Charge that to the Game

By Krystal Milton

Tayvanna Curtis has just found out her real mother left her on her parents door step with a sign saying "take it", and to make matters worse she is fighting in school, stealing and vandalizing property as she tries to come to terms with who she is and why her life has been so hard, questioning her purpose in life.

Laquisha Porter is a single mother of six on the brink of bankruptcy and self distruction. When the bills keep coming, her bank account is overdrawn and her fridge remains empty she is faced with the decision to keep her children or give them away.

Finesse Wilks is a hard drug dealer on the streets, making that paper and driving fly cars when he is told his wifey, the woman carrying his child, has not been faithful and their baby might not be his. When faced with this news he must decide if he will walk away from it all, or use his gun for the first time.

Charge that to the Game is an insiteful view of how life can be in the streets, and what people will do when faced with tough situations, and what their decisions will do to their lives, whether it was a good or bad one.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Krystal Milton
• Release date: Aug 29, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476389004

Krystal Milton

Krystal Milton is a single mother living in New York with her two children. She has been an avid reader and writer since her teenage years, but recently self published her debut novel Deception in June of 2012. Since then she has published in four other titles including; Charge that to the Game, Field Advantage, Blitz, and Say a little Prayer. When she isn’t reading or spending time with her children, she writes on her blog DWED- Defining Women’s Evolution in Discovery and works on creating new Characters, situations and circumstances for her readers to enjoy.

Book preview

§ Charge that to the Game§

Krystal Milton

Book 1 in series

Published by: Krystal Milton at Smashwords

Copy right © 2012 Krystal Milton

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please return to smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

§ Authors note §

This book is dedicated to Jaheim, an R&B singer whose infamous song brought on the very idea of this work. I was sitting in my car loudly singing along with it, and as I traveled I started imagining a cast of people who even when I tried to ignore them stayed front and center in my minds eye.

While I try to import morals into the story, the characters seemed to take on a life of their own, telling their own hardships through my finger tips. I think one of the things that has made it hard to write everything, capturing the true essence of each of their natures, was the fact that people shy away from things they don’t want to believe is really out there.

I know some literature in this book may be appalling to readers, the language, certain scenes and acts that could turn people off. I was raised in Brentwood, the town where the story takes place and there are worse things happening in that neighborhood then I have here in this story. In order to be true to these characters and to life itself I had to not only embrace these natures but open my mind to the very fact that it does exist and it cannot be denied.

The story of Finesse is one of my favorites. He is a hard man struggling with new beginnings and his past. He is the epitome of true human conflict. He struggles with who he is and who he wants to be, maintaining the knowledge that we all are imperfect. We have doubts and insecurities; we make mistakes, and are capable of making wrong decisions no matter what choices lay in front of us.

In this novel I have used places and names that are completely fictional. If I have changed or altered any events, it was to give the novel a more life like feel, for the enjoyment of written word only, not to cause harm in any way. This novel is a complete work of fiction.

There may be language and scenes that may be repulsive to some. While I don’t particularly use the language myself, it is how I have observed people talking regularly, and I would not be true to my characters, life, or myself if I edited every nuance. Some may say I don’t have the linguistics right, or even argue that it makes no sense. I may totally agree with you. On the upside, it makes for an amusing, simplistically entertaining story.

Thank you and I hope that you get as much enjoyment out of reading it, as I have out of writing it.

K.M.

§ Table of Contents §

Book 1- Charge that to the Game

Character Stats

September 27th 2010 (Monday)

1. Tayvanna

2. Finesse

3. Laquisha

4. Tayvanna

5. Finesse

6. Laquisha

7. Tayvanna

8. Finesse

9. Laquisha

10. Blocka

11. Tayvanna

12. Finesse

13. Laquisha

December 12th 2010 (Sunday)

14. Tayvanna

15. Finesse

16. Laquisha

Blocka

Tayvanna

Preview-

Book 2 in Series- Field Advantage

§ Character Stats §

Stats:

Name: Tayvanna Nicole Curtis

Age: 17

Birth date: 9/14/1993

Sign: Virgo

Favorite color: Unknown

Occupation: Student

Relationships: None

Stats:

Name: Finesse Bernard Wilks

Age: 26

Birth date: 7/19/1984

Sign: Cancer

Favorite color: Black

Occupation: Drug Dealer

Relationships: 1

Kids: 1 on the way

Stats:

Name: Laquisha Lynn Porter

Age: 34

Birth date: 2/24/1976

Sign: Pisces

Favorite color: Beige/Brown

Occupation: Customer Service, Insurance Sales Company

Relationships: 2 past marriages

Kids: 6

Chapter 1

§Tayvanna§

Monday

September 27th 2010

There was nothing that I could say to make this situation any betta. Here I was sitting in this floppy, half falling apart office chair, facing two people who I hated on my betta days. Today, I just wished they would just die.

I mean really? Who said it was anybodies business what I do with my life? Apparently the people who brought me into this world could care less what happened to me so…when did that mean everyone else could supposedly give a damn?

