Purple Summer

Its been weeks since Ive been having good luck.Id get linked up with Nick again and wed play dice games, play poker and blackjack and back to the habits of boxing matches and Ive been on a streak.

”Ray your god damn rain man with this shit I love ya ! ” Yelled at Nick as we bet big on a boxing match and won.We
e in crowds as we celebrate, we each pocket an easy 5,500$ each.

”Ill go get our cash, just meet me at the front alright ? ” He asked as I said ”alright, okay …. ” I started to walk out of this warehouse as Nick went to collect.I stood outside, I always remembered that scene from ”A Bronx Tale ”,

”The saddest thing in life is wasted talent ” I always enjoyed that film as I just loved the message it sent.

I waited as he walked out with the money, he gave walked up to me and said

”Good job kid, we always strike good huh ! ” He said happily as he passed me my cut.I counted it in excitement as I saw it was only 5,000$.He started to walk away as I stopped him

”Aye Nick, this is 500$ short …..whats going on ? ” I asked as he said

”Eh I just took out of your cut along side with Mine, we give 1,000$ to our special friend that gets us the inside on this match …. ” I was confused as I just let it happen.

”Alright then, thanks , ah see you around … ” I yelled as we parted ways.

I got in my car and started driving around as I passed by The diner that Amelia worked at.I drove slowly to look inside as I didn see her in there, thats strange.She usually works these hours and days.I shrugged it off as I drove the drive-thru of Gambinos.

”Welcome to Gambinos, whatll you be having ? ” Asked the worker as I replied

”Uhh, yea gimme two Geminis and strawberry fries …. ” I waited as the worker said

”Alright great, will that be all ? ” I thought about and said

”Yea, gimme a Rothschild meal and a Coke …..please …. ” I gave it a moment and the worker said

”Alright sir, go to the next window please and have a good day …. ” I started driving up as I got up to the next window as I waited.They opened it up and as I looked at the drive-thru worker, it was an old friend from high school.

”Holy shit … ” I said smilingly as she was laughing.

”Oh my gosh ….hehe…. ” She started laughing with embarrassment.I remembered her thoroughly from my 10th grade English class, it was living hell in there.

”Alissa ?, how you been ? ” I asked as I noticed I am holding up a line.She handed me the food and said

”Ive been good you know, just working here ….what about you, looks like you
e living well … ” she said as she looked at my ride.I felt so tempted to say the bullshit Ive been doing but I simply responded

”Na Ive been managing but hey we should hang out one day, you know catch up …. ” I asked as I was getting honked at.She quickly said

”Alright, you doing that off the grid bullshit with social media ? ” She asked laughingly.I laughed as well and replied ”yea, just give me your number …. ” She quickly replied

”Its the same number ….the one I gave you …. ” I was stunned and said ”oh alright …. Well Ill call you later maybe …. ” I said as she gave me a look and said

”Alright ….sounds cool … ” we were at a stalemate for a second until the honking started again.

”Come on you Fucko ! ” Yelled out the driver behind me as I said

”Alright, goodbye ….. ” I drove off as she got to the next car in line.

You see with Alissa, she was a smart girl.Always did the bare minimum in school and was known well for dating infamous guys around school.You know what I mean, in your a school youd have guys who you wouldn want to Fuck with.Well I knew her well because we both went to the same church when we were younger but I stopped going due to family problems.Well I knew her very well then and somewhat well in high school but we drifted apart during senior year, and so on.Well this felt nice seeing other people from school other than those youd stay close with.

I got home in a sudden joy as I parked in the street.I took one more pill from my glove compartment as I downed it with the soda I got.I took a quick breather and headed out.I got out as I saw a man walking his dog, a Siberian Husky.

I just couldn get my eyes off it, he noticed.

”Youd like to pet it ? ” He asked nicely as I crossed the street and got closer with the food in hand.

”Id love too pal … ” I got all the food on my left arm as I used my right arm to pet it gently.

”Its a nice dog you got …. ” I said with a smile as the dog started rubbing its head against my legs.I just loved these little moments

”Well hes a nice boy, hes always friendly to anybody …. ” He says as I give the dog one last glance and looked at the man and said my farewells.

”Well it was meeting you…and you too pal …. ” I said as I pet him one last time.

”Yea, have a good one …. ” He replied as I started to walk inside my home.I walked in as I saw my neighbor again,I stopped at the door as I waved and said ”hey ! ” He waved back and replied

”Ray !!…..aye you doing good ? ” He asked as I got my hand of the doorknob and said

”Im doing good, I just got paid so…. ” I walked up to him as I handed slowly got out the wad of cash from my brown jacket.

