SAL

Cole Summer

Weeks went by days grew longer nights shorter but, life moved on. There was never an actual funeral just tears and mourning. The cops had dropped the case claiming they had zero.leads but Sal new the truth, Their focus was more on the fresh krispy kreams that seemed to be available in the office everyday. Sal kept to himself the streets lacked the heat and verbal attacks that his ryhmes would deliver.

Every now and then someone would come up and question him about new music but he world always say "You hear this," pause. "yeah silence thats that new shit" and walk away with his back to the world.

He was so cold and indifferent even Daisy couldn't be around him. He just sat and let life consume him. His once reddish orange freckles that made him look so young looked black and gave off little flicks of anger. His green eyes were dull almost lifeless the only thing that kept him going was the old records he could put on and just vibe to. As he laid on his bed it felt like one of those nights where all he needed was a whole zip and double cups.

"Sal, you got mail!" with a quick sigh he walked downstairs to see his mother holding a thick vanilla envelope. He paid no attention to the spark in his mother's eyes if he did he would've saw hope and love. But love was something he feared. Sal quickly tore off the top of the envelope and grabbed the papers. He sat down and quietly read the papers.

His mother waited quietly, finally growing tired of her sons silence she tugged on his shoulders to be met with a shocked Sal. His shocked expression wasn't what worried her it was his shaking hands and the smile in his eyes. A smile she hadn't seen in weeks.

"Sal? Sal?!? Whats wrong what do the papers say?" Faster than she could blink Sal was up hugging his mother a real grin sat on his face. Laughter thats all he could do, laugh

"Sal? I want to be happy too what happened?"

"We're rich thats what happened!" The demo sal had sent to Atlantic Records had astounded them and they wanted Sal on their team. High-yella Sal was going somewhere and the ride was going to be amazing.

"Sal what are you talking about?" His mom still hadn't caught on.

grinning like the chesire cat Sal told his mom everything he had to stop a few times when his mothers sobs became to loud.

"Sal I'm so proud of you when do we go? What do I wear? How do I look? Is it hot in New York? What about the house-" His mpther went on and on yer mouth having a serious case of word vomit.

"We aren't there yet mom but tonight im going out!"

"Sal you can'tgo out we got to talk-"

"Talk to my voicemail mom 'cause im celebrating!" With that Sal threw up deuces to his mom and walked out the door.

Even though he hadn't been out in awhile he knew Steeze (you're average pusher) was having a function and Sal was ready. Rounding the corner he could hear the music blasting and he got even more hyped when he heard the dj play his song "Turnt." Immediately he imagined walking up to clubs heaeing his own music from the speakers. He shook his head its all going to come together soon.

As Sal walked up to the front steps weed and codine overrode his nostrils but he didnt need that, he was highon life and he was way above cloud nine. Before he could even get a good look in the party he was already.being knocked into.

" Well well aint it Mr.Sal himself?" Sal looked up to see ol black ass Steeze in a black shirt but steeze was so dark Sal

couldn't tell if he had a shirt on or not.

"My nigga Steeze!" Going in for dap him and steeze eyed each other wearily before they started laughing at each other.

"Nigga where you been you got ghost on a nigga. Swore i saw yo ass chillan with Casper the other day."

"My nigga i thought i saw yo ass too but it was just my shadow." Laughing in unison Steeze gathered himself together to flip Sal off.

"Shit nigga its dark in here you need some light in this bitch" Sal said eyeing a short girl who walked by.

"Naw nigga you light enough" quickly catching on Sal busted up laughing.

"Ma nigga fuck you!"

"look Sal I know you missed a nigga and shit but I don't roll that way." Sal shook his head and laughed. If it was one nigga who could always have a nigga lauhing it was Steeze. Yeah okay he was a 6'4 known drug dealer but the nigga was far from stupid. Steeze graduated with honors and the whole nine but when it came to college he was trapped between following his dreams and his family. He picked family. Sal thought he was dumb as hell.

"Hey look man i heard about Carmen and I hope yall doing ok." Hit by the sudden change of topics Sal just nodded his head and tried to put on a brave front.

"A nigga go missin and shit and now you Dr.Phil?" Sal tried to joke.

"Man you know a nigga gotta hustle." Thankful that Steeze let the topic drift off they botu turned their backs to the party and was ready to turn up one time.