At the End of the Day

By Sparrow Jones

After graduation from Brown University, this group of young friends and their successes are thrown into a world of reality and tragedy upon returning to their hometown of Chicago. Shaun and his NFL career are taking off, and his obligation to family and friends are the least of his worries. Jackie, Vasha, and Rondelle all have grand aspirations of their own, while Vic and Juan search to find their niche in their friends lives. On the other hand, the plague of mental illness in the black home breathes life and death into their pursuit of fame and happiness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 29, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543416718

Sparrow Jones

Author Sparrow Jones, a born and bred Chicagoan studied Engineering at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb Illinois. Upon graduating she began performing as a poet, singer and song writer for a local Chicago band. After several years of gigging, she decided to pursue her life-long passion of writing novels. She weaves poetry, comedy and song into the lines of her stories with description that titillates your emotions and leaves a brand on your mind.

Book preview

Prologue

"Shit!" Jackie hissed. Hating to be disturbed during her self-designated ‘finals study time’. Whether it was the first day of class or the final exam, Jacqueline Mays would not be made a fool of by not being fully prepared for whatever any of her professors had up their sleeves.

Hello!, the salt of frustration on her tongue.

"I don’t know why you’re soundin’ like it ain’t a party goin’ down at the Kappa House in three hours. We need to go to the mall…and you’re the only one with a car Jackie…pleeease." her childhood friend Vasha sang in a sweet voice.

A thick layer of nothing sat on the phone before Jackie dignified Vasha with a response.

Do you know what time it is Vasha? Jackie asked in her usual mellow tone. Before Vasha could muster an answer, Jackie lit into her like her own mother would have. "I…don’t…know…how….many times…I have…to tell you and that stupid Rondelle…that when…I am…studying…between the hours of…5…and…8…DO…NOT…CALL…ME!", her voice rising with every short phrase as her words spilled out in staccato.

Bitch, I’m not your kid okay…so you can stop talking to me like I am. Yes or no, Jackie!? Vasha exhaled, hoping her necessary use of profanity didn’t spoil their chances of hitching a ride to the mall.

NO! Just because y’all don’t take your grades seriously doesn’t mean I don’t. I swear. And she mumbled something else before Vasha interrupted her muffled tirade.

Well can I use your car? I’ll fill it up with gas and get it back with not a scratch on it. Promise.

NO! and before Vasha could rebut she heard the dial tone.

Jackie hung up feeling liberated. It was something about having power over Vasha that made her back arch perfectly with her head held high. Though sometimes she felt she was the only mature, level-headed one in the group. She was the one who dragged them to the library the first day back from Spring break in South Beach, Miami. She was the one who volunteered to work as a Receptionist in the Business Department to gain extra credit. Vasha and Rondelle were graduating by the skin of their teeth, and that was partly due to the times Jackie was unable to hangout for studying, and they’d decided to follow suit. The telephone rang again. This time Jackie just hit the speaker phone button without greeting the caller.

Hello!?!?, Rondelle’s voice yelled into Jackie’s small living room, bouncing off the walls like a rubber ball.

And now what do you want? Jackie whined slowly.

"I wanna know how many of us it’s gonna to take to pull that stick outta your ass, Jackie! Why do you treat Vasha so mean, knowing how much she looks up to you?"

She called you to tell on me? Jackie laughed out loud, sounding like her own mother when she’d thought she done something well enough for her approval. Does it ever occur to you two that I care about my grades, thereof my life, my future?!

Get off the bullshit Jack, you are the only person at Brown who could fail every exam and still be eligible for Valedictorian-ism.

Jackie laughed under her breath.

Eligible isn’t good enough Delle. If I don’t do the best I can do, I can kiss that scholarship to the University of Chicago goodbye. Does that make sense to you? I want my Masters and I don’t want to pay for it!

Today is Friday Jack. You’ve got all weekend to study. Take us to the mall, because I know you don’t want nobody driving your raggedy-assed Toyota, and I would hate to have to come over there and hotwire that heap of shit.

You know all the right things to say, don’t you Delle?, Jackie sneered. Look. You call the cry baby and tell her, I’m studying until eight o’clock and after that we can all go to the mall in my heap of shit car. DO NOT CALL ME BACK! Just come at eight.

