The Quarterback: The Trials of an Unlikely Champion

By Lamonte Collyear

Lamonte Collyear is a Bachelor of Science graduate from Indiana State University. Lamonte served four years in the U.S. Navy and ten years in the Indiana & Arizona Army National Guard. Lamonte lives in Southern Arizona. He is an avid reader who enjoys writing, traveling and being a dedicated public servant.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 16, 2013
• ISBN: 9781493100569

Lamonte Collyear

"Lamonte Collyear was born and raised in Gary, Indiana and is a Bachelor of Science graduate from Indiana State University. Lamonte is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and the Army National Guard. He currently resides in Southern Arizona. "

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Copyright © 2013 by Lamonte Collyear.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2013916971

ISBN:   Hardcover   978-1-4931-0055-2

             Softcover    978-1-4931-0054-5

 Ebook         978-1-4931-0056-9

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rev. date: 10/07/2013

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CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Chapter One: The Streets Will Kill You

Chapter Two: Quarterback Material

Chapter Three: Game Time

Chapter Four: Chronicles And N-Zang’s

Chapter Five: Brawling and Dreams Falling

Chapter Six: A Plan in Effect

Chapter Seven: Play Day on Saturdays

Chapter Eight: Off to the Desert

Chapter Nine: Old Habits Are Hard To Break

Chapter Ten: A Time for Redemption

Chapter Eleven: Draft Me or Draft Me Not

Chapter Twelve: A Dream Come True

Chapter Thirteen: From Nasty to Classy

Chapter Fourteen: The Down Fall

Chapter Fifteen: Rock Star Owner

Chapter Sixteen: A Dynasty Born

Chapter Seventeen: Life After

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First and foremost, I would like to personally thank all the strong women in my family who raised me to be the man I am today. My mother Mrs. Geraldine Honey Collyear; my great grandmother Mrs. Lula Mama Cozart; my grandmother Mrs. Signora Jones, may you rest in peace; my aunt Dorita Cookie Jones, may you rest in peace; my aunt Vivian Vib Jones; and last but not least my aunt Mrs. Rhonda Grant. I would like to give a special shout out to my sisters Tara & Tasima Collyear, my very smart niece Jaquay Collyear, and my cousins Taylor Jones, Dawn & Connie Straughn, and Traci Jones. Also, I would like to thank my uncles Jason & Larry Jones for the knowledge that they gave me to make a stronger and better man in a world systematically designed to make me a target for destruction. I would like to thank my father Joseph Collyear who provided the resources for me in my early life to succeed, and I would like to thank my little brother Von Collyear.

I would like to thank Morning Star Baptist Church in Gary, Indiana, for all the prayers and support when I was a young kid growing up, and trying to find my place in the world. I would like to thank my Tanque Verde girls in Tucson, Arizona for their inspiration and strength to write this book. Katie Kat, Lil Erica, Alejandra, Alyssa, Jolene, Eddy, Britt, Nina, and the ultimate queen diva of them all, the sexy Desi Spratt. Also, I would like to thank the sassy, extremely outspoken Corissa for inspiration and support.

I would like to thank the forever and day gorgeous Geri for your kindness, love, and friendship. I would like to thank God for giving me the ability, knowledge, discipline, determination, and confidence to write this book.

CHAPTER ONE

The Streets Will Kill You

Quinton Blackwell Hall of Fame Professional Quarterback in the North American Football Association, who would have ever believed it thirty years ago. The odds were against me. The obstacles I had to face and the overcome. The battles against myself. The sometimes self-destructive behavior involving women, alcohol, and drugs. The rudeness, and malicious verbal attacks among his peers and authority. Main stream America viciously trying to assassinate my character. The hatred directed toward me when I was successful, and when I was failing. The blessings from God, who gave me the strength, and ability to defeat all the devils including the Satan’s and Lucifer’s in hell and the devilish individuals in society. I guess I was the chosen one. There were many people, who should have had the opportunity to be in the position I was in. I am truly blessed to have the heart of a champion embedded inside of me.

