She fell to the floor in a rush. She had a scarlet gash right above her temple. I reached down and flipped her over and smacked and punched her with all my built up rage from this naïve engagement. She started to bleed from her lip and nose. She floated in and out of consciousness, while her eyes were steadily getting weary. I held her up and turned her away from my face. I held her arms to her side and took her to her bedroom as she struggled to resist me. As we entered the room I kissed her tenderly on her neck. I threw her and my body soon followed to the bed. I looked at her with so much wrath and hate for what she was. “Don’t make a sound.” Her eyes were stunned because of the fear I struck her with. I ripped of her white blouse and pulled off her mid length blue skirt. Her body was beautiful and awe-inspiring to view. I stared at her and basked in her glory. I undid her creamy bra and slid down her panty hose. I couldn’t wait to suck on her on her soft and warm breast.
She started to moan. I clouted her. She shrieked in pain. I crossed the thresholded and enjoyed her screams from my violation of her. She stared to weep and her tears matched the tears of my face. I wept from the sight of her anguish. These painless tears I suffered in my endeavor to diminish, her I enjoyed.
Chapter 2: The Society
ReplyDeleteThe body count is now one and my deed has now been done. I go threw my checklist to finish her.
Eliminate Innocence: I went into her chestier drawer and pulled out all her virgin garments. White panties, white bras, white dresses and skirts, and other such articles of clothing. I took them all to her wood burning fire place. I sat all the symbols of purity and laid them on the hard wood floor. As I sat them down I reached for the matches on the top of the shelf above the brown stone framed fireplace. I took one hell stick out and lit the flamed that epitomized my heart. I three the match to the stack of wood and tossed the pious clothes into the blaze and watched it burn until the were ash.
Clothe Her: I went back to her and a red dress caught my eye. It hung from her mirror on the back of her bedroom door. It laid so elegantly yet with so much passion. I dressed her with it and covered her lips with a cherry colored lipstick I brought. It was named devils grin. She now looked the part of what her heart and life resembled.
The Note: I took the note card from the back of my pocket that was line less on the identical sides. I took out the scarlet marker and wrote The Society. I Flipped it over. My heavy mark stroke, ‘I am you, the society, the media, the propaganda that corrupts the unsuspecting infant mines of this earth. I have my way with the pure at heart and kill the love left in mother nature. I am The Society.
I walked out the room to leave her comatose, and leave her as the woman formally named Glorya France. I walked to the front door, and left the note at the underside of it. I walked out with my head down to guard my face from any gleaming light that might shine from passing cars. I was not worried of the neighbor wondering eyes because the nights shadow would secrete me.
Cruising home in my honest vehicle I reflected on what I just did. I began to allow tears to rain onto my lap and my cotton cushioned interior. I hated what I did but I am taken noticed of, I have no choice. “Give me a choice,” I prayed to the heavens. I pulled in my crowed one car garage and set in the car for another 20 minutes in a trance, eyes rolled back in my head.
When I went into my abode I went straight up to the killers den, awaiting to hear the sirens from the radio that picked up the signal of the invisible listening chip left on the death card. I heard the blaring sirens that had just arrived at Glorya’s house. The first cop that I heard speak must have saw the note because I heard the rumble in the speaker box.
“Gloria! This is the Chicago Police Department. Are you there!”
Silence.
“Open up!”
Still nothing.
Boom. I heard a ramming of the door. I heard the crack of locking dismantling and shattering from the force. “Come out,” the same voice commanded. Assuming he was the leader I knew that he wood be the hero that would have the mission of silencing my cry for the innocent.
