In one day, Kalen’s life had changed forever. Throughout that summer, Kalen was introduced to a horrible lifestyle of abuse that he never even imagined could exist. He never thought that a parent would do to their child, what his father had done to him. As the school year was about to start, the abuse didn’t. Instead of hitting Kalen in the face, he targeted parts of his body that wouldn’t reveal the bruises.
Along with the beatings, Michael continually threatened his son, telling Kalen that if he ever told anyone about what happened in his house, he would make sure that he’d be buried next to his mother. So Kalen kept quiet and did his best to hide every bit of what was happening to him from the outside world. The only people who were really aware of what was going on were Jesse and Sharee. Those two even kept the drama from their parents. They didn’t to make thing worst for their friend.
Kalen quickly learned to avoid his father and caught far fewer beatings as the year went on. Sometimes, he wouldn’t see his father for weeks, but when Michel came searching for his son, all hell would break loose.
As Kalen grew older, Jesse and Sharee tried to help as much as possible. They called the cops anytime they thought Kalen needed help. Unfortunately, the police rarely showed, and if they did, they seemed less than interested in the situation.
Kalen grew to hate the cops with a passion for not saving him. As much as Kalen hated those weak police officers, he didn’t grow to hate his father. He still loved him and hoped that the person, who he first met when he came to Springfield, would come back. Kalen sort of grew accustomed to the abusive lifestyle; in a strange way, it became normal.
The more that he thought about it, Kalen felt sorry for his father who unable to keep a job. When Michael did, the beatings would stop. So, that was the pattern, with a job, the beatings would stop. He’d hug and love his son, like nothing had ever happened. As soon as Michael lost his job, they started back up again. Kalen’s psyche was all jacked up.
By the time Kalen hit eighteen, his father never kept track as to where he was. The abuse wasn’t as frequent but it was still present. Kalen spent most nights at Jesse’s house when he saw his father at his tipping point with his alcohol addiction.
Jesse’s mother knew of the situation and didn’t mind letting Kalen find refuge at her house. Plus, she still worked nights and wasn’t home when Kalen was over. At times Jesse’s mother tried to step in between Kalen and Mr. Brown, but that didn’t work to well. In that neighborhood, people really didn’t like getting into other people’s business.
As graduation from high school rolled around, Kalen didn’t even bother to ask his dad to come. Even if Kalen did ask him, he wouldn’t show. Michael would rather find a seat in the nearest bar and talk with other drunks than pay any attention to his own son.
Kalen sat in the high schools, football stadium right in next to Jesse as he looked up on the stage. Sharee sat next to the Mayor of the city. She was the Valedictorian of their senior class. Kalen and Jesse kept messing with her from the crowd, making her laugh. They were proud of their friend as she sat confidently at the head of the class.
“I can’t believe that it’s over,” Jesse said as the Mayor spoke.
“I know. So what are you going to do?” Kalen asked.
Jesse shrugged his shoulders. “I’m not sure right now. I may go to community college or to the military. What about you? I know you’re ready to leave that house.”
Kalen sighed as he nodded. “Yeah, I am, but I have no clue as to what my next move is. I don’t have any money to move out. I got into a few colleges but can’t go because my father wouldn’t fill out my financial aid papers,” Kalen sat back. “I’m going to take this summer and figure it out. I hate the military and don’t want any other man yelling in my face. I think I would snap if that happened.”
As the mayor finished, Jesse put his hand on Kalen’s shoulder. “Well, whatever you decide to do, we’ll do it together. You’re my dawg, and we stick together.”
Kalen smiled then shook Jesse’s hand. “No doubt, partner.”
The principal of the school spoke from the stage. “To the class of 2008, I am proud to award you with your diplomas, and I am proud to be the first to recognize you as graduates of Springfield Central High School. Please stand to accept your diplomas.”
The crowd erupted with cheers. One by one, each student was called up to receive their diploma. As every person walked across that stage, Kalen looked around and noticed all of the family members who had come to represent their graduates. He wished that he had a crowd like that, but he had borrowed family members from Jesse and Sharee’s parents.