Those were the thoughts that were circling inside of the mind of Quinton Blackwell. The first black quarterback to be selected to the Hall of Fame in the North American Football Association. There he was in Tulsa, Oklahoma home of the Hall of Fame in the North American Football Association, about to give his speech, while being inducted to the most prestigious institution of all professional sports. It was a long painful journey. A journey that Quinton didn’t expect to take. For many years, Quinton didn’t care if he played professional football or not. He was blessed with a lot of talent, and because the odds were against him, Quinton portrayed a relaxed, care free attitude that actually benefited him more than it worked against him. Quinton always felt like he was living on bonus time, because he never should have made it to the age of twenty-one. It all started in G-town, Indiana, where Quinton was born and raised at.

Quinton didn’t have much family to remember. He never knew his father, which was typical for all the kids in the neighborhood, and his mother succumb to alcohol, and drugs. Unfortunately she passed away when Quinton was in the fifth grade. He started living with his Aunt Mamie Tucker, after his mother died. Aunt Mamie Tucker was a very mild-mannered woman who was struggling to cope with the death of two of her four kids. One was Quinton’s mother Odessa, and the other was Quinton’s uncle Najee. Najee was a big-time gangbanger on the streets of G-town. He would live by the gun, and soon he died by the gun, at the very ripe age of seventeen. Mamie Tucker never really got over the death of Najee, and soon she would lose Odessa to a similar lifestyle of gang-banging, alcohol, and drugs.

Mamie use to tell Quinton all the time that he was going to be something special. Aunt Mamie use to say to Quinton all the time those streets will kill you. Mamie believed and manifested it in her heart, that Quinton was destined to be someone special. Unfortunately, Mamie didn’t know exactly what was going to make Quinton special. Quinton just thought his Aunt Mamie was just muttering, due to her advanced age. Quinton had some good times with his Aunt Mamie, but her health was slowly deteriorating. Quinton knew soon that his sweet Aunt Mamie will leave him too.

One day Quinton was walking home from school, and he saw the paramedics flashing lights at the house. His heart immediately sanked. Quinton knew what was happening. His next door neighbors reached him before he even made it to the house, and they would not let Quinton see what was going on. A week later Quinton was attending the funeral of his Aunt Mamie, and he was shocked, scared, and nervous all at the same time.

Before long Quinton found himself living in foster care, and he hated it. The first foster home was the worst. It was apparent that the woman in his care only wanted a check from the state. She was verbally abusive to Quinton, and she was constantly telling him that he would never grow up to be anything special. The woman’s persistence on Quinton being a failure was very confusing compared to what his Aunt Mamie use to tell him. The woman called Quinton a bastard every day, and Quinton could not deal with it anymore. After running away from that home, the authorities soon caught up with Quinton, and placed him into a group home of approximately thirty kids in foster care.

Quinton hated it, and never formed any close ties with anyone except for this little white girl named Michelle, who was two years younger than Quinton. For some reason, Quinton noticed wherever he went Michelle was there to follow him. One day Quinton asked her, Hey why are you always looking at me, and following me around. Asked Quinton. Because nobody here talks to you, or me. Said Michelle. That’s crazy that you noticed that. Said Quinton. My name is Michelle, but my old friends use to call me Mimi. Said Michelle. Mimi, that’s whack! laughed Quinton. I happen to like that name. said Michelle. What’s your name, Bay-bay, Ray-ray, or B-money. Asked Michelle. Oh you got jokes. Said Quinton. Well my name is Quinton, and my old friends use to call me Q, not Q-dog, not Q-money, and definitely not Q-rap stacks. Said Quinton. Michelle burst out laughing hysterically. That’s funny Q, well I like Q, so I will call you Q, because Quinton is corny. Said Michelle.

Quinton couldn’t believe this little girl was as hip as she was. Therefore, immediately Quinton, and Michelle were in-seperable. Quinton and Michelle intended Franklin Elementary School in the Glen Park district of Gary. Michelle felt safe with Quinton around, because Quinton was kind of muscular, especially for a sixth grader. Quinton enjoyed having Michelle around because she was so hipped, and always made him laugh. One day Quinton and Michelle were walking home from school, and Quinton asked Michelle what happen to her family, and how did she end up at the group home. Every day Michelle would ask Quinton have he ever hated someone, so much that he wanted to kill them. Therefore, Quinton was starting to spark an interest in why Michelle was at the home.

