180 Days

By Patrick Gibbs

Tommy is a man who enjoys a routine of getting high and hanging with the boys until his life is turned upside down in the best way when he scratches off a winning lottery ticket.
The ticket stipulates that he has one hundred and eighty days to redeem his winnings and, naturally, Tommy and his girlfriend, Trina, celebrate by throwing a big party for all their friends and family. He finally made it big and everyone is happy for him.
But when the lottery ticket turns up missing the next morning, the hunt for it is on. Will Tommy find his missing lottery ticket? Was it possibly stolen by one of his closest friends?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Patrick Gibbs
• Release date: Feb 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463494271

Patrick Gibbs

Patrick D. Gibbs, an innovative and resourceful producer and writer, is a husband and father of two. After a true, real life experience, he was inspired to write the book “180 Days”, a tale of adventure, drama, and one man’s continuous ambition.

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180 Days

Based on true life events. Some names altered to protect both the innocent and the guilty.

By: Patrick D. Gibbs

Copyright © 2020 by Patrick D. Gibbs

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review.

Day: 0

Trying to catch up to his girl, Trina, and his 19-month-old daughter, Peyton, Tommy was running in what seemed to be a dark atmosphere. He continued with his exhilarated efforts getting closer and closer to them when suddenly he became exhausted. Tommy felt like something was pulling him back and turned around to see a figure identical to him pulling and tugging on him. Tommy tried to push himself off but was unable to. He looked ahead and saw his family was just within reach, calling out to him with outstretched arms. But Tommy, unable to reach them, was fighting his way to them. Just as he was about to break free, he turned around to see the copy image of himself that was pulling on him burst into flames and scream out. Tommy freaked at seeing the clone image of himself burst into flames and tried to put the image of himself out. Tommy’s family screamed out to him, telling him to leave the old him behind. But Tommy was too fixated on trying to extinguish the clone image of himself until he, himself, burst into flames. Tommy was burning ferociously and watched his family from a distance as the fire consumed him. The last thing he saw was his daughter calling out to him.

Daddy, Dadd---dy, daddy! Peyton said as Tommy awoke, haunted by his dream and scared out of his mind.

What’s wrong daddy? Peyton inquired, sitting on Tommy’s stomach. He sat up, looking at Peyton, barely able to speak words,

Nothing baby, I’m goo-goo-good, Tommy said, still startled from his dream.

I’m goo, goo, good I’m goo, goo, good, Peyton repeated what she had heard from Tommy.

Tommy, relieved that it was just a dream, kissed Peyton on her forehead and set her down on the floor. He sat up and began to wonder what the dream had meant? What had it been about? And why couldn’t he save himself?

Those questions ran through his mind as Peyton began hopping around the living room floor saying, I’m goo, goo, good.

Tommy tried to make sense of what all he had just dreamed until a door slammed in the hallway and his wife, Trina, came walking by.

Aren’t you supposed to be picking JoJo up? Trina said on her way to the kitchen. Awl hell, I forgot! Tommy said, jumping to attention.

Tommy, watch your language around Peyton! Trina exclaimed.

My bad. Hey, why you let me over-sleep?! You knew I had somewhere to go! Tommy said, scrambling from the couch to put on his shirt and shoes.

Helloo-oo, this is me telling you that you have somewhere to bee-ee, Trina said sarcastically.

Yeah but why is you just now telling me? Tommy asked, still scurrying about gathering his stuff.

Maybe because you don’t need to hang out with those hoodlums, Trina said from the kitchen as she cleaned and prepped to cook dinner.

Awl here you go! I show don’t be needing to hear this now. We already been through this, Tommy said, searching for his wallet.

I’m just saying Tommy why you wanna go hang out with those good for nothings for when you have a family here that loves you? Trina said as she walked by the living room doorway.

Why, Trina? So I can be all up under you all night? And besides, it’s boring here!

You tripping, now you know how I feel in the bedroom Tommy.

Oh, ha-ha, very funny, Trina. You know I holds it down in da bedroom. I be killing that!

Yeah, yeah, you da man, you da man. But, Tommy, why can’t you be da man here? Why can’t you hold it down here? Why you gotta run off somewhere else every time you get a little extra money?

Now I ain’t trying to hear dat. Where’s my wallet? Tommy said in frustration.

I don’t know. Check the bedroom, Trina replied.

Look, Trina, it’s just me hanging out with the boys. Why do I have to get checked every time I wanna to go out?

