Browsing: Big House Reality

A Big House Reality: Chapter 6

December 9th, 2008 | By

Thelma hated being in her house alone. Her divorce would be final in a few days, and all she could do was think about James. She hadn’t spent a lot of time with her kids since they chose to move with their father. Had she really been so horrible, her whole family would leave her. She thought about the way her life had played out over the last couple months. She couldn’t see what she had done wrong.

She picked up the phone to call James, but quickly slammed the receiver down. What could she say this time that would be different from what she said last time. She hung her head, then stood up and shouted out into the room. ‘I was the best thing he ever had. What he gonna do without me?’ Then collapsed back in her chair and broke into tears.

The phone began to ring. She wiped her eyes and cleared her throat.

“Hello.”

“Mrs. Irving, this is Wendy Watchman of FR Productions. How are you today?”

“I’m fine. I was wondering when I was going to hear from you again.”

“Sorry, got caught up in some technical stuff, but everything is fine now. We’ve set up the show for the weekend of June 3rd.”

“And I need my entire family for this correct?”

“Yes ma’am, and confidentiality is also very important.”

“I am looking forward to this, Ms. Watchman.”

“Great. I can’t wait to meet you and your family.”

Thelma couldn’t wait to call James. She was going so fast she had to redial the number several times before getting it right. The conversation was short, as James agreed to the date and told Thelma he looked forward to seeing her before hanging up. How could he do that? He made you feel so bad, by doing nothing but being sweet. She could

A Big House Reality: Chapter 5

November 14th, 2008 | By

Rose wasn’t allowed to answer the phone, unless Daniel or one of the boys were around. Cain rushed in looking like he was expecting a call. Rose motioned for him to slow down and picked up the receiver.

“Marshall Residents.”

“May I speak to Daniel Marshall?”

“He’s at work right now. Maybe you should call him on his cell.”

“I don’t have that number. Would you leave him a message for me?”

“I don’t concern myself with his personal affairs, so I think you should call him on his cell. I can give you the number.”

“No, that’s okay. I found a fax number for him. I’ll reach him that way. Thanks.”

“I know that wasn’t her.” Cain said disappointed.

“Cain, if she wanted to talk to you, she would have called by now.”

“I know mom. I just had a feeling she would call today.”

“Where’s your brother? You know your father likes to see him when he gets home.”

“Don’t worry when dad gets here, Marcus will come out. Until then let’s not rush it. Wanna play a game of chess?”

She nodded her head as she moved toward the chess board.

“Mom, do you miss her, even a little bit?”

“Let’s not talk about that. It’s your move.”

Cain appeased his mother and moved a pawn on the board. This was a game his mother played well. If only she was that good at chess.

A Big House Reality: Chapter 4

October 26th, 2008 | By

Carver sat on the edge of the bed in Vanessa’s three bedroom house. It was nice, you know, clean and welcoming, but it was no Oliver Estates. The place he once called home until Stacey found out about Vanessa. It wouldn’t have been that bad, if Stacey hadn’t caught him in hospital while their nine month old was having seizures. I wouldn’t have been completely horrible if Vanessa wasn’t having a baby at the time. He screwed up, and he knew it. He never loved anyone other than Stacey, and now she was gone for good.

He had the money to get his own place, but Carver hated being alone. There was always a woman waiting for him, and if there wasn’t he went and found one quick. The only problem, he didn’t like condoms, and wouldn’t let the doctor get close enough for a vasectomy. He just kept having babies.

The house was quiet, Vanessa and CJ were gone out for the day. Carver looked at the picture of him and Vanessa at high school prom. Then he looked at the recent picture of her and CJ. She had changed and Carver realized she wasn’t cute enough for him. He got up off the bed, and began throwing things into his suitcase. He had never unpacked it, so repacking was easy. He grabbed a pen and pad to leave Vanessa a note, but he couldn’t figure out what to say. He had done this so many times, he could always find the words, but nothing. He threw the pad on the bed, grabbed his bags and left.

