by Darrien Lee
She put her hand out in his direction and said, “Mind your business, Tybo. This has nothing to do with you.”
He ignored Denim and walked closer to get Julius’s attention and started circling him like a lion sizing up his prey. “Yo, freshman! You can’t be hanging out with an upperclassman’s lady like this. Who do you think you are?”
Denim got between them and said, “Leave him alone, Tybo!”
Julius moved Denim to the side and said, “It’s okay, Denim. I can take care of myself.” “Hey, guys, check it out. The freshman has some balls!” Tybo yelled.
Denim grabbed Julius’s arm and tried to pull him toward the parking lot. “Let’s go, Julius. He’s not worth it.”
He pulled away from her and said, “No! If I back down now, these guys will make my life here hell.”
“What the hell is going on?” Dré asked. He seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. He nodded at Julius, then kissed Denim on the lips.
“Dré, I’m glad you’re here, to see it for yourself. This freshman is trying to push up on your girl,” Tybo proudly announced.
“That’s a lie!” Denim yelled in Julius’s defense.
“Hold on, babe,” Dré said, interrupting her. “I want to hear what Tybo has to say. Go ahead, Tybo. Tell me how Julius pushed up on my girl?”
“Dré!” Denim yelled in disbelief. “I know you’re not about to listen to this idiot.” “Chill, babe,” he answered as he folded his arms. “I got this.”
Tybo went on to tell Dré how Denim and Julius had been playing around on the court.
He said they were flirting and touching each other. Once he was finished, Dré turned to Julius and discreetly winked at him. Then he turned back to Tybo and gave him the verdict.
“Tybo, it’s cool that you call yourself looking out for me, but you don’t have to. I trust my girl, and what she’s doing with my man, Julius, was strictly business. He’s a cool guy, and I don’t want you or anyone messing with him. Are we clear?”
Tybo laughed and said, “You didn’t see what I saw.”
Dré glared at Tybo and said, “Well, you’re wrong, because I’ve been over there, under the trees, watching for the last fifteen minutes and I didn’t see him do anything disrespectful.”
“Whatever, Dré,” Tybo replied as he waved Dré off. “Don’t say I didn’t try to warn you.”
The trio watched as Tybo rejoined his friends on the court. Dré turned to Julius and said, “I’m glad you stood up to him. Tybo’s a big guy and twice your size. You didn’t back down, and I admire you for it. You might not believe it now, but he’ll respect you standing up to him.”
“I don’t care about gaining his respect. I hate liars,” Julius stated.
“Me too,” Dré replied as he hugged Denim’s waist and kissed her neck. “So did you guys get any work done today?”
“Julius was a little distracted today, but we were able to get a little work done.”
Julius smiled and said, “I promise I’ll have my head in the game at the next session.”
“You’d better,” she answered as they watched his dad pull up and blow the car horn.
“Well, that’s my ride. I’ll see you guys later.”
“Have a good evening, Julius,” Denim said.
He waved and ran down to his father’s car and climbed in. Once he was gone, Dré picked Denim up in his arms and said, “I finally have you all to myself.”
She giggled and buried her face against his warm neck and whispered, “I’ve missed you today.”
He kissed her tenderly on the lips and said, “I’ve missed you too.” He sat her down and asked, “Are you hungry?”
“Starving!”
“My dad’s grilling. Call your parents and ask if you can come over for dinner.”
She pulled out her cell phone and said, “I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
Dré walked Denim to her car as she got permission from her parents to have dinner with him. Once they were set, they climbed into their vehicles and trailed each other over to Dré’s house.
Julius was quiet on the ride home to his house. His dad looked over at him and said, “Your face is red. Is everything okay?”
“How is my face red?” Julius asked as he pulled down the mirror and stared at his reflection. What he saw looking back at him was a flushed face. He had a bronze complexion and his cheeks did look a little red, but he didn’t want to reveal to his father that he had almost got into a fight. So he lied.
“I was shooting ball with Denim. I guess I got a little hot.”
Mr. Graham chuckled and said, “We’re not paying money for you to play basketball with your tutor—”
Julius interrupted him and said, “We did study, Dad. We just did it on the basketball court.”
“Okay. I just want to make sure you’re serious about improving your grades and you’re not wasting our money.”
Julius shook his head and pulled out his cell phone to text Domingo so he could tell him about Tybo. Almost immediately Domingo texted him back. They continued to exchange messages the entire ride home, and when his father pulled into the driveway, Julius saw an unfamiliar vehicle parked there.
“Are we expecting company?” Julius asked.
Mr. Graham put the car in park and said, “No.”
The two quickly climbed out of the car and hurried inside, only to find Detectives Daniels and Young waiting for them.
Chapter Five
“I thought I told you to stay away from my family,” Mr. Graham yelled as he walked into the family room and found the detectives talking to his wife.
Detectives Daniels and Young stood immediately.
“Mr. Graham, it’s imperative that we speak with Julius about what happened that night in the store. We’re positive he knows something that could help this investigation,” said Detective Daniels.
“I want you out of my house now!”
“Why is everyone yelling?” Zakia asked as she appeared suddenly from upstairs.