Rondelle and Vasha snickered before hanging up. They cheered once the line was clear.

Got her!, Rondelle proclaimed.

She’s got some serious issues., Vasha reminded Rondelle.

The drive to Providence Place Mall was fifteen minutes at best. Jackie wondered why Rondelle and Vasha didn’t take the public transportation paid for by their tuition instead of hounding her to go ...in her heap of shit car! She buried herself in the origins of marketing and current philosophies for the next two hours.

Park right there!, Rondelle ordered before receiving Jackie’s wrinkled glare through the rear view mirror.

Just sit there and look as pretty as you can, Delle, Jackie said in her housemother’s tone.

Rondelle rolled her eyes at the thought of Jackie thinking for a minute she was prettier than her, but decided not to verbally retaliate. Knowing full well she could belittle Jacqueline Mays, Vasha DeYoung and anybody else before they could do her, she settled into the seat quietly. Plus she was fine in the looks department as far as she was concerned. She could definitely stand to lose a few pounds but the guys craved her extra lovin’.

The walk through the mall’s veranda was a bit less than spectacular, but the newest addition of New York and Co. and Nine West were all a girl really needed. For the guys there was Foot Locker and Hype Wear, one of the hated urban influences Rhode Island despised because of their hip hop repulsion. The girls knew time was of the essence, so they headed straight for the escalators to the second floor where their vixen garbs awaited.

Jackie, the most conservative of the three, sifted through a rack of white, ruffled blouses that appeared to gather perfectly at the bosom. She could pair that with the light blue denim mini-skirt she’d picked up her last visit to Chicago, when she visited the Mays’ residence.

Rondelle softly whistled to Jackie to get her attention. Jackie once again, disgusted by Rondelle’s public behavior, quickly responded with a tight-fingered hand to her mouth, while mumbling obscenities. She had already seen the store salesperson circle Vasha at a six foot diameter. Then Rondelle goes and whistles, to further suggest that besides their color, they also have no class. She hurriedly picked up the blouse she’d been fingering the past few minutes and walk-ran to Rondelle’s side.

Do you think it was necessary for you to whistle to get my attention?

Rondelle stared up at Jackie to gauge her intensity. She leaned closer and ever-so-softly whispered, These jeans are sixty bucks, J!, with the look of horror clamoring up her neckline.

Jackie studied Rondelle’s face for a few seconds then shook her head slowly from side to side.

You don’t think that’s ridiculous, Jackie?, Rondelle squealed.

I think if you can’t afford it, you should look on.

Fuck you, J! This time her tone was loud and crisp. "I can afford it…it’s just fucking ridiculously priced is all I’m saying!" Rondelle had been awarded a nice sum of money for providing the story of her childhood to an author out of Georgia, so Jackie didn’t understand why she was being so tight.

Jackie flinched at the thought of her own grandmother’s life insurance policy thickening her account, of course at the request of her mother. But she was able to stop working and pay her credit card bills off, …a great start for adulthood, her counselor had said during a walk down the corridor of the Finance Building.

"If you think it’s overpriced Delle, why don’t you just look on…is all I’m saying. You always get so defensive." Jackie said defeated.

Sorry J. I thought you were thinking I’d want you to pay for it., Rondelle looked like you could have bought her for a nickel. Her eyes hung under her brows and a tiny smile formed at the corners of her mouth.

Yeah, well…now that you’ve got your own money, that shouldn’t be an issue anymore. Right?

Vasha approached slowly, having witnessed the exchange, she’d felt she may as well hang back until the storm had passed. There was always a storm between these two.

We ready?, Vasha sang lightly.

Rondelle looked up at Jackie to confirm that she was going to buy the jeans anyway and snatched them off the rack to try them on. Expensive ass bullshit! she spat.

Jackie rolled her eyes and nodded toward the checkout line.

