Daniel lifted his unstretched arms in the air and yawned. For him, sleeping on a lumpy mattress with loose springs was an upgrade compared to what he had been sleeping on the weeks prior. He slipped on his house shoes, put on his red t-shirt and black Jordan shorts, with the little white Jordan logo at the bottom. He had the next day’s outfit neatly folded on his dresser. He set them out the night before. He was still on his same morning routine he had for the last five years. Waking up at 4:30 am was nothing new; clothes neatly folded set out the night before, bed made, brush his teeth, workout, shower, and coffee. Daniel had already checked off making the bed and brushing his teeth. He carefully crept through the house so he wouldn’t wake up his grandma and his son who were asleep in the other rooms. He wanted to get some water before he did his Navy Seal push-ups and burpees.
His son and grandma were not going to be up for another two hours. He loved the silent stir of his own thoughts in his own space. Daniel’s grandma, although in her sixties, still worked. Daniel’s son was in the fifth grade and his grandma normally took Daniel’s son to school in the morning on her way to work. Daniel would walk to the school when it got let out and him and his son would walk home together. He enjoyed those walks because they had a lot of catching up to do.
Daniel had worked out and showered before any one of them could wake up. He sat his stocky 5’8 frame down at the kitchen table and watched the news on low while waiting for his son and grandmother so he could see them on their way out. The steam from his coffee and a bowl Cookie Crisp in front of him. Daniel was a man whose turbulent life and age had not shown up on his face. He was brown skinned, always kept a nicely shaped medium afro. His line was always crisp, his mustache and goatee as well. On the inside he felt anchored to the mistakes of his past. The last five years had stripped him of all his value. He was behind the ball. He had to get a job; had to find a career; and reestablish a bond with his son, his son’s mom, and his family.
He sat there eating his cereal, taking a few sips of coffee. He recounted the first conversation he had with his grandma when he came home.
“Daniel” grandma said. “I’m happy you’re home now. We missed you.”
“I missed you too grandma. Things will be different this time.” Daniel said.
“That’s right. You know you the only man around here. Your little sisters thinking they fast and your son needs you.” Daniel’s grandma said.
“Things will be different this time grandma” Daniel assured her. “1 know grandpa gone. My uncles let you down when they went away. But I’m here now.”
Daniel’s head lowered a bit and sunk into his shoulders. He shook off the image of his talk with his grandma. It was the summer of 2001. His grandma owned her house like most people on the block. Her and Daniel’s grandfather had been in this neighborhood since the 50’s. Los Angeles had changed since then but not the neighborhood. The homes were still black owned but there was more crime going on with the younger generations. He shook his head and thought to himself. You got this.
The morning was going smooth. His son got up on time and got himself ready. He was a spitting image of Daniel but way thinner because of his age. His grandma did very little fussing with Daniel in the morning because he would tidy up the house while waiting for them to wake up. He played with his son, gave him a hug, and wished both of them a good day.
Just as Daniel was getting comfortable he heard a knock at the door. When he looked through the peep hole, he saw it was his old friend that he had known since grade school, Ray Dawg. Daniel thought about if it was a good idea to open the door. On instinct he reached for the door knob and he could have sworn it opened on its own.
“Daniel boy, you home!” Ray Dawg said as he came in for a hug.
Daniel embraced him. “Yea man, I’m tryna get it right. Tryna get used to being back.” Daniel said.
“I heard some wild stories bout you homie” Ray Dawg said. “Wild” he said again shaking his head. “I heard you was like Action Jackson out there.” Ray Dawg said laughing.
“Not no more” Daniel said. “I got to get a regular job homie.”
Daniel looked Ray Dawg up and down. Ray Dawg was standing there on his porch posing with his right foot pointed outward in front of the left one in a 90 degree angle. He was smiling, rubbing his hands over his fist. There was familiarity to Ray Dawg’s stance that made Daniel uncomfortable. He thought it strange how nicely Ray Dawg was dressed considering he was never known to have a job. He had on all the latest clothes. He had the red, black, and white Jordan One’s. He had on the all-red and white Michael Jordan throwback Bulls jersey. The jeans he had on looked expensive, the watch and the diamond earrings. If that didn’t look more suspicious, Ray Dawg’s eyes peered over expensive looking shades looking Daniel up and down too.
