K'wan - Gutter

“You mean it?” I asked, knowing I had heard her wrong.

“Yes.” She smiled. “By publishing his story, his memory will live on in the pages of that book long after we’re gone.”

I wrapped my arms around my mother so tight that I thought I heard her cough.

“Wow, I don’t even get that kind of love on Christmas,” she joked. “But seriously, I want you to do what your heart tells you to.”

“Thank you so much, Mommy. I’m gonna dedicate the book to you!”

“That’s nice, baby, but first things first. I’m gonna call your professor so we can set up a meeting with these publishing people, but I’m going to talk to Snake Eyes about it first. Baby”-she turned to my crime partner-“I think you’d better go on home, honey. Kenyatta’s father wasn’t the only one with a story. Your mom has something she needs to talk to you about.”

“A’ight, Auntie.” He got off the bed and started for the window. “Dollar, I’ll come check you later.” He swung one leg out the window.

“And use the door next time!” my mother called after him, as she always did when she caught Baby-Loc climbing in and out of my window. But we both knew that he never would. “Now”-she stood-“I’ve got some phone calls to make.”

As my mom left my room I suddenly felt overcome with joy. I had always dreamt of having something I wrote published somewhere other than the school paper, and it looked like it was finally going to happen. Little Kenyatta Soladine would be a published author. I wondered if they would sign me for just one book, or give me a multibook deal, and if so, what would I write about in my next one? I lay back on my bed and smiled. With all the stories I’d heard about the gangsters in my family over spring break, I was sure I’d think of something.