Pipe Dreams

By Teresa D. Patterson

Sometimes, life doesn’t deliver a happily ever after...

In Pipe Dreams two urban youth get pulled into the drug game. One leaves it alone forever, but the other is lured back because of the fast money and material possessions that seem to come so easily. In this story, you will witness how the greed for money will sever a friendship and see how fast pipe dreams quickly turn into nightmares.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Teresa D. Patterson
• Release date: Apr 19, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310682070

Teresa D. Patterson

Teresa D. Patterson came onto the literary scene with her debut novel, Project Queen, which was published by a small independent publishing company. It wasn't long before she realized having complete control over the creation and distribution of her books suited her better, compelling her to publish her own future works.Her first independent published novel was Ex-boyfriend. She went on to write several novels in multiple genres, which includes contemporary fiction, erotica, inspirational fiction, juvenile fiction, romance, and urban lit. She has written twenty-eight novels and co-authored one.

Book preview

Prologue

It was hot, much too hot to be preparing for a funeral, but I had to go. I felt I owed Ray that much. I knew I had let him down. The least I could do was show up at his funeral.

As I attempted to fix my tie, thoughts ran through my head. Maybe I should have tried harder to reach him. There had to have been something more I could have done. A friend was supposed to be there for another friend. What problems did Ray have that he couldn’t share them with me? Why did he have to die?

Suddenly, I felt so angry.

I can’t tie this damn thing, I swore.

Come here, child, my grandmother called from the next room. I went to her, and she tied my tie quickly and neatly. There you go.

Thanks, Gram.

Are you almost ready? she asked.

Yeah. I just have to get my jacket.

I went back into my room and retrieved it from the closet. As I threw it over my shoulder, I heard something fall. I bent to pick it up and recognized it as a picture I’d taken with Ray right after graduation. I gazed at it and a lump formed in my throat. Ray looked so full of life. How could he be dead? It just didn’t seem right. If only I had warned him that night. Would he still be alive?

That’s a question I’m still desperately searching for an answer to.

Chapter 1

William? William Dorsett? The teacher’s shrill voice called. Judging by the stern look on her face she must have called my name several times.

Oh, here. I raised my hand, waving it frantically.

Would you be so kind as to remove the headphones, please? she asked, a deep frown etched on her face.

Sure. I took them off and smiled my most winning smile at her.

It didn’t work.

Headphones are not allowed in the classroom. May I suggest you familiarize yourself with the Code of Student Conduct handbook, she said and went back to calling roll. When she’d finished, she asked the class if they preferred to go by a nickname.

I raised my hand again.

Yes, William? she asked in a bored tone.

I’d like to be called Squeaky, I said, and the whole class erupted in laughter.

Man, are you serious? someone behind me whispered.

What? I turned around to face him.

"Do you actually want everyone to call you that?"

"Call me what?" I stared at him with narrowed eyes until he looked away.

Nothing, man. Nothing, he finally said.

Say what you mean. Don’t bite back your words, now.

I just meant you can’t walk around being called Squeaky and expect to get respect, he said. That’s all. He shrugged.

Why not? I asked.

It’s just not cool.

So, you got something against my nickname?

Naw, nothing like that, man.

The whole class was silent, listening to our exchange.

Then that’s what you’ll call me and everybody else in here, I snapped. Squeaky. Got it?

Hey, it’s cool, man. You ain’t gotta lose it." He threw up his hands and slunk down in his seat, indicating he had nothing more to say.

Everyone stared at me with shocked expressions on their faces.

What the hell y’all looking at? I stared them all down until they turned away. I put my headphones back on and kicked back. I ignored the teacher who continued to frown and shake her head, but said nothing.

I was walking down the hallway, heading toward my locker when someone spoke from behind me.

Hey, that was okay.

I was beginning to get annoyed with people speaking to my back. What? I whirled around to ask.

I said, that was okay—the way you handled Donny. But he won’t leave it at that, the smiling guy said. I assessed him, mentally sizing him up. He was of average height, medium complexioned, and kind of on the thin side.

What are you trying to say? I asked, opening my locker.

