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    Headlines
    Headlines
    Headlines
    Ebook141 pages2 hours

    Headlines

    By Teresa D. Patterson

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    About this ebook

    Teresa D. Patterson, author of Project Queen, delivers a gritty, gripping tale of urban life with no sugarcoating.

    How far would you go to clean up your 'hood?

    Tired of constantly reading headlines about the violence being committed in his community, Xavier Brunswick decides to form Brothers Takin’ Over (BTO) with three of his childhood friends. BTO’s original intention is to help clean up the ‘hood, but large egos and clashing personalities causes them to lose focus of their main goal.

    In addition to dealing with BTO, Xavier ‘s problems at home continue to fester. He’s angry at his father who is “passing” for white and vows to never become like him. Just when he thinks things can get no worse, his dope-fiend brother, Woodrow, returns from the streets and throws the family into chaos.

    Having to deal with back-stabbing friends, an alcoholic father, and a crack-head brother is almost more than Xavier can bear. How much can he endure before he finally snaps?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTeresa D. Patterson
    Release dateOct 25, 2011
    ISBN9781466010482
    Headlines
    Author

    Teresa D. Patterson

    Teresa D. Patterson came onto the literary scene with her debut novel, Project Queen, which was published by a small independent publishing company. It wasn't long before she realized having complete control over the creation and distribution of her books suited her better, compelling her to publish her own future works. Her first independent published novel was Ex-boyfriend. She went on to write several novels in multiple genres, which includes contemporary fiction, erotica, inspirational fiction, juvenile fiction, romance, and urban lit. She has written twenty-eight novels and co-authored one.

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      Book preview

      Headlines - Teresa D. Patterson

      HEADLINES

      Urban Fiction

      Teresa D. Patterson

      Copyright 2009 by Teresa D. Patterson

      Published by Edit Again Publications at Smashwords

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means including electronic, mechanical or photocopying or stored in a retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages to be included in a review.

      This book is a work of fiction. Names, character, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

      Chapter One

      Aw man. It happened again, Xavier exclaimed, slamming the newspaper down on the table with a vengeance. What is this world coming to? His father barely glanced up from his breakfast of grits, sausages, eggs, and toast; the same thing they’d eaten every morning for as long as Xavier could remember.

      What is it LaMont? His mother always called him by his middle name. He watched as she tested the water in the sink for warmth before she placed the dirty dishes in it. She turned, wiping her hands on a white apron that she wore. She ran a tired hand through her graying hair.

      This article in the paper, Xavier vented. Black-on-black crime is increasing and there’s nothing that anybody can do about it. Not the police, not the public, nobody. I’m sick and tired of reading about brothers killing each other. Something needs to be done. His father snickered but said nothing in response. I’m going to find a way to do something.

      Xavier got up from the table abruptly.

      LaMont, you’re not going to go and get yourself into trouble now, are you? his mom asked worriedly.

      Of course not, Ma. You know me. He grinned sheepishly.

      She knows you all right and so do I. His father finally spoke. Land your ass in jail and don’t expect to be getting out anytime soon. You hear?

      Xavier threw his dad an annoyed look that he didn’t bother to cover up.

      What the hell do you care, old man? Huh? You ain’t never gave a damn before. Why you tripping now? If I get in trouble, I wouldn’t turn to you for help anyway. If I go to jail, that’s my damn business.

      If you get hit in your mouth, that’ll be your business too, his father warned. Xavier shut up immediately. All I’m trying to do is tell you right from wrong, he continued. That’s all I ever tried to do- teach you right from wrong. And what do I get for my troubles? Huh? Not shit. All I got is what’s standing before me now- a snotty nosed, smart-mouthed troublemaker.

      Oh no. Not another speech, Xavier mumbled. I guess you’re going to start preaching to me now, right? He glared at his father. Preaching ‘bout how Woodrow got caught up with the wrong crowd, got lost along the way and now he don’t know if he’s coming or going. Well, I don’t want to hear about Woodrow. I’m sick and damn tired of hearing about him. Woodrow ain’t a part of this family no more. As far as I’m concerned, he ain’t even my brother. He pointed at his father. And if you had some sense old man, you’d do the right thing and cut him out of your life too. But you can’t see it like that. Xavier threw up his hands. Forget this, man. You ain’t even worth me wasting my breath talking to.

      Lamont, his mother said tentatively. Don’t start now. She spoke quietly. You know how your father’s blood pressure acts up. Don’t upset him so early this morning, okay?

      He don’t care Mabel, his father told her. That boy don’t care about nothing but his self. He’s a selfish ass son-of-a-bitch.

      Fred Holloway Brunswick, Mabel gasped. `

      I’m sorry, Mabel. I didn’t mean it like that now. You know I didn’t. Mr. Brunswick apologized quickly. It’s just that the boy done got me so upset. He suddenly clutched his stomach and moaned. I think my ulcer is acting up now.

