Mother Knows Best (A Short Story By RJ Pritchett)

Chapter 1 (First Call)

"You got one phone call, Kid."

"Hello, Momma. How have you been? Aw, don't worry about me, I'm fine. I'm holding up. I didn't even do anything, so I should be outta here soon. It's crazy that it's taking this long, I just was walking down the street and they stopped me claiming that I robbed someone. I ain't rob nobody, but they ain't hearing that though. Well, enough about me, because this ain't nothing, how's everybody? The kids are alright? That's good to hear. Tell Mya that I love her, and that I should be home very soon. Tell her that I apologize for even being in this situation. Even though I'm innocent, I'm still guilty of putting her through this. I know she's worried sick about me right now. This whole situation is crazy though. I still can't believe they really tryna say that I robbed somebody. That's crazy. And I can tell that those cops that locked me up didn't like me either. They really think I'm guilty. I think they only saying I did this because I'm black. I know you hate when I play the race card in situations like this, but what else is the excuse to lock me up just for walking? The police told me that it was a man of my height, and complexion that did the robbery while they were putting me in handcuffs. So, does that mean, that anybody walking the streets who's my height and complexion will be locked up too? This is crazy. This is some bullshit (excuse my language, Ma). But like you say, Momma. God is gonna guide me through this so I ain't even gonna trip. I'll be Gucci in a couple of hours... maybe by tomorrow. I'll be out. But anyways, can you put Dad on the phone? I need to explain everything to him...
"Hey, Pops. Look, I know you're mad at me right now, but I swear to you that I had nothing to do with anything they're trying to frame me for. You know how they do us, they wanna see us in these cages. If anybody understands, you do. You didn't fail as a father because I'm in here. I just wanted you to know that I'm okay, I'm doing everything we talked about. I've been on my best behavior since we had that long discussion about my future, and... and then this happens. I don't know if you're mad at me, or the situation, but when I tell you I'm innocent, I mean it. I did nothing wrong and I should be home. I should've listened to you when you told me to be careful... I should've. Man, I gotta get out of here... I had to assure momma that I should be getting out soon, and hopefully I do, but with a black man in this jail system... I don't know, man. See what they did to Kalief? (God bless his soul) I don't want the same thing to happen to me. I don't belong here, but when dealing with the NYPD, everybody that looks like us belongs here. But like y'all always say, I just have to keep my prayers going to God, and he'll help me out. As long as I know they got the wrong guy, I should be good in his eyes... Who's that? Oh, Mya's there? Put her on the phone please. I want to talk to her... Mya? Whoa, Mya, calm down... Look, I'm gonna need you to chill out. Relax, okay. Listen, I'm fine. There's absolutely nothing to worry about, alright? It's impossible for them to have any evidence against me because I ain't do it, so I should be out by tomorrow. They can't keep me here. I know how it's supposed to go down in this environment. I'm chilling right now... Hold it down, okay, Ms. Hood? *laughs* I know you hate it when I call you that. But don't worry so much, Baby. I'll be home soon. I just need you to hold it down until I get there... I love you too. I'll be home soon..."