Drug Lord

× Chapter 1 ×

I always knew I was made for something bigger. I was destined for some kind of greatness beyond these diner walls I was confined in; making even lesser money than the beggar on the corner of the street. No, I was not made for tips and small cash, I was made to be a billionaire.

But at the time I didn't think I was capable of obtaining such an opportunity. I didn't even know where to begin. My life was just like everybody else's. I lived with my mom at age 22 and I worked my ass off just for a penny. I never did anything bad beyond stealing food and occasionally smoking pot. That was as bad as it got.

I was just a normal nobody. Going nowhere and in circles.

Today was just another day. I was working, like I always was. Waiting on people, like I always did. Putting up with people, like I always do.

"Excuse me sir, can I get some more water?"

"I'll be right on it."

"Waiter! I'm ready to order!"

"Give me one minute, ma'am."

Day in and day out I dealt with the same shit. Impatient customers with rude attitudes that paid a dime's worth. Being rushed to serve food at a certain time and to take orders at a certain pace. I was stuck deep inside the grind.

Hours went and passed in a blur and I could literally feel my life slipping away. I was waisting my youth; busting my ass for what? For my family. 

My mom, my dad, and my three little sisters all depended on me. My mom worked two jobs day and nightshift because my dad had gotten into a real bad work related accident that put him on bed rest for basically the rest of his life. My sisters were focused on school and I didn't want anything to come between them and their education, so they could have a chance at a better life. I dropped out of school in my eleventh year so I could help out, but my life had been thrown away since then. I didn't have a social life like the rest of my peers, work seemed to take up the majority of my time. Whatever free time I had left was spent catching up on sleep. 

The cycle that was my life never seemed to end. I felt old even though I was only twenty two. I could feel the vibrance slipping through my fingers. I was going to die a working man -- a sucker for the system. 

I just needed a way out. Given the chance I would do anything to get my hands on easy money. Anything. 

But what could an average chump like me do to get big bucks quick? Nothing. I was an uneducated minority- nobody wanted me as an employee. 

The clock turned eight, exhausted- both physically and mentally- I walked home in thought. My house was in the ghetto, a small brownstone townhouse was where we stuffed our oversized family. 

The first thing I heard when I walked in the house was the tv. The news was on full blast and I was surprised poppa was on the couch at such a late hour. Doniya, Waliyah and Safaa were sat around the television; their eyes glued to whatever was on. 

"What's going on? Why aren't you in bed yet?" I asked. 

"Son, do you remember your old friend Harry?" Pops gave me a look that ran a chill up my spine. I expected the worst. I nodded, unable to speak.

Before he could even answer I saw my old mate's face pop up on the screen in a bright orange jumpsuit. I could only imagine what he had done that made my entire family sit and watch. I sat next to Safaa and listened closely.