I mean really…where were these same two people(looking at me like I’m some sort of insect, chastising me like I’m they child instead of someone else’s) when I had no food, only dirty clothes on my back with no lights, no heat, no hot water and no comfort….but NOW they here like they trying to help me. Pfft, please. If they really are concerned about me…why don’t they just stay out of my way?

The room is silent. Isn’t that enough?…I thought silence speaks volumes…apparently they didn’t get that memo either, or the one that says body language tells you everything you need to know about how a person be feelin, I aint feelin like being here which is exactly why my legs are bent in the direction of the door. Some people just aren’t that smart I guess.

I tried to stare at anywhere else but them. Not like there was much to look at anyways. I was sitting in the principles office at Brentwood Sonderling High school, for the fifth time this week. The small closet sized room with its mauve walls and pale grey furniture was making me sweat, the perspiration dripping down my face stung my eyes, but I didn’t wipe it off. I didn’t want them to know that behind this attitude, I was not only angry, but burning with shame.

Mr. Sanchez the principle glared down at me as he spoke for the hundredth time, saying the same thing over and over again like a broken record.

I’m so disappointed to have you in my office again Ms. Curtis. This is very unacceptable behavior. This is a School, a place for learning, not a gym or boxing ring. You cannot and do not have any right to put your hands on another human being, unless and I stress this emphatically, unless it is for self preservation. Someone bumping into you is not self preservation. And your actions will not be tolerated. You have been a very good student thus far, I don’t know what is going on at home, which you are not inclined to tell us, but recently you’re becoming a problem. The behavior you are inhibiting is destructive, and since you cannot behave yourself in an atmosphere used for learning, I’m afraid I will have to suspend you until further notice.

When I looked up, my face hot with rage, he continued.

I don’t know whether the parents will be pressing charges. Security will escort you off the premises, immediately. You cannot collect your things. They will be sent to you. You must leave immediately, and should you not I will have to call the police. You will not be permitted on school grounds until the suspension has been lifted. I hope I am understood by you Ms. Curtis, there are consequences for your actions, consequences for any bad behavior. His brows were arched at me as if to say You cannot pass go, you cannot collect two hundred dollars. Go straight to jail.

I was feelin really itchy, itchin to slap his face or toss this horrible excuse for a chair at him. See what his eyebrows do then when he duckin for cover. It’s really funny to me, how these adults think that because they sitting on the right side of the desk and I’m on the wrong, that they can talk to me any way that fits them. Like I’m some sort of demon child setting the wrath of hell on they asses. Compared to what’s out there in the streets? I’m small potatoes.

I mean he is right… I don’t have the right, but I’m angry. And anger knows no boundaries. I bet he never had his parents give him up just cuz they were too young to have him. I bet they didn’t leave him on his grandparents stoop steps like an abandoned animal with a note saying Take It. Not take her, or take Tayvanna… no courtesy to ring the door bell or knock. Just left me in the cold, during a blizzard and ran away like cowards. I’d like to see how he would feel if he just found out on his seventh birthday that he is trash. Not wanted, never wanted.

I’d like to see how he handle listening to little miss prissy talking about her super sweet sixteen that she didn’t have the freakin courtesy to invite me to, but found my ear to brag about the damn thing, then tell me Oh, you didn’t have a party? How come? Your parents don’t have the money? Oh, too bad well my too bad fist connected with her prissy face…now she aint so pretty huh. Lips all swollen, teeth missing, black eye popping out like an eight ball….yeah hmmm maybe next time she will think twice before she rub me the wrong damn way. I’m just sayin…words work sometimes, but there are times when people need to feel my rage.

About a week ago, I would have let it slide kept it moving, never saying a thing, acting like the world is alright. But it’s not alright. Nothing will ever be alright in my world. There is nothing more wrong to me on this planet, then feelin like nobody wants me, feelin like I was never meant to be and since my existence was so hard on that particular person who was supposed to love me…that they left me on a stoop on a cold winter night; dirty, hungry...destitute…how…and I really would like to know…how do I deal with that?

What is expected of me? What am I supposed to do with this information…this knowledge that I was abandoned? Why didn’t the damn woman just abort me? Why have me at all, if she was gonna just give me away? And then out of the blue just show up on my birthday…my whole life I’ve known her as aunty shells, and she just come and tell me how she left me…how could she think I could deal with her…now she wants to be apart of my life? Now?????

And what about the woman I called mom my entire life? She is my grandmother? What is that all about? Or the man I called daddy…how could they allow me to live my life as close to homeless as we could get, and through it all they aren’t even my parents and they act as if I am a mistake…like they didn’t even want me. To know that I live my life in such … squalor… just to find out that they didn’t even want me but felt obligated to take me…why didn’t they just give me to the state? I mean, to go through so much and not even…

Ms. Curtis? Mrs. Evers was staring at me, her face tilted to the side, her hand picking at some invisible string on her red pleated skirt. Is there anything you want to say?

