5-23-19

Dear Reader,
Hey, I hope you're doing well!

So, after that moment of truth, there was some of my character on display. Loyalty is paramount when working with a crew. And that situation earned me some respect from others involved. I had a code, which meant there's substance to my character that is interesting. So, as time went by, people were interested in working with me.

And trust and respect grew.

I got along with all but two people. I... well, he was racist to put it simply. But he was the little brother of the boss man, so that bought him countless reprieves. Though there were a couple times his family ties almost didn't matter...

One night, a buddy of mine asked me to help him move some furniture he had to pick up a couch or table from L's house. ("L" is what we'll call the racist brother.) L kicked him out. So, we go over there in a truck and walk up to his porch, and next thing I knew my buddy pulled out a gun and kicked open the door.

My jaw dropped. Did I just get pulled into their beef? Yup! It turned out I was asked to come along not to help with furniture but to be muscle.

I followed him through the front door and saw him snatch a baseball bat from a teenager and prepared to hit him with it. I jumped in front of him and grabbed the bat. Now, if he wants to fight L, that's cool. I'd enjoy seeing him get his teeth knocked in.

But not a kid. And I happened to know this kid. Him and his friend. And I wasn't going to let something bad happen to them. They were cool with me.

Buddy eased up and set his sights back on L. L had barricaded himself in his bedroom. Buddy was kicking on his door to no avail. So, on his way out, he shot holes through the wall. Next thing I hear is L scream, "Aah, I'm shot! I'm shot!"

Now... I wasn't sure it was him as the voice was soo high pitched, but it was. It also turned out he wasn't actually shot. He screamed it, in my opinion, so that Buddy would think he succeeded at his obstacle and stop shooting. It worked because Buddy headed for the door.

I checked on B and his friend (not their real names). They were okay. So, I followed him out the door.

I cussed him out! Shots were fired, teens in danger! He was trippin'! And I relayed this all to him as we drove down the road.

A few minutes later...

Blue lights! Cops pulling us over. We jumped out and ran. I got away. He didn't. I laid underneath some brush across from his home and watched as the police questioned everyone there about who I am, etc... Two hours went by. Then three, then four.

Finally, there were no more cop cars patrolling the area. I was sure they were on the road nearby. My car was sitting at their house. It was about three in the morning when I crept to their home. They let me in and told me everything.

It turned out L told the police it was me with the gun. That lying bastard!

It's okay though. The teens told the truth. They had my back! And then later, on down the road, Buddy allocated in court what really happened and my charges were dropped.

L lied for two reasons. He hated the color of my skin, and he despised that his big brother and I were so close. We were very good friends, close like brothers. We were closer than they were, but it was for good reasons. L had one code: all for himself. Which later proved true when he wrote a statement, snitching on his big brother for a reduced sentence. Audry testified, too.

It's one thing to tell the police of criminal behavior because it's what you feel is the right thing to do. That's doing the right thing. But to tell the police criminal activity to get yourself out of trouble is snitching. And it's disgraceful.

Anyway, in my next blog post, I'll tell you about the next altercation that landed me in jail for allegedly attempting to murder someone.

Or, let's be honest: what landed me in jail is living a life of crime. You can also call it karma!

Until next time.

Yours truly,
Doug