A Dark Sun

Chapter 14

Bobby and Roger's trip would last three days. Both guys kept in touch regularly, sending me images of all the cool places they visited. Bobby was worried about Alaya and checked in almost hourly. I realized my concerns were overblown. They were having such a good time. Roger didn't have many friends due to his bipolar disorder. Bobby was his best friend. I saw how much this trip meant to Roger, and I loved Bobby even more, for allowing them to have this adventure.

The last time Bobby checked in with me, was from church. Roger and Bobby stayed at an air bnb that was in an upscale neighborhood. There was a Baptist church nearby, that was walking distance, from their apartment. Bobby and Roger decided to go to the late service on Sunday night. After church had ended, Bobby called me to say goodnight. He would be driving back home early in the morning. His last words to me were, "I love you baby."

The rest of the story was Roger's account of subsequent events. Bobby and Roger left church at eleven pm and were walking back to the motel. They were dressed in hoodie sweaters and jeans. They reminisced about childhood pranks from back in the day, when suddenly three police cars pulled up. Roger peed himself when the officers got out with guns in hand, telling both men to get face down on the ground. Roger, scared out of his wits, started screaming and running. As he ran, he heard a single gunshot. He stopped immediately and looked behind him. Bobby was facedown alright. Oozing blood. He was shot in the back. The police said he was trying to escape. But Roger knew Bobby was just trying to get to him... calm him down. Roger had a breakdown after the incident and had to be hospitalized. No one could convince my brother that Bobby's death wasn't all his fault.

After Bobby's murder, there were demonstrations throughout the streets of Atlanta and Albany. Bobby's death added to the growing statistics of another killing of an unarmed black man who was of no threat to the police. The police officers claimed there was a robbery in the upscale Atlanta neighborhood that night, and the suspects fit Bobby's and Roger's description. Of course, they did! Bobby's death was being investigated. We still hadn't seen the police body cams. But the police took the lives of two heroes in our lives that night. Bobby. And Roger. Roger will never be the same again. The trauma of the horrific event pretty much destroyed him.

It was after Bobby's death that we saw the true magnificence of the man I loved. My Bobby was an angel. Many, many people, some who I didn't even know told me stories of Bobby's generosity and pure heroism. He not only coached the high school football team, but he took care of every player like they were family. My Bobby was a true inspiration to many.

I sing the burial songs, by the grave side, In the sweet by and by we will me on that beautiful shore.. I hold Alaya's hand, crying. There is a hole in my chest, but my mind is churning with something else. It's the rhythmic beat of their names - Garner, Martin, Rice, Sterling, Taylor, Floyd. Bobby Dickens, among too many who died nameless.

It occurs to me that Bobby would save us all if he could. He happily took that bullet so that Roger could live. Bobby's death should mean something. He spoke about the disenfranchisement of black people all the time.

I look at Bobby's glistening casket with tears in my eyes, hearing the rising drumbeat of our ancestors pounding my eardrums. It's the steady rhythm of hope. My heart beats faster as I answer it's call. Bobby wants me to embrace this dark struggle. We are not animals to be caught, slaughtered and forgotten. We are going to fight for what is right. The Ferocious Four has serious work to do.

The End