The World Ahead

By Joyce Fisher

Carey’s world has brought much love and happiness, as well as plenty of bitterness and betrayal. Would drugs, sex, and disease be the downfall of it all? Could the spirit really lead someone to true love as they say it could? When asked what, why, or how you did something, a person’s response is simply, “I was led by the spirit! What do you think?” True enough, love may be in the air, but there are many other devious things brewing just as well. You should definitely be careful with what you do, what you say, and to whom you do or say it to. After reading this, you too will know what it means to be careful what you ask for or what it means by the phrase right before your very eyes. Trust me when I say it truly is a small world after all and not everything that glitters is gold!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 14, 2017
• ISBN: 9781635689600

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The World Ahead

Joyce Fisher

Copyright © 2017 Joyce Fisher

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

New York, NY

First originally published by Page Publishing, Inc. 2017

ISBN 978-1-63568-959-4 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63568-960-0 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Dedication

This book is dedicated to the late Mr. John Olden Fisher and the late Mrs. Erma Jean Fisher, may God rest their souls. I wanted to say thank you both for all you’ve done for me! Without you I would not be here today. I know that you are in heaven watching me and I know that you are smiling because you are happy for me and proud of me. I wish that you could physically be here to celebrate with me the joy and success of having my second book published, but I know you’re here in spirit and that means the world to me! I love you both so much and look forward to seeing you again one day.

Acknowledgments

First, I want to say Thank You to My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for trusting me to totally trust Him with my life. He opened my eyes, my mind, and my heart to many ‘walks of life’ that have allowed me to elaborate on them as great testimonies.

To my wonderful husband, Roger Richards, thank you for being there for me, encouraging me to stick with my dream and to always keep my visions focused.

I would like to extend a Special thanks to my family; my awesome brother, John Anthony Fisher, who kept believing in me and kept helping me to believe in myself! My loving daughter, Victoria Renay Fisher, who endured the pain of having to listen to this book bit by bit; piece by piece; chapter by chapter, from start to finish...and who never, griped or complained one time, yet she inspired me to go on and to never give up! To my amazing son, Lorren Douglas Davis, Jr., who gave me affirmation that I could be; and would be, anything I ever wanted to be if I kept God first! To my wonderful stepchildren, Sharhonda Dechelle Price and Damon Detray Price, thank you both for your ideas and help with the leg work it took to get my book out to the public! To my fantastic niece, Jonique Desiree Fisher, who has always been so excited about anything her Aunt Joyce did and who gave me the determination to push on! I love you all soo very much and I’m soo glad that ‘WE ARE FAMILY’! Thank you all for your support, your inspiration, and your motivation during this journey; a good journey at that! From the time, I started writing up until now…it’s been fun, exciting, and totally a true Blessing!

To all my Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Friends, thank you guys so much for all your support as well. From all the Girl, you’re doing good’s to the You need to keep going, don’t stop’s to the I am soooo proud of you’s. These were extremely touching and took to heart. I will remember and cherish it all for the rest of my life! You have given me great memories that you could ever imagine and I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart to the depths of my soul!

To all of my Pre-Editors: Yolonda (Sissy) Bishop, LaShield Holman Evans, and Rayshun Tate O’Dear, I want to say thank you soo much for your help! Because of your hard work and dedication, I claim this second book as a major success and look forward to finalizing the trilogy!

And lastly, I like to thank my Sista, Marilyn Johnson, for motivating me to not only publish book one, but for continuing the motivation to finish book 2!

There are so many people that deserve thanks for all they’ve done for me I just can’t name them all.

Part 1

Behind Bars

Karen walked down a long corridor surrounded by rows and rows of cells, as far as she could see; on the left and the right. It was like the halls in horror movies that kept stretching and stretching the farther you went. Seemed like the more she walked, the more cells she saw. It had no end. There were humiliating sounds of women whistling and yelling obscene gestures from behind the bars, which made this experience a true nightmare. Karen was carrying some folded sheets and towels and was being escorted by two big butch-looking women in gray prison guard uniforms.

Right here, missy, said one of guards as they came to the end of the long Green Mile journey.

Karen slowly entered the cell, stopped in the middle of the tiny enclosure’s floor, and just looked around. She was extremely nervous but, at the same time, very scared. A no-win situation. She had never been to jail before, let alone prison, and didn’t know what to expect.

Bang! The bar door slammed shut behind her, causing a great echo. Karen was doing two, fifteen year sentences, for an accident; an accident that claimed the lives of two innocent people. And the only reason she ran was because she felt she was innocent and did not want to spend the rest of her life behind bars.

There was a slight foul smell that filled the cold space of her new home, along with a set of old iron framed bunk beds to the right of the room with mattresses soo dirty that you wouldn’t even want to sleep on them WITH the sheets! The left side of the cell was occupied by one metal, stainless steel, single-bowl sink with a matching toilet. Directly above it was a tiny window with bars that were more for light and not sight. It was so high up the only way you would be able to see out of it was to stand on the sink.

You’re just in time for supper, said a raspy Southern country voice. I’m Penny, but you can call me Pensky. Welcome to my humble abode, she said to try to break the ice.

Karen, but my friends just call me Karen, she said with a smile.

Well, Karen, it’s nice to meet cha, she said as she sprung from the lower bunk to her feet and extended her hand as a sign of a peace offering.

Karen accepted the truce with a handshake in return. It’s nice to meet you too!

