Chained By The Gang

chapter 34: the funeral

(April 28th, 1990)

"Come on baby the limo is here to take us to the church." LaNisha says to me while she gets the kids and I put on my tie. Once I put my tie on we go down stairs and get in the limo with B.D, Tina, L.T, and NaTonya. The drive to the church was pretty long and all I could do was look out the window and think back on all the good times I have had with J-Rock since that first day I met him in middle school.

Once we pull up to the church we all head inside and grab a seat in the front. As we are in the front the preacher begins to speak. Throughout the whole sermon all I can do is stare at that black box because I couldn't believe my best friend was in there. When I hear the preacher ask if anyone would want to say anything I instantly get up and walk to the podium. As I am getting ready to speak I look into the crowd and get nervous, but the preacher calms me down by patting me on the back. Once I compose myself I look at the crowd and say "family, friend I am sorry to say that we have to be here on this sad occasion, but I am glad yall came to morn the death and celebrate the life of my best friend and brother Jerome a.k.a J-Rock. This is real hard for me because I loved this man. Ever since the first day I met him in middle school him and LaTae be friend when I had no one. They both were there for me through my ups and my downs. I don't think I would have made it in this world without them. J-Rock was the level headed one of us all. He was a great a man to the Black Diamond family, his friends, and his girl Tina. During the time while we were rushing J-Rock to the hospital I was holding his hand trying to keep him awake. As we approached the hospital he begins to tell me how he can't hold on. And right then and there his hand limp and he slowly stopped breathing right there in my arms. Seeing death just aint natural. When he died a small part of me went with him. I just want to say I love you boy you will always missed never forgotten!"
After I give my small speech I proceed to head back to my seat. As I am sitting down the preacher wraps up the ceremony.

When the ceremony was over we all headed to J-Rocks house for the reception. While everyone is eating and talking about old time they had with J-Rock in walks a blast from the past. DeRay is finally out of jail. Lose one friend and gain one back is how I see it. While we are all reconnecting with DeRay and remembering the good old days another surprise walks through that door. Everyone got quiet as she made her way through the crowd. When she approaches the couch where I am sitting at I look up at her and realize that it's Mesha and her man. While we are just staring at her, she looks at me and says "you know it's your fault my brother is dead! He would have never let you die!" As soon as she said that a ball of fire built up within me, but before I acted a fool I grabbed my kids and my girl and walked to the car.