I had a Health teacher in 9th grade that always said "just like that, you're done ".It always stuck with me that he was right, I wonder what he's up to now ? Currently I'm fighting with my father on his decision to send me to a psych ward.
"You're fucking stupid if you think I'll go !" I yelled around the living room as he replied angrily
"The fuck you just say to me huh ?"
He rushes towards me ready to smack me as I backed away into the hallway.He calmly backed into the living room again as I went into my room, I slammed the door.
"Telling me I'm crazy, I ain't going to no place like that, crazy old bastard …" I murmured to myself as I check underneath my bed.I got out a duffle bag and went through it.I changed my clothes as I wore denim pants, a white tank top, some black chuck Taylor converses and a dark green Jacket.
I went back out into the living room, getting ready to leave.
"The hell you going huh ?" Yelled my father as I replied "Going for a walk …"
I stormed out as I slammed the door on my way out.I went out of this lower-class home and started walking to my friends house.
I know people around this neighborhood but I deep down have seven real friends.Ones you could joke around with and talk with for days without getting bored.For now I'm mentioning Bobby, he's an average height man with a good build.He just loves to pick fights around the neighborhood, just does it to try to assert his dominance around this place.Hell you'd hate messing with him but loathe being his friend.I feel like I won the lottery being his friend sue to his bully demeanor towards people.We became great friends a couple years ago when me and Jackson (another real friend ) went over to his house to hang out.First time I saw him I was shook, I knew him as a kid and he was a fat little boy.Now he's had a great glow up in life, he's an ugly fuck but still got slim.
Well anyways, I walked it to his home as I called him ahead of time.
"Aye I'm outside, let me in fucker …" I say jokingly as I wait outside his apartment.I hanged against the wall as I see cars passing by as I wondered if they noticed me.
"What's up …" he says as he opens the door of his apartment building and we walked upstairs.We made it to his door as we enter, he closes it as I go for his room.
"Again, What's happening, you alright ?" He asked as I sat on his chair and he laid on his bed.
"Well I need money …" I asked as he smirked and said jokingly
"Well get a fucking job, hehe …" we laughed as I said
"You know what I mean man, I need about five hundred and I swear I'll pay you back …" I asked as he stopped me
"Ah- listen I'll give you money but you don't gotta pay me back, just remember how good I am to you alright ?" He said as he went into his closet and pulled out five hundred dollars and handed it over.
"You sure, I mean I'm getting in on a fight that could win me big, I mean so you don't want me to pay you back ?" I kept asking as he exited me out of his home.We got to his front door as I stood and he replied "I'm sure, just when I ask you for a favor, you better be committed …"
He closed the door on me and I stood there as I whispered "alright-, goodbye …" I walked back down the stairs happily as I held the money with my life.I cheeringly walked out the apartment building as I made a call
"Yea, I'm gonna be there in about twenty minutes, I want Three hundred on Rivera …" I said as I walked.
I was talking to a guy I knew, Nick Alfresco.What I called in was a bet I placed on a fight that was going on in his uncles Garage.He had it all set up well and I know you think why call on your regular phone, well he had his phone number fixed so no one heard in on him or whoever called him.He had guys around his neighborhood fight for money and invited people from other neighborhoods to join as they charged them ten dollars for entrance or if you bet on someone, you come in for free.
I arrived at the home as I knocked on the door, it's a nice quiet house and such thrills happening in the home.His uncle answered as I said "I bet …" he quickly looked at his phone to see a list of names.
"Alright … have fun Ray …" he said as I walked by him and entered the garage.I see at least dozens of men crowded together as two men are going at it, it's barbaric.They fight bare foot as one man is getting pummeled.
"Aye, Ray come here man !!!" Yells out Nick as I walk by people and meet up with him.
"Look your fighters over there, he's ready and he's gonna kill out there in the next match …" he says as he points at Rivera.Rivera is a six feet tall, skinny but muscular black man, in his late 20s.
"Well let's hope so …" I say as I pass over three hundred dollars to Nick as he puts it in his coat pockets.As people cheer, the fighter that was getting his ass beat made a comeback and won.I look at him at awe as he's cut badly in his face and bleeding from his mouth ad he smiles around the crowd.Many are happy and many are angered at the loss as the next fight is getting prepared.
"Good job kid, go talk to Tony over there, he'll get you your money …" says Nick to the fighter as he walks to another room where Tony is with the money.He exits as Rivera is about to fight, Rivera vs Lopez.They set it off as they start to fight, Rivera starts to wrestle the man around.Lopez is around 5'9 and looks bulky, very well made around his neighborhood.
