How Did I Get Here: A Novella Read online

  2101 Commons Road South

  Reynoldsburg, OHIO 43068

  www.mortifiedbooks.com

  How Did I Get Here?

  Copyright © 2009 by Ahmad Aleem Williams.

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or

  portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

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

  For more information, please contact Mortified Books at:

  [email protected]

  Book Cover, Publisher Logo, and Interior Layout & Design:

  Scribe Freelance | www.scribefreelance.com

  ISBN: 978-0-9825564-0-5

  LC Control Number: 2009911032

  Printed in the United States of America

  Other Kindle Books

  By Ahmad Aleem Williams

  The sequel to the “How” series is finally here. Just when things didn’t seemed like they couldn’t get any worse or bizarre, they actually did. Without wise counsel Preston thinks he has it all figured out. He begs his way back in Lustray’s life and tells Delight that it’s over, but his actions do not exactly match his words. That’s when Lustray lays it on him by threatening to tell all to the world. Is Delight pregnant again? Will Lustray find out? We’ll see where Preston’s pride leads him and how God continuously exerts His overwhelming power upon the situation. This novel is set to read a story of passion, pride, and persistence. They all have it, but all will soon find out that these attributes only work when used the right way.

  Published: May 29, 2010

  Click cover to go to Product Page, or click here.

  To my sister Keeva Lynn Williams . . . who I never grew very close to here on earth, but who continues to feel closer to me everyday that goes by as I recall her quiet spirit that will endure forever.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  First and foremost I have to thank and give all praises to God who has blessed me with so many gifts that I continue to discover. This is my first book and there are so many inspirations out there that I could go on about forever.

  Thinking back to the beginning of this trek I have to thank my beautiful wife Crystal for instilling in me the belief that I could write a book worth reading. After hesitating for a year, I have finally taken her advice and have been more than blessed by the outcome of this work.

  I would love to thank all of my family in New Jersey for helping mold me into the man that I have become today. To all of my children will continually fill my heart and who I think and pray about 24/7. Without any of you, I am not sure if I would have a life worth living for. Your smiles and your high expectations of Daddy will always inspire me to do better than I originally think.

  To Cliff, Donnie, John John, Shaka, Andrea, Sonya, Audrey, Linda, Jessica, Valerie, and Wanda. You all knew me ever since I played Midget Football in Vineland. I could never forget your support, love, and persistent encouragement for me to always to better.

  Dad, the wisdom you continuously pumped into my brain could never have a price tag on it. You never missed an opportunity to have the video camera on us whenever you could so that we could enjoy so many of those films today. You are not only a father to us, but you continue to be a father to all of those who never had the privilege that we all witnessed. I can’t believe how time has flown by and how we grew up so fast, but those quotes never grow old; because I can still hear them as if I were sitting at that kitchen table in Brotmanville, New Jersey on a Sunday morning. If anyone ever asks me I continue to tell them that you were my first barber, pastor, professor, architect, electrician, and favorite orator. You were the one that has always inspired me to go out and do things myself rather than depend on someone else.

  Mom, who could ever forget all of the sacrifices that you continue to display on a daily basis? The persistent love that you have shown me, even in my time enlisted in the devil’s army you continued to hug me and tell me there are better days to come. Anytime I look at you, I can only think that heaven must be a wonderful place to be, because to smile after such sacrifice does not come easy.

  To all of my friends at Ohio State, Syracuse, and Arthur P. Schalick High School, I love you and continue to reflect on those experiences we have shared as I put my gift of writing to work through the love of you all.

  If there is anyone that I have forgotten, I am sure that this will not be my final book and that I am truly sorry and please do not hold it against me; my gratitude could never be extended enough.

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  We currently live in a time where brokenness has gone unnoticed and where immoralities are so influenced by Hollywood; that the rest of the world does not recognize it is that very stigma that continues to crush our God-given purposes in life. The sin of it all, is that we think that there’s nothing wrong!

  I can not express enough how every decision that we make as human beings are so critical to those that come after us. It may not seem like much at the time, but some of our decisions affect children generations long after we are gone from this place. It is said that the average human being affects 10,000 people! Could you imagine that? Just think of yourself in an open field and picture 10,000 people behind you. It’s an overwhelming thought, but we are all critical beings in this day and age called, life.

  As we embark on the journey of this three part series, we will explore the ride of Preston Brown. Preston is not different from many men in today’s world. He struggles with the same issues, endures the same temptations, and has the same interests that many men do; regardless of race, economic status, or location. We will see how he twists and turns through all of the situations that he may encounter. Although, Preston is impressive, he makes some very unpopular mistakes that may make you cringe, cry, and even make you laugh. Reading Preston’s story will reveal to you that even the most polished of human beings can make mistakes, but the story does not have to end there!

