The Paradise was the local drive-in that was located at the end 6th avenue and Church, which was the neutral zone. This meant no gang activity at the drive-in. It was the only place in town where you could walk around without worrying about no one beating you senseless for simply being on the wrong side of town. My little brother, Trey, wanted to go see a double feature playing there this weekend. I was 17 and hanging out with your 12 year old little brother when you where supposed to chasing tail, wasn't ideal. In order to get to the Paradise, we had to cross enemy territory. I had knew the 6th Ave boys owed me a few beatings for jumping a couple of them when they got caught in my neighborhood. Trey didn't know anything about my part in the beating, but he had witnessed a few as they happened.
"Moe?"
"Yeah, Trey"
"Why are they beating that man? What did he do?"
"Nothing, Trey .. Just in the wrong place; wrong time...you know?"
"No I don't....make them stop, Moe"
"I can't"
"Why?"
"It's the world we know"
"It doesn't have to be"
Poignant, powerful, true. Very effective. You have left me speechless, which is rare. xo
ReplyDeleteAw, that last line. The innocence and truth behind a child's words. Great tease!
ReplyDeleteI could identify with the idea of standing for what is right. Trey was faced with a conscious decision of either fight or flight. Good piece.
ReplyDeleteHopefully Trey will turn out different than his brother and the others and not succumb to the standard of violence prevailing in their neighborhoods.
ReplyDeleteQuite an astute look at life in your excellent teaser. Some things shouldn't be the way they are
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