Past Love

Chapter 34: Be Prepared!

Wednesday December 28th, 2005

IronMan Boxing Gym

8:00am

Tyrone

"Well man it looks like you're going to have your first fight, all we gotta do is get your height, get you weighed in and get some paperwork done, get your boxing license and then you'll be well on your way man." I told him. "So basically they gave me a list of what you'll need, which honestly i should have remembered but this is what you'll need. You'll need to get a medical exam to certify that you are fit to fight, you'll also need to submit an application for a license."

"Do I really need to do all of that?"

"Well you want to box don't you?"

"Hell yeah."

"Alright then, well there is more, just be quiet & listen. You'll also need physical and labs to be completed within 6 months of the event as well as an eye exam, and you'll need to submit that eye exam within one year of the event." I told him.

"All of that just to box?"

"Yeah and that's just on the pro level. Now if you want to get in on an amateur level then you need to Obtain an amateur boxing license as well as pass a standard physical exam, Submit an application form and fee, Find a boxing gym, which you've already done. You've been training too and doing a hell of a job with it, then you need to sign up for an event that's being held locally."

"Damn!" He said, shaking his head.

"I know it may seem like alot but in the long run it pays off. The reason you go through all of these hoops is because it protects not only yourself and hold you accountable and responsible for your own health and wellbeing but it also protects the promoters for any legal liabilities. That's why they have all these protocols in place." I told him.

"Yeah well shit I mean it makes sense to me the more I think about it." He said.

"Good Cedric, good. Now I did want someone to come and see what you can do in the ring, I called him earlier, he should be here any moment but he's my manager, his name is William Hines." I told him. "He's a former Golden Gloves boxer turned manager himself." I told him. Around 8:45am he showed up and introduced himself to Cedric. Over the next hour or so Cedric showed William what he can do. He sparred with one of the other boxers in the gym, he hit him with hooks, left and right, a few haymakers as well as a combo, this dude showed tenacity, good speed and footwork, he reminded me of myself just a few years ago. Around 10:15am we left the gym.

"Hey Tyrone I appreciate you doing all of this for me, you just don't know how much I appreciate this." He told me.

"No doubt man, you're serious and passionate about this, i want to see you make something of yourself man, you've really put the time, effort and dedication in. I'm sure your friend Paul wants the same thing for you too man." I told him.

"Well I mean of course he does. Me and him are tight, we've been tight for a long time." He told me. "That's my dawg man, my brother from another mother." Cedric began laughing then he stopped. "He is worried though and i've told him that when i get in that ring, i feel alive, i feel like i did hurt his feelings though."

"Well how so?"

"Like he got offended." He began. "Like he just started trippin', he said well you don't feel alive and like you can be yourself when you're with me and all, i never said any of that to him and he blew it out of proportion." He confided in me.

"Wait a minute, are you and Paul..."

"Together? No but we're just close, we have a close friendship."

"A close friendship, like how close?"

"Well me and him...well i mean it's complicated. We have hooked up a few times....well don't get me wrong, i'm not gay or anything i'm just...."

"Bisexual or on the DL?"

"Ummmm....well to be honest i don't even know. All I know is that I have never felt this way when I was around anyone else. When I see Paul he makes me feel some type of way, like I can't live without him at times. He is the first person I think about when I wake up and the last person I think about when i go to sleep."

"Ah so you're in love then?"

"Well i mean i wouldn't say all of that." He began but then he stopped and looked at me. "I guess so. I just never said anything until now." He told me. "I mean but come on now, look at me, how would it look if me, a soon to be boxer was to be with another guy, i'd get called all types of names, like Queer, sissy, faggot, you name it, not to mention the hell i'd get from some of the people i know."

"But see here's the thing, you can't live for other people, you have to learn to live for you, and be yourself. Be comfortable in your own skin, don't try to change for nobody else." I said.

******

******

Jahmelle's Place

9:15am

Jahmelle

"Alright thank you for telling me." I said as I got off of the phone with Damon's mother. "Well Vonté she said that Damon is cool, he's out of town again, i don't know what's going on in that kids mind."

"Me neither." Vonté said. "He said he has to make things right, that's what he told me last time that we talked. I think he's still feeling bad about what happened to my place and all, on top of what's going on with Alex, it just seems all too much." He said.

"And it all stems back to Lee." I told him. "It's always something in life, no matter what it's always someone or something that tries to keep you from success." I said. "Best we can do is try to overcome the situation and cards we've been dealt and work past all the roadblocks set in front of us." I told him.

"Ain't that the truth, it's a damn shame too but it's true."

As me and him continued talking I got a call, I seen it was from Damon.

"Hello, where are you?"

"You know i can't tell you that. I'm safe though, just know that i'm going to make things right. I'm sorry i brought all this trouble, baggage and drama into your life Teach." He told me.

"You know you have a lot of people in your corner, you know that and we love you, you're not trouble, you're not any trouble at all."

"I appreciate what you're saying, I really do, and i appreciate what you're trying to do, but ever since i came into your life look at what's happened. Me and Lee got into it, i've been to jail, I caused a lot of unwanted stress in your life, and look at what happened with Vonté, I caused his pops place to get broken into, and he got robbed and i caused his place to get burnt down. It's like no matter where I go or what I do , my past follows me." He told me. "Just know i'm gonna make things right." He said before he hung up. I called him back and it went to voicemail after a few rings, I tried again and this time it went straight to voicemail.

"That was D wasn't it?"

"Yeah Vonté, he don't sound like himself either, I don't know what he has planned but whatever it is, I don't think it's going to be good."

End Of Chapter 34