Michelle, where is your family? asked Quinton. My punk-ass father lives in Black Oak, and I never knew my mother, I just seen pictures of her. Said Michelle. ‘I really hate my father, he used to touch me in ways that I didn’t like, and he was an alcoholic. Said Michelle. ‘My mother died an alcoholic, and drug abuser. Said Quinton. It’s a terrible thing. Why couldn’t we have parents that were business owners, lawyers, doctors, or even teachers? asked Michelle. That will make life to easy for bona-fide strong street people like us. Said Quinton. Ha ha, dude you are so stupid. Laughed Michelle. Well since we are so street, and thugged out, we should beat my father ass. Said Michelle. To be nine years old, you are so hot-tempered, and hood, you little hoodlum. Said Quinton. You remind me of a ghetto Annie. said Quinton. No I’m the baddest white bitch you ever seen, I’m badder than Bonnie & Clyde. Said Michelle. You’re nuts!" Quinton said.

After a couple of years living in several group homes, Michelle and Quinton began to get tired of all the other kids living in the homes. Quinton and Michelle were so advanced mentally, they felt like the things going on at the group home were for little kids, and they couldn’t comprehend the mentality of the other kids there. At the time, Quinton was attending middle school at Kennedy-King, and Michelle was going to Nobel elementary school in the Miller section of Gary, Indiana. Michelle and Quinton continued to hang out with one another, and Quinton starting getting involved in sports at school. Quinton was always a fast runner, so he tried out for the track team. Running track in the spring time, kept Quinton out of trouble at school. Michelle was doing pretty well in school, because Quinton will scold her, and make sure she was staying out of trouble. Usually before Quinton and Michelle went to their foster homes, they would hang out at the arcade on Lakewood Ave.

Things started to get a little hectic a year later. Quinton and Michelle were move to separate foster homes, and both hated the women that were looking out after them. Therefore, Michelle and Quinton met up after school one day, and both of them decided enough was enough. What up Michelle? Asked Quinton when he saw her heading up the alley that they decided to meet one another. Nothing much, dude. Replied Michelle. So what’s the plan, Quinton? Asked Michelle. I don’t want to be at the ladies house anymore, so it’s time for me to take care of myself. Said Quinton. Yeah me to, I’m tired of being a punching bag for every dam body, it’s time for Michelle to take on the world. Said Michelle. First thing, first let’s go rob that no good for nothing father of mine. Said Michelle. Is it worth it, does he have any money? asked Quinton. Yeah he has a stash of money in two places in his bedroom. Said Michelle. Where at in his bedroom? Asked Quinton. He keeps a money roll in one of his suit pockets in the closet, and he keeps money in change in a tin can under his bed. Said Michelle. I never took the money before, because I knew that there would be a day I would need that money, and I didn’t want him to know that I knew where the money was at. Explained Michelle. ’Dam girl, you are so freaking smart to be a child. Said Quinton.

Michelle’s father lived in the Black Oak section of Gary. Quinton and Michelle decided to catch the bus to downtown Gary, and hang around fifth avenue. Quinton and Michelle hung out, and Quinton would protect Michelle from all the drug users, and creeps that were lurking around the streets. There was an abandon building that Michelle and Quinton would sleep in at night. The two were so happy to be away from the foster homes that they were living in, they didn’t care about being homeless. One night this drunk tried to grab Michelle, and Quinton beat the guy up, and hit him in the head with a bottle. There was an elderly woman name Betsy that would let Quinton and Michelle take a shower at her house. Quinton did yard work for Betsy, cutting the grass, pulling the weeds, and taking care of the garbage. Michelle would clean the inside of the woman’s house washing the dishes, cleaning the rooms, and taking care of the laundry. Quinton told Betsy that they were living in a foster home that didn’t provide much help to them. Betsy had no idea that they were living on the streets, but Quinton and Michelle was loving their freedom.