What? As I looked at her, I could feel the wetness of tears on my face. I couldn’t be more horrified that here I am crying in front of these people.

Tayvanna…You are bright and a very nice person. I was just saying there has to be something going on with you. Do you want to talk about it with me in my office? I believe we can avoid suspension and try to get to the root of the problem, but you have to meet us half way and discuss what is going on with you. Her voice was sweet, deceiving to my ears.

There will be no avoiding suspension, but if there is a bigger issue at work here, we can do two days outside suspension and two in-house suspensions. Mrs. Evers there has to be consequences for her actions, the parents based on what she has done to Ms. Camden, will want some sort of reprimand for this.

I know Mr. Sanchez, but lets try to help her not just throw her out there and no one knows why this is happening. Is it not my job as student counselor to help the students?

Mrs. Evers… He began with a sneer. We will discuss your job in a more private setting not in front of students. I will advise that you step lightly here. Ms. Curtis will be suspended. If you want to discuss problems with her you can, and after you do so alert security to remove her from the premises. Have I made myself clear? And just like that we were dismissed. I followed Mrs. Evers into the reception area. My head held low, my body stiff. There was a faint throbbing in my hands from the fight. My head was achy from crying. I could see miss prissy fidgeting in the corner, her face swollen her cries stifled against tissues she held to her nose.

I felt sorry, I was sorry, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it to her. I was so pissed I had done that to her but at the same time relieved that some of the tension building over the last few days had been released on her. She deserved to have an ass whoopin, should it have been by my hands? I can’t say, but damn it had felt good being the one to give it to her. Deal with the consequences I could, deal with my own self hatred…well…that I would have to find some other relief.

Turning I walked towards the exit. I didn’t want to talk to Mrs. Evers. I didn’t want to talk to anybody. I wanted to be by myself. I wanted to get out…I wanted to run…be anywhere but here. I needed to be out in the fresh air, I needed to breathe. And most of all, I needed the clock to turn back one week, to erase the truth that I knew now. Maybe if I prayed hard enough from the exit till I reach home I might just get my wish…if only.

Outside I stood against the cold autumn day with my shoulders hunched. There was this burning desire to jump in front of a speeding car. Maybe even run screaming down the street pulling my hair out…that would get some real attention. But I wasn’t crazy. I was angry.

Can you explain to me, how a wonderful student such as yourself has been in the principles office five times this week for fighting and stealing. Is this a cry for help Tayvanna? Mrs. Evers stood beside me, her arms crossed under her chest, her glasses falling forward on her face as she peered at me over them.

I don’t want to talk. You wouldn’t understand. I mumbled looking anywhere but her.

I love how students always tell me I won’t understand. Try me. There is nothing you could tell me that I couldn’t handle. Go ahead try me.

No. I stepped off the curb and headed towards the gate, I refused to speak to this lady with her pale skin and bright makeup. She didn’t come from the wood and wouldn’t even know the half of what people go through who do live there. What could she possibly understand about any of our lives?

My father used to make me stand in the corner on one foot holding seven encyclopedias on top of my head without using my hands to keep them still. She was matching my strides her high heels clicking loudly on the cracked pavement.

And every time they fell he would hit me with anything he had in his hand at the moment, one hit for each book. One of the worst times, he hit me with the iron poker from the fire place. I dropped the books about five times. You do the math. So I say again, tell me what I won’t understand. Try me.

Yeah right, you is white lady, white people don’t hit their kids. I said never looking back just continued walking towards the gate.

White people do hit their kids. Color is not a factor when it comes to abuse Tayvanna. If your being abused let me help you.

No.

Tayvanna is your mother or father hitting you? Were you raped? Talk to me Tayvanna. She was breathless now, her words clipped as she panted.

I’M NOT BEING ABUSED LADY! LEAVE ME ALONE! I shouted facing her now. I was more then angry and it wouldn’t faze me none to hit her at that moment. I wanted to so bad, damn the consequences, but I held back. I was already in deep shit once my mother…uh…grandmother found out I was suspended.

Tayvanna, please, let me help you. Her voice was quiet now. Her eyes wide with alarm making me feel even more like an ass.

Look. I really don’t want to talk right now. No one beats me. No one hurts me…physically. I just don’t give a shit about my life no more. Now if you understand that fine…if you don’t, I really don’t give a shit. But right now I just need to be left alone. Seriously! Like right now. Leave me alone. My voice cracked as I finished. My hands were balled into fists, but she was relentless. Either she was just plain stupid, or refused to take the hint.

Tayvanna, mental and emotional trauma is still abuse. Mrs. Evers says, and before I know it she is on the ground. My hand, having a mind of its own, connected with the side of her face.

I didn’t stay to see what would happen next. I didn’t even allow my mind to think, I just ran.

Chapter 2

§Finesse§

Tonight…was not a good niggah. Rae Rae was on some other shit and was working my last damn nerve. Here I am busting my ass for this bitch and all she could do was talk…no scream my damn ear off about back pain this, feet cramps that, bills this, food that. SHUT UP!