Chapter 5: Gloria

A blood-red convertible with a suede rooftop pulls in front of Danny. Danny walks over to the car and places his head inside the car. The male has pale skin and short brown hair that's styled in a parted comb-over. He is wearing a white button-down, a yellow sweater, beige khaki pants brown leather loafers.

"What can I do for you tonight?"

"Help me forget about my girlfriend."

"I can do that."

"Can you now? Hop on in."

Danny opens the door and gets in and closes the door.

"What's your name?"

"Alpha. Do you want to go to an alleyway?"

"I like your name and you're kinky, I like that."

"So where would you like to do this?"

"We can go back to my place."

"That's fine with me."

The man pulls away from the curb.

"So how old are you?"

"You don't have the right to ask me that. All you should be concerned about is the great time you're about to have."

"Assertive, mmm I like that."

Twenty minutes later Danny looks out the window and sees several luxurious mansions. Moments later the male turns into a horseshoe driveway and puts the car in park. He looks over at Danny smiling. Danny looks at him coolly. He exits the car and closes the door. The man walks around the car and looks at Danny.

"Is this your parent's house?"

"Yes, it is. I'm twenty-one years old."

 "Thank you for the honesty."

 They then walk to the front door where the male quietly opens the door and lets Danny go in first. He then closes the door. He then takes the teen's hand and leads up the grand staircase. Upon making up to the male's bedroom Danny takes a moment to look around. There are posters of spaceships, the solar system, superheroes, and rock bands.

 When Danny turns around the male captures his lips in a chaste kiss. Shocked Danny tries to take control but the male doesn't doesn't let up. He then bites Danny on his neck. Danny is too swept away to notice that their clothes are off and being hovered above. They are staring into each other's eyes.

 "I thought you said that you were going to show me a great time?"

 Danny suddenly flips him on his back and starts ravishing his neck. Danny licks the male's pectorals and nipples. Afterward, Danny licks his way down to his navel and throws the boy's legs over his shoulders. He places the male's erect member into his mouth. He removes his mouth from his member and places it with his right index and middle fingers. After coating them with enough saliva he removes them and slowly inserts them inside the male's puckered entrance. He soon begins to scissor him.

 "Please Alpha, own me!"

 "Do you have any condoms?"

 The male reaches into his nightstand drawer grabs a gold package and hands it to him. Danny opens the package and places the condom on his member. He then lies on his back.

"Lube it up with your mouth bitch!"

 The male scrambles between Danny's legs and begins to perform fellatio. After a few moments, Danny pushes him off flips him back onto his back, and aligns himself at the male's entrance. He then slowly enters him and before long his thrusts become more powerful. Meanwhile, the male is moaning in ecstasy. Danny meanwhile pins his hands above his head and crashes his lips into his.

 "You're such a queen. I didn't suspect that when I first laid eyes on you."

 "You have no idea."

 Danny then covers his mouth and continues assaulting his brown cunt. Feeling himself about to ejaculate Danny removes himself and quickly stands in front of the bed. He leaks out into his condom. He then goes into the boy's bathroom and flushes the condom. When he returns the boy has fifteen one hundred dollar bills resting on the nightstand along with his phone number.

 "I left you my phone number just in case you want to clown around again sometime."

 Danny looks down at the nightstand and sees a piece of paper with a telephone number scribbled on it.

 "I don't make it a habit of getting emotionally involved with my customers."

 "Well, there's a first time for everything."

 Danny walks over to the nightstand and sees the money. Danny gathers the money.

 "Fifteen hundred dollars? Don't you think that's a bit much?"

 "No, I don't because you exceeded my expectations. I started out dominant to see if you would overtake me and you did. I love a man who can easily take control. You did that tonight and I won't ever forget it."

 "It's my job to please my customers so there's no need to thank me. Is there a bus that runs through this neighborhood?"

 "No, but I don't mind giving you a ride home."

 "No need. I'll walk home. Plus I have school in the morning."

 "Are you sure?"

 "Yeah."

 "Okay. Thank you for a great time."

 "Don't mention it."

 Danny folds his money slides it inside his front left pocket and leaves.

 The man lies on his back with his hands resting behind his head.

 "What a powerful man."

 Danny walks out of the house and heads down the sidewalk. An hour later Danny makes it home and takes a shower. When he comes out of the shower he puts on some gray underwear and slides into bed and falls asleep.

 The Tansworth residence is currently being suffocated by silence and anger.

 "So this bitch writes a song and plays a piano and all of a sudden I'm the villain?!"

