A Bitter Experience...

Gunshots rang over my head as I pulled my sister Nora down to the floor, other customers were running frantically about, screaming, crying, and calling for help. There were two masked men with guns in their hands that stood at the front counter demanding money from the clerk. Still in a state of fear, I covered my sister's mouth with my hand as we hid amongst the clothing racks. I didn't want to distract the armed robbers with the hope that they would just take the money and leave. That day we were in the mall shopping for dad's birthday gift!. 

Suddenly I heard , ''let's get out of here'',  as they made a mad dash towards the front entrance of the door. I then gave a heavy sigh of relief as I removed my hand from my sister's mouth, her eyes were fixed on me as she was shivering. I asked " Nora are you okay? The gunmen have left the store". She hesitated for a moment before she cried out. " Take me home right now." As we were walking out the store and looking around, we saw people slowly sticking their heads out of other nearby stores to see if all was clear to come out. "Where are the police when you needed one?",  Nora asked, as we scurried to our vehicle.

 In the evening it was confirmed on the radio that three people were shot dead and one older woman  who had heart  attack had been hospitalized.

Nora said " I'll never come shopping again in my life . This is the last time I ever go out to buy anything". While I was still shaking , I tried to remain calm. I didn't want Nora to know I was very afraid. I had to always keep my cool around her being a role model for her to look up to, but I did lose my cool , because I'm not the cause why the store got robbed,  so I lashed out at her and said " Shut your damn mouth, there where people injured in the store and it could have very well been us. " I can see the fear still in her eyes as I was trying to keep my composer as we drove home. 



 Arriving home , Nora ran upstairs and narrated to mom what had happened. She was sobbing after every syllable spoken as she was still upset from the shooting. Mom consoled her , then spoke with me on what had happened . I was speechless , I didn't know how to say that it was my fault that I put Nora in danger. As I turned to walk away tears filled the weld of my eyes. I kept seeing the men with mask shooting around me. It took everything I had not to run out of the house into the streets and just kept running, but I must be strong as my mother had always taught me to be.


Later that night as we sat around the dinner table. Mom said " Mia why don't you say grace dear before we eat ,"  Nora stood up at the table shaking and grabbed the butcher knife , She thrusted it deep into the turkey. The only thing she could think about is the video that kept playing over and over in her mind about the gunmen shooting her in the head, and the recorded scratched record of people yelling and screaming almost drove her mad.

Mia understood how Nora felt, she too couldn't escape the misery of what happened on that day. Trying to tame her feelings , she suddenly became enraged and hit the table with her hand to see if she was still among the living. Mom slapped Nora and told Mia to get a grip. She insisted upon praying to calm both girls down. All of them go to church on a regular basis and this is what Mom said' 

"We're living in troubling times, The Bible keep us rooted and grounded.

If you confess with your mouth "Jesus is Lord "and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. "

Do women handle stress better than men?

During his research, David found thousands of people committing  sucide everyday as a result of suffering from some types of depression or stress related problems. These are real problems that people shouldn't take for granted. Let us listen to Van's take on Stress in the video below.

Nina slumped over in her chair with her hands across her eyes, crying. She didn't know why she was crying but said " I just feel so sad here lately, and nothing appears to be going my way''.  David then walked up, touched her shoulder and responded " Everything will be okay , can I get you anything?''. Looking up at David with bloodshot eyes she stated " Can you make this feeling go away? I just really need a good friend right now, " and that's when Nina slit both of her veins in her wrist with a box cutter knife and blood flowed. David stood over her in shock with what just happened.


As Nina fell out of the chair onto the floor, David reached in his back pocket for his phone and called an ambulance right away. "Please hang on there, help is on the way," he said. He later found out from her sister Diane that said  "she is going through a state of depression and stress from being harrassed by her co-workers on the job . She was the only female in her department that was Latino and her co-workers constantly bullying, intimidating , mocking and lying to upper management on her. Infact, she had reported them several times, as she attended meetings with supervisors on this matter and nothing had been done to stop the harrassment." 



David came to the hospital to visit  her sometimes when the Doctor approved her visits. He had fancied Nina and wanted to be more than friends , but he didn't want to pressure her. Nina informed her mom on what triggered these events that caused her to hurt herself she said " I felt down , tired and couldn't sleep at night, and after I was being harrassed at work.  I felt like there was no hope , no one cared and the thought of hurting myself raved in my mind. I was lost and had no one to turn to." Her family still live in Mexico and she had just moved to California to start a new life of her own.

Nina was discharged  from the hospital after seeking pyschaitric help.She had time at home to think about what she wanted to do to prevent this from happening to others, both Nina and David teamed up with a Crisis Center to help people in need and went around to organizations discussing the importance of seeking help for  stress/depression and bullying whether at work, home or school. They came up with an idea with making up a bumper sticker that read


Depression /Stress/ Bullying 
 Do be brave / Seek out help/ Build on trust 

   Millions of people reach out to the Crisis Center and purchase the bumper stickers, all their contributed funds went to opening up more Crisis Centers to help people in need. David and Nina finally married and went on to mentor over several Crisis Centers that were open to the public worldwide, at the entrance of every door read, "Your not alone, We're here for you"

A day to Remember....

