A BAG OF DIAMONDS AND MARBLES

By C. Yusef Wells

A Bag of Diamonds and Marbles is a treasure of intriguing fictional short stories gleaned from factual events of urban folklore and tales. Each story will entertain, educate, and humor readers. Some may even be moved to measure the imbalance of monetary differences and indifference. From life's simple joys to its extrav

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shakeer Publishing
• Release date: Aug 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9798218067434

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Copyright 2022 by C. Yusef Wells

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotation in a book review.

First printing, 2022

Printed in the United States of America

Shakeer Publishing

Email | [e-mail]

www.shakpub.com

This book is dedicated to nephew Abu Silk and all who are vocal or silent as they suffer the pain and adversity of cancer and others with chronic illnesses.

We will test you in fear, hunger, loss of wealth, life, & fruit. But give glad tidings to the patient. – Sura 2:155

A Special Tribute To:

The One Creator of All the Worlds. My family, the Moss’s, my brothers and sisters on the deen, my extended family of Slauson’s, and all incarcerated brothers and sisters who remain firm and fortified in mind. Also, Bobby Poole, Yu-Yu, The Gilton’s, Kumasi, Myla Twillie, Tucker, Kahlid Shaw, Poppa Shaw, Bird, Safi, Musa, Brother Dahmu, Mika, my Lakeysha Pack, Trina, Bill and Devon, Donald Bakeer, Mubarak, H. Mack, Muhammad Abdula, The Taylors, TeErra Johnson, Kartoom, Mujahid, Bilal, Amir, Boss, Tootsie, Red and Lafayette, Alexander Folks, Joe Lewis, Hafiz, the Choctaws, my Sisters of Slauson, Peaches, Davetta, Margaret, Lorrain, KiKi, Batani Khalfani, and the rest of those in my heart.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, locals, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead and actual events are purely coincidental.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: THE PROFESSOR AND THE OWL

CHAPTER 2: HERE’S TO KENNY…HERE’S TO LIFE

CHAPTER 3: DIAMOND SHORTY

CHAPTER 4: CAMP FOUR

CHAPTER 5: MR. WILLIE

CHAPTER 6: MIDNIGHT REUNION

CHAPTER 7: QUINCY’S EVOLUTION

CHAPTER 8: STELLA THE STARLIGHT

CHAPTER 9: SHORTY BLUE A GHETTO FOLK LEGEND

Chapter 1

THE PROFESSOR AND THE OWL

No pressure, no diamonds – Thomas Carlyle

After a fun-filled day of shopping and a superb all you can eat buffet, Professor Xavier Norris, his three-months pregnant wife Lorraine, and four-year-old son Joshua buckled down in their family utility vehicle and headed home. They were totally unaware that their outing would soon morph into a horrific nightmare.

The professor merged onto the highway and maneuvered his way into the fast lane. Roughly five minutes into their drive, and suddenly, red hazard lights flashed and startled him. Frantically the professor hit the breaks to avoid a wreck as he extended his arm across his wife’s body to avoid her hitting the dashboard. Brakes screeched and rubber burned. Lorraine held her stomach and screamed his name. A speeding truck behind them slammed into their vehicle with deadly force, crushing them into the car ahead. Everything went blank on impact and the professor lost consciousness.

He was revived by the long, cold, stainless-steel table that his naked body laid on. Slowly, he squinted his eyes to see where he was. He could barely see the silhouette of an overhead light fixture. He grabbed the cloth covering and flung it to the concrete floor and began to shiver, as he raised his torso into a sitting position with the aid of his hands and arms. He saw other sheet-covered bodies on similar tables in the icebox room. He gasped, then screamed when he saw a tag on his big toe. He then passed-out again. Hospital staff rushed into the basement morgue and froze in shock and disbelief.

Several days later the professor woke to a warm hospital bed. Another patient in the room spoke softly, Hey fellow, welcome back. For the past few nights, you were screaming and mumbling to yourself. Good to see you come around. Just then a doctor entered the room and introduced himself. Good morning Mr. Norris, my name is Doctor Hansen, myself and staff will preside over your recovery to the best of our ability. The professor acknowledged him with a handshake and asked, What happened? The doctor continued, You went into shock and fell into a coma. When first responders arrived, they couldn’t detect a heartbeat and pronounced you dead upon arrival and placed you in the morgue. It is a miracle that you are alive. The nurses were stunned and had to take the rest of their shifts off. Where is my wife and son? he demanded. Slowly, the doctor placed the palm of his hand on his shoulder and answered, With deep regret and sorrow I must tell you that both expired. You were the only survivor. No! This can’t be real the professor screamed. Tears flooded his eyes and poured down his face. His heart dropped and fell straight through the concrete floor. Doctor Hansen explained, Your vehicle was sandwiched between the stalled car in front of you and the speeding truck that slammed into your rear. Mr. Norris shouted hysterically, Where are they? I must see them. Why it couldn’t have been just me?" He stood up and his knees buckled, and he fell to the floor. The doctor had a nurse come in and sedate him. Two attendants followed and placed him on his bed.

The next day Dr. Hansen re-appeared and spoke to him, "Hello, Mr. Norris, I know you are an accomplished professor of political science, and you lecture at State College. But I want to refer you to our staff psychologist, Dr. Lee. You have suffered an enormous amount of distress and I believe therapy sessions will aid in your recovery. You are both enlightened men and I’m sure it