A Life Of Mistakes

Chapter 5

- A week later

We're in court and I'm so nervous that I shook a little. Dee looked like he didn't care as always. I wish I was as relaxed as him. Quan sat there with a blank expression. I bet he felt the same way I did.

Just as the judge was about to start my case, someone burst in the courtroom. It was my Uncle Mack. He sat behind me. I couldn't look at him. I felt like an idiot for not listening to him in the first place. Then he had my lawyer to get my attention.

Rashad. I know I said I wasn't going to help you but... You're family and I cant let you go down like that he said in a low voice.

I nodded. In my heart it felt like clouds had passed by, and the sun was shining bright.

The judge asks questions. We didn't say a word we let the lawyers speak.

After about an hour the judge made up her mind. She called all of our names.

Judge: Rashad Miller, on the charge of manslaughter in the first degree, we find the defendant as not guilty.

As soon as I heard those words I immediately felt joy. My ears blanked out everything else she said.

Everyone else pleaded innocent as well. She said there was not enough evidence to prove that we did it.

We went home free.

When we all left to go home I ran into my uncle Mack. He called all of us together.

Yall are suppose to be locked up right now, but i saved yall asses. I paid off the judge $100,000 I had saved up incase of an emergency. It was hard negotiating with her but I made it work.

We all looked at him. Shocked wasn't the word for it.

Man I thank you Unk Quan said. How can we ever repay you?

Just promise me all you of y'all will change.

I promise I'll change I said.

Quan?

I promise.

Dee? I promise.

Quan and Dee went home with their mamas.
I went home with Uncle Mack and my mama.

What made you come back for me unk?

I told you already. I couldn't leave to blood to die in that hell hole.

I love you Unk.

I love you too. I treat you like a son. You need something to take your mind off these streets. I have a task for you. Go out and find a young lady. Not just anybody. Somebody that's gonna hold you down, and treat you right. Can you do that for me?

Yeah I will. That's what's been missing a female. I been so caught up in these streets I forgot about love.

Love is one of the strongest 4 letter word, if not the strongest. So don't play around with it.

I wont. Tomorrow, Im going to school to find a girl. The right girl. I have a girl in mind already. I grinned a bit.