lil momma
ReplyDeleteher meanin on this planet is the same reason im here
to be with her she said when shes with me she feels more secure
I tell her everyday that shes beautiful and if she dosnt believe me I tell her to go look in the mirror
I hate it when shes away I love it when shes near
If I could change my past I wuld make things more clear
She say I be startin her engines
I put my key in her ignition
Sexual healing
She say I give her a good feeling
I took her love
Not trynna say that I be stealin
Even though they say sharing is caring
I don’t give a fuck her love is mine and im not sharing
She was blessed with beauty
I don’t want her tuh lose me
And if dat boy touch her
He will get hit with dat oozie
The only person in our relationship is love
And I will take care of both of em without second thought
And im glad we never really fought
Her love is in my mind and my mind is thinking about her love
Damn I think im in love
Black Power: Violent Beginnings
ReplyDeleteChapter 2
Jordan and Avery slowly opened the gate to their enormous house. It was four stories tall. The house or mansion I should say was built from dark red bricks. There were a total of sixteen windows and the five inch thick door stood menacingly with one huge gold knocker. Jordan jogged up to the door, about to knock but Avery grabbed him by the arm. Jordan turned to him and glared. Avery, ignoring Jordan’s hostile glare dug in his book bag. He took out a silver key the exact size of the key hole. “Dad’s still working,” Avery hissed. “You don’t want to be in more trouble than you already are, do you?” Jordan smirked. Avery walked up to the door, put the key in, turned it a couple of times and pushed it open. A computerized voice announced their arrival. “FRONT DOOR OPENED.” The two boys quietly walked through a foyer door. The interior of the house was amazing. A huge crystal chandelier hung over their heads. The walls were yellow, burgundy, and light green. In the living room, there was a glass table and on top, there was a bouquet of roses. In front of the table was a sunroom filled with exotic plants and flowers. Behind the table was another table. The perimeter was wood but the middle was glass. On top of the table was a slim vase. It was filled with only one daisy. The boy’s father couldn’t explain it but he always said “it fit”. The boys dropped their bags and went upstairs. The stairs were wood; their shine showed they were polished. Even though the stairs looked new, they were old and creaked every two or three steps. When the boys got to the fourth floor, they came to a white door. Avery knocked. “Come in,” a deep voice said. Avery opened the door and the two walked in. The room had white walls. The air tasted stale and crumpled papers were everywhere. An African American man sat in a jet black leather chair huddled over a Mac Book grumbling. “Hey dad, what’s wrong?” Avery inquired. His dad turned towards him and ran his large hand through his fade. “The government is pushing Next Co. to find a cure for these mutants.” “But it’s not that easy!” “Scientists go through an intense process to make solutions, mixtures, or anything!” “Anyway, what do you guys need?” Avery stared intently at Jordan. But Jordan just smirked. “Well dad, there a girl and I started talking to her… and I kind of grabbed her butt.” The boy’s dad looked confused. Jordan continued. “Well the girl turned out to be Jamal’s girlfriend.” “He chased me and Avery until we hid.” When Jordan was done, his dad leaned into his ear and said: “was it big?” Jordan grinned and nodded his head really fast. The boy’s dad beamed with delight. “Nice job, son!” “Just make sure it’s YOUR girlfriend.” “But nonetheless, you shouldn’t be grabbing on a girls but, no matter the size.” Jordan nodded and walked out of the room. “And you!” Avery flinched and looked at his dad. Avery’s dad had a very hard look on his face. But it softened and he sighed. “Don’t be a snitch.” “What!” Avery exclaimed. “I wasn’t the one grabbing on some girls butt!” Avery was going to say more, but he just growled and walked out, not believing his dad would chastise him and encourage his brother.
Chapter 2
ReplyDeleteThe sun through the window gave upon me. The sharp light awakens me from sleeping and all I can think about was Cassy.
“Knock, Knock! Breakfast is ready”
I could tell that was my mom.
“I be down in a minute”
So I put on my slippers turn on the radio and freshen up in the bathroom. Then it was time to turn my swag on with my outfits trying to look good for Cassy. So, finally I went down stairs. Then my little sister was annoying me as usual.
“Trina leave me alone”
“Hay Trace I heard you like a girl that lives right next door”
“Ha you told you that”
“Mom”
“Whatever she is lying”
Mom came into the kitchen with a smirk on her face.
“Hay Trace I wont you to spend time with your sister today because I have to be some were today so have fun I’ll be back in the evening”
She left out the door I then and as soon as that door close Trina been looking at me with a devilish grin with her ponytails and make up standing at 5’1. I wanted to go over to see Cassy, but then my sister has to come with me. I was going to take that chance. As I thought she was on her porch probably waiting for me.
“How you doing Tracy and oh you brought your sister what’s your darling,” Cassy replied
“It’s Trina”
“I have to watch her today”
“Well that’s fine”
There was a silence for about a minute.
“Hay Cassy do you want to chill over our house,” I said
“Sure”
We were laughing and having a good time watching America’s funniest Home videos. It was one of my favorite shows, and I was glad Cassy enjoyed because she never saw it.
“Hay guys do yall want to sleep over my house tonight because my parents want me to engage with other people.
“Yeah, but I have to see if my mom will let me”
“Well its getting close to evening I will probably see yall tonight.”
