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Overview
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781728302140 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | AuthorHouse |
| Publication date: | 04/04/2019 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 108 |
| File size: | 387 KB |
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CHAPTER 1
Rona
My hands shook as I took a deep breath I had been patiently waiting for this day I paced back and forth nervously Flipping index cards in my hands My best friend Sasha begged with me to sit down I refused and told her I would rather stand
"Rona, you have to calm down!
You're making me nervous with all that damn pacing around."
She crossed her arms, watching me drive myself crazy Yet she also knew the reason why And this presentation could either make me or break me
"I'm trying. I'm good. I'm starting to relax."
I attempted to keep a positive outlook No matter what, I worked hard and had never slacked The destiny of my life and my work were mine to decide I knew all that I was worth Soon I would prove my divine purpose on this Earth I am a beautiful Black queen and I was built for this I am smart, I am wonderful, and I am a perfect ten Humph.
They should be in there preparing for MY ASS and-
"RONA MORRISON!"
Oh shit! Time for me to go in I cleared my throat, eyeing Sasha as I grabbed my patents Gathering my black girl magic like it was the new fashion She gave a warm smile and a thumbs up I stepped into a white room full of stuffy old white men in dark suits The most uppity smell of prestige and judgment filling the room
"Rona Morrison."
A guy appearing to be running this show Stated my name slowly and with a slight hint of sorrow As I made my way to the center It felt like a circle of doom Yet here I was, cheesy smile on my face I hated feeling like I needed these men to decide my fate Here I stood once again; a third time to be exact Humble and solemn look on my face Standing beside what I called my life A machine that would travel to other dimensions Possessing the purpose of possibly saving an entire human race No big deal though It sat covered and protected by a large gray cover
"Good to see you again gentlemen!"
I instantly felt ready for this to be over I smirked because I just knew I had it this time Working so many sleepless days and nights The grant for my invention just had to be mine
"I see you're back with your same um ... Secona3000."
Asshole #1 chuckled looking around at his colleagues They followed his laugh in unison So I had to finally make them believe Not even lifting their heads to make eye contact with me I pulled out the small key in my left pocket
"You may begin when you are ready."
My smile spread widely across my face
"Gentlemen what I have here is the key to traveling through time and space!
There are other dimensions out there! Places and far-away lands we have not seen.
But I know what you're thinking!"
They all looked up with amusing and worn expressions I continued, "What does this really mean for you?
With your funding and your support There are no limits to what this machine could do!"
I walked around the room in excitement Preparing to shut them all down I could tell they still weren't even slightly convinced Looking down at their phones in concentration Probably texting and giving their wives the runaround
"I was using the wrong type of energy to transport last time!
But this time you will not be disappointed."
Pulling the covering away, it sat there in all its glory A titanium platform with two arches crossing at the top Looking as if it told an intricate story Every bolt, every piece was placed with love The wiring and iron delicately thought out
But for months, hell even years, it had been hidden away in my house It's been completed, taken apart, and then completed again The last couple of times, my presentation had been a disaster The wiring and nuclear waves nearly had the building in flames I don't think they could have run out of here any faster But they loved my ideas and they loved my patent They wanted to see more and had an interest in my compassion I could see the unease and the caution in their minds But I followed my notes and made sure I took my time Carefully eyeing my hands and the machine They watched me step up on the platform in my heels Standing under the arches I removed my jewelry and rings They watched with curiosity but still seemed to ease back I typed in codes that were coordinates I could not wait to see how they would react I stared directly into their faces with a smirk
"Well gentlemen, you will now see the result of my life's work."
I turned the key and became disappointed when nothing happened afterward
"Um ... Ms. Morrision you're still here with us." They laughed in unison Fuckin jerks I fumbled with the key more and checked the electricity
"I'm sure it's something minor; not screwed in all the way, or-"
This disaster was worse than the fire to me A combustion meant something But really? Nothing?
My face grew hot and red with embarrassment I quickly began to realize I was just the source of their entertainment Their murmurs filled the room Something about women and machines not mixing This CANNOT be happening
"Gentlemen, if you'll just give me a moment-"
They shook their heads and the one in charge spoke up
"That won't be necessary."
