The Grove Chronicles

Chapter 32

Selena and Kyle were sitting at the dinner table, in Selena's home. Kyle had finally worked up enough courage, to meet Selena's mom. " Kyle, I hope you like Mexican food." Selena stated. " Of course baby..." " I'm a man of many cultures." Kyle replied haughtily. " Better not be a man with many girls, unlike your friend Bubba." Selena rolling her eyes. " Man, leave Chuck outta this yo." Soon,  Marisol brought out the food, with Constene following her.  

" Sorry for the wait, here it is!" Mrs. Serrano exclaimed with a big smile on her face. On the table were chicken enchiladas, corn, and mashed potatoes.  "Man this looks good Mrs. Serrano."  " Thank you Kyle, hope you enjoy every little bite."  

" So Kyle, do you have plans for college?" Marisol asked " Yes ma'am....." " I plan on going to either Boston or UConn, preferably majoring in Sports Management. " " Oh that's nice."  " Mija I hope you take college seriously." Marisol added. Selena huffed at her mother's  remark. " Okay mother, but this has nothing to do with me... you asked Kyle." 

" Yes but, now I'm talking to you." " Now is the time to start thinking about your future.' " Don't worry about it mommy."   

" Oh please you little squirt, I bet you're struggling as it is." Constene blurted out. " Shut up idiot!" Selena barked.  Make me similac breathe!" " Alright enough now, we have company!" " Constene set an example, you're  older!" Marisol ordered. " Yes mommy." Constene answered annoyed.    

" Anyway, so Kyle, what do your parent's do for a living?" asked Marisol. "Well my dad works for Beasley's Natural Gas." " My step mother is a teacher at Waverly Middle, and my real mom wokrs as a waitress in New Hampshire." 

" Why'd your parents divorce?" Constene asked with food in her mouth. Selena sucked her teeth. " Yo sis, that's none of you business!" " I'm asking Kyle, shut up!" Kyle then shook his head laughing. " Naw, it's cool." " So much arguing and what not... they just decided to split, when I was 7. " 

Marisol sighed. " Well, sometimes in life Kyle, adults are the ones who make the most mistakes." " We think we know wha'ts best for our kids, but heck, we don't even know what's best for us." " As long as we live on this earth peacefully, we can live a good fruitful life." 

"Hmph...." " Tell that to dad.." Constene huffed. " Mija be quiet!" " No time to get personal!" Right on que. Vincent came in the house, walking into the dining area. " Hola everybody." " Dad you okay?" Selena asked curiously. Vinny's hands and arms were twitching noticeably. " Yes mami I'm fine." 

" Well dad this is Kyle Ketchmore, Kyle my dad." " Hello Mr. Serrano." " Hey I know this guy, part of the Bethel dynamic duo." " Hell of a effort you showed there kid." " Thanks sir...." Wish we would've won." " All good son......" Marisol is my plate fixed?" "Uh yes Vin, its in the oven." " Oh... alright I-I-I'm gonna eat it later then." Vincent replied anxiously. 

" Nice to meet you kid." Vincent added. Kyle then whispered to Selena  : I thought yo dad was strict..." " He usually is, but something is up with him....."   

Spring was  10 days away, but Ezail couldn't wait to ride his new motorcycle. Jahad had given it  to him after New Years. Ezail stored the bike at a garage owned by Snuff's uncle. The uncle trusted both boys so much, he gave them keys to go  in and out as they please. 

Ezail opened the garage, turning the light on, still googly eyed over the bike. He wiped the blue and white machine down with wax, hitting every spot.  " Gotta get her right yo!' he exclaimed.  After putting the key in the ignition, the engine let off a soft roar from the Yoshimura exhaust.  He revved it up, now that it was warm. 

Ezail hit the open road, dashing, shifting  into second gear. The weather was a bit chilly, but not too cold so the wind made his face cold.... although he should've wore a helmet.  While zipping down Burnside Ave, a familiar face lasered on to him.  " Hey Lil Chuck!" Ezail Sr yelled out. He had a young woman at his side.  " Boy, whatchu doin on that thang?!" 

Ezail completed a u-turn on the busy street. He rode up to his father and stunning young woman, in her early 20's. " Yo pop, buss it..... "Got this bike from one of my boys...." " Stupid bad right?" 

Ezail Sr chuckled. " You got the bad part alright...." " Whatchu mean?" " Gotta learn to shift more crisply. " " Once the rpms start to rise up, shift asap." " Trust me, been ridin since I was 16..." " Had a 71 Honda CL 450 Scrambler .... missed them days cat daddy!" " Oh word?'  Well ima keep that in mind." " Snuff taught me how to ride years ago." 

" Oh my bad,  Shanice, this is my baby boy Ezail, Ezail, this is my lady Shanice." " Oh hi cutie!' Shanice screeched. She had a light skin complexion with candy red lipstick. " Oh my God y'all look like twin brothers!" " Well, good looks run in the family." Ezail Sr bragged. " Nice to meet you Ms. Shanice." Ezail replied respectfully.  " Please baby, just call me Shanice..." ' We probably only a couple years apart.." 

" Ima be 16 in 3 months....' " I'm pretty much a man now." he stated licking his lips. " First of all a real man wears a helmet, and knows how to ride right.' Ezail Sr scoffed. " Yo chill......"  " Where y'all headed to anyway?"  " Boutta head to Boston for the Bobby Brown concert." He aight I guess, little mama wanted to go more than anything." 

" Yeah he aight too, he for the ladies though...." " I wouldn't care to go."  " Shit, we bout to leave...." " Be careful Jr, and remember what I said. " " I got it pop, trust me." " Later Shanice, please to meet you." " Bye honey!"  as she came up to kiss Ezail on the cheek.   

Ezail continued to cruise the West side showing off like any teen. While heading towards Crystal Gardens Projects, 3 men wearing orange hopped  out a black  van, opening fire. Ezail slammed on the rear brakes, shocked as he witnessed a young man lying  on the street. He then rode towards the body, observing non other than.....Prince. 

Ezail quickly shut off the motorcycle, putting down the kickstand. " Prince!" " Yo, come on  fight it baby!"  " Naw E, it's over man......" " It wasn't meant to be.... No NFL ....... nothin. "  Prince now trying to gasp as much air as possible."  " Them Seville Boulevard bitches... fuckin gotta go!" Ezail barked.  Prince then stopped breathing, eyes open, blood on his sweatshirt. 

Ezail shed a tear, bowing his head down for his fallen, innocent teammate.