ISAIAH

Riding the subway with a troublemaker like Cairo requires a lot of patience. Lucky for me I have it in bucket loads. I am the captain of a highschool basketball team full of boys who are act like children half the time. My best friend is the biggest baby of them all so I know how to handle Cairo when he's being too much.

He's not spoiled, he's just a little bit more sheltered than I was at his age. It's completely understandable seeing as we've had completely different childhoods. He has two doting parents and an overprotective big brother while I had an overworked mother and an abusive father.

"Oak stop messing with that." I scold him when I see him trying to play with gum stuck to the seat next to us.

I pull him in between my legs and trap him in place handing him a packet of gum from my pocket.

"What did I tell you about subway rides?" I ask pushing his overgrown curls away from his face.

"Don't touch anything, talk to anyone or wander off." He answers.

"So you were listening!" I mutter playfully tugging at his ears.

He swats my hand away and proceeds to busy himself stuffing as many gum pieces as he can into his mouth.

I know I should limit his sugar intake but at least he's occupied so I leave him be. He keeps blowing his hair out of his face but it is always falls back. It's a good thing we're headed to the barber shop. Poor kid is suffering.

He gives up after four pieces and hands the pack back to me. I pop one into my mouth and put it back in my pocket.

"So how's school? Anyone giving you trouble?" I ask him.

Being bullied in middle school and beginning of highschool was not a fun experience. It's not something I wish on anyone especially those I love.

"No, Miss Faustine says that bullying is bad and we shouldn't do it." He replies.

Miss Faustine is his elementary school teacher.

"And she's completely right but if anyone ever gives you any trouble come straight to me and I'll handle it."

"Okay."

I kiss the top of his messy curls and pull him in for a hug. We might have a thirteen-year age gap but I love this kid with all my heart and would do anything for him. I'd even stoop as low as beating up anyone who bullies him despite of their age.

I was a lonely kid growing up being an only child and having a hard time making friends. Life is much better now because I have friends but nothing compares to having a sibling. For as long as I am alive, nothing will ever hurt him and he will never have to go through anything alone. I have suffered enough for the both of us so he never has to go through the pain I did. Loving, caring and protecting him is only the bare minimum as his big brother and it's a role I take very seriously.

The subway stops at the station we're supposed to get off in The Bronx and we quickly alight. There's a lot of people walking about so I pick Cairo up for a piggy back ride. He knows the drill so he wraps his arms around my neck and holds on tight.

It might seem weird travelling all the way from Manhattan to The Bronx to get our hair cut but there is only one man I trust with my hair and his barber shop is here in The Bronx. Sure there might be better barbers in Manhattan but I'm loyal and the man has never once failed me. Mr. Johnson has been cutting my hair since before I could talk and no one else is allowed near my head.

As I walk through the streets of my old hood with Cairo on my back headed for the barber shop a feeling of nostalgia washes over me. In as much as my childhood was fucked up, I have some sweet memories here too. Like the basketball court I used to play in every day after school, the skating park where I learnt to skate broke a couple of bones accompanied by lots of skimmed knees and elbows, the mini mart where I got my first job and the church where my mom and I used to go that I loved partially because of the after service barbecue parties.

No matter where I go or how far I move on in life, I will never forget where I came from. This place made me who I am today, with all its good and bad. Cairo lived here for the first two years of his life and I'll make sure he never forgets his roots either.

"Okay little man, we're here. Time to get that mop tamed." I declare when we get to the shop.

I push the door open and walk into the familiar space. The worn chairs, the cracked mirrors and the smell of hair gel and burnt hair feels exactly like home.

"Hey boys." Mr. Johnson greets with a smile turning to us.

He is a fifty-two year old man with a bushy beard and the neatest most precise high top hairstyle. He kind of reminds of that barber in the animation Soul only Mr. Johnson is shorter and skinnier.

"Hello Mr. Johnson." I reply setting Cairo on his feet.

He's been here many times so he goes directly to the candy jar and picks out a lollipop. More sugar. Mom will kill me.

"Right on time as always." Mr. Johnson praises.

"Yes sir." I nod taking off my jacket.

