The Grove Chronicles

Chapter 16

At practice next week, Ezail was trying to focus, but had Jab's shooting on his mind. " Run it again girls!" screamed coach blowing his whistle. " Set hut!" Ezail exclaimed. He looked for a receiver, but got sacked. " Damn it!" he huffed to himself. " Good stop Darren!" 

" Thanks coach!" Coach then approached Ezail. " Bub you okay?" " You missed LB, like a pregnant girl missed her period. " My bad...." " I got Jab on my mind is all."  " Tsk Tsk." " A real shame, kids use guns today." " In my day, a knuckle sandwich was enough."  

" Well, Im sorry about Mr. Ealy, but life is crazy, no matter how much shit it throws at ya." " There's always a wipe it clean it up..." " Got it?" " Yes sir... I got it."  

After practice let out, Ezail sped off on his bike. While heading up Remington Road, he noticed a familiar face. " Hey babe!" It was Esmyra. Ezail pedaled towards her. " Ay lover, whatchu doin in the hood? " I was hanging out with Traci and her cousin." " Oh you talkin bout Traci Ellison, who live on Brewer?" Esymra looked her boyfriend up and down. "Yeah...."  " How'd you know where she live?" Ezail huffed. " Bae, I played ball wit her brother. 

" Hmmm okay." " Man stop all that hatin." Ezail laughed. " Bub can we get somethin to eat? 'I'm hungry..." " I'm down wit that, but we gotta go later. " Need to check up on Jab." " I hope he's ok." " He should be, lil mama...."  

At Saint Noah Hospital, the young couple arrived at Jab's room. " How you feelin homie?" " I'm aight....." Jab said mellowly. " The doctors removed the bullet and shit, from my abdomen." Hi Daniel." Esmyra stated softly. " Hey girl...."  " Yo what happened J?" " Shit nigga, I remember walkin up Ganton, then I heard gunshots." 

Ezail shook his head. " This shit is gettin outta control yo." " No shit...." " Them G-Block fools gonna feel my wrath." Ezail looked at Esmyra uneasily. " Babe I need to talk to Jab alone for a minute." " Head to the cafeteria, and get us some snacks." Okay.' Esmyra said walking out. 

" My nigga, G-Block and most likely the police gonna expect some retaliation." " I say be easy for awhile." Jab sucked his teeth. " Man, we can't let the hood know we some sucka's.' " I was almost killed Bub.... Killed!"  " I heard you dog, but we gonna be in a war, we can't win." " Them nillie ass muthafuckas out number us."  

" So what  the plan is Mr Smart ass?" Jab asked irritated.  " I'm not sure......" " Whatever it is, It'll get handled yo."  Ezail assured. ' Aight sure..." " We'll see." Ezail's face dropped with confusion. " Yeah, ok..." " See you around homes."   

December 1 1990 Game Day District Final 

This was the last football game of the year.  Grind time. Bethel Bruins vs Weaver Beavers. Both of the schools sport teams, have been beating up on each other for years. Bethel had Cornell, who was a defensive stopper, however Weaver had two defensive behemoths..... 6'5 300 pound Jarvis Haynes and 6'4 310 pound Michael Jones, who could run well for a big man. 

Ezail was sitting on the locker room's bench, listening to his walkman, blasting the song " Understand The Mind Of a Criminal" by Tru. Listening to music, kept him in the zone at all times. This was his second championship game, of his high school career. No way was he going to lose again. 

"Yo Bub!" " Bub!" Ezail huffed taking off his head phones . " Whatchu want, Prince man?"  "I need help..." " Ezail shrugged. " What happened now?" " Some dudes from Grove street been  messin wit me."  " A'ight but this gonna get handled later on down the road...... gotta game to win." " Okay, I understand yo."  Prince nodded. 

Ezail went back to his pre game ritual. Hearing the lyrics and hardcore bass swimming up his ear canal.  

" Alright ladies bring it in!" coach yelled. " This is it....."  " Our moment to show this town who the top dog is."  " Weaver has been a pain on my ass like a boil...." " Tonight we remove it." " Hit em!" " Hit em hard!' " "You guys destroy those Beavers, Ima make sure you'll never have to run laps again!" " Understand!?"  " Yessir!" the young boys responded. " Come on, surely the balls have dropped, I can't hear ya!" " Yessir!" the volume increased.