Unforgiven Pieces of Love

By Travis Boo Perry

When dramatic changes and chaos occur in Avery 'Big A' DeVaughn's life, everything that he tries to attempt to do to remedy his situation backfires. The greatest gift God can give a man (Love) is tested beyond reason for Nicole Branch, the love of his life, which he's stuck between his woman's worth and the love he has for the streets of Houston, TX.

Explanation will become evident for the events that lead him behind prison gates, but the wisdom from an unknown friend and the guidance from his dead father's hands, pull at him to continue the course he was conditioned to complete. Avery's first mistake could be his last one, Love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781984581310

Travis Boo Perry

Travis 'Boo' Perry is currently incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. He has not allowed his current circumstances nor his past faults to determine his worth, but has hardships as a indicator to navigate through life's struggle. He has also been fighting for his freedom in which he was accused of a crime he didn't commit. He is currently working on a novel, "When Words Are Worthless".

Book preview

THE MOVIE YOU

MUST READ

Cursed is the ground for your sake. In toil, you shall eat of it all the days of your life.

— Genesis 3:16

Life is a continual war, fought one painstaking battle at a time. Each new venture ushers in more problems than there seem to be solutions. Even peace must come through the barrel of a gun. The display of power through the potential of violence creates the space for love, law, and order.

Competition is a thinly veiled line between fighting and camaraderie. When life imitates art, man and woman are forced on life’s grand stage to perform—unscripted, unbounded.

Throw love into the equation, and one creates a recipe as volatile as uranium. Each unforgiven piece of love culminates into an atomic mixture that could destroy two fragile lives or inseparably bond them. Ultimately, the greatest test will be the internal forces that bind them.

Will they endure?

1

October 12, 1995

S O WHAT YOU gonna do? Avery said with frustration and hatred in his eyes. I’m for real ’cause ain’t nobody going to kill my baby, Nicole!

I’m having this baby, Avery. I-it’s just my daddy, Nicole replied, unsure of the outcome. He . . .

"What about him? Avery barked angrily. Either he’s with us or he’s against us. Because I ain’t trying to hear nothing, especially about some abortion bullshit!"

Avery, I’m only fifteen! Nicole yelled back.

"I don’t care!"

Besides, I’m older than you. How are we gonna do this without our parents?

We’re going to do this.

Avery Big A DeVaughn was a devious child, but he had the soul of a Maasai warrior and the ambition of a person who wouldn’t give up. By any means, he was destined to reach beyond the stars, even when life seemed to surround him with problems.

Avery was faced with more hardships at the age of fourteen than most men twice his age. They say we are living art, created to hang on, fight for what we believe in, stand up, forbear, and love hard. This is just what Avery was taught by his mother and the mean streets of Houston.

Avery and his elder brother were raised by a single mother in Acres Homes, one of the roughest neighborhoods on Houston’s north side, after their father’s disappearance. Their mother’s wisdom and life on the streets were all he knew.

Experiences sometimes come with steep prices. Growing up fatherless, he never knew his real father, just the stories he had heard about him on the streets. When Avery was two years old, his father had been killed over an underhanded dice game. It was designed for him not to win.

Avery’s father, Willie DeVaughn, was the hustler of all hustlers. To his family, he was Willie DeVaughn, a loving father, but on the streets, he was known as Willie Gunz. Throughout the rural streets of Houston, Texas, he had built himself a reputation as a killer. Willie Gunz didn’t have a problem with putting in any work to men who deserved it. Wherever he went, he definitely demanded respect. He was so feared until dudes kind of stayed out of his way.

He didn’t mind getting handy with the steel if it came down to it. We all know that when God had made one killer, He made another one of his kind. It’s always someone on the streets who’s always willing to test a man’s gangster.

What people tend not to understand is that even the strongest men in the world have weaknesses, and Willie Gunz’s weakness was gambling. Sometimes he won big and lost even bigger until one day it happened upon his biggest loss—his life.

The game for Willie Gunz was officially over. His foes had set him up to be killed.

Sad to say, Janice had suffered a loss as well because even though Willie Gunz had lived the street life, he still took care of his business as far as home went. Even though times seemed to get hard for her from time to time, Janice always made it look like the impossible looked easy. As Avery and Nicole made their way up Hidden Valley Street, en route from her parents’ house, Avery began to replay the scene with his mother and brother earlier.

*     *     *

Ms. Janice, I’m pregnant, Nicole whispered between sniffles.

Simon nearly choked on the fried chicken that Janice had prepared for dinner, which he was now stuffing his face with, but judging from her facial expression, Janice didn’t seem the least bit surprised by Nicole’s sudden comment.

