A warm breeze grazes upon Rich’s face as he lifts his squeaky window open. It was the start of another day, another dollar. He has a routine every morning, snatching a wrinkled shirt from a heaping pile of clean clothes. His feet pound against the wooden floors as he races to the bathroom before Keisha. Keisha always knew how to get under Rich’s skin, as do many younger siblings. After spending only about ten minutes in the bathroom, he rushes downstairs to greet mom in the kitchen. The aroma of steaming grits, crisp smoked bacon, and sweet cornbread fill the air.

“You did it again moms,” he says with a smile that showed his deep dimples.
“I try. Sit and enjoy your breakfast now,” moms said, smugly.

Hazel enjoyed providing hot meals to her children, it’s something she lacked growing up. Keisha comes around to the kitchen, rambling on about how she doesn’t want to go to school.

“Hush child and join your brother.”
“I’m just saying mama, I don’t understand why I need school.”
“Maybe you need to go to school to understand why you need it,” Rich remarks in a spiteful way. Unfortunately he dropped out before graduation and never went back. “Keisha you better stay in school and learn all there is to know, its important.” Keisha nods her head and skips out the door to catch the bus. Rich squeezes his mom tight before he heads out for the day. “Be safe moms, i’ll be back tonight don't worry.” Although, Hazel did worry. She knew what her son was up to in them relentless streets, but it’s all Rich knew. He lacked a father figure growing up and it gave him the drive to provide for his family at any expense.

Rich wasn’t a fan of people and their petty feelings. He has one objective, money. Although there is one person that’s like family to him that isn’t blood, Bobbi. He’s been down with Bobbi since they met on the corner a couple years ago and ever since then they’ve had each other’s back.

They say opposites attract, that must be true because Bobbi is everything Rich isn’t. Bobbi has a job at the suspect corner store and when he isn’t working he’s at home working on his art pieces. One day he dreams his work will buy him and his family a way out of the slums of Atlanta. On the other hand, Rich sells a wide range of narcotics and talks business with all the sleazy wanna be’s with broken dreams.

Rich goes through the same routine every day, first stopping by the corner store to catch up with Bobbi and buy a 16 oz. orange soda.

“Ay, how’s it goin Bobbi?”
“You know, being here and working on my projects.”
“I hear that, I’m proud of you. Keep it up.”
“You know I will, you better be staying out of trouble. I heard someone’s looking for you.”
“I don’t know nothin bout that.”
“Just be safe man.”
“Nobody gon test Big Rich!” he said with a grin of confidence as he walked out the door.

The rest of Rich’s day consisted of phones calls, locations, and a bunch of business. He had so many customers that he stayed busy until midnight. That was a good thing, more money. One of his most loyal customers Jim was his daily last stop. They met on Rose Felt Avenue under a mossy tree. This time Jim looked distraught.

“Yo, everything okay man?”
“I-I don’t know” Jim stuttered.
“Watchu mean?”
“A guy I never seen before approached me and gave me a message to tell you.”
“What is it? Don’t be scared now.”
“He told me to let you know you messed with the wrong person.”
“Hey man, don’t even worry about it.” Rich replied with a sense of confusion. “Here, imma give you a little something extra but don’t mention it.”
“God bless.” Jim smirked and limped away.

Annoyed with all this talk about somebody being after him, Rich spared no time getting home. He wasn’t sure if the threat was real or not but he watched over his shoulder just in case. It was a windy, quiet, very eerie night and Rich questioned if it was a coincidence. He made it home unbothered. Hazel was knocked out hunched over the chair in the kitchen. She looked comfortable in a way so he didn’t disturb her. Keisha’s door was shut and everyone was asleep. Rich stayed up an hour more dwelling about who could possibly be after him. Eventually his eyelids forfeited.

Rays of light hit his face at an angle as birds sang in harmony. He glanced at the time with one eye cracked, 11:37 a.m. Time to rise and grind. He hobbles to the kitchen and straight to the door, ready for the day.

