As the sound of gun shots spread through the air, Scotty, Chris and the other kids playing ball ran home.

Chicago can change a man.

Chris and his brother Tyus were close. Their father had left away for work, but hasn’t come home in eleven years. Not even a phone call. Their mother, Jenifer, had finally come clean after a couple years of dealing drugs through the city. It was the only way she could keep up with the bills, considering she settled for her GED at age seventeen. The Evans family (still keeping the last name of the father, Carlton), lived in an apartment building. Room 47, floor three. The only home Chris and Tyus knew.

Chris attended Simeon High School, the same school his idol, Ben Wilson attended. Ben was the top ranked high school basketball player. He was shot outside the Simeon High doors in the late eighties, walking his girlfriend to the store down town. After hearing Ben’s story, Chris had decided where he would attend school.

Tyus was two years older than Chris. Starting his junior year at Simeon as Chris started his freshman year. While Chris was into athletics, Tyus was a math nut. He won last year’s Algebra Tournament, and it wasn’t close. He would often help Chris with his homework, as he wasn’t the brightest tool in the shed.

September 2nd, 1999.
Jenifer was trying to provide for the family. She had applied at three different places, including the local thrift shop. After two weeks, there was no reply. Now, when the boys’ school year started back up, she would be jobless.
In a tough spot, a mother would do anything to provide for her children. She called her old boss, Theo Collins.
“I need some help, Thee.”
“I thought you’d be back Jen.” He replied. His voice just as cracked as it was two years ago.
“Can I start tomorrow?” She asked, knowing what she was here for. Just a job.
“Corner of 4th and Knox.” Her usual spot from years past.
Jenifer was back in the drug game.

September 3nd, 1999.
“Wake up boys!”
Jen had laid out some butted toast with jelly for them on the kitchen table. The boys ran downstairs, seeming to have already been awake.
“Morning, Mom.” Tyus said.
Chris usually didn’t speak in the mornings. He was a very mellow morning person. Liked to keep to himself. They sat at the table, and ate.
“Any news from Sid’s Subs, Mom?” Tyus asked, remembering she had spoken about some job applications.
Jenifer had to find an excuse. She forgot to come up with an excuse of where she’d be. She didn’t want them to know her real job.
“Yes! I start today. Luckily, I got a shift right after you boys catch the bus.” She says, smiling. Proud of herself.
“What’s the pay?” Asked Chris. Worried about the money part of the news.
“Seven dollars an hour.” She sounded irritated, disappointed.
After a couple minutes of silence and faint chewing, Tyus and Chris left to get dressed. In their absence, Jen texted Theo.
“I’ll be there in thirty minutes.. leave it by the bricks.”
Twenty minutes later, the boys waive to their mother as she leaves the apartments. On her way to a hopefully short stint as Theo’s handy women.
She parks the blue Impala a couple blocks away, and walks to the abandoned brick building. She finds two pounds of the white powder stuffed into bland, metal spaghetti cans.
Meanwhile, Tyus and Chris arrived at the school. Tyus had to show Chris around, as the school was very large compared to the elementary.
“If you need anything, come get me. Ask Mrs. Parker, she’ll call me down.” Tyus was clearly ready to be Chris’ ‘get out of jail free’ card.

(Unifinished. Will be done for November.)