Waycross II/III E-Book

M'ALAN B

• Herausgeber: Spines
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

A coming of age story about a young boy and his close cousins growing up in the rural south.
The story follows these youths from childhood to young adulthood. It's a tale that shows young kids serious about business and fun. A story promoting mentorship.

Leseprobe

WAYCROSS DEUCE

PARTS II and III

M’ Alan B.

It Started in Waycross II

M’Alan B.

All rights reserved

Copyright 2024 by M’Alan B.

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, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Published by Spines

ISBN: 979-8-89383-787-2

WAYCROSS DEUCE

PARTS II and III

M’ Alan B.

Contents

It Started in Waycross II

II

Chapter 1

Rest in Peace (Anton)

II

Chapter 2

MR. NELSON (Ease)

II

Chapter 3

THE PROFESSIONAL FROM PETERSBURG

II

Chapter 4

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

II

Chapter 5

THE BU (Be You)

II

Chapter 6

GROWN FOLKS CIRCUMSTANCES

II

Chapter 7

WAYCROSS BULLDOGS (HS) AND BEYOND

II

Chapter 8

A WOMAN’S DREAM

II

Chapter 9

CONSTRUCTION COMPLETE

II

Chapter 10

PEN PALS

II

Chapter II

ROAD TRIP PREPARATIONS

II

Chapter 12

DEUCE BEFORE DEUCES (THE ROAD TRIP)

II

Chapter 13

IS IT REAL?

II

Chapter 14

CONGRUENT CONDOS

II

Chapter 15

GROWN KIDS

II

Chapter 16

LOCAL BASKETBALL

II

Chapter 17

THE PICK-UP ARTISTS

II

Chapter 18

THE GALLERY AND MORE

II

Chapter 19

GREAT ADVENTURE

II

Chapter 20

BEEF IN LAKEWOOD

II

Chapter 21

TIMES UP

II

Chapter 22

THE TRIP BACK

It started in Waycross III

III

Chapter 1

FISH AND GRITS

III

Chapter 2

BACK AT IT

III

Chapter 3

NILES AND READY REO

III

Chapter 4

BRODERICK’S WAY

III

Chapter 5

TEENAGE HORMONES

III

Chapter 6

FUTURE TALK

III

Chapter 7

DEUCE IS 7

III

Chapter 8

NOLAN BEFORE AND AFTER THE INJURY

III

Chapter 9

NILES AND BOXING

III

Chapter 10

BACK AT ONE

III

Chapter 11

NOLAN RETURNS

III

Chapter 12

KHALIL’S ARTIST

III

Chapter 13

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KHALIL

III

Chapter 14

NAPALM NILES BIGGEST FIGHT

III

Chapter 15

OVIYA’S TRAUMA

III

Chapter 16

Sixteen knockouts, ONE LOSS

III

Chapter 17

ALL IS FAIR

III

Chapter 18

SESSIONS AND TRANSITIONS

III

Chapter 19

ALL THE WAY

III

Chapter 20

FULL CIRCLE

Acknowledgments

It Started in Waycross II

Additional Characters

Mr. Nelson (Ease) - Invaluable mentor and business partner 

Broderick - Khalil’s cousin on his mother’s side, Vance’s younger brother from St. Petersburg 

SGT Simms - a liaison in NJ

WILLINGBORO

Shamira - Khalil’s romantic interest, highly respectable

Chante - Broderick’s romantic interest, very high standards and very feminine

Samone - Nolan’s playmate, thot type

LAKEWOOD

Satira - attractive teen, thot type

Nisha - attractive teen, thot type

Wise - trap money God

Majestic - fake (5% God)

Frank The Tank - a young, tough guy

EDGEWATER

Ivory - attractive teen, underage drinker

Monique - attractive teen, underage drinker

Matt - virgin simp (DoorMatt)

THE BASKETBALL TEAMMATES FROM JERSEY

Bizzy, Grizz, Diz, and Roy

Ro - an old head basketball enthusiast and hired adult/coach, who drank alcohol excessively. He knew his basketball, regardless.

This story is dedicated to my cousin, Charles Smith (if we only had Anton back then). I also dedicate this tale to those mentors that give structure and leadership to others.

Mentors make the world better.

II

Chapter 1

Rest in Peace (Anton)

The impact Anton made in his community was noteworthy. He got down to business early in life and did a great job maximizing his attributes. The company he started with his apprentice Khalil (Ankhal Services), had great potential to be integral in the community. Even with all the things Anton accomplished before being old enough to vote, it still seemed that he was, as they say, ‘only scratching the surface.’ The sky was the limit!

