This Way Out

By Lee Jen

The book in no way depicts or entail the life or lives of anyone known to the author. It is totally fiction mixed with a great imagination. Dana and family embark on a life of misery and unjust encounters as they travel through life. Life becomes unbelievable for the four as they run for cover and find more misery. Travel with them from beginning to end. Learn how it feels to have true friends and family members who envy your very gut. Enjoy the feeling of resolution and learn the true meaning of exposure.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Oct 31, 2019
• ISBN: 9781728334479

Lee Jen

Coming from a small town in NC and years of travel within the US and out, meeting people from all walks of life, diverse cultural and spiritual backgrounds plus a great imagination led her to writing this book and proving a college professor was correct, who told her writing should be her major. She allows her imagination to run wild with what if; how could ; this be more interesting or intriguing.

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© 2019 Jennette Spears. 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.

Published by AuthorHouse 10/31/2019

ISBN: 978-1-7283-3448-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-3447-9 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Interior Graphics/Art Credit: Lee

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

Chapter 1 The Threat

Chapter 2 Dignity

Chapter 3 The Plan

Chapter 4 The Voice

Chapter 5 Peace of Mind

Chapter 6 Mercy

Chapter 7 The Day

Chapter 8 UM

About the Author

Dedicated to J. C. S. Manager and Love of My Life

Editor, Publicist, Advisor and Cousin, Yvonne Parker Curry Thomas

My Loving Aunt Shirley Tillman, A Driving Force in My Life

The Ballard, Elliott and Spears Family

Thanks for your encouragement and support

CHAPTER 1

THE THREAT

Dana sat on the side of the old rusty iron twin bed looking at people gathered in the streets below. The sun hiding behind the tall buildings made the day seem gray and gloomy. She looked through the dirty stained windows that remained closed even though it was a warm summer morning. Her thought was to open them, but she did not want to smell the stench that was in the air making its way up to the fifth floor of the apartment. A sudden flip flop sound made its way through her room. Breaking her thought was none other than her green-eyed twin brother Perry. She became furious and screamed, get out of my room! Perry being the younger of the twins said, I was wondering why it was so quiet in here. She replied, "no you were just being nosey, now get out! After ridding herself of her brother she gathered her thoughts. She was at a point in her young life when seeing a crowd gathered in the streets didn’t excite her because she knew someone was dead, shot, stabbed, raped or something worse. Either way she was not excited in the business of the streets. It was a part of everyday life and she really did not feel like smelling or seeing anything unpleasant this day. Dana laughed to herself thinking what a joke. Every day something is happening around here so why would the day be any different.

At twelve years old Dana had been exposed to things that others her age never imagined existed or ever dreamed about. At night she heard the things that went on in the apartment. If she wanted to and was careful she could have a front row seat to watch it all. Yet she never focused on such because her Mom for what it was worth deserved her respect. Her thoughts were often of only one thing which was having a better and more rewarding life. One better than the one her mother had carved out for her. No, she wouldn’t settle for anything else. After they were in bed she would hear the front door open time after time throughout the night. She was young but absolutely no fool as to what was going on. Never did she say a word to her mother about it but she always wondered why she did those things. What she did know is that this lifestyle would never be for her no matter what. Suddenly, a noise coming from the other room got Dana’s attention. Oh no! Another fight between Mama and that detestable jerk she calls her man. They came rolling into her room tearing down the curtain that had taken the place of Dana’s door. Books and other personal items that she cherished went flying all over the place. This event seemed as if it was recurrent around her Mom’s payday or after a busy night. Week after week there was always some disagreement between those two. Dana wished that her Mom would get rid of that trashy poor excuse of a man. She wondered is this what’s called love or a relationship? If so, then she knew that would not be a part of her future. Not only that her Mom is a lot classier than hooking up with someone like this. The loud chaos brought Dana back to reality and she yelled out her Mom’s name. Doing so got their attention. Mama are you alright!!!!!? Stop it! Stop it! Leave my Mama alone! Dana jumped up and grabbed what was left of her favorite lamp which was now broken into little pieces. So she finished busting the lamp into more pieces over Larry’s head. Anne jumped up as Larry started to react and screamed, don’t you even think about hitting my child!!!" He heard her briefly feeling a chill come over him from the look she had in her eyes. That look was that of a killer.

He was looking for words to say and finally stuttered out, you get bold and bad with it comes to your brats. I’ll show you just how bold and bad I am when it comes to this crumb snatcher Dana. He stumbled out of the apartment perhaps from the lump Dana left on his head. As he exited the door he turned around with such an evil look at Dana and said, I’ll have the last lick here. Dana snapped back, "well, you just try it scum bag!

Mama, what did he mean!!? Don’t worry about him Dana. Anne promised I’ll handle Larry he is not going to do anything to you or the boys. You are my babies and I will always protect you and do anything I must for all of us to survive. Anyway, put all this behind you and get ready for school. Your focus should be on your tests today not on my problems, trials and tribulations, ok. Ok, but Mama promise me that you will get rid of him, he is bad news for you and us too, Dana said. Anne had promised that she will rid them all of Larry. She didn’t know how at the moment but she would.