“Kalen Randy Brown,” the principal shouted. Kalen listened to the many people shouting his name and cheering for him, but he felt empty. The one person who he wanted to hear was nowhere to be found. He walked across the stage with a fake smile on his face and received his diploma. “Congratulations, son, stay positive.”
“Thank you, Dr. Budd-Jackson.” Kalen said as he shook her hand. He walked off of the stage and back to his seat. He sighed heavily and looked up into the sky. “I did it, mom. I did it.”
After the graduation, Jesse and Kalen met up with Sharee. “Hey, guys, we did it. High school’s over. Now we enter the real world.”
“Don’t remind me,” Jesse said jokingly.
“Hey guys, my family is taking me out to dinner. I’ll catch up with you all tomorrow, okay? I’m leaving on a week-long cruise in two days. My family is treating me.”
“Ooh, a cruise. Miss Valedictorian is being treated like royalty already,” Kalen joked.
“Keep laughing, but I’ll be basking in the sun, drinking nonalcoholic daiquiris for two weeks, while you both are stuck here in Springfield.”
“Like I said before, don’t remind me,” Jesse joked again.
“No sir, Sharee, we’re very proud of you. You represented up there today,” Kalen said with a smile. “At least one of us has a real plan.”
They all stood quiet for a second. Sharee couldn’t take the silence and broke it quickly. “Hey, well, at least we’ll always be friends. No matter how far away I am, I’ll always love you guys.”
“Oh, here she goes, getting all mushy again,” Jesse said. “Just kidding, we love you, too.”
They all hugged. “Okay, guys, I’ll say bye tomorrow. Don’t do anything crazy today, okay?” she said as she walked away.
“Of course we will,” Kalen said with a smile. “We wouldn’t be the ‘Bad Boys,’ if we played it safe.”
Sharee shook her head as she met up with her parents. She waved goodbye and disappeared into the crowd.
“So, what’s up for the rest of the day?”
“We can hang with the guys on the block. We’ve got all summer to figure out what we’re going to do.”
Jesse nodded. “Alright, let’s get out of these damn robes and into some clean clothes. We have to look good for the ladies.”
“Yeah, it’s summer time and you know they are out, wearing close to nothing.”
“Mmm! You’re right about that,” Jesse said, licking his lips. They both headed out to the house to change.
As Jesse and Kalen made it to the block, all of the hustlers and ladies were already out there. The bottom of Dunmoreland Street was packed. It was like they were having a block party, music blasting, people drinking and trying to kick their game to the ladies who passed by. It was ghetto fabulous and the boys ate it up.
The hustlers were the coolest dudes around. Always flashing their money and chasing the finest girls. Dudes were in the corner shooting dice and shuffling their money like it was nobody’s business.
Everyone had fast money ideals and wanted to be ‘the’ big man, but in actuality, they were all just pieces to the ghetto puzzle.
“Hey, shawty, let me holler at you for a minute,” a hustler, named Bones shouted out to a girl who passed him. Bones was a skinny, dark skinned brother who seemed to always wear shades that were three times bigger than his face. His clothes were just as big as his pants hung off of his butt, showing his boxers. He continued to shout at the passing woman. “Make ya’ way over to a real man like me, baby,” he pulled out a wad of money and fanned it out for her to see. “You see all this, baby, I can buy you the world.”
As the girl paused on the sidewalk, a big SUV pulled up and parked on the corner. “You can buy me the world?” the young lady asked as her large hoop earrings swung around as she looked back.
“Yeah, baby, get down wit’ me,” Bones responded.
The girl turned her face up and threw her braids behind her head. “Before you buy me the world, go and buy yourself some mouthwash and some soap. You smell worse than a wet dog,” she shouted.
The crowd of people all shouted with laughter as the girl made her way down the street with her friends. “Damn, Bones, she shut you up!” another hustler shouted.
“Man, forget her. She ain’t hot anyway. Just another chicken-head in da’ hood. Shoot them dice, man.”
