The Reason Why by Vickie M. Stringer

long time. You son of a bitch!” the officer shouted at Chino. “Let’s get that straight right now! You can do a lot of time, or no time at all. It’s your choice!”
    â€œI want a lawyer,” Chino said calmly.
    â€œYou ain’t getting no fucking lawyer, you black muthafucka!” the officer shouted.
    â€œFuck you!” Chino shouted.
    â€œFuck me? No, fuck you!” The officer swung and struck Chino in his jaw. “Talk, you black muthafucka!”
    â€œFuck you!” Chino shouted.
    â€œWhere are the drugs coming from?” the officer said, striking Chino again.
    â€œFuck you!” Chino shouted.
    â€œHow much did they have?” the officer said, striking Chino again. This time, blood flew from Chino’s lip.
    â€œSuck my dick, bitch!” Chino shouted.
    The officer struck Chino again, this time leaving a gash across his right eye.
    â€œFuck you!” Chino shouted. “I ain’t talking! I ain’t telling you shit!”
    The officer knocked Chino from the chair and kicked him in his stomach. Chino curled into a ball.
    â€œYou talk, you son of a bitch!” the officer shouted.
    â€œFuck you,” Chino said weakly.
    â€œGet this asshole out of here,” another officer ordered.
    Two officers lifted Chino up and dragged him back into the room with Fabian, Lupe, and Pepe, who had heard the whole thing. They saw Chino’s bloody face and beat-up body. Pepe and Lupe exchanged glances. Chino had taken an asswhipping and hadn’t broken. He had held strong. They would report this back to their people.
    â€œYou all right?” Fabian asked.
    â€œFuck them hoes!” Chino said.
    Fabian nodded. Chino had held his water under pressure. He hadn’t just been interrogated, he had been beaten. That kind of loyalty meant the keys to the city. Fabian knew for certain he was going away, but he would make sure that Chino was taken care of. He had a cousin in New York that he would hook Chino up with to make sure that he was all right.
    â€œIt’s going to be okay, bro,” Fabian told Chino. “You’ll see. Stay strong, and the world is yours.”

Chapter 11

Giving My All to You
    â€œD ang, Pooh, you feel warm as hell.” Chino placed his hand over Pam’s forehead.
    â€œI know. I don’t feel so good.”
    Chino wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to him. He kissed the back of her neck and then climbed out of the bed. “As a matter of fact, you’re burning up.”
    She started shivering. “I didn’t feel well yesterday. I woke up last night with a headache, and now I have a fever.”
    â€œJust get some rest, baby. I’ll take care of everything.”
    â€œI can’t just lay in bed all day,” Pam protested. “I have clothes to wash, an exam to study for, I have—” Pam sneezed.
    â€œBless you!” Chino told her.
    â€œI can’t—”
    â€œYou won’t,” Chino interrupted her. “I’ll take care of your clothes and help you study for your test.”
    â€œYeah, right!” Pam said, trying to sit up. She sniffled and coughed.
    Chino gently pushed her back down. “Baby, lay down. I’llget your books and throw your clothes in the washing machine. Your books are in your backpack, right?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œOkay, then,” Chino said, turning to head out of the room.
    â€œSeparate my whites!” Pam told him.
    He turned to look at her with a grin on his face. “Duh! I know how to wash clothes, girl! I even manage to dress myself some mornings, isn’t that amazing?”
    â€œOkay, you got me,” Pam said mustering a laugh, lifting her hands, signaling no contest.
    Chino turned and headed out of the bedroom into the living room. He grabbed her basket of clothes and carried it into the kitchen, where his washer and dryer were tucked away inside a closet. He pulled out her white clothes,