Quinton and Michelle didn’t think much about education, they just wanted independence and respect. Betsy would give Michelle and Quinton thirty dollars a week each for taking care of the house. Betsy was seventy seven years old, and she was living in a large house by herself that was hard to take care of. Betsy would also cook for Quinton and Michelle, so Quinton and Michelle thought they had struck gold by meeting Betsy. Quinton and Michelle would roam the streets during the day. Hanging out on fifth avenue. A homeless man named Art Sutherland befriended Quinton and Michelle. Hey what are you kids doing hanging out in these streets? Art asked Quinton and Michelle. Well we hated our foster homes, so here we are. Replied Quinton. Yeah we both were living in hell, and we had to escape the madness. Chuckled Michelle.

You kids have your whole lives ahead of you, and you are wasting it. Said Art. At that point, Quinton realized that people were going to take notice of him and Michelle, and both of them will have to go back to that miserable foster care system. Michelle we need to be on the down low, people are starting to notice that we don’t have a home to go to. Said Quinton. I can’t go back to that foster home, or no other foster home for that matter. Said Quinton. Yeah, and I can’t go back to living with my pervert ass father. Said Michelle. I really hate that man. Said Michelle. You know what Quinton it is about time for us to hit that money stash that my father has. Said Michelle. Well let’s go there because we are not due to go back to Betsy’s house until next week, and we are down to like $13.00. said Quinton. It was around 10:30Pm, when Michelle, and Quinton arrived at her father’s house. Michelle knew around this time her father had pretty much been well indulged into his drunkenness. Michelle and Quinton were checking out the house from about twenty feet away behind a tree. That is when they noticed a woman with a very short skirt, high heels, and a halter top walking out of the house. Ughhhhh, I guess my father has to resort to prostitutes since he can’t touch me anymore. Said Michelle. The woman got into an old beat up Dodge Pacer, and drove away. Quinton and Michelle noticed that Michelle’s father was stumbling around, so they were pretty sure he was drunk. Also, Quinton and Michelle noticed that he did not close the door all the way, when he went back inside of the house.

Quinton and Michelle moved in a little bit closer to the front porch. Michelle peeped through the door, and noticed her father sitting on the couch watching television. Let’s just rush him, and beat his ass, and take the money. Said Quinton. Okay, let’s do it. Replied Michelle. The two charged into the house, and Michelle’s father jumped up off the couch startled. What the hell is going on? Yelled Michelle’s father. It’s payback time you worthless motherfucker. Screamed Michelle. Quinton punched Michelle’s father in the face, and he fell over the kitchen table onto the floor. Go get the money. Yelled Quinton. Michelle ran to her father’s room, and went to his closet, and grab five hundred dollars out of the inside of one of his suit jackets. It was the only suit jacket Michelle’s father had. Michelle then ran into her room, and grabbed some of her clothes, and placed it into a back pack.

I got the money Q, let’s go. Yelled Michelle. Quinton had Michelle’s father penned down to the ground. I am going to kill you, you little bastard. Said Michelle’s father. Michelle you better not come back here, because I am going to beat your ass. Yelled Michelle’s father. Quinton punched him in the face three more times, and blood splattered in Quinton’s face. Come on Q let’s get the hell out of here. Screamed Michelle. Quinton jumped off of Michelle’s father, and Michelle and Quinton ran away. How much money did you get from him? Quinton asked Michelle. I got about five hundred dollars. Said Michelle. Hell yeah, we hit the jackpot, we are going to be good for awhile. Michelle and Quinton caught the bus, and headed back to downtown Gary. It was about 8:00pm, and they went to Rigley’s Fish joint to get some fish and shrimp. After Michelle and Quinton ate, they didn’t have much to do, so they just roamed around the streets watching all the crack heads and drunks argue with one another.

