Hood Goods

2 - Laundry

The minute Miller got in the house he rushed into the bathroom. He took all his clothes off and hopped in the shower, doing his best to scrub away the touch of Leon. Once he felt cleansed, he got out of the shower and found himself staring into the dirty bathroom mirror. His mom rarely had time to clean and he was usually sleeping or just unconcerned with even bothering to lift a finger.

Miller just kept staring at himself as a drop of water drained from his damp hair down his face. He couldn’t believe Leon tried to put those signature dock worker moves on him. It was known the men who worked on the docks flashed everything they owned to get any woman and it worked. Miller never imagined that he would be playing the role of a woman. And the fact that Leon was just so brave and friendly about the entire situation made Miller upset. He wasn’t some fool that could be played.

That nigga is crazy, Miller said to himself.

He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist. Miller left the bathroom, not bothering to clean up after his shower and went to look out the living room window. He was expecting to see Leon driving around in his gold car, but besides a few thugs and kids playing as the sun went down, the man was nowhere to be found. Miller sat on the couch, turned down the TV, and let out a heavy sigh. His mother’s room door was opened and her bed was empty meaning she was at work.

Sure he was alone, Miller reached up his towel and touched at his hole to make sure everything was good down there. He didn’t know exactly what he was feeling for, but nothing seem out of the ordinary. He could hear a car and quickly got up and looked out of the window again. His heart raced only for a moment until he realized it was just a police officer driving through the neighborhood. Miller got up and went to his room to find something to slip on. The one time he decided to do laundry he left all his clothes in a stranger’s car.

He dug around through his closet and found some snug basketball shorts from middle school. The only shirt he had was a tank top he used as cum rag underneath his bed. He decided to just go shirtless for tonight. Miller crashed to his bed. He was actually a bit nervous about going out in the living room as if Leon could see through the blinds. Miller wasn’t afraid of the man, he just didn’t know how to deal with him. He was used to being unnoticeable, just another face in the classroom during his time in school, just another guy on the block to society. For him, this was all uncharted territory.

Miller drifted off to sleep and was awoken by the closing of the house door the next morning. He got up and headed out to see his mom had come home and had already left. She left the TV on The View as always. Miller turned off the noise and went to fix him an egg sandwich for breakfast. He took his meal and sat outside on the porch eating. The morning crowd in the neighborhood was different. A lot of the grandparents who watched the children or who the thugs lived with were out dumping their trash or chatting with each other. Miller finished his sandwich and dusted some crumbs from his chest. As he stood up to head back inside, a gold car turned onto the block. Miller’s heart sunk as he spotted Leon in the driver’s seat and his bag of clothes in the passenger’s.

Leon parked and got out of the car with the clothes, Miller, you left these.

I had no choice, Miller said as he noticed the bag looked a bit heavier.

I’m sorry about yesterday. I was wrong. Can we talk inside? I got you a gift.

What kind of gift? Miller asked.

Leon nodded inside the house as he kept holding on to the bag of clothes, I’ll show you inside.

Miller just went along with it to get his clothes back, Fine, shit.

He let Leon inside the home.

I like it, The man said, I grew up in a house like this. Where’s the family?

It’s just my mom and I.

I would like to meet her, Leon said, Is she around?

Nah, working. Can I have my clothes?

Leon sat the bag down on the couch and opened it, Sure, but look inside.

Miller looked in the bag to find new clothes, underwear, and socks, Yo, what the fuck?

All your other clothes looked raggy so I did some shopping.

Miller pulled a pack of briefs out of the bag, I wear boxers.

But I’m sure you’ll feel much better in briefs. Try them on for me.

What? Miller said as he furrowed his brows.

I’m joking, Leon said as he laughed. Anyway, I figured you would like some new clothes.

I guess I have no choice since you got rid of everything else I had, Miller said as he closed up the bag.

Leon got real close to him, And I just wanted to apologize again about yesterday.

Miller backed away a bit, It’s cool man. Just, don’t try that shit again.

I won’t. So, what are you doing today?

Miller shrugged, Nothing, why?

I’m about to go to a cookout. Put on your new clothes and come with me.

I don’t know about that man.

Give me a chance to redeem myself, Leon pleaded. It’s going to be us and some friends.

What type of friends?

A couple of my friends from the docks. Including the hiring manager slash president himself.

Miller definitely wanted that opportunity to jump to the front of the applicant wait line.

Alright, then, Miller said, But when I’m ready to go I don’t want no drama, just drop me off and that’s it.

I will, Leon said as he opened the bag of clothes.

He passed Miller some khakis, a royal blue dress shirt, and yellow briefs.

Miller grabbed the clothes from the man and headed into the bathroom to get dressed and brush his teeth. As he was changing into the clothes he noticed the price tags remained. His pants cost one hundred and eight dollars, his shirt seventy, and his underwear twenty-five. Miller went from Goodwill to Express. He exited the bathroom fully dressed and Leon just rubbed his palms together as he looked him up and down. Miller tried to ignore the man’s weird reaction to his outfit and left for the cookout with him.