"Alright look you know what, let me add another hundred for Rivera …" I said to Nick ad he said "too late for that, three hundred is your number with the odds being even…" he replied as we continued watching.
Lopez has gotten some jabs on Rivera as Rivera setups up an uppercut, successfully.Lopez falls as people cheer, he gets up shortly.They get back to it as Rivera bombards the man with a number of left and right hooks.Lopez is absorbing these punches with pain as he lands a clean shot at Riveras Chin, knocking him out cold.As he hits the mat placed around the floor, people are in shock as they felt for sure Lopez would lose.In disappointment all around, only Lopez's friend celebrates as he bet on him.
"God damn it !" I yelled as Lopez and his friend cheer together.The fight ends as another will be setup shortly.
"Tuff luck Ray, hey if you want I'll buy your next fight but you'll owe me …" persuades Nick as he puts his arm around my shoulder.I get it off and angrily say
"Fuck that and fuck you, I'll see you next week…" I storm off and leave as he waves his goodbyes.
I always knew gambling is wrong but winning is always right, it's why I don't quit that little rush you get.I remember as a kid my uncle would buy me 1$ scratcher tickets when he'd go to the liquor store, I was around eight or nine when I won one hundred dollars.The most I've won at such a young age, that's when it all started.
From then on I lived off lottery tickets, betting on dog fights or boxing matches.That escalated to blackjack, Roulette wheels, Sports games.Anything you can bet on, I was on it.
Well my luck kicked me hard that game as I was standing outside angrily smoking a cigarette.I was almost on the verge of tears as my streaks gotten worse, I'm on a 17 game losing streak.
I noticed Lopez and his friend exit the house in happiness as they talked, I kept my distance but I could listen in.
"Alright good job man, here …" said his friend as he handed Lopez Four thousand dollars.
"Alright, til next time …tell Danny I said hello ….goodbye …" said Lopez as he went the opposite way home as his friend went the other way and replied "I will, alright, goodbye !"
I kept count as I saw his friend had at least two thousand dollars on him.I thought fuck it, I got nothing to lose in life now.I followed him slowly into an alley as I he noticed.
"We got a problem ?" He asked as I said "I'm just walking but pal, what's your problem ?" I made it look causal as we both stopped and looked at each other.He smiles arrogantly as he turned back around and yelled "well walk faster then, I don't want you behind it's creepy …" he said he walked slower.I suddenly pounced "creepy ,creepy huh this creepy !" I exclaimed as I tackled him to the ground and started punching him over and over in the face.He tried to fight back but I had him pinned, he smacked me in the face.I felt more angry as I choked him now , he gasped for air as we looked eyes in anger.I breathed heavily as he tried to let out some words "you Motherfucker-" he was unconscious as I checked his pockets.I got out the wad of cash, in greed, I got up and felt joy.I was blinded to my surroundings as a man yelled "hey the hell you doing !" I ran for it as he started running up to us, he got up to the friend who was unconscious.I assumed he called an ambulance but I didn't care.I ran back home as my dad was sleeping on the couch in the living room, leaving the tv on.
I was no walking around my room, worried if I just killed a man or if the police will be on the way.So many options to think but I just have no conscience at the moment.I calmed down a bit by smoking another cigarette and got the smell out through my window.Dad knew I smoked, he didn't care he only cared about appearance.
I looked through my window paranoid as I see no movement in the streets.Just the same old guys playing dice or the guys loitering outside.
I died down after a few days as I've gotten the news of my two real friends.Bobby and Elliot, You know about Bobby but let me tell you about Elliot.Another average height man with a cut figure and is an ugly motherfucker too.Out of all the kids in the neighborhood he was the first to start driving at the age of 15.His mother was trusting in him and he did look like an adult so young, already a beard and looking like he's been through hell.He drove to a supermarket with me as passenger as we lived like adults for a day.Worrying about prices and buying what's needed and not wanted, the basic economics you'd learn in school.
Well Elliot was a well made guy, worked during his senior year and has had his luck around the ladies but he's focused on money now.Always buying these designer clothes and buying expensive electronics, I was a bit envious.Still proud he's living well, these two boys were gonna become men.
During our senior year they've been in training to become marines.They've been doing PT for months now and are ready for boot camp this July, it's June 24 now.High school wrapped up and I don't know what life is worth living, never mind I do know, money.Dad used hard earned money to make me the man I am now, he using money to take me to a 1 year college.I use money to gamble, money makes everybody move, moneys the root of all our family problems.Money causes family problems.