He got in his car, and stared at the little house. He put the car in reverse and began pulling out the driveway. The vibration of the phone in his pocket startled him. He knew why? He felt guilty. He didn’t want it to be Vanessa. He couldn’t lie to her right now. He turned off his phone.

He waited until he pulled up the Holiday Inn to check his voicemail. There was only one message. It was from the production studio that wanted him for a realty show. They’re shooting in two weeks. They also understand why his wife Stacey couldn’t be there. He was excited, this is exactly what he needed.

A Big House Reality: Chapter 3

September 8th, 2008 | By

Othea was in her kitchen, listening to her Sunday gospel. Though it was Thursday, Othea believed every day was a day for the gospel. She hadn’t seen Mason in two days. She wondered where he was, but didn’t give to much attention to finding him. If he wanted to go out and sing that rap, than she would pray for the devil to give back his soul. He never had to live that gangsta life. She had made a wonderful home for him. They didn’t live in the ghetto, they always had food to eat, and she tried her best to teach him the ways of Jesus. Mason was just a bad seed.

The phone rang. Othea belted out the last refrain from ‘Go tell it on the Mountain’ before turning down the music, and answering the phone.

“God is Good.”

“Mrs. Roberts. This is Wendy Watchman from FR Productions.”

“Hello Ms. Watchman, how are you this blessed day?”

“Very well, ma’am. I’m sorry for the delay, we were having problems with some of our financial backers.”

“No problem, just keep your faith in God and there is no problem he can’t solve. Hallelujah.”

“Yeah. Well. We have scheduled the taping two weeks from now. The weekend of June 3rd.”

“Ms. Watchman, I’m sorry but that is the weekend of my church’s anniversary. I’m getting special recognition for replacing the roof. I can’t miss it.”

“Well, all you have to do is return the check for $50,000 my company sent to you.”

“I don’t have the money. I spent it on the roof for the church.”

“Then I suggest you show on the weekend of the 3rd or explain to your church why their roof is being pulled off. I mean you’re a church woman, isn’t it more about the act than the recognition.”

“Fine, Ms. Watchman. I will see you on the third.”

“Please make sure Mason joins you or the contract in null.

“No problem, Ms. Watchman.”

“Confidentiality still applies as well.”

“No problem Ms. Watchman.”

“Good. I look forward to meeting you and your son. And Mrs. Roberts, have a truly blessed day.”

A BIG HOUSE REALITY: CHAPTER 2

July 21st, 2008 | By

James sat in the office once occupied by his senior V.P. It had been six months since he had to sell his business to keep from going bankrupt. He was lucky the new owners saw some potential in him and kept him around. They even kept him as the CEO; the only difference was the office. He hated this office. His new office was occupied by Cindy Walsh, a perky little white woman that swept through like a hurricane.

She fired half his staff, dropped most of his long time customers, but managed to take the near bankrupt company into the black. James had owned Simmons programming for the last twelve years, and he needed seven of those years to turn a profit. Though it was meager, it was a profit none the less. He resented Ms. Cindy for doing what he could never do, in a shorter period of time. He resented her for the fast talking constantly moving people that now surrounded him. Most of all he resented himself for letting it happen.

The phone began to ring. He dreaded when the phone would ring these days, especially when the secretary didn’t buzz first.

“Simmons Programming, this is James Simmons can I help you.”

“You need to come home and get your son. He rigged the bathroom door to electrocute me when I touch it. You need to let him go away so he can stop doing things like this.”

He could hear Tom in the back round yelling over Shavon’s tears. “She got her pills and her vodka in there. She’s alright”

“Come get this boy before I kill him.”

“I know more ways to kill you. Maybe I’ll just up the wattage. What do you think Ma?”

“I’m sure he’ll let you out if you calm down. I don’t know what you did to provoke him this time, but don’t call me.”

“I did nothing to provoke him, he’s the devil. You have to come get him before he really hurts me.”