3 - Mentee

As Miller expected, they weren’t in the hood anymore. Though most of the dock workers came from the hood and had mistresses or children in the hood, they all had nice homes in the suburban area of Charlestown. The suburbs were just in walking distance from the beach and all the nicest restaurants and shops could be found in the area. When people came to vacation in the city, this is the area they came to while the hood and those who resided within it went unnoticed. Miller’s father had a house in the suburbs and his mother looked after a couple of elderly patients in the suburbs.

Leon looked at Miller as he drove, How do feel in your new clothes?

A lit bit too fancy for my style, but it’ll work.

How about next time I take you to the mall and let you pick your own clothes?

Nah, I’ll just have to make these work, Miller said.

See, it sounds like you liking them. How those briefs feel?

Snug, but expensive, Miller said, I don’t know how you wear them.

Leon laughed, Extra-large. My dick too fat for tight briefs, As he grabbed at his crotch.

Miller tucked the moment away and labeled it under awkward, Yeah, whatever.

Are you saying your dick too big for the size I got you?

I’m not talking about my dick with you so just keep your eyes on the road.

Leon laughed, Alright safety instructor. So anyways, how old are you?

I’m eighteen, why?

I just don’t want people to get any ideas when we show up together. You’re my mentee, okay?

Miller shrugged, I guess so. Are you sure the hiring manager is going to be there?

He better be, it’s his house, Leon said.

They turned onto a street of two story houses. Miller felt so out of place, the clothes not helping either. He could be here soon if he managed to talk to this hiring manager. Leon parked in the crowded parking lot of nice homes and they made their way inside. The music was loud, food smelled great, and almost everybody had a beautiful woman hanging off their arm. Right away Miller ended up spotting his dad. The man looked almost as if he didn’t want to be spotted. Miller broke away from Leon and went to walk up to his father.

What’s up, dad, Miller said.

The man adjusted his glasses, What are you going here? And I told you to call me Carl. Dad makes me sound old.

I came with my mentor Leon...Carl, Miller said.

Carl looked over to Leon, Oh, so you chillin with an OG. Leon got that good money.

He’s going to try to get me a job on the docks.

Aye, with him it’s bound to happen. He’s real cool with the man in charge, Carl said.

Cool, so how you doing man? Miller asked.

Carl looked over his shoulder, Aye, I’ll talk to you later. I heard somebody calling my name.

Miller gave up chasing that father-son relationship ages ago. He at least expected the man to chat with him.

Leon approached him from behind, The hiring manager wants to me you.

Miller faced him, Already?

I figured you would want to talk to him before he gets drunk. Come on, he’s in his office.

What’s his name? Miller asked as he followed Leon through the crowded party.

Dwayne, Leon said as they arrived at the office door.

A woman whose dress was hanging off her shoulder left as they entered.

Dwayne sat on the edge of his desk holding a beer and looking a bit buzzed, My man Leon and....

It’s Miller, He nervously introduced.

Dwayne motioned at the seat before his desk, Miller the thriller, have a seat.

Miller sat down, Man, you have such a nice house.

Thank you, Dwayne said, So how do you know my good friend Leon?

Leon started to rub Miller’s shoulders as he stood behind him, Miller is my mentee, Leon answered.

How old are you Miller? Dwayne asked as he did his best not to tip from his desk.

I’m eighteen, Miller answered as he did his best not to look uncomfortable with Leon hands on him.

The minute you turn nineteen have Leon call me and I’ll start you off with thirty dollars an hour, Dwayne said.

Really? Miller asked as his eyes lit up.

That’s only if you listen to Leon, Dwayne said. Be good to him.

Leon rubbed his hand against Miller’s chest, He’s been good so far. He’ll listen.

Dwayne got up, I have to go find a pretty lady to rub on. I’ll see you when you turn nineteen Miller.

In ten months Miller would be working on the docks. Dwayne left the office.

I told you so, Leon said as he stood at the side of Miller, Being my friend pays off.

Miller looked up at Leon, I didn’t expect you to come through that quick.

Just don’t forget, Leon got closer, his crotch basically in Miller’s face, Be good to me.

Miller leaned back a bit, I will but not if you cross the line.

Leon stepped back smirking at Miller. For ten months, he would have to deal with the man.

4 - Control

The longer the party went on the more out of control everybody got. Leon managed to stay cool while drunk while Dwayne was all over the place. Miller even got to see the wild side of his father. At some point his father ended up jumping into the pool and taking two women in with him. Dwayne had come out of his shirt and was dancing on the couch to a Drake song. At first it was funny, but Miller was getting bored watching a bunch of grown people act like children.

Leon stood beside Miller in the kitchen, Are you okay?

Yeah.

How do you know Carl? Leon asked.

He’s my father...well...something like that.

Leon could only laugh, I knew he had a kid in the hood somewhere.

He never mentioned me, huh?

Nah, a lot of these men to ashamed to talk about these kids they’ve never raised.

Do you have any kids out there? Miller asked.

I don’t know, Leon said as he snickered a bit.