The shop is empty since its early in the morning. I have my game later in the day. Coach told us to rest before our first game of the season so I decided to being Cairo here since I have the time. Staying at home doing nothing has never been something I can do. It was either this or go to work at Frosty Dream and coach wouldn't have liked that.

"Perfect. Who's going first?" Mr. Johnson asks.

"Me!" Cairo declares excitedly making us laugh.

"Well then let's get started. Why don't you hop on here and tell me what you want." Mr. Johnson says patting the high chair.

Cairo struggles to get on so I pick him up and set him on it.

"Ready for a new look?" Mr. Johnson asks him.

"Yes sir." He nods his fingers already sticky from the lollipop.

Yep, mom will definitely kill me. He's wearing a white shirt and it's already starting to stain red.

"Good, let's get started. What do you want today?" Mr. Johnson asks me.

Cairo has no idea what he wants so he turns to me for help.

"How about you get braids today?" I suggest.

"Okay." He nods and turns to Mr. Johnson. "I want braids."

"Braids it is." He affirms and gets to work.

I make myself comfortable on a free seat and retrieve my phone to check my messages. There's one from mom asking me if we've arrived safely. I send her a short video of Cairo chattering away with Mr. Johnson keeping him entertained as he works on his hair. She sends me a thumbs up emoji and a kissy face ending that conversation.

I check the teams group chat next which is buzzing with talk as they hype each other up for the game. There's also talk of Wesley's birthday afterwards which everyone is looking forward to.

I am surprised when I receive a message from Kennedy. It's a photo attachment of a banana split sundae bowl with the words "Good Luck" written on one of the banana's in fudge. We exchanged numbers a few days ago but this is the first time we're texting. Looks like our relationship is growing. I reply with a thank you and leave it at that.

I'm bummed that she won't be at the game but even Wesley couldn't convince her to come and he's closer to her than I am. If she doesn't come to the party I won't see her till Monday because Frosty Dream is closed tomorrow. Archer is taking his family out of state to visit his parents so we won't be working. I'm so used to seeing her everyday that it'll feel weird going for two whole days without seeing her. I'm getting attached and I'm not sure if that's a good thing. We're only friends and if my feelings keep growing unreciprocated I'm not sure how I'll handle myself. I put my phone back in my pocket and shove those feelings deep down. Overthinking about something that might not happen isn't doing me any good.

Cairo ends up falling asleep halfway through but Mr. Johnson being the pro that he is is able to keep working on him. After he is done, I set him up on a couch by the corner, cover him with my jacket and take my place on the seat for my new hairstyle.

"The usual?" Mr. Johnson asks looking at me through the reflection on the mirror.

"I'm feeling adventurous, why don't you surprise me." I reply.

"Mixing it up, I like it." He grins turning on the clippers.

"I have a party later after the game so I need to look good." I explain.

"Wow, a special lady you want to impress?" He asks with a teasing grin and I immediately freeze up.

"Who said anything about a lady? It's Wesley's birthday." I choke out.

"Sure, you want to look good for your best friend." He mutters sarcastically.

"Is there anything wrong with that?" I challenge.

"Boy how long have I been cutting your hair?" He demands.

"All my life." I answer not knowing where he's headed with that question.

"Exactly so I know you well enough to pick up on your voice change and facial expression when you lie." He decrees.

"I'm not lying." I wheeze out proving him right.

Why is talking about this making me so nervous?

"I'm holding scissors, it's not wise to lie to me." Mr. Johnson warns his tone of voice changing.

He's only kidding but he also means business so he won't let it go until I tell him the truth.

"Okay fine, there's this one girl." I confess.

He doesn't even look surprised. "Uh huh. And?"

"But she's only a friend." I quickly add.

Kennedy has never given me a sign that she thinks of me as more than a friend. As a matter of fact she's hated me half the time I've known her.

"So you like her but she doesn't like you back." Mr. Johnson decrees.

"I didn't say that." I defend.

"You didn't have to. Men call women they can't get friends but there's no such thing as that. Men and women can't be 'just friends'." He mocks.

"Ever?"

"Ever! So is this girl pretty?" He asks.

"Pretty is an understatement. She's gorgeous." I reply recalling how beautiful she looks when she's laughing or her cute concentrated scrunched up face when she's drawing.