Ray Dawg walked in the house. Bald, clean shaven, and deep south black. Ray Dawg was an imposing 6’3 but Ray Dawg was more about finesse then brute strength and he talked fast.
“Ride with me.” Ray Dawg said.
“Dang homie!” Daniel shot back.
“You ain’t even sit down yet and you talkin bout ride with you.” said Daniel.
Ray Dawg plopped down on the mint condition beige couch, with the plastic still on it, with the green stripes that went vertically down the middle. He surveyed the house. Family pictures on the wall. One with Daniel as a little boy with his missing teeth and his younger sisters. A family picture with grandparents, parents, and grandkids, aunties, uncles, and cousins. The carpet was vacuumed, the kitchen floor tile looked marble.
“Man, your grandma keep this spot clean” said Ray Dawg still rubbing his hand over his fist. Ray Dawg stopped rubbing his fist for a brief second, smiled, and took his finger and wiped it over the coffee table in front of him, and returned his hand over his fist.
“I’m waitin’ for my kid to get out of school. That’s it, that’s all homie” said Daniel plopping down on the armchair across from his friend.
“Man, come on homie. You back.” Ray Dawg pleaded. “I aint bout to do nothin’ that’s gone get you into somethin’. I just want to bend a couple corners with my homeboy. Come on. We go back since grade school. I’ll have you back in an hour. On the set.” said Ray Dawg.
“On the set homie?” said Daniel.
“On everything I love.” Ray Dawg assured him. “I just wanna bend some corners with you. Drive around and let some people see you. Ride with me.” Ray Dawg said.
Daniel looked at Ray Dawg with his get up. The nice clothes. The giant smile spread across his face, rubbing his hand over his fist. His slick bald head with his shades still on. Again, for a brief moment he hesitated.
“An hour homie.” demanded Daniel. “Let’s roll.” Daniel lifted himself out of the comfortable armchair that used to be his grandfather’s throne. He looked back and glanced at it. Then he turned to leave. “And we got to talk about you wearing shades indoors like you a celebrity homie.” Daniel joked.
Ray Dawg smiled with sparkling teeth. “Come on brother. You alright with me. Let’s roll.”
Ray Dawg had an older mint green Chevy Caprice with peanut butter leather seats and big chrome rims. The car was in very good condition inside and out. They were for sure going to turn heads. Daniel sat back in the leather interior and felt himself relax. He and Ray Dawg had known each other since they were kids; red light, green light, freeze tag; that’s how long. He knew his friend would not get him into anything. He was certain of it. Daniel looked out into the mirage of people walking on the beach near the powerful crashing waves. He rolled down the window and placed his hand out in the sun and closed his eyes. The warm blanket of air felt like freedom. Ray Dawg’s music was beating loud and they weren’t in any rush to get to where they were going. They were just cruising.
Soon enough they pulled up to a bank. Daniel looked warily at Ray Dawg.
“Let me go in here real quick. I’ll be right back homie. I got to cash a check” said Ray Dawg.
“Alright, man hurry up. I’m not tryna be nowhere around no banks.” said Daniel.
Daniel intently watched Ray Dawg go into the bank. He saw him walk up to the teller, go back and forth over something with the teller like they were arguing, and walk out frustrated.
“What was that about homie?” Daniel asked.
Ray Dawg sat back in his ride. His eyebrows forcefully converged into the middle of his forehead.
“Nothing. The teller was just sweatin’ me over the check. Let’s get somethin’ to eat.”
Daniel found Ray Dawg’s behavior a bit suspicious but he let it go.
Ray Dawg drove into the drive-through of Jack in the Box that was on the opposite side of the shopping center.
“Just get me some curly fries and a vanilla shake.” said Daniel.
“Anything for my boy. You home now. Man, I got’chu.” said Ray Dawg.
They got their food and as Ray Dawg and Daniel were pulling out of the parking lot and on to the street Daniel noticed a cop car behind them. His chest tightened and everything slowed down. Then he began to feel his heart accelerate. The cop car flashed its lights.
Daniel placed his hands on the top of his head and looked down at his feet. “What did you do Ray Dawg?” Daniel asked his friend. “I’m supposed to pick up my son, man. I can’t do this right now.”