I poured myself a drink and gazed out of the window to see if I could  get a glimpse of the man . I wondered how long he had been staying across the street from me since I just recently moved here? I pretended taking the trash out to the recycling bin just to see if I could see him, but no view of him. I went back inside and poured another drink and thought about the man that lived abroad occupied my mind.
 The following  morning there was a knock at the door. It was the very man that lived across the streets that appeared.  I became nervous as I couldn't believe my eyes as he spoke with grace by greeting me saying  "good morning ". He said  '' I am Micheal the police officer that lived in the neighborhood ''  l then  replied. " I'm Candence I just recently moved into the neighborhood, as I was walking my dog I seen some usual activities going on in your house that caught my attention. I'm so sorry for intruding on your property'', she said , as he turned and walked away.
.
I told Kayla my best friend all what transpired between me and the police officer the next day while riding in her  Lexus convertible car . She ( Kayla) just laughed and responded ''Did you assume the position ?''. We both chuckled.
Upon arriving back  home I noticed a bouquets of flowers at my front door. I thought they had the wrong address but the card read '' Candence, I'm sorry for making you feel uncomfortable yesterday. I would like to make it up to you by taking you out for dinner ''
 As I raised my head up I could see Micheal starring at me . I nodded ''yes'',  and he held up his seven fingers which indicated Seven O'clock.

 In the evening I wore one of my favorite short mini dress that revealed too much of everything a man could imagine.We arrived at one of the most famous Italian Restaurants in the city,  had a lovely dinner and went for a long walk along the beach afterward. He told me '' I have just recently divorced and was looking for a friend with no strings attached  ''.
 I felt warm inside for it had been a long time since I've been in the company of a man. I started sweating and felt nervous. He gently wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close, and said  ''don't worry''.

When I arrived back home I took a long hot bath.I thought about the lovely evening we had . I poured myself a drink and stood by the window. I was caught up in the moment wondering why he didn't attempt to kiss me for I long to be kissed and touched by him. The moon was full and the brightness from it shone over my Villa.  I suddenly closed my blinds and turned on some jazz music when I heard a knock at the front door. It was Micheal .
I was standing in the doorway half dressed, Micheal gazed down at me. I invited him in for a drink. I then felt shy because I wanted that kiss from earlier. Micheal stated: "I can't stay long , did I catch you at a bad time? ''. I  replied "I hope you can stay for at least one drink with me ?'',  he humbly accepted .

The pleasant smell of aroma from the coffee eased my fears as I suddenly woke up from sleep seeing a strange man in my room . Then I recollected what happened the previous night , it was Michael who was around and made the breakfast.
 Micheal  said  " breakfast is ready". I prepared myself for the obvious statement that Micheal will make this morning, for he had already informed me that he wanted just a friend. As I entered the kitchen with the biggest smile on his face . Micheal replied " Hey Love ! I really had a nice time last night. " He then walked over to me and gave that special kiss I long for.  Unfortunately I didn't remember last night but glad that he did. I felt ashamed and awkward. I shouted ..".Get Out..!!" Micheal was baffled and left suddenly.

After I calm down and thought to myself  " girl what's wrong with you ,isn't this what you said you wanted." I smiled to myself like a detrange person that couldn't remember whether he was good in bed or not? I felt bad because he was so kind and gentle and the way he kissed me ( awesome ) tingling inside as I think of it now.  I decided to walk over to his house and apologize.
Micheal anwered his door and replied  " what do you want Candence?'', I replied  " I hope you can forgive me . I am truly sorry . let me make it up  with you please !''. Micheal hesitated for a moment before nodding ''okay''.  He  then invited me inside. I explained to him it's been a very long time since I had a real relationship and that I wanted more than just friendship. Micheal smiled but didn't say nothing. As I went on and on telling him my life story . He just listened and  never responded. I went to exit when Micheal grab my arm pulled me close , kissed  me passionately and stated  "I would love to give it a try with you Candence for it's been a long time for me also. Lets start it off right this time'' .
We dated for a period of nine months before Micheal proposed to me. It was the most excited beautiful thing I heard.

It was a June wedding with lots of family and friends. Many came from all over the world to see the beautiful  wedding gown my mother had tailored made with real diamonds sewn into it.   The veil was laced in gold dust . This was the only time I realized that so many people loved me so much.
As Micheal stood at the alter watching his bride- to- be . He could hardly compose himself.
Many wept with tears of joy as the Pastor pronounced us husband and wife .  We went off to an Exoctic Island for our  honeymoon .We were happy and had three beautiful children. I never felt love from a man like this before. My Husband , My Lover and My best friend all wrap up into one beautiful person (Micheal )....

Let us pray...

Shall we kneel down to pray my brothers and sisters , for we all sin. .

Pastor Mike Mitchell was delivering  his sermon. His mind was filled about Mrs.Daniel's nice and plump breasts exposed when kneeling at the altar. She is there every Sunday always wearing high heel shoes and low cut shirts. This wasn't the first time he felt aroused seeing multiple beautiful women in his congregation. Pastor Mike swallowed hard and wiped the sweat from his brow, for he could hardly control his feelings as his nature rose to the occasion. He shouted  "Lord !, Lord  !! we have some beautiful people here today Lord."

Mrs. Daniel wasn't the only woman that appealed to Pastor Mike for there were many ." How can they all be so beautiful and well rounded",he uncounsciously uttered while praying. "Please stand and take your seat ",he said, as the choir began to sing. Reverend Daniel had asked Pastor Mike whether  he  was okay when he observed  him sweating profusely at the altar. Pastor Mike responded,  "Please finish the sermon I'm not feeling well".