Everyone was still laughing, including Jesse and Kalen. Bones was getting frustrated with everyone around him and his ego was crushed. He looked up and noticed Kalen hunched over. “What the hell are you scrubs laughing at?”
Kalen controlled himself just enough to speak. “I’m laughing at you, dawg. That girl played the hell out of you.”
“Oh, so you think you got more game than me, lil’ man?” Bones said as he looked around. “So, where’s your wifey?”
Kalen tightened up as all eyes fell upon him. “My girl is at home where she needs to be.”
“Ooh!” the crowd shouted as Kalen’s chest puffed out with confidence.
Bones was starting to get more frustrated. He turned his face up. “Man, get the hell out of here before I send your punk butt home to your momma,” he turned around to shoot the dice.
The crowd got quiet as Kalen’s face went blank. “Yo, dawg, take that back. My mom’s dead.”
Bones turned back to face Kalen. “Oh, that’s the hood rat that I took out a while back. She was a weak piece, too. Yo’ momma couldn’t handle this real man ova’ here.”
Right after Kalen heard that, he blacked out and charged towards Bones. “I’m gonna kill you!” he shouted.
Bones stood up and dropped his money. “Kalen, watch out!” Jesse shouted.
One of Bones’ boys quickly tripped Kalen. He stumbled right into Bones’ hands. “You lil’ bastard! You were going to hit me?” he shouted. “Wrong move, young blood.”
At that moment, Bones and his boys started to beat Kalen down. As they did, Kalen tried his best to fight back.
“Let him go!” Jesse shouted as he charged in to help. He was quickly tackled by another one of Bones’ boys.
Both Jesse and Kalen were getting the crap beat out of them. As Bones and his boys stomped them out, the black tinted window of the SUV rolled down. A man in a brimmed hat motioned to his driver to go over and stop the beat down.
The door opened to the SUV. A black man with a bald head, standing about 5’10”, clean cut and in a perfectly fitted, cream colored suit, with black shined shoes and sunglasses to match, walked over.
This man didn’t look like much of a threat but the way he carried himself, people knew he was not the one to mess with.
“You lil’ punk, this is for steppin’ into grown folks business,” Bones shouted as he kicked Kalen in the stomach.
Bones, that’s enough,” a deep voice spoke quickly. “Cut it out!” he shouted again.
Bones and his boys stopped instantly. “Yo’, Maze, what’s up man?” Bone said quickly.
“Let the boys go,” Maze responded with a straight face.
“Yo’, these little busters have no business steppin’ on my turf. They ain’t welcome here no more,” Bones said as he straightened his clothes.
“That ain’t your call. Big Boss said chill,” Maze said as he looked back at the SUV.
Bones looked over to the truck as well and noticed the window roll up. He looked back to Maze and slowly stepped away with his boys. “Alright, but tell those lil’ creeps not to show their faces around here anymore or they’ll be dealt with accordingly.”
Maze stood motionless as Bones and his boys walked off. As they turned the corner, Maze looked down at Jesse and Kalen. “Get up,” he reached down to help Kalen to his feet.
Kalen snatched his arm away from him. “I don’t need your freakin’ help!”
Maze grabbed tighter. “Hey, lil’ man, I’m not the one to pull away from. Slow your roll, youngsta’.”
Kalen looked up and froze. Maze reached down and helped Jesse up as well. “Who are you?” Jesse said.
“Don’t worry about that right now. Someone wants to meet you two.” Maze pointed over to the SUV.
“Who’s in there?” Kalen questioned.
“The man who just saved your life,” Maze responded.
Kalen rubbed his stomach and looked over to Jesse. He shrugged, indicating that he didn’t know what to do. Kalen took a deep breath and walked over to the SUV with Jesse by his side.
As they got closer, Maze opened the door and motioned that they both get in. Kalen got in first and Jesse followed cautiously.
The back of the SUV was filled with cigar smoke. It wasn’t strong enough to choke them, but the cloud was thick. The man in the back seat was just as clean cut as Maze, but was much larger in stature. It could be seen that he was a tall, muscular man just by looking at him sitting in the back of the SUV. He was wearing a white Durban with a black trim. As he slowly lifted his head, his chiseled face resembled that of the actor, Ving Rhames. The man finally spoke. “Do you know who I am?” he asked as the door closed.