This definitely wasn’t a place for young kids to be hanging around at. Several weeks later Michelle and Quinton were walking down the street on Broadway right past the theater that the Jackson Five once performed in as young kids. Out of nowhere two policemen approached them. ‘Hey, what’s your name. barked the policeman. My name is Deez. Replied Quinton. Michelle chuckled. Deez, what!!! yelled the police officer. Deez nuttttttts." Said Quinton. Quinton and Michelle started running. The two policemen pursued after them. The policemen were absolutely no match for the speed of Quinton, as he dashed down a nearby alley, jumped over a fence, and sprinted between adjacent houses. However, Quinton left Michelle behind. About a hour later, Quinton returned to the building where he and Michelle were residing in. Quinton had no money on him, and he was hoping to find Michelle there.

After two more days, Michelle still hadn’t shown up, so Quinton headed to Betsy house to do some yard work for her. Quinton pulled some weeds, and cut the back yard yawn for Betsy. Betsy knew that there was something wrong with Quinton. Quinton you look very depress son’ what is wrong? asked Betsy. I haven’t seen Michelle in a few days. Quinton responded. What do you think happened to her? Asked Betsy. I think the police may have picked her up, she may have to go back to her foster home. Said Quinton. Betsy had some fried chicken, green and macaroni and cheese that she fed to Quinton. She also gave him twenty dollars for the yard work that he did. Quinton felt much better with some food in his system, and some money in his pocket. The money that they got from Michelle’s father’s house, was in Michelle’s back pack. Two days later Quinton was running short on money, and his mind was in the state of despair. No money, and no Michelle made Quinton feel very lonely and isolated.

There were all types of things going on in Quinton’s mind. Quinton felt so low, he actually was contemplating suicide. Quinton walked up and down fifth avenue, with no place to go, and nothing to do. Quinton was walking between Adams and Jefferson on fifth avenue, and he ran into Art. What’s up youngster, how are you, Where is your little buddy at? asked Art. Man the police approached us the other day, and we ran, and I lost contact with her. Said Quinton. Art, man I don’t know what to do, man life is going down hill. said Quinton. Fuck, man I don’t know what to do, I don’t have any money, I don’t have a place to live, and I feel like I am going to lose my fucking mind. Yelled Quinton. Okay youngster take it easy, hang with me, and we can collect bottles and cans. We can take the bottles to be re-cycled and get a little scratch for it. Said Art. Hey are you hungry? Asked Art. Yeah, I’m starving. Replied Quinton. I got some beef jerky. Said Art. That’s good. Said Quinton. Art and Quinton sat on a garbage can eating beef jerky. Quinton became very mentally distressed. Quinton was thinking how could his life become so bad, that he is now homeless, and resorting to eating scraps with a old homeless man.

Quinton sat and thought, his mind was in a frenzy, what can he do to make himself relevant to the world again. This is a lot for a fourteen year old to absorb. Quinton begged to God in his mind to help him find away out of this madness that he was living in. God please rescue me!! I haven’t done that many things wrong to deserve this. There is no one to provide me the resources I need in life to be successful. God help me!!! Quinton said those words over and over and over in his mind. God began to talk to Quinton through his inner spirit, and there was a sign of relief that Quinton began to feel. Boy are you alright? Asked Art. Yeah, man I was just thinking about my future. Said Quinton. Young man you need to figure things out. Said Art. You have the whole world to conquer, and you have to make something of yourself. Said Art. Those words were beating Quinton up inside. I have to conquer the world, I have to conquer the world is what Quinton kept telling himself. But how, can I do that, Quinton kept asking himself. It starts with getting enrolled back into school, since it was the beginning of the summer, Quinton knew that he had time. I believe in you kid, you are young athletic, and smart, you can do it. Said Art. Art and Quinton began to walk around the alleys of Adams and Jefferson street with their shopping buggy’s picking up soda cans. Art liked to drink Wild Irish Rose and Mad Dog 20/20, so every often he take a sip. Hey let me get some of that? Asked Quinton. Some of what. Replied Art. Man you know what I’m talking about. Said Quinton. Young blood you don’t need to put this poison in your body. Said Art. Well why do you. Asked Quinton. Because I’m fifty years old, homeless, no family, with a broken spirit. Said Art. ‘This alcohol has caused me to lose everything that I had, which wasn’t much to begin with. Said Art. Art I need a just a few sips, man I’m fourteen homeless with no family, no money, and no history, I have nothing." Quinton said. Art realized that Quinton had a point, but Art knew in the bottom of his heart he would be wrong to give a fourteen year old alcohol. The thought of salvaging Quinton’s young life started circling around the head of Art. This kid needs to do something with his life, and not end up like me were the thoughts that were in the mind of Art. Over and over again the inner spirit of Art was telling him to save this kids life, he needs help, Art and Quinton were en-route to the recycle center.

