Free If I Were Your Boyfriend by Earl Sewell

intervention to address his addiction to alcohol. I am mandating that he get treatment at the Mayville Rehab Facility. This court is also going to order that this child be released from the custody of this facility into the custody of his father." Judge Hill slammed down her gavel, indicating that her decision was final.
      I leaned back in my seat and exhaled a big sigh of relief. That was intense, I thought as I closed my eyes for a brief moment. When I opened them back up, Officer Sanchez was standing next to me.
      "Come with me," he said. I followed Officer Sanchez past Judge Hill.
      "Wait a minute," I said, stopping. "I just want to say thank you. I am so glad you listened to me."
      "You make sure that you do right by your father, stay sober and don't let me see you in here again or else." Judge Hill glanced at me for a brief moment before opening up the file folder to her next case. I walked out of the courtroom feeling a sense of relief.

Keysha

    was fussing with my suitcase as I tried to pull it up the stairs to my bedroom. My luggage was much heavier because Grandmother Katie and I had gone shopping for fall clothing. Grandmother Katie had purchased two winter coats, several turtleneck sweaters and a variety of other necessary clothing for Chicago's harsh winter season, which would be arriving soon. I jerked so hard on the suitcase that the strap snapped off and the suitcase tumbled down the stairs.
      "Mike." I called out my brother's name. I needed him to come out of his bedroom and help me.
      "Mike, I know you hear me, boy!" I said with an irritated tone because he didn't answer me right away.
      "What?" he shouted out.
      "Can you please come help me with this suitcase?" I asked.
      "No. I'm busy revamping my MySpace page," he hollered out to me.
      "That's okay, you're going to need me for something one day and I'm going to be just as inconsiderate to you as you are being now." I walked back down the stairs and tried to pull my suitcase up the stairs once again. Several moments later Mike came out of his room wearing his blue pajama pants and a Bernie Mac T-shirt that had the phrase I Ain't Scared of You in bold letters just below the image of Bernie's face. Mike had been spending an enormous amount of time in the gym and in the workout room above the garage. His biceps, triceps and chest were noticeably bigger. Although I hadn't been gone very long. Mike seemed to have gotten a little taller and his voice seemed a little deeper. I hated to admit it, but he actually had all of the tools to be an irresistible man. But I wasn't going to tell him that. I didn't see the need to inflate his head or ego any more than it already was.
      "I'll get it," he said as he maneuvered around me.
      "What for? I'm almost there now," I said with a wise attitude.
      "Look, do you want some help or not?" he asked. He finally grabbed my luggage and hauled it up the remaining steps.
      "Jeez, what do you have in here? A dead body?" Mike complained.
      "Come on, use your man strength, I'm sure all of your bulking muscles can handle my small suitcase."
      Mike gave me a sarcastic look. "Whatever," he said, and then left the suitcase at the top of the landing before heading back into his room.
      "Thank you, Mike," I said aloud. I rolled the suitcase into my room and unpacked all of my clothes. Just as I was about to hang up my new winter coat, Grandmother Katie and Jordan, my dad, entered my room. My dad would be turning forty soon but could easily pass for a man in his midthirties, especially if he dyed his hair to hide the gray. He's tall and has the same chocolate brown skin as me. He has broad shoulders and sizable arms. Although he has a little bit of a tummy, it doesn't droop over his belt.
      "Okay, baby, I'm going to head back home now. I've got a long drive ahead of me." Grandmother expanded her arms so that I could step into her embrace for a giant hug. I know it sounds silly and