Chapter 1: Family Ties

My name is Darryl Collins but no one knows that. To the world I am Dr. Crunkenstein, a southern rapper that wishes he was Lil’ Jon. Most people would call my life a lie, I call it a blessing. I have money, success and a job. It’s a lot more than most people can claim these days.

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

There’s the beeping again, I don’t know what it is. I have been to the doctor so many times and the best he can come up with is “it’s in your head” or “it’s probably just stress.” I don’t know why but every time I hear it I feel like I’m alive, it gives me a rush. Today is the best day of the month for me. Today I get to see my son. His name is Marcus, he’s 17 and he plays tailback on his high school football team. He is good; the
University of Georgia has been scouting him since he was a freshman.

His mother and I are on the best terms we can be after all that happened. Sadie and I were high school sweethearts and got married right after graduation. That was a long time ago, back when I was still just Darryl. I was aspiring to be a rapper and she was going to be my manager when I finally hit it big. A few months after our wedding she got pregnant with Marcus, we were going to become parents. That was the beginning of our end.

We were so young; we didn’t know what we wanted. We found out the hard way we weren’t ready for marriage and we weren’t meant to be together. Our divorce was finalized a few months before Marcus was born. By that time I had finally made it, although I sold out to get there. With the touring life I couldn’t be around enough to be a full-time father and I gave custody over to Sadie. I thought the money would help give Marcus a better life than his mom and I had when we were young. In hindsight maybe he needed a father more.

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

The beeping started up again as I arrived at Sadie’s house, but I had more important things to concentrate on. As soon as I walked in the door Sadie was all over me.

“Darryl,” she shouted. “Look at what your son was caught doing today.” As she shoved the paper in my face I couldn’t help think about what she said. I know it’s cliché but anytime Marcus screws up he’s my son. As I read the paper I turn to Marcus, I can’t believe what I’m reading.

“Marcus, what the hell is this?” I shout. “You got caught selling drugs in school. You are lucky the school is not going to press any charges, you could lose any chance you have at that UGA scholarship.”

This isn’t new. Marcus has always had problems. Academically he is treading water; he just doesn’t apply himself to school. He has had run-ins with the law, mostly small stuff like graffiti and minor consumption, but he also had a dropped assault charge a few years ago. Sadie and I have suspected that he is trying to get into a gang for awhile and just hasn’t stuck.

“What do you care,” Marcus shouted right back. “You think just because you write fat support checks you can show up and part-time dad whenever you want?”

It hurt me, but he was right. I seemed to only show up when there were problems. I didn’t always plan it like that.

“I just want you to have a better life than me, with better opportunities,” I said to him. “You could go to UGA, get a degree. Hell you might even have a chance to play in the NFL one day.”

*********

At that moment I flashed back 9 years. It was Marcus’s ninth birthday, one of the few birthdays I was around for. He blew out the candles on his cake and made his birthday wish.
“What did you wish for son?” I asked
“I can’t tell you dad,” he replied with a smile. “It won’t come true if I do.”
“Come on Marcus tell me,” I said.
“Ok fine dad. I wished that I could play for the Atlanta Falcons just like Jamal Anderson.”

*********

Just like that I came back and Marcus was shouting at me again.

“Dad you used to run drugs, and all you do in rap about how awesome the gangster life is. You expect me to look up to you as a role model?”
There it was: my son was just trying to be like his dad. When I was about 10 I was a drug mule for a local gang. The cops don’t usually search kids that young; at least they didn’t back then. My music was no better; I have a single called “Gangsta Way, the Only Way.” I can’t change any of that now. I only have a high school diploma. Dr. Crunkenstein earns more money that Darryl Collins ever could.

“I don’t live that life Marcus,” at this point I don’t know if the shouting helped. “That is the only way I can support you. You really can’t throw this away Marcus. You don’t get a second chance.”

“Fuck you dad. I don’t give a shit what you have to say. Just leave!”

The words cut deep. He didn’t want me around. He didn’t care what I had to say. As I walked out the door I made one last appeal to my son.

“If you aren’t going to do it for me at least think of your mother.”

After that the rest of the day was a blur. I couldn’t get my mind off of Marcus. His future could be so bright but he won’t let me guide him. As I lie in bed the beeping returned.

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

It may keep me awake, but at least it lets me know I’m alive.

Chapter 2 coming soon
(OOC: Hope you enjoy this story arc. Let me know what you think if you want.)