Dana went on to say he scares me Mama I believe him. I don’t understand why you keep letting him take your money. He should get his own job and leave us alone. I don’t understand why you continue to love someone who disrespect you right in front of us? Why do you need him? Dana was shaking and crying as she looked her Mom in the face, why Mama, why? Don’t we give you enough love? Give us the love you have for him and there will not be enough love to go around and maybe he will go away. Anne saw the pain, hurt and fear in her child’s face. She too began to cry. Lovingly she said, I promise you sweetheart that soon he will be out of our lives. There is only enough love in this house and my heart for the three of you. As she hugged Dana uncontrollable tears rolled down her face. She whispered, nobody is going to take the love I have for you, nobody. It will always be the four of us yet I closed my eyes just for a moment and something came in and is causing a torn relationship with my family. Never had she wanted the kids to have an inkling of what she did. It started out with her taking care of her business away from the house then suddenly business spilled into her house. No one asked her anything however, one day Larry knocked on her door, walked in, introduced her to the first customer and it never stopped. It has to stop and she must find a way to stop it. The kids had seen her with black eyes, swollen lips and jaws and she would always say don’t worry about it. Anne knew the children were afraid of Larry. To be honest so was she. Dana’s words played on her mind when she noticed the clock. My gracious I can’t believe it is 6:30 in the morning. She felt as if it had been a full 12-hour day. Anne yelled to Dana. you better get a move on if you miss the bus you will all be walking to school this day. She could not get Dana’s words out of her mind. The child was right he is bad news. After all he is the one who got her thinking this so-called fast money was a breeze. Boy this has been a joke. Grandma was right when she said fast money only had two ends the graveyard or the jailhouse. She thought thus far I have managed to dodge jail. However, at the rate I am going now the graveyard didn’t look that far off. She knew the kids did not know exactly what she was doing but Dana was getting old enough to figure it out. She’s smart and before long 2 + 2 will equal 4. Even the twins were old enough to know maid work did not leave one black and blue. The kids were growing up and Anne was very proud of their progress. Sooner or later changes must be made to support their efforts. At no time in their lives did she want to bring shame to them. The twins were involved in sports and Dana was in everything she could possibly be in. Who knows maybe she will win a scholarship and get in an Ivy League College? Something she could have done had someone not decided to change her life for good. That thought always gave her a lot of heartache and many angry and tearful nights.

Soon a knock on the door would start her day. She had to get the kids on their merry way to school. She said, let’s get rolling kids! What’s taking you so long? Dana displaying her frustration yelled back at Anne saying, kind of hard to get rolling with my room torn up. I can’t find half of my stuff and I am worried that thug is coming back to fight you again Mama. I can’t believe how stupid you get when it comes to him. You continue to make excuses for him and anybody can see that he is the world’s worst jerk. Anne said, wait a minute Dana you watch how you talk to me! No matter what goes on you will show me respect as long as you’re in this house! Dana slowly answered, yes Mama. Under her breath Dana whispered, don’t matter I won’t be in this house as long you think. She thought just wait as soon as I am old enough to go, I am gone. Yep, outta here buddy and ain’t gonna look back. Anne walked up behind Dana and quietly said, did you have something else to say to me young lady? Yes! I do she said. Did you not hear what that jerk said about the last lick? You don’t have to be a genius to know that he means business Mama. We are all afraid of him and you should be scared too. I may be young but I’m no fool and I see that he makes you do things that you don’t want to do. How long are you going to put up with him? Anne asked, what are you talking about Dana what things? She quickly searched her mind checking to see where Dana might have gotten this thought. Lord knows she is always careful and never try to do anything when the kids are around or awake. Dana left Anne with the thought that she had not been careful enough. Anne played as if she knew absolutely nothing about what Dana was saying. Dana what are you talking about? Mama I hear you at night begging him to quit hurting you. I’m not stupid nor do I be asleep. I know enough about the birds and bees to know what’s up. Anne said, look you mind your business and don’t worry about me and Larry. I know how to deal with him and I promise you I’m going to do all I can to get him out of our lives. Perhaps we will pack up and move out of this city. Regardless, I PROMISE he is getting out of our lives." Dana looked at her Mom with belief and disbelief. Dana had the hope of this promise coming true before that jerk carry out his threats. She knew deep down in her heart that one day he would try to hurt her Mom badly or worse her and the twins. She felt this way because he continues to threaten them time after time. She remembers when he gave her Mama a black eye and a fat lip. That will never happen again as long as she lives regardless of how her mother demands her to mind her business. Threatening me won’t mean a bag of beans as far as I’m concerned she thought. We may end up in child protective services but we won’t be scared to go to sleep at night. Who knows and who cares I want that dirt bag of a jerk out of our lives, reasoned Dana. She had her mind made up to call the police if he ever laid his hands on her Mom again.

Before Dana and the boys could reach the bus stop Anne drifted back to Dana’s words when interrupted by a loud knock. That knock was a fearsome sound because she knew what was behind it. Oh well she thought here goes. As she slowly opened the door waving Dave inside he pushed her. You know Anne I don’t like your attitude. I didn’t like it last time and I like it even less today. Don’t ever act as if you’re not happy to see me. What do you want me to do Dave? "I want you to act as if that $500 advance I gave you was worth