The Hidden Genre (C. H. H. Ain't Dead 01)

chapter nineteen

ISAAC DRAGGED his best friend to the courts. They weren't on trial, but had come here before for trials. However, that got cancelled when the rain washed the day away. The light posts had a new design to them, they focused on certain spots while the darkness snaked around them. One, close to an occupied court, was flickering as if it was nervous.

   “Why would you bring me here of all places?” asked Luke. “This is where . . . bro . . . we witnessed it . . .”

   “I know,” Isaac sat on the small patch of grass relaxing on a hill, “but I overcame it . . . it's now your turn.”

   “Is that why you brought me here?” Luke glared at the small crowd, “not for some early traumatic surprise party?”

   “I almost forgot!” said Isaac, faking excitement, “today's your birthday, bro!”

   “Yeah,” Luke sat down, not biting, “very funny.”

   Back then, a man had walked as if he was on a mission in the courts. And he had been. He had to carry out an assassination. Basketball games were everywhere, but only one game got physical; Luke vividly expressed that the opponents were cheating. He was called a girl and shirts were torn when they pulled each other closer, their lips moved with passion, but it was in no way romantic. The opponent had told him to do something and see what would happen, but the man on a mission walked up to his target in Luke's arms, put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger.

   “I know your birthday's on Sunday,” said Isaac. “That's why you wanted to have a final concert here, right?”

   The deafening memory echoed in Luke's ear preventing a reply, or was it because he didn't want to admit such a sensitive truth?

   “They say, when you think about quitting, remember why you started,” added Isaac.

   “What's that got to do with anything?” Luke asked.

   “In your case,” came the reply, “I want you to think about why you wanted to make it so badly.”

   “Why I wanted to make it?” the celebrity thought out loud. “To get out of the orphanage and these streets as soon as possible. Marge abandoned me. I wanted to go to a public school where I could meet someone with the same goals in mind as me.”

   “Bro . . . did you use me as a rebound?” asked Isaac, sarcastically.

   “You know I don't sway that way,” said Luke, “I needed a friend I could trust. Marge at least taught me how to protect myself, but it got me in trouble more than anything.”

   “That's what you get for going around punching people for no reason.”

   “Ms. Miller told me to stand up to my bullies though.”

   “Not knock them out,” replied Isaac, “that's completely different.”

   “Yeah,” chuckled Luke. “So basketball became a blessing, not a distraction? Is that what you trying to say?”

   “Not exactly, but we can go with that. Remember, we may have been in the same school, but this is where we actually met. On the courts.”