Off The GridIron

Chapter 5: Getting To The Bottom Of Things

Monday Afternoon, February 11th, 1991

Kelvin's POV:

It was 3pm and school had just let out and i was on the way home since i had the day off of work today, which i was happy about because hey after awhile you need a bit of a break. I could finally sit down and relax and just focus on me. I got home and i got my boom box, i wasted no time in getting out of my clothes and running a hot bath, gym class was crazy today, dodge ball and mat wrestling is no joke. I shed my clothes, looked in the mirror a second, admiring my body then i got in the shower.  The warm water hitting my body sent chills up my spine, good type of chills, i let out a big sigh and laid back. "Aww shit that feels good!" I said out loud. I washed by body while the music played, i listened to some Big Daddy Kane, Run DMC, and a a few other artist, man The Heat is definitely the best radio station in the L.A. area. I spent a good 30 minutes in the tub and i washed all over my body then i got out around 3:45pm. After i got dressed i got a knock at the door.

"Who is it?"

"Nigga who do you think it is, open the door." Jamal said as i opened the door. "I'm the only dude you really hang around with man." He said laughing. "So what you getting into tonight?" He asked.

"Nothing i'm just gonna chill here and mind my business. I don't have time to be out in the streets man, i might study a bit, chill a bit or something." I told him. "I know  your crazy ass probably gonna find a party to go too though and you gonna end up faded."

"Hell yeah nigga you already know." He laughed as he said that. "I wish you'd loosen up a bit."

"I know but i'm trying to stay out of trouble Jamal, you know that nigga, shit! You act like you don't know where the hell i came from." I said, starting to get pissed a bit, then i calmed down. "My idea of chilling is going to get a bite to eat somewhere, or going to the movie theater or something, not a party because they are nothing but drama and a fight or two might break out and i'm not trying to get hemmed up homie, if you was a real friend you'd respect that shit man." After i said that he got up.

"Shit a real friend man, i've been nothing but a real friend since you got out of Camp Kilpatrick, since you came to Washington High as a matter of fact." He yelling as he started getting in my face. "You foul for saying shit like that man!" He said as he stormed out my house.

"Fuck!" I yelled as i banged my hand against the wall. "Why would i say that!" I said out loud.

I felt like at that point i needed to go and talk to someone, i looked at one of the last letters Willie sent me, i seen he put his number on it. I hesitated for a good 10 to 15 minutes before i went and called the number from my phone. After a few rings someone picked up.

"Yo who's this?" The person asked sounding like he just woke up from a nap.

"It's Kelvin, yo is this Willie?" I asked.

"....Yeah....Hey Kelvin how you doing?"

"I'm doing alright i just needed someone to talk to man."

"Yeah man no problem what's on your mind?"

You nigga is what i wanted to say but i told him about Jamal, how i knew him and how he acted today. "I think i really fucked up my friendship with him man, that dude has been cool with me ever since i got back from Camp Kilpatrick." I told him. "Anyway i don't want to bring your day down, how's things going with you? Also congrats on getting that car dealership job 88." I told him laughing.

"You got jokes i see." He laughed a bit. "I been cool, just been grinding, i got a nice place out here in Torrance."

"Yeah same here, i mean it's decent here in San Bernadino." I sighed. "Hey man, i just wanted to know why you did what you did for me that day, why you save me like that?" I asked. I heard him sigh a bit.

"Cause of the football team, Sean taught us to be one team, one unit, one family basically. I was saving my brother."

"I appreciate that man, Hey man i don't mean to cut the convo short, i gotta dip but what you got planned for the weekend 88?"

"You keep on going with that 88 mess." He said laughing. "You can call me Willie, and as far as this weekend i don't have shit planned." He told me.

"Well why don't i come down there, or you come up here homie, we can hang out and catch up?"

"Alright cool...sounds like a plan."

"Alright see you this weekend homie, peace." I said as i hung up the phone.

Willie's POV:

"I appreciate that man, Hey man i don't mean to cut the convo short, i gotta dip but what you got planned for the weekend 88?" Kelvin asked me.

"You keep on going with that 88 mess." I started laughing. "You can call me Willie, and as far as this weekend i don't have shit planned."

"Well why don't i come down there, or you come up here homie, we can hang out and catch up?"

That sounded weird but i was like "Alright cool...sounds like a plan." Once i got off the phone with him i was in my thoughts for a second, then i called Danyelle.

"Hey Willie!"

"Hey baby what you up to?"

"Nothing just at home relaxing, might go out with some of my friends later on, what about you baby?"

"Nothing, Just enjoying my day off from work. Hey baby i was wondering if you had Leon's number?" I asked her, thinking back on the 1st letter i got Kelvin said he got my address from Leon.

"No but my dad has it somewhere. Let me look for it." She said as we made small talk. "Alright i got the number right here." She gave me the number and then i dialed it and after a few rings he answered.

"Hello?"

"Leon, it's Willie...Yo i'm just gonna cut to the chase, why you give Kelvin my address?"

"Well i mean we was talking one day, and me and you been keeping contact, he wanted to know how to get in contact with you." He told me. "I didn't know it'd be a problem, i mean i thought y'all settled y'all differences back at the detention center." He said. "My bad man if i was in the wrong my fault."

After he said that i couldn't be mad at him, hell to be honest it was cool hearing from Kelvin, good to know he's doing well. "No it's cool." I told him. "Hey what else did he tell you?" i asked him curiously.

"Nothing, why what's up?"

"No it's nothing, at least i don't think it's anything...i mean he asked why i saved him like that & then he asked if i was doing anything over the weekend."

"Well it looks like he just want to hang out with you, maybe be friends/homeboys or something."

"But that wouldn't work, i mean i'm a 88...well ex 88 and he's a ex 95."

"True you're right but hey man fuck that street mentality, if you want to hang out with him let that be your choice man. You're your own man now." He told me, and believe it or not Leon made a bunch of sense.

"Yo Leon that made alot of sense man, i'm surprised out of all people you'd say that, i mean you the type to play alot."

"True but when it's something serious i get serious." He said. "Hey yo i got to dip i got a date with this fine honey, and i got to get right make sure i'm looking and smelling good." He said laughing. "I'll call you back sometime homeboy, peace."

"Peace!" i said, hanging up the phone. I sat down on my couch and just sighed out loud and said: "This is going to be a hell of a week!"

End of Chapter 5

This is getting intense. Do y'all think Leon was in the wrong for giving Willie's phone number to Kelvin?

Hopefully y'all enjoy the story, i'm having a hell of a time writing it, also if y'all want to go check out my fan-fiction to moonlight feel free to do so.