  IN THE BEGINNING

  I tell you what; this brother Preston has the perfect life. He is intelligent, smart, athletic, compassionate, and did I mention intelligent? He has everything a twenty five year old man would want in his life: a wife, house, kids, and a dog. Now how many brothers in America can sting with that? Not to mention that he is on the verge of finishing his Master’s Degree; in seminary! I have never seen someone so driven and persistent to defy all of the odds against him every waking day of his life. I can remember our last year at Ohio State together; Preston completed 67 hours in one school year! For those of you who don’t know 67 hours is the equivalent of two school years, in fact there are some that go to school for 4 years and don’t get that much done. He is more than dangerous, he is straight driven!

  Oh, yeah excuse my manners but I’m Preston’s conscience and we have been hanging strong now for just about twenty five years and counting. But, I don’t think Preston noticed me until he was about three years old. I have always been there for him, but like most men he doesn’t always listen to me and somehow I end up paying all of the consequences along with him. Now getting back to the dangerous Mr. Preston; the man works out like an unbelievable animal. Preston is six feet tall, 220 pounds (85% muscle), caramel colored, sports a low fade, and a million dollar smile that is contagious to everyone he encounters. He’s always casually dressed, never saggin in his pants (he thinks it’s tacky) and not ashamed to wear some ten dollar shoes purchased at Wal-Mart and wear them like he bought them from Sean John himself!

  Preston is an officer in the Army and is on his way to into the Army Chaplaincy. It is just amazing how he can stay in school,
married with two kids, and still finds a way to get things done. God must really have something on hold of him, because every time there is more work to do he just prays longer and we both get through it as if there was nothing to it. His ambition is to one day become a politician to fight many of the atrocities that are imposed on families that reside in the inner city. The passion that he has for human life is great and runs deep within his daily walk! But in the meantime, it is no problem to just sit back and budget the food stamps with his lovely wife and scrape the bottom of the barrel to see how once again the rent is going to be paid. I must admit, Preston does love raising his children in Columbus, Ohio. It is a lot better than where he and his wife use to live back in Vineland, New Jersey. The cost of living was outrageous and the car insurance was unbelievable. Nevertheless, Preston could never forget all of the friends he made in Vineland and Brotmanville growing up. After all, his South Jersey slang and keen sense of humor is what attracts people toward him. In addition, who would go anywhere else other than Ohio State? The football games, the possible connections, and all of the festivities that go on in the city just couldn’t be passed up. We barely made it out of Jersey on our own terms, because someone decided to frame us with a beating in Millville the night before we caught the Greyhound to Ohio. After two days on campus, don’t you know that the State Trooper was calling the dorm room asking about coming in for a polygraph test! This even shook me for a minute, because getting involved with law enforcement is just something we do not do. I mean, Prestondidn’t even have any traffic tickets in his name. But, that’s Jersey for you, when you’re trying to make it, there is always someone else watching and waiting to tear you down. After the third day on campus, when it was confirmed that he was at a girlfriend’s house and Mama Brown cussing out the trooper over the phone, Preston and I never heard any more of it. To this day, we still don’t know who told that story and the bizarre thing about it is that the law had his mama’s license plate number of the minivan he was driving that night!

  Now that all of that is behind us, things were supposed to get easier, but somehow men just love to make the easy things that much more complicated on themselves. Well, I am Preston’s conscience and I will promise to tell him the truth, nothing but the truth, so help me God! Like I said I will always say what is on my mind, but if Preston chooses to refute me or not is totally up to him and the good Lord Himself! The man does seem to have the perfect life doesn’t he, but I promise you the test of time has yet to come as we will see how my man is faced with the mother of all scandals in his life and how he chooses to deal with it. Soon he will know what decisions are really his and which ones are definitely God’s. Enjoy!

  I

  Preston has a beautiful wife named Delight, and delightful to the eye she is. A short, slender woman standing about five feet two inches tall, long jet black hair like a stallion and the perfect set of calves that were not too big or too small, but looked like little ant hills on her legs. She was a perfect mix of African-American and Puerto Rican descent and whoever her parents were blended so nicely together. She loves to play with their children, and she especially loved to kiss on her husband in public. She had no problem letting everyone know that she was, is, and always will be Mrs. Brown. Delight Brown is older than Preston, but only looks about eighteen years old and maintained a size four waist that made men always take a double take when out in public. Preston never was the jealous type, he was too spoiled in high school being the man in every sport including the band, not to mention some football early on in college, but injury changed that whole story quickly. Mrs. Brown will always be the one that has his back no matter what the circumstances and being the typical Jersey girl,confrontation is not an issue. The confrontation thing could get a little out of hand, because in general men don’t like to be challenged in front of their children once something is put into place by the “king of the castle”. But, some women get it and some don’t, but in all sorts that’s why they call it marriage. Because once you decide to get married, you have officially declared war on yourself! I don’t mean that figuratively either, I am talking physically, emotionally, spiritually, and every other brink of the surface imaginable. Preston feels that once the law is laid down there should be no compromise in the word spoken, but it tends to differ once you marry a strong, African-American woman. Not to mention a strong Latino background. So fellas out there, you know there is plenty of opportunity for the house to get real loud, real quick with a neighbor in the apartment complex next door ready to call the cops or put a glass up to the wall.

