Chapter 1
The sun was blazing on the park benches, the kind of heat that makes a man feel every one of his sixty years in his very soul. **Spice** sat there with his back straight, his cane hooked on the wood, gripping a double-scoop of pistachio in a sugar cone like it was a holy relic.
He had just settled in to get his lick on when this goose appeared out of nowhere.
It didn't just waddle; this bird marched like it owned the block. It was a stout, arrogant little hitter with eyes like polished obsidian and a beak that looked way too ready for static. It stopped three inches from **Spice’s** loafers, craned its neck until it was eye-level with that dripping green cream, and let out a demanding, vibrating hiss.
"Move around, *pendejo*," **Spice** muttered, shifting the cone. "Go find a crust of bread from a tourist. Get out my face before you get checked."
The goose didn't move. It let out a sharp *honk* that sounded like a drill sergeant checking a recruit. It flapped its wings—a heavy, dusty thud—and took a step closer, its neck snaking forward like it was ready to jack him for his stash.
"I’m warning you, dawg," **Spice** said, his voice rising. He pulled the cone to his chest. The goose followed the play with terrifying synchronization, its beak clicking.
That was the spark. **Spice** felt that heat of indignation rise up. He stood up, even though his knees were tripping, and looked the bird square in its beady eyes.
"You got some nerve, nigga!" **Spice** barked, waving a hand. "I walked three blocks for this. I stood in a line behind twelve screaming toddlers for this! **I’m not giving you squat, you feathered menace! This is my hard-earned ice cream!**"
The goose came to a dead halt, its webbed feet skidding on the asphalt like it just caught a case. It straightened its neck, looking **Spice** dead in the eyes.
"Yo, nigga you really gonna be that dusty?" the goose spat, its voice sounding like dry leaves scraping on concrete. "Are all you humans this cold and racist? What happened to being a solid citizen and looking out for the locals? I thought this was a public park, *compadre*. Don't be a lil bitch, break me off a piece."
**Spice** gasped, nearly fumbling his treasure. He spun around, eyes wide, trying to process a bird lecturing him on the rules of the street.
"Listen here, you nigga !" **Spice** barked, pointing a shaking finger right at the bird's chest. "Don’t you even start with that 'good citizen' talk. I’m sharing every single day with my wife, **Olivia**! She’s always boosting my snacks, doesn’t even ask, just reaches over and—*boom*—half my chips are ghost. And her daughter? She rolls through whenever she wants, freeloading off me like I’m a five-star hotel, and I don’t say a damn word just to keep the peace! My life is one long, unpaid buffet for every thirsty bird on the block!"
The goose blinked, tilting its head like it was weighing the drama in the **Spice** household.
"So don’t even come at me about sharing!" **Spice** continued, his face turning a shade of red that would make a cherry look pale. "I’ve done my time! I’ve paid my dues! And besides..."
He leaned in close, dropping his voice to a harsh whisper. "You’re a goose. You eat this shit, and you’re gonna have the runs nigga, for real. I’m doing you a favor, you ungrateful nigga! You really want to spend your afternoon explosive and miserable behind some bush? Is that the 'G' move?"
The goose went quiet, staring at the melting green drips. It let out a long, weary sigh. "Fine. Keep your lactose. But your wife's daughter sounds like a real piece of work, no cap. She's straight-up parasitic."
"You ain't lying," **Spice** muttered, finally taking a savage, victorious bite of his cone. "Absolute * hoe* behavior. Now beat it and find a pond before things get ugly."
