Fishing around my purse for my keys, I did my best to keep both eyes on my surrounding. The three seconds that it takes to find my keys, can make a huge difference in this neighborhood. It’s dangerous here & like an idiot I keep coming back.

I quickly got into my car, locked the doors & took off.

“I hate this part…I have to get out of here”, I said to myself.

Once I crossed the bridge leading me out of Slocum Hollow, the anxiety melted right away. Coaltown is nothing like the Hollow. People know me here, police know me here. I don’t have to worry about being pulled over like I would across the bridge. I doubt anyone would try to rob me here or any of the craziness that happens in the Hollow.

Everyone knows the car I drive & for as visible as I am, I’m also looked over & invisible when it comes to legal discrepancies. All thanks to being the granddaughter to whom, once was the most favored mayor in the history of Coaltown. My family is well-known & respected. Although my mother didn’t follow in her father’s political footsteps, she built a successful career as an actress. My mother holds a main role in a soap Opera called, “Little Town Lies”, she is Bailey & is the center of the plots. Ironically, we have our main residence in our own little town of lies. My mother never wanted to call any place home, except Coaltown.

As I open the door to my house, my phone starts to ring. Of course, it’s Tate.

“What’s up Tate?”

“Nothing. I thought you were going to call me & let me know everything went good“, he questioned.

“It did go good. I literally just got home.”

I put the phone on speaker & tossed it onto the countertop, as he continued to talk. I really like Tate, but there’s something about him that seems weird to me. We haven’t known each other that long, so we are still learning things about one another. There’s just something that keeps creating that gut feeling. You know, the feeling that is trying to tell you to abort mission. Talking to a guy like this, who I never had a prior friendship with or anything, it’s all new to me. I feel like that could be the reason behind this gut feeling & the nerves. I can’t lie, it’s been nothing but good vibes with Tate. Plus he’s extremely attractive & a lot of fun! I don’t want to jinx a good thing.

“So you going to come over”, Tate asked?

“I guess. I mean it would be even better if you come over here”, I tried to sway him.

“I’ll come over there Wednesday & stay the night… or two. I promise you Allister.”

Reluctantly I agreed, “You’re lucky I like you & think you’re kind of cute. I’ll head out in 20 minutes.”

“Perfect! Oh don’t forget all the stuff, either. It’s going to be another good night”, he said excitedly.

“Wait, I don’t want to bring everything. I don’t know why you even need me to bring that much”, I questioned.

He let out what sounded like a sign of aggravation, “Allister… you’re good. You’re the only one who doesn’t have to worry“, he finished the call & hung up.

“This is too much to bring, especially to Bentley”, I said to myself.

Fishing around for my keys again, I had a moment of doubt. Standing there with the car door open, I watched the cold turn my breath into a frigid cloud.

“Agh! Why do I feel like this”?

I started my car & followed the directions of the GPS. The closer I got, the worst I feel. You would think there’s impending doom cast upon this world, if you could measure this feeling.

I grabbed my phone, I have to call my best friend.

Praying she answers, I finally hear her voice after the fifth ring.

“Hey, Hey”, she greeted me.

”Dev, I don’t know what to do. Tate’s basically begging me to come over… & I am. I just have the worst feeling. I don’t know what to do. My nerves are on a hundred“, I cried.

“Girl you better take note of that feeling. I like Tate & everything, but he seems sneaky, don’t you think”, she asked?

“Yes! That leads me to this next part. He told me he’s an accountant in West Bentley, but not to sound like a stalker, I cannot find any accounting firms on Google. I wish I met him from a friend so I could feel better that someone knows him & can verify things like this. Who meets people at a damn gas station? Me.”

Devin went silent for a few seconds, “Alli, you’re making me nervous now. Maybe take a breather tonight. You guys have been hanging out a lot the last few weeks. I don’t think Tate is a murderer or anything crazy, but maybe we need to do an investigation on him”, she suggested.

“Hold on… he just texted me & again he made it a point mention that I need to bring all the stuff I just bought. Something isn’t right, Dev.”

“Stop over here & drop it off. Reply to him & tell him you’re good. Alli, you have to stop with this shit… let alone Tate. Tonight, I’ll hold it down. I really don’t want to do it again though. I feel like he’s constantly talking about it.”

“Good idea. Meet me at your door in like 10 minutes. Thank you. I owe you”, I hung up the phone.