Kalen shook his head. “No.”
“No,” Jesse followed.
“Are you scared right now?” the man said, softly.
“Should we be?” Kalen responded.
The man blew a huge cloud of smoke out then shook his head. “Not really.”
“So, why are we here?” Jesse said curiously.
“I liked what I saw out there.”
“We were getting our butts kicked, and you liked that?” Kalen said still angry, “And excuse me, who the hell are you?”
The man removed his cigar from his mouth and pointed it right at Kalen’s face. “First off, watch your mouth when you speak to me or I will remove your lips to make sure that you remember to do so,” the back of the SUV got very quiet. The man puffed on the cigar again and continued. “People call me Big Boss, and I didn’t mind watching you two get beat, but I did like the fact that you two stood up to that punk. Bones swears that he runs things around here. He stays trying to make a name for himself.”
Jesse rubbed his jaw. “Well, what else were we supposed to do? If we didn’t, then it would have gotten worse. We can’t have a rep out here of being soft. We live in this neighborhood too.”
“True that, young man,” Big Boss replied. “So, you two are like partners in crime, huh? I can see you boys are tight. I like that.”
“Yeah, we’ve been friends since we were eight. Ten years now.” Kalen responded.
“So, that makes you both legal then. Sweet eighteen, I can’t even remember those days,” Big Boss blew out more smoke. “Listen fellas, do you mind taking a ride with me. I want to show you both something.”
Kalen looked at Jesse. He nodded, scared to say no. Kalen looked back at Big Boss. “Sure, we don’t have anything else to do.”
Big Boss smiled then turned his head to the front. “Let’s go.”
Maze started the SUV then pulled off.
As they drove around the city, Big Boss cracked his window to let the cigar smoke seep out. Kalen and Jesse sighed with relief, the smoke was beginning to choke them, but they were still uneasy around this man. Big Boss flicked the cigar ashes out of the window and looked out at the passing city. “Boys, who do you think runs this city?” he said with a half smirk on his face.
Jesse shrugged his shoulders. “The Mayor, right?”
Big Boss chuckled. “Hell no, youngsta’, he’s just the figure head people like to see in this city. He does little here and there just to keep people happy,” he said confidently as he puffed on his cigar one last time before putting it out in the ashtray. “This city, here, belongs to me.”
Kalen looked out of the SUV at all of the people walking by, and all of the houses and buildings that stood around them. “Um, how do you own this city?” he asked. “I didn’t think that was possible for one person to do.”
Big Boss sat back. “I own this city with the merchandise that I supply this city with.”
Curious as ever, Jesse leaned forward. “What type of merchandise do you have?”
Kalen nudged Jesse in the side, indicating that he was being way too nosy.
Big Boss pointed to a bag that sat in the seat next to him. “Open it up and see for yourself.”
“Are there drugs in there?” Jesse said quickly.
Kalen punched him this time. “Yo’, chill out, man. Don’t piss the man off,” he said as he looked over to Big Boss. “Sorry about that, he gets excited sometimes when he speaks.”
Big Boss reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of gum. The expression on his face never once changed. He looked as serious as he did after he pointed to the bag. “Open it and see for yourself.”
Kalen took a deep breath and leaned forward to open it. He slowly unzipped the bag and opened it as wide as it could go. “What the hell!” he shouted as he sat back.
Jesse’s eyes quickly widened. “That bag is full of…full of guns. Who the hell are you, Rambo?”
Big Boss’ expression finally changed, he chuckled. “No, lil’ man, I’m the supplier.” The car slowly turned the corner and started to slow down.
“Guns? Why guns, they just hurt people.” Kalen said.
Big Boss sat up. “Listen, you see this car?” he held his hands out. “You see these rings?” the car slowly pulled into a driveway. A huge house was right outside of their door. “You see this house? It’s all from being the supplier.”