Mrs. Graham met her daughter at the door and said, “It’s okay, baby. Go back upstairs until we finish talking to these men.”
“Who are they?”
Mrs. Graham led her daughter over to the stairs and said, “They’re just some men here talking about things going on in the neighborhood.”
“Like what?” Zakia asked as she climbed the stairs.
“Everything,” Mrs. Graham answered. “We’ll talk later. Now, go do your homework.” She watched her daughter disappear upstairs before rejoining everyone in the family room. When she entered the room, she saw one of the detectives talking directly to Julius.
“Julius, do you know a man called Reginald Jackson?” Detective Young asked.
Angry, Mr. Graham walked over to Detective Young and got right in his face. “If you say one more thing to my son, I won’t be responsible for my actions.”
“Are you threatening us?” Detective Daniels asked.
“It is what it is, Detective. You’re the ones who are here harassing me and my family. Now, I’m not going to say it again.”
Mrs. Graham put her arm around her son’s shoulders and gave him a reassuring hug. She could see on his face that this was too much for him to bear.
“If that’s the way you want it, Mr. Graham, we’ll leave, but we can’t guarantee that Julius won’t find himself at the defendant’s table or on the witness stand when this case goes to trial.”
“Then looks like we’ll see you in court,” Mr. Graham replied before slamming the door behind them and stomping of toward the garage, which was where he normally went to think or relieve stress.
“Paul,” Mrs. Graham called out to him as she and Julius followed him. “You need to calm down before you have a stroke.”
Clearly agitated, he pointed his finger at Julius and said, “Son, I won’t let anyone try to intimidate or hurt you. I don’t care who they are, but you have to make sure you keep your mouth shut, especially to these detectives. They don’t give a damn
about you. All they want to do is make their case, no matter whose lives they put at risk.”
“A man died, Paul,” Mrs. Graham reminded him. “They wouldn’t keep coming around if they didn’t think Julius could help.”
“They’re just digging for information, Alecia. Can’t you see that?” he answered as he paced the floor.
She leaned against his worktable and folded her arms.
“What I see is you stressed out and Julius scared half to death. Maybe it’s time we all sat down and talk about what happened as a family so we can all be on the same page.”
Julius lowered his head and nodded in agreement. At that point the three of them sat down and started talking. However, the last thing Julius wanted to do was tell his parents that the most feared man in the neighborhood was the one who killed the clerk. If they knew that he was sure, his father would pack up the family and move them out of state.
“Okay, Julius, what happened in the store that night?” Mr. Graham asked his son. “And I want the truth and nothing less.”
Julius looked at his parents and said, “You guys don’t want to know the truth.”
“Yes, we do, son. Just talk to us,” Mrs. Graham pleaded. “I’m sure you’ll feel so much better once you get it off your chest.”
“It’s complicated,” Julius whispered.
“How complicated can it be if you don’t know anything?” Mr. Graham asked.
“I didn’t say I didn’t know anything. I said it was complicated.”
Frustrated, Mr. Graham rubbed his head and said, “Those detectives are on to something, and I would feel better if I knew what happened so I’d know how to defend you. Enough bullshitting, Julius! What happened in that store, and who is Reginald Jackson?” Mr. Graham asked his son.
Julius realized he was backed into a corner and had to confide in his parents. His life was spiraling out of control.
“Dad, I feel like if I don’t talk about this, it’ll keep everyone safe.”
Mr. Graham leaned forward and took his son by the hand and looked him in the eyes. “Son, that’s not a burden you need to carry alone. We’re your parents, and we’re here for you.”
Mrs. Graham gently cupped her son’s face and stared into his eyes. “Sweetheart, your father’s right.... Unburden yourself with this, and let us handle it. Okay?”
Feeling the pressure, Julius decided then what he thought they needed to know. “I was so scared that night, I’m not sure about anything anymore.”
“That’s fair, but they’re targeting you for some reason. And for the last time who’s Reginald Jackson?” his father asked.
“Reginald Jackson is Viper, Dad.”
Mr. Graham sat up straight, because he knew exactly who Viper was, and so did everyone else in the neighborhood.
“Viper? That’s the guy who’s been linked to several shootings, isn’t it?” Mrs. Graham asked.
“Yes, ma’am,” Julius answered.
Mr. Graham stood in silence and walked across the room. He made his way over to the window and pulled back the curtain. As he looked out the window, he realized just how serious this situation had become.
“Julius?”
“Yes, sir?”
Mr. Graham turned back to his son and said, “It’s a whole new ball game now. Whether Viper is the shooter or not, the detectives think he’s involved. If they think he’s involved and word gets out that you were in that store, it makes you a target. Was Viper the shooter, son?”
“Yes, sir,” Julius answered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Mrs. Graham held her hand over her heart as she became slightly light-headed. She had heard the stories about Viper and knew what his capabilities were and understood that he wouldn’t hesitate to kill her son if he thought it would keep him from going to jail. He’d been able to control the entire neighborhood by evoking fear in everyone who lived there. Now it was hitting close to home, and they had to figure out how they were going to keep the family safe.