Art and Quinton finally made it to the recycle plant at around 5:00PM, and they received about twenty dollars. Hey Quinton step outside for awhile, so I can try to hustle this guy for a few more dollars. Whispered Art. Alright. Replied Quinton. What Quinton didn’t know is that Art realized that Quinton was deeply depressed, so Art took it upon himself to try to save Quinton’s life. Quinton told Art about what happened at Michelle’s father’s house, and Art knew at some point the police were going to arrest him. Art knew that Quinton had to get off the streets, and he needed to get off the streets very soon. His young life needed to be salvaged, and it had to happen fast. Art decided to have the police pick Quinton up, and since Quinton was a juvenile, the consequences would be minor. Art was thinking this was the right time to save Quinton’s life, and it had to happen now. It was summertime, so Quinton hadn’t missed any school, but Art believed if he didn’t get off the streets now, that he would get himself killed, or he would waste too much time on the streets.

Art returned inside to talk to the guy, at the recycle center. Hey man, this kid out here his name is Quinton, and I’m pretty sure the police is looking for him. Said Art. Who the kid standing outside? Responded the cashier. Yes he is only fourteen, and he needs to get off the streets. Said Art. Call the police, and have them pick him up at the parking lot of Davis Seafood, at around 6:00PM. I go it." Said the cashier. Later that evening Art convinced Quinton to catch the bus with him, and go to Davis Seafood on the Westside of town. They got off the bus went to order their food, and sat in the parking lot, and ate. Art paid for the meal from the money they received at the recycle center, he felt that it was the last thing that he can do for the temporary inconvenience that he was about to cause Quinton.

Surely, a little after six pm, Art noticed a Gary Police Sedan cruising toward the parking lot. Quinton wasn’t paying attention because he was too busy enjoying the fish and fries he ordered from Davis Seafood. The car pulled into the parking lot, and Officer Lawrence Dean, got out of the car. He walked directly toward, Quinton, and asked him, Are you Quinton Blackwell? Quinton’s voice cracked, and he said yes. Well there is a warrant out for your arrest. Said Officer Dean. A warrant, for what officer Quinton responded. Just turn around, and put your hands behind your back. Said Officer Dean. Quinton complied with Officer Dean’s request, and knew that he was in some trouble. Art just sat there obviously not looking surprised. Officer Dean placed the handcuffs on Quinton, and put him in the squad car, and drove him to the police station. Quinton was placed in a room, and he was terrified. It has to be Michelle’s father, that is the only thing that he could be in trouble for. This tall black guy walked into the room, he kind of look like he was straight out of a Shaft Movie. He sat down in the chair directly across from Quinton, and crossed his legs, and just stared at Quinton. What is your name? said the man in a deep baritone voice. My name is Quinton. Replied Quinton. Quinton what? asked the man. Quinton Blackwell said Quinton. Who is Michelle? asked the man. She was a friend of mine. Said Quinton. She disappeared a few days ago, and I don’t know what happened to her." Said Quinton.

Hey, I didn’t asked you all of that. Said the man. By the way, my name is Detective Hargrove, and I’m investigating a burglary. Said Hargrove. A burglary, I don’t know anything about a burglary. Yelled Quinton. Yeah of course, and why do you think we are here. Said Hargrove. I thought it was because of something that happened to Michelle. Said Quinton. Yeah, you are half-way right. Said Hargrove. It is about you and Michelle. Hargrove said. Well I don’t know, what you are talking about, I just want to know what happened to Michelle. Said Quinton. Detective Hargrove stood there, and just stared at Quinton with a menacing look that would tear through steel. Quinton didn’t care he has seen it all before, and he knew not to internally have any respect for any police officer, under any circumstances. Detective Hargrove knew that Quinton wasn’t intimidated by his presence, and Hargrove was starting to get upset. Hargrove started to pace back and forth repeating, so you think you are a tough guy, you think you are a tough guy. Repeated Hargrove.