I can tell by the look on your face Karen that (one) this is your first time in here, and (two) you’re thinking ‘What is that awful smell?’ Well, I’m not too sure about the first one, it was just a wild guess. You just don’t strike me as . . . ‘this type of place’ material. Kinda miss prissy looking. But tha second thought, well, let me just say that you’ll eventually get used to it. Trust me, I know. However, I must admit . . . it did take me a while to adjust and even longer to figure out how to beat it; the awful smell that is. Today, tha only smell I smell is tha sweet aroma of . . ., she said as she bellowed out a loud, dry, long, deep burp. Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, and baked beans, she concluded.

Ewe, that’s real good and nasty, Karen said as she immediately scrunched her face up with a frown. I almost threw up!

I did throw up in my mouth a li’l! Penny casually stated.

Now that’s just gross!

Well, I’m just telling you how to get over tha smell a little quicker, that’s all. I wish a thousand times I had someone to tell me ways to make things around here a li’l more bearable, instead of me having to learn tha hard way—figure things out on my own! Face it, honey, you’re gonna have to learn how to belch, plain and simple.

Belch?

Yes, to help cover that freaking, reeking, funky ass odor. I’ve found that you can create your own personal selection of assorted scents. Basically, whatever flavor your ‘homemade’ air freshener is will depend on whatchu eat that day, she said with a chuckle.

There was a short pause before she finished with, That piece of information was free. Tha rest is gonna cost cha.

I am going to be sick for real! was the only thought going through Karen’s head as she felt a hint of nausea setting in. She walked over to the side of the bunks and sat her things down. She had to tiptoe a little because the top bunk was so high.

So what you in for? Penny struck up a conversation.

A mistake, an accident, but I’m innocent.

That’s what they all say.

But I am! Karen confidently said but with a hint of attitude.

Penny could hear a change in Karen’s voice and remarked, Now don’t go get your panties all in a wad! I’m not saying you’re not innocent. I’m just saying that’s what they all say, she said as she shrugged her shoulders in an I don’t care whether you are or not kind of way.

Well, the judge and jury didn’t think I was. That’s why I’m in this hellhole! But you know what? I am innocent, and that’s all I have to say about that!

OK, pumpkin, I’m on your side. She threw her hands up and lay back against the concrete wall.

I’m sorry. I just get a little ticked off when someone accuses me of doing something that I didn’t do. Know what I mean?

Yep.

So are the ladies in here mean like the Big Bertha’s I’ve seen on TV?

If you want to call ’em ladies you can, but these wild geese in here are far from ladies I tell you, mainly all bark and no bite. Especially once you mark your territory.

Territory?

Yeah, in here each section of this housing unit belongs to someone. And depending on your relationship status with the head honchos around, will determine which section you’re in.

I ain’t in nobody’s section or territory or whatever you want to call it. I’m just going to mind my business, do my undeserved time, and leave everybody else alone.

Is that all you’ve got, minding your own business, well, I hate to tell you, sweet-cheeks, you’re gonna be in for a rude awakening with that kind-a mentality. In here, you get in where you fit in or fight to tha finish.

Will we go out there when it’s time to eat or will they bring it to us? Karen nervously asked.

We’ll, go out there, Penny slowly said as she pointed in a direction beyond the cell door.

Karen was officially terrified now and thought confinement would be the best way. But how on earth was she really going to do fifteen years in hiding?

But you can pretend to be my girl. That’ll buy you some time. I’ve got a little clout around here.

Buy me some time for what?

To learn how to protect yourself!

Well, she hesitated and stuttered, why buy me just a little time? Why can’t that time just be for the rest of my time? I mean, since you say you have ‘clout’ and all . . . why can’t we pretend for fifteen years that I’m yours and that way no one will ever mess with me?" Karen found an escape route, and by golly, she was going to take it by any means necessary.

Well, that’ll only work IF tha Big Bertha’s don’t decide they want you instead. They’ll start making me offers for you. And then when I don’t take those offers, clout or not, they’re coming for you. Meaning, we’d have one hell of a fight on our hands.

What? Get outta here! Karen felt the overwhelming urge to cry at just the thought of being Big Bertha’s bitch.

Before Karen could say another word, Penny admitted that she was only kidding. That she potentially really could mind her own business, do her time, and possibly go home without any shit at all.

Well, that’s some pretty fucked-up shit to do! What is this . . . initiation day? Let’s fuck with the new girl by scaring the living shit out of her day. Is that what this is?

I just had to make sure you were paying attention. That’s what I do . . . I test people.

Is that right? So a ‘let’s give her a test and see if she pass’ day? Karen mocked in a heavy Southern hillbilly accent. Well, Ima tell you right now, I don’t do well with test. Karen said with attitude.

No worries, you can be taught, Penny retorted.

And whose going to teach me? she snapped with even more attitude. For some reason she wasn’t afraid of Penny’s friendly ass.

Whoa, Nelly. I ain’t looking for no fight! I want peace, not war, she said as she raised her hands in a surrender stance.

Karen didn’t say anything. She wasn’t looking for any fights either; she just wanted to get all this over with as soon as possible, as peaceful as possible.

The cell door buzzed, unlocked and flung open.

Chowtime! Now this is going to be fun, she said as she hurried to the door. She suddenly stopped, turned to Karen, and said, Oh, by tha way, I was serious about you pretending to be my girl, but that’s only if you don’t want to be approached by anybody, just a thought. Penny winked.

Ooooh, baby, yes, just like that, don’t stop, get it get it. How ’bout that?

If you wanna sound like a porn star then go right ahead, but I’d rather you’d not put my, I mean our, business in tha streets like that. Penny joked.

"That was a bit too