I don’t think that’s funny at all, Miller said, But you dock dudes seem to be real cold.

I’m sorry man. We all get that king mentality.

Y’all some users, Miller said, You come down in the hood and use us.

And people in the hood use us right back. I mean look at you.

I just want a job, Miller said.

Then go tell Dwayne you want to wait in line forever like everybody else.

Miller found himself practicing some hypocrisy, Whatever. Just keep your hands off me.

I’ve done that.

So, what was all that mess going on when I was talking to Dwayne?

I swear a lot of you young dudes are so paranoid any touch of a man freaks you out.

Men don’t rub other men’s shoulders and chest, Miller said.

And soon you’ll be saying men don’t dap other men. Don’t try to school me youngin.

Miller didn’t know why he was still sticking around. He had already gotten what he came for, I’m ready to go.

I’m telling you Dwayne don’t like when guest skip out early.

Damn, how long do we have to stay? This shit is boring.

Leon nodded over to Dwayne who was drunkenly dancing with a woman, Whenever he passes out.

A guest bumped into Miller and wasted beer all over him, My bad lil man.

Fuck, Miller said as the beer soaked into his pants, Yo, where’s the bathroom?

Follow me, Leon said as he led the way.

They arrived to the bathroom and Leon grabbed a towel from the rack. He focused on Miller and started to pat down the front of his pants. Miller just stood looking down at the man as he worked his hardest to soak up the beer. He just seemed so desperate to Miller. Miller didn’t understand why this man was investing so much into him. So long, he went by as unnoticeable in life and now he had Leon’s full attention. Leon pressed down really hard and Miller could feel the man’s hands up against his soft dick through his pants.

Miller backed away, Yo, that’s enough.

Leon looked at him and smiled, What was that I just felt?

Nigga, what do you think? Don’t play stupid.

It felt pretty big, Leon said as he tossed aside the towel.

See, this is what I’m talking about. Stop trying to touch on me.

It was an accident, Leon said, Stop being so defensive.

I have to be around you, Miller said as he stepped back from him.

How can you ride around in tight pick-up truck cabin with four other men on the docks if you’re so defensive?

That has nothing to do with you touching on my dick.

That was an accident, Leon grabbed at Miller’s crotch and squeezed, That is me doing it on purpose.

Miller pushed him away, Are you crazy?

I was just showing you the difference between doing something on accident and doing something on purpose.

Dwayne burst into the bathroom, Are you two in here sucking each other’s dicks or something?

Fuck no, Miller said.

Good, Dwayne slurred out, Because I just booked Bunny’s and you boys gotta come dicks hard and ready.

Isn’t that like a strip club? Miller asked.

Yeah, Dwayne said, I’ll get you in, trust me, and I’ll buy you a lap dance kid.

I’m in, Miller excitedly said, making sure Leon knew what team he played for.

Dwayne pointed at Leon, And you’re the designated driver.

Of course, Leon said, I’m ready to go make some bunny’s hop.

Miller was sure that was the last thing Leon wanted to do. He wanted the night to be over but felt he needed to go to the club to impress Dwayne and to prove a point to Leon. Miller didn’t care how much the man was catering to him, there was no way he was going to let him keep putting his hands on him.

5 - Bunny

Dwayne was bouncing all over the back of the car seat. Miller couldn’t believe he was the person in charge of the docks, he didn’t come off as professional at all. Leon on the other hand drove quietly and just seemed to be faking his excitement every time Dwayne tried to get him pumped up for the strip club. Miller knew of Bunny’s, everybody did, it was where the dock workers went to meet their future wives and ex-wives. He was excited about finally getting a look inside after having so many conversation with friends at school about the rumored things that went on inside of the place.

Leon pulled up to the parking lot and they got out of the car. The bouncer at the door didn’t even bother checking any ID’s simply accepting a handful of cash from a hooting and hollering Dwayne. The moment they entered the strip club Miller’s dick started to get hard at the sight of titties. On a stage two girls were covered in oil and rubbing all over each other and that just about made Miller’s dick break out of his khakis. He could not believe some of the things he was seeing. Most of the girls were butt naked, letting guys touch all over them and he witnessed one guy stick a twenty in a girl’s pussy. Dwayne was just dapping everybody.

I swear you dock dudes are freaks, Miller said as he looked on in wonder.

This is Dwayne on a good night. He’s not that drunk yet.

Are you getting a lap dance? Miller asked just to mess with Leon.

I’ve already had a lap dance from every girl in this club, Leon said, Not interested.

Yeah, I figured you would say that.

What the fuck are you trying to say? Leon asked as he pushed up on Miller.

Don’t play dumb. Pussy is the last thing on your mind.

So, tell me what I’m doing up in here?

Trying to keep up appearances, Miller said.

And what about you? I bought the briefs hugging your hard dick right now.

And what?

You always let men buy you stuff after they’ve put their fingers in your ass.

Miller could only laugh, You acted as if I had a choice.

I didn’t force you to get in my car or to wear the clothes you’re wearing.

True, you didn’t, Miller said, "You just misled me about you wanting