Kelly Fredrickson
ReplyDeleteIBM Building
June 25, 2010; 2:59am
The office on the 32 floor of the IBM Building was quite large. 40 cubicles stretched from one side of the building to the other. The walls were covered in blue paint, unlike many offices. Each cubicle decorated with pictures of family, calendars, and mountains of paperwork. Kelly was working late tonight; she had to document some customer suggestions from earlier in the month. 487 slips of paper never seemed so daunting. Finishing the last suggestion, her phone rang. Her father’s picture appeared across the screen, he hadn’t called her in almost a month. Why was he calling at this time of the morning? She blew off the call and let it go straight to voicemail. She gathered her belongings and walked across the worn carpet to the staff lounge and clock out. Her 6 inch heels clicked along the linoleum floor, the bright red reflecting the florescent lights from above, a brown trench coat draped across her shoulders, drenched in the rain from yesterday morning. Petite in all, she looked no taller than a teenager with a hormonal deficiency, who barely got any sleep. She reached the stairwell, stepping gingerly in case she slipped on a chip on one of the stairs. Normally, Kelly would be lazy and take the elevator, and ride down to the parking garage, but after hours but the cleaning staff shut them down. So she had to walk down 36 floors to get to her car—yippee. It took a few minutes but she managed to make it. No broken heels at all. The parking garage had terrible lighting, added with the fact that there was no sun out, it was nearly pitch black. Kelly clicked her Automatic Lock, she knew her car was near the door but she forgot where. The red lights blinked to her silver 2007 Mazda Impreza, a gift from her dad, he had gotten it for her with her grandfather’s inheritance. She began to walk in the direction of where she last saw the lights blink. Along the way her worst nightmares had come true, the last thing she wanted to happen…she had broken her heel.
“FUCK!” Kelly exclaimed. She reached down to take off the shoe, these 400 dollar Prada 50th anniversary shoes just went down the drain. Walking with one shoe off and a nasty limp, Kelly reached her car. She clicked her beeper one more time to check, her car was the next one over. Enraged with a broken heel and misjudgment of cars she casually walked over. She clicked unlocked and grasped the handle. Just then a soft hand grasped her shoulder, startled; Kelly twirled around to see a tall man, tall and scrawny. She had to arch her neck to look him in the face she was frozen in her stance, almost like she had been hypnotized by the mysterious man.
“Why the hell are you standing there, I don’t know about you but I have a bed waiting for me at home.” She tried to enter her car but the man had her by the arm.
“Lemme go”
“No”
Just then he began to pull her away from the car, despite her protests and profanity, he kept the grip.
“NO! PLEASE DON’T DO THIS, I DON’T WANNA DIE, JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!”
At the sounds of her words the man hit her across the face, indicating he wanted to hear no more from her. He continued to drag Kelly as she began to think, broken heels, documenting paperwork, and getting kidnapped…perhaps the shittiest day ever. As she further was dragged into darkness, the more she regretted not answering her dad’s call, it would have been the last time she heard his voice.
Kelly Fredrickson
ReplyDeleteIBM Building
June 25, 2010; 2:59am
The office on the 32 floor of the IBM Building was quite large. 40 cubicles stretched from one side of the building to the other. The walls were covered in blue paint, unlike many offices. Each cubicle decorated with pictures of family, calendars, and mountains of paperwork. Kelly was working late tonight; she had to document some customer suggestions from earlier in the month. 487 slips of paper never seemed so daunting. Finishing the last suggestion, her phone rang. Her father’s picture appeared across the screen, he hadn’t called her in almost a month. Why was he calling at this time of the morning? She blew off the call and let it go straight to voicemail. She gathered her belongings and walked across the worn carpet to the staff lounge and clock out. Her 6 inch heels shuffled along the linoleum floor, the bright red reflecting the florescent lights from above, a brown trench coat draped across her shoulders, drenched in the rain from yesterday morning. Petite in all, she looked no taller than a teenager with a hormonal deficiency, who barely got any sleep. She reached the stairwell, stepping gingerly in case she slipped on a chip on one of the stairs. Normally, Kelly would be lazy and take the elevator, and ride down to the parking garage, but after hours but the cleaning staff shut them down. So she had to walk down 36 floors to get to her car—yippee. It took a few minutes but she managed to make it. No broken heels at all. The parking garage had terrible lighting, added with the fact that there was no sun out, it was nearly pitch black. Kelly clicked her Automatic Lock, she knew her car was near the door but she forgot where. The red lights blinked to her silver 2007 Mazda Impreza, a gift from her dad, he had gotten it for her with her grandfather’s inheritance. She began to walk in the direction of where she last saw the lights blink. Along the way her worst nightmares had come true, the last thing she wanted to happen…she had broken her heel.
