L'il Red

The coughing continued all day, by dusk there was little hope. I had no choice if I didn't leave now mom wouldn't make it another twenty-four hours.

I wiped her brow with a damp rag and made her sip on some water. Kissing her softly, my lips burned from the heat of her skin. She needed the medicine, not that pharmaceutical crap that is pushed on us. She needed what only Granny could supply. Going there was a risk, Granny's natural remedies were outlawed, banned as illegal substances. Can you imagine natural herbs outlawed. That is the way it is now, ever since Wolf Pharmaceuticals took over every drug store in the country, their word was law when it came to medicines. Everyone in the hood still went to Granny's, but just as many have been arrested.

"I love ya momma, I'll be back before long."

Grabbing a backpack, and some cash, I left the apartment. Thankful for my red hoody as the night air was chilly, It was the only jacket I owned. Momma bought me one just like it when I was five years old, I wore it everyday. The neighborhood took to calling me Lily Red, cause my name is Lily, later they just called me l'il Red. For the last ten years my Mom has bought me a new one for my birthday. If I don’t make it to Granny's in time, this one will be the last one she ever bought me.

The streetlights flickered on as I stared out the lobby door, the dark became false day with every neon sign lighting up the drugs stores that lined the streets. Granny said that it used to be coffee shops and diners that lit the night, but now it was Wolf Drugs stores and Wolf Dispensaries and Cannabis stores. Gone were the individual owned shops, gone were the mom-and-pop corner convenience stores.

Dealers who once pedaled their little dime bags in the back alleys and school yards now find themselves legitimate owners of these neighborhood pill pushing fronts. They advertised themselves as 'The Big Better Wolf company' Everyone just calls them the Big Bad Wolf.

A mist begins to float lazily between the parked cars that line the street. No vehicle other than Wolf Cabs are allowed to drive at night. They convinced the Government that by reducing the amount of traffic there would be less deaths and crime would go down. They were wrong, homelessness soared and peoples mental health deteriorated, as they were confined indoors. The only entertainment within walking distance were a few restaurants and bars. Oddly enough called the Wolf Den and the Wolf Pub, respectively.

My mind wanders, as I hide in the shadows, walking amongst the forest of tall brick buildings, on my way to Grannies house. A voice cracks the silence. "Hey L'il Red, where you off to on such a cool and dark night?"

Hearing the voice, I stumble as I spin around. In the hollow of a doorway a shadow lurks within. "Who's there" I call

In a moment a hum of static fills the air and there in a red glow of a Wolf drugs store stood a tall shape of a man. who teeth are as bright as the moon when he smiles. "I asked where you were off to on such a night, I see you have a backpack, is that for carrying items home?"

"What?' I stammered. "No, it is just my books I was going to a friends house to study."

"Hmmm." Is his only reply.

Turning around I begin to walk away. " I must be going I am in a bit of a hurry."

The deep voice creeps out into the open. "I hear your mother is sick, perhaps you should come in and I can fill out a prescription for her."

I stop in my mid step, keeping my voice calm I say. "My mother is fine and the last thing she needs are your drugs." And with that I was off. A haunting laughter echoes as the dealer slinks back into his den.

I run the rest of the way through the park, ignoring the calls from pushers, trying to sell me 'medicines, to ease my troubled mind'.

There is Government pressure to shut down Granny's natural healing and herb store. One day I fear it will be gone. I turn the corner fully expecting it to be closed, but a few light are on. A glow emanates within the building. Yet there is an eerie calm to the place, normally there is music and a few people milling about, even at night.

A light sprinkle of rain begins to fall, I lift my hood to protect me from the damp, I can’t move, something was wrong. My nerves were cramping my insides, but I take a step off the curb to cross the street, when an arm shoots out from the shadows and pulls me back. Before I can scream a calloused hand claps over my mouth and I feel hot breath upon my neck as someone whispers in my ear.

"L'il Red, don't go into Granny's."

The person spins me around and I am face to face with Bubba the butcher. The owner of the local meat shop. One of the few stores Wolf does not yet own. He is a young man, mid twenties, strong and not afraid of the big bad wolf.

