Mirror

By Alonzo Burrell

Life is full of surprises. For Daniel Tucker, this cliché is an understatement. Daniel always tried to do the right things in life. Sometimes, life simply is not fair. This is a story about love, pain and the overcoming of an unfortunate life event. Sometimes, you have to see yourself in order to improve yourself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9781796038781

Alonzo Burrell

Alonzo Burrell was born and raised on the west side of Chicago. When he was a student at Suder Elementary School, the great Gwendolyn Brookes visited the school and encouraged the children at the school to write; this sparked Alonzo’s interest in becoming a writer. Alonzo Burrell has a journalism background. He once wrote for Modern Healthcare Magazine, Chicago. He is a healthcare professional that like to write short stories on subjects ranging from controversial issues to fiction. Mirror is based on a true story of a friend.

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Copyright © 2020 by Alonzo Burrell.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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.

Rev. date: 06/04/2019

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Contents

Chapter 1    The Start

Chapter 2    Fate

Chapter 3    The New World

Chapter 4    Insanity

Chapter 5    The Trip

Chapter 6    The Awakening

Chapter 7    The Healing

Plot

Life is full of surprises. For Daniel Tucker, this cliché is an understatement. Daniel always tried to do the right things in life. Sometimes, life simply is not fair. This is a story about love, pain, and the overcoming of an unfortunate life event. Sometimes, you have to see yourself in order to improve yourself.

CHAPTER 1

The Start

T he music was loud, and everyone was having a good time. Bob J was the DJ at the R2 Underground (a nightclub located on lower Wabash Drive in Chicago). People from across the country would come to the Underground just to hear the creator of house music make history with his wizardry way of making records say things out of the ordinary. Daniel loved house music. He would dress up in the latest house fashion and go to the Underground just to dance and sweat in his clothes.

One evening while driving past the Underground, Daniel noticed a huge crowd outside the club. He had not made plans to go that night, but out of curiosity, he decided to go and find out what all the hoopla was all about. He went home, changed into his latest purchase of house gear, and headed out to the Underground. Once he paid to get in the club, he noticed a large sign hanging from the ceiling over the dance floor. The sign read House Marathon 2. Later, Daniel realized the house marathon was an event that would last for twenty four hours. That meant nonstop music and dancing in the club that night. Daniel had heard about house-athons, but he had never been to one.

After being in the club for one hour, Daniel noticed a girl sitting near the DJ booth. He walked over to her and introduced himself. She said her name was Peggy and that she frequented the Underground often. Daniel thought to himself, I have been here several times.I never saw her in here before. Daniel asked Peggy for a dance. After they danced, Peggy and Daniel spent most of the night at the Underground talking. They exchanged phone numbers and parted.

The next day, he received a call from Peggy. She asked him if he planned anything for the day. Daniel stated he had nothing planned. It was a Friday, and Daniel usually relaxed at home with his grandmother on Fridays. This particular Friday night, Daniel decided to break the monotony of staying home on Fridays.

Daniel his grandmother yelled. I just got a chill, as if someone has stepped on my grave. Daniel’s grandmother was from Mississippi. She always claimed to have a supernatural gift. This was something that Daniel never accepted coming from his grandmother.

Here, Daniel, take this cross with you just in case. I have a bad feeling tonight!

Okay, Grandma. I will take the cross with me. I won’t have any use for it.

Where are you going tonight, Danny?

Grandma, I will be okay! I am eighteen years old! I will be fine. Do not worry! I do not need another lecture about some girl having my nose opened. If you must know, her name is Peggy.

Where did you meet her?

I met her at the dance club.

That is not good, Danny! You need to go to church and hitch up with a girl who has reverence for the Lord.

Maybe someday I will. But tonight, I’m dating a star!

Daniel’s grandmother looked him deeply in the eyes that night. He noticed tears in her eyes. He had never seen this in his grandmother’s eyes before. It frightened him. She said, Daniel, never forget what I have taught you since you were knee-high to me. Walk in faith. Always be truthful and honest with yourself. Love yourself, and that love will shine on others. Never accept second best. Go for the cream of the crop. Never forget my teachings, and remember to have reverence for the Lord.

Not wanting to hear any more of his grandmother’s lecture, Daniel kissed his grandmother on the cheek and exited quietly. During the drive to Peggy’s place, Daniel thought about the lecture his grandmother bestowed upon him. The thought of the lecture dampened his spirit for partying that night.

He finally made it to Peggy’s place. She was glad to see him. Peggy introduced Daniel to her family. This was a surprise for him. He only expected to drive up and proceed to the R2 Underground. Instead, Daniel and Peggy ended up talking with her family for what seemed like hours. After the long-drawn-out visit with Peggy’s family, Daniel decided that they were better off not going to the Underground. He was tired. The lecture his grandmother gave him crept into his consciousness often that night. Instead, the two decided to go out for dinner. Once they arrived at the restaurant, Peggy and Daniel began exchanging their family histories.

Daniel began by explaining to Peggy why his grandmother raised him. Daniel was one of eight siblings. His father was an alcoholic who never spent time with him. His father, while in a drunken state, would beat him with anything he could put his hands on. He would curse at Daniel. One evening, his father came home after drinking and summoned Daniel to come to him. When Daniel approached his father, his father asked him to stand up in the kitchen until morning. Daniel, upset at the order asked, Why? What did I do?

Without explanation, Daniel’s father hit