"Wow, you're even more whipped than I thought. It's a new look on you. I like it." Mr. Johnson laughs.

"I don't. I've never felt this way about anyone before." I grumble.

Sure there have been crushes over the course of my eighteen years on earth but no one has ever invaded my mind the way Kennedy has. Whenever she's around my eyes are always seeking her out and when she's not I can't seem to stop thinking about her.

"True, you've never dated before but there's a first time for everything." Mr. Johnson encourages.

"Yeah well too bad nothing will come of it." I sulk sinking further into the seat.

"How sure are you?" He asks.

"She doesn't feel the same way." I answer affirming his thoughts on our relationship.

"Have you told her how you feel?" He asks.

"What good will that do? And besides I've only known her for two weeks."

"Well it only takes a few seconds to like someone and as for your first question; women are better than us men at hiding their emotions. We wear our hearts on our sleeves but they don't. She might actually like you back but you'll never know until you tell her." He encourages.

A smile graces my lips at his words."Really?"

I hate to sound so hopeful but I really like Kennedy and would like for her to feel the same way.

"I've been happily married for twenty two years. I think I know a thing or two about love. Just tell her. What's the worst that can happen?" He asks.

"She might laugh at me and I'll lose a friend. I'll never be able to face her ever again." I reply.

"Keep being a wuss then, your loss." Mr. Johnson mocks.

I'm not being a wuss. I'm protecting my heart and my pride. "You're not helping anymore."

"Because you're not listening to my advice." He retorts.

"Can we talk about something else?" I demand.

I don't want to talk about Kennedy anymore. She's already occupying enough of my thoughts without me constantly talking about her.

Mr. Johnson shrugs and agrees to let it go. I appreciate how respectful he is of my wish to cease all Kennedy talk.

"Sure. So who are you playing against today?" He inquires.

"Bayside High."

"They suck, it'll be an easy win."

"I know but let's not jinx it." I whisper and we both laugh.

The only reason we are playing Bayside Highschool when it's clear we are better than them is because they requested the friendly game. Their coach probably thinks that it'll improve their skills. I am so ready to whoop their ass and remind them why Pine View is the best.

Our conversation fades into more neutral talks as we discuss family, movies and music. Conversation with Mr. Johnson flows easily because I've known him all my life.

"You are good to go. Ready to see the final look?" He asks after spraying what he calls his "secret sauce" into my hair.

"Yes." I nod.

He twirls the chair around so that I'm facing the mirror and I'm finally able to see what he's been working on for almost two hours. He's outdone himself because I look fantastic. He's given me a taper fade haircut with finger coils.

"What do you think?" He asks.

"I love it." I decree the smile on my face getting wider.

"Perfect, I'm glad. Now you're good to go whoop some Bayside ass."

"Yes sir."

I pay him and make sure to give him a generous tip for a job well done. I pick Cairo up, jacket and all since he's still sleeping. His eyes flutter open for a minute but then he buries his face into my neck and goes back to sleep.

"We'll see you in a month Mr. Johnson."

"I'll be right here. Have a great game today."

"Thank you sir."

I leave the shop with Cairo in my arms and realize that I have an hour till the game starts. I need to be in school thirty minutes before the game so I pick up the pace since I'm walking there.

Cairo ends up waking up but he refuses to walk so I keep carrying him.

People are already arriving at the school and the parking lot is already half full when we arrive. It's easy to spot Parkers Escalade since its the biggest and most expensive car in the lot. He also has one of those stick figure family decal car stickers with a mom, dad, two boys and a dog representing Ruby. There's another one next to it declaring he's a proud basketball dad. That one is new and it brings a smile to my face.

He must have spotted us because he exits the car before we can get to it.

"Daddy." Cairo screams scrambling to get off my arms.

I set him down before he can hurt himself and watch him hurtle towards his dad throwing himself at him. Parker catches him and lifts him up covering his face with kisses making Cairo giggle.

"Daddy I got braids." Cairo excitedly tells him.

"I see that. Don't you look handsome." Parker replies gazing at him with a look of pure love on his face.

