Free Lyfe Changing by Desirae Williams Page B

crazy. “So you
expect me to be in the damn hot sun for five hundred hours picking
up garbage off the street…are fucking you tripping.” Not
appreciating my tone Matthew narrowed his eyes at me causing me to
step back. I don’t know what he was thinking, just cause I was a
little banged up didn’t mean I still couldn’t whoop somebody
ass….especially some Richie Cunningham looking white boy. “Hey
you’re lucky you’re not going to Statesville right now….this was
the best I could do.” He pleaded with me. I finally nodded, he was
right, a minute ago my ass was about to walk the green mile until
he showed up and for that I was thankful. “Your right man…I
appreciate it.” He nodded and we both stood. “Your honor we are
taking the deal.” The district attorney looked pissed as hell and
stood glaring at us. He could kiss my ass for all I cared I was
free. The judge nodded and looked to me. “Mr. Lyfe what is your
current address so I can notify your probation officer?”
    Before I could answer the
toothpick spoke up. “Your honor…Mr. Lyfe no longer has an address
his house has been put on the market and his belongings have been
reposed.” Oh hell no… now I was pissed. “What the fuck do you mean
they took my shit… all of it was paid for?” I yelled at the
toothpick. “Mr. Lyfe calm down.” The judge ordered. “The defendant
does not have an occupation and did not tax the payments he made
thus for leaving the house and other material value taken by the
state.” That punk ass D.A had the nerve to smile; I wanted to
throttle his smug ass. I dropped my head in my hands wanting to
tear my skull out. “They took everything…everything it’s gone.”
“Derrick calm done.” Matthew put a hand on my shoulder and tried to
soothe me. I looked at him as if he were crazy. “Calm down….calm
down… how I am I supposed to calm the fuck down they took my house,
my car, everything…I don’t have a fucking home. What the hell am I
supposed to do?” “Hey can live with me your honor.” An old voice
filled the room from the back seats of the courtroom causing
everyone to turn around to see who it was that had spoken up in my
defense. The judge rearranged his glasses while eyeing the old
woman who came forward. “And who are you ma’am.” I watched the
older lady make her way up front and stood beside me and Matthew.
“I’m his grandmother.”

    They drive from the
courtroom was very slow and silent for me. I sat in the passenger
seat of my grandmother’s Aria and stared out the window looking for
traces of what used to be my life. My grandmother picked up on my
unusual silence and shook her head. “No need to cry over lost
money… won’t bring it back…” I closed my eyes and sighed. “Nobody
crying…” She swatted my thigh. “Then pick your lip up off the floor
and sit up…you need to be thanking God that you’re no good behind
aint in jail right now.” I hate to admit it but she was right…I
could have been locked up at this very moment but I wasn’t and I
had to be grateful for that at least. I wasn’t expecting Mr.
Matthew show up in court for me today but thank God he did…he
really got me off with a light sentence. I asked him after wards
who sent him…he just smiled and said a guardian angel.
    As I sat in my grandmother’s
car I reluctantly did as I was told and sat up trying to get over
my depression. Two weeks ago I was a high roller who had everything
a man could want and then some….now I was bum with no money, five
years’ probation and five hundred hours of community service…damn
how the high and mighty fall. But what could I do now? “Oh God…” I
sighed rubbing my hands over my head.
    “That’s right baby you call
him…you need him more now than ever.” I laughed at my grandmother,
never missing an attempt to thump that word at me. Ever since I
could remember I had been force feed Jesus all my life but Jesus
was not out in these streets…he didn’t