Maze put the SUV in park and walked over to the passenger door and opened it. Kalen and Jesse got out and looked at the house in awe. They had never seen something so big.
“This is yours?” Kalen asked.
Big Boss got out as well. He stood behind Kalen and Jesse. “Yep,” he walked between them, up to the door with Maze. He turned back to the boys as they continued to stare at the house. “In a little bit, I can tell you how this can be your second home.”
Maze opened the door. “C’mon boys, don’t keep him waiting.”
Jesse turned to Kalen with a blank look on his face. “I don’t like this man. I’ve got a bad feeling in my stomach.”
Kalen patted him on the back. “Relax, dawg, he seems alright. Look, if he wanted to hurt us, he’d have already done it. Plus, he did stop us from getting our butts beat.”
Jesse sighed. “Yeah, you’re right. We’ll stay just for a little while, okay.”
Maze cleared his throat. “You girls done chatting?”
“Oh, sorry,” Kalen answered. They both walked up the stairs and into the house.
They both heard Big Boss call out from the back of the house. “C’mon boys, come and see what I have inside.”
“Go to the back, towards the pool,” Maze said as they passed through the living room. “You may like what you see.”
Kalen and Jesse followed the sound of music and people laughing. As they noticed the crystal blue water in the distance, they heard ladies splashing in the pool.
As soon as they walked out into the back yard, their eyes fell upon three beautiful ladies, wearing string bikinis, having the time of their lives in the water. Big Boss smiled as he noticed Kalen and Jesse’s eyes widened as they looked at the women.
“Ladies,” Big Boss shouted, grabbing their attention, “say hello to Kalen and Jesse.”
Two of the ladies slowly made their way to the steps of the pool and got out. These two ladies looked like they just stepped out of a Jet Magazine photo shoot. As they walked over, Kalen and Jesse’s hearts started to pound out of control. “Hello boys,” they both said.
Kalen and Jesse stood tongue tide. They were mesmerized by the two beauties that stood before them, and not to mention the glistening water that dripped off of their bodies.
“Hhhhhi, hey there,” Jesse blurted out.
Kalen still couldn’t speak as he focused on the girl who stood in front of him. Big Boss shook his head with a huge smirk. “Can you speak,” one of the ladies said to Kalen.
He couldn’t even blink. “Cinnamon, this is Kalen. Kalen, this is Cinnamon,” Big Boss said as he introduced them.
“Nice to meet you,” Cinnamon said as she stuck out her hand. The water bounced off of her light brown skin and her cherry lips parted with a lovely smile that continued to break Kalen down.
“Nnnnice to…to…to meet you, too,” Kalen stuttered.
Cinnamon licked her lips gently, making Kalen feel more unfocused than he already was.
Big Boss noticed that Jesse was having a hard time speaking as well. “Jesse?” Big Boss shouted.
“Huh?” he answered as he finally snapped out of his daydream.
“Say hello to, Sunshine,” Big Boss said.
“Hel…hello, Sunshine,” Jesse finally pushed out the words.
“Mmm, you’re cute,” Sunshine said as she batted her eyes. He dark brown skin was just as shiny and her body fit perfectly in that bathing suit.
“Oooh!” Jesse said as his heart raced. He tried to control himself and tried his best to look like more of a fool than he already was. Jesse tried his best to think of something that would help him regain control over his mind. “A fat woman, rolling around in the mud, butt naked.”
Sunshine looked at him very confused. “What did you say?”
“Huh?” Jesse said, not knowing that he had blurted out his thoughts. “Oh nothing, I was just wondering where I could get something to drink.”
Sunshine took him by the hand. “Come with me, the bar is over by the pool.” She walked him over.
Big Boss looked at Maze. “A little too much for them, huh?”
Maze nodded. “Quite a bit much,” he chuckled.
“Would you like something to drink?” Cinnamon asked Kalen.
“Yeah, I’ll take a soda,” Kalen responded.
“Okay, I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”
“Trust me, I ain’t movin’,” Kalen answered.