 "Watch your mouth Chasity!"

 "That's how I feel. I can't believe you're taking her side! I'm the mother so my feelings automatically trump hers!"

 "Her feelings are no less important than yours. This is how Deena expresses her feelings and you will respect it!"

 "I don't have to stand here and intake this disrespect. I'm leaving! You can handle these bills and that's a mistake by yourself!"

 Chasity storms out and heads upstairs.

 Deena turns to the piano and hangs her head.

 "Don't let what she said get you down Bookworm. You're divinely talented and the only opinion that matters is God's."

 "If that's true then why did he give me her as a mother?"

 Darwin sits beside her and wraps his arm around her. Deena rests her head on his shoulder.

 "Sometimes God uses people and situations to strengthen those who love him wholeheartedly and seek him daily. You love God with all your heart, mind, and soul and you seek him daily. The fact that God gave you the mother that you have is a true testament to your character. Don't ever question that for as long as you live. With that said you can love someone from a distance and not deal with them. God never said that you had to wear yourself down for other people. Be of service to others like Jesus was but don't let it become detrimental to your emotional, mental, and spiritual health.  God also gave you something extra, a weapon that others would kill for."

Deena lifts her head and looks him in the eyes.

"What would that be?"

"A powerful singing voice. Use it to the best of your abilities and never abuse it."

"I don't have a powerful voice, Kimberly has a powerful voice. She can sing far higher than I can ever achieve." Deena says looking down at the piano keys.

Darwin looks over at her and pushes some of her hair behind her shoulder.

"That's okay. Contralto's are the most underrated female singing voice in pop music. What you have is coveted, trust me, sweetheart. You can sing the birds out of the trees, especially after what I just heard."

 Deena looks over at him smiling and sniffling. They then hug.

 "Thank you for always being there for me Father alongside God."

 "You're welcome darling, and as long as I have breath in my body I'll always be here for you."

 When they separate Deena places her fingers on the keys.  

 "Daddy there's something else I want you to listen to another song I wrote."

 "Sure Princess."

"I don't know what I ever did to make you hate me. I don't if it's because of how I look or how I sound. But one thing I'm dying to know is when will God give me my moment to be strong and profound."

"Strike, strike, strike. Strike one you stab me in my heart with your words. If I could I would fly away like a black-winged bird. Strike two you grab a knife and you force me to fight for my life. Strike three before you can finish me I push you off and go for a hike. But through it all God knows I'm destined for better and now I'm standing behind a grey mike."

"Strike, strike, strike. Strike one you stab me in my heart with your words. If I could I would fly away like a black-winged bird. Strike two you grab a knife and you force me to fight for my life and I don't need that unnecessary strife. Strike three before you can finish me I push you off and go for a hike. But through it all God knows I'm destined for better and now I'm standing behind a grey mike."

"I don't know if I will ever attain the strength to take a physical stand, but I will damn sure make my vocal demand. I can't believe that you would be subject to this type of abuse. I'm slowly starting to realize I don't have much left of my long fuse. Even though you treat me the way you do you are without a doubt my greatest muse."

"Strike, strike, strike. Strike one you stab me in my heart with your words. If I could I would fly away like a black-winged bird. Strike two you grab a knife and you force me to fight for my life and I don't need that unnecessary strife. Strike three before you can finish me I push you off and go for a hike. But through it all God knows I'm destined for better and now I'm standing behind a grey mike."

 Deena then looks over at her father sniffling and wiping her eyes.

 "Wow Deena, I had no idea that the emotional and physical pain you've felt was this deep. Can you forgive me for being blind for so long?"

 "There's no reason for me to forgive you because I don't blame you for anything that's happened to me. Mother is just a horrible person that will never change. You shouldn't be punished for someone else's behavior and I refuse to do that."

 "Thank you Bookworm. I love you."

 "You're welcome and I love you too."

 The following morning Alvin is sitting at the dining room table with his family.

 Alvin is wearing a red short-sleeve button-down, blue bell-bottom jeans, and white tennis shoes. Jason is wearing a black and gray muscle shirt, blue jeans, and black tennis shoes. Ingrid is wearing a short-sleeved vanilla button-down dress and white pointed-toe slingback heels. Her hair is styled in a big flip with a bang.

 "I want you two to start getting along. I won't live forever and you're going to navigate this world without me and with God as your guide."

 "Mother you're the only person I trust. Jason and I may be blood but we are no longer brothers. Truth be told he made that decision long ago."

