The Road

By Patrena Miller

Tired of being a wallflower with her friends and a goodie-two-shoe with her parents; Bethany goes through every young woman’s trials... finding a man. Bethany is a woman with many possibilities but she always seem to choose the wrong guy to date. Having a hard time finding Mr. Right, Bethany relies on her best friend Dottie to help her mingle and stop being single. She felt that looking for love could never hurt, as the two ventured out into the world web of lies and freaks. Fed up they end up at a bar where singles meet and greet. She has a choice between a guy who looks the part with a troubled past or the guy who is well proportioned and is giving her very little to go on. Just when she thinks she has things under control, the balance of things stirs up tragedy and forces her to fight for her life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Patrena Miller
• Release date: Feb 4, 2015

Patrena Miller

Patrena is a author and a writer. She has written poetry since she was very young and a talented artist. She began writing novels in 2008 and began publishing her work in later years. Challenging herself to create something that others would read; she hoped to reach those who normally would not give a book another look.In her own words:My goal is to change the mindset of the non-readers one novel at a time; also giving the avid reader something to look forward to. I believe that I have accomplished that goal. Thank you for reading my creative work.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

WATCH OUT! STOP! Bethany yelled.

The sound of fear in the voice of Bethany sent chills through Mason’s body as he gripped the steering wheel. Wondering what was wrong he slammed on the brakes trying not to swerve out of control; there was no time to react, no time to be defensive and no time to ask questions. You could hear the rubber tires squealing against the pavement as smoke filled the air. All was silent; the tension built when Bethany could not hear Mason’s voice. She looked around the car, what was left of it searching for any signs of Mason. Bethany attempted to get out of the car when she noticed that she was bleeding from her head.

Shit! Ok, ok, ok Bethany; let’s not get overwhelmed here she said to herself trying not to get worried at the sight of blood.

Mason, where are you? Mason, can you hear me? Mason? she cried out again.

Not knowing what to think, Bethany quickly got to her feet. Bethany noticed that it was dark out and she began wondering how long she was knocked unconscious. She walked around the car yelling Mason’s name, hoping that he would answer. The calmness of the night air made Bethany very fretful.

I knew I should have stayed my ass at home, why did I let him talk me into going to his house just to sit down and have a conversation. Hell, I could have done that at home; but Mama and Chester would have over heard us and that is the last thing I need is for them to be in my business filling my head up with more worries.

She was miles away from home and nothing was in sight for miles.

Where exactly am I?

Looking around, Bethany realized that she was not that far from Mason’s neighborhood. It was not that close however it was all she had to go on for now. It was getting late and the only thing that Bethany was concerned with was finding a place to lay her head and hopefully to find Mason. Walking the dark beaten road, Bethany began to talk to herself.

Girl, what have you gotten yourself into? All alone walking right into a troublesome neighborhood that you are not welcomed at. Damn, I got a major headache, a boyfriend who is not highly favored with my parents, and no money to catch a taxi or call home.

Bethany already bruised and banged up decided to take the shorter route to Mason’s house; she remembered a road that Mason took them down one day when he was dodging a car accident. Talk about trifling, the people were out there fighting instead of exchanging insurance information. Chuckling to herself, Bethany recalled sister-girl hair flying all over the place. Her legs were getting weaker with every step and soon Bethany began to walk with a limp.

I hope Mason is at home and I hope he is all right because when I see him, he won’t be. How could he leave me like that, in the middle of nowhere? He has got a lot of explaining to do when we cross paths. I got to keep moving and I must move quickly; I do not want to be out here all alone… there is no telling what kind of ailing people come out at night. Lord knows, I see enough nutcases during the day she said venting with good reason.

Bethany gotten closer into town and she saw people hanging out on the street corners; wanting to avoid any contact or attention she walked on the other side of the street.

Finally, I can see his house right up the street. I am so glad that no one bothered me; if they knew I was from up town, I would probably be in worse condition than I am now.

The southwest part of Chicago was not as well off as the upper northeast side of Chicago. The people there were poor; most of them were living off the system getting welfare. Many people lived with other relatives that already had too many children. Most of the buildings in the area were boarded up, the stores looked like a jail cell with all those bars on the windows, and the street had more trash on it than the city dump. Making her way through the city Bethany began to reminisce on old times.

These people would probably kill just to have what I got. I guess my folks were right about managing my life.

Bethany lived comfortably in a one-bedroom apartment; no children, a decent job, parents that love her and a best friend named Dottie that she would not trade for the world. Dottie and Bethany have been best friends since middle school. Dottie was thick in the back, heavy up top, and girlfriend had some serious curves. Her parents lived on the south side but she attended school on the north side. She stayed with her aunt so that she could get a better education and life.

Remembering the day that they met in school; those hideous hoes in their cheerleader outfit were taunting and teasing folks as usual. Since Bethany was attractive, slim, had fair skin, and longer hair than most of the girls; she knew that she could be a part of their squad. When she got rejected because she never cheered before; she knew it was because of the captain of the cheerleading squad. That chick was so jealous of Bethany; she made her run out of the room crying. There was only one person there to help her dry those tears and that person was Dottie.

Bethany could see lights on in the house as she walked up the road. She had only been to Mason’s house twice and she always stood in the front room right next to the door. She was too afraid to follow him into the next room because he always had a house full of people. Bethany’s boyfriend live on the south side of town and he was six foot two inches. A real thug with good taste, a person who knew how to fine tune his body so that those muscles would scale each and every part of his shirt. He was rough but he knew how to be gentle with a woman. Well, he did with Bethany. Let the people on the street tell it, he is a woman beater. Mason was infatuated with Bethany and he wouldn’t let other men get too close to her. She wouldn’t dare look at another man while Mason was around either; the brother turn colors when he got angry.

Bethany walked up the steps and tried to look through the window. She did not see any movements through the curtains; so she knocked on the door. Getting no answer, she knocked again but this time a lot louder. No one answered. Bethany kicked at the door and finally a shadow appeared. She sighed with relief thinking that it was Mason but to her dismay it wasn’t; before Bethany stood a lady who appeared to be about six feet, long legs, short hair, and bodacious hips.

Hello, is Mason home? she stammered trying to regain composure.

The woman just stared at Bethany and began drilling her with questions.

Who are you and why do you want Mason?

Bethany never got a chance to answer her because the chick wouldn’t shut up.

Wait a minute, you’re that girl that he met on the north side. Tell me why are you down here all alone and at this time of night? Don’t you know that people like you end up on the back of milk cartons?

As she laughed, Bethany turned and walked away with her head down.

How stupid could I be? Why is this happening to me? What did I do to deserve this?

Bethany sat on the steps and leaned her head up against the railing for support. Her eyes got heavier and heavy and the last thing she remembered was hearing laughter and voices coming up the road. Bethany figured that she could get an early start in the morning and find someone who would let her use the telephone. As Bethany dosed off she felt something at her feet, she was too tired and weak to move as she attempted to look up Bethany was hit with something hard in the back of her head.

CHAPTER 2

Chester, go and call your sister and tell her meet me at your father’s shop around four. This way I can drop off the car and she and I can do some shopping.

Yes Ma’am said a sweet small voice.

I have got a lot to do today so please hurry along now; I have much to do and little time to do it in. Bethany is going to be so happy to see that I have picked out her favorite colors and made her a family photo album full of memories. I can’t wait to see the surprise look on her face.

Mom, mom… she was not home. I left her a message to go to dad’s shop at four o’clock.

Thank you Chester, I must say that you are growing up to be a fine little gentleman.

Aww mom; you make me feel like I am a big boy.