Big Boss walked in front of Kalen as he looked at Jesse, who was finally loosening up. “Rule number one: Never let a woman know that you like her that much. You’re giving her way too much power over you. Be cool and let her come to you. Loosen up and don’t act too much like a virgin.”
Kalen looked at Big Boss with a smirk. “Um.”
Big Boss face went blank. “Are you two virgins?”
Before Kalen could respond, Cinnamon was back. “Here’s your drink, baby.”
“Thank you,” Kalen responded.
Sunshine walked back over with Jesse and his drink. Big Boss sighed, knowing that the two young men had a lot to learn. He turned and headed for the house. “C’mon boys, let’s go into the house and talk.”
“I’m fine right here,” Jesse said quickly. Big Boss turned to face him. Jesse’s face quickly dropped. “I mean the house is fine,” he responded quickly as he noticed Big Boss’s expression. He turned to Sunshine. “Bye, thanks for the drink.”
Kalen took a sip of his soda. “Yeah, thank you.”
“You’re welcome, baby. See you later.”
Kalen started to walk to the house. “I hope so.”
As they watched Cinnamon and Sunshine jump back into the pool, Jesse jumped onto Kalen’s back. “Did you see those honies? They look like they were straight out of the magazine.”
“You ain’t lying,” Kalen said as his heart rate finally slowed down. “They were fine as hell.”
Big Boss made his way over to a chair and sat down. He put his feet up. “Boys, take a seat.”
Kalen and Jesse finally composed themselves and sat on the couch to his left. They looked around the room, admiring all of the paintings of African warrior’s and black panthers. The huge flat screen television that was hanging on the wall was almost as big as the wall itself. “This is something else, Big Boss,” Kalen said.
“Yeah, you’ve got it made. A big house, and by the looks of it, tons of money and plenty of honies,” Jesse followed.
“I guess you could say that,” Big Boss answered as he lit up another cigar. “But, truthfully boys, I want to make you an offer.”
Kalen and Jesse’s expressions went from joy to completely blank. “Uh oh, I told you,” Jesse whispered low enough so that only Kalen could hear.
“I know you see those wanna-be-players out there, hustling drugs and making chump change. Those suckers out there are living the most dangerous lifestyle. It’s a dog-eat-dog world that they live. It doesn’t pay being at the bottom of the food chain, ya’ hear?”
“I guess you’re right, but we don’t want to sell drugs and be in that game,” Kalen said.
Big Boss chuckled. “That’s not what I want to offer you. I want to offer you a position at the top of the food chain in my business.”
“The gun business?” Jesse asked.
Big Boss shook his head. “Not in the gun business, but the distribution business. There’s less stress and danger in this game.”
“I’m sorry, Big Boss, but you’re dealing with guns, aren’t they dangerous?”
“The guns are dangerous when you’re dealing with ignorant people and that’s not who I deal with. You guys can help me out and make a little money on the side as well.”
Kalen sighed and shook his head. “I don’t know, this sounds way too risky.”
“Yeah, Big Boss, you have great things and a great life, but I don’t think Kalen and I are made for this business.”
“Well, let me tell you this. In this business, all you would have to do is pick up a payment and walk out. It’s just that easy. You won’t even have to deal with the merchandise directly.”
“You mean, that’s it?” Kalen said.
Big Boss puffed on his cigar. “That’s it.”
Kalen looked over to Jesse who was still unsure. “How hard can this be?” he asked himself.
Jesse shook his head. “Look Big Boss, I think Kalen and I need to talk about this. No offense, but this is a huge decision we have to make.”
Kalen sighed. “Yeah, Jesse’s right. It looks all good, but I don’t know.”
Big Boss blew out a big puff of smoke. “You two do that, but don’t keep me waiting. I’m a very busy man and I hate waiting for anyone.”
“We’ll get back to you soon, either way,” Kalen responded.
Big Boss nodded. “Take them home, Maze.”
“No problem, c’mon boys,” Maze answered as he motioned to the door.
Without another word, Kalen and Jesse walked out of the house, towards the SUV.