“FUCK!” Kelly exclaimed. She reached down to take off the shoe, these 400 dollar Prada 50th anniversary shoes just went down the drain. Walking with one shoe off and a nasty limp, Kelly reached her car. She clicked her beeper one more time to check, her car was the next one over. Enraged with a broken heel and misjudgment of cars she casually walked over. She clicked unlocked and grasped the handle. Just then a soft hand grasped her shoulder, startled; Kelly twirled around to see a tall man, tall and scrawny. She had to arch her neck to look him in the face she was frozen in her stance, almost like she had been hypnotized by the mysterious man.
“Why the hell are you standing there, I don’t know about you but I have a bed waiting for me at home.” She tried to enter her car but the man had her by the arm.
“Lemme go”
“No”
Just then he began to pull her away from the car, despite her protests and profanity, he kept the grip.
“NO! PLEASE DON’T DO THIS, I DON’T WANNA DIE, JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!”
At the sounds of her words the man hit her across the face, indicating he wanted to hear no more from her. He continued to drag Kelly as she began to think, broken heels, documenting paperwork, and getting kidnapped…perhaps the shittiest day ever. As she further was dragged into darkness, the more she regretted not answering her dad’s call, it was probably the last time she would have heard his voice.
Bad Livin’ (Rough Draft)
ReplyDelete“Yo man,” Matt said while stuffing some ravioli in his mouth, “fuck was you doing out on them streets bro, I told you to stay in the crib.”
Matt swallowed and stared at Andrew curiously.
“You been fuckin around out there?” he finished.
“Nah man,” Andrew said while looking down and pushing his ravioli around with his fork.
“Man, stop playing with yo food Andy, you fifteen and tell me what you were doing out on the streets when I told you to stay inside.”
“I was just drawing people man.”
“Drawing? You still doing that Andy?”
“Yeah, you’d know if you weren’t always gone.” Andrew said a little more viciously then he intended.
Matt put his fork and knife down on the table, sat straight up and eyed Andrew up and down. His voice took on a considerably softer tone from the deep roughness of usual.
“Andy,” he said while looking his little brother directly in the eyes, “you know I’ve got to live out my service and if I could quit believe me I would and I’d be here everyday taking care of you, making sure you good but I cant. The penalty for desertion is prison and that’s not gonna do anything for us. At least this way I’m bringing in some income so we can keep this shitty roof over our head and have some food to eat.”
“I know man, I know,” Andrew said calmly “its just what am I supposed to do in here all day?” Andrew was standing up now and he looked like he might snap at any moment.
“Andy calm down boy, sit down. Lets talk about it. What’s up with you?”
“I just feel like I aint doing nothing with my life, school is out and I don’t have a legit summer job, we struggling in this shit hole and I’m just living off of you and not helping, I’m fifteen I should be able to do something!!” Andrew was yelling and chocking back tears, tears built up from years of frustration ever since both they’re parents died when he was 11. Matt understood immediately and his face was streaked with the same tears. Matt took a deep breath got up and held Andrews shoulder firmly.
“I know bro,” he said, the same amount of years of responsibility evident in his voice, “ we gone be cool though, we got each other we don’t need nobody else. I’ll help you find a way to pull yo weight if it’s that important to you and we could use the extra bank.”
Andrew looked up at Matt and held his stare, a mutual feeling of love and respect passed between them.
“That’s why I been drawing and stuff,” Andrew began to say as he wiped the tears from his face, “ I do portraits and caricatures of people and charge for it. That’s what I’ve been doing Matt. Running my own business, look.” He was excited now as he pushed his hand into his jeans pocket and pulled out an abundance of crumbled and folded dollars and handed them to his brother. Matt took the money and stared at his brother wide eyed.
“Count it.” Andrew pressed.
Matt walked over to the kitchen table and spread the money out, straightening the crumbled bills and unfolding the folded ones. Five ten-dollar bills, six five-dollar bills, and two twenty-dollar bills.
“Andy, this is one hundred and twenty dollars,” he looked at his brother amazed, “you made this in one day?”
Andrew felt proud of himself.
“In four hours,” He exclaimed, “and this guy gave me this address to a tourists attraction hotel so I can draw for all the tourists that come by the lobby I suppose.”
