Free Against the Grain by Freeze

there?”
    “I could sit here and tell you that I’m going to do this and I’m going to do that, but I really don’t know, Yang. So much has changed since I’ve been locked up. I don’t know what to expect when I get out there.”
    “Come with me,” Yang told Kay as he began to walk toward the handball court. “What’s up, Yang?” Kay asked as he followed.
    “I have been in prison for twenty-two years and I never take pictures, not even for my family. Today I take picture with you, my friend. If ever there is a time that you are in need, take the picture to my family in California and they will know what you mean to me.”

8
    Months later, Kay and Yang were up earlier than usual. They really hadn’t slept a wink and talked and played chess all night. They went to breakfast together, and as they exited the chow hall, Kay asked his friend, “Will you be alright?”
    “Of course I will, don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. But there is one thing I want you to do for me.”
    “What’s that?”
    “I want you to find a nice young woman and fall in love and have a family. The most precious possession that ever comes to a man in this world is a woman’s heart.” Kay just looked at the little man for a short moment and they both smiled at each other. Kay said, “Okay, you’ve got that, and I’m going to name one of our sons after you.” They both roared with laughter.
    “Attention on the compound! Attention on the compound! Inmate Arkadian Frost, report to R and D. Report to R and D.” When the announcement came across the prison PA system, Kay knew that it was time for him to go so he hugged his friend. They looked at each other one last time and went in separate directions.
    They would never see each other again . . .

9
    Kay walked through BWI Airport in amazement. It was 1995, and it had been a long, long time since he had been around so many different people. And the women were a different kind of high altogether. Kay didn’t know which direction to go once he got off the plane so he followed the crowd, hoping that it would lead him outside. He had not told anyone that he was coming home; he planned to catch a cab into the city and surprise everyone.
    Kay had always been taught to observe his surroundings, so when he got on the escalator behind a woman with a large straw hat, he wondered if this was the style now, but quickly pushed the question out of his mind and thought about the smiles that would be on his family’s faces. Kay stepped through the exit doors and into the bright sun. For a moment he just stared at all the different cars and people moving a hundred mph.
    He walked in the direction of an empty yellow cab.
    “Oh shit! What’s up, nigga?!” Kay turned to his left to see what the yelling was about and saw Tank running toward him with a big-ass smile on his face. Kay recognized his childhood friend immediately and welcomed him with open arms. The two men hugged for what seemed like ten minutes. They stepped back and looked at each other. “Yo, when did you get out, nigga?”
    “Today.”
    “Why didn’t you let someone know? We could have picked you up in style. Why you ain’t write or call a nigga? Damn, how long has it been since you got knocked? Seems like you been gone forever, nigga. Mufuckuz didn’t try to fuck you, did they? I know you ain’t go for that shit. Did you have to fuck a nigga up?” Kay couldn’t get a word in because Tank was asking so many questions. They were happy to see each other so they hugged each other again. Then Tank said, “C’mon man, I want to introduce you to somebody.” They walked over to Tank’s BMW. Kay noticed the woman with the big straw hat sitting in the passenger seat. Her window was down.
    “Quchelle, this is my man Kay. Kay, this is my wifey, Quchelle.” She had a surprised look on her face.
    “So this is the famous Kay that all you niggaz be talking ’bout? Baby, I thought ya’ll said he was locked up?”
    “Yeah well,