The Move

Life just wasn't going that well, at least not for me. It was one of those nights. You know when you can smell danger in the air. When things just aren't right. I should have listened to the gut's instinct, but I am hard headed just like my pops. My cell phone rings...."Hello" I answer.."What up boy? You wanna walk to Auntie's house with me? I bet Uncle Pete left some weed out somewhere." On the other end of the phone is my cousin Chris. Somehow we always ended up together when something retarded was lined up on the schedule. I replied with a sigh and a "Yeah man, I'm down." I meet up with him about 30 minutes out at our usual meeting spot to begin our walk. Everything is going just fine, I'm thinking as I breeze along running into the neighbor's dog on my way. Finally, I arrive. Chris is already there and we quickly began walking, as if we were late for some appointment or something. I remember the tight shirt, and the rugged haircut he was sporting that day. I chuckle as I type that line.
Crime had been at a high in Gadsden,Al. in the summer of 94. With movies like Menace to Society, Malcom X, and previously Boys in da Hood, it was only accellerated among misguided youth. We were about to get a first hand taste. Almost to our destination. I'm thinking about eating a popcorn ball, with caramel flavoring when I notice a car turning off their headlights. As we approach the car which faces us on the right side of the street; the doors creek open. It must have been an older vintage, kinda beat up a lil. Something like a Dodge Plymouth 76. I don't know, but I do know what happened next. I was startled to see 4 figures emerge from the vehicle smelling like the neighberhood tavern. I was afraid to stare the driver or anyone else in the eyes, I attempted to keep walking. "Somebody bout to pay up my nigga". I slowed just a little to look at my cousin. As I turned my head I realized that these guys were approaching us aggressively with the intent to rob. I see my cousin take off running and follow. Bra Kow...Bra Kow.... is what I heard next. I slip and fall in someone's back yard running blindly. My hat blows in the wind and all I can think is I am not running fast enough. I try and jump over a fence superman style and got hung ripping my shirt and falling to the ground. I manage to climb into the gutter and came out muddy and confronted by cops. The police officer was quick to assume that I had committed a crime instead of being a victim. My cousin appeared just in time to be a part of the scenario with the officer. Upon arriving home instead of reaching my sought after destination, I find my father high on Crack Cocaine in a house full of losers. I know my future holds more.......This is what I told myself in 1994.