“Andy that’s great bro, ill come with you tomorrow and make sure it’s legit.” Matt was shaking his head left and right in disbelief.
Andrew was beaming, he felt as if he was finally worth something to his family. Finally becoming a man. The two brothers sat down, finished the rest of their meal, and cleared the table. They prayed, brushed their teeth and took showers. Then they went to sleep in the bunk bed in the room they both shared. Andrew got on the top bunk and closed his eyes. Water dropped from the ceiling and fell on his face.
He couldn’t wait till tomorrow.
Chapter 2- Friends?
ReplyDeleteClass begins at 7:15 a.m. every morning at Taramoan High School. So it's no excuse why students should be late for class everyday. But somehow Exzante’s friends always seem to manage to do so. Kha’Mani also known as k-man is Exzante’s best friend, of many years. Thyla has been a great friend of Exzante forever; she is a great person in spirit. And Rubyn; one of the coolest people Exzante knows. All seem to get to their 1st period American Literature class 25minutes late. He knows his friends know the importance of there education, but cannot understand why they are always late. He just laughs at them as they circle the room making jokes before they finally reach their assigned seats. Which are placed in separate corners of the room, on purpose. These four students are phenomenal students, grade and work wise. But in class behavior, they lack; control, attitudes, and respect. Meaning great kids with horrible characteristics.
Exzante whispers to his friend in this high tone whisper that is actually no longer a whisper “hey K-man, what are we doing today?” “Man shidd, I have no clue, after practice today I plan on just kicking it with the wifey.” “Well, damn I was thinking we should all go out, you can bring your girl. Man just because I don’t like her doesn’t mean I will tell you she can’t hang. Bro I just believe she is not the one for you. But I know, it's not up to me, you gone do what you want too. Cool. But we should def chill at the beach today.” Exzante replies. "Aiight and i guess i can ask the wife, if she want to chill at the beach today, ahah she prob will say yes though. She loves to show off that skimmpy little bathing suit she knows i love so much! And man, Ex, im glad you know where to stop, i think thats why you my dogg." "Excuse us all! Well im sorry if im interupting your converstaion but if you two have not noticed, i am trying to teach a class! My class if i might add!" Mrs. Bout yells out. The two busted, sit straight up and pay attention to Mrs. Bout's class discussion. She is lectureing about poetry, something none of the students want to hear about. "Mr.Cook, I have heard you like poerty. Would you mind sharing something with the class?" Damn, busted Exzante replies "Well i dont have anything prepared for this so if i read something i wrote it might be a little explicit."
"Oh thats just fine. Maybe i can get you to do something other than talk to Mr. O'bryant over there." Mrs. Bout dryly reponds. Exzante slowly rises from his seat, straightens out his blue and orange polo, and resets the creases in his pressed dress slacks.Then slowwly walks to the front of the class. Most of his peers do nothing but laugh at him, becasue they know him as the jock, the brainiac, the Mr. Soacil of the school. So its not very often you find a great writer amoungst these. He begins by saying "Umm, this is a piece i wrote for this girl i met before.Well since im up here anyway being embarresed, i might as well tell you all who its for.This one is for you Ms. Brook." Who was silently siting in the back of the class room reading the (Poets of the World) text Mrs. Bout had passed out. He began after he set his IPod Touch down, and a slow melodic beat played, a song from a group named Floerty (Say Yes) but only the instrumental played. he began swaying from side to side with the beat, then out of nowhere he stared Amiya directly in the eyes and said "Say Yes
I know you can hear my thoughts
ReplyDeleteI can see it in your face
You deny me, because you truly want me
Say Yes.
I can feel you in my heart
Your face is the reality of realness for me.
I just need you to;
Say Yes.
Let me in
Let me start the fire that burns with both of our true desires
Let me be, Him
Say Yes.
Can I be the man you need me to be?
Let me be the reason you open your eyes. Next to your GOD
I want to be the reason you heed for nothing
Say Yes.
Open up.
I can feel your thoughts
Our hearts beat with a syncopated rhythm
Say Yes. .
Let my mind caress your skin
My words let them penetrate you mentally
Let us become one
Say Yes.
To me
To this
To us
Say Yes.
Sweet on my mind like block parties and penny candies
Like ice cold tea, in the middle of a blazing day
Sweet like love, made delicious
Say Yes.
Mentally, you already have me
But we can take the steps to the top
You and me
Say Yes.