The news of Anton’s unnecessary demise, took all the strength to fight for his own life, out of Sebastian (Ankhal Services brain trust and silent partner). He passed away a week after Anton’s demise. These losses rocked their families and the business. It was hard to cope. Anton and Sebastian were the pillars of Ankhal Services (AS). 

Khalil was very distraught when he heard the news upon arriving at the Jacksonville airport. His Uncle Chris was there to pick him up, and break the horrible news to him. After getting his bags situated, and seating himself comfortably on the passenger side, he got right to it, “What’s going on Unc? I’m sure it’s serious if y’all needed me to shorten my trip?”

Chris’ eyes narrowed as he shifted the truck into drive, and kept his focus on the road. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, then just blurted out the facts, “Ain’t no easy way to tell you nephew, them hateful fools done killed Anton. Evil-ass Payne and his flunkey Derrick. They ran him over in that rusty car of his. They definitely going to prison or worse, for a very long time.”

Khalil was speechless. He had a million questions about the details of it, but he couldn’t even speak. As Khalil sat in the passenger seat heading back to Waycross, he closed his eyes and thought about Anton's presence and influence. Tears started streaming out of his closed eyes as he sat there, listless. In the initial part of the ride, he was in misery, but as they got closer to Waycross, he felt more composed. 

His thoughts went from feeling sympathetic and mournful, to ‘what would Anton want me to do?’. That was the thought process that gave him focus. 

He started thinking about the safe Sebastian allowed them to keep, discreetly, in the back of his shed. Anton saved a lot of money with him. Every week, they decided, according to their circumstances, that they would match each other in savings. Some weeks, it would be as little as $5, and one time, it was as much as $50, but on average, they’d match each other $10 to $20 a week. They’d been doing this for the past five years. They agreed to wait until Anton left for basic training before they decided what to do with those savings. Up to this point, they saved $3,950 in those five years, just off playing a savings matching game with each other.

By the time they got to Waycross, Khalil was still solemn, but with a new determination. He grabbed his bags and went to his space. His landing time was late so he didn’t have to encounter anyone. He suspected that his cousins (Nolan and Niles) would be around first thing in the morning. 

Khalil took a shower, and then had the nerve to mournfully question God in prayer. Finally, he went into a short, yet deep sleep.

The following months were very challenging. Filling Anton’s tremendous void, and overcoming Sebastian’s missing guidance, was a daunting task. Chris and Vance were the only ones who could be considered legal adults, but they were barely in their 20s. Khalil, Nolan, and Niles were merely adolescents. They all had to step up, however, and help was on the way.

II

Chapter 2

MR. NELSON (Ease)

The epitome of southern etiquette, laidback, with a cordial nature, he was half a century old, with a fashion sense that spanned any era. Standing tall and confident at 6’3, his gait was upright and smooth. The irony was that while Sebastian wore overalls all day except for Sundays (church), Ease was always displaying his fashion sense. They were the odd couple as far as outward appearance, but they were indeed kindred spirits. 

Ease used to visit Sebastian regularly. They’d have engaging conversations about any and everything while cracking open fresh roasted peanuts, and chasing the snack with iced tea, most times. They preferred cigars with some dark liquor on rare occasions. Breaking expensive, fragrant cigars out was usually a celebratory move between them.

These days, Mr. Nelson dealt in real estate, but only at his convenience. He didn’t chase money; he always said, he was ‘in pursuit of TRUE happiness’—fulfilling activities and PEACE. 

Mr. Nelson had a military career. He was the definition of precision, a ‘fast tracker.’ He explained the Army as a game he signed up for—a game he found he could succeed in if he focused on what was important. He made rank quickly, and was a Master Sergeant for the last five of his twenty years in the military, at 38 years old. 

All the years in various duty stations, including tours overseas, Mr. Nelson had connections all over the US and some international liaisons as well. When Khalil considered Mr. Nelson, he surmised that Anton was definitely influenced by him, to join the military. 

That next a.m., when Khalil returned from his New Jersey visit to address Anton’s demise, he didn’t wait for Nolan or Niles. It was very early, and the only person he knew was awake and already into the day was Mr. Nelson. Khalil used to hear Mr. Nelson say, “I get up with the sunrise. I’m in sync with nature; when the sun rises, I rise, simple as that.” 