”Can you hold this please , thank you … ” I said as I handed him the food as I could freely look through the cash and got out two thousand dollars.I tried handing it to him but he was busy holding the food as I laughed a bit.

”Ill just put it in your pocket, hold on …. ” I said as he looked at me annoyingly as I akwardly put the money in his pocket.He handed the food back as I said

”Thats about two grand, so its all paid off now right ? ” I started walking back to my home backwards as he said ”Yep, you
e all good….take care now Ray … ” he said as I finally got to the door and slowly opened as I replied

”You too …. ” I didn notice my perspective for a second as I walked in to see Amelia, Bobby, Elliot and others waiting in the living room.I was at shock and in a bit of joy

”What the hell you guys doing here ? ” I said happily as I walked towards the kitchen with the food.They all stood there worryingly as I got my food out.

”Ray ….Ray, sit down please …. ” Asked Elliot as I said

”Alright …Whats going on and what are you doing here, haven talked to yall in weeks ? ” I sat there as I ate my burger.Bobby sighed and said

”Ray we gotta talk about ….about something serious now …. ” I still ate my burger in confusion as Elliot added on

”Ray ….. Im gonna be blunt, you
e a **ing addict !!! ” He yelled into my face in all seriousness as I saw dad standing aside the kitchen as he listened in.

”You guys **ing with me ? Come this isn funny- ” I said laughingly as Bobby interrupted and said

”Its no joke, we want you to get serious help, we know about the pills….about the gambling…..its gotta stop Ray …. ” I got up and just laughed it off.

”Oh come on man, I ain hurting nobody, Im just living life calmly and Ive never felt better …. ” I just finished my burger as Elliot demanded

”Sit back down, come on …- ” I interrupted him by saying

”Na Im not gonna sit back down, Im done…this ain for me - ” I was at the door and ready to leave as my dad yelled out

”Sit back down god damn it … ” he was so furious he stormed off into the hallway.I was shook as I slowly got back to my seat.I awaited as Elliot added on

”Ray, this Community can help you stop this addiction, just please give it a try … ” I was stubborn and said

”A rehab center, you think Im **ing crazy ? Im not going there … ” Bobby answered

”Ray, No one said you were crazy just calm down … ” I got frustrated and said ”no Im not gonna relax, you in here and look at me like in a fein, like I can live without my pills or bets, I can stop when ever I want - ” I said as we disrupted by my dad rushing in with my shoebox.He threw it all over the living room floor as you can see my belongings.

I had a a couple knifes, switchblades and brass knuckles.I had a couple ounces of weed and a bottle filled of those purple pills and I also had some Polaroid pictures of me and Amelia, along side was some of my Jewelry.

”Thats my stuff, Christ you
e making a mess ! ” I yelled out as Dad got me by the face and said

”Dorm you start you **, look at this, you
e 18 years old and you think having all this is normal ? ” He asked furiously as I snidely remarked

”Its my fault you weren living well at my age now ? ” He got angered and was grabbed away by two other people as he was trying to hit me. ”just calm down now, calm down ! ” Yelled out Bobby as I added on

”Yea you
e gonna get a heart attack you fat ** ! ” Bobby got angered and grabbed me by my jacket and said

”Aye, thats your god damn father for Christ sakes ! ” I got angered and got him off me.

”That ain no father, you see how I am Bobby, Why do you think ? No role models, that sack of shit ain help me in life one bit ! ” I said angrily as I took the room.I looked around and looked at Amelia whos near the hallway.

”And you, you set this all up didn you ? Making me look like a bad guy, you
e no saint either you….you god damn- ** this Im out ….don **ing touch me I swear Ill kill ya ! ” I yelled out as Bobby and Elliot tried to stop me.I pulled out my special switchblade as they backed away.I opens the door as I still aimed the switchblade on my way out.I slammed it shut as I put my switchblade away in my jacket.I just hated how she just stood there and said nothing.I just couldn around to calling her, calling her a b****.It just seems so wrong, as much as I loathe her, I can get her out of my mind.

I got back in my car and starting driving as I called up Nick.

”Hey Ray, I ain got no deals going on right now - ” he said as I interrupted

”No its not that just listen, hey you think I can crash at your place right now ? ” I asked as he said

”Sure , Im here ….so just get here when you want …. ” I was happy as I was at a red light.