“Don’t you want breakfast honey?” Hazel insisted. “I made it special this morning.”
“I have somethin important to get to moms, save me some for later if you can.”
“Gee I don’t know if anything will be left when I’m done with it,” Keisha giggled. Rich waved and shut the door.

The streets are busy as usual and people are conversing in a frank manner. Rich opens the corner store door,

“Aaayyy!” Then he stopped, noticing Bobbi wasn’t at work today.
“Hey Louis, where’s Bobbi?” Louis was another cashier.
“I’m not sure, he didn’t call.”
“Okay man thanks.”

I know he isn’t still sleeping, lemme find out. Rich knocks on Bobbi’s bedroom door.

“You in here Bobbi?” No answer. Rich busts in anyways. “Bobbi wake-“ his face froze in shock. Bobbi laid flat on his bed looking lifeless with a busted lip, bruises to no end, and a puffed face. “Bobbi what happened man, who did this?!”
“Leave me alone, I can’t do this anymore,” Bobbi calmly whispered.
“You serious?” Bobbi was silent. “I have an idea who it is, when I find them imma-“
“No Rich, no more violence. Let me have peace.”

Rich decided to go home to reflect on what just happened.

“Rich come here.” He didn’t even notice his mom calling him. Lying zoned out on his bed he came to realize that he just lost his best friend. Rich snaps back to reality... I can’t waste time reminiscing about this, I have to get back to the money.

Stepping back out onto the streets like nothing happened he continued business as usual. While going down Green Street something caught his eye. He switched course and directed to it. Approaching carefully he says,

“Mam what be your name?” She looked like a lost puppy.
“My name is Nisha, I’m new around here.” Her bright magenta lips distracted him with every movement.
“Oh, well I hope to see you around more.” She just smiled and flipped her jet black curls.

A couple weeks go by. Rich is out doing his thing and he hears weeping down an old alley he used to take as a shortcut. He could have ignored it but he was curious. He stepped deeper down the alley cautiously with his hand on his Smith and Wesson just in case. Peeping around one of those giant green dumpsters he finds Nisha.

“Baby what happened?” Rich said comfortingly.
“I got kicked out of where I was staying and now I’m here.” Rich felt she was a sweet girl, he could see it in her big brown eyes.
“You can stay with me, come on. It’s just me, my mom and sister.” Nisha hesitated but knew anywhere was better than being there.

Nisha sat down with the family and discussed her situation about how she’d been living.
“I had an abusive boyfriend. Not only abusive to me, but with alcohol too. I solved the problem and he won’t be bothering me any longer.”  Hazel could relate to her and let her know that she was welcomed for as long as she needed. Keisha was excited, she always wanted a sister preferably her age but this would work too. Rich was relieved that everyone was cool with Nisha.

Over a couple months Rich noticed Nisha getting real close to him. He had to make sure she wasn’t hearing any wedding bells or something crazy. He sits down with her in the kitchen, playing with the chain around his neck.

“I like you stayin here and keepin me company, I just want to make sure your not catchin any feelins.”
“I’ll be honest, I was. I stopped because I felt you didn’t want that,” she replied painfully.
“It’s just not who I am and not what I’m ready for, nothing personal”
“I get it, we good” Rich hugs Nisha and goes to bed.

The next morning Rich calls a family meeting. Everyone gathers in the living room and looks anxious. Keisha lays on the couch still half asleep rubbing her eyes. Hazel and Nisha sit straight looking prepared for anything that comes out of Rich’s mouth. Finally, Rich speaks.

“I need to tell yall that I’ve decided to move to Harlem, New York. I think I need a clean start, a new beginning. Nisha can keep you guys company. I’m not abandoning you guys, I’ll be back.”
“Are you crazy?!” Hazel scorched,
“Don’t go pleaseee,” Keisha cried. Nisha sat in silence.
“I love yall, I will be back.”

It took hours of comforting and convincing but everyone accepted Rich’s choice. He took the flight to Harlem that night.

