These are our People

Little Blue Prius

Kimmy

I turn the key until I hear the deadbolt slide back. Then I unlock the second one, once again waiting for the sound of the lock hitting the inside of the fastener. I walk in and smile. It's not much. A small one bedroom one bathroom apartment. Small living room and that's it.

My parents could have bought me a house with 4 bedrooms multiple bathrooms living room library garage with car included. That's the lifestyle I grew up with. But I don't want to just be daddy's little girl forever. I was raised with a silver spoon in my mouth and a mother and father who would rather I stay Bellaire's Princess for my entire life until I marry well and become a glamorous trophy wife. I've always wanted to be more than just a spoiled princess, and now was my chance

This apartment, I did this on my own. I wanted to be a nurse. Not just a cutesy "the doctor will be right with you" smile, I'm here for good looks type nurse either.

I wanted to be an emergency room nurse where I could fight to make a difference. So I moved from my beautiful gated community to the projects in Los Angeles where I would be starting at 9-5 part time job with the local Hospital. SAINT CHARLES hospital was notorious for always being short staffed and overwhelmed. Most cases they saw were trauma, gun violence, stabbing, and non healthcare carrying citizens.

My parents Of course were more than against me coming. To them, I was an ungrateful daughter who sneered her nose at the advantages that I should be trying to utilize. Truth be told they were probably right. But I never wanted money. I never wanted the horse I got for my 16th birthday. Or the front row seat tickets to a classical music concert in New York. I would have liked it if They went riding with me with the horse they gifted to me, or even went to the concert with me. Maybe came to a recital or a family holiday instead. But to them love came in a box. Gift wrapped and with an expensive bow on top.

I know others would kill to trade places with me. But I would have been happy just spending time with them. Real quality time. Something we've never really done.

I close the door behind me and take a deep breath. My furniture was delivered earlier today. I kept it simple. Just a couch and coffee table in my tiny living room. And a bed and dresser for my bedroom. The apartment already had a fridge, stove, and microwave so just me and my suitcases is all I needed.

I started to unpack the little pit of boxes that are in the kitchen and the box of frames with my pictures and paintings. I didn't think I would pay this much attention to details about where I would put the silverware or hang my favorite painting. Before I knew it it was dark outside.

I look down at the clock and see it's already 8:30pm. I know I need to get to bed to be well rested for my first day tomorrow. I drag my bags behind me down the little hall with the room and the bathroom and go in my room. My comforter is already laid out on my bed thanks to the moving people.

I set out my uniform and plop down. I can't wait for my first day.

Omar

"What do we do Omar?" Twinkie asks panicking. I put a hand on his shoulder to calm him down and think.

I never asked to be in charge. I never thought it would be me of all people, hell there a few guys that could lay me out no problem if they really wanted to. But in the end these were my people. My neighborhood was a family, something bigger and thicker than blood. Gang life to us just means protecting our own. Our people, our family above all else. Till death do us part, we belong to one another.

We have always stayed under the radar. We don't run drugs or mess with anything illegal. The hoods around us know that even though we don't want no beef, we can handle ourselves if we really have to. We've proven it before.