“Nothing man. The check was bogus. But I’ll say it was all me.” said Ray Dawg without looking at him.
Ray Dawg pulled over, still leaning back in his seat with his shades on, like he was in full control of the situation.
“Why would you do that with me in the car? What type of friend are you? Damn. Man.” said Daniel.
Daniel’s mind went back to seeing Ray Dawg through his peep hole and his hesitation to open the door. He questioned himself about why he chose to “ride” with Ray Dawg in the first place. He thought about those stupid shades Ray Dawg had on in his grandma’s house and him rubbing his hand on over his fist. He wished he never left with him. It was too late now.
The police officer walked over to their car. All they saw was a big brown mustache. He was a big guy too. The police officer had a military fade like he had been in the service. His skin was sunburnt red and his eyes a piercing blue. The cop stared into Daniel’s soul like he was the Grim Reaper coming to collect.
“Driver’s license and registration.” The officer demanded.
“We got a call from the bank about a bad check.”
Daniel wished his eyes were lasers so he could burn Ray Dawg up just from looking at him.
“Yea that was my bad. I didn’t know the check was bad.” said Ray Dawg to the officer.
The cop looked unamused.
The cop stopped looking at Ray Dawg’s license. “Are any of you on parole or probation?” The officer asked, looking right at Daniel. Daniel spoke up.
“Yea man but I was just along for the ride. I got to get back home to pick up my son from school.” Daniel said in the affirmative. “He gone be waiting for me when he gets out.” said Daniel.
“Depending on how this goes I don’t think that’s going to happen.” The officer said. “Please step out of the car.”
Daniel felt the life drain from his body. This cop was definitely the Grim Reaper and Daniel’s life was over as he knew it. He was short of breath and the air was now constricted. He could barely move but somehow, he mustered up the strength to get out of the car. The last thing he needed was for the cop to say he was resisting. Daniel still held out hope he could get out of this situation. Even though his parole officer had told him “No contact with police.”
“Both of you turn around please.” The officer commanded.
He cuffed both of them. “Please sit on the curb. I’m going to run your ID and your friend’s driver’s license.” The officer said.
He walked off to his patrol car. At the moment Daniel couldn’t even look at Ray Dawg. He wished he never knew him. He thought about what his grandma told him. “We need you. Your son needs you.” It echoed in Daniel’s mind, haunting him. His eyes filled with tears. He wiped them with his shoulder as quick as he could.
The other officer that had pulled up no less than a couple of minutes before Ray Dawg and Daniel were pulled over was another big white guy with a big mustache. The two officers talked. Then the second arriving officer went over to search Ray Dawg’s car. Raw Dawg was annoyingly calm as Daniel’s legs trembled nervously like jackhammers on the pavement.
“We have stolen credit cards here boys.” The officer searching the car said. “And you Mr. Daniel Irving are on parole for bank robbery. I don’t care if your ‘homie’ says all of this stuff his. You two are going to jail.”
Word s Daniel was dreading to hear. For two blissful weeks he was free and now it was all over. He felt like crying but he couldn’t let it out. Not in front of these white police officers and his so-called friend. Daniel knew he messed up.
At the police station Daniel sat at a desk across from the investigator, who reminded him that he had the right to remain silent. “Mr. Irving” she said. “I have your parole officer here on the phone.” The investigator reached over to hand him the phone.
“Mr. Irving” Patti, the parole officer said. “You have two options. You can fight these charges in court. The trying to cash the bad check and stolen credit cards, which I know your friend is saying everything is his but with your record no one is going think you didn’t have anything to do with it.” “Look Patti” Daniel butted in. “I didn’t. I really didn’t.” Daniel said. “I was just waitin’ to pick up my son. I only been out two weeks. What I’m goin to tell him. What’s he gone do when he don’t see me after school?”
Patti continued. “If you fight these charges, you can lose and the judge can give you whatever he or she might give you. Or you could just take a 6-month county jail parole violation. You remember my conditions, don’t you? No police contact for the first several months, right?”
“Yea, I know.” said Daniel. “But I didn’t do anything.” Daniel shook his head pleading. He paused for a long moment. He looked at the officer sitting across from him with her arms folded. There was not going to be any sympathy there.
