Family Over Everything by Paige Green Page B

was schooling him on. When an hour passed and he was ready to go, he packed his notebook and pen into his backpack and started to walk out of the room.
    â€œEhh, Mr. Jenkins, I want to talk to you about one more thing before you go,” Ms. Younger said as she removed her glasses.
    Walking back over to her, he stood in front of her. “Deion, you’re a very intelligent young man and I really want the best for you.”
    â€œI know you do, Ms. Younger, and I’m very thankful.”
    â€œWell, that’s good to know. But I really hope you don’t let these young, ignorant teenagers around you influence your decisions in life. You can really go somewhere with this writing, Mr. Jenkins. You’re really blessed. When you go home every night, Iwant you to keep a journal and write out your thoughts. Every writer writes every day, or at least thinks about writing. You’re a writer, keep your head up, and I hope you heed my advice.”
    Deion nodded his head as he thanked her one last time and walked out of her classroom.

    â€œHey, Momma,” Deion said as he wrapped his arms around Melissa’s shoulders, giving her a tight hug and kiss on the cheek.
    â€œHey, baby. How was school?”
    â€œIt was good. Ms. Younger is teaching me how to write a book!”
    â€œWrite a book? I didn’t know you write, baby. Why didn’t you tell me?” Melissa asked, a hint of hurt evident in her voice.
    â€œBecause you’ve been tired and stressed a lot lately. I wanted to give you your space, Momma. I’m sorry.”
    â€œIt’s okay, baby. Can I see some of your writing?”
    Reaching into his backpack, he pulled out his journal where he kept his poems and gave it to Melissa.
    Flipping to the first page, Melissa began to read his poem, “Never Say Never.”
    Never say Never,
    When you pictured yourself being alone in this cold, heartless world,
    And you said you’d never would.
    Never say never,
    When you find yourself working the blocks to feed your family,
    When you said you’d never would.
    Never say never,
    When you see your lady friend doing anything, willingly, to let any man deep in,
    and you’d said you never stoop that low,
    but you turn around, your skirt’s pulled around your ankles.
    Never say never,
    When you’d said you’d never hurt the woman of your dreams for the woman for the night,
    But lift the covers up, your woman sees you cheating.
    Never say Never..............
    Placing a hand to her chest, Melissa smiled at Deion and pulled him into a warm hug.
    â€œBoy, this is talent. This is a start! I’m happy for you, baby!”
    â€œThank you, Momma. But that poem is old. I wrote this when I first started to write.”
    â€œBaby, I don’t care; that was beautiful. I’m so proud of you!”
    â€œThank you. Did you buy any food yet? And where’s Corrine?”
    â€œYeah, there’s food in there, and she’s in the room sleep,” Melissa said before getting up to head into the kitchen.
    She held the notebook in her hand, skimming through the poems he’d written. She was truly happy to see that he was doing something positive with his life.
    â€œDeion, I want you to listen to me,” Melissa stated firmly, as she cupped her hands around his face.
    â€œYes, Momma?”
    â€œI want you to promise me, no matter what happens, that you’ll never let anyone take your dreams from you, baby. I want you to promise me that you’ll never let that cold-hearted, ignorant brother of yours take your dreams, or influence you to do something you really don’t want to do. Please, baby, promise me?”
    Nodding, he smiled as he said, “I promise.”

    Day’onne and Menace stood on the corner of Chicago Street, selling product to several drug addicts, who stood in line. For the past two weeks, both boys had been breaking down, cooking, bagging, and selling the product that