"Awe look at my baby, growing up to be such a successful woman."
"Come on mama, just take the picture." We gather around holding our diplomas.
"Im sorry, its just so hard to believe your grown now. No more acne, no more blood stained undies, no more...
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Most people here, don't leave this place. It's not that they can't or don't have the ability to, they just genuinly don't want to leave. That's the basic mindset of the low-class people. The mindset you have to adapt to in order to survive: Act like you dont wanna leave, so people wont make you leave. That's how all my people fixed their problems. The little kids on the street that just want play basketball to get their mind off of what's going on at home-- they can't even do that with out being approached by these gang bangers. So the kids are brought up to act submissively in order to show how much they want to stay in this low life because that's the only way they know how to cope.
And I was sick of it.
"Ayoo!"
My daydream was cut off shortly by a husky yet soft voice. It was the type of voice that had that edge to it but never really fully developed the full growl effect yet. I knew that voice anywhere.
"Yo Freda!" I shout getting up from the curb to go hug her. Her 4'11 height compliments her stud like behavior to the max. Her braided hair was currently hid underneath a New York Knicks snapback and a sweatshirt to go right along with it. Her scuff-less Jordans lead her to where I was standing.
"Oh gosh, girl. How you been?" She thrusts herself into my arms and I don't hesitate to hug her back. "Nothing much...actually that's a lie, a lot is going on." I admit, finally letting go of the long embrace.
She chuckles. "Yeah, I know. One day you was chillin' with all of us and the next day, you MIA all of a sudden." She did have an extreme point, I have been away from the neighborhood for a couple of weeks. Even when I come home late, my body is there but my mind never left Sony.
"So, what's up?" She asks casually, allowing both of us to walk absently in the streets.
"Nothing just...helping my mama out with stuff around the city." I try coming up with.
"I ain't buying that crap, you know I know when you lie."
"No, I'm serious. That's what got me busy often." I shrug, wanting her to just let it go. But she obviously won't.
"How about for one, Ms. Ali don't go anywhere in this city besides work, home and KFC. And two, half the time you don't even be in this city, girl. Yeah, I be seeing you sneakin' out ya' window every night." My cheeks automatically go in flames at the mention of me sneaking out. I know its not that big of a deal, but it still sounds sad to hear that a 19 year old woman still gotta sneak out at night to avoid a grown ass, whooping.