Well anyways I'm pursuing a career in Pharmaceutical, you know to make them and stuff. I might bail out because I'm bad at numbers I'm like rain man, stupid.Well sorry I'm getting off track, back to the boys.Bobby and Elliot will leave July 7th, leaving to bootcamp together.I used to have hangouts at my house, me and the rest of them, we'd watch films and laugh at old inside jokes, and now it's all over.
"Imma miss you two you know that, what am I gonna do hang out with these losers…" I say jokingly as I point at the other people in the room.They laughed as Bobby said
"We got two weeks left so let's make it count …" he said as we are Twinkie's and Cheetos, plus gatorades all around.You got the run down of Bobby and Elliot now let me introduce the rest of them.We got Jackson, he's about 5'9, skinny Motherfucker, looks like a black Buddy Holly.He's a mediocre like as he is planning on going to a college in San Diego in July as Well.Next up is Malcom, he's an Irish bastard with no morals but he's been doing online school and has been working his ass off to get into a college in the San Fernando, he leaves in July.Now Dean here is a tricky one, he transferred schools in senior year so we haven't been catching up on him but we always hang out.What he's told me briefly is he's going Texas to work with his uncle on a farm they've got, also leaving in July.This ugly fat fuck is Nicky, not to be confused with Nick, two completely different people.Nicky is around 5,11 and is Mexican, like most of us here.He's going to the same route, half of these nimrods in the neighborhood will do, go to a community college and live on campus.I'd say living on campus is extra, not many get that privilege, he starts the first of July.Lastly the idiotic genius, Jackie May, like the month.I don't mention much last names because I know these guy so we'll I forget the big details like birthdays or names.Jackie is going to another country as he's gotten a wrestling scholarship, the whole ride free, lucky bastard.Jackie's about 5'8 and is pure white, as white as the bread that kills you.Can you guess when he leaves ? You got it, July.July is going to be a tough month for me for it shall be my lonely times.
We all are hanging on my house watching "GoodFellas" as Jackie goes to use the restroom.My room can fit at least a dozen people but we manage to have a good time.
"What are you gonna Ray, we're all leaving you so soon, you gotta have something setup …" asked Dean as I reply "imma go to college to be a pharmacist …" I say as they all nod impressed.
"Bullshit, you probably gonna work in some McDonald's or something .." said Elliot Jokingly as they laugh, "hey I appreciate those workers man, they gotta deal with awful costumers, that's the real backbone of this country …" said Nicky seriously as he drank his Gatorade.They're still laughing as I add on "man I hope they shoot your ass dead first minute you step into the Battlefield …" I say jokingly as they laugh more.You see Elliot's chosen to be infantry, the Motherfucker crazy enough to step in combat first, Bobby's chosen to be the guy that manufactures weapons and vehicles for the marines.
"Na but for real, Ray, I wish you the best of luck in life, all of you…we're all going places to be pursuit what we passion to be, so Boule Var gentleman !" Says Elliot as we all toast our Gatorade.You gotta remember something, Elliot's older than us by a year, Jackson's the youngest by a couple months, he's still 17.We all got our own roel in our little crew, but we get along.Jackie enters back in as the "funny how ?" Scenes starts playing,
"I love This scene …" says Jackie as he enters and closes the door in his way in.We all pay our attention to the screen as I sit there terrified for my future.I should've payed more attention in school and the opportunities it has to offer.
July, July , the month of Cancer.I don't believe in those shits, seems like an idiotic source for a way to act in life.Well I awoke to realizing I got one week left with these bastard as I call up Bobby.
"Aye you down for one more lick ?" I ask as he says
"Uhhh, fuck it …"
I walked to his home as I'm sporting a white puma shirt and khaki pants with my Nike Cortez.I saw him standing outside as we walked to Target.We made it to the entrance as I wore my headphones and nodded to Bobby.We walked in casually as we made it to the dvd and vinyl section of the store.I was listening to "Walk Like A Man " by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.we quickly shoved blu-Ray DVDS and he boldly carried a Queen Vinyl.We started walking as we had the disc hidden in our pants.we just walked out, he just confidently walked out with the vinyls like nothing.Security was shit and the cameras were too slow to notice.Not every Target store is like this so be cautious.We walked out as we just quickly walked out of the area and back to my house.we got there as we smile at the stuff we've stolen, at least 250$ worth of items.
"You already have this movie …" he said as he picked up Bladerunner 2049 4K Ultra HD box.