As Pastor Mike was leaving the images of Mrs Daniel's  breasts were plaguing him ,for the urge to make love to her was insidiously insane. He thought about how her husband that were finishing up the sermon would feel, but that didn't shake the stiffness that arose in his pants. He dropped to his knees to pray as he was touching his manhood thinking about those enticing round breasts that look like cantaloupes. "Help me for I can't shake this feeling Jesus." The urge became stronger with a clearer image of her being nude in bed , "Help me ", he stated, still rubbing that long, hard- stiff -thing below, until it exploded...... "My God , what have I  done ", He feels the ooze running down his leg and a sigh of relief followed with "Thank you Jesus"!


There was a knock at the door. It was Reverend Daniel checking to see if he was alright. Everyone had left hours ago. Pastor Mike replied  " Please go home I'm okay, I'll call you later, for how can he face Mr. Daniel after what had just happened. The thoughts and images of his(Daniel) wife. He felt ashamed. He knew it was a sin to lust after another man's wife . How can he face Mr. and Mrs Daniel again .What must I do Lord ?,"  he soliloquized

Suddenly Mike grabbed his Bible and walked outside. As he looked up at the stars, he wondered whether he was in the right profession and thought of giving up on his religion. For he stated aloud. " Please forgive me Lord For I have sinned ".

 Suddenly this homeless old man was passing by and stood beside Pastor Mike ,he said  " Son can you spare an old man some change?" Pastor Mike dug into his pockets and gave the old man one hundred dollars. The Old man was so grateful as he prayed for Mike saying " God will bless you my son . We shall all go through trials and tribulations on this earth . He is a forgiving God "As Mike turned to shake the old man's hand. He has disappeared.

They Don't Understand

Standing by her car with her baby in arm , a gun shot was heard . It was her boyfriend Robert that was seen running towards her. Darla quickly observed him as blood dripped from his forearm.'' Get into  the car'',  Robert yelled to Darla. Fearing for her life and her child,  she panicked and dropped the car keys.

Robert jumped into the back seat and said "Go now ". Darla didn't place the child in the car seat as she sped off from the scene, little Frankie gurgled and smiled not knowing his parents were in danger, when a car pulled up beside them and started shooting at Robert.



Darla screamed out '' my baby!'', when she noticed she was hit by the pellet in the chest. Feeling faint, she veered off the road and crashed into a tree. The baby fell out  from the seat of the car down onto the floor area crying. Robert said " Darla are you okay?'', as he jumped out the car running away ,trying to get them to follow him to protect his family. He had stolen money from a gangster in the neighborhood that wanted him dead. Bobby the leader of the gang saw Robert running down the streets and gunned him down like an animal.

 That was the last  horrific memory Darla recalled as she told her son Frankie who is now sixteen years old. Frankie stated aloud " I will revenge my father's death by joining a gang in search of my  father's killer''.

Darla knew her son was going down the wrong path when she said " Frankie please don't go down this road, your father lost his life thinking he could steal from the mob to provide a better life for us" Frankie replied, " I got this, I'm not my father. I will have my sweet revenge",walking away with her heart pounding, Darla felt compelled to do something before her son was killed.

Looking back on her life style she didn't want to go down memory lane, she had lived a criminal lifestyle with Robert, as teenagers in a gang as killers, drug dealers and thieves. She lived that life, but when she got pregnant she wanted to start afresh and get out of  the gang life.

Darla had called in a few favors from those who owed her. She only wanted to protect her son at this point. She knew she had to get him out of the gang and the only way to leave any gang is through death. Calling Roberts brothers and explaining to them what happened, they took matters in their own hands. They had devised a plan to get little Frankie out of the gang ,what they did was unbearable.

Robert's brothers - Mike and Mickey sought out to buy military guns and grenades, they knew they had to do drastic measures to protect their nephew which meant they had to take down the main leader of the gang and his family.  


The plan was discussed with Darla, she had to make sure Frankie wasn't around when they planed to take out the gang members. Mike and Mickey hired ex-military friends to help execute their plan. On this particular night Darla showed photographs of all the gang member leaders and their families, who ran sections of the neighborhood to Mickey.

 Mike surveilled all the hangout spots were the gang members attended, including their families household and businesses. The two ex-military friends Bob and Randell were in charge of all the grenades and explosives, as they set out to take down the Mob. Darla informed Frankie that his grandmother was sick on her death bed and wanted to see him one last time as they drove out of town to Minnesota while Mickey began his plan of action.

Explosion started to take place in warehouses, homes,cars and businesses in the neighborhood. People were startled to see all the smoke and loud noises taking  place. The police didn't have a clue where to begin and why these explosions were taking place. As the gang leaders were taken out in small numbers, other gang members where running scared knowing all the places that are targeted, were their meeting grounds. Shooting anyone that tried to escaped the fire and explosions, Mike didn't have  mercy for them. He only thought about his nephew and his brother being murdered by these gang members. 

The death toll had risen considerably as fires and explosion still went on in the downtown area of Chicago. Police sirens were heard  loud and clear as ambulance strolling lights ran all night frantically trying to save victims, but were too late. Mike and Mickey executed their plan successfully by eliminating ninety percent of gang members , their homes, family members and businesses. 
A phone call was placed to Darla, she only heard three words. 
"It was done".

Part 2 of my cruise - Bahamas

We all love to go on vacation but this particular time , It's about to go down.