“Daniel. Mr. Irving, are you there?” Patti asked.
“Just give me the 6-month violation.”
Daniel’s 6-months in county jail felt longer than his 5-year prison bid. Each day was painful and long. He felt prickly like countless little needles were jabbing his entire body. He worked out. He read. Got up early, went to sleep early, and did it all over again. No one would talk to him in his family. His son’s mom said she would talk to him when he got out. “You shouldn’t have got in the car Daniel.” Click and the phone hung up. “Your son was waiting for you all day and you didn’t show up. You have to stop disappointing us. I told him you had an out of town job you had to take urgently.” His grandma said. “I can’t tell that boy where you at.” Once a week Daniel talked to his son and he would constantly ask Daniel when he was coming home. Daniel knew he messed up but all he could do is learn from his mistakes. A man follows the ways of his friends. Daniel thought to himself. What he had been reading for the last several months was engrained on his heart.
“Mr. Irving, time to go.” said the deputy that came to Daniel’s cell early in the morning. “You’re getting out.” Daniel wasted no time getting up and getting ready to leave. His cell mate was an older man who had been giving Daniel sound advice for the last 6-months. “A man follows the ways of his friends. Remember young brother, life is all about choices. It’s up to you to stay on the straight path. Only you. And some people you can’t take with you.” The older man reminded him. “Yup, you right.” Daniel said. “You take it easy OG.”
Daniel switched his county jail clothes for his dress out clothes. The same red shirt, he really didn’t even want to put on, his black basketball shorts with the little white Jordan logo, and his house shoes. That was it. No wallet or cell phone. He had tried to call his grandma and his son’s mom from the county jail payphone. “I got work Daniel.” His son’s mom said. “Someone got to take care of our son.” “Daniel, you gone have to take the bus or walk, baby.” His grandma told him.
It was pouring rain outside when Daniel stepped out of the county jail. He sat at a bus stop with an overhang and contemplated what to do. He didn’t have any money for a bus. After sitting there for ten minutes in the rain he heard a car with beat heading up the street. It was loud. An old school mint green Chevy Caprice.
“I called your grandma.” Ray Dawg said. “She said you was gettin’ out.” He sat there in real time with his window rolled down looking at Daniel. “Get in. I’m taking you home.”
“I aint getn’ in the car with you Ray.” Daniel said. “You lucky my grandma don’t know what you got me in to. 6-months. 6-months!” Daniel shook his head. “What type of friend are you?”
“I’m sorry” Ray Dawg said. “Look, I’ma get you somethin’ to eat and I’m drop you off at your grandma spot. That’s it. I’m sorry, man.” Ray Dawg looked sincere. He even took his shades off so Daniel could look him right in his eyes. “Get in the car brother. You bout to get sick.” Ray Dawg pleaded with him.
“Food and straight to the house.” said Daniel.
Daniel felt ambivalent about getting in the car but he got in anyway. The whole ride Ray Dawg talked Daniel’s ear off. As he told him his short county jail stay and his probation terms, Daniel just looked at him in disgust. He had on his fancy clothes and shades on for no reason. The sun wasn’t even out. He knew he could no longer be around Ray Dawg or anyone of his old friends still involved in “the life”.
After they ate at the McDonalds spot in the neighborhood, Ray Dawg pulled up in front of Daniel’s grandma’s house like he promised. Safety. Daniel thought. These cul-de-sacs were a refuge. 5 years in prison, 2 weeks out, and 6-months in county jail. Daniel had enough.
“Ay homie.” said Ray Dawg as he leaned over his passenger seat while Daniel was getting out of the Caprice. “I’ma swing by later. I want to take you to hit the club. Everythang is on me, homie.” Daniel looked at a grinning Ray Dawg who was peering over his shades at him. The day was gloomy and the only thing Daniel could really see is Ray Dawg’s teeth. The smile looked all the more sinister.
“Me and you won’t be goin nowhere for a long time.” said Daniel. “I don’t want you come’n over here no more either. 1 got a lot a people depending on me Ray. I’ll see you around, brother. Take it easy.”
Daniel saw his little boy’s face in the window waiting for him to come in the house. He didn’t even look back to see his old friend’s face when he told him the news that he didn’t want him to come around anymore. There was no second guessing this time.
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