Because, Tommy, all it seems like you do is hangout and I’m here at the house alone with OUR daughter. You’re a 26 year old grown man and you need to be at home with your family!

As Trina finished her statement, Peyton came hopping around Tommy with his wallet in her hand.

Moony, Moony, Moony daddy! Peyton said,

Yes baby that’s daddy’s money but here you go.

Tommy pulled some change out from his pocket and handed it to her.

Now what did I teach you to do when you get money? Tommy asked.

Save my moony, save my moony daddy, save my moony, Peyton said as she goes running off to her piggy bank.

Look, Trina, I don’t have time for this right now. I have to be out. I’m already running late picking up JoJo. We’ll finish talking about this later, Tommy said, rushing out of the front door to their trailer home knowing that they would not finish that conversation later. Trina, feeling sequestered, withdrew back into the kitchen distraught but accustomed to this resolve.

Day: 1

Tommy walked out of the trailer door and down the steps to the driveway and then jumped into the car. As he attempted to start it, the car only made a cranking noise. He slammed the steering wheel in frustration as he sat in the front seat and then popped the hood. He exited the car and checked the carburetor, tweaked the battery post under the hood, and then walked back around into his car. This time, when he turned the key, the car started. Annoyed and in a hurry, Tommy sped out the driveway and darted towards JoJo’s place. As he went on his way up the road, he hit the scan button on the radio. The first station he heard was a song about, Money, Money, Money.

Then he heard some kind of Get Rich Quick infomercial with voice over testifying that, I turned my complete net worth into $250 thousand dollars in only 6 months, now I’m able to buy a new house, new car- anything I want.

He happened to stop at a red light and, to his right at a new car dealership, he viewed the unloading of brand new vehicles.

On the radio he then heard the Lottery commercial, Attention, Lottery Jackpot is 34 Million dollars, drawing tonight at 8pm.

Then he drove by the brand new trailers for sale at a mobile home sales center. The radio was still scanning and the next station was a song about Getting Money and the Dollars. The light turned green and he then passed by a car lot and saw the new Charger on display and became agitated.

He then said to himself, out loud, You know what? Some stupid hood folk would buy…naw not buy but prolly lease it out and put rims on it and paint it an ugly color then say it’s theirs. People like that make me mad. They don’t know what to do with something like that. Me on the other hand, heck yeah, you know I do and one day I will whenever I get my big break. Then I’ll show everybody. I’ll get one of those expensive cars like a Corvette or something. Then I’ll deck Trina up in some Dolce & Gabbana and she’ll be the best looking girl in Northern Louisiana. Oh, and I can’t forget about my baby girl. I’m gonna put her in the best schools money can buy. Just wait, wait ‘til I get my breakthrough.

Tommy pulled up to JoJo’s house without even realizing that he had arrived. JoJo came walking out of the house, also upset, with Peaches, his wife, trailing behind him yelling in an upset tone.

What took yo high-yellow butt so long Tommy? Look what I had to deal with! JoJo said, speed walking to Tommy’s car.

What are you talking ‘bout-- what you had to deal with? Peaches said sarcastically, Look what I had to deal with…a 27 year old, good-for-nothing, jackass.

Tommy sat back in the car laughing, feeling a little better seeing someone else in misery.

What the hell you laughing at, big head? JoJo asked, getting in the car as Peaches continued yelling at him from outside of the car.

Nothing really. Just some fool that can’t control his woman, Tommy said, snickering.

Oh really! Like you can talk the way Trina runs you. She might as well put a horse bit in your mouth and call you Mr. Ed., so gitty up.

Whatever! I’m the one- before Tommy could finish his statement, Peaches cut his statement off.

Tommy…Tommy! Peaches shouted, standing outside the driver’s side window of Tommy’s car.

What girl? I ain't deaf, at least not yet, but you keep that up and I’ll be! Tommy exclaimed.

And? It’s not like you listen to anyone anyway, Peaches retorted.

Girl, what you want?! Tommy exclaimed.

What time are ya’ll gonna be back, Tommy?

I don’t know. But I do know I gotta be back in time for dinner or Trina will have my head.

JoJo again said, Gitty up, and started to make whipping noises towards Tommy.

Tommy became mad and threatened him to shut up. JoJo burst out in laughter as Peaches interjected them,

Well, don’t be out too late. JoJo needs to be back because tomorrow is a big day for the barbershop and he can’t be out all night wasting his life away and losing money with you, Tommy.

