Chapter 1
“Your turn to hold the sign baby,” Mama whispered, handing me the piece of cardboard box we used to help put food in our stomachs.
I’ve never been the type to blame anyone for stuff, but it was my pop’s fault for us living in this dirty alley! Around five years ago he made a deal with some really bad people that he couldn’t keep. That resulted in him being shot to death at a redlight in broad daylight, just a few blocks away from our old house. That took a huge toll on mama and she ended up losing the house. We had no family to contact for help and now we’re here, begging for food and money!
“GOD WILL BLESS YOU MA’AM!” I shouted towards a woman strolling by holding a Chanel purse.
“I’m sorry, I only have twenties,” she replied, placing her hands on her chest. “If I had a dollar I would’ve gave it to you, I’m so sorry!”
The sign dropped from my hands, and once that first tear fell, more came behind. Being homeless didn’t mean I was stupid. Chanel purses weren’t cheap, it wouldn’t have hurt her to give twenty dollars. But I couldn’t be upset because she didn’t owe me a dime. If my leg worked properly, I would’ve actually had some sort of job. Mama told me my leg was messed up because my pops used to beat her so much while she was pregnant. That made me hate him even more than I already did!
After about an hour of sitting near the edge of the road, the front of my head began to throb. Mama made sure she kept some kind of medicine for times like this. I got up and began wobbling towards the alley, just before a car horn caught my attention. I turned and saw the fanciest car I’d ever seen in my life! From what I remember they were called McClarens.
Some tall man wearing a huge chain hopped out and began jogging towards me.
“Hold on, I got something for you!”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out more money than I could ever imagine!
“Here you go little man, this is ten thousand dollars. Hide that shit dawg, matter of fact give it to your parents.”
He gave me a fist bump then headed towards his car.
I cleared my throat, then glanced up at the blue sky, and began singing like my life depended on it. “I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU, I KNOW GOD IS GONNA BLESS YOU!”
He stopped, and slowly turned around. I moved backwards, thinking he wanted his money back.
“Can you sing again?” he asked, pulling out more money, but less than what he gave me the first time.
I did as he said. His eyes lit up and he instantly pulled out his phone. By that time mama came creeping around the corner.
“What’s going on son? Who is this?”
“I don’t know but he gave me a lot of money!”
She almost fainted after seeing the stack of money in my hand.
“Hey, you must be his mama,” he grinned. “My name is Blickson, I’m one of the biggest rappers out right now. You might’ve heard some of my songs on the radio.”
“Hello, but sorry I haven’t , I don’t have a radio.”
“Oh, well you will soon. I have someone coming to pick both of y’all up, get everything you need because y’all will never have to come back to this corner again!”
“What do you mean?” mama asked, moving closer to me.
“I want your son to sign to my record label, he has the voice!”
Mama looked at me confused. No one knew I could sing, because I never did it around people. When it was time for me to hold the sign, I sang my heart out!
“Really?” she asked.
“Yes really, the ride will be here in about five minutes, go grab what you need!” he shouted. “By the way, what’s your name lil homie?”
“Trek.”
“Oh iight Trek, I rock with that name!”
I nodded & laughed before hobbling towards the alley. Mama had the biggest smile on her face and that made my day!