Let's listen to what Ashley and Dion have to say in the video below

Enjoying a fun -filled three days in the Bahama's celebrating my sister's birthday on the Carnival Liberty. We met many people from all over the world. This was my sister's Renata and her fiance Jai's first time on a cruise ship. I'm deligthted that no one got sea sick or jumped overboard as we all had a good time walking around and looking at all the amenities the ship had to offer. 

To start with, good music was played by the Dee Jay and we ate great food round the clock. Three whole days of entertainment for all age groups. When the ship docked in the Bahamas we had 24 four hours to explore the Island before we set sail at sea again. Renata and Jai had purchased excursion for jet ski's and I purchased the bus tour package of the top ten things to see and do on the Island.

I had the most wonderful tour guide named Mr. Leslie Bowlegs, he did a great job of explaining the history of the Bahamas . I recommend this trip to anyone that had never visited the Bahamas before. My newly acquired friends -Ashley and Dion were assigned to my fine dining table and had accompanied me on the bus tour. I never met such wonderful friendly people with a great sense of humor. In fact everyone I met on the cruise ship was very pleasant and respectful .

I even won 1,200 dollars at the casino , but Renata witnessed  a man that won 10,000 dollars playing 50 cents on a Lighting Machine. I thought about me winning 10,000 thousand dollars and what I would do if it was in my hands. Jai replied " if I would have won 10,000 dollars I'm out of here ,even if I had to swim back to shore ",we all laughed. It was nice to see that people could win such a huge amount of money on these cruise ships. 

My only concern was when Ashely and Dion were at the club trying to have a nice time, then trouble broke out. Someone could have really gotten hurt and to think it was seven to eight Black men fighting. I pray that this will never happen again amongst our people .We have been labeled with bad reputations enough in the society.  We should stop the violence and killing among the African Americans and learn to have more love and forgiveness in our hearts. 

Overall, I still plan to take a cruise every year and hope that family and friends will be able to join . It's a must -see  for all age groups to experience a wonderful time away from the same old every day routine. Break the monotony and live life a little . We just get one chance at it. Have fun while you can because life is definetly too short! 

 

 

A Cry For Help...

Jumping off the ledge into a lake , Damon hit  his head on the back of a tree stump while blood filled the surrounding area where he landed like a rock. Jasmin seeing  him floating face down  screamed out for help. She never learn how to swim for this was the day she regretted  for the rest of her life.

By the time the paramedic arrived  Damon was pronounced dead. They were only 19 years old and twins. Jasmin didn't know how to tell her mother about why they was at  the lake  after being instructed by her mother Jewel not to go. She approached her mother in the living room, crying. She said " Damon fell into the lake and I couldn't save him ". Jasmine was still  in a state of shock . Jewel looked at though she could kill and asked " who fell in the lake ?" she replied "Damon has drowned .

Suddenly ,Jewel heart pounded and tears streamed down her face,  her son has died and know one was there to help him. Yelling out to Jasmin she  asked   " What exactly happen ?, tell me now! ". That was when a knock was  heard  at the door . It was the Denvor County Police coming by to take her to the morgue to identify her son.

Falling to the floor and screaming aloud, the police rushed to assist her. ''Please madam  we need your help in identifying the young man we found in the lake. Are you okay?'' he asked.Using foul language  she looked over to her daughter and said " Where is my son ?''. Jasmin ran out of the house for she felt it was her fault for disobeying her mother's rules ,and not being able to save her twin brother .


 She went to her grandmother's house for refuge while her mother went to the morgue. Looking at  her son's lifeless body  stretched out on that long steel table she sobbed uncontrollably , reaching out to touch his beautiful face for the last time. "How could this have happened? ''. she said . ''My only son , my beautiful boy I carried for nine months.  She asked the police officer what had happen. They said  " It appeared he broke his neck and damaged his skull from the fall off the cliff into the lake.


But know one suspected that his twin sister had pushed him over the cliff . She felt that he was loved  and favored by most people. That she couldn't do nothing right and was always ridiculed.
Damon was loved by all , he was very well spoken and out going. Know one made fun of him as they did to Jasmin. She planned to get rid of her brother to become her mother's only favorite child . I can have everything she thought, if he is out of the picture.


Her  grandmother knew that she had despised her brother and said " What happen to Damon  because they were both inseparable?'' .She hesitated and  asked  " Do you love me grandmother ?''  as she contemplated killing her grandmother too.  Stepping back away from her granddaughter . Grandmother Carol had become afraid. She knew that Jasmin was a wicked child and could do anything when she doesn't  get her way. As Jasmin started to approach her grandmother , an  older boy in his 20s came down the  stairs as she paused, with eyes glared on him, she had never seen him before. Carol gestured to the young man to come stand by her side , He said  " Who is this young lady grandma"? Jasmin replied "Grandma."


Breaking out in a deep sweat and heart racing furiously she ran up to him and  looked him up and down and asked  " Who are you ? ''. The room stood silent,  That's when Raymond  grabbed  Jasmin by the throat and slung her down to the floor. He then stomp her in the chest and face as though she had killed his only best friend in life. Carol pulled him away from her and said  " Stop this at once this is your sister. That is when he pulled the knife from underneath him jacket and cut at his grandmother throat.

