The Harsh Reality

By Tannyetta Robinson

Three best friends live a balanced life and take on every aspect of a perfect world until lies, secrets, and death overturn their life. Will Stacey ever receive justice or be forgotten?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hawes & Jenkins Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9781637841440

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The Harsh Reality

Tannyetta Robinson

ISBN 978-1-63784-143-3 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63784-144-0 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Tannyetta Robinson

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Hawes & Jenkins Publishing

16427 N Scottsdale Road Suite 410

Scottsdale, AZ 85254

www.hawesjenkins.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

The Harsh Reality

Dinner with a Murder Scene

Kidnapped! Save me!

Plans Ruined!

Sixteen Years Ago on December Twenty-Fifth of Two Thousand and One

HH Memorial Hospital Room 304

Funeral Shooting

Pool Party

In the Fall of September 1992

Flashback

Back at the Warehouse

2819 District 12

Two Weeks Prior to Stacey's Death

2929 Westland Park

August 22, 2017, Lancaster, United Kingdom

August 22, 2017 at 11:36 P.M. EST

August 23, 2017 at 8:36 A.M., Lancanster, United Kingdom

1:36 P.M., New Castle, London, United Kingdom

About the Author

The Harsh Reality

It was a Wednesday Tannyetta would never forget. She was meeting an old friend of hers at the bookstore, and her friend Stacey didn't like surprises, but she brought her favorite book and planned a secret party at the bookstore. As she slowly approached the bookstore, turning corners on the icy, slippery road, she saw Stacey sitting outside in the cold with no jacket on, crying.

Screech!

Whoa, that was close! Before she knew it, she had almost hit a car; not paying attention to the road, she nearly wrecked into an old freckled-face lady moving along with her walker. Feeling weak and dizzy, she made her way out of the parking lot and onto the strip; Stacey was nowhere in sight.

As she entered Chuva, her vision became unclouded but suddenly came to a close as her fair skin collided with a mirror upon entrance. All of a sudden, her nose started hurting, and she felt her eyelids burning as it clutched her tears; ashamed by her careless mistake, she quickly ran to the restroom. As she banded the door shut, she heard a familiar voice in the next stall saying, I can't believe this is happening to me. When can I ever do anything right! Ahh! Someone save me from myself. Rescue me and become my king. Stacey yelled through tears pouring down her face like flowing river.

Tan. Hey. I was looking for you. What happened and why are you crying?

Stacey. Adriano broke up with me and locked me out of my apartment. (Stacey sobbed loudly.) I wasn't good enough for him, I guess. I'm such a crybaby. Look at me. I look like a mess.

Tan. It's okay, Stacey. I'm here for you. Remember, Tannyetta and Stacey are best friends of Gracie? It's us three forever since grade school.

Tannyetta hugged Stacey and wiped her tears away.

Tan. Guess what? I have a surprise for you! Sshh, don't say anything. I know you hate surprises, but you'll love this one!

As they ambulated from the public facility restroom, the crowd screamed, Suuurrrprisse! Happy birthday, Stacey!

Stacey. I would like to make a toast. Tan, my birthday has always been great, thanks to you. You're the amazing best friend ever.

Stacey hugged Tan and the entire guest before exiting the bookstore. This surprise party was exactly what she needed to restart her night off right especially after Adriano broke her heart.

Two hours later

Stacey was still sitting in her car, wondering where she would go, whom she would call. Geez Louise, things always happened to her.

Sshkk, sshkk.

Dang, there was nothing on the radio. Wow. She disliked commercials.

Click, click. Oh snap, this song! She sang along with the radio.

Stacey. I've been on a search, and I'm losing my hope. Is that too much? Is that too much? Trying to find love in a world so cold. Oh, is that too much?

Treat Me Like Somebody by Tink always had her feeling in her feelings but not tonight. She was already down. For some reason, this song gave her some sort of hope that she would find somebody better; with that being said, she turned on her car engine and let the windows up. This vibe felt so good right now; she just needed a fresh start.