Being in New York felt urban in a different way than it did in Georgia. The atmosphere was different and smelled of stale air. He took a taxi to an apartment his friend set up for him. He was informed he had roommates and hoped there wasn’t going to be a problem. The taxi drops him off in front of a gloomy broken down apartment complex, building 216 to be exact. The door opens as he walks up to it. A tall slinky looking man with blonde wavy hair appears.

“You’re the new roommate?” he says in a raspy voice,
“Yea.”
“Come on in.” It felt welcoming. Inside was nothing lavish, a few pieces of furniture was all. Two more guys were sitting on a rugged teal couch.
“My name is Kenny by the way. On the left is King and on the right is Snake.”
“Thanks Kenny but I can introduce myself,” King said as he stood up and walked over to Rich with his hand out. They shook hands in a firm not so awkward way. “Here we’re family and we never cross each other. We won’t have any problems right?”
“Nah, I appreciate you guys letting me stay here.”
“You're welcome man,” Snake replied.

Snake woke Rich up in the morning.

“King wants you to join us at the table.”
“Ight I’ll be there in a minute.”

Rich sits at the table wide eyed.

“Each of us has a certain amount to sell every day,” King said in a serious tone.
“What do you sell exactly?” Rich asked,
“What does it look like?” Snake laughed. Plastic bags of white substance covered the table.
“I’ve never been involved with this type of stuff.”
“We’ll walk you through it,” Kenny said assuringly.
“If you want to earn your keep, this is the only way. We have a busy day so Snake and I will take our share and go.” Snake and King leave.

Kenny appears to be the generous quiet one of the group who goes with the flow, King seems to be the ring leader and Snake takes orders from King but still holds his own power. Interesting.

In a couple days they have Rich back in the old habit of selling narcotics. Rich can’t say he doesn’t miss those days but he came here to stay clean. He needs someone to talk to so he reaches out to Bobbi. The phone went to the answering machine the last 12 times he called.

Does Bobbi really want nothing to do with me? We been down for years, It can’t be.

Months go by and Rich is making double what he made at home, he loves it. Hes been so caught up in making money that he hasn’t reached out to moms in a while. He’d make time for that later.

Today Rich just feels like staying inside while everyone else does their business so that’s exactly what he does. It feels nice to have the apartment to himself for once. He starts thinking about how he misses his mama's meals, Keisha’s annoyingness, and Nisha’s company. His thoughts are interrupted by a phone call, it’s Kenny. He wants Rich to meet him at an old warehouse they chill at.

Rich walks in and sees Kenny, Snake, and King.

“Wassup guys?”
“Sit,” Snake demanded. There was one lonely wooden chair, he lowered himself on it.
“Im sorry Rich,” Kenny said regretfully.
“Hush Kenny, you have nothing to be sorry for. Rich is the one who should be sorry,” King exclaimed.

Why am I sorry? What are they gonna do to me? I gotta get out of this situation quick.

“Listen, I don’t know what you think I’ve done but you have the wrong person.”
“Tell me you didn’t lie straight to our faces the first morning you spent with us,” King said sternly.
“What did I lie about?”
“You know you're more than familiar with what we do. You lied saying you never were involved with it. Someone who lies about that will lie about anything. You're not being true to yourself or us.”
“I was starting a new-” BANG. It happened in a split second. Kenny jolted. Snake stared in shock.

King had shot Rich in the leg before he could get a sentence out.

“Leave now and don’t come back or the next one will be in your skull.” A crazy look overtook King.

Rich limped back to the apartment and wrapped a t-shirt around the gushing wound. He gathered all the money he made and took a taxi to the airport. A flight was available to go back to Atlanta that night. The wait was unbearable.

His return was unexpected when he fell through the door.

“Baby boy what happened to you?! You're going to the hospital right now!” Hazel screamed. Keisha and Nisha ran down the steps to see what the commotion was for.
“Im calling the ambulance now!” Nisha exclaims.

Days go by and Rich is home like normal. Nisha is by his side making sure he's okay.