Falling to the floor in fear, Grandma Carol grabbed her chest from pain she suddenly felt.  Jasmin walked over to her and said  " This is what you deserve, keeping little known secrets . Why did you allow me to sleep with my older brother.  I'm carrying his seed now and my twin brother is dead.  All of you deserve to die .  That's when her mother Jewel walked into the house with Damon and found Jasmin  in a state of rage ,cutting herself with a knife and pulling her hair, foaming  from  the mouth like a mad dog. She had started hallucinating from the newly prescribed medication called ( Zyprexa). A history of violence,and schizophrenia runs in our family Jewel stated to Damon.

My first cruise experience

Narrated by Ronnie....

My heart pumped the more as the Sea wind continued to blow with vigour . Everywhere was felt by the waves, yet the ship stood still and remained unshakable like the rock of Gibraltar . It was a mixture of fear and joy on the Carnival Splendor Ship. We had set sail from Florida heading to Mahogany Bay, Belize, Consumel  and Grand Cayman where our ship berthed.


I'm glad to have brought some over the counter items with me such as ,  Motion Sickness Pills, Tums, Oral Gel , and Tylenol Extra Strength. One lady  came up to me and said,  "this was her first cruise and she never felt so afraid looking out to the Ocean. She felt like vomiting and had to go lye down."  I'm surprise we didn't have any motion sickness ourselves.

The itinerary  had planned events for  every day non-stop. From Musical, Comedy Shows,  Art Museums, Casino and Night Clubs just to name a few. It also had excursion being offered for a additional fee for those who wanted to spend the day abroad. After we had settled in our cozy rooms, we decided to tour the ship. It was amazing the amenities it had to offer. Junior stated  " this is a beautiful ship and I'm glad to be spending it with my family." We never thought we will meet so many different people so excited from different  cultural backgrounds that were very respectful and nice.

The ships staff crew were very friendly anything you needed such as small snacks or sweets throughout the night , extra pillows or blankets, bottles of wine , they were happy to oblige. Every morning they will clean your room, make your bed, and leave a little towel made stuff animal on your bed.

 The waiters and waitress at the Captain Dinner  which were more of a exquisite course of fine dining that you wear  a nice suitable attire for dinner. They served thousands of people without missing a beat and their service is outstanding. 

 My son Ronald was happy to know they had a Club. He said to Junior " This is where we are going to hang out , dance and have a few drinks " This was right up Junior alley because he loved to dance and have fun. He has always been the life of the party. A little secret for those who don't know. Junior was a professional dancer back in his days so he couldn't wait to show off some of his many talented moves as the crowd gathered around him watching and the women couldn't wait to get their turn to dance with him. 

As  night crept in we found so many food courts to choose from. All the food were prepared and arranged in a seductive way and of course every deck had an activity on it , from watching movies, playing miniature golf ,  dancing, reading room ,  weight room, spa, casino, musical shows, comedy shows and a host of many other activities. You can never get bored here.

We enjoyed the four stops the Ship made and met new friends  on the Islands. We did a host of shopping and took  pictures .  I think I was living the life of the rich and famous because we bought everything our hearts desired. My son stated as we walked to the ship with an abundance of shopping bags in each hand. My son Ronald said "  People  are all starring at us, and asking where we get all those named brand items" as  we strolled a little faster to the ship before we get robbed.  I smiled to myself and replied , " where are our body guards because i didn't realize how much stuff we were actual carrying including the jewelry we are wearing"?


The day was filled with curiosity, compassion and love as we met  some  less fortunate people  from a bus tour we went on. It was sad to see slum area's of the living conditions of the poor. My heart was broken. I prayed to be able to help out more as I looked around and saw  some    mothers and  children in need. I tried to help as many children that ran up to me as possible as we stopped for lunch.

Overall  we had a wonderful time on the cruise ship with lots of entertainment : the food was great and I met  new friends on the  Carnival Splendor.  However, the only advise for those who drink is to purchase the drink package . It's well worth it. 



As my annual ritual I had vowed to be booking a cruise every year,  therefore I  will go for another next month. For those who want to join in on the fun , I say " book you a cruise soon. You will find out that it will be a fantastic, memorable event for all"

A Planned Attack.....

 Gina was nine months pregnant and was almost due to be delivered of a baby. Suddenly she heard strange  voices coming from the attic of  the  house. She went to see if anyone was up there when a hand reached out and grabbed her. She fell  backwards down the stairs and  went into labor. Dazed and confused with no one around to assist her up from the floor, but in her emotional state, the voices drew closer.


She called   for help as her pains grew  unbearable, she finally got the strength to pull herself up from the floor and called 911 for help but  the  squeal  of a man being tormented and scratching the walls lingered in her mind. She had just moved into her new house a few months earlier with her husband Jim who was out of town on business. 

The paramedics arrived and took her to the hospital where she had a beautiful baby boy. Gina called her husband Jim and asked  " Where were you when I needed you ? I had to go through this alone'', Jim replied "darling you wanted this new house and I just started a new job I couldn't take off work. I'm sorry  for not being there . What is our child's name? "She responded, ''Daniel''.

Arriving back home from the hospital, it appeared that someone had been through the house , her belongings were disorganized  and her jewelries  were scattered on  the bed. She  wondered what could have happened in her absence as she  held  the new born closed to her bosom.  She immediately  called  her neighbor  and her cousin Janet who  both went  through the house to make sure no one was in there.  Janet decided  to stay with her until  Gina's  husband came back from out of town. Gina informed Janet  that she was grateful for her company, that she would not be alone in this big house .