      ‘Get off it, Pops, Xavier said. Now, everybody in this room know that ain’t nothing wrong with you. You’re just faking so we can succumb to your wishes. That was discovered a long time ago. I ain’t with that program no more. Nah bru. You need to start being a man and stand up for what you believe in. Stop wimping out. Ain’t you tired of always backing down? Ain’t you sick of bending to the wishes of the white man? I know I am. Xavier’s whole expression became animated. His body language showed that he was serious as he continued speaking. We as black men and women have to stand up and speak out. If we don’t, we ain’t never going to get anywhere in life. He gave both of his parents a sad frown. We’ll all end up like Woodrow- so high on crack that we’re off in our own lil’ disillusioned world. Is that any way to live? He got up from the table, walked over to his mom and gave her a kiss on the cheek. I’ll see you after school." He didn’t even acknowledge his dad as he walked out.

      Xavier was well known at his school, Gibbs High. Not only was he academically successful, he was also active in many of the school’s functions and clubs. He was a member of the varsity football team. He made use of his time. If he couldn’t beat the white man with his fists, at least he’d be able to beat him with his mind. At least that’s the way he saw it, until lately.

      Hey fellas. What’s up? he greeted his friends. The usual group of four had gathered at his locker, impatiently waiting for him to show up.

      Man, you’re late. A short, overweight guy named Peter Hall said. He was medium complexioned and wore glasses like Malcolm X used to wear. They all sported similar glasses.

      Hey, I had it out with the old man. Y’all know how he is, Xavier stated. They all nodded because they knew how Mr. Brunswick could get because they’d known him for years.

      I could blow him away for you. You wouldn’t have no more trouble, another guy named Mike Williams said in a serious tone. Mike was known as Pretty Boy behind his back. Xavier gave him a sharp look. Just kidding. Mike smiled tightly. His eyes said he wasn’t kidding at all.

      Man, if you fuck with my father, I’ll take your ass out. He glared at Mike until Mike got uncomfortable and looked away. That goes for any of y’all, Xavier snapped. It was clear to see who led the group now. My dad ain’t the problem. It’s these fuckers in the street who shooting each other up, selling drugs and robbing people that’s the problem.

      So, what we gonna do about it? Tim Connor asked. He was a handsome young with a muscular build. He wore a serious expression on his face most of the time. I’m all with trying to solve the problems any way that they can be solved, he added.

      Donnell Brown just nodded. He rarely said anything. He had a mean look on his face that everyone was used to seeing. He was tall and thin, which gave the impression of weakness. That wasn’t the case. He would be the first to instigate a fight if someone got him wrong. Over the years, he’d been nicknamed The Mean Kid, which was well deserved.

      I got an action plan, Xavier told them. It starts with us becoming known in the hood for who we are and what we do.

      "What do we do?" Peter asked.

      If you shut ya fat ass mouth I’m getting to that, Xavier snapped. The rest of them slanted their eyes at Peter and he visibly cowered. Now, Xavier continued. Up to this point we ain’t did nothing to clean up our communities but talk. He paused. Talk is cheap. It’s time for some action. He stared at each of them. From here on out we are going to be the hardest ass Negroes in this city. Right now if you ain’t down with what we gonna be doing, it’s time for you to walk. They all stared at him, unblinking. Anybody here who don’t want to be here? He paused, waiting for someone to say something. No one did. Good. He nodded. Number one, we got a new name and motto. BTO, which stands for Brothers Takin’ Over. We are gonna clean up the black community our way. Number two, we are gonna have to recruit some new members. I know we’re hard, but five brothers ain’t nearly enough to clean up this city. I’m counting on each of you to bring me at least five men between the ages of seventeen and twenty. They have to want to make a difference. They got to be brothers who care about their people. But- He paused for emphasis. They also have to be ruthless. They got to be down with fighting because when we get out there, some people are going to want us stopped. We will have to be strong enough to fight these people, whoever they may be.

      Wait a minute now, Mike interrupted. What are you saying? What do you mean by whoever they may be?

      That’s obvious, Bonehead, Xavier snapped. The police, ya daddy, whoever.

      Man, how we gonna fight the police? Mike whined.

      You ain’t down? Tim asked. Didn’t X say you had the opportunity to walk a few minutes ago? Why didn’t you walk? Tim glared at Mike thinking of how much he’d like to hit the wimp in his chest and watch him curl up in a ball of pain.

      Yeah, The Mean Kid agreed. His eyes became mere slits in his face. The rest of the group glared at Mike too.

      Mike got nervous. He hated confrontation. I- I just meant that we need to have a plan or something, he stammered. You know, so the police won’t know what’s going down. That’s all.

      I was getting to that. Xavier said tightly. He fixed his eyes on Mike for a full minute. I just can’t hold it in, he exploded suddenly.

      What, man?

      What’s up?

      I get a strong gut feeling that you want to take my place. This he directed at Mike. What’s up with that? Mike said nothing. "You think you’re man enough to fill my shoes? Huh? You have tried me too many times in the past and

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