Look, Peaches, I’ll have your precious hubby back in one piece before his bedtime so you can tuck him in, Tommy said, pulling out the driveway as Peaches went back in the house.

Tommy and JoJo drove towards their friend Quincy’s house when JoJo asked Tommy if he remembered to get the playing cards. Tommy explained how he had been so distracted that he forgot to pick any up so they decided to detour and go to the Sunshine Market. As they pulled in and parked the car, Tommy heard the announcement on the radio about the Mega Ball lottery going up and that it had now reached $100 million. They both walked into the store with intentions of buying beer, blunts, and playing cards. Tommy checked his pockets and counted $47, just enough for two $20 buy-ins at the card game.

I’m feeling lucky, JoJo. I’m gonna win tonight and I might win that lottery too. I deserve that money because I know how to use that money.

Hell, I know how to use that money too. Ya spend it. So does that mean I deserve the money, too? JoJo said, getting out of the car.

You see…that’s why you don’t deserve the money. You don’t know how to use it, Tommy said, going into the market.

Oh, and you do, Tommy? Then how? Educate my black ass, please.

Ok, no problem. Listen to me, an educated black man, on how to use that money. First, I would pay all my bills and my dad, OE’s, bills.

Yeah, no different from the average person, JoJo said, grabbing a couple of things for the card game.

Shut up, JoJo, and let me finish. Next, I would get us a new trailer.

Oh, yeah, nice. How could I not think of something like that? JoJo said, walking to the counter.

Then, I would help a lot of charities and organizations by donating money to them and build a shelter for the homeless and feed the neighborhood, Tommy said, walking up to the counter.

Hmm you sound like a cross between a drug dealer and a rapper with money that needs a tax write off.

Shut the hell up. What do you know, JoJo?

Enough to know how to manage that money a lot better than you can. Because, unlike you, I actually run a business, JoJo said.

Oh, there you go throwing that up in my face again. Just because I’m not a business owner like you, that don’t mean I don’t know nothing about money.

I don’t know nothing, damn man, at least I know how to speak, you sound so ignorant, JoJo said, smirking at Tommy like he might be better than him.

Look, Tommy, I’m just saying why not invest in your dreams? I mean, once upon a time you wanted to be a mechanic and own your own body shop. You have the skills. Why not go to trade school and get your license and start your dream?

Oh, there you go sounding like your wife, Peaches! She said the same thing back in the day. As a matter of fact, she worried me about it, too! Now you’re doing it. Look, I got a good job and a girl with a kid to think about. I can’t go around chasing pipe dreams. It’s too late for me.

Whatever, man, I think you just gave up too easy. That’s all.

Gave up! What the hell ever! Look, I will make something of myself and I’m going to get all the money I need and do whatever I need to do in life!

Oh yeah, and how are you going to do that, Tommy?

You know what…hey Louie why don’t you add one of those scratch offs to the bill, Tommy said to the clergyman.

Oh, so is that how you’re gonna get all this money? With a scratch off? Ha, yeah, ok.

Quit hating, please. Because once I win I’m sure you’ll be asking me for a business investment, Tommy countered.

Louie, the clergyman, finished ringing up their order and the total was over $20 dollars. Tommy flipped out over the cost and looked down to see what they got. He saw some beer, chips, cards, and a bunch of other party snacks along with Tommy’s scratch off. Tommy had a fit over the order so much so that JoJo volunteered to pay for it. After they leave the market, they took off and headed for Quincy’s house.

As Tommy and JoJo got back in the car, Tommy started scratching off the ticket before they even pull off good and spins out a little in the gravel.

JoJo said loudly, indignant, What’s up bro? You gonna drive or scratch? You gonna kill us over that ticket!

Tommy said, I got this here, bro, and he stopped scratching and put the ticket in his console.

Tommy and JoJo eventually pulled up to Quincy’s place in the hood. Quincy’s house appeared to be a little run down with faded, chipped, white paint that gave off a grayish look. The yard didn’t have much grass, only mud patches with booby-trapped toys that could hurt you if you played with them. There were bed sheets hanging up in the place where curtains should have been and the porch was so run down that you could hear someone coming to the door from the cracks in the floor before they could ring the bell. The bell was also broken down to where, if someone would ring it, they would receive a shock. It was the perfect safe haven for Tommy and his friends because they knew no one would dare come looking for them there. Especially not their significant others. Tommy was excited and eager to get in and play because he was feeling lucky. In addition, this was his form of release from a rough week on his job as a tow truck driver.

