Chapter Text
(June 1st, 2007, 9:23 A.M., Baltimore, Maryland)
"Josiah Rashawn Miller, how do you plead to the charges of Fleeing the Police, Reckless Driving and Operating a illegal Motor Vehicle?" the judge spoke, as me and my lawyer stood there, listening. I could only look him back in his eyes. This judge, Judge Washington? Washmore? Fuck if I remember. Point being, dudes been a known dick. I stood their, in a dress shirt and khaki pants, as I leaned over and spoke into a small microphone.
"Guilty, di-your honor." I simply responded, biting back what I truly wanted to call him. He only looked at me, before shaking his head.
"Mr.Miller. You're a smart kid. I got to...personally look through your record. A 3.8 GPA. Clubs. Plenty of them." He began, as he put on a pair of glasses to look through my record. "I mean, at 15, you should be focused on school work, and actually getting a future. I understand dirtbike riding seems fun through a city b-"
"It's freeing, your honor."
"Point being, young man. You shouldn't be doing such things. Luckily, this is a first time offense so...I'll be lenient today. 100 hours of community service, and 6 month probation. Mr.Miller. I don't want you back in my court room." he spoke, before the gavel hit, damming me too--wait what? Dude, he just sentenced the kid before me to 25 years over like, stealing a pack of cigarettes. What the fuck? Hey, I mean, fuck it, go me, but still.
"Thank you, your honor." I said, before me and my lawyer, Ms.Hampton walked out. I looked at her, the shock well written on my face, as she then looked at me with a grin. "So, how the fu-"
"I caught him in the women's bathroom like a hour before your case."
"Oh...ew."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A few hours later)
"Golden Corral bitches!" my cousin, Ty yelled, as me, James, Nikki and Pedro sat in his beat up 1997 Honda Civic. I tried rolling down the window to ash out my cigarette, but the window wouldn't move.
"Fuck..." I spoke under my breath, as Nikki took it from my hand, taking a drag, and giving me a small wink. Sure, she was 19, but like, she was hot. So I wouldn't mind. Plus I turn 16 in like...2 weeks. It's probably legal. Right? I got jolted from my thoughts as Pedro slapped my leg from the front seat
"Bro, I don't know how Washington was so light on your charges. You ain't like, suck his dick, did you? That be gay, bro." he laughed after this, before sighing. "Shit, Ty, ain't Jaleel gonna be there? With our boy's here new gift?" as all Ty did was nod, smiling himself. "You know Jaleel got him his hook up."
I could only smile, as we slowly rolled up to the Golden Corral in Rosedale. As the car came to a stop, we all piled out, as James begins running. "Aye, last one there is paying." And with that, we all hauled ass, as Ty, being the biggest of the group, got in last. He was huffing and puffing, looking down at the floor.
"Man...why the fuck...are all y'all so fucking skinny?" he said as James laughed at him.
"What you talking about, Ty? You're just fat dude." he said, making fun of Ty, as we all finally went to take a seat. After 30 minutes, Jaleel walked in.
(???)
Okay, little time out from this whole flashback. Jaleel? Scary motherfucker. Absolutely fucking terrifying, alright? 6'4, Cornrows...white...yeah, a white dude, named Jaleel, with cornrows. But, we loved him none the less. But, he ran our little crew. Indie Boyz. We mostly ran drugs for whatever gang paid, but you get my point.
(Back to the past)
"Yooooo!" Jaleel said, as he walked up to me, dapping me up. "Thought your little ass was going to New Beginnings. But hey, rather you here." and with that, he sat down.
We all ate, talking, joking, daring Jaleel to say the n-word. Beyond that, dinner was uneventful, until we walked out of the restaurant. Jaleel then stopped me, then pointed at the 2006 Honda CRF450X. All Black. Fucking Beautiful.
"You like that dude?" he asked with a smile. I only nodded, as I felt my hand grabbed, and the keys placed in my hands. "Happy early birthday dude." I couldn't help but run over to it, not noticing the Mercedes slowly roll up. Then yelling. I see a petite white girl exit the car, as a known MS-13 member got out.