She calmly replied, Straighten your face, hold your head up, and talk to me like a woman. Janice couldn’t help it and started shaking her head, feeling somewhat sorry for Nicole.Because that’s what you’re going to have to be now—a woman.

What Janice had said stunned everyone in the room. Avery was sure his mother would lose it, but her wishy-washy behavior at this moment really scared the hell out of him.

Nicole, Avery. She paused. Y’all ready for a baby?

Avery thought about it for a few seconds before he revealed what was on his mind and what was deeply embedded in his heart. Momma, I ain’t killing my baby, Avery spat out.

You damn right you’re not killing this child! Janice shot back. So get that shit outta yo’ head. While staring at her son, she began speaking to Nicole. Nicole, have you talked to your parents yet?

No, ma’am escaped Nicole’s trembling lips. We’re about to go talk to them after we leave from here.

OMG. Janice sighed. Y’all kids! With the concerned look of a loving mother, now soon-to-be grandmother, she said, "Listen to me, both of y’all. Whatever you two decides to do, I’m here for y’all." Honestly, it still didn’t change the way she thought about the situation at hand. She was now looking at Avery like What are you going to do? Avery! she called.

Yes, ma’am, Avery answered.

I’m here, and you know that already, but you gotta be a man now. She was looking into her son’s big brown eyes. You’re just as much responsible as this girl is, you hear me?

I know, he replied, uncertain about what the world was about to bring for him and Nicole. Nothing was all he could say at this moment.

Whatever you do in life, son, always be a man about it. Now go on, and go break the news to Nicole’s folks, Janice ordered.

Yes, ma’am, Avery uttered with a very heavy heart. He was snapped out of his irrational frame of mind by Nicole’s chagrined voice. Avery, my daddy is gonna trip.

I know was all he could say.

I mean, he’s really going to trip, Avery. He don’t even like you, for one. Nicole tried sounding convincing.

I know, Nicole! Avery snapped, irritated. I know.

*     *     *

The cool silence embedded their lost souls as they made their way up the steps to Nicole’s brick home. Nicole Branch was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Branch. Regina and Clifford owned a chain of jewelry stores, so the Branch family was living very comfortably. They loved their daughter dearly and made sure that she received the best of everything and whatever else her little heart desired.

She was definitely Daddy’s little girl as long as she did well in school. Cliff, an ex-marine, believe that no hoodlum was good enough for his daughter, just like every other concerned father. He scowled every time Avery called their house. Being the type of man he was, he never allowed Nicole to go on dates with him. It went with without saying that Avery was never invited into their home, but Regina, Clifford’s wife, always insisted that he should let her have this boy as a friend and highly recommended putting a little trust in their daughter. Cliff gave the situation a chance, but he never let Avery into his home—well, until today.

Before Nicole turned the knob on her parents’ door, Avery grabbed her hand.

Looking deeply into her eyes, speaking in a voice that let her know his love for her ran deep, Avery said,Listen baby, I don’t care who’s for us or who’s against us. The only thing that matters to me is us. You feel me?

Nicole searched his eyes, finding sincerity in them. She answered, Yes, I understand, baby. I feel the same way, but it’s—

"But what? Avery interrupted. Ain’t no buts. I’m your man. I got you."

Avery, you’re fourteen, she pleaded.

So? I got you, goddammit! Let’s go with it!

2

A VERY COULD FEEL their eyes going right through him. Respectfully but more out of fear than any claim to honor, Avery looked at the wall, finding his attention settling on the grandfather clock in the corner. He unconsciously noted the time—1:35 p.m.

Regina couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She threw her hands up, and through tears borne of exasperation, she cried, Oooh, my baby! What have you done?

Nicole started to cry as she squeezed Avery’s hand in hers.

Baby, you’re not ready to be a mother. Think about your future, Regina pleaded, weeping.

Nicole barely understood the words her mother spoke. She, just like Avery, was anticipating her father’s reaction. So far, he had not said a word. He just stared at the both of them with a look so menacing that it sent chills through Nicole and Avery. Both of them were scared to death.

Her mother continued, We’ll get an abortion and—

"No!" Avery and Nicole yelled in unison.

With that, hearing the voices of Avery and Nicole was what awakened the monster whom she called her father. The hell you aren’t! Cliff yelled.

"Daddy!" Nicole was crying, begging for her father to just understand.

‘Daddy,’ my ass. You’ve done enough already, young lady, deciding for yourself! Furious beyond reason, Cliff bellowed, I will not let you destroy your life along with this . . . thug!

Avery locked eyes with Cliff. Who this nigga think he’s talking to? he thought. Cliff was enthusiastically enraged—frustrated, bewildered, insane—while Avery held his stare without even flinching.