As Tommy and JoJo got out the car and made their way to the front door, they could hear the other guys from outside the house. Tommy walked up to the doorbell and, because of his eagerness to get inside and play, he forgot about the shock and pushed the doorbell in hard to, indeed, receive a tremendous shock.

Aaahh, aww shit!! What the hell! Quincy, dammit! Tommy exclaimed in horrifying pain. JoJo stood by and laughed as Quincy opened the door.

What took ya’ll so long? The game is about to start! Quincy said, dressed in nothing but a tank top and sweat pants.

Quincy, what the hell is wrong with you? You need to get that doorbell fixed or someone is going to sue your ass! What’s up Curtis? What’s up family? Tommy said to Rob, his cousin, walking in.

The inside of Quincy’s house didn’t match the outside as much. There was nicely placed furniture in the living room along with a flat screen TV. There also was a nice dining table set in the dining room.

Quincy just laughed along with JoJo because that wasn’t Tommy’s first time being shocked. In fact, Tommy quite often shocked himself on Quincy’s doorbell. Yeah, yeah, whatever. Ya’ll should know better by now. Plus, like I said before, that’s my ghetto rigged security system, Quincy said.

What’s up Curtis? Rob? JoJo said, greeting them as he came through the door.

Hey, Quincy, now how the hell is that suppose to keep someone from breaking in a window? JoJo asked.

It’s not! I’ve got my piece for that. That’s for people I don’t want coming to my door like: bill collectors, repo man, old girlfriends and Jehovah witnesses.

Oh my God, Quincy, you need help, Tommy said, walking over to the couch. I think it’s a good idea where do I sign up for one of those? Curtis said.

Hell, I might be interested I plan on doing some renovations to the barbershop as soon as I come up on some more money, JoJo said.

I think you can get one from Missy. Y’all remember her? Quincy said, slapping some cards on the table. All the other guys gathered around and JoJo passed out beers.

Yeah, I remember her, JoJo said, Hey, you remember how she use to always have some scam she was running?

Yeah, yeah, yeah. You remember the cable scam? Tommy replied, dealing out the cards as they began playing Tonk.

Yeah, man, I remember that. We would have free cable with all the channels for about 3 months and all we would pay is a C note, Quincy said, referring to a $100 bill with the nickname of C note.

Hey, didn’t she hook up your electric and gas at a good deal, too, by using other people’s social security numbers? Curtis asked.

Yeah, that’s right. She would get them from a place called Global Systems out of Cali, Tommy replied.

Man, she was the hook-up. Forget Master P, she had the whole hood in business, JoJo said.

Oh, but her sister was something else. What was her name? Tommy asked, laughing.

Uhm I think it was Bernice! Yeah that was it, JoJo said.

Yeah, she was bad too, Quincy said.

She sure was with that cell phone scam! She use to have them Bernie Mack phones. You know, the burn out phones from back in the day. You could call all over the country for free without any trace. We was calling Grandma every day. You just had to tell her that if anyone called asking that she didn’t know who was calling. Them free phones was the bomb. Ran that cellphone scam to where we could call all over the country with no long distance charges back in the day when they still had those, Tommy said.

Yeah, it’s probably because of her that cell phone companies went on ahead and gave it to you for free. But, you know, I wish she was around now to give me a hookup JoJo said, laughing.

On and on they continued talking about crazy, nostalgic moments in their lives as they continued playing cards and watching the game on television. Tommy was unusually lucky that night as he continued winning game after game. But, as always, had a problem with walking away from the table. The game boiled down later into the night and they lost track of time.

And as soon as Tommy got a text from Trina, Please get milk for Peyton’s cereal, his luck began to change for the worst. Tommy was up in his winnings and decided to call a

big bet to end the night off with. He felt, with his luck, he was going to walk away with all the winnings. He and Cory got in a big pot again and Tommy lost all his money.

Tommy then borrowed money from Quincy to keep playing.

Quincy said to Tommy before handing him a $20 bill, I give it to you…when I’m gonna get it back?

I give it back when I get my check Friday! Tommy yelled as he snatched the bill. The game commenced. They played like a tournament game in the final round. Tommy figured he had the lowest hand as they all dropped their cards but it turned out he didn’t, and JoJo did. So Tommy had to pay double the stakes and JoJo was the victor.

Looks like I beat you in something else again, Tommy, JoJo said with a smile while counting up his loot.

Tommy