Jamie

Prologue

Life has never been easy. 

I came to terms with the fact that perhaps some other people have been a bit luckier than my family and me. I was never sure whether it was simply fated for my family to struggle throughout my life, but there is no denying that lady luck hasn't been very kind. 

I could give many reasons why my life, in short, sucks. But, I won't not. There were so many reasons for me to mope and cry about what I had and didn't have. But that wouldn't get me anywhere.

I could've counted the times that luck has screwed me over in every way possible. But, in a twisted way, I was beyond thankful for everything I had. 

I was grateful for the fact that I had my best friend, my younger brother Taylor, glued to my hip nearly every day of the week. He may have been nonverbal, but we could communicate beyond speaking terms. I have never met someone as gentle and kind as Taylor. And I was beyond thankful to have him in my world.

I was also grateful for the world of basketball. It would be hard to point out just one aspect of basketball that I adored; it is clear to everyone that knew me that I loved basketball. I've always had that spark for basketball, and even though I've never been able to accomplish my dreams to play college ball, I still took every opportunity I could to play. 

I would have loved to play college basketball, and I had many chances to be able to. But I would never abandon my mom and brother. Every team that offered me a scholarship has always been too far away, and I couldn't leave my mom to make money, care for my brother, and provide housing and food all on her own. That wasn't what I was brought up to do, and I couldn't leave them to fend for themselves. Granted, I didn't bring in much money, but I knew that every little cent helped. Plus, I was able to be around my best friend every day. 

Sometimes I wanted to be a little selfish and be able to live my life like I wanted to. I yearned to play college ball, go to parties, and have a boyfriend, but that never was destined for me. I guess I came to accept that this how my life would end up.

But I always wanted more. 

And my prayer got answered with a move to the urban part of Boston. If only I knew what this little change would have cost me.

My name is Jamie Abrams, and this is my story. 

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