Hidden Hills ; Jabari Banks

Dreams & Nightmares

"Hold up wait a minute, y'all thought I was finished? When I bought that Ashton Martin, y'all thought it was rented!" I rapped along while Meek Mill Dreams and Nightmares was playing in the background of the party that was thrown every year before classes started back up for the fall. "Yo, Jabari!" My homeboy Junior yells at me over the loud music. I shoot him a smile then dap him up pulling him in for a "Bro Hug".

"Wassup, How you feelin' bro?" I asked him as we both pull away. We both arrived at the function together but quickly ended up going our separate ways as he went looking for a lady to spend the night with and I went to roll dice with some more of my homies that was at the party. "Im feelin' good. I just met this shorty and she was telling me how she could make me feel better." He says while smirking and nodding his head over to a pretty dark skinned girl who was standing on the other side of the living room area. I let out a small chuckle before saying "Thats typical of you but I'm glad you just enjoying yourself, aight?" He responds back with a quick head nod as we were joined by some more of our home boys. I dap up each and everyone one for them before taking another sip of the red solo cup I had in my left hand.

A few moments passed by as the function became thinner and thinner with people leaving. It was just a few of us here now the music was still blowing through the speakers loudly and it was roughly around 4:30 in the morning. Blunts were being passed around in a rotation and everyone was still vibing and associating with each other.
"When are you heading out?" I hear the girl that Juju was with ask him as he looks at me. I give him the look like "Do what you have to do" because I knew what she wanted to do and I wasn't blocking his play.

Before they could get up and exit we hear a loud banging on the door followed by police officers rushing into the house with flash lights. "Oh shit!" as a males voice say as he takes off running out the back door with mad people rushing behind him.

As I'm looking around for Juju I get tackled by a police officer that has me on my stomach demanding me to put my hands behind my back. I follow instructions very carefully as the officer is yelling, "Got one!". He pulls me up aggressively yanking me the opposite way from the house heading towards one of the vehicles. I turn around to see that Juju has already gotten away as we make eye contact as tears roll down my face.

The officers pushes me down into the back of his car while slamming the door shut. I wipe my face on my shoulder then leans my head back waiting for the police to get into the drivers seat and pull off.

-

I was sitting in a holding cell with what felt like days. "Jabari Banks!". I hear my name being called by one of the black police officers. "I guess today your lucky day son". I get up walking towards him as he lets me out of the cell closing it and locking it right back behind me. He leads me into a discharging area. I could see my mom through the glass window as she looked so heartbroken and disappointed in me. After I finished discharge, officer Adams pulled a key from his belt and unlocked the cuffs. I quickly grabbed my paperwork from him and rushed over to where my mom was standing. I pulled her into the biggest hug. I felt she was angry with me but after everything that happened last night and this morning I needed someone to hold onto. She pulls away from me and simply asks "What were you thinking?". I could hear the disappointment and sadness in her voice. "Im sorry ma just let me explain." I say. "You can explain in the car on the way to the airport.". She says as she  turns and starts heading for the exit. "Airport? What airport ma?" I say as I follow her confusedly. We finally made it to her car. "Ma!" I yell out one last time before getting her attention. She looks at me with a shocked face. "Boy don't you yell at me. I am your mother!". She goes off. "Now get in the car." She adds before getting into the car slamming the door behind her. I get into the passenger's seat and closes the door followed by strapping the seatbelt on.

"Ma, What airport."

"Please let me know something."

She gets on the freeway, driving the opposite direction of our home as tears began to form in her eyes. "Look Jabari, I'm your mom and I'll always want what's best for you." She starts by saying. I look at her as she continues to focus on the road. "What do you mean, Where are we going?". I asked her feeling myself growing angry. "I would never do anything that would purposely hurt you or our family." She continues to speak as she wipes a tear from her face before it falls while keeping one hand on the steering wheel. I keep staring at her waiting for her to get to the point. "Im sending you to Hidden Hills with your Aunt Viv, Uncle Phil and their three kids. I packed you a bag to leave with but don't worry the rest of your stuff will be sent out by the end of the week." She quickly says. "Ma what? You cant be serious! Ma this not fair. I didn't do anything wrong and you know this!" I yell. "What about classes ma, What about my homies?" I asked her all in one breath. I ball my fists up feeling myself becoming angry by the moment. "Ma, You cant do this. What about everything I worked so hard for here in philly?" I asked her. "Thats the thing, you went to jail Jabari! You cant come back from that. You get into so much trouble down here it could ruin your future!" She yells at me. "And what about basketball?" I asker her turning my head looking out the window trying to fight back tears. "Theres so many opportunities in California for you." she says. "So many opportunities that you just cant get here in Philly, Jabari." She simply says. "And I'm supposed to just have no say so in this?" I ask her. "What? So some people that I dont even know is gonna help me reach my goals now?" I asked her while still looking out the window.  "As hard as this is for you, its the same for me. Its just until I know your safe and that I could keep you out of trouble" She says. I shake my head as we pull up to the airport.

She pulls a plane ticket out of her bag and hands it to me. Hesitantly I take the ticket before stepping out the car. "I love you, Jabari." she says. I grab the bag she pre packed for me and closes the door without saying anything back. I walk towards the entrance of the airport and up to the reception desk still fighting back tears.

To be continued...