Cliff felt somewhat defeated as he continued, "I don’t want you seeing this piece of shit ever again. Now go to your room, and—Mr. Branch, ain’t—" Avery intervened.

"What, boy?" Cliff shot back.

This rubbed Avery extremely the wrong way. Deep down inside, Avery felt like Cliff was testing his manhood. At the very moment, he thought about what Janice had told him. Always be a man about it. Ain’t no-muthafuckin’-body killin’ my baby. We don’t need you. We don’t want your approval. This show will go on with or without you!

Get the fuck out of my house! Cliff yelled aggressively.

Wait a minute, Cliff. We— Regina suggested but was immediately cut off by Cliff.

‘Wait,’ my ass. He better leave before I put him out!

Daddy, I love him, and if he leaves, I’m leaving too.

Oh, really? Cliff said so cold-heartedly.

There was silence among them until the deep voice of the monster spoke.

Bye, and remember, you wanted to be grown.

3

Two years later . . .

H EY, LI’L AVERY. How my baby been? Nicole cooed.

Mama, I good, Li’l Avery Jr. expressed, hugging his mother.

Thanks, Siovan, girl. I’m so tired. I am telling you, girl, I need to get off my damn feet, Nicole complained.

Siovan, Avery’s cousin, stayed in section two of Nicole’s apartment complex and often babysat Li’l Avery while Nicole went to work and school.

It’s nothing, girl, even though that big-headed-ass baby daddy of yours always talkin’ shit. I’mma start cussin’ his ass out when he come through here with that nonsense.

They shared a laugh.

He do think he run shit, don’t he? Nicole agreed.

Girl, hell yeah!

Nicole was bashfully shaking her head while reminiscing about the past.

Your baby’s daddy done started smelling his piss, huh, girl? I use to changed that boy’s shitty-ass diapers, Siovan went on, laughing at her own joke. And now his son’s and his ass wanna sass me. I love that knucklehead though.

Nicole was thinking about all the things that she and Avery had accomplished. She couldn’t do anything but smile. Me too, Nicole whispered softly, snapping back to reality. All right, girl, you take care, and thanks again, she said gratefully as she and Li’l Avery exited the apartment.

A lot had changed since that perplexing, indecisive, helpless day two years ago at Nicole’s parents’ house, but as they say, God is good. Defiance through the grace of God life hadn’t been so bad for the young couple.

Taking after her mother’s beauty, Nicole had blossomed into a very beautiful young woman. She stood at five-foot-seven and was a nice, healthy 138 pounds. Her honey-brown hair complimented her honey-brown complexion and hazel eyes.

She was the spitting image of her mother. Her body was fully developed, courtesy of Avery DeVaughn Jr.—confectionary rounded breasts, flat stomach, petite waist, and a full mound of ass. Some men couldn’t help just staring at the way her shapely legs supported her apple bottom. It made her look like an Amazon.

She knew she had been blessed with the body of a black goddess because she never worked out or participated in sports of any kind. It could’ve been from chasing Li’l Avery all day or from going to work and school. Whatever the reason, it made Nicole a brick house.

Still in her Popeye’s Chicken uniform, Nicole made her way through the apartment complex with Li’l Avery in tow. She scanned the faces of those who were hanging out. These were mostly drug dealers and so-called divas. She hoped to see Avery among the crowd but was sadly disappointed. She hated these dudes in Coppertree and was too tired to deal with their stares and obscene remarks tonight. Coppertree Apartments was a government project comprising housing units that were considered to be section eight apartments in Acres Homes.

After walking out and falling out with Nicole’s father, Avery had to become the breadwinner and the man of the house. Avery’s brother, Simon, started fronting him five ounces of pure cocaine, and with any cost, Avery got right down to business. Shortly after little Avery was born, Avery’s brother and mother hooked him up with the manager of Coppertree, Clara, a drug addict and close friend of Janice. The fact that Clara went to school with Janice and occasionally smoked crack got Avery and Nicole their first apartment.

Hustle or go home was Avery’s motto on the streets. His heart was like a raging pit bull, but his education was low. Avery abandoned school but encouraged Nicole to pursue her dreams. She was now a senior at Aldine High School. Siovan, Avery’s cousin, helped her get the job at a Popeye’s Chicken that was located on West Mount Houston and Veterans Memorial. The location was convenient enough for Nicole. Plus, she had a loyal babysitter in Siovan and sometimes Ms. Janice. Although at that point, things seemed as if they wouldn’t turn out for the good. Avery’s hustle was profitable, and the checks Nicole made from work