Malachi was in his room listening to his favorite rapper, Tupac Shakur. The music lyrics pumped out of the stereo as he nodded his head and song out loud “Keep ya head up!” Suddenly, he heard vicious yelling and then gunshots. He shook his head and wondered... Will I ever be able to leave here? What would it be like to not hear gunshots on a regular basis? Malachi could not even imagine that. Within a few minutes everything had quieted down because everyone there has adapted to it.

Tracy, Malachi’s mother, arrived home at 3:30 p.m. She was tired, haggard and fatigue was written all over her face. Her body ached but her feet hurt the most and she could not wait to get off them. When she saw her son, a broad smile appeared across her face. Malachi excitingly stumbled to his feet and he set the Bible on the edge of his bed. They met one another in the doorway and embraced, as if they have been a decade apart even though it has only been a few hours. Each was delighted and relieved to see one another. Tracy thanked God for each day that her son was alive because most of her friends' children have been killed or put in jail. She always placed Malachi first in her priorities, and she was delighted that despite their environment he did his best to succeed. Malachi offered to cook dinner for his mother so she could rest. He cooked his favorite: cheeseburgers and baked French fries. After the meal was served they ate in silence for a few minutes. The voice of outsiders was all that was heard. Soon Tracy asked Malachi about his day at school. He hated this question but he answered it anyway.

“It was okay and as usual I did not learn anything that I did not already know,” said Malachi.

Tracy said, “Son I figured that because you are so smart."

They ate in silence for the rest of dinner. When they had both finished Malachi cleared the table and washed the dishes by hand. Since he had already finished his homework he picked up his Bible that had fallen from the edge of the bed and he flipped to his favorite scriptures “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone hits you on the cheek, let them hit the other one too; if someone takes you coat, let him have your shirt as well. Give to everyone who asks you for something, and when someone takes what is yours, do not ask for it back. Do for others just what you want them to do for you"(Luke 6:27-31). After he read this he transposed into his sweats and prepared for bed. When he finally made it to bed, he drifted off, wondering if he could really follow those things with the circumstances in which he lived. He was not sure if he could follow it exactly but he sure would try. That was a promise he made to not only himself but the Lord also.

Beep Beep Beep!!! It was 6:15 in the morning and Malachi’s alarm was buzzing. His mother had already headed out to work because she had to catch two buses to get there. He rolled over and violently slapped the alarm until he had hit the correct button to turn it off. He did not want to go to school because he was tired and he knew today would be no better than yesterday. While dressing he realized it was Friday and he breathed a sigh of relief. As he walked into the kitchen to get a bite to eat, he saw a note that his mother had left him. It read “Make me proud today,” Mommy. The note made him feel much better, so he folded it up and stuck it in his jean pocket.

On his way to school he passed by all the drug dealers and the pimps. He politely stepped over the crack heads without making eye contact. As he walked he thought to himself, it is barely morning, and yet they are already out here on the corner. No one said a word to him until he turned the corner and headed toward the street that led directly to Crenshaw High school. In the distance he could see people approaching with a simultaneous stride. He did not distinguish who it was until they were only a few feet apart. It was Blaze and his crew. Blaze was one of the baddest thugs around. Everyone knew of him and most people feared him. Although he was only seventeen his appearance could threaten true adults. Malachi looked him dead in the eyes and they seemed to be too cold.

“Was up schoolboy? How many times do I have to tell you? School is not going to get you anywhere. You could be working for me and making so much dough. Ain’t that right?” said Blaze, and his whole crew coolly nodded there heads in agreement.

Malachi was furious but he refused to let Blaze get the best of him. He thoughtfully said, “No thank you,” and strolled away. As he turned to leave he could feel their cold stares on his back and he heard Blaze say, “I was trying to be nice - that boy gon’ make me get ugly.” Those words stung Malachi’s heart because he knew that Blaze meant what he said and that he could really get ugly.

During the school day he could not focus at all. For some reason Blaze’s last words played over and over again in his head. He had a feeling that something horrendous would happen and he knew that anything that involved Blaze was bad news. Blaze was known for his violent behavior and illegal activity. Many young boys around the neighborhood had been forced to work for him. In return, they had been killed or converted into thugs, and Malachi refused to allow anyone to control him like that. He did not want to run into Blaze after school so he asked to go to the bathroom during his last period class and left the school to head home. On his way out he saw a girl and a boy kissing like they are all alone and nearby were some girls gossiping.

He walked briskly so he could hurry up and get home. His head ached from being clouded by so many bad thoughts. As he reached his street he saw Alisha an young, attractive girl that used to go to school with him. Her belly was enormous and he saw her lighting up a blunt; he shook his head disbelief. Most mothers there did not think that marijuana would harm their baby. Malachi believed it would. For the rest of the journey home, he thought about how Alisha used to be. She had been one of his first crushes and the only girl that he wanted to hold hands with when he was younger. He silently questioned what had gone wrong with her. When he reached his building he chooses to take the stairs instead of the elevator. Everyone knew the elevator was death. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it did not. Many innocent lives had been taken on that elevator. When he got to his apartment he threw his paraphernalia on the table. He got a tall glass of water and he drunk as if he was trying to wash all his bad feelings away.

