If Tomorrow Comes: Volume, #1

By C.L. Denmark

For DiCarlo, family is everything. After losing his mother and sister to violence at a young age, DiCarlo yearns for a family of his own. And then along comes Cassandra. After falling in love and marrying Cassandra, DiCarlo knew that it was only a matter of time before he would have a child of his own. But then tragedy strikes. In the blink of an eye, DiCarlo and Cassandra's lives will be forever altered. Life finally comes full circle for DiCarlo when he finds out what really happened to his mother and sister on that fateful night so many years ago.

• Language: English
• Publisher: C.L. Denmark
• Release date: Sep 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393959243

Book preview

Book Title: If Tomorrow Comes

Written By: C.L. Denmark

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Chapter 1

I know you got that gas, Cuz, Black said to his cousin DiCarlo. And you know this mannnnn! said DiCarlo as the cousins began to laugh simultaneously. Come through a little later, I already got some cigars too, said DiCarlo as he headed for home. Hello, said DiCarlo as he answered his cell phone. Help us, big brother! Somebody broke into our house. They’re trying to tie Mama up. Hurry... DiCarlo's baby sister’s voice trailed off. Get off that phone lil bitch, said a distinct voice unfamiliar to DiCarlo. Black! Let’s go. Somebody is robbing the house. Because of his long legs and long strides, it seemed as if DiCarlo was running in slow motion. But in reality, at this moment, DiCarlo would have given Usain Bolt a run for his money. By the time DiCarlo and Black were halfway home, they heard the shots ring out. DiCarlo had walked up to the corner store less than 10 minutes before receiving his baby sister’s distressing phone call. Though it was dark, a full moon illuminated the streets of South Saint Petersburg as DiCarlo and Black dodged potholes, parked cars, and overgrown bushes. DiCarlo retrieved a 38. Special handgun from his left pocket as he reached the family home. Both DiCarlo and Black saw a vehicle speed away from the scene, but neither could make out a good description or the license plate. DiCarlo’s cousin Black was right by his side, holding a Mac 11 submachine gun. A sense of dread overcame DiCarlo as he reached for the doorknob of his home.

Why! screamed DiCarlo as he jolted from another nightmarish sleep. Sweat flowed freely from his forehead while perspiration glistened upon his bronze skin. DiCarlo’s hands trembled as he reached over to the nightstand and retrieved a lighter and Master Kush marijuana stick. With one pull of the marijuana joint, DiCarlo’s heart rate began to beat again with some sense of normalcy. Talia, DiCarlo’s 7-year old sister, was the sweetest girl he’d ever laid eyes on. To Talia, DiCarlo was a king. Whatever Talia wanted, DiCarlo made it happen for her. You’re spoiling that child, said a smiling Tonya to her son DiCarlo. As the marijuana began to ease DiCarlo’s mind, he thought back to the last party he ever attended. It was Talia’s 7th birthday. DiCarlo had already bestowed several gifts upon Talia, with several more gifts to come. Though Tonya had smiled, her brow frowned with worry as she wondered where DiCarlo had gotten all this money to buy so many gifts for Talia. The smell of blueberry-flavored marijuana permeated throughout DiCarlo’s apartment as he sat and reminisced about his mother and sister. Some madmen had not only murdered DiCarlo’s mother and sister, but also snuffed out the willingness to live. Being that DiCarlo’s dad died in a motorcycle accident when he was a baby, all the family DiCarlo had in the entire world was his cousin Black. But Black has been in prison for as long as Tonya and Talia have been dead. Dejectedly, DiCarlo inhaled the marijuana smoke deeply as he peered out the window of the condo he had been leasing. The bright lights of downtown Saint Petersburg shone brightly as the residents went about their nightly routine. Oh, how Dicarlo wished that the loss of his family were just some sick dream, but it was true; they were gone. His mother and baby sister were brutally murdered during a home invasion on the Southside of Saint Pete, and there wasn't a damn thing he could do to bring them back. For the last 7 years, DiCarlo has been haunted by the death of his mother and baby sister. Every time he slept, like clockwork, the nightmare returned. And tonight was no different. Guess I’ll stay up until it’s time to head out to Saint Petersburg College, thought DiCarlo as he glanced lethargically out of the window.

Chapter 2

Hello. I’m looking for the book for ‘Intro to Computer Applications,’ DiCarlo said to the woman working at Saint Petersburg College bookstore. DiCarlo already owned a successful computer repair shop that specializes in screen repairs and virus protection. But over the last 18 months, DiCarlo fell in love with computer programming. Though he learned everything he knew about computers via Youtube and online courses, DiCarlo felt that it would be wise to enroll at SPC in order to get the proper training in computer programming. Here’s your book sir, is there anything else that I could help you with? asked the book clerk. DiCarlo stared at the book clerk in amazement. No...well, I mean yes. Can I ask you a question? Dicarlo said as he locked eyes with the book clerk. Are you a model? Dicarlo asked. Ummm no, the book clerk shot back. As you can see, I’m only 4’11, so how am I gonna be a model? the book clerk said. Growing up in Indiana, Cassandra Hayden was teased mercilessly about her height. Now, at the age of 28, Cassandra refused to take crappy jokes from anybody, even if the guy was tall, bronze, and with the body of a superior athlete. Well, I’m sorry if I didn't speak clearly the first time. Even though I feel that you could do and be whatever you want to be in life, I was actually referring to you being a toothpaste model. Your teeth are immaculate, and your smile is mesmerizing. Flustered, Cassandra’s cheeks turned a rosy red. Cassandra gazed up at DiCarlo and noticed that every tooth in DiCarlo’s mouth was gold. I’m sorry... uttered Cassandra as she shifted her weight from one leg to the other. "It’s all good. My name is DiCarlo. I know that you’re on the clock right now, but I just wanted to know if you would