Novels2Search
The Last Crumb Cake
Chapter 12 : Bad Business

Chapter 12 : Bad Business

As Zach's father goes to bed. He sits in the chair and worries about his son. Did he do a good job raising him and why would he want to go into business selling crumb cakes? He tried his hand at business and failed. Zach's father sold woman's head wraps. The business started off slow and ended slow because he didn't have the gift of gab and he never developed it. He was known as Z. Only his parents called him Zachary. Z didn't particularly care for the name Zachary because it sounded stuffy and he thought people would think that he was full of himself. His father, Ramadeus gave him the scarves to sell because he wanted his son to learn how to make money. And he knew it was an important skill to have because one day he would have to take care of a family. Zachary was 11 at the time. Z's father, Obed gave the plays. He'd observe a single woman or a woman with kids. Obed thought this was easier than approaching a husband and wife because the man would most likely change the woman's mind.

He would more or less say, 'you don't need this' or remind her of the scarves or head wraps she has at home. Or the husband would just say, 'Let's go' and the woman would leave with her man and depart with an 'I'm sorry'. Z never liked going on these trips with Ramadeus. He was pushy and aggressive. Ramadeus was hard to please. He always corrected Z's introduction in front of the people. And after the sell or non-sell he would never give a compliment or encouraging words. It was either 'never do it again' or 'you jacked up, you should have said' this or moved this way. These entrepreneurial trips would take place before Z even finished his homework.

Ramadeus would come home from work and say, "let's sale these headwraps, I mean scarves, they use em as headwraps, it's the same thing". And then he would say, "make sure your clothes are clean, your mouth's clean, you know what take a shower and put on a new outfit, you wore those clothes all day. Sweat, dirt and perspiration is on them. I don't need a shower, I'm the coach, you're the player, I draw out the plays and you execute them."

Couldn't Dad just leave him alone and let him finish his homework. He already had a tough day at the basketball court. His team lost by 20, Z got caught with an elbow to the jaw and a forearm to the chest from the opposing team. And he's still trying to recuperate. Z doesn't feel like talking or even walking up to strangers. Can't he just chill and relax. He really wants to lay down and play video games. Z knows if he does this that his mother would holler at him. And then Ramadeus would come in the room and humiliate him with his favorite words, "I didn't feel like coming home, I wanted to go to the bar and knock down three cold ones, but I'm here, there's a lot of things in life you don't want to do, but you have to do them, it can't always be about you because people are depending on you."

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"What if I don't want a family, meaning it's just me,I don't want a family because I don't want my family to force me to do something that I don't want to do', says Z.

"Well, you won't have a legacy, you don't care about your lineage, your blood line, you don't want to replicate yourself?" asks Ramadeus leaning over Z who's at the dining room table with his homework spread out.

Z excuses himself from the table, so he can take a shower. Ramadeus steps back a tiny space. He understands that his words sunk in, but his son is just trying to save face because Z doesn't want to hear the truth. Z rather be coddled and told yes to death. Although, he wouldn't be helpful for him in the long run. It would be quite detrimental because that's not how the quote on quote real world works. Ramadeus rubs some more truth in the exposed wound, "even if you don't get married and have a family and kids, you do plan on going on dates right, you're not gonna be all alone your whole life, you'll get bored and become destructive."

"I'll work, go to sleep and play video games, that's the life for me and I'll save money to buy more video games, so I wouldn't need a girlfriend or if i decide to get one I'll get an independent woman. She'll have her own money and resources," says Z.

Anastasia doesn't take to kindly to his words. She bumps him on her way to the bedroom. Anastasia speaks in a stern voice.

"We'll don't come here to visit me or ask to stay with me, you want to do it on your own and stay on your own, then, figure out all your problems on your own", she says slamming the door.

"She acts like she's not married", says Ramadeus.

"Are you going to disown me too Pop?" asks Z.

"Why would I do that, you're my son and I pay all the bills, so that's not happening, I'll always be here to help you, but, I won't coddle you, that's your mother's job, if you need words of wisdom, then you can come to me, money you can come to me, but within reason, I'm just not gonna give you money, there better be a good enough reason for me to part with my cash, go take a shower, your mother's not gonna be mad for long, don't worry about her, just don't ask for seconds, she might put something in your food"

"No, I would not, what kinda mother would I be, I might put something in your food, since you want to be funny", says Anastasia screaming.