Khalil reasoned there was a good chance that Ease would be up. 

It was a short bike ride around the corner. As predicted, Mr. Nelson was on his screened-in porch, reading the Waycross Journal – Herald, sitting on his exclusive, all-weather, Yacht Club Presidential rocking chair. Mr. Nelson noticed him before Khalil could tap on the unlocked screen door.

“You’re up early, Khalil; come on in.”

“I usually am, sir,” Khalil responded as he entered, “How are you, Mr. Nelson?”

They spoke of the inevitable: death. (Anton’s passing and Sebastian’s failing health before he passed as well). They addressed it in a way that actually motivated them both to stay the course of perseverance so as to have no regrets in this life. 

That narrative brought Khalil right back to his business, Ankhal Services. He wanted Mr. Nelson to play a part in it. Any part played would be appreciated. He knew Ease could only help as a consultant/partner in whatever capacity would benefit both. 

“Mr. Nelson, you know what we do, the landscaping, food carts, etc. Sir, I’d like to know if you’d be a part of the business in any capacity. If it’s just coming to you routinely, for ideas and guidance, maybe you could consult the business, or just join us so we can incorporate some of your ideas to really help the business and the community.”

That last sentence sold Ease. He thought about some of his own ideas and nodded, 

“I need to get a real bird's-eye view of your business, including a growth chart and future projections based on past results.” Mr. Nelson was going to bring his expertise on board, and Khalil knew Ease would be invaluable.

II

Chapter 3

THE PROFESSIONAL FROM PETERSBURG

It was the last part of summer; time to get ready for the school year. Time to get ‘fresh’.

Vance’s younger brother, Broderick was going to interview to be a partner, or default to a family/worker associate, if they deemed him not to be ready for partnership. He got into a little fast money trouble in St. Petersburg (fencing stolen goods), but he wasn’t a thief. His thick, greasy Jheri curl was not going to help his cause, because it didn’t fit the natural hairstyles of his cousins. Niles said he looked like Johnny Gill (the pre-New Edition version). Khalil was still optimistic in a nonchalant way; just enough to be unassuming, concerning the outcome. Khalil didn’t know Broderick’s value, but he soon would find out.

Khalil was taking his time to get his fat laces just right. As he laced up his baby blue Basket Pumas, Niles spoke up, “Yo cuz, we have been too busy mourning and shit, so I ain’t really mention it, but you came back from Jersey fresh, and with the exclusive music. Me and Nolan out here looking regular while you on your fly shit!”

Nolan and Khalil laughed, and then Khalil responded, 

“My dude Louis had me in Philly at this big mall, The Gallery; it was crazy! You have no choice but to leave with fly gear. If y’all want to, we can take that trip to Atlanta. Maybe Vance will take us next weekend or the week before school starts. Atlanta probably won’t have the gear they had in Philly, but it’ll be better than what’s in our local mall.”

Niles responded, “That’s cool, but as soon as Nolan gets his L’s, we’re going to visit your boy Louis… a road trip!!”

That’s when they all agreed to put $10 away each payday, for the trip. They figured by the time Nolan got his license, they’d have good money saved up to get a nice vehicle. They would also have money to fund the trip; lodging, etc. When Broderick heard of the saving plan and the trip, he asked if he could be a part of it. “Of course,” agreed the trio.

Was Broderick going to make them a quartet?, they all wondered. All these cousins were born within a year of each other in this order: Nolan, Broderick, Khalil, and then Niles.

Besides the greasy Jheri curl, the interview went very well. Broderick was probably the brightest of them all. With technical skills and computer savvy, he seemed to absorb and process information like no other. He wasn’t the hardest worker when it came to blue-collar activities, yet he was effective. Conversely, he’d work his mind overnight on technical aspects of the business. 

He enhanced everything, and helped organize the company even better. As a mechanic, he was almost as good as his older brother, Vance.

Chris ended up taking the trio to ATL for that shopping trip. They left early for Atlanta the following Saturday a.m. Vance decided to take Broderick back to St.Petersburg to see their mom that weekend. Vance figured it was the best time for them to go see their mom before school started for Broderick. They drove the Bronco truck down to St. Petersburg.

The trio of cousins with Chris behind the wheel, made it to Atlanta just after 11 a.m. Buckhead’s Lenox Square was the shopping attraction. After a few hours of shopping and a bite to eat, they made the four hour ride back to Waycross. They were home by 7 p.m., road-weary but with some dope gear. 