As they got in, Jesse turned to Kalen. “Yo’ man, you can’t be serious. You’re not really considering getting down with this man, are you? Plus, what the hell do we know about guns?”
Kalen sighed heavily. “I don’t know, man. I guess I really have to think about this.”
“You think? This is some serious stuff. I mean, gun running, that’s no joke,” Jesse added.
Maze got into the car, forcing Kalen and Jesse’s conversation to end abruptly. Maze didn’t say a word. He started the car and drove the boys back to their neighborhood.
As they drove, the silence was killing Jesse. He leaned in between the front seats. “Hey, Maze, do you speak?” he said curiously.
“Only when needed,” he said and continued to drive.
Jesse sat back in his seat and looked at Kalen. He shrugged his shoulders as to say ‘oh well, I tried’.
Kalen looked out of his window. He watched the people walking down the streets. A lady was struggling to walk with two of her kids. One in a stroller, and the other child almost ran into the street. There was a homeless man standing barefoot, picking through the trash. Clearly his future was sitting at the bottom of that barrel and it disgusted Kalen to see that.
As they continued driving, Kalen looked up at some of the tall buildings and wondered what people worked in those offices. He wondered how much money they had, and, most of all, what kind of lives they led. Hopefully their lives were nothing like his. He slowly lowered his head and started to think about his life with his drunken father.
“What a life,” he said to himself.
A short while later Maze stopped the SUV at the corner of their street. “I will be back here tomorrow at 2 p.m. If you are here, I will know you boys are down; if not, then it is, what it is.”
Kalen and Jesse nodded. Kalen opened the door and they both got out. As soon as they closed the door, Maze pulled off. The SUV disappeared around the corner. The two walked down the street to Jesse’s house and went in. They sat on the couch quietly for a good fifteen minutes.
Jesse finally blurted out. “Yo’ man, I really don’t feel good about running guns. It’s illegal and it’s way too freakin’ dangerous.”
Kalen sighed. “I know, but we will only be dealing with the money. We won’t even touch the guns. Also, look at our lives, Jesse. Your mom has to work three freakin’ jobs, just to be able to pay the mortgage on this house and to put food on the table. This stupid city has no jobs for us and let’s not forget about my messed up, sperm donor of a father,” he shouted through clenched teeth and shook his head, Kalen’s anger was growing. “I don’t even want to go there. Look bro’, we have an opportunity to make some money and get the hell out of here. All I want is a chance to get out of here and I think this is my chance.”
“We can leave the city, but do we have to do it this way? There has to be another way to make some money, bro’,” Jesse said pleadingly.
“Oh really, tell me one way, and I’m all for it,” Kalen answered then paused as he waited for a response. Unfortunately, Jesse couldn’t think of anything. “Thank you,” Kalen responded to the silence. “Look man, we just graduated from high school. We may not be going to college in the fall, and I’ll be damned if I sign up for the freakin’ army.”
Jesse chuckled. “Yeah, to think about it, I ain’t up for dying overseas for some jacked up war,” he fell back onto the couch.
Kalen walked over to the window and noticed the lights still on at his house. “I’m just tired of living like this, man. I need out of this hell hole.”
Jesse nodded. “I know dawg. We’ll make a decision tomorrow. There’s no need to rush it. I’m gonna head to bed. I’ll see you in the morning.”
As Jesse walked up the stairs, Kalen noticed his father stumble past the window. Even from across the street, he could tell that Michael was piss drunk. He could hear his father screaming for him. “Yo’, you mind if I stay here for the night.”
Jesse looked down. “No problem, man. The couch is all yours. You know where the blankets are,” Jesse walked up to his room and went to sleep.
That night, it took a long time for Kalen and Jesse to fall asleep. Kalen’s mind was already made up, but he really wanted his best friend to be down with him. Kalen, had already started to like Big Boss. Hell, he was the first man who had taken the time to give him a boost in life. In that short meeting, Kalen felt connected to Big Boss, even if he ran an illegal business. Kalen saw something in him and wanted to really know what it was.
It was going to be a long night for the two boys, but the sun was sure to rise as it did every morning in the ‘Field.
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