The Ghetto

Hard To Say GoodBye

Jahlil POV

I thought I wouldn't make it. I thought I would never open my eyes again. I thought I'd never be able to see my family again, thought I wouldn't be able to say I love you one last time. Then I just opened my eyes.

My mom had her head down she was praying out loud, I let her finish and said "Amen" at the same time she did. Her head popped up her eyes were brighter than the sun. I smiled painfully and said I'm alright Ma don't stress. I looked around the room, scanning faces and one was missing. Briante? Where is he. Desmond spoke up...

"He wanted to go home so I took him home. I think he did something to that officer, he was really angry I could hear it in his voice. I told him not go do anything that could get him in trouble but I don't think he listened."

I sat there in silence.

"Turn on the tv... now please."

The news was on and they were talking about an officer being shot. Everyone dropped their heads, I kept my eyes on the TV. When the picture of Briante came across the screen from the security footage I dropped my head. Call his mom.

"Ms. Daniels turn on the news its about Briante."

"What's wrong with him."

"Ms. Daniels please... just watch it."

As she realized what was going on she cried, she already knew what would happen to her child.

"Look Ms. Daniel's I'm sorry he only wanted to do what he thought was necessary. Never would've thought he would kill a man."

"My baby, why would y'all let him do this!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!?"

"Ms Daniel's I was in surgery I'd been shot by the man he killed."

"That's why my boy is going to jail because you was shot?! As if that's a good enough reason to kill a man, because of you my boy is going to jail. I hate you!"

She hung, that was probably the most hurtful thing I'd ever heard from anyone. I sat there eyes wide staring into open space. It was as if nothing would ever go right again.

Two Days Later At Briante's Trial.

Desmond POV:

Damn, Damn Damn Damn this is all my fault. I shouldn't have taken Briante back to the house, I knew he would do something irrational. Fuck! Why did I have to do it man.

Jahlil POV:

The judge came in and proceeded to start the trial.

"Does the defense have a plea?"

"We have decided to plea guilty your honor."

"Isn't that quick and fast, I sentence you to death by lethal injection."

Ms. Daniels cried out "Noooooooooo!"

I dropped my head my arm was in a cast and sling and now my childhood bestfriend was going to die. All because he was seeking revenge for me. Tears streamed out of my eyes I got up and walked out of the court room. I found the nearest bench and sat down. I prayed for my friend, prayed that God would show mercy to him and accept him into his kingdom.

I got off scott free all because Matthews was dead. Only witness was his partner and he never showed up. I walked back into the court room opened the mini swinging door leading to where Briante was sitting. He stood up and we just looked at each other. We hugged for a long time tears ran down both our faces. I love you man you will never be forgotten.

It was 12:00 o'clock on a Wednesday. I couldn't go back to school yet I didn't have the heart to face everyone and tell them why my arm was in a sling and where Briante was. So I went home and went to sleep I dreamed about all the good times me and him had from all the sleep overs to parties to jokes to football games to our induction to our fraternity. That was truly my bestfriend since 2010 and now it was 2015 amd he was 15. Gone too soon.