He stayed in his room the rest of the day and thought about all of the things that might happen. He weighed his options but nothing seemed to be right. So he prayed about it and hoped that everything would work out. It was only 6:00 p.m. and he had already drifted of to sleep. His mom peeped in his room and asked him to go down to Freddy’s, the corner store. He said yes hesitantly because he knew that Blaze would probably be there. Tracy read the expression on his face and asked if everything was okay. Malachi did not want to lie, nor did he want to worry her so he gave a slow nod. On the way out of the building he could smell drugs and urine. The smells disgusted him and so did the people standing in the halls. He walked very slowly once he made it to the street. He wondered why Blaze wanted him to be a part of his gang. When he was a few feet from the store, he checked to see if Blaze was there, but he was nowhere in sight. He hurried into the store and grabbed the eggs that his mother had asked him to get. At the counter Malachi and the owner Freddy shared a friendly conversation. Malachi hurriedly walked back to his project building. He smiled at the kids playing in the stairwell and they ran to hug him. All their voices sounded the same when they said in unison “hay Mal-a-chi.” He always tried to be nice to them and on occasion he offered them candy.

The next couple of days Malachi does not go to school. He is doing this behind his mother’s back and he feels guilty about it. On Thursday, he decides to return to school. His conscious got the best of him. He did not run into Blaze and he was thankful for that. He knew that at some point he would have to; he just did not realize how soon it would be. After school, he walked with pep in his step. His day had gone pleasantly well. He was walking along when suddenly he felt a blow to the back of his head. Immediately his favorite scriptures played over and over in his head, and he thought if someone hits me I should turn the other cheek. He turned around and there were those cold eyes that he always dreaded seeing. It was Blaze. Malachi firmly said “Blaze I do not want to fight you…” Before he could finish Blaze struck him again, this time in the face. Malachi realized that he had to defend himself. He tried doing the right thing but was convinced it would not work in this situation. Series of punches were thrown. Malachi breathed deeply and his ears smoked with anger. He saw red blood and was not sure whom it was coming from. All during the fight he prayed for it to come to an end. He had not planned to fight but was not surprised that it had come to that. Before Malachi knew it, the police were there. Malachi stopped fighting when he saw the police, but Blaze continued to fight. The officers threw Blaze down on the ground and handcuffed him. Freddy was the one who had called the police. He also told the police that Blaze had started the fight and that Malachi was only defending himself. Malachi felt the blood dripping from his face and he still could not believe what had just happened. After sorting it out at the police station, he decided not to press charges since Blaze would already be arrested for violating his parole. He was just glad it was all finish. On his way home, from the police station, he thanked Freddy for calling the police. Malachi felt all the eyes on him as he walked to his building. He thought it was a shame how people considered a fight entertainment.

When he got home he saw mail stacked on the counter. For some reason he looked at it and he saw an envelope stamped IMPORTANT. It was addressed to his mother but he opened because he wanted to know what was so important. It was from the housing association that his mother had applied to two years ago. His heart beat rapidly as he read the letter. His jaw nearly dropped when he read that they had been accepted and that they could move in two weeks. Suddenly, a burden was lifted from his shoulder. It did not matter that he was bleeding and that his body and face were sore. The thought of moving instantly made him feel better. Malachi’s face widened with a smile. He dropped to his knees and thanked God because this was truly a blessing. Malachi could not wait to tell his mom the good news.

Two weeks came in a flash. Blaze’s friends did not bother him and Malachi realized that they were nothing without Blaze. It was amazing to him how they could change without Blaze around. They moved on a Sunday morning and spring had just arrived. The air blew coolly and the sun shined through the clouds. It was a nice day to move, Malachi thought. People stared from their windows wishing it were them that were moving. Tracy was upset about the fight, but was relieved to be moving to a better place. Malachi would not miss anyone from his neighborhood but Freddy. He ran to the store to thank Freddy once again. Malachi and Freddy hugged closely. Freddy told him to keep his positive attitude. Malachi walked out of the store and promised to never forget Freddy. After all, Freddy was the only one who cared enough to call the police.

As Malachi and his mom pulled away, they were saying good-bye to the pimps, drug dealers, drugs, and the thugs. They drove all the way to the east side without looking back. When they pulled up to their new home they were truly amazed, it was nice but not fancy. Kids were playing on the sidewalks and young girls sat talking on the stoops. The streets were clean and even the air smelled different. As they entered the building people waved and welcomed them. An older person from next door even brought them a cake.

They truly appreciated their new home and they were glad that they had finally made it there. Malachi had kept his promise to himself and the Lord, and that made him proud. He realized that there would be struggles and difficulties that he would have to face wherever life took him. The past couple of days opened his eyes a bit and an important lesson about life had been learned. In spite of your environment and the problems you are faced with no one is in control over you or your attitude but you.