Black Beans 'N Rice

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Black Beans 'N Rice is about my life at 17 with a man 15 years my senior who
gave me a place to live when I otherwise didn't have a place to go.
Unfortunately during the time we lived together he began to abuse me both
verbally and physically, and even after I got a place of my own I was still afraid
to leave him. Later on in my life at 22 I finally found the strength to walk away
and the courage to let go.
So you journey with me as I struggle to overcome the scars of low self esteem
and lack of self worth, one day finding real love for the very first time at 25
years old. The story takes place in 1980 Chicago's west side, Oak Park and
the Hyde Park area of Illinois.

Synopsis:
Spooney was old enough to be her father but he didn’t care. It made him feel
like he still had it and that made him feel good.
It’s not all about how you do what you do because Binx was young and didn’t
know any better. She had fallen head over heels for him because he was
different.
As Binx applied the finishing touches to her face, her mother walked in and
stood next to her, a questioning look in her eyes. She glared from the mirror
and said something Binx would never forget.
“You too pretty of a girl to be with such a old man. You’re young and smart…
he’s just taking away all of your youth.” She was quite solemn in the way she
spoke.
What her mother didn’t understand at that time was the damage had already
been done, and she stayed not because she wanted to, but because she had
to. She suffered Spooney’s abuse both physically and mentally, and walking
away wasn’t easy because she was afraid.

Novel: Black Beans 'N Rice

Excerpt:

Dena Tyson Fan Club

Copyright ©2008 denatyson.com All rights reserved
Information herein may not be reproduced, transmitted, rebroadcast, published, rewritten or distributed in any form without the
expressed written consent of Dena Tyson.

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_______________________________
_________
Author Dena Tyson has written a
wonderful yet, abusive story about love,
pain, friendship, and finding one’s self
despite the suffering, heartaches and
other emotions that are sparked and
triggered when one is involved in an
abusive relationship. The only way out
is to escape by any means necessary.
You feel the pain and loneliness that
will sometimes feed doubts into the
mind of someone trying to escape from
such a situation. Dena touches upon
the tenderness, warmth, love, pain and
horrors of what it takes to get through
an abusive relationship.
Bianca also called Binx is the
protagonist. The story revolves around
her naivety, impressionable choices
and decisions that she made at a rather
young age. Unsure of her faith and what
awaited her in life, a young Binx
encounters Spooney an older man.
Captivated by his maturity, and the
manner in which he dealt with her, Binx
fell head over heels in love with him.
Soon thereafter, the control factor began
along with the abuse. Unsure and
afraid Binx confides in her gay friend,
Hershey. Hershey was a constant in her
life as she contemplated her next move.
Hershey listened and advised her on
what to do and what not to do
concerning Spooney. After getting up
the nerves and courage to walk away
from Spooney, Binx encounters Eason.
They immediately fall in love.
Unbeknownst to Binx, Spooney finds
out. Not one to give in rather easily
Spooney made his rounds. Binx
eventually tells Eason about Spooney
but instead of being there for her, he
chose his cocaine and his friend
Sweets instead. Sweets would end up
raping Binx, but love is bliss and
despite the turmoil that he had put her
through Binx reached out to Spooney
who came to her rescue. Sweets was
quickly taken care of.
Believing he now had a chance;
Spooney was back in his comfort zone
once again. Binx needed to let go and
for an instant she fell into that old trap.
She made love to Spooney with a lot of
reservation and doubts. She knew what
she did wasn’t the best thing to do. She
questions not only her own motives but
Spooney’s as well. Would he want her
back? What if she told him she didn’t?
Would he walk away and leave her
alone? Would she ever find true love?
Was there someone out there much
closer to her age awaiting her? These
were some of the questions Binx
contemplated.
I loved how Dena intertwined her naivety
and impressionable behavior
throughout the story to display Binx’s
remarkable maturity despite her young
age as the story progressed. I loved
how she used Binx, to dictate each
characters role and how they were
defined in the story. She didn’t allow
any of the other characters to upstage
Binx and vice versa. Binx was the
initiator and in spite of her friendship
with Hershey whom I thought was funny
as hell (no pun intended) and Spooney’
s stalking mentality she didn’t allow
them to take away her hurt, pain, love
and redemption when she needed it.
This story is about walking away from
an abusive situation and having the
courage to do so. Kudos to you Dena
Tyson, one of the better books I have
read so far.