The same sales clerk that was store stalking Vasha was behind the register. Did you ladies find everything you were looking for? she whined with a nasal backdrop. Her name tag read TASHA but she looked more like a Mildred. Her eyes sagged like she drank Vodka for breakfast and smoked cigarettes for dinner. The kind of look old man Willie had when he strode down King Drive on a Friday night before he’d meet up with the rest of the winos on the corner of 57th street. In front of Miss Marla’s liquor store in their old neighborhood. Where any underage derelict could get the drink of his choice for one dollar to the most available drunk.

Jackie wound up paying for Vasha’s items given she coincidentally couldn’t locate her credit card. Though she liked being able to do things for them, she would never let them know it. She knew they’d suck her dry. She was the sensible one. Somebody had to be able to cover things when one of them screwed up. Besides her own upbringing, this was the very reason she knew she never wanted children. She already had two.

When they hit the air, the scent of cinnamon and sugar filled their nostrils. They were so eager to shop the aroma didn’t quite permeate their senses when they’d initially arrived. Auntie Annie’s pretzel shop was half full with students and a few townies that were visibly irritated at the noise Brown University brought to their nice and wholesome town.

After devouring the pretzels before they even hit the escalator, they saw them. Seemed like no matter where they went, near or far, they would always see them. Shaun Zander, Victor Blaze, and Juan Morris.

When the girls decided they were all going to Brown, who showed up? When they were partying recklessly in South Beach, Miami, who showed up? They had only been acquaintances until sophomore year at Kenwood Academy in the afro-esteemed Hyde Park area. A young freshman misfit had taken a liking to Vasha and become enraged when she’d embarrassed him in the cafeteria line. Hitting her two times in the jaw. Shaun was clear across the room in 0.5 seconds to serve the boy with a knuckle sandwich and a tummy touch-up combination. Picking the boy up by his collar, he whispered in his ear ‘Gots to respect the ladies playa’. From that day forward they’d become inseparable. Guys knew if they messed with the girls, Shaun, Vic and Juan would be paying them a not-so-friendly visit. So that limited the boys at Kenwood giving the girls a hard time. Of course the females on the other hand were so catty, it was nothing for you to have to slap a chick before gym class, and so they definitely had their share of ‘girls only’ squabbles they had to handle.

Awww shit!, Shaun yelled. The diva set is preparing for the panty party, he sang while gyrating his waist.

Vic and Juan laughed out loud.

Ain’t nobody comin’ outta no panties!, Vasha snapped, much louder than Jackie would have preferred. The Kappas were well known for laying a few of the girls on campus down a time or two…or three.

"Well, I hope not for y’alls sake…because I hear some of ’em playin’ with fire. Burnin’ sistahs. I saw Michelle Hunches going into ole’ U Health Services the other day. And you know she messin’ with Jason.", Shaun nodded toward Vic.

Yup, Vic cosigned.

You need to stop hatin’ and get laid., Rondelle snarled.

Females slow you down baby… I could be a first round draft pick and ain’t no hoochie gon’ get knocked up by me so she can suck up half of my contract. I’m the one runnin’ reps all day, getting smashed by three hundred pound linebackers, Shaun high-fived Vic.

We need to go so we can get ready for the party, Jackie said glancing at her watch. She had become bored instantly, knowing Shaun could go on and on about the draft, skanks and money. Vasha picked up on Jackie’s hint and slowly began motioning toward the door.

See ya’ll tomorrow at my game, right?, Shaun asked. They all nodded, having not missed one single opportunity to be Shaun’s personal cheerleading squad. If there were only ten people in the bleachers, he knew five of them would be his friends.

Chapter 1

Shaun scanned the room to see if his crew was there. He spotted them all sitting in the third row from the back wearing nervous grins. He waved, looking equally as nervous. He knew that if he wasn’t picked first round that would kill his chances of playing for the Chicago Bears unless he was traded and that was highly unlikely with his impeccable record. Chicago had first round pick due to their star quarterback being injured at the end of last season causing them a major upset during the playoffs. And with Shaun’s stellar performances in high school and college, he was sure to be appreciated by any team. Nearly 8000 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns during his tenure at Brown was an impressive resume to say the least.