“Hurt you. Tell him what you did to Julie. Tell him how you called her a slut and pushed her down the steps. Tell him that, while you’re crying about me.”

“Where’s Julie?”

“She ran her fast ass out of here, probably at one of those little boys house.”

“I’ll be home soon just calm down.” He hung up and called Tom on his cell phone.

“Dad…”

“Up the wattage, I’ll be home late tonight. Oh yeah, remember to unplug the phone this time.” He hung up.

The phone rang again. “Daddy, what time you getting off today?”

“I was just about to call you. You alright?”

“I’m fine. It wasn’t as bad as Mason made it out to be. Wanna get something to eat?”

“Scants in thirty minutes?”

“See you there.”

The phone rang again.

“What?” he shouted into the receiver.

“Mr. Simmons, this Wendy Watchman from FR productions. Is this a bad time?”

“No. I’ve been waiting to hear from you. I mean you just send us a check and then nothing.”

“Sorry we were having a little trouble with our financial backers, but know we have a perfect location reserved for two weeks from now. That won’t be a problem will it?”

“No problem. I own my own business I can take off when I want.”

“I must stress that the agreement is only valid if your entire family shows.”

“No problem. I have a wonderful family. I know you’re just going to love them.”

“And you’re sure that you have kept confidentiality?”

“I’ve told no one. My family will just think we’re going on vacation

“Great, all the information you need will be delivered by email. I look forward to meeting you and your family.”

James hung up the phone and let the smile masked his pain slide away. He would have cried but he was meeting Julie and she could always tell. He told his secretary he was leaving for the day, and purposely walked the long route, so not to pass his old office. He missed his office.

Bar Code Glitter

A BIG HOUSE REALITY: CHAPTER 1

July 12th, 2008 | By

It’s been nine months since the first trees began to fall on my Grandma’s farm. I imagined what it must have been like, growing up with nothing but your family to take care of you. Eating only what you grew or raised was a foreign concept to a city girl like myself. I spent some time with my grandma in the original house before the construction began, and I loved watching as she maneuvered around knowing exactly where everything is located. The way she had everyday planned out, yet still managed to spend time naming the new baby ducks. She was at peace here, and I knew how much she was giving up for her family.

I sat in the car and looked at the magnificent estate being built around me. I had been over every plan for every room a thousand times. I constantly roamed the property making sure there were reminders of the farm in every nook and cranny. I didn’t spend long on the farm, but it was the closest I ever got to a happy home.

The gently knocking at my window startled me. I turned to see a sexy gardener motioning me to roll down my window. I did, but found it hard to concentrate with his shirtless chest at eye level. I managed to hear him say Stacey had just left and ok’d the final plant selections for the garden. I told him to leave the garden for last, because Grandma wanted to supervise the project. I watched him walk away until he disappeared behind the Rose bushes. I looked up and saw grandma in the window laughing.

She made a sweeping motion like talking on the phone, and gave the inquisitive eyes. I motioned no, she flashed the disappointed eyes, then disappeared behind the curtains. I sat there with two choices, make the call from the car or make the call from the house and grandma’s watchful eyes. I dialed the first phone number I ever learned and the only number I know I’ll never forget. The phone rang two times before I heard my mother’s normal chipper tone, and the lisp in her speech assured me dad was still the same.

“Hi, Mom. How are you?”

“Mary, I’m glad to hear all is well with you, let me get your brother.”

“No mom, I would like to talk to you.”

“You know I can’t do that. Goodbye Mary.” She hung up. There was nothing. I knew the feeling and I didn’t understand why it surprised me. She had always been that way. Why was I not surprised, an even better question, why did it hurt so much?”

I looked out the window again and let the beauty of the things around me sink in, and I let her go. I decided to go for a walk. I heard they delivered my horse today. Nothing is going to bring me down today. All the pieces were in place, and soon my grandmothers dreams are going to be realized. Soon my dreams were going to be realized.

I got out the car and stretched and inhaled the fresh air. Yeah, I think I’m going to love it here.

Bar Code Glitter