Janet was in  a room close to Gina in case  she needed help with the baby. As Janet started to retire for the night she heard a weird noise downstairs. Leaving her room she peeped in Gina's room to see if she was okay before heading down the stairs. Once she got down there, she noticed the front room curtain was moving, all the windows and doors were close. She tiptoed over to the curtain and briefly looked behind it,but  was nobody . She gave a  sign of relief . It wasn't until she went back upstairs when a voice called out her name, looking around in fear she ran upstairs and barricaded Gina's bedroom door.

She frightened  Gina by doing this , Gina asked  ''what is wrong Janet?'', She replied , ''someone is downstairs  calling  out my name''. That was when Gina told Janet that she once  heard voices in the house before she fell. Both women were afraid  while they looked for any object to defend themselves  with. Janet yelled out ''let's  call the police now''.  When they went to pick up the phone it was dead.  An unknown voice spoke and said  ''GET OUT !''.


Gina went to grab the baby from his crib but could not find the baby  . She screamed   " Where is my baby?",as she  looked  frantically   every room yet the  baby was not found. Janet began to  cry and said  " I want to leave now. Let's go Gina''  but Gina  replied '' I'm not leaving without my child''. Janet held  a knife in her hand and Gina too grabbed  a Golf club stick as they  determined to find the child. 
 Suddenly windows started opening and closing by themselves and they began to hear the screeching sounds of fingernails scraping the walls, making them to  know the house  is  haunted.



Gina  fell on the floor grasping  for breath for she was  asthmatic  and needed her inhaler which was  in her purse upstairs. As Janet went to get the inhaler  Gina noticed someone standing over her with the baby. It was her husband Jim. He said to Gina   " You put me through hell . I never wanted this house or this baby''. Jim  had staged all  these events to make her sell the house and lose the baby by planning her fall down the stairs.


 Janet came back downstairs and met  Jim hovering over Gina with the baby. She went over to him and said  "Well done my Love ". The  fact was that Janet couldn't have any child and had always wanted a child for  Jim. Jim and Janet had been having and affair for years , now with Gina out of the picture . They believe  they can live a perfect life without Gina and  Jim could work at Janet's father's Company ,while Janet would  raise this little 'miracle' baby  that would be  delivered to her  that night. 

Little did Janet and Jim  knew that Gina had hired a private investigator that installed closed- circuit television (CCTV)  in the secretive corners of the building  because she thought Jim was having and affair with another woman. She then  had surveillance and security  camera throughout the house since she was there alone while Jim was always  out of town.  The CCTV  captured every episode of their plan. 
 Jim and Janet were arrested for the murder of Gina.

Will my Uncle change?

Finding her Uncle at his home with a needle stuck in his arm, Karman hesitated to approach him.



She thought he was dead after so many attempts from his over use of drugs. She asked " are you okay Uncle ?''.
 Falling to the ground he muttered  " Help me, you bitch ", but being afraid from the last incident made her reluctant. Uncle Marvin made unfavorable remarks. Karman remembered how  he was trying to touch her inappropriately  when she was  eleven years old,  this  act she would  never forget. The stench of alcohol from  his breath and the white powdery substance in his nose showed  that he is still doing drugs at sixty years old.


Karman told  her mother Susan at the time she was fondled by her Uncle, but her mother did not believe her. Her mother would scream  " you are lying young lady , my brother would never do such a thing. Go to your room right now and never speak of this again", those words played  over and over in her mind , and anytime she  sees Uncle Marvin she wished  bad things upon him.


As he laid on the living room floor,Karman   thought "should  I let him die , for he was a horrible man to be around?''. She  flashed back to his horrible ways   for instance  after having  a few drinks  he would   relocate the little girls in the house and go to a private part of the house  where no one could see the horrific, abominable   and unholy acts he unleashed onto the little girls. But Karman had pity on him and  finally called her mother who is a nurse to come help him.


When Susan arrived with her medical bag , Marvin her brother was unconscious, he had no  heart beat and was foaming from  the mouth. Starting CPR on her brother and asking Karman to dial 911. Susan broke down and cried , she spoke softly to Marvin asking " why do you continue to do this? " . Marvin did not  respond as she gave another rescue breathe. He finally coughed and raised his head. Susan and Karman were  glad  to see him come around as they waited for the paramedics.



  Arriving at a  Drug Rehabilitation Unit, Marvin was very upset to see that he couldn't release himself  from the hospital. His sister has power of attorney over his life and affairs. He must stay here for a period of eight weeks to see if  he  could  withstand the craving for drugs. He completed the recommended time . Karman came to pick him up from the Rehabilitation center . He had a lot of time to think about his action while receiving  treatment.


Marvin said  " I'm sorry for all the wrong I've done to you in the past , can you please forgive me?''.
Karman kept driving without uttering a word. Marvin broke the  silence and   said  " Please forgive me , I'm a changed  man now''. Karman turned  and looked at him briefly and then  replied  " You  have said that before Uncle  , I have forgiven you multiple times , go and  ask for  forgiveness from  those other young girls whose  lives  you have destroyed  from you doing drugs and had  sexually molested.  I know it won't be long before you go  back to doing drugs again and this time I won't be there to save you''.

When last you host your family.... True Life Event

Narrated by Veronica Abiodun
Real Life Event

• Junior dancing at our family gathering last Christmas eve

Gazing the blue sky  through  the window with a drink in my hand , I went down memory lane  and remembered how  to be a part of something great as a child growing up- and that is Family gatherings. 