The stocky host walked slowly to the podium wearing a two-piece, grey Armani suit that complimented his salty gray hair. Before he could even breathe his first words, the cameras starting snapping. Every major news network was there for a long day of interviews that the drafts would now have to endure for the rest of their careers.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, today at this prestigious moment, the NFL is pleased to announce the 2016 NFL Draft.

The crowd cheered. Mostly comprised of family and friends, agents and potential managers looking for their piece of the pie.

First round lottery goes to the Chicago Bears…

On the huge 110 inch monitor on the wall behind him a picture of the Chicago Bears logo appeared. Shaun’s heart began to race, causing a tiny mist of sweat to gather at his freshly cut hairline. His left foot fretfully tapped against the flat carpet. Next to Shaun was Frank Gilliam, the junior quarterback from Iowa State University who was wringing his hands so tightly, they were white from the knuckles down.

A live telecast appeared on the screen. The Bears’ new Head Coach, John Grimson took position behind a microphone on a table.

The Chicago Bears pick…

You could wear the silence and intensity in the room like a cloak on a cold winter’s night.

Shaun Zander.

The crowd burst into excitement and Shaun sat paralyzed. His childhood days of dreaming of being drafted to the Bears were being realized.

He turned to look at his mother who sat directly behind him and stared without expression into her hazel eyes. Then his gaze shifted to his row of friends who were all beaming with pride. He smiled as he stood and floated to the stage. His acceptance sounded more like a confessional to be shared between him and his rabbi, Jackie thought wincing through it all.

A large, muscular man walked across the stage and donned Shaun with an official Bears cap to solidify his conquest. It felt as if he had just been inducted into the heavens. Tears streamed from his face uncontrollably, although he wore a smile wider than the Mississippi River. He was now the rookie Running Back for the Chicago Bears.

As Shaun exited the stage, Vic and Juan greeted him with heavy slaps on the back and complicated hand shakes that only they knew. Happier than ever that he would be able to stay in his home town, Shaun exhaled a sigh of relief.

Behind him Gloria Zander shifted her thick thighs to help adjust her new attitude. She had sacrificed far too much for Shaun, so this was definitely her payback. She had become a single mother to Shaun after his father was fatally shot during a liquor store robbery on the south side.

Gloria halfheartedly reached forward and stroked Shaun’s shoulder in a shoddy show of satisfaction.

He dared not turn to her again, fearing the sight of dollar signs bulging from her eye sockets. He knew she expected a full allowance and an up-front kick-back for her many years of ‘doing what she had to do to keep a roof over his head.’ He had already planned to sublease an apartment until he found a house and would set her up comfortably and as far away from him as possible. A lot of money would only increase the strain on their relationship he thought. So he would do what he needed to see that she was pleased with her new life. She had already given her manager two weeks notice the week before the draft.

When Shaun had arrived at O’Hare airport from Rhode Island, she quickly let him know of her intentions.

I put in for two weeks notice to my job Shaun.

She glared at him to see his reaction.

Shaun looked straight ahead onto the stretch of road on highway 94 East. He didn’t respond.

Did you hear me boy?, she pressed.

If that’s what you want Ma, you know I’m gonna take care of you., his eyes filling with water.

Shaun had always wished she were more like Juan’s mother, supportive and unexpecting of monetary gains due to her son’s success. Mrs. Morris was a ghetto June Cleaver, round and chunky from excessive servings of her own soul food she prepared every Sunday, when the boys came home on vacation, and all major holidays.

That’s all I need to know., she snapped.

She would go on that tirade all afternoon if he hadn’t conceded to her underlying request. He loved his mother for giving birth to him, but couldn’t remember one time when she coddled or held him in a nurturing way. Majoring in psychology was the only tool he had to explain why she was so stoic and emotionless compounded with the inherent issues he owned himself.

Once the draft was concluded, the group huddled to plan their next move.

The After Party is gonna be at the Ruby Room., Rondelle informed Shaun.

He nodded his approval and appreciation to Rondelle for hollering at an ex-booty friend who now owned the esteemed nightclub. Only high profiled individuals got the opportunity to see the inside walls of the establishment. Invite only by the rich and famous guests that privately leased the after hours spot for such celebrations.