This moment genuinely sucks He continued as he pulled his glasses from his face
"Ms. Morrison, time travel will never happen.
Never has. Never will. Not now. Not ever.
Think of how many times it has been attempted At first, I admired your nerve, but now ..."
His voice faded off as he stared at me like a tragedy He sighed, "You're a creative young woman, but this ...
This will never be.
I'm sure you will create something more valuable with your time Something of use that we can physically see."
I cringed at his dry words as I stared down at my feet I took a short and awkward bow
"Thank you." And with that, I took my graceful leave Allowing their double doors to slam behind me The secretary jumped in her seat and eyed me annoyingly I could feel the tears start to form I didn't even want to hear Sasha's predictable speech The one about having to get through the storms And blah blah blah This was my life, not the damn weather What if I didn't make it happen?
What if he's right and my work is just a simple ... NEVER?
I could no longer contain it when I saw Sasha's face Breaking down right there in the lobby She asked no questions and had no words to say She only held me tight and rubbed my back slowly
"Girl come on, it's going to be ok.
You're the smartest and most innovative woman that I know We live to fight another day."
She smiled and rubbed the tears from my cheeks Sasha was beautiful on the inside as well as out Always my absolute support and number one fan Without having a clue as to what I'm ever talking about Science was never her "thing", but she would always be there for me
"Let's go be fat and get a bag of hotdogs from Sneaky Pete's."
I laughed and squeezed her before letting go Placing my jewelry back where it belonged We walked out of the building contemplative and slow My thoughts were stuck on what to do next Which way am I supposed to go?
Sasha chatted away happily trying to obviously distract me
"Then you know this heifa actually had the nerve to tell me she didn't know.
How don't you know when that's your damn job though?"
She fumed about the same coworker at her firm every week It's like this woman irritated her whether she coughs, laughs, or speaks I was in my own world and had barley heard a thing she said
"You know, I don't think I want hot dogs anymore.
I'm going to head back home instead."
Sasha looked disappointed and put on that pouty face she does
"Don't go home just to sulk around honey,
You should surround yourself with positivity and love.
I swear you are going ... to ... make ... it ... happen!"
I gave her a weak smile but still needed to be alone I decided to at least go and get a nap in Promising that later I would hit her phone
"I love you girl! You're amazing."
She gently poked my little nose like she always does
"Don't you forget that, sometimes things are supposed to be a little crazy."
She made the crazy gesture by her temple with her finger She turned to walk off and head to her car I made sure she got in safely from a distance and casually lingered I walked away when I finally heard it start
I headed to my car and looked down to check my phone I sighed heavily and rolled my eyes at six mixed calls All of them predictably from a guy I called Bone
"Ronaaaa ... Come on! I just wanted to wish you good luck today.
I didn't even mean what I said about you the other night bae.
Hit me back."
I didn't even bother to listen to the additional five I was over everything he had to say Most of the time he didn't care if I was alive Popping up in and out of my world Never communicating with me like a grown man Always running around with little girls I was a grown ass woman with feelings and dreams You can't just be a fixture halfway in my life I need someone who values my intellect and wants to be a team Dating for me grew more difficult every year With every invention, award, recognition, and tears No man had ever excited me enough I grew bored with every single one Whether I took it slow or fast it became a disaster As far as confidence and securities, these men had none Sasha called my standards entirely too high I begged to differ One day I would find that perfect guy I sighed as I pulled away in my new Audi Relaxing myself with soulful jazz Zoning out and heavily thinking When I made it to my New York flat I saw the delivery truck ready to unload my machine I'm still not sure how they made it so fast I handed them their payment Not even having the strength to say thank you Putting my keys on the counter in my kitchen Delicately putting away my purse
There were knocks on the door with a deeply pleading voice Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse Bone stood at the door with a goofy ass grin Like things were all good and I was playing pretend
"Damn girl, you can't even answer your phone now?
How did the presentation go?
Quit giving me the runaround."
I looked at him like he'd lost his mind
"Oh, now I'm giving you the runaround?
Why are you even here?"
I asked in annoyance He stepped back with a grunting sound
"You all high and mighty now cause you out here doing your thing?
