Post by Darren Marsh on Feb 16, 2021 16:52:55 GMT -6
He laid there sleeping. He was at rest. No one told him I was fighting in some underground fighting show to raise money for his hospital bills, or cure, or medicine or whatever it is we're doing, so I know his sleep was stress free. Well, as stress-free as a child going through leukemia can be. His parents hated the fact that I'm doing this. My best friends, my neighbors, they mean everything to me and they don't need to be worrying about this. I can fight. I've been on this side of the law for years and I've had my square ups. I've had my experiences with the wrong kind of criminals, so I think I can handle myself pretty well with this. I need that cash prize. He needs that cash prize.
I still remember the day before he fell while playing baseball. He used to run around here like a cartoon character. He was a good boy. A smart boy. Now he's lucky to even come downstairs for an hour or two.
I wasn't blessed to have kids. I won't ever have them. But he, he makes me feel good, he makes me feel whole. He gives me purpose and drive.
I can't look out that window and have hope for my city any longer. My city, my state, it's gone. It's destroyed. It'll never be what it once was, but I know this kid has a future. I have hope for him. I have hope for me. I ha-
"I didn't know you were still here", says the child's mom.
I smile and stand up.
"You don't have to go?"
I kiss her on the cheek and thank for her letting me spend my morning coffee with him. She smiles as her husband meets me in the hallway.
"Double shift today?"
I nod.
"You doing that fighting thing still, look brother, you don't ne-"
I do. I do need to. Everything is for him.
I look back one more time through the door frame. The sun hits his charcoal skin just right.
I'm going to win for him.
I still remember the day before he fell while playing baseball. He used to run around here like a cartoon character. He was a good boy. A smart boy. Now he's lucky to even come downstairs for an hour or two.
I wasn't blessed to have kids. I won't ever have them. But he, he makes me feel good, he makes me feel whole. He gives me purpose and drive.
I can't look out that window and have hope for my city any longer. My city, my state, it's gone. It's destroyed. It'll never be what it once was, but I know this kid has a future. I have hope for him. I have hope for me. I ha-
"I didn't know you were still here", says the child's mom.
I smile and stand up.
"You don't have to go?"
I kiss her on the cheek and thank for her letting me spend my morning coffee with him. She smiles as her husband meets me in the hallway.
"Double shift today?"
I nod.
"You doing that fighting thing still, look brother, you don't ne-"
I do. I do need to. Everything is for him.
I look back one more time through the door frame. The sun hits his charcoal skin just right.
I'm going to win for him.