Smack right across the back of his head he felt. Man what the fuck, why in the hell did you that for? Asked Quinton. Because I am the police, and I can do what I want to do. Said Hargrove. I wanted to know what happened that night at your little snow bunny’s father’s house. Said Hargrove. Fuck you, you fucking faggot, I’m not telling you nothing. Screamed Quinton. Wham, Quinton felt blood squirting from his lips. Hargrove slapped him in the face. Quinton stared at the floor with racing thoughts in his head. Quinton sprung up from his chair, and hit Hargrove in the jaw. Hargrove more shocked than anything, fell to the floor completely stunned.

Get this little bastard out of here. Yelled Hargrove. Several police officers ran into the interrogation room, and punched and kicked Quinton. Bloody, beaten, and battered is the condition Quinton was in after the police had beaten him. He was transported to the Lake County Juvenile Facility, and the medical staff there perform an assessment on him. What happened to you young man? asked the nurse. Mam the police beat me for no reason at all. Replied Quinton. Those police officers are so corrupted, and evil spirited men, don’t worry young man, God will punish them for their wrong doings. Said the Nurse. The Nurse put Quinton in a positive state of mind. Before talking to her Quinton had revenge on his mind. Detective Hargrove, and the rest of those punk police officers were going to die.

Nurse Hattie was her name, and she was a very compassionate middle-aged woman, who lost her two sons to the means streets of Gary. Nurse Hattie told Quinton that God can help him, if he called on God for his help. She gave Quinton a pocket size New Testament Bible, and instructed Quinton to pray. Quinton sustained a black eye, a deep contusion of his left hand, bruise ribs, and a swollen lip from the beating he took from the Officer’s, but Nurse Hattie fixed him up pretty well. While at Lake County Juvenile Facility, Quinton pretty much stayed to himself. He sat on his bunk, and thought how in the world did he end up in this situation. Quinton went from being homeless to arrested, and beaten by the police, and then locked up. After two days of being in LCJC a counselor came to talk to Quinton. The Counselor asked Quinton many questions about his family, and his upbringing. Quinton begin to pour out his emotions about his mother dying, and being addicted to drugs.

Quinton said he ran away from the foster home he was at, because he simply hated it. The counselor asked Quinton did he have any known relatives that he knew about. Quinton mentioned his Uncle Kip, but Quinton told the counselor he haven’t seen his Uncle Kip in a few years.

The Counselor noticed that this was an emotional experience for Quinton to talk about his family, so he requested for Quinton to talk to a staff psychologist. The conversation with the counselor opened up some painful wounds, that were never healed. The staff psychologist talked to Quinton, and asked him a variety of different questions. Where are your parents. Asked the psychologist. My mother died a few years ago, and I never knew my father. Replied Quinton. Where are you living. Asked the psychologist. I’m living on the streets, right now. Replied Quinton. The psychologist continued to asked Quinton more, and more demeaning questions. Finally the interview was over, and Quinton went back to his dorm room, and just sat, and stared at the four walls.

What am I going to do with my life? Ask Quinton to himself. I was living on the streets. I never knew my father. My mother past away. I was living in a foster home. Now look at me. I’m locked up at the infamous LCJC. I am a complete low-life. I don’t feel like a tough guy. This sucks!! I need to do something with my life. At this time a tall lanky, but athletically built kid walked up to Quinton. Hey man didn’t you run track for Kennedy-King Middle School. Asked the kid. Yeah, man I ran the one hundred meters, the two hundred meters, the hurdles, and the relay team. Replied Quinton. What’s your name dude? asked Quinton. My name is Onterrio, I ran track for Bailey. Onterrio said. I remember you dude, you played basketball too. Said Quinton. Yeah I did. Said Onterrio. Man I remember you were dunking on fools on our team. Said Quinton. Man I’ve been working on my hops since I was in the fifth grade. Said Onterrio. "So