What did you like about the book?
I loved her writing style and the manner
in which she maneuvered each
character. The storyline was believable.

What did you dislike about the book?
Nothing!

How can the author improve this book?
It’s good as it is! She doesn’t need to
do anything.

Reviews for
"Black Beans 'N Rice"

JOB WELL DONE!! 11/18/2009
REVIEWER: D. Abella
Congratulations Dena! I can't wait to
add this book to my collection. I have to
be completely honest with you though...I
don't like to read. My entire life I have
never finished a book from start to finish
even with college textbooks, I would just
skip around and glance at the stuff that
was relevant. However, hubby and I
went to Vegas a few weeks ago and at
the last minute I decided to grab "Black
Beans 'N Rice" and stuck it in my purse.
I started reading it on the flight and I
could not put it down! I read the entire
thing in one trip! Even hubby was
reading over my shoulder and couldn't
wait for me to turn the page! The entire
story played out in my head like a movie.
So I just have to say, JOB WELL DONE!
I am a complete fan and can not wait to
make some time to dive into the next
book!
Luv ya!
Dami

The Bomb!! , 07/10/2009
Reviewer: Beverly "Dimples" Rowley
OMG, this book is the book, amongst the
rest of Dena Tyson's book. This book
makes you smile, cry and most of all its
a page turner. When you try to put it
down, you find yourself wanting to see
whats on the other page. I loved this
book and you will too. All of Dena
everyone in some way or another and
trust me, everyone knows someone like
her characters. Keep on writing.. Hope to
see them on Big Screen soon...

Black Beans 'N Rice , 07/10/2009
Reviewer: Brooklen Borne
This is a wonderful written book with a
great plot. Mrs. Dena Tyson had put her
foot in the making of this tasty dish of
Black Beans 'N Rice. This is a must
read for sure. Outstanding job!!!!

Outstanding!, August 9, 2009
By James
What an incredible read. Dena out did
herself with this one. The story was
most captivating the characters were
amazing. I love the way she writes. It's
as if you're right there in the room apart
of it all. She keeps it real and her stories
never lag, she keeps you wanting more.
It's a breath of fresh air, I laughed, I
cheered and just hated for the story to
end! Fantastic read and I can't wait for
your next book. Buy the book people...
you won't be able to put this one down.