You make me so;
So confused
So
Say Yes.
To love
To longevity
To eternal care
Say Yes.
In more ways then necessary
Make me the person I am
Say yes.
And I will love you with no end.
And thats that piece".Exzante finshed. The whole class sat there in true jaw dropping astonishment. But Mrs. Bout's reaction is what made the class react in a whole diffrent way. She got up, fixed her black bangs, adjusted her tight yellow minscurt suit bottom, and walked over to Exzante and said very loudly "Boy, if that girl dont get with you after that piece of art there, she has to be one of the biggest fools ive ever known.I am grown and i still cannot find a man who can read like you just did." Exzante sort of blushed, which wasnt to hard considering he was very light.More of a caremel complexion. He just looked Mrs. Bout in the face and mouthed thank you.Before grabbing his Ipod and heading back to his seat, he was awarded with a warm round of appluase by the entire class.He yelled out "Thank you all very much, oh this poem is nothing compared to some of the other stuff ive wrote. Just wait and see." He then turned in a 180 degree direction and was face to face with Amiya Brook. "Well thank you Mr. Cook, this is a total diffrent person than the one i met before.So, i suppose this Exzante can pick me up at 6p.m. tonight?" The class went crazy, yelling and hooting, and throwing out all types of things. But Exzante sheepishly replied "Well this Exzante has plans tonight. So maybe another time." All of his freinds got to there feet, angry he had just played this chick. Rubyn and Thyla both screamed out, "Boy you are crazy. After all the stuff you have said about her, now when you finally get the chance you diss her. Boy what plans you got, the BEACH? Why she cant go to the beach? Umm, you aint even right. Ima pray for yo heat" Before he could even get an answer out, Amiya walked away. And the class was silenced by Mrs. Bout."Well class it seems we have a dilema.But we have to keep in mind. It is not our dilmea to handle or control.These two love birds will find truth when they are ready." It amazed the class when she spoke, because in truth, she was absolutely right.
As Exzante sat back in his seat, he thought to himself (Ahaha I have her. I know i do. I mean, I put my all into that piece for her.So i know i have her. But man now she have to wait, untill i chose. Just like she did me. But i really would like to take her out soon. Oh man its bout to be real critical after class.ahaha. Glad i have these great freinds.You will see Amiya; im the one your suppose to be with).
The bell rings, and class is dismissed.As soon as they hit the hall. SMACK, directly to the back of Exzantes head. "What the hell was that for?" he asked angryily. "For being a dumbass, and a asshole, and a freaking sweet poet my nigg."K-man replies with a silly smirk on his face. "Well you no i dont being hit man, so cool it.And why do i have to be a dumdass? Because i have the girl i want right where i want her? Man you of all people should no me." "Yea you right Ex, you do like playing them games, But one day, them games gone hurt you more than you think. Trust me i know. but ahahaha do you man.So whats the plan for her?" K-man whispers. "Sorry bro, i cant even tell you this one."he replies, as they walk there seperate ways.
ReplyDeleteChapter 2: School Daze
ReplyDeleteBlack Levi 511 Jeans, a size bigger in the waist then usual, black Mad Engine t-shirt with an astronaut on it, and wait, wait, black and red Air Jordan Spi'zikes. You have to admit, my shoe game is crazy. Haze has a crazy swagger too. Peep this: White V-Neck t-shirt, blue Levi 511 Jeans one size up, White Supra Skytops, and a white G-Shock watch. We pretty much stay fresh. Haze and I we're discussing business at the lunch table during lunch time. My mix tape is dropping soon and we have to do some promotion. Haze began talking.
"Right so here's the deal: 3 more weeks until you drop this tape, everything is pretty much done, and I'll take care of the mixing tonight. You can chill for a little bit. But, there still has to be some promotion done, so what I want to do is record you again right after school and you do a freestyle to kind of get some hype going on this. I'll post it on YouTube. At the end of the freestyle of course you have to say something like "D.S.R dropping April 13, go download that" you know? Otherwise your good and we'll start work on another independent album for you. It's all falling into place now bro."
"Alright that's dope, which beat we on today?"
" 'Runnin', you know that Pharcyde joint bro. I expect you to kill that man. With the lyrical flow you have and I got them special effects behind the booth. We good bro. We got this."
"Alright good lookin' bruh. Couldn't do it without you, Haze."
"It's all love bro. Nothing, but love."
"Alright cool, I'll catch you later bro."
"Right I'll catch you at home."