I’ve got a surprise for you too., Vasha smiled and pinched Shaun on the abdomen that felt like a chiseled mountain underneath his stark white shirt. Slowly Shaun glanced up and down Vasha’s shapely body, deliberately stopping at her bustline that crept out of her cream colored halter dress.

You nasty fool, in your dreams!, Vasha spat slapping him on the chest.

They all laughed at her innocence.

How many people do you expect to be there Shaun?, Jackie rushed in before anybody else could steal his attention.

Just then a look of exasperation settled on Shaun’s face. You know the paparazzi is gonna be in the house, plus all these fools trying to be my agent. Why?

I just want to make sure you have space to breathe and take it all in., Jackie assured him. I’ll see to it that we have a private area with security to keep the vultures away., she added.

Just not the ladies…, Vic shouted and high-fived Juan. …we want them comin’ by the boatload. You know what I’m talkin’ bout playa?, he said while scanning the room. Shaun and the girls shook their heads at his hormonal outburst.

Gloria approached the group just as they were about to disperse. Hey y’all, she beamed.

Taken aback by her show of friendliness, they were silenced.

Vic stood closest to her and began circling his hips. You comin’ to the party to get your groove on Ms. Zander?, he asked playfully.

No, Victor, my partying days are over, but you kids have fun. She grazed her thumb across Shaun’s face and smiled lovingly. She walked off without another word, but wearing a very proud glow. Rondelle raised an eyebrow toward Jackie who purposely ignored her.

Shaun shuddered at the thought of his mother being anywhere with him publicly.

Ruby Room was designed for stars with extravagant taste. Brightly colored Bauhaus furniture sporadically placed throughout the expansive loft-like space just off the entrance. All three bars were stocked with anything money could buy, including the best selection of whites and reds, five hundred dollar bottles of champagne and cognac that ranged from eleven dollars to eleven hundred dollars a shot. The lights were perfectly dimmed, so you could make out the faces of passer-bys but not get caught staring.

He walked in wearing success like a full-length mink. The broadness of his shoulders and width of his neck spoke football, but his short stride and long gaze around the room indicated uncertainty. He could feel the two ladies to his left burning holes in his zipper. The one with the honey brown complexion leaned into her friend acting as if she’d lost her balance. He smiled and proceeded toward the bar.

What can I get for you?, the bartender asked, leaning forward exposing all but her pink nipples in his direction.

Vodka tonic please. The rumbling bass in his voice made her palms perspire.

While mixing his drink, she couldn’t help but notice him scanning the room. You here to hang out with the draft picks?, she nosily probed.

Something like that., he smiled again, this time revealing a double-dimple beneath his right eye. A trick he’d learned to do in high school to make the girls go crazy.

Attractive black men came in there often but rarely was one as fine as this one, she thought. He stood at least 6'6" with a raring tightness to every curve in his body. His skin tone looked as if someone had stolen a truckload of Werther’s caramel bites and melted them down to create that glorious color. She wondered if he tasted as good as he looked. He paid for his drink and headed to the dance floor. Her eyes followed.

The curved, brick-red sofa facing the doorway was perfect. He sat alone massaging his glass, watching bourgeoisie people pass by until their eyes finally found each other. He smiled, this time wider and more sincere.

You make me sound like a basket case, J.

Nobody needed to know your father died and the only male role model you had was Coach Thomas!, Jackie half-slurred since the third martini had settled comfortably into her speech pattern.

The security guards she had arranged for had been replaced by two massive body guards, offered complimentary by a budding sports agent, Joe Guff. Shaun appreciated the fact that he didn’t try to spend the rest of the evening talking about his future. He’d simply given Shaun his business card, escorted the body guards to the Reserved Section and left them to their conversations.

What else was I supposed to say?…Thank you for coming out, God bless and goodnight! Shaun mocked Russell Simmons and his nights of bidding farewell on Def Comedy Jam.

It was just too personal to me., Jackie said matter-of-factly.

Well too personal for Jacqueline Mays is also hugging, so don’t pay her no attention., Rondelle added. I thought it was sweet.

The haze of liquor and loud talking didn’t allow them to notice him when he walked up. Victor Blaze stood there gleaming with a