My Projects: Growing up Down the Way

By Lashawn Elliott Rogers

Phoebe, Tom, Malcolm, Chloe, and Pee-Wee are all good friends growing up down the way. See how their lives unfold to deal with the trials, tribulations, relationships and death. Will their lives unfold for the best? Can they finally find a way to overcome the harsh reality of the projects and become successful citizens? Or will the projects destroy them as individuals?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 24, 2014
• ISBN: 9781491865538

Lashawn Elliott Rogers

Mrs. Rogers is a native of Cleveland, Ohio who accomplished her goal with the debut of her first novel Alone & Married back in 2011. Now, she is back with her second novel My Projects. Hope everyone would enjoy this book as much as they did the first. I thank you for your support and God Bless.

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© 2014 Lashawn Elliott Rogers. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Published by AuthorHouse 03/19/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4918-6554-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-6553-8 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Acknowledgments

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

The Projects are a housing development area where people come together regardless of race, religion, or origin. While living there, they will either make or break you. The projects are easy to get in and hard to get out. And, only the strong will survive.

Acknowledgments

Once again, I would like to take this time to give thanks to All Mighty God for allowing me to be able to write and publish another book. I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me (PHILIPPIANS 4; 13). He is my inspiration, guidance and my protector.

Thanks to my loving husband Kenny for being my backbone and support system. I wish to thank my brothers Chris Sr. (Cannon), Andre (Dre), and sister Monica (Queen B). My aunties Anna Story, Beverly Barnes, Diane Parker, and Doretta Barnes. My uncle Obria (Pig) Elliott. I want to thank the entire Elliott/Rogers’s families for your continuous love and support. My dear friends all around the globe, Cleveland, Virginia, Texas, Washington, Alabama, South Carolina, California, last but not least Georgia.

To all of my nieces, nephews, and cousins never let anyone take away your dreams or goals. If you want it bad enough, go after no matter what anyone has to say. I did it and so can you!!!!!!!!!! I love you all and I hope you will enjoy the book. Again, thank you all for your support. Cleveland’s Own Baby, Lashawn Elliott Rogers

Dedication

Here we go again momma! My second novel and it feels great. I know you are smiling down on me from heaven. I will continue to keep your memory and everlasting love alive. Love you forever, your daughter Lashawn.

In addition, I want to send out dedications to all of my loved ones I lost through the years. Shine down on me family; you all are gone but not forgotten.

Shawneeboo

Chapter One

The projects are a place where a group of individual persons lives in a community. The first thing people think about them is that they are rowdy, dangerous, dirty and full of crazy people. The correct term is Public Housings, while some people call it the Hood, Jets, Bricks and the Ghetto. Yeah, this can be true sometimes, but not often. I had the distinct pleasure of growing up in the projects and experiencing what they are all about.

For most of her life, she called it home. Phoebe Comers moved into the projects back in 1976, when she was still in elementary school. Before life of the projects, she resided in a house. Her parents’ decided that they did not want to be married anymore, therefore, her and her mother Lydia ended up moving to the projects.

Lydia did not make as much money as her father, so the projects were the only housing that was in her budget at the time. The projects they moved into were called Cedar Hills. The building they moved into had three levels, which they lived on the third floor. It was a two-bedroom apartment, with steam heaters. The only good thing about those was that when we wash clothes your clothes would dry right away. But, if you leave them on there too long, you would have burn marks on your clothing.

The housing complex area was nice in certain spots. Most of the neighborhood was covered in dirt. Some areas had grass, or what was left of the grass. Every unit had a porch; this was good for hanging your clothes on in the summertime and getting well-deserved air at night. You can always tell when it was nice outside people will be on their porches barbequing. The playground had monkey bars, sliding boards’ homemade swings and most of all concrete. If you happened to climb the monkey bars or fall from the swing, you were sure to get scraped up or broken bones.

Every week the residents would take turns cleaning the building. Sweeping and mopping down the stairs. Sometimes homeless people, (some people call them bums) would come into your building and either urinate or have bowel movements. The more they did this, the smelly the buildings became. It was hard to pinpoint the individuals who were guilty of this issue, so they had to clean twice a week.

Many of the kids in the neighborhood got injured while playing at the playground. They did not have basketball hoops, so being in the projects, you learn how to emphasize. Phoebe was amazed how the neighborhood kids would take crates to make basketball hoops. Use boards to create swings, rocks to play hopscotch, or if you were really creative, the kids would play hide go seek. Or should I say for the more mature parties, hide go get it. You were around so many different people, that you had to make your own fun. Neighborhood kids would wait until grocery carts were unattended, take them and use them for go-carts. The kids would spend hours and hours having fun chasing each other with them.

The corner store was up the street from the neighborhood. The only good thing in the store was candy, bread, cigarettes, wine and beer. The produce, meats and sometimes milk was either spoiled or outdated. It was a shame how they try to sell that mess to the people in the neighborhood. Businesses felt that if you live in a rural area, that you were not entitled to nice things. If you did not own a car, nine times out of ten the stores close by took full advantage of you. But, the best part was, as at the beginning of the month, the neighborhood churches would give out free Government Cheese and butter.

That was some of the best stuff in the world. The butter melted so good you could make cookies or put on bread, the cheese melted even better. But, if you did not secure it good, the cheese would become so hard that you can knock someone’s eye out with it.

The first of the month was the busiest time because that is when everyone would receive their monies and food stamps. The food stamps came in a booklet of $50, 20, 10 and 5 dollars. Which, people used to grocery shop and purchase items from the store.

The grocery stores would be crowded, and that is when they have the most food. People would have parties, they be drinking and cooking up things that they have not had in a while. You can always tell once the money gone, the projects would be quiet and things would go back to normal.

