School is over and I'm walking through the neighborhood heading home, the dude from the other night that shot someone came out from behind a tree and says hey yoo! I dashed off, he screamed I just wanna talk to you for a minute while chasing me but I kept running till I lose him. Just when I was catching my breathe and trying to walk, I heard hey Tony! I turned and it was the tough looking scary girl that messed up my arm earlier, Jane's cousin. I dashed off again and she chased me down, got close, pushed me to the floor and said where the fuck do you think going? I was talking to you. Please, please christy I begged from the floor. Listen she said, I wanna apologize for today, it wasn't Christian of me the way I talked down on you. Alright I replied. I see it now, she said, you got them eyes, do you like my hair? My mom's friend did it, said my hair's like silk. Yeah it's nice, I replied. Then she went down and licked my face..eeeewwwww... Now don't you run and tell anybody about this, maybe next time we could more she said. Damn I felt like throwing up.
In my room trying to study there's a loud knock on the door, my mom is shouting my name to answer the door and I told her I got it, I pick up a bat and went for the door, I open the door with the bat half way in the air. It was Tariq, what do you want I asked, he replied I want to holla at you real quick, why do you have that, he asked pointing to the bat in my hand. It's for protection I said. Protection from what Tony? he asked while reaching for the bat in my hand. From the joker that killed your brother I said. What are you talking about Tony? He saw me today, ran after me like he was gonna kill me, I replied. Look man he said, I'm not trying to put you in a situation, I cut him off and said look the only reason I told you this shit is cause I thought you's gonna handle it, so handle your business nigga. He got mad and said I told you not to use that word. You gonna kill this motherfucker or not? I asked. You sure he's even the right dude? He asked back. Yes I'm sure he's the right dude, I replied. I got you, he said. Tony? My mom came from inside the house calling. And You're? She asked Tariq. I'm Tariq, I just came to bring him his bat, he left it down at the playground, so i was just, you know, coming to return it, he replied. Get that homework he said and left. How old is he Tony? My mom asked. I don't know, only returning my bat, I replied. I'm watching you she said and left.
It's morning and I'm coming out of my room and I said hey y'all to my mom and my sister who's already arguing about some school and track events. Looks like somebody's on a struggle bus this morning, my mom said. I didn't sleep well, I replied. He's nervous about that dance, my sister butt in. Dance? What dance, my baby is dancing? My mom asked. The male lead dancer, he auditioned for it, my sister replied. Really, Rose? You gotta big fucking mouth, I snapped at my sister. Language! My mom shouted. Just then my step dad came through the door and said to me "dollar". I ain't got no money I replied. Then go and put your marker in, it should be two dollars for talking to your sister like that, he said. He sat down on the dinning table and asked so what's so important that you're using that kind of language around the breakfast table. Tony auditioned for the school dance, my mom shouted from the kitchen. Good, keep you off these fucking streets, he said. Just then my mom stood there with her mouth open and she said to him that's two. Damn! He said as he brought out 2 dollars from his pocket and handed it to my mom. I came around the table and said, look the reason I didn't tell y'all about the dance is cause I might not do it. You tried out for it, didn't you? Well we finish what we start in this family, do you hear me? Says my mom.
I'm walking to school and Christy came out from one of the blocks she's hiding to wait for me and said hey Tony. Look I don't hit girls, but if I have to I'll smack your ass, I said. You ain't gonna hit me, you sweet, she said. I'm not sweet, I replied. So you a gangster? She asked. I guess so I replied. A'ight she said and pulled me behind the block and pushed me to the walls. What you doing? I asked. You gonna be with my cousin, I gotta see what you're working with, she said. What do you mean ah, before I could finish my sentence she held my face firm with her hands and forced her mouth on mine, kissed me, I cleaned my mouth immediately with the back of my hands. That was shit she said, you gotta take control. What? No, what do you mean? I asked. Her hands were still on me and she tried kissing me again telling me to stand still, I pushed her and ask what are you doing. She said it's called the French kiss, but we aint in French, I'ma be late I gotta get school I said and took off.
In school I told my boys about what my sister did. Man, why your sister do like that? Lawrence asked. I don't know, but now I gotta do this dumb-ass dance, I replied. Maybe she need a little bit of Sam in her life to strengthen her out, sam said as we were walking down. I think she already got that, I replied. I stopped immediately I noticed the dude that killed someone, walking around my school premises, shit I said. Waht? Sam asked. Mehn, that's the dude, that's the dude that shot someone and chased me, I replied. What's he doing here? Sam asked. What do you think he's doing here, he's coming after us, man we gotta go. So we took off, we ran back inside school. Man where are we going? Sam asked. We'll be safe in the Auditorium