”Alright, thanks ….see ya then … ” I went in the glove compartment and took another pills as I had to down it without water.Oh damn it, I left my god damn food.I started to drive in anger as a dumb ** cut me off, I honked in frustration and yelled

”You **ing stupid ** ! ” They kept driving off as they flipped me off.I was heated, I met them at the next light as it barely turned red.I got out quickly and approached their vehicle.I knocked on the window as he looked at me smugly and lowered it.

”Can I help you ? ” I was in rage as I said

”Yea, you cut me off back there and then flipped me off- ” he interrupted and asked

”And ? ” I got more heated and said

”And ?, **ing and ? Alright… ” I walked away as he made little remarks.

”Yea ** off ….you ugly bastard …. ” I walked calmly to my car as I went back in my car and took another pill.The light turned green as I followed him a couple blocks as he got into a parking lot.He pulled into a little strip mall, he parked as I parked a couple spots away.He got out calmly, not realizing Im approaching.

”Aye bitch ! ” I yelled out as he turned and said

”The ** you want- ” I caught him off guard by sucker punching him.He hell to the ground as he tried to back but I kept pushing him down.

”Remember my face, remember I did this to you alright ? ” I let him lay there as bystanders looked on.I looked around as I felt nervous, I quickly gave one kick to his stomach as he quivered.I walked back into the car and got out of there.I quickly drove as I messed up and hit the brake to hard as I hit my head on the steering wheel.

”Ahh….** ….! ” I said as I rubbed my forehead.I started to drive right as I headed out the parking lot, people kept looking on as some went to help the man.

I made it to Nicks home as I parked on the street and headed to his front door.I knocked as he answered the door, wearing a wine red bathrobe and pink slippers.

”Hey man …come in, come on in …. ” He said as he I walked by him and entered in Cautiously.He looked around the street and then closed the door on his way in.He walked by me all jumpy as he entered his kitchen,

”Ray you want something to eat ? ” He asked as i walked towards his living room and replied

”Yea, what you got ? ” I asked as he went in his fridge and got out a bag of of Marinated grilled meats.He started up the stove as he put down a frying pan as he put on some music on his speaker.He played ”Lets Stay Together ” by Al Green, he entered the living room in a dancing mood as he said

”I **ing love Al Green ! ” He yelled as I turned on his tv and put on a channel thats playing

”The Nice Guys ” I watched as Nick started to cook the meats.He did a little groovy dance as he was in love with the song, I like Al green, but Jesus.

Its been about twenty minutes as he finished up

all the meats and had some garlic bread made.

”Ahh there we go, eat up Ray …. ” He said as he put the plates on the living room table.I was laughing as he brought out 2 liter Sangria Señorial soda.He turned off the stove and headed to the living room with me.He sat aside me on the couch as we ate, he looked at me to see my reaction as I took a bite.

”Hmm its good …really good Nick … ” he smiled and remarked

”I know it is, I made it …. ” We both chuckled as we ate up.It took us about an hour of eating slowly as I noticed Nick was getting tipsy.I felt an urge of relaxation as I fell asleep aside him.

I woke up as I noticed that Nick was missing and the living room look like a mess. I got up as I looked around the home as I yelled out for him.

”Aye Nick ! Nick, where are you man ? ” I asked as I walked through the hallways leading to the doors of other rooms.I opened up the first door as I saw it was empty, I went for the next room being empty as well but in a huge mess.I went back to the living room as I yelled again ”Nick, you here man ? ” I was in confusion as I stepped out of the home and saw my car still there.I calmly headed out as I was still a bit sleepy, I yawned as I got in my car and started to drive.

I got to the old neighborhood as I be barely looked at my phone.Ive had dozens of missing calls and messages from Bobby, Elliot and other friends, sadly none from Amelia.I quickly called Nick as I parked in the parking lot of this liquor store.

”Aye Nick ….Nick you alright ? ” I asked as he said

”Im alright Ray, just let you know don be at my home no more …. ” I was confused as I asked

”What, why ? Nick I got money for rent- ” he interrupted angrily as he said

”Just don go no more, don call this number and forget we ever met …. ” He hanged up even before I could ask more.I saw I was getting a call from Bobby and I was hesitant until I answered.

”Yea …..? ” He took a moment and said

”Ray, come back home man, please …where are you right now ? ” He asked as I stayed silent in anger.

”Ray, come on man, talk to me…. ” I quietly went for my glove compartment and took another pill for the day.

”Just know ….well be here …..goodbye …. ” I hanged up quickly as I sat in my car in pure calmness.I breathe in as I grab in my steering wheel with such forceful grip.I breathe out as I started my car up again and got out of the parking lot as I drove back to my old high school again.I parked across the street as I got up closer at the main gate as I just admired it.The amount of awful memories here seem like delightful nostalgia now.The local cop thats parked in front of the school sees me and approaches me with caution.