Donny is planning to get a couple of his buddies and jump you, he informed.

Why are you telling me this? I closed my locker and stared at him in suspicion.

Because…I admire you, he said and smiled.

What? I stared at him in disbelief. Are you gay or something?

No, he said, looking insulted.

Who the hell are you anyway? I demanded.

I’m Raymond Walker. But you can call me Ray. He held his hand out for me to shake, but I ignored it. He let it drop back to his side.

Are you sure you’re not funny, man?

He didn’t respond. Just watch ya back. Like I said, they’re planning to jump you, he repeated.

Thanks for telling me, I said with reluctance.

Yeah. It was nothing.

He walked away with his head held high in the air. Maybe he wasn’t gay, but I was taking no chances. I had just moved to St. Petersburg from Philadelphia and attending a new school in my senior year wasn’t what I wanted. I didn’t want to be there, and I wasn’t going to bother with trying to be friendly to anyone. I guess you can say I had a chip on my shoulder—a big chip.

***

That’s him, I heard someone yell when I was halfway down the hallway. Get him. I guess they expected me to run like a scared rabbit, but I stood my ground.

What’s up? I snarled, glaring at the four boys surrounding me.

Man, you sold out on my homeboy, Don, and we don’t like that, a short, well-built guy told me.

So what? Can’t Donnyboy fight his own battles? I asked.

Of course I can, Dan said quickly. He was real sure of himself with his buddies behind him. I’ll take you out right now.

Take this out. Before he could blink, he was on the tiled floor, bleeding from the nose. The other three closed in, but within seconds they were all off of me and in the same shape as Don.

I walked away unscratched. Taking those Karate lessons when I was younger came in handy. I had a mean ass round-house.

Hey, that was okay.

I jumped when I heard the voice. Man, why you always creeping up on me? I snapped.

Again, Ray ignored my outburst. Do you know karate or something? he asked.

Yeah, I growled. Couldn’t he see that I didn’t want to be bothered?

Maybe you can teach me a few moves some day.

Teach yourself, I snarled.

What is it with you? People try to be nice to you and you just turn up your nose. You ain’t royalty, he snapped.

Look, man, I didn’t ask for your fucking friendship. Why do you keep following me around? Yeah, I saw you the other day too, sneaking behind me. I bet you thought I didn’t see you. I curled my lips and glared at him. I don’t buy that story about you not being gay. Not that I care. That’s ya business. Just know that I’m not interested. I like women. Get it?

Man, just because somebody tries to be nice to you doesn’t make them gay. You got a serious attitude problem. And I wasn’t following you. I happen to live on that street, he said.

Didn’t I feel foolish, but I wasn’t about to apologize. What do you want from me, man? I asked, suddenly tired.

Nothing. I just thought I’d be nice to you since I know your grandma, he replied.

Oh. I was starting to feel even lower.

Yeah. She and my grandma go way back. I used to mow her yard and things. I guess she won’t need my help anymore now that she has you.

Why not? I don’t do yards.

We continued on in the direction of home. I guessed it was okay if he walked with me since we did live on the same street.

Well, see you around, he said and turned into his yard.

Yeah, I mumbled. I walked the few paces to my own house and turned. I happened to look back and catch Ray staring at me. He was one strange dude.

I hurried inside.

Hi, Gram, I called as I walked in. I knew she was in the kitchen because of the smell of brownies floating on the air.

How was your day? she asked, giving me a gentle smile. She thought I wasn’t adjusting too well at school, and she tried her best to cheer me up by doing little things such as baking brownies.

It was fine, I lied. I even made a new friend, Raymond Something.

That’s good, she said, smiling. Raymond Walker. He lives right next door. He’s a nice young man. And he’s so friendly and respectful. She just kept piling on the compliments and it annoyed me.

Gay, I muttered under my breath. Can I have a brownie? I asked, changing the subject.

Not before dinner. She moved the plate out of my reach.

Gram, you treat me like a baby. I’ll still be able to eat dinner, mine and yours.

Okay. Go ahead, child. She smiled and shook her head.

