Off The GridIron

Chapter 32: Road Trip

Saturday February 1st, 1992

7:30am

Willie

I woke up and looked at my surroundings and thought about the previous night with Kelvin. I decided to come up to Colton, California for the weekend and spend some time with him. Me and him are really getting back on track. He sent flowers to my job and my home last week and I surprised him by coming up here last night. The night of wild, passionate love making was so good, we both climaxed a good 3 times. Now I was waking up to some food. I took care of my daily hygiene before I went into the kitchen to get some food. He had a spread out on the table, some pancakes, orange juice, bacon, eggs, the works.

"Good Morning." He said as he walked over to me and kissed me. "Got a nice spread out for you, then later on if you want we can go out and look around." He said.

"Well what sites are there? I mean it doesn't look like it's many places to go 95." I told him. He side eyed me. "You know i'm just messing with you baby." I winked at him.

"Yeah, whatever 88." He said, kissing me. "But I think we got a hiking trail through here."

"Nigga does it look like i want to go hiking?" I said laughing. "Especially in this weather?"

"Boy what you mean, we've been having decent weather in the 50s and 60s as of late, it's pretty brisk, it's not like it's in the dead of summer where we have weather that's At least 110 degrees or something."

"Yeah man all right whatever you got a point. After we eat this breakfast, we will go hiking if that's what you want to do. Ugh you're so damn annoying, but that's why I love you." I said, rolling my eyes. He flashed that smile that he always does, he knows that gets me.

We ate and he showered and after he did that we cleaned up, got some bottles of water and some snacks and then he locked the apartment up and we headed out. We got in his car and he drove about 30 minutes north to this hiking trail. I never heard of it, it was called Cloudland Truck Trail.

8:45am

"Alright well we're here." He said as he got out of his car.

"Well damn, this gonna be a long damn hike nigga, what you trying to do to me?" I asked him.

"What haven't I already done?" He smacked my ass and winked at me.

"Yeah you getting a little too comfortable Kelvin."

"Yeah, but you love it though." He said smiling. "Come on, let's go." He said as he began jogging up the small mountain. Over the next 25 minutes or so we went up this road called Badger Canyon Road, then we got back to Courtland Truck Trail. The road was in a circle, but when I turned around I saw the way the sun was rising, and it looked beautiful. "Beautiful view isn't it?" He said.

"Yeah, yeah it definitely is." I smiled. "Beautiful view, beautiful man."

"Now don't get something started that you can't finish." He said, he whispered in my ear. "I'd pipe you down, right here, right now." He said, laughing. I knew he would too.

"Alright, chill baby, let's just enjoy this view, you can't see a nice sunrise like this just anywhere." I told him. We talked and laughed and had a good time, it was good to see him smile. I know he's been in a rough place ever since he lost his friend, so to see him in a good place made me happy. "I wish I had a camera to get a photo of this beautiful view."

"Well I think I have a camera right here." He said, as he pulled one out of his pocket. "I always keep one when I come up here, now I got you up here, I can get a shot of you and the beautiful sun." He said.

I smiled and I got up and he told me where to go and where to stand and then he got a nice photo of me. I couldn't believe him, he's really something.

******

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Leon

9:45am

"Alright guys let's get these burgers on the grill, we have quite a few orders." I told the people as they were flipping burgers. Man, since i became manager a few weeks back i've really been enjoying it, i've been proving myself and it's paid off. I know y'all thinking how could i have a manager's position, i'm surprised but i've really been taking things seriously as of late. "Alright and make sure you do it right." I said, walking over to one of the employees. "Evenly space them out on the grill and put just enough salt on there for flavor." I told him. "There you go, just like that man." I said. "Alright guys y'all need to keep it up, like i said it's a lot of orders to fill, i know the morning rush on the weekends can be a pain but with teamwork and coordination it can be pulled off." I told them. I watched them, as I did I went and cleaned a few tables off before the morning rush really started, then I saw Luther come into the restaurant.

"Hey Officer Walker, how are you?" I asked. "Can I get you anything?"

"I'm good, I just came here to meet someone, that's all."

"Awww alright, you didn't come here to meet Chris did you?"

"Well i mean he can make his own decisions you know, but no i didn't, i came to meet someone else." He said being smug. "Look I know what you're thinking but I didn't come here to start trouble, I came here because the person i'm seeing lives nearby and it was convenient. Plus there's been an increase in crime in the area so hey I figured while I'm off duty I can check the place out and just be vigilant." He said.

"Alright well that's cool, while you do that i'll bring you something to eat man, on the house." I told him.

I took his order down then I went ahead and I gave him his food after about 10 minutes or so. After that I went back to cleaning as the morning rush continued. Around 11:00am everything slowed down a bit. Luther left about 15 minutes prior. He talked to his boss, and I saw him smiling and laughing. He looked happy. He told me he got a promotion, which is cool. I know how exciting that can be. As I continued working I saw Chris come in with Rel.

"Hey y'all what's up....." As soon as I saw Chris face my smile went from happiness to pissed. I saw Rel holding him, keeping him up. "What the hell happened?" I asked, coming towards them.

"Baby it's not as bad as it looks...."

"No, fuck that man, what happened baby?" I asked.

"Well I was over at the high school helping with weekend activities as usual and I got into it with Darren Wilkins." He said.

"Your Ex?"

"Yeah...I fought back though."

"This dude is starting to get on my last damn nerve!" I said, slamming my hand on the table beside me.

"Baby he ain't worth it, for real."

"I know but i want to kick his ass so bad, i'm sick and tired of this dude fucking around with you." I said. "He better be lucky. I'm not the same dude I was a few years back, otherwise I'd have his ass six feet under by now." I told them. "Well what did you get into a fight about?"

"Something stupid, he's just jealous and you know how that goes, people just do stupid shit." Chris said.

"True but he keeps it up. I'm gonna kick his ass." I told them. "Rel why did you bring him to me? Why didn't you take him to the nurse or hospital or something?"

"He told me he wanted to see you. He said he didn't want to go to the hospital."

"Always the trooper." I laughed. "Come on, I'll take care of it." I took him into the back room and got the first aid kit and cleaned his cuts and bruises. "You're always doing something man, you know I love you."

"I love you too Leon." He said as we kissed.

End Of Chapter 32