 "December 23, 1960. You're too young to remember but-"

 "I was too young to remember that day but your bullying is enough to want to cut ties with you."

 Ingrid looks at Alvin momentarily before returning her attention to Jason.

 "Jason shut your mouth. You don't know everything that happened that day."

 "I remember it vividly and I will never forgive you. I was better off living with my father."  

 "The firefighter saved you like he was licensed to and you've been in good health since."

 "You're the parent! You were supposed to rescue me, not a stranger!"

 "You're right I am the parent, not a licensed firefighter! It was his job to go in and save you! He also had the proper equipment to do so. I will not allow you to emotionally manipulate me. As a matter of fact, you can live with your father. You're fifteen years old with three years left of high school. I've done nothing but the best I could for you. If after all of that, you still see me as the villain then so be it. That will be your cross to bear not mine."

 "I can't believe you're willing to throw me away so easily."

 Ingrid chuckles shaking her head.

 "I'm not throwing you away, I'm just tired. I chose to be a mother and that job never stops. However, whooping your ass hasn't changed you for the better so what else am I to do? Your father is also responsible for you despite not living here with us. So I will call him and have him come and pick you up. After you're gone whatever image you have painted of me inside your head you can take it with you to your grave."

 "Mom."

 "Alvin."

 Ingrid doesn't meet his gaze. Alvin however tearfully averts his.

 Jason leaves the table and runs upstairs and slams his bedroom door.

 Ingrid exhales closing her eyes. Alvin places his hand on hers getting her attention.

 "I know it sounds and looks like I'm being a bad mom but trust me, when you have children you will understand."

Alvin wipes his eyes smiling.

 "I've never doubted you for a moment. You did what you felt was right. You knew that a firefighter was more than capable of saving him and that's what God made sure happened. There's no reason for Jason to make you feel guilty. I think he's better off with his father. I wish yours were still here with us."

 "He's here in spirit. I'm sure you feel him every day."

 "Thanks, son."

 "You're welcome."  

 The remainder of breakfast is eaten in tranquil silence.

 Kimberley comes into the kitchen with her backpack hanging off her right shoulder. She is wearing a sleeveless beige sweater, white pants, and a pair of suede beige go-go boots. Her hair is styled in a side part with a swoop and her baby hair is laid down. The rest of her hair cascades freely down her shoulders. Her face is made up of beige eye shadow, brown eyeliner, and bronze lipstick. Hanging in her ears are beige and brown striped triangle earrings. She sets her backpack in the head chair goes to the kitchen and makes a bowl of unfrosted cornflakes.  

 'I hope Mom is having a good day.'

Fifteen minutes later the foursome meets at the corner.

Deena is wearing a waist-length black mink coat, a pearl white turtleneck sweater, black leather pants, and white leather go-go boots. Her hair was styled in its usual voluminous flip.

 Danny is wearing a blue jean outfit with a black t-shirt and black tennis shoes.

 "Good morning everybody, I hope you all had a better morning than I did."

 "Is everything okay Alvin?"

 "It will be God willing."

 "Come on everyone let's get moving we don't want to be late."

 Everyone looks at Danny and starts walking. Upon arriving the quartet heads to the cafeteria and makes their way to the back empty table.

 "Are we rehearsing after school today?"

 "Of course we are. If we want success we have to practice and hone our harmonies to perfection."

 "Perfection is overrated as much as it is impossible. All we can do is show up and keep at it. We will stumble along the way and when we do we have to keep going."

 "Oh wow, I didn't know I requested a quack to be therapizing me."

 "With your personality, you're going to definitely need it someday."

 The remainder of breakfast is spent conversing. When the bell rings everyone gets up. Some students throw their trash away while others head out of the cafeteria. Danny and the gang head out of the cafeteria. Out in the hallway Kimberly bumps into Candis Boudreaux.

 "Hey you pigly bitch, watch where the hell you're going!"

 "Keep your panties on, my bad."

 "Do you have any idea who you're talking to?"

 "A girl who is not worth a damn of my time. Now I have to get to class."

 Soon Kimberly goes to catch up with her classmates.

 Candis is left gritting her teeth and resumes walking with Lucille.

Carol is at work at the nurse's station holding a clipboard going over a patient's information. Soon another nurse approaches her.

 "The patient in room six is ready for you Carol."

 "Thank you, I'll be right there."

 Carol walks around the desk and sets the clipboard down. She then goes to room six.

 She sees someone unexpected. He has fair skin, short black hair, and dark brown eyes. He is wearing a blue hospital gown.

 "Hello Carol,"