Volition

By Coby Stewart

Rick and Darren are two brothers from Seat Pleasant, Maryland, who are both putting in their top efforts to do something major with what they have to offer. Rick (Hype), also the narrator, is a high school basketball star that has more than enough talent to go to the NBA. His older brother, Darren, who goes by the name Cash, is a street entrepreneur, to be politically correct. Intrigued by the money and respect that Cash had, Hype felt it was more than necessary to get off the bench and follow in the footsteps of his older brother. Following in Cash’s footsteps, Hype got involved in the life, teaming up with his brother, and becoming a part of Cash’s operation. Cash began to feel wrong for leading his baby brother down the same path as him, but by then, it was too little too late. Hype starts to notice his whole life shifting, and eventually, their lifestyles catch up to the both of them, leaving Hype to choose between basketball and the streets.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fulton Books, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 24, 2020
• ISBN: 9781646541171

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Volition

Coby Stewart

Copyright © 2020 Coby Stewart

All rights reserved

First Edition

Fulton Books, Inc.

Meadville, PA

Published by Fulton Books 2020

ISBN 978-1-64654-116-4 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64654-117-1 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

(Prelude) I Don’t Know This Time

Moment of Truth

Just Another Day Around the Way

The Big Game

Virgin Territory

Law

Something in This Cup

Transitions and Transactions

Life Goes On

Homecoming Weekend

Murdaland

Do or Die

Get It How You Live

Choices

Living

Next Level

New Life

Rick and Darren are two brothers from Seat Pleasant, Maryland, who are both putting in their top efforts to do something major with what they have to offer. Rick (Hype), also the narrator, is a high school basketball star who has more than enough talent to go to the NBA. His older brother Darren, who goes by the name Cash, is a street entrepreneur to be politically correct. Intrigued by the money and respect that Cash had, Hype felt it was more than necessary to get off the bench and follow in the footsteps of his older brother. Following in Cash’s footsteps, Hype got involved in the life, teaming up with his brother and becoming a part of Cash’s operation. Cash begins to feel wrong for leading his baby brother down the same path as him, but by then, it was too little too late. Hype starts to notice his whole life shifting, and eventually their lifestyles catch up to the both of them, leaving Hype to choose between basketball and the streets.

(Prelude) I Don’t Know This Time

We’ve been them niggas round the way. That’s what it is. That’s why everyone out here watching us, you already know. But hear me out right now, brother. When you on top, everybody wants to take your place. But it’s no need to get worried my nigga. Just another shoot-out if it gotta be! You feel me!

Naw, I don’t think you really grasping where I’m at with this…

I put every ounce of love and pain I got into this right here. Benji! Look at us. We been all across the globe. Pulling out stacks in front of people like we ain’t kill for this money. All these dirty faces sitting in front of me, laughing like they own me. I don’t want none of ’em. They all stained and smell like blood and coke.

I’m tired of these presidents laughing at me bruh…

Moment of Truth

Ey, Manny, break it down to me one more time, son.

Hype, do you be listening? Look.

You shouldn’t even be here right now, Cash said.

Leave that nigga alone. He straight, Crack said from the front seat. Cash shook his head and looked back out the window, gripping his pistol tight in hand.

Look, said Manny. The move is simple. It’s just Block and Lil Ron in there. The bread is in three different places?

Yeah, I said.

The AC unit, the dresser, and under the couch. He got pills in the closet and a couple pounds of weed somewhere in that mafucka.

Aight, I said.

Me and Cash going in through the front. You and Crack go in through the back, said Manny.

Bet, I looked over at Cash. You ready, bruh?

Cash smirked his face sideways. Nigga, I’m always ready, he said.

Ol’ pussy ass nigga / faggot ass nigga, ratting ass nigga / Take this song how you want / take this song how you want.

Manny cranked up some Boosie as we rode in silence. I slightly raised my black and chrome .45 and checked to make sure it was loaded and ready. Cash looked at me and then looked back out the window. Crack pointed out the window to show Manny where to pull up. Blacked out was the dress code as we hopped out of Manny’s truck.

Ya go around back. Hurry up, Manny said. Cash gave one final stare.

Come on, nigga, Crack said, pulling me by the arm.

We crept around the back of the house with our guns drawn.

Aight. Imma kick this joint in on three, Crack said before cocking his pump.

One…two…

Boom!

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

Just Another Day Around the Way

Wake up, boy. You don’t hear that alarm clock? Get up before you be late for school, Mom said.

Aight, I said, reaching up to hit the snooze button.

Mom left my room to finish getting ready for work. I waited for her to close the door behind her before I pulled the covers back over my head. Soon after that, I heard my phone ringing.

Who the fuck calling me this early? I said to myself.

Hello… Boy…

Huh…

Are you up?

I’m ’bout to. Give me a minute…

"Oh my god, Hype. You’re supposed to be picking me up this morning, remember?

Give me like ten minutes. Aight?

Aight.

I hung up the phone and sat up in my bed. My girl Camille was my ride or die, and right now she needed a ride. We grew up together, and we were always close, but I never thought of me and her being more than friends. That was until early last at the park. I mean, the way she looked in them boy shorts and that look in her eyes was like seeing a shooting star for the first time. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. My honey sexier than all mother nature boy! I don’t know what my homeboys got into that day? But ever since then, she’s been my heart. But there is one slight, slight problem…

It’s been six months that we’ve been together, and she still ain’t let me hit yet. But it’s got to be real love, right?

