a surrendered life

 This story is about breaking down stereotypes and beginning to see people as God sees them.     I was a hustler by trade. Cell phones, watches, computers; you name it- I resold it for triple the cost. Stormie got first dibs, of course, ‘cause it’s his shop. Life wasn’t easy at New York’s Best Pawn and Loot, but this is East 183rd street; we didn’t expect easy. “What ya reading, Bella?” Stormie’s voice had the effect of a semi-truck breaking speed limits. I couldn’t ignore him either, never mind that I was twenty-one. His thick neck starts swelling and his gold chain looks like it’ll choke him. If  he weren’t my big brother, I think I’d want it to. “Collector’s book.” I lied. Truth is I was looking at an old Bible. Stormie ain’t cool with stuff like that. I usually do whatever he says, but last week an old book auctioned downtown for forty grand. So when a grandma-robbing crackhead brought the Bible that morning, I slid him a few bucks. It might be a waste; he sure was. People