Vance and Broderick weren’t expected back until Sunday afternoon. The landscaping that had to be done on Saturday was mostly handled already, on Friday. With the few jobs they had left, they (Khalil, Nolan, Niles, Chris) did a rare thing, and completed their remaining jobs that Sunday morning. It was a first; they had never landscaped on Sundays before.

The trio cleaned themselves up to prepare to lounge, and talk sports, girls, business, and the upcoming school year.

They were all just hanging around The Oasis while Monifah, Layla, and Rella handled business. In these situations, Niles was always most helpful to the young ladies. It’s how he started off as a ‘light associate’ before he became a partner. Khalil and Nolan mostly steered clear and focused on keeping a diligent view of business. Everything was situated as Broderick joined them.

The other, larger food cart was thriving. They relocated it permanently, to Henrietta’s business property; her salon. Henrietta got her nieces to manage the stand. They were reliable young ‘single moms’, who refused to work legally, because of the love of that welfare check; strictly under-the-table work for them. Monifah, Layla, and Retta did the cooking and baking for the food carts and catering demands.

Ankhal Services made a deal with Henrietta that actually enhanced business for them both. Her beauty shop was near Garlington Heights, so clientele was still being taken care of, with seemingly new customers every day.

II

Chapter 4

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

At that time, Broderick stayed in the last spare bedroom at their grandad Ellis’ house. The three-bedroom home was fully occupied with Broderick, Monifah (it seems Layla shared her room, they were always together), and their grandparents. Khalil was still comfortable in the converted attic at his grandparents house on his dad’s side of the family. 

However, new developments were taking place soon at 1019 Blackwell Street. Uncle Khalan was moving off the property and taking his trailer to some property his pregnant girlfriend’s family-owned. Niles and Nolan would have to have some new living arrangements. In 3 months, they would have to have it figured out.

When Khalil’s mother was informed of her brother Khalan’s pending move from 1019, she offered the space to her son, free of charge. She respected his desire to be successful. Khalil just had to pay the low property taxes like his Uncle Khalan did when he used her property. She said she’d give him the small lot when he turned 18 if he handled it well, up to that point.

They all (Khalil, Nolan, Niles, Broderick), went to Mr. Nelson’s house to discuss options on what to do. They wanted 1019 to be their headquarters and housing. They wanted to build something that they could all dwell in, and conduct some business.

“We would have the property in the name of the business, preferably an LLC for tax liability purposes, and we would deduct the purchase of the home from the profit of the business. Now I won’t speak fully to tax implications until I check some things, but I know in certain cases, everything that can be removed from the house can have its depreciation written off; everything from flooring, to doors, to cabinetry.”

Mr. Nelson was going in. This was his lane, his expertise. Khalil couldn’t grasp it all concisely, but he understood enough to know that if he asked the right questions, and kept paying attention, he’d be better for it.

Broderick grasped it all, though. He was young, but had a knack for comprehending the real estate business in general.

Mr. Nelson continued, “The goal is to maximize the lot for business and personal needs. For example, consider this: there is something called the Augusta Rule that states a person can rent out their home, or personal residence for up to 15 days a year, with no tax implications, so what savvy businesses do is rent their homes out to their own business for shareholder meetings. The amount for the rent for those days can essentially be anything, so whatever the expenses are for the year, like the mortgage, add it up and divide it by the 15 free days, and charge the business that amount; the business writes off that amount, and the homeowner does not have to pay taxes on that rental income.” 

Ease was sounding like a business magician. Ankhal Services was about to take the next step:

It was time to turn plans into a reality.

Anton’s grandfather, Quinn, allowed Khalil to use a small portion of his front yard to move their stand (The Oasis), so it wouldn’t be in the way of the pending construction. Mr. Quinn was always helpful, and didn’t want anything for the gesture. Khalil insisted on compensating him anyway, so they worked out a deal that included landscaping.

With the brilliant help of Mr. Nelson, construction at 1019 was happening expeditiously. Less than a week after Khalan took his trailer off the property, building materials were being brought in to start the project. Chris had the solution for where Nolan and Niles would relocate to in the meantime. Vance was rarely there anymore and was never there too much in the beginning. He lived with his main ‘side piece.’ He seemed to love his motorcycle more than any woman, besides his mother.

For clarity: Vance was a womanizer. His physical form and aura was highly sought after by the ladies. He wasn’t the guy that plays the bum, and uses his charms to live off women, although it could seem that way.