Off The GridIron

Chapter 25: Pondering Thoughts

Saturday August 31st, 1991

6am

Leon

I was in the middle of doing push ups pondering a thought, just thinking about everything that's been taking place over the past week or so. Chris has been acting kind of different lately and I'm wondering what that could be about. I don't know what's going on or what's happening. I hope people aren't bullying him at school again because if this is happening I'm going to have to take care of it.

"Good morning." I heard Chris say as he was heading down the steps. "How you feeling this morning?"

"I'm cool, what got you in a good mood like this?" I inquired.

"What can't I be in a good mood?" He asked.

"I mean you can but you seem real chipper this morning."

"Yeah, just got a few things on my mind." He said smiling. "Well someone to be honest."

I stopped doing pushups and now I was curious as to who he was talking about. I walked over to him. "Who?" I asked.

"Officer Walker." He said. "He stopped by my job again the other day."

"What you thinking about 5-0 for?" I asked.

"Well it's something about him, I don't know. His tall stature, he looks like he's the type to take charge, his body is kind of nice, you can tell he works out through his uniform, and he really takes time to talk to me and ask questions." He told me.

"But you know he got kids right? He ain't into guys."

"Well how would you know?"

"I don't, i'm just assuming... Anyway I just don't want you to make a fool of yourself when he rejects you. Plus isn't he old enough to be your dad?"

"Well i like dudes that don't play games and that know what they want instead of trying to play house with someone else." He said. I realized what he meant and I think he realized I caught on. "I.......I'm going to make something to eat." He stuttered & then walked away. I got up and went and sat over on the couch.

9am

Chris

As i walked to work i had some things on my mind, maybe i was a bit too hard on Leon, maybe i was out of pocket for what i said but at least i was honest, i need someone in my life that won't play games and beat around the bush. I need a dude that won't play with my emotions. I got to work a couple minutes later and I put my apron on and got to work. Man working for minimum wage isn't half bad, I mean $4.25¢ an hour isn't bad at all but still, we could be getting a little bit more than that. Over the next few hours time flew by with no problem. I took my break around 1pm.

"Boy it's been a hell of a day." Kenny, one of my coworkers said. "I've been dealing with rude customers off and on all day. I can't wait for my shift to be over." He said.

"Same here Kenny, it's been rough, I mean the pay is decent but $4.25¢ ain't enough to be putting up with these rude ass people."

"Yeah they ain't nothin' but a bunch of bustas." He said, we both busted out laughing. "So what did you got planned after work?"

"Honestly I don't know, I'ma probably just go out for a walk or just go home and chill or something."

"I feel you, I might go home and watch Coming To America or something."

"You know that movie came out in '88 right?"

"Yeah but it's still a good movie man, I'm telling you, hilarious. I got it on VHS & that tape is almost worn out." He laughed again, I laughed and shook my head.

We laughed and talked a little bit more then we got back to work. Time flew by it seemed like. Around 5:30pm my shift was up and I was heading home when i heard a horn honk, i thought it was that officer. I turned around and i seen that it was Leon.

"Hey Chris, i was out and about...."

"Probably coming back from your girls house i assume."

"See why you gotta be like that bruh?" He said leaning out of his car. "Salty I see."

"Whatever."

"Anyway Chris, I was wondering if you wanted to go catch a movie?"

"No, I want to go home and rest, I'm tired. Why don't you go watch a movie with your girl." I said.

"Look man you honestly don't have to be like that." He said.

"I'm just being real man." I kept walking until we got back to the house. "So you really doing this?"

"Yeah man, I mean you've been hanging around with Melanie so much the past few weeks, it's like I don't exist sometimes." I told him. "It's all good though I understand, you have your life and you want to spend time with her, and I got mine." I told him.

I went in the house and closed the door behind me. I sighed, and after a few minutes I heard Leon's car pull off and him blast the music, going down the street. I went upstairs and I decided to run a nice hot bath to relax and get the stench and dirt of today off. I put it on 88.5 The Heat on the small radio that was in the bathroom. They were playing "Can You Stand The Rain" By Bell Biv Devoe. As I was bathing it was a knock at the door.

"Hey Chris it's Leon." He said in that suave voice of his.

"Go away Leon." I told him.

"No, I'm coming in." He came in and he had flowers in his hands. "Hey man, look, I just want to say i'm sorry for putting you on the back burner and pushing you aside. You mean a lot to me man, you've been a good friend of mine for a while now and your friendship means alot to me."

"Wow, you really think you can come in here with flowers and a weak line like that and think I'ma magically forgive you?" I said to him. "Well you're wrong, that's not going to work this time." I told him.

"Look Chris, damn it!!" He looked at me, with a look that was hard to read. "I'm trying to figure this out, but i know that i want you to be a part of my life man, you're a good guy man, I mean that man. I don't want you to be mad at me, come on, give me another chance."

"I'll think about it." I said, taking the flowers. "Now can i finish my bath in peace?"

"Yeah." He said, smiling as he got up and left.

"Damn, I don't know why Leon does that, but at least I know he cares."

End Of Chapter 25