Toxic

Chapter 25

December 9th, 2019

Opening his eyes, Semaj rolled over coming in contact with nothing but the cold rough gravel of the sidewalk. He laid there as he rode the wave of his high and ended up falling asleep. Homeless, broke, and unmedicated, his life had definitely taken a turn for the worst. His episodes were happening more frequently, but fortunately he hadn't hurt anyone else he was just hallucinating more than often. In the beginning he told himself the drugs would help him get by, but they were only making his condition much worse.

The December air was biting, and the only thing that covered his body was a dirty pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Socks that were once white covered his feet along with a pair of cheap slides he found in the garbage. The almost winter weather was coming in strong, and he was freezing his ass off.

You're such a sorry ass excuse of a man the voice in his head continued on. No wonder Denver left your ass high and dry, you aint got shit.

"Shut up" He smacked the side of his head, it was one of the reasons he kept himself pumped full of drugs. It turned the voice off for a while, but when the intoxication wore off they came back full force. 

As he walked down the road, he seen the familiar golden arches. Like somebody is gone give you some food "they will shut the fuck up" He couldn't remember the last time he ate, but from the rumble in his stomach he knew he needed something. Ambling up the small hill, he walked through the parking lot of McDonald's. It was dark out but it had to still be a decent time since the inside of the restaurant still had people in it. Pathetic!!

"I said shut up" He yelled as he pulled the door open. Semaj entered the lobby of the fast-food establishment and made himself cozy at one of the booths. It wasn't as cold on the inside as it was outside.

Yeah sit there like a sad puppy and just hope someone feels sorry for your weak ass. Be a man! How are you gonna feed yourself?

"Shut up, shut up, shut up!" Catching the attention of the customers as well as the staff, he paid no attention as he yelled.

"Don't look at me, I kicked the last one out this one is on you" The young worker could be heard from behind the counter. The lady smacked her teeth and walked from behind the counter towards Semaj

"Sir"

"Didn't I say shut up? Shut the fuck up" Semaj yelled. The stinch that was radiating from his body was loud enough to make her turn her nose up, simultaneously pissing him off further.

"Call the police" She said

Upon hearing the woman mention police, Semaj stood up and rushed back out the door. The cold air slapped him in the face, drawing goosebumps onto his ashy skin. His teeth chattered and his body shook from the sudden drop in the temperature.

"Semaj" A voice called out from behind him. He turned around and came face to face with his mother. 

"Oh baby, what are you doing out here" Janet asked as she pulled the overcoat tighter around her frame

With a slight frown on his face, he rolled his eyes at the sight of his mother. Even out his mind, he still wanted nothing to do with her ass. But as much as he wanted to walk away from her, he needed a place to stay, it was too cold out tonight.

"You mind if I stay with you tonight?" He asked

Janet eyebrows rose in shock, she was used to her son denying her access to his life at every corner she tried to turn. The man in front of her though, he wasn't the Semaj she was used to seeing, he was vulnerable. It kind of reminded her of the little boy he used to be, the only thing that was difference was the unkempt hair and dirty clothes. His eyes could never lie.