For many years my cousin Johnnybell  invited  people to come  eat, drink, and celebrate the Holidays at her house and for years people attended and were happy to do so.  The dinner  table  had  a variety of Soul food that was prepared by her and music playing  from  the background while eating . Then we would  all laughed and joked with one another.

After dinner with music still playing we would call out who would be card  partners, to get a good card game started, whether Bid Wiz or Spades it was on... Johnneybell would  be the first to call on me to be her partner, for she knew we were unbeatable together as I could recall  but nevertheless, we were good partners.


Recently my Cousin Johnnybell  passed on. Now it seems  that when the Holidays roll around , no one wants to come together anymore, everyone appears to be  on their own  and doing their own thing . Whether  staying at home alone or shopping on the Holidays. I now ask 'Where is the love for family values and respect I was raised on?'

But one good thing in speaking about  morals and values Johnnybell raised three beautiful children of her own, two daughters and a son who happen to have these values instilled in them. One of her daughters,  Janice has  been  carrying  on  her mother's tradition  by  inviting family and friends over for a Christmas' Eve Party every year and  I have  been trying to bring our family together by hosting small park events .  Janice's sister Bobbette has recently passed on but her brother Junior is a man of many talents while still trying to make it to any family affair.


So what I'm saying people , all of us must travel down that road one day losing a loved one, but until then , let's remember the ones that's still here above the ground level  by showing them  much love  and respect  and  by having a forgiven heart because we are all are not perfect. 

May we come together to live, love , and be happy, learn to appreciate life and be thankful for another day above the ground to tell someone that you love  him,  hold him  and kiss him. It might just be the last time....

Family

Don't turn your back...

Baby Stephanie fell from the top of her 3 feet apartment, those  who saw her  on the ground rushed to see the baby's  condition .  A woman yelled "call the ambulance ,we have an emergency here" .    When the paramedics arrived they met the baby at alert and smiling. They carefully examined the baby and wanted to take her to the hospital for further observations and treatment. 
 " Who is the mother of this child? ", one of the paramedics asked but  no one answered.The paramedics had a civic duty to take care of this baby so they arrived at the nearest hospital.

Dorrien had drifted off to sleep after a long hard day  work. She was tired from trying to work and go to school to receive her GED, being a single mother was very hard with no assistance.


Police was called to knock on every door. Finally they came to Dorrien's apartment and she had already awoken from her sleep.The Officer asked  " Do you have a  child whose ages is between three to five years of age? " Dorrien answered to the  affirmative. The Officer asked ''is the child with you right now?''. Dorrien in state of confusion ran into her daughter's  bedroom but did not see her . She screamed " where is my baby and Denise my babysitter?" .One of the  Officers replied " Come with us Madam we will explain on the way".

They arrived at the Hospital. Dorrien was compelled to look frantically in every room  as tears streamed  down her face, she cried again  " Where is my baby?''. One of the staff members brought out Stephanie, and as Dorrien ran towards here to  pick her up, while Denise stood there  in shame for she had gone to fix little Stephanie a snack when she fell from the balcony.  One of the Police Officers  spoke authoritatively " not so soon Madam and you are under arrest  for child endangerment". Dorrien responded " How could that be Mr. Officer ".?  The officer stated: ''Your child was reported falling from your balcony . Where were you  or the house sitter when this happened or did someone push her over?''. She was  handcuffed  while someone from the Division Of family Service came to pick her child up.



 Dorrien was fingerprinted and booked . She had the weekend to sit and think about how this could have happen. On Monday appearing before a Judge she pleaded not guilty. The Judge released her with one year probation and 40 hours of community service. She just wanted to see and hug her baby at this time but faced other problems. The DFS ( Division Of Family Service) wasn't so kind to released her daughter to her infact they brought up another set of charges against her. What else must I go through, she wondered. The court date was set for August 2019; time 10:00am. Division Of Family Service was there with her  daughter. She said ''I missed hugging and kissing her so much. The judge ruled for me to see my daughter only with supervise visits for a period of three  months and a final report from DFS saying I'm no longer a threat to my baby  or myself'', she said. 


Twenty One years old, Dorrien only thought about working and   obtaining her GED so she can  provide for her daughter better. She was  raised by a single mother . That she was giving up for adoption at nine years old made her hold animosity towards her mother and her six other siblings . Dorrien  thought  about  a  promise  she  made  to  herself  in which she said " Life has not been good to me , it's not  how far but how well . I will continue to strive and go forward to become a better person '',as she held her daughter close. 

The Coffee shop.

Julia  was working on a  night shift at a coffee shop and  was day dreaming about a distinguish older man touching her in ways no other man could. When Sheila suddenly dropped a rack of dishes and broke her chain of thought.

 The rack of dishes fell across her feet and cut deep into her leg. Rushing over to assist Sheila with the broken dishes Julia asked "Do you need me to call the ambulance " ?. Sheila replied
 " No ! just help me get to a table and grab the first aide kit from the office ," as blood gushed out the side of Sheila's leg. Damon the night shift manager stood in shock seeing Sheila bleeding from her open womb. "I can't stand the sight of blood", Damon replied, as he  fainted in front of Margret.  ''Can someone call the ambulance we need immediate help over here'' ,Margret cried. 