“I gotta go see Bobbi man, I miss em. He can’t still be mad at me.” He said while getting up. Nisha grabs his arm.
“Rich sit please.”
“I have to go.”
“You can’t.”
“Watchu talkin bout?”
“Rich, Bobbi died a week after you left. He had bleeding in his head and didn’t know because he never went to the hospital after being attacked.” Rich jumped up and wiped everything off his dresser in anger,
“You're lying!”
“I wish I was Rich. Thats not the only thing that happened.” Rich calmed down and sat back down,
“One night a man broke in the house and robbed us. Keisha has nightmares about it.”
“Wow man. Give me a minute alone please.”

How could all this happen when I was gone? Bobbi died because of me. I wasn’t here to protect my family. Their all I got.

Rich had to make a change for the better this time, no more going back.

His first concern was with Keisha. He stepped in her room.

“Hey angel, how you feelin?”
“Good I guess, I’m glad you're back home with us. I missed you alot.” Tears started to fill Rich’s eyes beyond his control.
“I heard what happened when I was gone. Are you still havin those nightmares?”
“They went away now that you're home,” she smiled with all her innocence.
“I'm never goin anywhere ever again babygirl, I’m here and I’ll protect you.” He squeezed Keisha and closed her door on his way out.

Now to make the rest right.

“I’ll be back moms, I have to make a quick run.”
“Okay darling, don’t be out too late. I’m making a beautiful dinner tonight.”
“You always do.” Rich flashes a smile and leaves.

It's been a while since Rich felt the Georgia pavement under his feet, it was home. He turned the corner at 5th Street and ended up in front of a familiar door. He took a deep breath, knock knock. The door opened slightly,

"Who is it?" A tiny womans voice asked.
"It's Rich," he said in a soft voice so he didn't frighten her.

The door opened wide,
"Oh Rich it's so good to see you, come in."
"Thank you Mrs.Wright, but I don't have much time. Moms wants me back before foods on the table. I wanted to send you my condolences for your son and my best friend. If you ever need anything, I'm not far."
"Bless your heart, thank you. Your welcomed here anytime."
"Thank you," Rich replied as she slowly closed the door.

Rich knew the owner of the most popular flower shop in town on 9th Street. It’s been years since hes stopped by there and he hoped the owner was still original. On his way he spots Jim across the street,

“Ayy Jim!” Jim waved unsteadily back. Rich laughed to himself, same ol Jim. Rich finally reached Sunny’s Flowers. He steps up to the register where Ronny is trimming some roses,

“Ronny what’s up man, It’s been a while.”
“Ah Rich, I’ve been good. Business is well.”
“That’s good to hear, could you hook me up with a nice bouquet?”
“Sure thing,” Ronny says as he gathers the flowers. “Will you be needing a vase?”
“No thanks, I’ll take them just tied.”
“You got it, that will be $8.50.” Rich handed the money to Ronny.
“Have a good day man.”
“You too, Rich.”

Rich continued to walk until tall black gates blocked the path ahead. The steel felt cold pressed into his hands as he opened it and followed the path. Kneeling down slowly, he placed the arrangement of daisies, pansies, and lilies on Bobbi’s gravestone. After a moment of silence, pulling himself together, he headed home.

Years later … Rich has a job at a pharmaceutical store after attending 10 years of college. He gets his whole family brand new cars and continues to support his family. He chose to go around to high schools and colleges to tell his life story in hopes that no one else will choose that path. One day he visited Georgeman High School and he always closes with the same speech.

“When we long for life without difficulty, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure. Strive for greater and never give up.” Rich then asked if anyone has any last questions. One kid had his hand raised.

“Yes, you in the back?”
“Did you and Nisha ever get married?”
“Unfortunately, we never got the chance.”
“Why not? You guys had a great connection.”
“I'm all truth here so I’ll tell you. Long story short, the police broke our door down in the middle of us having dinner and handcuffed her under arrest.”
“But she was innocent, I don’t understand. Did you try to rescue her?”
“I wanted to, but she was found guilty for the murder of her abusive boyfriend. Theres more than meets the eye. I have expectations for you guys to be living your dreams whether you want to be the next Angelina Jolie or Picasso, Peyton Manning or Mariah Carey. Thank you for having me.”

To Rich, this was the good life.