5. Maleek
Momma was always trying to control me. I knew she had a reason to be mad, but she didn’t have to burn my bag.
There was five hundred in there that I made from a match.
I wanted to buy a few things. I wasn’t hurting for it, but it was my own money that wasn’t tied to Ma or Court. I deserved my own lil’ shit.
Living in the shadow of Court had its perks, but it also had its disadvantages.
But one thing I had for certain was that grit and drive to box.
It was about feeling my opponents’ pain and watching them crumble when I hit just right because they underestimated me.
Don’t get me wrong, I hadn’t been in many matches, but I’d been in enough to know boxing was in my blood like my family.
I’d tried a lot of sports, but was left feeling like something was missing.
Like something else was out there. So, I went searching down at the gym, and boxing came to me.
When I punched my first bag, something awakened in me. It felt like I was keeping Dad’s dream alive. I felt closer to Court. It was different than what I was used to. I’d seen my brother’s matches on TV, never in person, but every time I watched, it felt like something I could get into.
“Ma, why are you doing this?”
“Because I’ll be damned if I lose another person I love to… this. This demon.”
“It paid the bills when Dad was alive. It wasn’t a demon then. It’s not a demon to Court. Look at how famous he is. I bet if you needed something you’d take that same blood money with no hesitation.”
She snapped her head at me. “I didn’t want either of them doing this.
It was only supposed to be for fun. I lost my husband at the very place he took interest in fighting.
My son watched his father die, lost an eye, himself and almost his very own life behind this very thing.
And you… You shouldn’t even know this lifestyle.
I’ve kept it away from you for most of your life.
You don’t want this… You just wanna rebel against me.
That’s the difference between you and Courtland.
It was a dream for him. It’s rebellion for you. ”
“At least you notice me now.”
“What?” she said.
“At least you see me for someone other than a fragile kid, Ma. I’m my own person. I’m boxing because it’s in my blood.”
“You’ve lost your damn mind.”
He shrugged. “Maybe. And if you wanna throw me out how you did Court then so be it, but I’m not stopping. You can burn whatever you want, I can always replace it.” I walked off, heading back up the driveway.
“If you leave, you better not come back here tonight. I won’t allow disrespect from a boy that barely knows his ass from his nose,” she shouted, and I shook my head. Just when I thought she’d let me leave peacefully, she showed me she was still vile.
I can’t believe she even did that shit. Now what the fuck was I gonna do? I had plans for that money, and I had to be down at the ring in two days.
Looking back over my shoulder, I saw the flame, but Mama didn’t come after me. Part of me wanted her to because it showed she wasn’t giving up on me, but the other didn’t want her to so I could show her I was standing on business.
I pulled out my phone, debating if I wanted to make this call but knew I had to because I wasn’t likely able to go back home tonight. I could’ve stayed down at my homeboy’s, but I didn’t want to hear his mama preaching to me or for my mama to come down there bringing drama.
It rang and I debated ending the call.
“Maleek. How are you?” he answered.
I slipped my hand inside my pocket.
“I’m aiight, but I need a favor.”
“What’s that?” he asked.
“I need somewhere to stay tonight.”
The line went silent. I halted, thinking I’d made a mistake. What if he said nah? I mean, I wasn’t homeless for the night, but I was banking on him.
“Uh, yeah. Okay. We can arrange that.”
His tone made me feel like he was at least listening and not trying to control the narrative. That made me feel heard.
I relaxed a bit. “Yeah, for real. Aiight. Bet.” I smiled.
“Just let me know where you are, and I’ll send someone for you.”
I looked around my neighborhood and knew if someone saw him, they’d report back to Mama. I had to think quickly, but trying not to sound like I was panicking.
“I’ll call when I get where I’m going. I’m about a lil’ ways out from it.”
“Just say the word.”
“Bet.”
“I look forward to your call.”
I hung up and turned on my music as I started my quick walk to the spot.
The leaves wrestled on the ground as I stepped on them, crushing them underneath my feet. The wind howled, reminding me that I should’ve taken my coat instead of a jacket. I zipped up to my chin and put both hands inside the pockets.
Cars passed along, blowing at me. I tossed my head back, speaking without words while hoping nobody told Mama they saw me. Even if they did, I wasn’t going back home with her.
The walk wasn’t long. I was headed to the Chevron a few blocks away. Far enough out of the way, but close enough that I knew where I was. The pumps were packed, which I hated because it meant someone would see me.
But the girls were out, and I had to play it cool. Keeping my head down, my back turned, I sent the text that I was ready.
A black truck pulled up ten minutes later, tinted out.. It didn’t park at a pump but sat in the middle of the lot. All eyes fell on it as the back passenger window slowly crept down.
I barely took two steps toward it before City blocked it in.
Fuck, I thought to myself.
“Aye, where you going, Leek?” he asked, getting out of the car.
I looked around and saw everybody watching us.
“I’ll be back.”
“Who’s this?” he asked, pointing at the truck. He couldn’t see inside or who it was because the window was still only partially cracked, showing the top of Mr. Semaj’s head.
“City, I’m good.”
“Who the fuck said you ain’t?”
I shook my head.
“But you ain’t ‘bout to get yo’ ass in that car, though.”
“Says who?” I poked my chest out.
“Don’t play with me, lil’ nigga. Get the fuck in the car.” He paused. “My car.”
My phone chimed.
You have business to take care of.
I read the message over a couple of times, but before I responded, the truck left. My chest was tight. I was pissed off because why did City have to come and fuck it up?
“I’ll walk.”
“I don’t know what the fuck you on, Leek, but I’m not about to do this shit with you. Get in the car, bruh.”
Me and City had never had it out in all the years he’s known me. We never had a reason to. He’s my big brother too. Always looked after me for Courtland. So, this had me feeling awkward.
City’s speakers had the truck rattling.
We rode in silence.
When I saw the direction we were headed, I relaxed. I didn’t wanna have to explain to Ma what I was doing after she went off and did that crazy shit earlier. That shit was crazy.
The music went low.
“You ready to talk??” City asked.
“About what?”
“The weather, lil’ nigga. You know what.”
“Nobody.”
“So, you was about to get into a ghost’s truck?”
“That’s my business.”
“You ain’t got no fuckin’ business.”
“Why does everybody keep saying that?”
“I’m almost grown.”
“You got one and a half scoops of chin hairs and two whiskers. You ain’t almost shit. Yo’ ass could’ve been killed if you got in that trunk.”
“Wasn’t nobody gon’ kill me.”
“You don’t know that. Do ya mama know you were with them? What about Rayzor? Does anybody know who the mothafucka was besides you?” he scolded.
“No, but I’m not about to put myself in danger.”
He got quiet.
“You don’t even know shit about the streets, Leek. That shit was dumb.”
“I’m with you now, so leave the shit alone.”
“And you cursing too? Yeah, you in your pocket.”
“I’m just tired of everybody telling me what to do.”
“Because you’re still a kid, Leek. What you thinking?”
I exhaled.
“That’s what I’m trying to tell y’all. I’m not a lil’ kid anymore.”
“Problem is, mothafuckas be so quick to grow up, running from shit instead of facing it. Growing up ain’t about proving what you can do, but how you handle what you can’t.”
I slowly glanced at him.
“And you’re already fucking up. Tighten up.”
I didn’t reply as I turned my head back toward the window. Now City was about to treat me like Ma and Court. That’s why I wanted to do my own thing. Living under everybody else’s thumb made me want my independence.