Street Pole

The Beginning

The bus ride all the way from Brooklyn was quiet. I guess because I had my BEATS By Dre headphones in the whole 13 hour ride. Even though it didn't feel like 13 hours. Maybe because I was lost in my thoughts the entire ride that I almost missed my stop.

As soon as I stepped off of the bus that hot Atlanta heat hit me. I found my luggage which was a large red suitcase and a large matching duffle bag and then I checked my phone to see if my grandmother had called me. She was supposed to be sending my cousin Nicky to come get me from the bus station. If only I knew what the broad looked like. So I had a seat on the bench inside of the Subway across the street.

It was so hot. I remember coming down south with my parents when I was little but I don't remember it ever being this hot. Just then these guys walked into the building changing my whole thought process. All of them were cute but it was one who looked real familiar, like I knew him in a past life. His smile and the way his eyes twinkled in the sunlight brought back a thousand memories. Then it finally hit me. But I guess he caught me starring because he walked over to me.

"Hey ma how you doing?" He asked in such a rich sweet seductive tone. His accent showed in each word he spoke which sent chills down my spine.

"I'm sorry to stare but you look so familiar." I said wanting him to remember too.

"I think I would've remembered a face as beautiful as yours but what's your name?" He asked sitting across from me.

"Jelani and yours?" I said shifting in my seat.

"Domo. That name is very familiar. In fact I had a friend named Jelani when I was younger. She was from Brooklyn thoo." He remember.

"I just got here from Brooklyn actually. Did your father used to own a papermill?" I asked already knowing this was my long lost bestfriend.

"Yeah ma but that was years ago. Dang shorty how you been?"

"I've been better. How about you?"

"I can't complain. So you waiting on a ride or something?" He asked

"Yeah my cousin was supposed to be coming to get me but she isn't here yet." I told him looking out the window.

"You want me to give you a ride?"

"You don't have to." I turned it down

"Nah come on. Your grandmother still lives by the old church?"

"Yeah. But it's not necessary." I turned it down again.

"Aye man I'm bout to give my homegirl a ride, y'all coming?" He asked the two boys he came in with.

They said yes and helped me carry my bags to the trunk of his Audi R8. I got in the front seat and his friends got in the back. He got in the drivers side and pulled off into the downtown traffic.

Maybe Atlanta won't be as bad as I thought.