"I must, Mom needs medicine really bad." I begin to cry.

I could tell he was thinking, his dark eyes widened when he watches a tear fall. Shaking his head, he say's. "Stay here." Then he disappears into the mist.

I wait for what seems forever, until I can wait no more. With hesitant steps I cross the street and enter Granny's store, a small bell tinkles as the door brushes it.

"Granny?" I call out. No answer.

I step behind the counter calling out a little louder. "Granny, it's me your granddaughter Lily."

It was if that was a signal, the lights flared up. The back door, that led to my grandmothers office and storeroom, burst open. Two large, and by large I mean overweight, men waddle forward. smiling and holding their arms out like we are old friends.

"So, you are the famous Lily." The bald one spit out.

"Oh, we have been waiting for you." Stated the other one with only slightly more hair. "Pease come with us, Granny has told us so much about you."

So big were these two that I had little choice, before I knew it I was swept up and found my self in the back storage room. My Granny's desk was in disarray, something she would never allow. "Where is my Grandmother?"

The slightly bald one, who also had bulging eyes sits in a chair and states. "We are your Grandmothers lawyers, and we were just drawing up some final papers for her."

"What kind of papers?" I questioned.

I noticed the other one has large teeth as he beams from ear to ear. "Granny has decided to sell her store and we are needing one more signature before we finalize the agreement."

I was shocked, my mouth went dry as I try to comprehend what is happening. I blurt out the only thing that came to mind. "You're liars, Granny would never sell."

"Oh, but she will, here let us show you what we showed her."

And with a flourish Mr. teeth, places a large suitcase upon the desk and opens it to reveal many bottles and packs of various drugs.

I stare at the display, casually walking, and picking up an item. "My what pretty packaging you have."

"All the better for you to see them." Smiles bulging eyes.

Reading the labels, I look up. "My, they have so many warnings attached."

"All the better to protect you." Grins, big teeth.

Opening a vial I sniff ever so slightly, pulling my head back. "My, they are fragrant and colorful."

"All the better for you to enjoy them." The two large men say together.

Grabbing the suitcase, I toss it to the ground. "I don't believe you’re my grandmothers lawyers. Now get out." I scream

The faces change, and while they still smile, it is now sinister and empty.

"Look." Shouts one. "Granny already signed. Now we need your signature, and we can be on our way."

I was mad, now I was confused. "Why do you need my signature?"

They both began to laugh hysterically. "Because you stupid child, Granny has named you as partner, and we cannot take over until you sign. She refused, even when we locked her up in the darkest cell."

Now, I stand tall and glare. "You locked Granny up?"

Again, they laugh, so hard their belly's jiggled. "Oh, we threw her in the deepest belly of the jail, still she refused. But, when we told her what we would do to you, the old lady caved.”

I remained stunned.

"Granny will remain there until you sign."

Trembling uncontrollably, I staggered to the desk where the forms lay. My hands instinctively pick up the pen. The two men lean forward as I read the document. I can feel their excitement rise as I placed the pen upon the paper. Hot breath reeks out of them as they watched.

I began to laugh, turning to them I ask.

“Have you read Granny’s signature?”

Pushing me out of the way, they fight for the paper, I watch their face contort and turn red. I laugh harder.

Baldy spits as he reads. He can’t get any words out.

Barely able to contain myself. I point to them and cry out. ”Your bosses are going to be pissed when they see that.”

I stop laughing when I see anger in their eyes, it is pure hatred, they are going to harm me. I back away as fast as I can, but they block the only exit.

Suddenly the door bursts open, Bubba storms in with a group of young men from the neighborhood, the fight was over quick, as the two men were dragged out into the street.

I give Bubba a hug, his eyes fall upon the upon the document, then he begins to laugh as well.

That night we took back not only our neighborhood, but the entire city rose up. Every Wolf store was emptied their contents burned in a bonfire.

Just before dawn I made it home with the medicine for Momma. After I knew she would be fine, I joined the crowd as we marched, hand in hand to the local jail to free Granny.

Thank you for reading this version of a retold tale, which still holds up today.

Jason