Can't even give a nigga another chance?
Hell, today I was even out looking at rings."
I raised an eyebrow and laughed in his face
"Rings? The rings around your tub?
Or perhaps around your eyes?
Looks like you haven't been sleeping too well It must be those long and strenuous nights."
I rolled my eyes and proceeded to close the door
He abruptly blocked it with his foot His handsome face requesting the chance to say more I sighed in exasperation It's like nobody wanted to just leave me alone I wanted him to leave right now So, I could hide in my bed with airplane mode on my phone
"Look, I'm really tired and just want to get some rest.
I promise I will speak more with you later.
But right now, I'm just stressed."
I lied through my teeth about granting his request.
"Aw, it must not have gone well today What did they say to you?"
He stared at me quizzically like he already knew
"It's nothing. I'm fine and will just keep trying I'll figure out everything that went wrong."
I played that statement in my head More than my favorite song
"Well you know how it goes with those kinds of things.
That's more of a man's world They usually aren't funding little women trying to be queens.
Maybe you should just let it rest, you're so stressed Invent something more practical and easier They might take you serious and listen better."
I could have gauged his brown eyes out in that very moment Then for him to think I would give him another chance?
Like I was feigning to be this asshole's woman?"
"Get the fuck out."
I stated with disdain I shook my head and shoved him back Just as it started to heavily rain
"Damn Rona, I was just saying. Now what did I do?"
Slyly peaking around my door behind me
"Who the fuck you got in there with you?"
I shook my head at his absolute nerve I just simply slammed the door in his face He didn't want to hear my words I did not want to think about him I did not want to think about science I did not want to think about anything in general Only my essence and its existence Burying my face into my silk pillows and sheets I drifted off into one my greatest and deepest sleeps Dreaming of flying and traveling through space The problems of my world falling behind me and being erased Where I wanted to be Where I could finally feel safe But still my mind went back to how I could help a human race
Jesseph
"You ever get a feeling?
You ever feel like something just isn't right with your life?
As if something important and vital could be missing Like your heart isn't beating as strong as it should?
As if you're halfway empty?
And you do so much but not all that you could?
Like you're always hungry?
No matter how much you try to fill the void You still feel as if maybe you need something more?"
Drew looked dead into my face and burst out laughing
"My brotha take another shot and chill the fuck out."
He slid a glass of whiskey towards me Downing his glass in seconds as I thought out loud I shook my head at him in frustration
"I'm serious man There is just something bothering me Something I'm just trying to understand."
He chuckled.
"What I understand is that you're the hardest working guy in here.
Just relax and stop always thinking so damn hard.
Go ahead and finish your beer."
I raised my glass and took a few swallows Drew just didn't get it It had been bothering me for weeks now, maybe months His feelings had always been so shallow All he wanted to do was drink Before work After work Even during work, I think There had to be more than this daily routine and outside of work More than just always having a stiff drink That was his life and he lived it well Thankfully it never affected his work At least as far as I can tell He fit perfectly in Adamic Most days I didn't belong I didn't constantly want to cater to my work and ego I didn't concern myself with which man was epically strong
"I see you finally finished that monument for the king today You did a hell of a job man; he's going to love it He'll probably request your presence in a few days."
He seemed to grow more excited than me at the thought He wanted to serve in his court Especially after hearing the stories and wars that he fought I still wasn't too sure what my interests were I just always felt out of place Like I belonged to another world And my thoughts just couldn't be replaced
"I saw that piece of shit you call a monument today."
Wes and his deep ass voice boomed from behind me I automatically grew angry at everything I knew he was about to say
I turned around and downed the rest of my beer I didn't even feel like any of this today He stood tall and solid as he eyed me with anger I had no emotions towards it He wanted me to feel as if I was in danger I remained silent and walked towards the door I felt like it was enough of an answer My silence always pissed him off even more Drew just smirked and looked at him amusingly I treaded home, away from the bar and noise In comfortable silence where I needed to be The warmth of the night air relaxed me
"Aye yo, Jess! Hold up a minute."
Drew jogged up beside me slowly
"What's been going on with you man?"
