Chapter 1

"Damien if you not down here in 5 minutes, your gonna miss the bus and I ain't driving you to school"

"Coming Mama"

Mornings are always hard for kids but especially Damien. He and his sister, Trudy lived with Mama. Mama was a single parent after Daddy had died. They said it was a freak accident at the construction site. Mama wasn't convinced. The poor women was never the same after that. The smile and the sunshine aspect of her personality was as if it was sucked away, just like daddy's soul was the day at the construction site.

She was so overcome with grief, that her job as a secretary was sacrificed. They said that if she couldn't come to work with a smile and a cheery attitude, she had definitely no business working there. They let her go. Seeing mama come home, looking like her puppy ran away was something that stuck with Judy and him to this day.

After months of trying to find a job, mama was able to get a job as a house cleaner down at the Jones's residence. Damien didn't think this was a good job, but what was he gonna do. Mama needed this job because daddy's life insurance was all used up. He kept coming up with absurd reasons as to why cleaning a house for some grumpy old people such as the Jones's was not a good idea. People like Mr. and Mrs. Jones, did not respect people they were some of the wealthiest people on the North Side of Chicago. Rumor has it that they were so loaded, that there was no reason to work. They liked to remind people that they were somehow "superior" Just because they were old.

As mama liked to say... "People that think they are superior because they are old and rich, and who never had to work a day in their life, don't know the first thing about hard work and they ain't not know the first thing about discipline and the reward that comes with working hard."

Mr. and Mrs. Jones lived in a 3 story modern-Victorian house. They had only one child who had moved out and living on her own. What Damien would never understand was that these people were older and why would they need such a big house. They paid terribly and would order mama around sometimes embarrassing her. Still nonetheless she stayed because she wanted her children to go to school and have a future.

"Damien, make sure Trudy remembers that she has tutoring after school with Mr. Berenger so you need to wait for her. Maybe get your homework done while you wait ok?"

"Okay mama"

"Oh and try not to get in trouble okay. You've already visited Mr. Hopper enough. I don't like getting that call that says that my boy is getting in trouble. Lock up the house before you leave and walk Trudy to her class. Oh and if you see the police make sure you-"

"Show my hands and make sure I say "yes Sir, no sir" "

"I just want you to know that because you are-"

He cut her off before she finished, for he knew this drill.

Damien was starting to get annoyed. Rolling his eyes he said" Okay mama I know"

She shot him a short sympathetic look.

"I know you know but I wanna make sure your safe."

Feeling guilty he said "I'm sorry mama. I know you worry but you don't need to. I know.

"Okay baby"

"Have a good day mama"

He kissed her head and said goodbye.

"TRUDY! We need to leave or else you'll be late and I'm not waiting!"

"Okay okay Mr. grouchy I'm coming"

On the way to school he couldn't help but feel like something was off but he brushed off and concluded it probably was nothing.

"Hey uhhh Trudy remember you also have tutoring after school"

"I know. Bye Love you"

"Love you too bye"

I saw Trudy walk over and join a group of her friends. It made me happy to know that she had a group of good friends to lean on. They came over in the few days after daddy's death and accompanying them were colossal platters of brownies, ice tea, fruit plates, fried chicken, and more. I was interrupted from what I was thinking about, when my best friend George walked over.

"Hey brotha what's up my man?"

"Hey George. You ready for the test today in Ms. Gonzalez's class?

He looked at me as if I had 4 heads.

"The test?"

"Yeah. It was the one on the Mayan Civilization".

"Oh yeah that one. I umm... yeah.."

"What is it George?"

"Oh man oh man. I didn't study for the one and if I get a terrible score on one more test my parents are gonna kill me"

"Calm down George. You can just copy off of mine"

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Oh I don't know... I mean what if you get in trouble?"

"Oh my god you worry to much. It'll be fine. Come on do I look like I have 4 heads and am talking in a completely different language?"

"Dude you need to loosen up and stop being a wuss"

George. Oh George. He and I had been bro's since 2nd grade. He was the quiet one and well I was the loud one. Mama always said I had been loud. Swore the whole hospital could hear that I was alive when I was born. She said I got it from dad. It's been mostly a curse. At church mostly. I swear we are supposed to sing our hymns real loud and say our amen real loud, but mama say's my big mouth ain't anything close to an 'amen' She swears she misses it now. I've gone quiet she concludes. I went quiet when daddy died. Nothing for the longest time could make me happy and my loud mouth was my accomplishment. Guess that died when my pa died.

"Hey Georgina and Damina" I heard Colby taunt.

Colby and Trey were the bad boys at school. They have been picking on George and I since the 7th grade.

"What do you want?" I spat

"Hey Trey?"

"What Colby?"

"See those mis-matched items of clothing worm kid has on? Guess his daddy had to go to work and couldn't help him.... Oh wait his daddy ain't coming back... he's dead"

"Colby let's not---"

"What? so you're on worm boy and captain underpants' side now?"

Man that was when I saw red. Colby had no business bringing up my dad.

George must of sensed something because he put his hand on my shoulder and even that didn't calm me. I shrugged it off.

"Come on man. He's not worth it"

"He asked for it. And now he's getting it"

"You know what ass hole? You think it's cute bringing up my father? Well I doubt you'll be able to bring him up once I knock out your teeth."

"Do it worm boy"

I started punching and hitting him. I must of blacked out when I was attacking him. I could barely hear the principle when he was yelling for me to get off of Colby. I was politely escorted out bloodied mouth and all to the principal's office. Oh no! I promised mama I was done with trouble. Hopefully she'll understand

The principle handed me an ice pack for my lip, and a water to cool off. Across the room I saw Colby. He was given the same kind of treatment which angered me because I was the victim here! I hope that he at least gets expelled or worse.

"Mr. Ambright?"

"Yes Sir?"

"My office please"

"Okay Mr. Ambright." He said wiping his face with his sleeve. He looked exasperated.

"What is it like? Your 45th time in the past 3 months I've seen you here in my office"

"Yes sir"

"Okay. I umm.. okay. You know what?"

"I don't know sir."

"Look I know you've had a rough past few months. Would you say that's a viable statement?"

"Yes sir"

"Okay. I understand your pain. My own father died when I was about your age. Death is a very complex and complicated thing to understand. At your age it is very confusing. But, it's how you ultimately deal with the question that remain, or or the feeling of let down that ultimately determines the outcome."

"Can I leave my class is starting"

"It's okay. I'll write you a late pass."

"Okay"

"I want you to think about the last statement I just told you. Do you feel like you've been betrayed somehow or frankly let down? Or do you fee-"

"Look with all due respect, this isn't some kind of counseling session."

"Your right. Excuse me"

"Let me start over."

"Look Damien you're a great kid. I took a look at your records. You're doing pretty good in your classes."

"Thank you sir"

"I just don't know how you came up with the idea that fighting is a good idea. I mean our school has a very high standard and an absolutely 100% no tolerance policy on fighting. Damien, you're looking at a possible disorderly conduct and suspension. If this gets out to the district it could possibly be expulsion."

If mama heard about this, it could be bad.

"Okay look Mr. Hooper. I understand that fighting is bad but it wasn't only my fault."

"Okay Damien I'll talk to him. How does that sound?"

"Thank you sir."

"Here is your late pass. Keep being the kid I know you can"

"Thank you"

"This is Mena Almbright. I am unable to get to your call right now but please leave a message. Thank you"

"Hello Ms. Almbright it's principle Hooper. I am calling in regards to your son's behavior that was exhibited this morning. When you have a chance please call me back at 410-291-0304. Thank you"