THE THINGS THAT WE DO

The Beginning

     Bruce and Calvin, were raised in the same hood, about two blocks away from each other. They both had parents, that were strick, and not people to show much affection. When loving was needed, they had to seek it elsewhere.

     Between the two, Bruce, was the leader, and the thinker. What Bruce said, went. They turned to each other young in life. They shared homeroom class, and English. Calvin, was the brains. There was nothing to come along, that he couldn't solve.

     One day, when they were in the 10th grade, Calvin met Bruce, at their regular spot, to walk to school together. This morning was different though. Calvin's eyes were puffed and watery. Bruce immediately asked, what's wrong? Trying to be big about the situation, he brushed it off, and said nothing.

     Man, there's something wrong, or you wouldn't be crying. Ah, I think its the weather, and my hay fever, Calvin said. Taking him at his word, Bruce, let it go. On their way to school, they ran into Cookie, Bruce's on again off again girlfriend.

     She loved herself some Bruce, but her father, warned her to stay away. Cookie liked Calvin as well, for a friend. She was forever, trying to hook him up, with one of her girls. Bruce and Calvin, were good looking young black men, and could have their choice of girls. At times, Bruce would take advantage of his appeal.

     Cookie would find out, and she'd curse him out, stay away, for a week, and be right back in his arms, as if nothing had happened. Calvin would warn him that Cookie, would one day, get tired of his mess, and explode. Bruce knew Cookie was dick whipped, and would always come back.

     Calvin on the other hand, was shy, and withdrawn. He's had girls, but nothing that lasted over a week. He would tell people, he was into his school work, and couldn't keep his grades up, with a girl always tagging along. No one gave it a second thought, because they knew, if he wanted to get into college, he had to have a scholarship, cause his parents, couldn't afford to send him.

     Neither Bruce or Calvin, played sports, so winging it alone, was their only chance, of getting out of the hood. Things were going good for Bruce and Cookie's relationship, so Calvin, kept himself busy, in the books. Bruce was no dummy, by no means, but trying to keep Cookie happy, he'd miss out on some of his class work, and had to turn to Calvin, for help.

     Calvin idolized Bruce, he was everything he wanted in a big brother. One evening, Bruce went over to Calvin's place, to study English, which he was having problems with, even before Cookie. As they were studying, Calvin's eyes, started filling with tears of pain. What's wrong with you? Bruce asked, and don't tell me nothing, or I'll beat your ass, and give you something to cry about.

     Calvin, never wanted to tell anyone of his sorrows, but Bruce, was giving him no choice. Remember the other week, when I was crying as we walked to school? Well, the night before, my Dad came in my room, and wanted me to do certain things for him. When I refused, he beat me, and told me, next time he ask, I would have no other alternative, or I'd be sleeping in the streets.

     What kind of things?, Bruce asked. Calvin said, he couldn't go into it. Is he trying to make moves on you? Calvin, just dropped his head, and burst out, into a full blown out tear fest. Dam, that's messed up yo. You tell your Moms? Nah, she wouldn't believe me anyways. I think she's as scared of him, as I am.

     You only got a little over a year in school, after that, you can give him the finger, and carry your ass elsewhere. I don't want to leave my Mom, here with him either, Calvin said. I have two other brothers. One is older, and the other, who you know, is younger. What would they do, if they found out?  Bruce asked.

     My older brother Dwight, would break him in two, and Russell, may not believe it. He is Dads pick, he can do no wrong, Calvin said. I'm going to stay to myself, the majority of the time, and stay out of his reach. But you live in his house, how you gonna do that? I don't know, Calvin said, but I'll find a way.

     That next day, Bruce and Calvin, have a test, in English class. They did all the studying they could, and it paid off. Bruce got a 97, and Calvin, got a 99. Things were good for them, so Bruce asked Calvin, to meet him at Bucks, a neighborhood convenience store, to get a hot dog, and a soda, to celebrate, their passing scores.

     As they were eating their victory meal, Cookie pulls up, in a carload, of her friends. She walks right up to the table where they were sitting, and she showed out. I heard you got a ninty something on your test. I would think, any other guy, would want to be with his girlfriend, BUT NO, you here with Calvin! Is he taking my place or sumthin? Cookie ask, with her hands on her hip.

     Baby, why you acting like this? And in front of all our friends. Calvin helped me study for that test, the same test, I asked you to help me with, but didn't, cause you had to get your nails done. So you need to shut your mouth, apologize to Calvin, and go get your raggedy head done, and stop bothering me!

     Feeling good, about the way Bruce defended him, Calvin went home, went to his room, locked the door, and got into his books. Just as he was deep in thought, his cell phone went off. Hello, this Bruce, the voice on the line said. You alright? Don't let that spoiled Cookie, get to you, that's what she wants.

     Cookie left, and Bruce and Calvin, finished their lunch. School kids, can be vicious. The girl that heard Cookie reading Bruce, decided, they were going to put out rumors about Bruce and Calvin. They figured, if Cookie was going to be hurt, then everyone involved, was going to hurt too.

     The very next morning, as they were walking to school, kids from school, were booing them, and a couple of them, threw rocks. What the hell is going on? Bruce asked. One of the passing kids hollered, Sissy. Then it hit Bruce, Cookie. Since she mad about not spending a lot of time with him, she was going to try to destroy his name.

     Calvin, being the withdrawn type, he wasn't saying a word, but he was heartbroken. He was so hurt, he turned back around, and went back home. Bruce went on to school, knowing he would see Cookie there. He was determined, he was going to turn the tables.

     Meanwhile, Calvin returns home, and no ones there. He feels relieved. He just knew, he could have some peace and quite, if only for that morning. As soon as he gets relaxed, the front door opens, and its his Father.

     What you doing here boy? You suppose to be in school. I ain't gonna ask you again. What's up? His Dad shouted. Calvin told him, he had gotten sick on his stomach, and didn't want to be throwing up, all over the school.

     As the day progress, Bruce runs into Cookie, in the hallway, and tells her, he knows she's hurt, about him not spending time with her, so he wants to make it up. He tells her, he wants to meet up, in the old driving ed., trailer, that's where some kids go, to make out, during school time.

     He has something up his sleeve, and Cookie, was not going to be happy. Calvin, is at home alone, with his Dad, the one person, that puts fear, in his heart.