My Star

Chapter 6

June 15, 2022

Call me crazy, but I quit my job that day. Yes, I did. Working at BK wasn't what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, and it didn't make me happy or make me feel like going to work.

Man, I dreaded that place - the people, the smell, the customers. But at the youth center, I felt I had a purpose, and I looked forward to spending time with the boys. And I got to see my man, so it was a win-win for me.

The first thing I did was look into getting a chess coach to volunteer at the center. Then I tried to convinced A'Rio and Chance to allow not only the kids they housed but other kids an opportunity to enjoy some of the activities and training they offered. That, in itself, was an uphill battle.

Chance and A'Rio had it hard growing up on their own, and they wanted boys like them to finally have an advantage over kids who were raised in a two-parent household.

"There are kids out there who could benefit from this program. Kids whose moms are working two jobs to make ends meet, or who can't make it cause the system is set up for failure. They make too much to receive aid for daycare but not enough to afford daycare and pay bills. If we open these doors, we could get more government funding and help a lot of kids who may be stuck at home alone," I pleaded.

A'Rio looked at me, shaking his head, as we all sat around Chance's table at a meeting we were having. "I think I liked her better when she was too scared to talk to me," A'Rio said sarcastically.

Lucky laughed. "No, you didn't. But she does have a point, and it's a great idea. I can write up a proposal that we can submit, but in the meantime, we can offer events that are welcoming to the public."

D-lo was different then all the members of the board he seemed to smile a lot more, he was always happy. He was the fun friend out there group. He also agreed.

Dex, a famous artist originally from the east side of Saginaw, but now living in Atlanta. He zoomed into these meetings but also voiced his agreement.

A'Rio smacked his lips and looked at Chance because even though he partnered with his friends, it was only Chance's opinion that truly mattered to him when it came to the boys. "Man, I can tell by the way you're smiling you're all in," A'Rio said.

"These events will be monitored, and we'll have them sign a action plan if the outside boys try to bully..."

A'Rio burst out laughing, interrupting my speech. "That would be the least of my worries," he stated.

"Oh... okay. Well, BJ is a very intelligent young man, and he doesn't have other boys here who share his interests. I know a young man who is also having a hard time connecting with kids his age. They both are very talented chess players. Liam is the one who actually taught me how to play," I admitted. "I believe if we could get these two together, they would be able to form a friendship," I concluded with a desperate look in my eyes.

"You're doing all this for one kid. You already made me go out and buy chess equipment - clocks."

"Timers," I corrected him.

"Well, timers then.  Boards, and extra pieces. I hired that coach, set up a room, and keep this going for that one kid because nobody else has signed up. And now you want me, for that same child, to open my doors to the public so he could have one friend?"

"Yes!" I said confidently.

"You haven't been here a week and you're already giving me a headache," A'Rio said.

"But it'll be worth it, I promise," I whined.

"Do it!" He said, giving in because he was a big old softie at heart.