”Excuse me sir, you lost ? ” I turned around smilingly as I replied

”I used to go to this school … ” he gave me an eye brow raise and said

”Thats great, but Im going to need you to step away, you
e a bit too close…go sit on one of those benches ….. ” he said as he pointed out the same benches me, Bobby and Elliot had our drunk crusade.I laughed and said

”You know this school was crazy in my time, all the dumb shit Ive done, Christ I was crazy back then …. ” I said happily as the officer replied nonchalantly

”Listen, again, thats great but if you wanna have your little ”I peaked in high school ” moment, please sit over there…. ” He demanded again as I turned to him confused and said

”What the hell you say ? ” He got smart and hit me with reality.

”Hey Im just saying, you
e not the first kid to do this type of shit like visiting their old school and feeling like you miss the good old days, just take this advice, no gives a shit and you gotta move on …..now please, go sit over there, come on ….go…. ” I slowly backed away and headed for the bench as I felt embarrassed of what he said.He stood there as he watched me sit down, he kept an eye on me.He stood there as he looked over me as I sat there in disappointment.Maybe he isn wrong, In high school you
e remembered but after that, you
e a nobody.

The officer got back in his car and sat there as he ignored me and went to play a game on his phone.I sat there and felt humbled as I walked back into my car.The officer gave me a small glance as I got in my car.I started up my car and started driving back home.I see now as I drive Ive gotten a text from Alissa.

”How you doing ? ”

I ignored it as I drove home, I got to a red light.I started play ”Suspicious Minds ” by Elvis on the aux.The light was green as I drove, I just had sudden flashbacks of memories I had in and high school as I realized, I had an awful high school experience.I drove calmly on a street that is mostly empty most of the times but out of nowhere this car started cross the street and I figured it would notice Im approaching and move but it stood still.It just wouldn move as I was a couple feet away, I quickly stopped and

Honked at it to move but it just wouldn budge.I quickly switched to park and got out to scare it away.

”Move, Ahh ! ” I chanted as it just nonchalantly walked around me and rubbed its head on my legs.I just stood there is let it do a full circle around me.I looked around to see no cars are approaching as I went on to pet it.

”Alright …is this what you wanted ? ” I asked as I gently pet its head.It moved slowly towards my car as Ive left the car door open.

”Aye get out you ** ! ” I yelled as it jumped in the car and laid against the drivers seat.It rolled around and couldn care less of my yelling.I stared at it in anger as I see it showing off its belly.It started rolling around on the seat as it got its hair all over it.I was furious so I tried to pick it up but it scratched me.

Come you little bastard – Ah ! ” I yelled out as it moved itself to the passengers seat.

”Alright, thats what you wanted, a ride ? Thats all right with me … ” I quickly got back in as I started to drive home.I drove slowly so I don scare the cat as it sat there.

”You know I don really like cats …. ” I said to it as it didn know what the hell Im saying.

”I despise them but you
e an alright pussy ….hehe…. ” I looked around the neighborhood to see the kids playing in the streets as i couldn get through.They we
e playing street soccer with shopping carts.

”Car !!!! ” A kid yelled out as they all moved the things out the way and moved themselves so I can pass.

”Thanks, thank you….aye stay safe … ” I said to the boy as they quickly assembled their little game again.I parked in front of the car as I got out and closed my door.I went over to the passenger side and opened the door for the cat.I awaited for him to exit as it stood there.

”Oh I see what this is … ” I said as I carefully picked it up and carried him out gently.

”You
e a Egyptian …. ” I closed the doors and locked it shut as I entered the home in a happy mood.I saw dad laying on the couch I said

”Hey dad ! ” He looked at me confused as he is still angry and said

”Yea …. ” He ignored me as he continued to watch tv.I walked by as I entered the room with the cat.I laid him down as he walked around the room like he owned the place.I don know why Im in such a happy even though I have no way of making money, can fix my habits and my girlfriend left me, but I at least I got this cat.I sat on my bed as I called Elliot he answered quickly.

”Hey Eliot…. ” I said as he replied

”Hey Ray, hope you
e alright … ” I took a moment ask stared at the cat as he rolled all over the carpeted floor.

”Yea, hey listen, Im sorry about yesterday and You guys were right….I need help, please , help me … ” I said distraughtly.

I am not searching for god, not searching for an answer or searching for a reason.Im merely in the moment and will await my answer when the time comes.