1. The narrator finds himself in a dark, numb state where he cannot move or speak and only hears a child's voice calling his name. 2. In a flashback, the narrator and his girlfriend argue over money issues and a lack of gas in the car. They angrily yell at each other in front of their crying baby. 3. Six days later, the narrator remains in the dark place, still unable to determine if he is dreaming or in a nightmare. He reflects on missing his turbulent relationship with his girlfriend.

1. 1
Like Cold Black Coffee
by
Author
Introduction
The moment was like the moon, natural and quiet. And the space was as dark as what
any blind man can see. From the solemnness, I couldn't tell if I was in a dream or in the
beginning of a nightmare. All I could have done was listened, watched, and waited for
something else to happen.
And "Michael," a young voice said, "Michael, Michael...,” echoing farther away each
time. I didn't bother answering back. I just stood there being puzzled. It was too sudden to react
as moments were passing, though nothing changed except from the voice fading away.
It was still dark as I began reaching out in order to feel what was around me and I felt
nothing. "This is some weird shit," I said to myself and then, "Michael," and the voice came
closer that time. I didn't know which way it was coming. I just took steps going back and forth.
And then, I didn't know what it was, but something hit my face. It was like a hard blow to the
jaw and more blows followed. Hits were starting to spread all over me, but it didn't hurt though.
It was like my whole body was injected with Novocain.
I had the intentions of swinging back, but my body was too stiff to move. I felt like I
was some fucking statue. For some reason I tried to feel my heartbeat, but I just felt lightheaded
and finally I fell. I landed on the back of my head so hard I saw flashes of light.
I couldn't make anything out from this. I couldn't fight, move, and then, I couldn't speak.
I checked my other senses and everything was numb. I didn't even feel myself breathing. All I
kept hearing was some little kid calling my name.

2. 2
Chapter One
(6 days ago)
That night was as intense as going to war. One wrong word or cold stare could have
started a lot of shit neither one of them wanted to face. The sad part is it was becoming many
nights. He might forget to wash the dishes or she would have her little mood swings. Swear it
was like drinking cold coffee in a chilly room; something didn’t seem right.
The only noise made in the house was the heat running and her cough. The silence was
haunting. It was too quiet, making the tension between them even worse. No noise distracted
them away from each other.
“Michael,” she said in a soft bedroom voice, but looking away. He sighed a little and said
“Yeah,” he said rather deep, but terse.
“Never mind, I run get it.”
“Get what?” as he started to turn towards her.
“Some eggs from the store,” now just sounding tired.
“Ain’t no gas in the car.” She looked at him and then started to project her voice, “Why ain’t no
gas in the car? I got to go to school tomorrow.”
“I didn’t have the money. My check was short this week.”
“Short huh. Where the weed at? All that beer and no gas, make me sick.”
“Why don’t you leave then? Take the baby with you, “and ironically, the baby started crying.
“I wish you weren’t the father sometimes.”
“I wish you would leave my house.”
“First of all, this is our house. My student loans help pay rent and utilities in this house.”
“And I see all that help and we still behind because your loan is, what? Yeah, ain’t no more
fucking money.”

3. 3
“Make me sick,” and she ran and grabbed the keys off of the coffee table in the living room. He
looked at her and then said, “You better spend the night at school until my next check comes.”
“You better take care of Sasha then.”
“Why you, man, always bringing up Sasha.”
“I’m coming back.”
“How are you going to put gas in the car?” She then slammed the door heading out. He looked
at the door and heard the baby crying. He then took deep breaths before he threw the remote at
the door. So angry, he ignored the baby’s screaming, figuring she was going to cry herself to
sleep. He started saying under his breath, not knowing what he was looking at, “All that bitch
needs to do is put gas in the car.”
#
Minutes later, about fifteen, she came with the eggs. She looked and saw pieces of the
remote scattered in front of the door. She didn’t say anything. She knew it wasn’t a sign to say
anything. He looked at her with a beer in his hand and walked up and kissed her saying,
“Sasha’s asleep. I called Derrick and he said we can use his gas card. Sorry.” She looked at him
to see if his was okay, but she didn’t ask him anything. “I can miss a day and make the work
up tomorrow.” As she looked up at him and then touched his neck as she reached up to kiss
him.
#
(6 days later)
I always say don’t let pussy get you whipped, but sometimes the trickiest thing in the
world is understanding the tactics of a woman. I admit, I miss them nights. It damn sure beats

4. 4
these hollow surroundings I face now. I can’t even keep track of how many days it has been
like this. I used to hear a little kid’s voice calling me. Now it is just echoes of my own voice.
It is too dark to be heaven and too safe to be hell. Hell, I still don’t know if I am in a
dream or in the middle of a nightmare. I don’t know what is going on. I see no heaven or hell.
Besides, if God is so real then why he has to be such a dick about everything because me and
no one else in my life had it good, not even Sasha and her spoiled ass. Just saying.