When the paramedics arrived Sheila was unconscious as a result of  blood she had lost, and Damon still was past out . Julia, her best friend was frantic watching her life like body drenched in the pool of blood. "Help her please  , and for God sake someone give Damon some smelling salt'' , Julia cried out.  After the paramedics got Sheila stable, they placed her on a gurney and rushed her to the nearest hospital.  Damon got up on his two feet and sat back in a chair without any assistance as Margret asked  " Are you okay now ?" ,he replied  "No, I faint every time  I see the sight of blood. I must have hit my head on the floor because I feel a large knot and small cut over my eyebrow''.

Damon asked ''where is Sheila , is she dead from all the pool of blood left on the floor ?'' but  nobody responded . He  repeated  ''where is Sheila ?''.  By this time he  had started to be agitated and began to pace outside the coffee shop. He loves Sheila ,and will do anything just to go out on one date with her and now she's dead he thought.


By the time the coffee shop was closing , Sheila had called and spoken with Julia to say she was doing better and to inform her she will be there overnight just for observation.  Margret had already left for the night and Damon was still pacing up and down the side walk just when Julia hung up the phone from Sheila. Damon had pushed someone's face into the front glass of the coffee shop, both men where  punching, kicking, biting and cursing each other.


Julia ran to the front door to assist Damon as the unknown man had both hands around Damon throat, jumping on his back and gouging his eyes the man released his choke hold on Damon , then started to beat on Julia. She yelled out from the striking blow he delivered to her face. That was when Damon jumped from the ground and tackled the unknown man again, both men still scuffling over the ground as Julia looked for an object to defend Damon and herself  from this wicked man.

 Julia got a bat and hit the wicked unknown man in the back, he turned away from Damon and snatched the bat from her hand, and  started whaling on Damon with the bat Julia had found.  Screaming to the top of her lungs she said  "Stop before you kill him"Pointing the bat at her , he walked slowly over to Julia and said " Why did this man attack me as I was walking pass him on the sidewalk. It appeared that he was holding a conversation with someone , when I asked him  " Excuse me Sir did you say something to me "  He replied  "my Sheila is dead and you are  going to die too"

Call the police . "I was assaulted by you and this crazy man ".Julia stated  " It was just a misunderstanding Sir, and from nowhere Damon hit the man in the head with a brick and knocked him down to his feet. What the Hell is going on Damon? He replied "someone must die, for the only woman I love is dead'',  Julia  replied" Sheila is not dead , she will be discharged  from the hospital tommorow''.Reaching out her hand to help the unknown man  up to his feet, she seeing  Damon  through the coffee shop glass as he lifted his right hand up with a butcher knife to stab her with.

The Unknown man pushed Sheila out of the way as the  butcher knife pierced his back. He was pronounced dead on arrival to the hospital. Damon still couldn't believe that Sheila was alive as he was taken to a mental institution , as Julia laid side by side with her friend Sheila in the hospital she narrated all what happened at the coffee shop ...

Are you ready for this ...

 There was a soft  knock at the door, when answered; the little voice said ''Journee''.   In comes my little princess that said  ''I love you granny'', with big hugs and kisses. I was very much delighted to see her, running through the house like a mad man . She grabbed as many gifts as she could from underneath the tree, luckily all of them were left for her.
  Journee in the video below with her granny's wig on and her  dance moves.

Tearing paper rapidly and opening every box, she came to me with a big smile on her face and said ''granny do you want to play with me?''. I grabbed her up and spent her around and then replied ''You know your granny is tired sweetie , after all the cooking and entertaining of my guests , don't you think your granny is tired?''. Journee responded ''No!''. 
It took all I had not to laugh aloud for her mother was sitting on the couch laughing at her little one terrorizing the house.

 It's always a pleasure to watch children opening their gifts during birthdays and Christmas celebrations . The glee in their eyes and the curiousness of what lie behind the wrapped box makes one remember how wonderful it were be a kid, from this little precious life that gives you so much joy and happiness.

 Suddenly there was quietness in the house , you could hear a pin drop. When Journee ran from the bathroom with my wig on.  I could have fallen right there on the spot. I said " No she didn't as her mother, Josselyn screamed out in laughter and fell back on the couch with tears streaming from her eyes . Journee did a native dance which no one had ever done before as I described it , still we were laughing about her putting on my wig.

Strutting  through the house with hands on her hips , just shaking and moving body parts. Dropping to the floor,twisting and turning  and not one time did that wig fell off .I even started calling her Tina Turner and sang aloud  What's Love got to do with  It,  as Journee continued to dance and parade through the premise. I never witnessed anything like this before . I don't know what to say about these children today. ''It seem like they have been here before."    

Journee stated " Can I keep your wig granny ?" I replied  "No, you can't keep my wig'', as she ran out the front door  screaming ''mine , mine , you can't have it''. My neighbors came outside to see what all the shouting was about as this child from Hell standing there with my twisted wig on , hands on her hips , swaying back and forth as to dare me to catch her and take the wig. I said " Get yourself in this house right now before I call your mother."

 She replied " Okay granny, but mommy lets me wear her wigs too"  Once inside, she took off the wig and handed it to me and said,''I want to spend the night with you granny , your the best, now can I have your wig . I replied  "No! you cannot, but know your granny loves you a whole lot. When you turn your granny's age then you can have my wig. She smiled and said " you will be old then. I can just take all of them ". I just shook my head...