Chiraq IX

Chapter 9

Big Shorty moped, "I don't want to ride on an ugly yellow retarded looking school bus!" That's when his grandpa squinted down at Big Shorty, then back up at the gang signs that marked the hallway and said, "You do now or you can't live with your grandmother." Mr. Monday pulled up his sleeves to check his watch again as he said, "I will take him to class." His grandpa let out an exasperated sigh and threw up his hands. "Be good, Tyrone", his grandpa reminded him. With that, his grandpa waved goodbye, then turned and walked out the office. "Bye, grandpa", Big Shorty called after him.

Mr. Monday looked down at Big Shorty and thought of the mental challenges he had seen as he looked over the transfer files. He had been expelled for fighting and now he was in this school that had older and more troublesome gang members. Big Shorty was accompanied to his poverty-stricken classroom. "This is Mrs. Larman, your teacher", said Mr. Monday. She stood when they entered the room. Mrs. Larman had long curly hair and a lean body. She was wearing a white blouse and pink dress pants.

Mrs. Larman pushed Big Shorty to his seat as Mr. Monday turned to go. "I will be in my office if you need me, Mrs. Larman", added Mr. Monday before he walked away. Big Shorty found himself sitting next to a cute girl named, "Dimples". She was wearing a black mini-skirt and a purple tank top that revealed her midriff. Next to her sat a boy named, "Moody". He was of medium height with dark brown skin. He wore a "Chicago Bulls" jersey. He, like most students, was tattooed. Moody had "4CH" tattooed on his neck, which meant that he was a "Four Corner Hustler", another one of the Windy City's street gangs.

"What's up, Joe?", asked Moody as Big Shorty sat down. "What's your name new guy?", Moody also asked. Big Shorty sized him up and down before he said, "My name is Big Shorty". Big Shorty could see that Moody had the physique of a basketball player and sure enough, just as he thought this, Moody said, "We have basketball practice today, do you shoot hoops?" Big Shorty fixed an earnest gaze on Dimples legs as he was about to say something sarcastic, but thought better of it. "Yep!", said Big Shorty as they began to chop it up in class. Then the sound of the bell blared for the students to change classes.

In the hallway, Big Shorty's eyes were like daggers as he menaced the other students that were wearing red and black. His next class was gym as he found his way to class and plopped himself down on the bleachers and watched as Moody strutted up and down the court. "What's up, new guy? Let's see what you got", Moody said as he tossed Big Shorty the ball. Big Shorty dribbled the ball to a spot that he knew he couldn't miss and then nailed a jump shot.

"Good shot", said the coach who had been watching on the sideline. "Shoot a couple more, shooting like that could get you on the team", added the coach. Big Shorty was kind of flared up because he was put on the spot. But in the end, he did make the team. He and Moody became cool and they both eventually were made co-captains of the team. Big Shorty had made the basketball team and he and Moody were in the locker room. "Are you a Gangsta', Big Shorty?", Moody asked. Big Shorty's eyes widened as they both made eye contact as Big Shorty said, "Hell yeah".

They talked about what this meant for a few minutes while a few other players in the locker room ear hustled their conversation. Afterwards, they parted ways, with Moody saying, "I'll holla at you later, Big Shorty". Big Shorty managed a slight grin and replied, "Alright, Solid". "Solid" was a word the Four Corner Hustlers used to acknowledge each other. Big Shorty scrambled through his classmates in the hallway, reaching the exit of the building. He made his way to his school bus that was parked at the curb along with the other buses.

After reaching his seat, he let the window down and sat back for the ride. The ride was a bumpy one, down Buffalo Street, then West to Cottage Grove Street on the East side.