Binx was early to rise and eased out of bed.  Spooney was still asleep and this gave her a running start.  She stuffed four pillow cases with her favorite things, quickly loading them in the car she parked in front of the building.
�I get the dog and I�m home free�� she thought, stepping inside the apartment door.
�Good morning lady� you up early.� Spooney greeted as she walked in.  He was standing in the middle of the hallway, his back facing the bedroom door.  �So where you headed to so early?� he asked, a suspicious look in his eye.
She held her nerve trying to remain as normal as possible.  �I thought I would go to the laundromat early, beat the crowd you know?� she said impulsively.  �I just came up to get Moosie since he hadn�t been out.�  she told him locking the leash on his collar.
�Aw I could�ve walked him for you this morning.  That way you can go on and get up to the laundromat and come on back here.�  he glared toward her rubbing his hand between his legs, sending a message.
Spooney stood about six feet and weighed two hundred pounds.  He was fifteen years her senior and Binx was twenty-two and very petite.  He pulled the last straw the night before the way he treated his mother at the dinner table.  His behavior replayed over and over in her mind, and made her sick to her stomach feeling she couldn�t spend the rest of her life in fear.  She recalled the day he struck her face solely based on his speculation that she was seeing another man much younger than he was, and this took him over the edge.
She smiled back at him taking Moosie in her arms.  �That�s ok, I can walk �em it won�t take long.� she said, keeping in mind he never liked the dog in the first place.     
�Well let me help you take your stuff to the car then.�
She quickly replied, �I�ve already done it.�  Making her way toward the door.
He turned up his face nodding his head.  �I see� I guess you did wanna get there early.�
�Yeah�� she replied, reaching for the door knob.
He tried to speak through the big yawn he gave.
�What�?�
�I said I don�t get a kiss?� he repeated, squinting his eyes.
She gave a short sigh and stepped toward him.  Moosie couldn�t stand him and defended Binx as she moved in growling, then showing his teeth.
�That little joker sumthin else.� he laughed, slightly irritated by his behavior.
Binx held Moosie to her side as she kissed him on the lips.
�You�d better hurry up and come on back here girl.� he grinned, easing one hand between her legs.
She pulled away giving a polite smile.  �It should only take a few hours.  Then we�ll have a wonderful day.� she said, shutting the door behind her.  She stood for a moment releasing a big sigh, her legs shook as she headed down the stairs, and her heart beat nearly out of her chest.  �This is it Moosie�� she said, holding him tightly.  �This is it� I can�t believe how easy that was.� she grinned, giving a sigh of relief as she left the building. 
Spooney stood from the window watching as she led Moosie across the street.
�Don�t give him a reason; just stick to the plan� just stick to the plan.� she reminded herself, seeing him from the window.  She waved as they continued around the corner on foot, and waited five minutes before heading back to the car.
She made her move taking a quick glance toward the window, noticing he was nowhere in sight.  She put Moosie on the front seat and quickly shut the door.  She sat behind the wheel and began to panic unable to locate her purse with her keys inside.  She felt beneath the front seat and ran her hands across the back frantically hoping to find them.  She hung her head over the steering wheel in utter disappointment, her eyes began to swell and she cried hard.  �Oh my god what did I do�?  How could I have been so stupid, how could I have been so stupid.� she repeated in disbelief.  She turned toward Moosie, sitting in the passenger seat, and he hopped over wagging his tail, licking the tears from her face.  
�We gotta go back up there�� she spoke softly trying to pull herself together.  She took a deep breath and stepped out of the car, heading back up stairs.
She knocked on the door and he opened it.  
�Oh� you decided to come on back up here and take me up on my offer huh?� he grinned.
She took hold of her nerves putting her best foot forward.  �I forgot my purse and my keys.� she told him.
�Ok�� he paused, �Now you can stay for a minute if you want too.� he tried to convince her, giving a boyish grin.
�Old ass fucker!� she screamed inside, wanting to slap him in the face.  �Nah I gotta make it up there before the crowd comes you know?�  She grabbed her purse with keys now in hand, and she stepped toward the door with Moosie by her side.
Spooney gave her a questioning look.  �I thought you walked the dog already?�
�Yeah I did.� she said without thinking.
�So why you taking �em with you now?�
She paused for a second trying to think. 
�You ok lady?� he said becoming suspicious.
She popped her lips shrugging her shoulders.  �I guess I wasn�t thinking I can�t be walking up in the laundramat with a dog.� she laughed, trying to play it off.  Her heart sank as she led Moosie back into the apartment.  She kneeled in front of him unsnapping his collar and squeezed him gently with her left hand.  The tears pressed hard against her lids but she refused to allow one to hit her face, she couldn�t at this point she felt her life depended on it.
Spooney stood behind her watching as she came to her feet.
She didn�t turn around sensing he�d notice something was wrong so she headed straight out and down the stairs.  �I have to go but I�ll be back in a few hours.� she called.
�Alright baby.�  he grinned, shutting the door.
