Joey
I stood by a window looking outside while it rained.
Constantly replay what had just happened.
I lost my parents, I can't use him too.
From the corner of my eye I see Soriah.
I felt her hand touch mine.
"You okay?" She said softly.
I looked at her.
"It's going to be okay." She held my hand tightly
And hugged her around her waist.
+
A doctor came out and showed us his x-ray, the bullet was almost near his heart.
He also said we were allowed to see him. Everyone went before me.
Gio went in before me , said he was sleeping. I still went in, sat in the chair and waited for him to wake up.
+
He finally opened his eyes and was just looking at me
"So you gonna stay mad at me forever?"
"It ain't even about that, bruh. I mean, like, when you was a baby, I couldn't walk for you.
And I can't walk for you now." I said
"I'm sorry. Joey, I'm not gonna be messing up-"
"Aye. I love you, regardless. I can teach you everything under the sun but I can't be a man for you. You gotta figure out the best way to do that yourself." I stood up and shook his hand.
"we'll be waiting for you to get out. get better man."
I walked out.
We didn't win Skate Wars that night, but I got something better. I got my friends, I got my girl, and I got my little brother back.
+ A month later...
Teddy finally graduated from high school. He even opened up his own spot. He call it "Gangsta Grills. "
Brooklyn finally found a job he could keep, and became manager.
Esquire got a mysterious letter of recommendation for the Falcon Scholarship. Guess Garnett ain't so bad after all.
My boy is in the Ivy League.
Twins, well, they still at Cascade every Sunday night. Ghetto fabulous.
Uncle Vincent quit dealing with them dating services and went to church and got him a real woman. She's nice.
Yaya / Soriah finally convinced her parents that Spelman was right for her. I'm glad she's close.
My little brother let go of all his dope-boy ambitions and finally got it together. I'm proud of him.
As for me...I never realized I was dreaming all along...because I was always drawing. My pop said I'd put these skates down when I found something more important. I think he was right. This is the beginning.
x