"Hey, Jaleel!" We all turn to him yelling, as Jaleel looked at him confused.
"The fuck do you want Marco? We alre-" The gun was then pulled, as everyone froze. What the fuck else do you do in that situation. Jaleel then put his hand up. "Yo, look...I got like a shi-" and without a chance to finish, the trigger was pulled. Everyone went to scatter. I hopped on the bike, starting it, as the rest of the group jumped into their car, and quickly sped off. Before I followed, I only looked at the blonde girl, who looked back at me. A silent exchange of acknowledgement at the bullshit that just went down.
"YOU WANT IT TOO, FOOL?" I quickly speed off, as the sound of the gun went off again. I knew that bullet was meant for me but, I wasn't going to turn around to find out, as I speed back towards the city. But, he followed, as I quickly got onto Philadelphia Street. He chased, as I weaved between cars speeding down Highway 40, feeling the back tire already deflated slightly. It was a wheelie ready bike, but fear wouldn't allow that.
Not now.
I kept going, racing, as I managed to finally find a exit and dashing onto Armistead Way. I laughed, finally having broken away, and quickly turned down Spwaler Way. Just my luck though, a officer pulled out from an Alley. I tried breaking, really fucking hard, but
SLAM!
(June 12th, 2007)
The car door shut hard, as my trip to my new house ended. Burke, Virginia. Luckily, Judge Washington still had the "being-caught-in-a-women's-bathroom heart", and let me out again, but now with 2 years probation! What a great guy! I just quietly exited the beautiful Chevy Suburban, and threw open the trunk, grabbing two boxes.
"So like, where's my room Shannon?" I asked my 'mom'. I say this, with the fact this women wasn't in my life for...hm...the past 13 years? Good fucking job 'mom'.
"Baby, I said just call me mom." she said, with a almost sing-songy voice. Her husband, my 'step-father' Chad, walked out, and grabbed my two duffle bags. Shannon laid a small kiss on his cheek, and whispered something in Spanish. No way that motherfucker Chad knows Spanish, right? I just huffed, as I took my boxes down to the basement, which Shannon said could be my very own 'apartment type deal' it had a main area, a bedroom, bathroom, and even a guest room. Wow. Snazzy. Wonder where she got this type of money from? Chad. Stupid fucking question, my mom is a elementary school teacher.
I sat on the unmade bed for a second, leaving the box of my posters and other things in their place. I felt sick. Ty and James were locked up, gun charges. Jaleel is fucking dead. Nicki went MIA, and well...Pedro went to college...which like, good for him but still...actually, to be fair, he isn't too far. I went to text him, but decided against it. My stomach turned, as my mind replayed the day. Seeing Jaleel laid out on the pavement, the dude yelling, and that fucking girl. Probably the same fucking age as me, and we both could only stand there, and stare at one another.
I sigh, and walk out into the main room of the basement, as a little kid runs down the stairs, smiling
"Jesus dude...did no one ever do your hair?" I asked, seeing the afro, as I grabbed one of my own dreads, looking at it. He just shook his head, as Shannon followed.
"I am so sorry, he just...ugh. Josia-" I quickly cut her off.
"Jojo. Everyone calls me Jojo."
"Jojo...this is your little brother, Davonte. Now, I kno-" I ignored her as I leaned down and gave the little dude a fist bump.
"What's up little dude? I'm your big brother. You like video games little dude?" I asked, as I walked over to a box and pulled out a copy of Madden 08, with Vince Young on the cover. "I got the Xbox 360." He only nodded, before Shannon looked at me.
"He's mute, Jojo..." I only nodded along, before shrugging.
"Whatever. He's cool..." I then looked around the main area, and saw perfect place to set up the Xbox, right on this little dresser type deal. And with that, I put the game in the game tray, and within a few minutes, we were sitting on the floor, playing. Redskins vs Ravens. And, for the first time in weeks, I smiled. Shannon began walking back up the stairs, before yelling back down.
"By the way, school starts in 3 weeks!"
...................................
Fuck me.