Gentle reader, I bid you welcome to yet another tale of mine. And while you may not know me yet (or maybe you already do through my other stories), I trust that you are in the mood for something edgy, realistic, and even a bit sorrowful. All the same, I promise you that my tales are those that will draw you into my characters and into their lives. So I hope you are prepared for a new journey. And I hope that you are willing to be receptive because this tale is all about the mind, heart, and soul.

But before we do begin, I will have to play the role of the watchman and tell you that this tale will contain themes of verbal/psychological/mental abuse, mental and emotional illness, depression and anxiety, and even mentions of suicide attempts. I must also warn you that my main character's family isn't going to be kind to him. Add in some mentions of drug and alcohol abuse and even some tragic deaths, and I can only warn you that this stuff can be triggering to those suffering from such topics. Some of these chapters could be unsuitable for the underaged readers and those who are faint at heart. Reader discretion is strongly advised if you choose to go forward; but you are free to put this aside if you feel that you aren't prepared and wish to seek lighter fare like a romantic comedy or a thrilling fantasy tale.

Now, if you choose to go forward and aren't prepared for what's next... I can only say that you were warned. But if you feel like this is a tale that you are willing to dive into while cheering for my main character, then I invite you to grab some snacks and your favorite beverage before sitting down on your smart device or computer with your music playlist on hand so you can be prepared to enjoy this experience.

With that said, my fine friends, are you seated comfortably?

Then we'll begin.

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"Smile through the pain and put your feelings aside."

"Think of the Lemmons family legacy, bro. No one cares for your silly ideas or wasteful dreams."

"It's all about appearances and what's best for business."

"Keep your collapsing world propped up even if it means steeling away the bitterness."

"You owe it to us to do what we want. You owe it to yourself."

Those are some of the statements that ring through Ke'Andre Vontrell Lemmons, aptly nicknamed "Lemonade" by a former childhood friend, as he's the proverbial and artistic cheese that stood alone in a family of social-climbers, influencers, businesspeople, and play-making ingenue people. While they got to be able to rub elbows with the real world thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Lemmons' demands of seeking fame and glory; Ke'Andre's dreams of being the next Pollock were put on the backburner as he was told to stay in the shadows and settle for less.

"You're not what the Lemmons family desires, Ke'Andre. You stick out like a sore thumb no matter what you do."

"It's for the best to stay out of the way, son. Your mother thinks that you're...well, 'runt of the litter' is a favored term when it comes to you."

"Why can't you be more like your brothers and sisters? I'd be ashamed to call you my brother if we were related."

Ke'Andre was shunned by his parents, treated like gum on their shoes by his older brothers Andre and Colton (both of them gods for the NFL and NHL respectively) and his sisters Tiana and Marae (models who captivated the fashion empires in Europe and Asia), treated like a housekeeper by his girlfriend Kendra Wilmore (a promiscuous diva who was friends with his sisters), and even alienated by his one and only friend Sheila Beckham (who was treated more like family by his mother and father).

"Everyone knows what's best for you, Lemonade," the raven-haired socialite would say when he was browbeaten countless times during the weekly family dinners. "You have to want to give up what you want to go after what you need. Art school isn't necessary now, anyway. Just follow Cliff and Monica's paths for you and stick to the shadows. Then, after you work your way to the top and if you wanna do your thing, you can have their blessings."

Easier said than done, gentle reader, when it's Lemonade himself who was stuck in a dead-end job as a janitor at a run-down diner working for an unappreciative boss. And that's while he was finishing his final semester at CUNY Brooklyn and trying to save enough money for an engagement ring to properly propose to Kendra. Still, he was determined to do what he was told even while endlessly being dealt with too many bad hands.

It's not what I want, but what they demand.

The more I give, the more that's required. Even when I have nothing left, I still have to give down to the last wire.

Practical sense over frivolity. Common sense over foolishness.

Keep my emotions in check. Mom and Dad are always right and I'm always wrong.

It went on even when he was in middle school as his desires to draw and paint were scoffed. "Why be covered in messy paint when you can seek to be an athlete like Andre and Colton?" Dad had asked him one day. "The Lemmons legacy is all about status, wealth, and success over pipe dreams and penny wishes. Be a winner, Ke'Andre, not a loser."

At least his father did try to encourage him like Sheila. Not so for his mother who constantly belittled his existence every second of the day. "You're never going to be successful like your brothers and sisters," she would remark over her glasses of martinis. "If it wasn't for your grandmother, I would gladly have you aborted. Be grateful that you're even in this family. As long as you remember your place, you will be left with whatever is allotted to you."

For years, gentle reader, Ke'Andre Lemmons endured the treatment while keeping his feelings locked away. But the days of being pushed to the edge would finally force him to come undone like shattered glass. And once it happened, nothing would ever be the same. But fate, for better or worse, was known to have its way of changing plans and redirecting people to confront the pains and secrets of the past. And once you read this story, gentle reader, it would be Ke'Andre himself who would have to do those things and so much more. Because there would indeed be more than what met the eye.

Now, are you ready to dive into this tale? Do you dare to dive into the foreboding waters, hmm?

Okay, let's go! The endeavors await you in the first chapter.

Yours truly,
Sir Jay Dioncel Evers

And so it begins, my lovelies! The old saying "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade," will take a whole new meaning for Ke'Andre as he has to endure the sour notes of his life before he could start making the tart yet sweet beverage. And trust me, you'll want to have some tissues on hand because most of these scenes will make you cry and ready to cuss out his family, his girlfriend, and even Sheila. Anyway, the next chapter is when we'll see Ke'Andre's bad day unfurls everything in one fell swoop! Don't miss out!

Music: "Mad World" by Gary Jules/Tears for Fears. Dedicating this out to therealejking.

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