  The greatest of confrontations happened while Preston watched the kids on Monday night; while Delight went to school. Going to school on Monday nights at Ohio Dominican University afforded Delight the opportunity to go back to school since she worked throughout high school to take care of her oldest son Simon. The kids were “acting up” more than usual that night and Preston finally had enough. He sent the kids to bed without any milk and cookies.

  “That’s it, that’s it that is it!” Preston blasted. “Take y’all behinds to bed and don’t think you gonna come downstairs when mom gets home thinking everything all peaches and cream.” The boys knew once it was “daddy night” there was no turning against “the word” and if there were it would be nothing but a butt whooping to end the conversation. So the boys with a defeated look on their faces put their heads down in utter disgust and walked up the steps as slowly as possible. Typically, when things are going good it only takes about three seconds for the boys to run upstairs inside the two-bedroom townhome in Canal Winchester, OH. But, since dad wasn’t playing around it was time to get crackin’ up the stairs quickly! Anyone could admit that Preston and his wife had a pretty nice apartment. The boys both shared a room, but they were only eight and five so it wasn’t like they were on the verge of puberty wanting their own space. They loved making each other miserable and hated separation. Upstairs was very beautiful inside; the master bedroom was so wide open it was hard to believe that it wasn’t the living room upstairs! A fresh carpet, a walk-in closet, and a nice double sink with the toilet and bathtub; both in another room all by itself. Preston loved that part of the house, that way he could hide away whenever he needed to. And oh my goodness, the central air was lovely, it was self regulated and the bill was never too high. All of the walls were a neutral color and Delight could decorate it whenever and however she wanted to. She wasn’t much of a wall decorator to begin with, but she just loved to have the option anyway. The greatest part that the Browns loved was that they had their very own bathroom and the boys had theirs. This was especially great for a very kinky night when the children were all sound to sleep and no waking surprises in sight. To cap off a romantic night was the way that the sun rose every morning in their room. Looking out of the window, you could see across a big field and it would look like the apartment was telling the sun to rise and they were the only beings on Earth God every created.

  10 o’clock finally rolled around and any minute Delight would be walking through the garage door to greet Preston. Finally, Preston heard the garage close and saw Delight as sexy as their wedding night and without looking for two seconds…

  “Mommy, we missed you!” blurted out Simon, the older of the two. Simon was very clever whenever it was time to go to bed, because he could make it seem like that he was starved by “old dad” or that he stayed up almost home sick to see mom come back home; even though he knew that bedtime was at 8 o’clock. You see, Simon was Preston’sstep son ever since he was two, so being the new man coming in always made it some sort of dilemma going on with the power struggle in the house. The over protective mom and the singled out stepson; it was a classic American family.

  “I thought I told y’all to go to bed an hour ago? No one told y’all to come downstairs when mom came home!! See ya, peace, be gone!” Preston blared nonchalantly.

  Simon glanced at Delight with puppy eyes before he turned his back towards the kitchen like an orphan on one of those mi
ssionary commercials that you see 4 o’clock Sunday morning on TBN.

  “Papi, you don’t have to go anywhere give mommy hug. Did you guys get milk and cookies?”

  “Hell no they didn’t get any milk and cookies and Simon shouldn’t be downstairs!” Preston blurted out.

  Delight frowned and said, “Well it’s a tradition that we all have in my family and I always give them milk and cookies before they go to bed.”

  “I already told them no and I don’t think that it is appropriate to override what I say in front of the kids, I told you about that numerous times before and you just can’t seem to get that through your little head, you know what, bump it, let them do whatever they want the rest of the night.”

  “Don’t get an attitude, because you know that’s what I do with them.”

  “Oh no, I don’t have an attitude about the cookies, I have an attitude about the crap that you just pulled out of your butt less than a minute ago”, Preston huffed. Preston’s eyes were real narrow and it’s a stitch of anger that rarely comes out of Preston when he is more than a little upset…… And wham! The chair goes tumbling across the kitchen and living room floor, knocking over the lamp stand, coffee table in the living room, and almost taking out the patio door. Whenever Preston gets mad, Delight has no problem rising to the occasion in trying to show her equal position in the house.

  “Well if that’s what you wanna do stay yourself downstairs on the couch and I will take myself to sleep comfortably”, Delight proudly announced. Preston sometimes just wanted to grab her by the face and just choke slam her, but he knew he could already beat her in a fight and that he would feel like an idiot once he did it, so once again he just let the thought go.