I grabbed the half-ounce of cocaine out of my makeup bag, as soon as I pulled into Devin’s driveway. I quickly flew out of my car & met her at the front door.

“Allister… what are you doing with this? You never did this shit like this. Tate really seemed like a good thing, but this is a lot. Half an ounce, come on”, she said after I handed it to her.

“Listen, I promise no more after that’s gone. It’s not all mine anyways”, I said as I hurried into my car.

Within 15 minute, I was pulling in front of Tate’s apartment complex. Normally, it’s rare to see people parked on the curb, beside me. However, someone is definitely having a party because there are a ton of cars. Maybe that’s why he wanted it so bad.

I texted Tate to let him know I’m here. As I grab my purse, I turned around to see Tate walk over & he had some guy with him.

“He‘s so fine…” I said as I walked over to them.

“You have that half ounce Allister”?, Tate asked as soon as he saw me.

“Yes for the tenth time, Tate”, I lied for some reason.

His friend reached into his back pocket, looked at Tate & grabbed a pair of handcuffs.

“Allister Redd Jawor, you’re under arrest for possession of a controlled substance & a series of other drug charges for possessing cocaine“, he informed me.

“Tate you’re kidding me, right? What the hell? Are you kidding me”?, I yelled as my legs began to feel weak.

I cannot believe my gut feeling was right. I cannot believe I gave that shit to Dev, I cannot believe I been falling for a detective who was investigating me the whole time.

“Allister, I’m detective Kevin Barnes & clearly you know my partner Tate Ferg. I’m going to sit you on the curb. We have a warrant to search your vehicle, so please make this easy for all of us & let me know where the cocaine is & any other substances or paraphernalia”, he instructed.

I will lie to Tate like he lied to me. Let’s see how long & how far this goes before they realize I have nothing in my possession. I have nothing.

“I would like to call my lawyer. Don’t expect answers from me until then”, I yelled.

Tate looked at me, almost like he felt regret for doing this as he & his partner opened the doors to my BMW. I knew it deep down, something wasn’t right. I am done with all of it. The partying is over & I am done dabbling. Too much of a good thing, is a bad thing… & this was too good to be true, too fun & too much too fast.

The moment I took in the room and saw the soft glow of the lights, I knew today’s match with my renowned opponent was going to be tough. My eyes were tired, my body ached, and if I’m honest, I’d thought about giving up for a while. But I wanted to believe that today could be different, that I’d wake up eager to do what I loved most — strategize.

Sitting there, behind the board, behind the battles, behind the wins and losses — these matches kept me thinking, sometimes overthinking, and worrying more than I should. Yet, every day, I found myself here, facing this challenge. I’d played against this opponent many times, sometimes winning strategically and having some of my best moments filled with purpose. Other times, I’d lost, my dignity replaced by embarrassment and shame. This opponent was a beautiful yet destructive player, the reason why I felt like giving up today.

Quitting seemed like the only solution because the better I became at strategizing, the more challenging this opponent became. So, as I lay in bed, fully aware of the possible outcomes, knowing that today could be the day my opponent defeats me for good, I faced a choice. I could go to that square board today, even though I knew I had only 10% of my best left in me. With my opponent possibly at 100%, defeat was likely, but there was a smile on my face as I realized I’d faced my fear.

Right there, I decided that even at 10%, I would be behind that board, making moves, ruthlessly trying to checkmate my opponent. Maybe I’d win today, maybe I wouldn’t. As this realization washed over me, the smile on my lips shone brightly in my eyes.

Watch out, life, your opponent has awakened.

When I tell people I’m moving to Birmingham, AL - this is the number one question I get asked:

WHY BIRMINGHAM??!!!

It’s often accompanied with a slight look of worry, confusion, or downright arrogance.

First of all, have you visited this beautiful city before resulting to shameless judgement of a place you haven’t even experienced?

If you have then you’ll know these reasons first hand!

So here are the top 15 reasons I am moving to Birmingham ❤️

1. The People

2. The Community

3. Affordable Housing

4. Low cost of Living

5. Family friendly

6. Dog Friendly

7. Incredible Food, Drinks, and Restaurants

8. Up-and-coming Tech Scene

9. Thriving & Growing Business Community

10. Deep History & Culture

11. Tons of Trees & Water

12. Low Traffic & Easy to Travel

13. Incredible Art Scene & Artist Community

14. Large Jewish Community

15. The People (it’s so important I had to state it twice.)

So…. Who wants to come visit me in Bham?