So anyway, I got up, brushed my teeth, counted my blessings, and got dressed. Thanks to my brother, Cash, I’ve been Polo’d up and Bossed down with endless money to run through. I’m talking about leaving the house every day with at least a few stacks. I put on my black Hugo Boss fleece zip up and my black 993s. I grabbed my peacoat and stepped out.

Aight. Love you, Mom, I said as I kissed her forehead.

Aight baby boy. Love you too. Be safe, Mom said.

I will, I said.

When I stepped outside, I saw my man Black up the street, talking to this freaked out chick from around the way named Cherry.

Yo Black! I yelled out with my hands up.

He put his hands up and pointed down at Cherry. I started laughing and walked around the front of my whip.

Strap up, nigga! I yelled out as I went to get in my car.

I drove off and saw Black walking off with his arm around Cherry. I couldn’t help but laugh on the inside after watching them dip off. See, me and Black, we’ve been brothers since the sandbox!

On my way to pick my girl up for school, I stopped by at the 7-Eleven to get some Gatorades for my game tonight and some Skittles and headed straight for Camille.

Beep! Beep! Beep! I waited for a little while. Beep! Beep! Beep! I sent her a text, and about ten minutes later, she finally came outside.

She sat in the car with a pout on her face.

Wassup with you? What took you so long? I said.

My dad! He wants to be a drill sergeant this morning, talking ’bout how my jeans are too tight. I had to change my clothes three times just so he could get out of my face, Camille said.

Damn, babe. I wouldn’t want to let you out the house either looking like this, I said.

She then smiled. I got something for you, she said before she pulled a small black box out of her coat pocket.

For me, I said.

Yes. Here, open it up, she said.

I opened it up to see a gold and black Invictus watch with my name engraved on it.

Babe! This joint cold! I said smiling. I heard Camille laugh. Ey young, hold up. You got my name, I said before biting my lip. Why you do all this? I asked.

That’s nothing, baby, Camille said.

This is a lot more than something, I said.

I watched her face as her pretty skin turned into the color of a rose. I leaned over, and we locked lips for a moment in history.

The watch matched my chain and my whole outfit, too, so just know your boy was straight. As we pulled up to the school and walked in, everyone showed me love. I was already the man around the way because of how I ball on the court, and thanks to my brother, I’m paid now too. So everybody started calling me Hype. I guess it’s because my name was always in somebody’s mouth.

Me and Camille had to split for our first class. I gave her one more hug and kiss in front of her home economics class. Then I stepped up the hallway and posted in my normal spot next to the vending machines with my teammates, Phil, Tonio, and Pete.

Where Black at? Pete tapped me and asked.

That nigga with Cherry burning her up, I said.

Pete took a deep breath. Might be the other way around, he said.

Welp, that’s the last time I’ll be smoking with him, said Phil. Tonio and Pete all laughed.

I don’t know why you laughing, Phil said, pointing at Tonio.

Aight fellas, Tonio said before stepping off toward his class. We all busted out laughing.

Naw nigga, said Phil. I saw you with her last week catching the sloppy thirty seconds, Phil said, laughing as we continued laughing too.

Tonio chunked the deuces as he walked up the hallway.

You better burn your sheets. That nigga would split, said Phil.

He called me the other day to pick him up from the clinic, talking ’bout he went to get some free condoms, said Pete.

Ain’t no way in hell he hiked all the way up there for some condoms moe. I would’ve gave him some condoms if he needed to, Phil said.

Like shit, said Pete.

Yeah, I said.

Dog, I’m telling you. Cherry ain’t stopping ’till she fuck all athletics. I’m talking ’bout the swimming team, the hockey team, the soccer goalie, Phil said.

Man, do we even got a hockey team? Pete said.

This bitch need some goals, I said.

Yeah, that joint cold bruh! Phil said, noticing my watch.

Yea my shorty got this for me, I said.

Shitting on these bitches, Phil said.

I started smiling before I laughed about something Camille said to me.

And Diamond wouldn’t never buy me no shit like that. Bruh, I’m ’bout to move to the south or something. I need some real hospitality. You hear me? Phil said.

Huh, man, she ain’t even from the south whole time. Her folks from the islands, I said.

You blessed bruh, Pete said.

Man, let me get outta here ya. Love ya man, I said.

Love you too, they both said.

Aye, let’s work fellas, I said.

You already, Phil said.

Phil and Pete turned and walked up the hall toward their class. I headed to my first class, dapping hands, giving hugs, and nodding my head what’s up, until I finally got to the classroom.

After my first and second class was over with, I headed downstairs toward my third-period class where I saw my right-hand man, Black, walk in from a side door.

Tell me you ain’t do it, son, I said as we dapped hands.

Boy, you know I had to! Black said.

Better go get your shit checked. I heard she might be a situation, moe, real live, I said.

She good! Black said.

What you mean? I said.

Trust me. She good, Black said.

How you know? I asked.

I already know, Black said.

You stu— I started to say before turning my head.

Bye, daddy, Cherry said as she walked past from behind us.

Bruh, trust me. And I’m selling that wet wet, Black said.

I watched Cherry strut down the hallway in her sundress.

What’s up with that watch? Black asked.

I looked down at the watch and then turned my wrist.

A li’l something from wifey, I said before I started grinning.

"Yea that thing official, you hear me," said Black.

The truth, bruh, I said.

True, my nigga. Come on, let’s go hit this blunt. Fuck, this class young, Black said before we dipped out of the building.

We headed to my house to smoke in the backyard. Then we headed to my brother Cash’s house to chill out for a while. I knocked on the door.

Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!

Soon after, Crack opened the door.

"Ya two li’l niggas ain’t never in school