S A G E C A R T E R
📍 Bel Air, Ca
"I'm going for a run"
My mom stopped me "Where at?" She stared at me for a really long time until I told her the truth, I have a hard time telling the truth knowing my parents won't allow it
"Crenshaw" I sighed and gave up
"That's like a two hour walk from here"
"Mom, two things. One, I need to get in shape for soccer season and two, it's three hours and plus who said I'm walking? I'm running, if anything happens which I doubt, I'll call one of you guys, I promise" I explained but that doesn't reassure her, just because my roots are from Slauson and Oakland, it doesn't mean that there are people who won't hurt me "Mom please. I can take care of myself I promise"
She stared at me "You better be home before your dad gets back" She let me go and I ran
I put on my work out playlist and the first song that came up was Fallin' In Luv by Lil Yachty, I laughed.
"Good days only"
I made a couple stops to breathe and have a drink. Running for hours is considered crazy but once you have a really athletic family it's considered a norm- running for three is but since I'm running back home that's four- my dad calls me the driven one but mom says I'm crazy but in a good way
I stopped at a neighborhood, seemed familiar and that's because that's where my dad's grandparents moved to from Slauson. I knew the place, I knew how to get there so I ran some more to see if the house still stood.
I heard noises but I blocked it all out with my headhones, hardly anything goes wrong at 9am in Crenshaw- I've ran this far before, it's nothing. Then, I noticed the people shutting their doors and going inside their houses, I pulled my headphones off of my head and stopped to analyze. Just seconds after I heard gunshots not that for of a distance. My heart raced and I got scared, unable to move, not knowing what to do. I froze up.
"Bel Air what the hell-" He pulled me and we hid at the side of a random person's house
"Are you okay?" We were too close for a couple of people who just met, I nodded "Your heart's beating like crazy, breathe and you'll be fine"
I nodded again and pressed my head against his chest just trying to take in what just happened "What are you doing out here?"
My head still resting on his chest "Run, I run 3 to 4 hours from Bel Air to Crenshaw for soccer- I-I do it for practice- it- it helps" I stuttered a lot
"You can't be doing that alone here, especially now. Haven't you heard what's going on? A new gang's here trynna take over, from ya moms home town" Oakland, Oh Oakland.
I didn't say a word, still processing what happened. It's a lot to take in. The gun shots stopped but resumed as we left that home we were hiding in. We dropped to the ground, hiding and staying low behind the construction truck we were by. Why is peace so hard to come by?
As soon as it were over we headed to his place in a rush. It was empty, and had unpacked boxes "Not much-"
"Stop saying that. It's a house and it is much, it gives you a place to live a-" I paused and saw a picture, the only one he had; Spencer, Dylan and Darnell were there with their dad playing football.
"I'm sorry" I looked up "Don't be. It's tough, he was the closest thing I had to a father, my mom's- she's busy being a soldier so I'm here all alone now. I work to keep the house, barely helps-"
"Darnell let me help you" I stopped him right there, I don't think he knows that having a parent in the service gets him a lot of privileges
He looked at me "No-"
"No yourself. I know so many things that can help you out that won't require any pity donations from me. Please" I begged
"Alright"
"You do know that your mom serving the country gets you a lot of benefits right?" I added taking a seat, he looked at me "Yeah, it just always slips my mind. I think about it and then I forget about it again. I'm kind of dumb" We both laughed
"I should probably go, it's been an hour. I think it would be safe now" I stood up from the stool
"Nah stay, I'll cook you lunch then uh- I'll take you"
I glanced towards him "I'll show you what you're missing" I looked at him a little bit harder "About Crenshaw"
We both laughed as I agreed to that
He gave me a hoodie that had the South Crenshaw football team written all over it with his number and last name on the back. Quite convenient really, I went on a run with a shirt and leggings nothing else and this fall weather is starting to kick in a little bit early this year
"See that?" He pointed ahead "The pole?" I snickered
He rolled his eyes at me as we stopped for a second "Yeah, that's the first time I got mugged, no one really got anything from me but my phone- survived a whole week without it, going on two this Thursday"
"That's terrible"
We walked and made stops, he didn't have a car- barely knows how to drive one, no license and a permit that's about to expire. He's getting by on his own with hardly any help, I want to help.
"I'll be alright" he nudged me on the shoulder and we continued to walk home
I didn't need a car or a bus. Walking is just fine, sometimes we need to take the time to appreciate the world we live in, broken or not. It's good to step out and step into some shoes you've never walked in.
"Well here's my stop" I stood behind my house, where his face lit up and mouth opened wide
"Come on, let me introduce you to my dad who is the biggest fan, pretty cool huh? You ever thought you'd have a fan let alone is a retired NFL star?" I tugged him as he shook his head repeatedly
"Come on, it's not a big deal" He then stopped and gave me that look as I couldn't help but laugh
"Not a BIG DEAL? You're a legendary baby and I'm left all alone"
"Don't ever compare yourself to me or to anyone, your background will be your motivation to have a better future, love yourself Darnell or I'll hate you" I glanced, he rolled his eyes and sighed agreeing
The door swung open "Is that?"
We both stood up tall, I moved next to my dad as Darnell shyly waved at my dad "Took me home from my run- remember I told you I met him at 7-11"
My dad nodded, couldn't knock that smile off his face because he sure does seem amused "I'm a huge fan of yours Darnell. Come on over, come in" My dad welcomed as I followed both of them in last
As Darnell's head turned and eyes wandered around the house, I could already tell from what little I've picked up from him is he's still comparing and judging himself.
My dad brought his little party of him and Darnell to our backyard where I so graciously invited myself into because I was in fact the one that brought him here. Thought of course, my dad asked me if I could bring in that pitcher of lemonade from the fridge. Pretty sure he said that so he can have some quality alone time with whom he says has a great future in football. My mother soon joined us the minute she came home, Darnell was completely star struck by everything that's happening to him
"Well it was awfully nice of you to walk Sage all the way back to Bel Air" My mom paused as she finished the last sip of her midday tea
"Come join us for dinner then maybe I can have my girl take you home, I don't accept no's especially to the boy my husband talks about day and night"
Darnell looked over at me as I encouraged him with a nod and mouthing the words please. He agreed and if he did then he would've probably regretted it. While dinner was being prepared I took him on a tour of the house, showed him our trophy room. It's a room full of my mom's music awards, dad's trophies and of course their children's accomplishments as well. He was amazed at how much trophies a family can have, realizing we're overachievers. I took him to see my siblings, of course Suede is absent, probably partying or with a new guy. I don't know. Can't seem to catch her nowadays
"This your room?" I grinned afraid he'll say something about the size of my room being the size of his whole house combined or something
"It's lit"
"Come here, look at this" I showed him my wall full of pictures and memories I've had since I was seven
"You take all these?" I nodded in response"You've got skills other than sports"
"You think that's great, you should see the arcade" My mom popped in causing us to jump, sneaky thing she is. She lead the way to the arcade which is my third favorite place I have in this house, first is my room second is the kitchen.
"You're van gogh! You're crazy talented, what else can you do that doesn't involve sports?" He just had to ask because my mom will answer "My baby can dance and sing, something she got from me" She squeezed proudly
"Should've seen that coming"
"Alright come on dinners ready y'all"