“Okay,” Mr. Graham replied. “Does anyone else know about this?”
“No, sir,” Julius answered.
“Are you sure?” his father asked. “You haven’t told Domingo or any of your other friends?”
“No, Dad,” he answered with frustration in his voice. “No one knows.”
“Good,” Mr. Graham said as he pulled his son into his arms and hugged him. “Now, go on upstairs with your sister. Your mother and I need to talk about how we’re going to get you out of this mess. Okay, son?”
“Okay,” Julius answered. “I’m sorry, Mom.”
Mrs. Graham kissed her son and said, “You have nothing to be sorry about. Just make sure to always tell us when you’re in trouble so we can help.”
Julius made his way toward the stairs and said, “I will. Can I go to my room now? I have a little homework to do.”
Mr. Graham waved him off and said, “Go ahead, son.” Once Julius was out of sight, he looked at his wife and said, “I need a drink.”
“But you don’t drink, baby,” she answered.
“I do now.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist, and she said, “Me too.”
Later that evening Domingo and his eight-year-old sister, Mya, waited for their order of hot wings in a neighborhood barbecue joint. As they waited, he allowed his sister to play a game on his iPhone.
“Domingo, can I get some curly fries?”
He took his cell phone out of her hands and said, “No. You know Mom’s making fries at home.”
“But I like their fries,” she replied as she reached for the iPhone.
“I like them too,” he answered as he held the iPhone out of reach. “But Mom’s making them at home, and she only gave me enough money for the wings.”
Mya stared at her brother and said, “I know you have money, Domingo. You always have money.”
He laughed and said, “You think you know me.”
“I do know you, big brother. Besides, I always find money in your pockets.”
He pointed his finger at her and said, “You’d better stay out of my pockets.”
“What’s wrong? Afraid I’m going to find something you’re not supposed to have?”
Domingo balled up a napkin and playfully threw it at his sister just as Viper and one of his sidekicks walked through the door. In their small community, everyone pretty much knew each other, so when Viper walked in, his presence was immediately felt and it changed the atmosphere in the room.
Mya noticed everyone looking at Viper, so out of curiosity she asked, “Who’s that?”
“No one you want to know,” her brother answered, feeling protective.
Together they watched as Viper placed his order while his friend walked over to an old-school pinball machine and started playing.
Mya discreetly looked over her shoulder at the men. The guy at the counter was a scary-looking guy. He had a yellow bandanna showing under a black baseball cap, his hands were calloused, and he desperately needed a manicure.
“For real, Domingo, who are they?” she whispered.
Domingo leaned in close to his sister and said, “Bad men. That’s who they are. Didn’t you notice how a few people got up and left?”
“What did they do?” Mya whispered.
“Let’s talk about this at home, sis,” he replied as he looked at his ticket and wondered what was taking so long for their order to come up. It was only a twenty-piece wing order; then again, the room was pretty full, or at least it was until Viper and his boy walked in.
“Yo!” Viper yelled across the room to his friend as he pulled up his sagging pants.
“What?” his friend yelled back as the pinball machine chimed, all the bells and whistles going off.
“Are you going to order or play that damn game all day?” Viper asked with an attitude in his tone.
“Order me what I always get,” he hollered back at Viper. “I’m winning here.”
Viper mumbled some curse words and placed their order w
ith the clerk. After getting his ticket, he walked over to the pinball machine and watched his friend play the game.
“Ticket number seventeen,” the clerk called out over the microphone.
“That’s us,” Domingo said as he slid out of the booth, with Mya close behind.
As they slowly made their way up to the counter, someone burst through the door and started shooting. Domingo quickly knocked his sister down on the floor and covered her body with his as broken glass and other debris fell in the melee. Mya screamed along with many others as gunshots continued to ring out in the restaurant. Domingo was afraid to move but knew they couldn’t stay where they were, so he made a quick decision, a decision that could end his life but save his sister and many others. He pushed Mya out of the line of fire into a nearby hallway.
“Domingo! What are you doing?” Mya screamed.
“Stay where you are, and keep your head down,” he yelled back at his sister.
Domingo could see the shooter’s legs but not his face. He was only a few feet from him and knew he was the only one in position to act, so he did. Domingo lunged for the shooter’s legs and was able to tackle him to the floor, causing the gun to slide across the floor. At that moment, Viper and his friend were able to make their way toward the exit of the restaurant, but before leaving, Viper made eye contact with Domingo. Seconds later a car was heard driving off, and they were gone as quickly as they had arrived. As far as the shooter was concerned, Domingo wasn’t sure if he was still in the building, so he knew he had to get his sister out of there.
“Are you okay?” Domingo asked his sister as he checked her for injuries.
“I want to go home,” she cried hysterically.
Domingo’s heart was pounding in his chest as he tried to figure out how to get his sister out of there. The smell of gunpowder filled the room, and sobbing could be heard. Domingo reached for his cell phone to dial 911 but hung up when he realized it was more important to get his sister out of the building.
“I want to go home, Domingo,” she sobbed even harder.
“Hang on, Mya. I’ll get you out of here.”
