The Hood

The sound of the alarm disturbs the peace and quiet of a dark room. The old digital clock reads '7:03 a.m.' as it wails repeatedly with each passing second. Sean sits up on his bed with his eyes closed and still half asleep.

-"Turn that shit off!" David's voice blares from the bathroom across the hall from Sean's bedroom. Sean slams his hand on the old clock. The wailing stops.

-"Check it out." David, a strapping seventeen-year-old young man with an athlete's built, a babyface, and piercing brown eyes that to anyone unknown could seem menacing, stands in front of Sean's door. Sean struggles to open his eyes.

-"Got it last night." He shows off a brand new black hooded sweater with his high school's varsity football team logo pressed in the front. The metallic outlines create a soft glare against the creeping sunlight as he moves closer to Sean to show off the craftsmanship and detail of the logo. David throws on the hood and the number 19 is visible on either side of the face with the same metallic look and finish. Sean is impressed but too lazy to show it. He smiles at the excitement a seemingly simple sweater can create in an otherwise "too cool" high school senior. The alarm wails again at the turn of the digit. 7:17 a.m.

-"Fuck."

Downstairs, James has breakfast ready for his boys. A retired Marine, Veteran, and business owner James is a man of few words and commands respect at a glance. David sits at the table.

-"It's been 10 years today after the tragic events leading to Trayvon Martin's death. How have the police departments changed after that? We'll tell you in a moment." James turns the television off. The second hand on the wall clock is audible now. Tick, Tick, Tick, a cadence to their morning routine.

-"Come home right after practice today. Gotta look at the dorms in LA for next year." He almost growls like a drill sergeant talking to his maggots.

-"Yes sir."

Nothing David and Sean aren't used to.

Sean comes running down the stairs. Throws his gym bag, shoulder pads, and backpack on the floor next to the couch. James shakes his head. Sean composes himself immediately, smiles, and sits at the table.

Isabella comes out of the next room, a makeshift office where both run the business when not at the office. A petite woman compared to her sons and husband.

-"Ready love?" A sweet voice accompanied by a beautiful smile. James' strong demeanor crumbles to her charm. It's obvious who runs the household in this family. James hands Isabella her coffee. She comes around the table and kisses her boys like a loving mother would, even these football-playing teens are no match to the tender touch of her cheeks as she hugs them tight. Nothing David and Sean aren't used to.

-"Be safe out there boys, remember what I've told you."

-"Stop, comply and raise your hands." They both sound off.

-"Right. Don't be late for school." They walk out the door.

Tick, Tick, Tick, seven-thirty on the dot.

The sky has a special kind of blue this morning bright and clear for an east coast day in late May. David and Sean walk through their neighborhood lined with trees, green lawns and the occasional dog that barks at anything that moves. Sean takes a deep breath as he looks around and feels the calm around him.

-"I wonder how many times we have done this?" He asks, reminiscent of times not so long ago but far from his young memory.

-"Done what?"