Binx took her seat behind the wheel, tossing her purse on the floor.  �Moosie I�m so sorry� I�m so sorry Moosie.� she cried out, starting the ignition.  She headed down Chicago Avenue and noticed a pay phone at the corner of Lake Street and stopped, parking her car on the side of the road.
�Lord what am I gonna do�� she thought aloud, rocking back and forth, holding her hand to her mouth.  �I can�t go back there� I never wanna see that man again.  I can�t do it�� she shook.  She caught her nerve and stepped out of the car, running across the street to the pay phone, deciding to give her best friend Hershey a call.  Her wallet was empty and she had to call him collect.
�Please answer Hershey� please be there.� she muttered.
The phone was answered by the forth ring.
�This is the operator with a collect call from Bianca, will you accept?�
�From Binx�?  Yeah I�ll accept the call.� he replied feeling she�d better have a good excuse for calling him collect.
�Thanks Hershey.� she immediately spoke trying to keep her composure.
�Aw honey what�s the problem?�  The sound of her voice made him nervous fearing the worst had happened.
�Hershey I need you to do me a favor.� she stated, trying to catch her breath.
�Girl what is it� what�s happened?�  
�I don�t have long Hershey I�m scared� I�ll tell you all about it later and I�ll pay you for this call��
�Don�t worry about that.� he interrupted.
�I�d like to know if you could three way this call to my house.�
�You mean call you at home?� he listened carefully trying to make sense of it all.
�Spooney is at the house right now and I want you to please three way me to him but not say anything on the phone, you can�t say anything Hershey you hear me?� she warned.
He dialed the number without hesitation, keeping his promise of silence.
Binx swallowed hard feeling the knot in her throat.
�Hello�� Spooney answered.
�Yeah it�s me.�
He grinned taking a seat on the sofa.  �You missing me already girl?�
Hershey had a great distaste for Spooney, feeling he was old enough to be her father.  Spooney never liked him because he was gay.  He held on strong trying to keep his lips sealed.
�Spooney I have something I need to tell you.�
�Oh yeah� I love you too.� he said, feeling a bit full of himself.
�No Spooney I want you to leave.  I want you to leave my apartment.� she said modestly, trying not to upset him. 
Hershey�s mouth flew wide open and he took a seat at the dining room table.
Spooney took a short pause, thinking about what she�d said.  �Now say that again?  No wait a minute�� he stopped in mid sentence.  �Where are you, let me come up to the laundramat.�
Hearing this, her heart raced fearing he�d catch her out on the street and beat her to death.  Her hand began to shake and she held the phone tightly.  �I�m not at the laundramat, I�m at a pay phone.�
�A pay phone where?� his voice deepened to a harsh tone.
Hershey came to his feet pacing back and forth in the room, a complete wreck, hoping she wouldn�t disclose her location.
�I�I just wanted to call you and tell you that I want you to leave.  I want you to take all of your stuff and I want you out of my house and out of my life forever.  I don�t want to see you again, I don�t ever want to be in the same room with you.� she told him.
�I don�t understand where this is coming from�� he shook his head trying to wrap his mind around what he was told.  �Have you been talkin �ta that mutha-fucker Hershey?!� he lashed.
Hershey squeezed his eyes clinching his teeth together tightly, raising his hand to the heavens above.  �I can come ovah there and cut �yo dick off right now you old fool�!  Lord you�d better help me.� he thought, taking a deep breath, clutching his chest.
�I can�t believe�why are you doing this?  You are calling me from a pay phone, let me come where you are so we can talk about this� please.� he begged, trying to lower his tone.
�I don�t want to see you because I�m afraid--�
�Am I that big of a monster?� he said, raising his voice.
�Spooney if you don�t leave I�ll call the police and have them get you outta there.  I mean for you to go, please.�
��humph, so you would actually call the Oak Park Police on me�?  Have twelve got-damn cars out there waiting to take my ass to jail?  You know how they do out here, this ain�t no Chicago.�
�I�m sorry Spooney I just want you to leave and leave me alone.� she took a short pause, �If you don�t want to leave the apartment just stay and keep everything� I don�t want it.  Just let Moosie out and he�ll find me.�
He could see Moosie lying across the front door waiting for her to return.  �Why don�t you come and get the dog?�
�No, I won�t be back.�
�Well what�s going to happen to �em?� he asked, cutting his eyes in his direction.
�I won�t be back for a few days that should give you enough time to leave.  You don�t have to worry about Moosie, feeding him or anything he�ll be alright.�
�So you just goan leave �yo dog huh?�
�He�ll be fine until I can see �em, I won�t be back to the apartment though.� she explained, hoping he wouldn�t harm him.
�I don�t have much here just a few clothes�� he sighed deeply, taking a long pause.  �You don�t have to leave your apartment, I�ll go ahead and leave.� his voice weakened and he began to weep, feeling his back was against the wall.  �I wish you would let me see you though, I love you.  I wouldn�t do nothing to hurt you.� he said, then changing his words. �I mean I know I hit you before, but all I�m trying to say is that�s something I would never do again, if you could just please��
�It�ll never work Spooney, I�m too afraid of you and I don�t want to spend my life in fear like this.

Book Trailer for "Black Beans 'N Rice"

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