Thanks. I kissed her on the cheek, snatched up two more brownies when she turned her back and went to my room.

Later, when I went outside, I saw Ray shooting ball out back. Something about him made me feel weird. He was starting to crack the shell I’d built around myself since my parents died. I had promised myself I wouldn’t let anyone do that, ever. There was too much at risk.

Ray must have felt me staring because he glanced my way. I turned quickly and went back inside.

The next morning, I decided to leave for school later than usual so Ray wouldn’t trail behind me like a bloodhound. Halfway down the block I turned around and saw him anyway. I waited until he caught up.

What’s up? I decided to be polite since my grandma considered him a friend. Aren’t you kind of late? He shrugged. I know I woke up later than usual, I added. He didn’t say much as we walked the rest of the way to school. See you, I said as I closed my locker. Then it hit me that he was in all of my classes—every single one. See you in class, I mean.

At least I didn’t have to worry about Donny and his friends. They followed me around all day trying to get on my good side.

Man, why don’t y’all get away from me? I couldn’t take anymore. Don wanted to pull my chair out for me in the cafeteria. What next? You’ll probably want to carry my books or wipe my ass when I take a dump. Stop sweating me because I don’t want to be bothered. Just leave me alone, I told him and the rest of his crew.

A lot of heads turned in my direction, but I didn’t care. All I wanted to do was eat my lunch in peace.

They all gave me a strange look then left.

That homeboy got a serious problem, one of them said.

I know that’s right.

I proceeded to eat and who did I look up to find staring down my throat?

I give up. I pushed my tray away and threw up my hands. I just give up. I got up from the table and left Ray staring behind me like he was worried. I didn’t care. What was he anyway, my guardian angel?

I skipped sixth period, thinking if I left early Ray wouldn’t be able to follow me. I was wrong. Three steps behind me, as usual, was Ray.

I stopped dead in my tracks, reached around and grabbed him by the front of his shirt.

Why are you hound-dogging me, man? And don’t even try to deny it. I gave him a little shake. He didn’t even flinch. Well? I let him go. He straightened his shirt and said nothing. Can you talk or what? I was angry. All I wanted was to be left alone. I didn’t need him playing Private Investigator with my life. Just answer this one question, are you a queer? No, no don’t look mad, I know you said you weren’t, but actions speak louder than words.

I’m not gay, he finally spoke. So stop asking me that, he said with an attitude.

Whoa, I said sarcastically.

Ray just shook his head. Why won’t you let me be your friend? he asked.

I don’t need a friend, I snapped.

If you think I believe that then you’re crazier than everybody think you are.

What’s that supposed to mean?

It means I can see right through the tough guy act. So you can stop pretending with me. I know what you’re really feeling inside.

You don’t know nothing, I exploded.

I do. Because I’ve been there, he added, giving me a final look before he stalked off. I was left behind to do some serious thinking.

How could he know how I felt? Had he just lost both of his parents? No, he didn’t know how I felt. I didn’t even know myself.

Chapter 2

I awoke early the next morning to the sound of a lawnmower outside my window. I tried to drown out the noise by placing a pillow over my head, but it didn’t work. I parted the curtains and peered out.

Great, I mumbled. Ray was pushing the mower like he didn’t have a care in the world. I unlatched the window and snatched it up.

Hey. What do you think you’re doing? I shouted, but he couldn’t hear me. Finally, I threw my shoe, which caught him in the shoulder. He cut the machine off and glared at me. I’m trying to sleep here.

Good morning to you, too, he snapped, flinging my shoe up onto the porch.

Don’t get no attitude. You’re the one who woke me up. I got a right to be mad.

I always cut Mrs. Daniels yard on the third Saturday of every month, he stated.

Well, let this be the last Saturday it happens. I’ll cut it myself.

Thought you didn’t do yards? he snarled.

I didn’t know what to make of him selling out to me like that. Wasn’t he the one who claimed to know all about me, to know how I felt inside? If he really knew how I felt then he’d know I felt like hitting someone, anyone.

As if he could read my mind, he asked, You feel like kicking the whole world’s ass, don’t you?