Watching the two interact always manages to make me feel a little sad because I never had that with my own father. All that man gave me was trauma and scars. But I'm glad Cairo has a loving and doting father. Parker is also slowly but surely healing me without even knowing that he is.

The front passenger seat door opens and I am surprised when I see mom exit the car.

"Ma what are you doing here?" I ask her.

"I came to watch my baby boy's first game of the season." She answers giving me a hug.

"Aren't you needed elsewhere?"

"I maybe the senator but I am a mom first."

I am happy to see her here but not at the cost of her slacking off on her job.

"Don't sweat it baby, I'm right where I need to be. You look good, I see Mr. Johnson did a good job today. Both my boys look handsome." She grins when she sees Cairo's hairstyle as well.

Cairo clambers off Parker's arms and onto mom's waiting ones.

"You ready for today's game?" Parker asks me as we watch mom fuss over Cairo.

"I was born ready." I grin at him.

"That's the spirit. I got you something." He says opening the trunk of his car.

"What?"

He retrieves my gym bag which I'd asked him to bring me and another bag with a Nike logo on it.

"Your mom told me you've been wanting these for a while and I thought they would be the perfect gift to kick off the season." He replies giving me the bag.

I don't even have to open it to know it's a pair of Nike Kobe 6 Protro basketball shoes.

"But how? They are limited edition and expensive as fu.. fudge." I quickly correct myself when I remember Cairo is present.

"I have my ways." Parker shrugs.

"Thank you so much." I beam and because the moment calls for it, I hug him.

He's surprised because even though he knows we're cool, I rarely do this but he recovers quickly and hugs me back.

"Seriously Parker, thank you so much."

"You're welcome kiddo."

I pull back and take the shoes out of the box. They are exactly the color I wanted and my size. He put a lot of thought into this gift and I am grateful. I put them in my gym bag so I can wear them when I change in the locker rooms.

"Why don't you head inside? We'll be the family cheering loudest from the stands." My mom says.

"Okay." I grin picking up my bag.

My mood has already been lifted so after making sure that they will be okay I head inside the school.

Wesley and Baron are already in the locker room going through plays.

"Am I late?"

"Nope, right on time. Clean cut by the way." Wesley replies.

"Thanks. Cairo needed his curls tamed and I decided I might as well since I was already there." I explain.

"Johnson's?" Baron asks.

"Yes."

"I need to remember to visit that guy soon. Mom says I'm starting to look like a meth head." Wesley grumbles.

"She's not wrong." Baron grins.

"Take that back." Wesley demands.

"It's the truth."

And once again like it's the norm for them they start fighting. I laugh and leave them be changing out of my clothes into my uniform.

"Dude are those what I think they are?" Jeremy asks when he sees me putting on my new shoes.

"Yes, just got them."

"Sick bro! I am so jealous. How did you manage to get them? They are off the shelves?" He asks.

"Stepdad." I answer shortly.

"Lucky duck."

"I know." I grin and quickly lace them up.

Our coach, Miles storms into the room making Wesley and Baron jump apart. He's only thirty-two so we call him Miles or Coach since he hates being called Mr. He's a former Pine View student and was actually drafted into the NBA while in college. He got injured five years ago so he opted to coach us and he's quite good at it.

"Quit messing around. Yes I'm looking at you Wes." Miles declares.

"What did I do?" Wesley asks looking offended.

Everyone knows Wesley is the best player on the team but he is also a jokester.

"You know what you did. Anyway I hope you boys are ready to go out there and kick ass. It might be a friendly game but it doesn't mean you get to slack." Miles demands.

"Yes coach." We all bellow out loud.

"Good, now here's what we're going to do." He says and gives us a rundown of the plays we're going to use today.

"Now please go out there and make me proud. Also Happy birthday Wesley."

"Thanks coach." Wesley grins.

"You're welcome but also if you joke around out there you won't be alive to celebrate your next one." Miles threatens with a straight face.

Wesley's smile falls and he nods getting serious. There's nothing he loves more than basketball so we know he'll do great. We hype ourselves up and leave the locker rooms when we're announced.

My eyes immediately wander to the stands to seek out my family and its not hard to spot them. Mom is holding up a sign with my name and number on it. I blow her a kiss and get one back.

The minute the referee blows the starting whistle it's game on.