He stared at me quizzically He seemed to be more curious than worried about me
"Nothing. I just want to get home and chill.
Wes gets on my fuckin nerves At times I wonder if the way we live is for real."
Drew shook his head
"You've been really weird lately Like you'd rather be somewhere else instead."
I looked down at my feet He usually knew what was in my head
"Nah man ... something is just ... missing.
I really can't describe it I haven't brought it up because I could be trippin'.
But you can't believe this world and us is all there is If I know nothing else I just can't wrap my head around that shit."
Drew looked off into the distance A few guys walked past us slowly We cut off our conversation in an instance.
The night was young as car pods whizzed by I could see our three moons in the distance Along with stars shooting across the sky Adamic was beautiful and hard at the same time It lacked the appearance of softness But not everything was straight and within every line
"Look man, we'll talk about this later.
I'm pretty tired anyway.
In the morning, I'm sure that I'll feel better."
Drew smiled and patted my shoulder
"That's the spirit Jess.
You're one of the strongest, hardest working guys out here You shouldn't even have to be stressed."
I just nodded and walked into the direction of my crib I guess he was right
I worked harder than most with no complaints about how I lived There still was just that thought in my head Repeating itself loudly Telling me I should be doing something else instead I rode to work with Drew but felt like being to myself Walking around in my own head Without the opinions or raised eyebrows of anyone else Two tall men that appeared to be guards stood posted at my door I took a deep breath as I walked in their direction Just when this night could get no worse the universe just had to bring more I wiped the sweat from my forehead Exhausted from the work of the day I just really wanted to see my bed
"Jesseph Ray?"
One of the guards stepped forward eyeing me for confirmation Now that I was close, I could tell they were palace guards With one swift movement of his hand he extended an invitation
"The king is requesting your presence in two days It would be wise of you to be there With no cancellations, reschedules, or debates."
With that short and to the point statement being said They came to attention in unison Touching their index finger to their heads They swiftly walked away
"Um goodnight."
I murmured beneath my breath; happy they didn't stay I turned the invitation around in my hands Its fancy calligraphy and seal held a glow Shrugging my shoulders, I took it inside Not eager to open it and not eager to go Tossing it on the table, I proceeded to my routine Shower and eat, then read and sleep Preparing for another long day of labor My life always seems bland and planned With no excitement and barely even any humor Which was what made me finally entertain the king's invite I grabbed it from the countertop Examining it once again in its glowing light I held it up to see if I could make out any words But as soon as I lifted it up with my hand, I flinched Feeling the sensation of a small pinch Something pricked me; drawing small droplets of blood The invitation fell to the floor as my blood dripped on its seals I had no idea what to think about it I wasn't sure how I should feel This invite obviously was more exclusive than I thought Which made me a little nervous at why it was so elusive As if it confirmed that my soul could be bought The enveloped opened slowly revealing the glow of golden words They glistened with importance and glory Making the king's character more mysterious than the stories I'd heard
"You are cordially invited to the palace grounds Your hard work and dedication have been proclaimed and profound
I am requesting the presence of your company To partake in a night of grandeur and fine dining with me I expect you to arrive no later than six Adorned in formal attire you are welcome to pick This invite is exclusive and created for your eyes only I am honored and elated that you have decided to join me!"
I shook my head with a puzzled look Why the hell did it take all that?
With the glowing, the blood, and the golden words The shit nearly felt like a set up or a trap I held a small towel to my pricked finger and prepared for bed Thinking I shouldn't have opened it Or that I should even politely decline instead But then I thought back to another guy that had an invite from the king He declined on account of an injury The king had his head and blamed it on perjury I always felt that he was a tyrannist and that we had no opinion As if he felt we were his He treated us like his big dumb minions I was always taught to just do my best at everything I never wished to be in his presence at the palace I needed no award, a trophy, or a ring I settled into bed and at times had thoughts of rebellion But I knew that was impossible thinking He was too ruthless and possessed an army of millions I drifted off to sleep for the day ahead Same old routine and same old life Drifting off reading the hundredth book that I've read Contemplating what felt wrong and what felt right
Excerpted from "A Man's World"
by .
Copyright © 2019 Robin Chappell.
Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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