"I know it's just I'll sell it back, easy 15$ " I said as he shook his head and said "alright …"
You see we had to be careful doing this, I mean this was our last time but me and Bobby were like Bonnie and Clyde with this shit.I'm 18 now and we started doing this a couple months after we became good friends, when I was 13 or 14.Over the years I'd say realistically we've stolen thousand of dollars in merchandise from Targets and Dollar stores and from times we've dined and dashed.That's when we were kids, now we'd go to jail for this so we knew this risk was deadly.Either way we got away with it, never would've thought.I don't see joy in collecting material objects anymore but there's people out there who do and that's when I sell it.
I have this Jewish guy I know who I give all the stuff to so he can sell it for me.He gets 25 percent due to him being a good friend.
Bobby is about to leave as I say "you wanna hang out later ?" He gets outside as he replies "yea I'll be here around 6 or 7 and with a lil special soda you know what I mean ?" He said smirkingly as he means alcohol.I'd love to get into details of these guys alcoholism but it's too much information.Ill just say their preferred choice is Hennessy or Don Julio 1942.It's crazy I don't mention the guy I robbed but in these parts you just move on, you either come back with a vengeance or get pissy about, he lived that day.
I got ready as I felt different after this as I felt I still got it.I got a call from Nick Alfresco
"Yo Ray haven't seen you in a while, listen I got the news on a dog fight that could win you big…" he says as I ask
"How much ?"
He calmly said "well starting bets is 200$ but if you give me 150$ I'll put in the rest .." no way I'm doing that, it's an easy trick to get into doesn't with someone.
"No it's okay I got the 200$, Where's it at ?" I ask as he replied
"Down by the church on Tampa Ave…."
I sigh as I say
"When ?" I heard a knock on my door as it's the boys.I get the door as replies
"This Friday, 9:00 PM …" he says as I say
"Alright, see you then …" I hang up as the boys start heading to my room.They greet my dad who's laying on the couch, watching tv.They go in the room as I feel exhausted from life in general.I close the door as I enter the room and I'm already sweating, think about that I'm in my home where I should feel cool and the AC's on but I'm sweating like I'm under interrogation.
It's only Bobby and Elliot due to the Nicky and Dena already and The rest getting ready.
Bobby puts down his little bag as he pulls out a bottle of Hennessy and says "now or later ?" He asked Elliot as he says "later in my car…" Bobby puts it away as I turn on the tv and put on "Full Metal Jacket ", to set the mood.
"Oh you bastard, fuck it " says Elliot as the movie starts.Bobby goes to get some snacks from drawer as he gets out a bag of Cheeto puffs and some pop tarts.
"God we gotta enjoy this before we leave …" he says as he tosses us a pop tart.
"Damn right that's why we gotta finish that bottle…." He replies as they laugh.
" funny how ? Huh funny how ?" Says Bobby in a Joe Pesci impersonation.
"You know you're just funny…" I say in my Ray Liotta impression.We laugh as he sits down aside on us on the chairs I had setup in the room.The AC is on blast as we finished the movie.
"You think that's how it is ?" I asked as Elliot said
"Well a friend of ours who got back from bootcamp said it was …" I was at awe as Bobby said
"Bet I won't do a Forrest Gump, "whatever you tell me to do drill sergeant !" He says in a Forrest Gump impersonation.We laughed again as Elliot said "if you don't I'll do it, watch …" it gets silent for a minute as Elliot gets up and says "alright let's go !"
We've walked to Elliot's car, which is parked behind this elementary school near my house.
We got in as I got shotgun, I connect an auxiliary cord to my phone as I played songs from my playlist.I played "I Got You (I Feel Good ) " by James Brown, it set the mood as Elliot started grooving to it."You brought the shot glasses right ?" He asked me as I pulled out at least six glasses with me.
"Perfect !" He said as laid the glasses on the dash of the car.As they started to drink me and Bobby switched seats as I went in the back and he got Passenger.By now the song changed to "House Of The Rising Sun " by the animals.
"God I love this song …" said Bobby, three shots in.
"Listen to Motherfucker, we gonna go half on this bottle, and we gonna finish it." Said Elliot to Bobby as I just watched.I never took a liking to drinking, only cigarettes.Speaking of which,
"Hey cool if I smoke ?" I asked Elliot as he said "yea just lower the window …" I got out a cigarette and used my custom Virgin Mary lighter.
"Dude you're not down, you're not down to walk to our old high school right now, just to chill …" said Elliot as we were happily in agreement.
"Let's fucking do it !" Said Bobby ad Elliot got out the car.We started walking as I said
"You sure you guys can make it ?" I asked as they both confidentially said
"Yea …" Bobby started running through the neighborhoods as we followed, I perfectly but Elliot struggled.Thankfully the light leading to the school was green so Bobby sprinted as we still followed him, we got up to the benches in front of the school.