Four Tips to Help You Begin That Book
One Good Man
Act One
A drama, which takes place in the suburbs of Long Island, NY about a 19yr old African American couplewho've been dating for 3 mos. Cierra finds out she is pregnant and goes to James home to tell him. He becomes irate, begs and scolds her to get an abortion because they both go to college and work. She refuses. He at one point tells her the baby isn't his. She then smacks him, walks out the bedroom, out the front door and home to tell her mother (Mrs. Eleanor Brown). James mother sees her storm out the front door without saying bye, which isn't like her. She goes to James room, asks him what happened. He tells her everything. She is appalled, and tells him he needs to man up and handle his responsibility, whether he wants to or not. (8mo. Later) Fate takes a turn when they get into a fatal car accident (he's driving). Cierras mother and he survive, but Cierra dies in the hospital giving birth to a premature baby girl who is immediately taken to the intensive care unit. The baby is released from ICU the next day. James names her Raven, and although hesitant he decides to take her home with him.
Act Two
There is a funeral for Cierra, which is very small, Mr. Sid brown, a few of Cierras friends, James and his mother. Mr. Brown doesn't speak to James who tries to confront him. Mrs. Brown being bedridden isn't able to attend. James goes to see her in the hospital and she tells him to leave, he's a murderer. James cuts down his work hours, to just the weekends, while he goes to college full-time and leaves Raven since she is free from work. James social and party life at this point is non-existent. All he does is go to work and look after Raven. He is finding it hard to get over the guilt of being the driver and sees Cierra in Raven every time he looks at her. But as days go by and he spends more time with her he begins to have a change of heart and starts to enjoy being a father. (11 mo. Later) His sense of self peace is broken one day when he receives a letter in the mailing stating, Mrs. Brown is challenging his right to custody of Cierra and she would like custody. Child Protective Service shows up a week later to investigate Ravens living conditions. James lets them know he intends to fight to maintain custody. His mother takes him the following day to obtain an attorney. He explains that James has a strong case since he's the father and the mother is deceased.
Act Three
Trial begins, witnesses are called, Ms. Clinton, Cierras best friend Sheena who mentions that Cierra told her James didn't want to be a father because they were both going to college, working etc. She also mentioned speaking to him a few times since Cierra's death and how he's changed. The next day Mrs. Brown gives a heartfelt account of a mother trying to console her pregnant daughter who is scared and does not feel supported by the baby's father, and also losing Cierra. James also gives a great testimony of a young man who was scared at first, but since then has grown, changed and loves his daughter and being a parent. Everyone sheds a tear, even Mrs. Brown. The next day James attorney shows up at the house, Ms. Clinton and him are waiting in the living room with Raven. He gives them the good news about the verdict. James cries, picks Raven up out of the playpen telling her "I will never leave you!" Ms. Clinton hugs them both tightly.