I had to smile at that one. Something like that, I replied.

It’s okay. You can talk to me about it. I heard your grandma talking to mine. I know about your folks and all. I didn’t say anything. He looked down at the ground. Well, I guess I can finish this later. Sorry I woke you up. He turned to leave.

Uhhh…wait, I surprised myself by saying. Why don’t you come inside and have some breakfast?

Okay.

Five minutes later we sat in front of the television eating out of extra large bowls overflowing with cereal. Gram came into the room humming some church song. Her smile widened when she saw Ray. She made a big fuss over him like he was her grandson. I felt a stab of jealousy then I reminded myself that I didn’t care.

Later, after Gram went to visit one of her friends, we just chilled in the living room and listened to tapes.

So, what do y’all do around here for fun? I asked.

Lots of stuff, he said.

Ray’s short answers had a way of pissing me off.

A lot of stuff, like what? I snapped.

Hang at the mall, shoot ball. If you got a car, just drive around or hang at the game room. Anything. He gave me a look and shrugged.

That’s it?

Well, there’s the movies and dance clubs. But that’s played out.

How do you meet females?

Hanging at the mall, driving around-

Yeah, I interrupted. Okay. I get the picture. Boring.

It’s not so bad. Take some getting used to, that’s all. If you don’t want to do any of those things, you could get a job.

Don’t seem like there’d be too many of those around.

If you really want to work, you can find something, he said. But no one around here works for their money.

What do you mean?

They don’t work, that’s what I mean, he repeated.

It took a second for it to sink in. Oh, you mean they sell drugs?

Yes.

Here? Again I found something disbelieving.

Yes. This may be a small place, but drugs are big time.

Only fools get mixed up with something like that, I said.

He nodded. I agree.

So, what do you plan to do today? You don’t hang around a lot of people, do you? I mean, at school, you’re always by yourself.

I don’t have anything planned. And no, I don’t hang with a lot of people. I do have friends, associates or whatever, though. I think school is for learning. If you hang with the crew, you lose the meaning of that. You usually end up in trouble, too, he explained.

Yeah, that’s true, I said. So, are you gonna just sit around and be bored today? What do you usually do on a Saturday?

I usually cut somebody’s yard or help them with other stuff.

Who? I asked.

Some of the neighbors don’t have anyone to help them. You know, like some of the elderly people who live alone. They usually can’t afford to hire anyone to fix things, so I volunteer.

You do it for free? I didn’t like the sound of that.

Yeah. I’m just glad I can help some of the people. They’re usually really grateful for the help, you know?

Well, what else do you do? I just couldn’t picture myself helping old people.

I paint, draw, sketch, write poems and songs, stuff like that.

You really lead an exciting life, I said sarcastically.

You’ll get used to it. Once you get sick of the mall and hanging around a bunch of phony people, you’ll be more than happy to help me fix somebody’s roof or paint their house.

I don’t think so. I shook my head. Do I look like Mr. Fix-It to you? He laughed. So, do you have any errands to do today? If not, let’s check out the mall, that’s if you ain’t scared.

I promised Mrs. Sweetapple I’d bathe her dog. Why don’t you come along? It won’t take that long. We can catch the bus from there. There’s a bus stop right around the corner.

Alright. I need to shower and change first.

Ray sat in the living room and waited until I got dressed.

Let’s go, I told Ray after about a half hour of primping and changing clothes. I decided to wear jeans and a tank top since I didn’t want anyone to get jealous. It wouldn’t be right to steal too many hearts on my first trip to the mall. You know how it is? I knew I looked good.

I grabbed my keys and left a note for Gram taped to the refrigerator for when she returned home.

Mrs. Sweetapple’s house was four houses down from Ray’s. When she opened the door, I jumped. She was real old. You could hardly see her eyes because of all the wrinkles. Frankly, she scared me.

Man, I’ll stay outside, I told Ray.

What for?

That lady gives me the creeps.

Ray threw me an annoyed look. She don’t bite, he said and went inside.

Probably ain’t got no teeth, I muttered as I followed him