Stacey. Hmm, this car belongs to both Adriano and me, and since we're over, so is this car.

With that being said, she placed a brick under the brake, went full speed, and jumped out the car.

Bang! The tires screeched.

Boom! The car crashed and exploded.

Stacey. Guess I'll check on Gracie. She's only two blocks away. Here I am, Gracie! (She screamed down the road.)

Bang, bang. She knocked on the door.

Stacey. Come on, I know you are in there, Gracie. Open up, please. If not, I'll sit out here all night.

Ten minutes later

Stacey felt a stiff object two inches below the nape of her neck.

Unknown Person. Do not move or I'll kill you!

Trying to make out the face in the pitch-black sky was unfeasible. She could not make out the voice until her killer said, Stacey, you have everything! I hate you! I pretended to be your friend for this long, and you're still clueless that you could never be pretty like me regardless of all the money your father left you! Any last words before I pull the trigger?

Stacey. Your voice sounds familiar. The least you could do is have the decency to show your face.

With that, the masked person removed their mask.

Stacey gasped.

Stacey. Why would yo—

Pow! Pow! Pow! She was shot and left for dead alongside another dead body. She couldn't believe her friend shot her. As she tried to hold on with all her might, her eyes got heavy. Thoughts began to race in the back of her mind. Am I dreaming? Please no. Let this be a nightmare. Her eyes closed, her heartbeat became uncontrollable, and her breathing was speedy, then finally, it became slow. She began to feel soaked in a thick-coated substance, but soon realized, even with her eyes closed, she was lying there, dying in her blood.

Ten minutes later

The final words Stacey heard before she decided to give in was: Oh gosh, no! That…that…that cannot be my sister! Stacey! That was the sound of Robin's voice, her sister.

Dinner with a Murder Scene

Greg. Hey, Gracie, so glad you could make it to dinner. So we have been dating for a few years now, and I think it's time to love you more. Don't you think?

Gracie. What? Greg, I am confused. What are you saying?

Greg. Here (he slid the box across the table). This is for you.

Gracie. Aww, you shouldn't have! Oh…wow…it's pretty. (She said without much enthusiasm in her voice.)

Greg. You don't like it.

Gracie. Yes, of course, I love it. Thank you.

Greg. No problem, babe.

Waiter. May I start you off with something to drink?

Greg and Gracie. I will take a Pepsi. Ha ha, wow.

They laugh at themselves as they ordered Pepsi in unison.

Gracie. I will be right back. I need to go freshen up in the ladies' room.

At Gracie's house

Gracie. Aaaaahhh! Oh my gosh! What in the world happened here? Does anyone have a phone? Call 911! Why is everyone just standing? Go get help! Someone help me!

Rrrring, ring.

911 Operator. Hello, this is 911. How may I direct your call?

Gracie. Help! There are two dead bodies out in front of my house!

Minutes later

Three police officers arrived on the scene.

Officer Kane. Reporting two dead bodies on the scene at 228 West Creek Drive.

Officer Williams. Looks like we have a woman here considering tha—

Officer Robin. Oh gosh, no! That…that…that cannot be my sister! Stacey!

Kidnapped! Save me!

Tan. Mom, guess what.

Tan's Mother. What?

Tan. Stacey's surprise party was a success. She actually loved it, and oh yeah, I almost hit an old lady yesterday. I did not see her while I was driving in the rain. Thank God for watching over both her and me.

Tan's Mother. Tan, what did I tell you?

Tan. Mom, I know, to be careful and not drive like a bat out of hell.

Tan's Mother. Good. Now sit down and eat, then call Stacey afterward.

Tan. Okay. This breakfast is great, Mom. I love it.

One hour later

Tan. Dang it, Stacey, why are you not picking up the phone? I'm worried about you. Call me when you get this message. Love you. (She then hung up the