People would stand in line for hours just to receive the free items. Lydia, would make Phoebe stand in line to get theirs, and kids who parents were making good money would make fun of her and the other kids. They would say hurtful things like I got some ice cream, you can’t afford it because you’re on the welfare. Why they playing, some of their relatives use to be out there right along with them to get the free products.

Since Phoebe was the only child, it was tough making friends. Everyone who lived in the community had siblings. Whether it was brothers or sisters they had someone to play with, help you fight and to comfort you when you were down.

Unfortunately, Phoebe did not have anyone. She was quiet and very shy. This made her a target to get picked on by the other kids. So, while mom was at work, she spent most of her time along in the house.

Her mother Lydia was an undercover hell raiser. She comes from a long line of hell raisers. Lydia was not the kind of woman who was going to take any shit from anyone. Especially, when it came to her daughter Phoebe, to whom she loved dearly. She would kill anyone who even thinks about hurting her baby. Phoebe recalls one particular incident when she was outside playing. A boy name Chuck came over to her and started picking on her. She told him to leave her along and tried to avoid him. Chuck was the kind of guy who did not listened to what anyone has to say and was going to do what he wanted to do. So, Phoebe walked away from the situation at hand, while he proceeded to follow her.

Leave me alone, she said. What if I don’t, he said. What are you going to do run home and tell your mommy? She saw that she was not going to get anywhere with him so she proceeded to go home. Chuck ran up behind her and hit her in the head, which caused Phoebe to fall on the ground and scrape up her knees. Why did you do that she yelled! Because I wanted too, he said. Then, he walked away laughing at what he just did. Phoebe friend came, helped her up, and took her home. When she arrived at the house, her mom asked, "What the fuck happened to you? Phoebe was crying and told her mother that the guy named Chuck who lived in the next building was picking on her and pushed her down.

Did you do anything to provoke him? Lydia asked. No, mother I didn’t. He came over to where Niecy and I was playing and started picking on me. I asked him to leave me alone more than once, but he kept on picking on me and followed me home. The next thing I know I was on the ground holding my knee.

Lydia was furious as well as livid. Show me just where this boy lives so I can talk to his mother. So, Phoebe and her mom went to the next building to speak with Chuck’s mother. Lydia knocked on the door and a voice said who in the hell is it? Hello, my name is Lydia, and I am the tenant from the next building. I want to talk to you regarding your son Chuck. The lady answered the door and said, what about him? Well, Lydia explained to her that he was picking on her daughter, and pushed her down making her scrape up her knee. Lydia asked her I would appreciate if you will tell your son to keep his hands off of her. If she does something, to come and tell me and I will handle the situation.

First of all, the lady said, my name is Tiffany. Tiffany I am Lydia. How do I know your daughter did not do anything to him first? Well, Tiffany I know my child and she doesn’t pick on people. So, therefore, your son had to be the person to start the problem.

Tiffany responded I don’t believe you and I will not chastise my son on some damn hearsay. You and your daughter can get the hell away from my door with his bullshit. She tried to slam the door and Lydia took her foot and kicked it open. Look bitch, I tried to talk to you woman to woman, and you disrespect me in front of my child. I would whoop your ass!!!!!!!!

Lydia came charging at the woman beating her up in her own apartment. Tiffany ended up calling the police and they handcuffed Lydia. What seems to be the problem here, ma’am? Tiffany told the officers that Lydia just came to her house out of the blue and proceeded to beat her up. The officers then turned their attention to Lydia and asked, is this true Miss? No, it isn’t. I came over here to talk to her woman to woman regarding our children. She got all-belligerent and slammed the door in my face. That was disrespectful and childish.

So, I proceeded to get her attention by any means necessary. Take your daughter in the house and let us talk to you. Phoebe was crying begging the officers to not arrest her mother. Is there anyone you can call to watch your daughter? Lydia called her cousin Neal, who worked for the police station. He came over and cleared the matter up for her. You know you can’t be taking matters in your own hands, Lydia. I saved you this time, but next time you might not be so lucky. Thanks, cousin Lydia said. I just could not stand by and let that woman disrespect my child or me. She will know next time.

The following weekend her cousin Jeff came over. He questioned her, who is the boy that was picking on you? He is right over there in the playground. Come on cousin, we are about to get retribution. Momma told me to stay away from him, Phoebe said. We won’t tell Auntie that we did it. So, they both proceeded to go to the playground. Chuck looked at the both of them and starting talking junk. Well, well, look who we have here. The crybaby and a little runt she brought with her. You don’t know me partner; I will kick your ass! Oh, really? Chuck laughed. Little man you better go back to where you came from before both of you gets hurt. Bring it on Jeff said.

Chuck approached them trying to hit them and Jeff pulled out a stick and hit him upside his head with it. Chuck grabbed his head and yelled out, ahhh, you hit me with a weapon. Jeff continued to beat him down with the stick. Then, he got on top of him and made Phoebe scratch up his face. She always had long pretty nails, and he told her to beat him until she got tired. When it was all over said and done, his face looked like a railroad track.

Chuck got up and ran home screaming and hollering like a little girl. Phoebe had to admit it felt good to get some revenge for what he put her through. What if he tells on us? She asked Jeff. Don’t you worry, after the butt whooping we put on him we will not hear from him any time soon? They gave each other high five and continue playing at the playground. Phoebe almost hated when Jeff had to go home because she was alone and with him, no one would pick on her until she went to school. School was tough as well. You had your bullies that picked on certain people. This one particular girl named Rhonda really terrorized her. This girl used to beat up boys, as well as girls. If you did not