Love & Lowriders

Wassup lil homie

Shadow was Sophia's older brother, 24, and very respected in the streets. Since the age of 14 he was in and out of the system. From drug possession to home invasion, it was on his record. He was supposed to be doing 5 years for a second degree armed robbery, he got out in 4. He must have got a few more tattoos doing time because he was covered from the neck down in them. We were so distracted talking about him, we didn't realize he walked to the car.
"Wassup lil homie". He was looking directly at me. The strong smell of marijuana coming off his clothes. "Whats up Shadow.. long time no see" i said.
"Those pigs thought they could keep me locked up, like an animal. I didn't let em get to me. Got out early on good behavior." He said. "I see you got new wheels, you gonna let me take her for a spin o que"?
"Maybe when you're not high" i said to him, still smelling the strong odor of the weed he must have smoked before coming outside. "Ahh come on homie, you know im good to drive. You've seen me drive worse"!
He's not lying, when he was 19 i saw him steal a car while drunk and take it to the store and back. Not a single scratch on the car, and he could barely walk when he got out. It was like someone else was driving.

"DAMN, so her brother was a gang banger huh?" Asked Carlos. "You sure know how to interrupt someone. I bet you're real fun at parties" i said to him while chuckling. "Man im just asking a question, no need to be hostile fool". "Yea man, he was a gang banger. Its crazy, he used to be a good kid. Always had good grades in school and did everything he was supposed to. Up until after Sophia turned 6 and their parents got a divorce. His grades started slipping, he started changing. The following year he was arrested for the first time for selling weed at school, he did 4 months in a juvenile center and after that he changed completely. Started hanging with the cholos, slowly becoming one of them. Soon he was jumped in. He was one of the most respected in our streets. Disrespecting him was like begging to get your ass beat or worse, killed. Anyways lemme continue fool".

We heard a whistle, shadow looks over and nods. "Nice to chop it up with you hector, better take care of my baby sister. Or I'll bury your ass." "Shut the fuck up Miguel, you don't scare anyone !" Sophia exclaimed from the passenger seat. "Jaja calmate hermanita, its just a friendly warning." He said as he lifted his shirt showing off a 9mm tucked at his waist. She sat back in her seat and stopped talking, she looked surprised. He dropped his shirt chuckling and walked away, immediately being followed by the other cholos who were waiting for him. They hopped into a blacked out suv and drove off. My heart was beating. He had a gun. Was he joking? Was he serious? My mind was racing and I didn't know how to react.
I walked Sophia to the door, gave her a kiss and told her i would be back in an hour for the party. I went home and took a shower, as i was getting ready i kept thinking about what happened. I kept seeing the gun flash in my head. Shadow couldn't have been serious. He said he'd kill me. I couldn't shake those words from my mind. He laughed, it must have been a joke right? Why did Sophia look so surprised, or was she scared? Millions of thoughts fill my head as i finish getting dressed. Where did i put my keys. Oh come on now is not the time for this, im gonna be late picking up sophia. I can see a little out my window and its already dark. I found my keys in the bathroom, must have left them in there when i went to shower.
"Alright Ma, im heading out! I'll be back later."
There was a note on the fridge. I forgot she was working an extra shift today. Oh well, I'll just see her when i get home. I walked to the door and reached to open it. Thats when i heard it. The tires screeching on asphalt followed by the sound of shots. It was a drive-by.