The New Edition Story

In the Beginning...

...

Orchard Park Projects, Boston-1978

"Peanut, you seen ma? She here?" Ricky Bell asked his sister

"She should be" 

"Did she go to the store or something? I didn't see her?"

"I don't know. I just told you she should be." The older sister responded getting aggravated 

Unsatisfied with the answer he'd just received, Ricky went to ask his older brother where is mother could possibly be. 

"Don't you know how to knock" was his only response

It seemed that no one knew where the mother was. All the kids in this house and not one of them knew where their mother was. Ricky was determined to find her and he did, in the kitchen.

"Hey ma"

"Hey baby"

"I got your cigarettes" 

"Damn it boy. I asked you to bring me light 100's. You know I'm trying to quit."

"Sorry." the young boy said to his mother "Uh, ma? Can I go to the talent show tonight with my friend."

"Which friend?"

"Mike."

"Michael Bivins?"

"Yea."

"Hell no." she said shaking her head "I don't think so. Bad ass boy." She continued still folding the clothes she'd just finished washing. "Always hanging around with Donte and them. Drinking. Smoking reefer. You have any damn sense, you stay away from him. Watch. See where he wind up in ten years" She said and I walked away "Probably locked up" She yelled after me "Big headed self."

...

"Tough night" Michael Bivins said to a tall boy maybe the same age as he was. "Quarter a game. After this one, it'll make a dollar." He said boasting about his obvious skills on the basketball court. "Game point. Check." He said ready to make the final point of the game and collect his dollar. "Let me get that dollar up off you" He said after making the last points, winning the game.

"What up man" Ricky said from behind the gate of the basketball court.

"What up Rick" Mike said grabbing his sweater off of the gate. "Your moms let you out"

"She still thinks I'm in my room" Ricky said shaking his head. "You sill coming with me to see Bob?"

"Let's go"

"This is his first show and it's at the cathedral. We can't miss it man. We gotta move fast."

"Come on man. You know me yo." Mike said doing a small handshake with Ricky when they reached the same side of the fence. 

"Aye, who got next?" One of the boys on the court asked

"Yo work on that jump shot boy"

...

"Man. They kill it every time" Michael said looking at the group that was currently performing

"Look how together they are. The outfits, the hair, the steps." Ricky commented