Off The GridIron

Chapter 24: Make Time

Thursday August 30th, 1991

5:45am

Kelvin

"Alright let's get this morning started with some hip-hop here on 88.5 The Heat." The radio DJ said as they played some N.W.A. I went and took care of my daily hygiene and I worked out for an hour or so. Around 7am or so i called Willie, he didn't answer so i left him a message on his answering machine. "Yo eighty eight, what's good? It's Kelvin. I was just calling to check in on you and see how you were doing, hit me back when you get a chance." After that I hung the phone up and I just thought to myself. As i was deep in thought it was a knock at the door.

"Yo open up Kelvin, it's Jamal, I know you're up. Open the door nigga." He said banging a beat on my door. Ugh this nigga.

"Yo what you want?" I said as I opened my door.

"Just came to kick it with you for a bit before school started, also just wanted to see if i can get a ride from you too." He said. "So what's got you down in the dumps?"

"Nothing...."

"Nothing my fuckin' ass man, what got you mad?" He said sitting down on the couch. "Is it that dude Willie?" He asked.

"Well yeah, i haven't heard from him almost all week. I mean i get that he's busy but school's started, we don't even talk on the phone for 10 minutes, it's like we don't have any time to talk."

"Well you just said it, he been busy, we all be busy." He told me. "Things are just wild at times, but things cool down eventually you know, i mean y'all will get a chance to spend time with each other, i mean y'all are the ones that have to MAKE TIME for it to work out." He told me. Speaking of making time i been making time with my baby momma, trying to do right by her, i'm starting to get my shit together and do right by her." He said.

"Whoa man i'm proud of you, i'm really proud of you." I told him.

"I'm proud of myself too man. Anyway let's go get some grub before we head to school." He said. I just shook my head and laugh.

8:00am

We left the apartment complex and headed over to the school, classes started a little while ago so we we're late. When we got there a few minutes later i rushed to my locker and Jamal ran to his and we got to our classes. Afterwards class went by without a breeze, i got in as the teacher was taking attendance, her head was down in the sheet and she was looking at other papers so i snuck in and sat right down. As i got situated i realized i forgot my pen, so i looked over to the dude sitting beside me.

"Yo excuse me brotha can i get a pen?"

"Word, no doubt, no doubt. Here you go." He gave me a pen.

"Yo you new here?" I asked him.

"No i was here last year, i'm a Junior. My name is Stephan." He told me.

"Word, my name's Kelvin." I said.

"Well it's nice to meet you man."

Me and the guy talked a bit more and class rolled by smoothly, then around lunch time me and Jamal met back up in the cafeteria.

"Yo my nigga what's up?" He said as he rolled up behind me, skipping the lunch line. "You got any food for me on that tray."

"Fuck no! Get your own tray." I laughed.

"Awww you gonna do a brotha like that? Come on Please." He said, stretching the word please out.

"Get your own tray, like i said." I stuck my tongue out at him, then i went to the lunch table and sat down, he sat down with me.

"So what you got planned for later on tonight Kelvin?"

"Not shit nigga, just the same ol', got to work at my job after school, part time." I told him. "Speaking of which shouldn't you be working tonight?"

"Got work tomorrow night. So i'm just trying to relax and chill for tonight." He told me. "That's why i was going to ask if you wanna kick it, we could smoke some of that good kush i got." He whispered in my ear.

"Come on man i told you i don't get into weed smoking, i got to keep this body in prime condition, especially for football season this year. I'ma make sure I stand out this year, I'ma make sure I get accepted into college." I told him. "On a football scholarship."

"True and i'ma be your manager." He laughed as he put his arm over my shoulders. "You're going to be great, anyway i'ma get outta here, i got some pussy to get from my baby momma, i'ma knock it out the park." He laughed, I shook my head and laughed as he danced out the lunch room.

"Well your friend is quite the character isn't he?" I heard someone say from behind. I turned around and seen that it was Stephan, the guy that lent me the pen earlier. "Is it cool if i sit beside you?" He asked.

"Yeah go ahead, and yeah man that's Jamal for you, i've known him for awhile." I told Stephan. "He's funny as hell though, i'll say that."

"Yeah it seems like it."

We continued talking until the end of the lunch period then we went our separate ways.

3:45pm

School was out and I headed to my car and I headed down to my job at Cardenas Market. It took me 15 minutes or so to get there so I got there a little late. I got myself situated and I began to work and just thought about how things transpired today. I clocked out around 9:45 p.m. I headed home. Once I got in the house and settled down I got into my rest clothes and sat on the couch and thought about today. Once I had time to relax I went ahead and wrote a letter to Willie.

"To Willie Weathers

Hey what's up 88, it's your favorite 95. I was writing to let you know how much I miss you. Your body, your voice, your personality. This year has been something hasn't it, from meeting up to spending time with each other, holding each other, kissing each other. I'm always thinking about you, We need to find a way to make time for each other somewhere down the line, maybe over the holidays we could see each other again, but until then If we can't maybe we can talk on the phone and write letters.

Love, Kelvin Owens"

After I signed the letter, I got an envelope and put it in there and I addressed it. And I went ahead and went to sleep. I have to mail it in the morning and when he gets it I hope he reads it.

End of chapter 24