Two Thin Dimes Read Free

your back, you retire from work, and you become a drunk. You sit around all day and drink, and then you want to fight. She couldn’t take your punches anymore, Dad! I’m glad she left. I’m glad she jumped ship and saved herself! Somebody had to survive!”
    With that, Tameer turned and jogged up the creaking stairs and into his bedroom.
    Tameer’s room resembled that of a high school’s athletic department. All District, All City, All State, and All American pennants, banners, trophies, certificates and letters were spread all throughout the room. Three Five A state championship football trophies shared a desk with two Five A state basketball trophies, and two for baseball. The dresser held the state championship trophies for track and field, and swimming. Ribbons and plaques adorned the walls, sharing space with posters of great athletes and literary notables.
    Of the two paths Tameer had to choose from, he took the one most disappointing to all, but most fulfilling to himself. He chose to accept an academic scholarship at a local university, declining several athletic scholarships from numerous national ones. In fact, many of the major universities had pursued him with considerable vigor.
    Born with a powerful frame, natural speed, and unnatural maneuverability, he quickly transformed his body into a muscular sports machine. His father drove him relentlessly, and starting with his freshman year in high school, Tameer had dominated the Texas sports scene. He was a college coach’s wet dream.
    The boosters had offered him jobs, cars, credit cards, daughters, and everything else under the sun. The Catholic schools offered him God, Heaven, absolution, redemption, and salvation. The California schools offered him movie roles, Hollywood, a life of wealth, fame, and fortune, along with his choice of sunny bunnies to share it all with. The Texas schools offered him oil, oil money, cattle, cattle money, and Houston, or a nice patch of land comparable to. He turned them all down.
    The pain he felt came not from disappointing so many people, but from a conversation between his father and his uncle. He had overheard Eddie Lee saying that he thought his son would rather have been in a cheerleader’s skirt, than wearing a football jersey. It hurt. It had hurt more than anything in this world, as Tameer had always done his best to please his father. His desire to please Eddie Lee had driven him to greatness. It’s what made him elevate himself to legendary, record-shattering, football demi-god status. He became the greatest student athlete in the annals of Texas football history, in an effort to make Eddie Lee say something nice about him. He would have almost killed for a smile or a pat on the back from his father. It never came.
    Once again, Tameer found himself alone in his bedroom after having another argument with his father. Once again, Tameer found himself removing his journal of poetry to make an entry. Finally, like all of the other times, he found himself falling asleep on his bed, haunted by memories of his mother.

    San Antonio International Airport was a thoroughly modern facility. Large, comfortable, efficient, and like most others, found itself not holding a candle to New York’s massive JFK International.
    â€œChina, what is this God-forsaken place? Where have you brought me to?” Jamaica strode through the airport wearing a sizzling red leather ensemble from North Beach Leather. It was a three-piece with jacket, skirt, and a matching oversized leather hat. She completed her Vogue look with a red Chanel purse, and matching red oversized Chanel frames.
    â€œJai, I’m not going to put up with your whining.” LaChina strolled alongside her friend, dressed less ostentatiously. Her cream-colored, soft-cotton, pleated bell-bottom pantsuit, and reasonably-sized Fendi frames barely registered a second glance. “We’re going to do the promo, then get the hell outta here