Thursday

"POWERS, time to go"

Keith has waited for his release date since his fate in was decided in court all those years ago. He looked around the small cell that seemed to be a place that became all too familiar for him.

Though he was ready to leave, he took his time to look over the tiny cell: the grime on the walls, the thin cot mattress, the rusty sink, and the steel door that kept him locked away. He wanted to remember this place, because he vowed to himself that this day going forward, he will never be back here again or compromise himself that will end up with him back there.

He grabbed some of his personal belongings and followed behind the impatient guard that cleared his throat while Keith took his time.

That's one thing he definitely won't miss, the goddamn guards that always tried him due to the power positions that be.

As he walked down the hall through the foyer, he was met with inmates that he earned respect from, and some that he had grown close with.

"You keep yourself straight out there Youngblood, don't end up back in here. I don't want to see your ass"

"Yeah that nigga to pretty to be here"

Keith chuckled at the OGs that he had met and grown close to while being in there. They shared a manly hugged and Keith promised to write them and keep out of trouble.

That was another thing he had promised himself, these men that were serving life or spent most of their lives being locked away, he promised himself that he would live for all those men and have them with him as he walked through this world. He wanted to carry on in their honor because most of them would never get the opportunity to be free again.

After signing out, receiving the items that he came to prison with, he walked out of the door a free man.

He stood at the gates and took a deep exhale, the air was different. He wanted to take this all in, but he was then brought back to reality by the sound of snapping cameras and the sound of various voices shouting his name.

As the entrance opened for him to exit, they bombarded him with questions.

"KEITH"

"KEITH"

"HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE EXONERATED"

"WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY TO THOSE WHO LABEL YOU AS A COP KILLER?"

"WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THE VICTIM'S FAMILY?"

"WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU'LL DO NOW THAT YOU'RE FREE"

Thinking if he should entertain this media circus, he finally decided to speak up. Throughout his journey with the justice system many people have spoke for Keith and about Keith as if they knew him. Calling him a cop killer, saying he needs the electric chair, and calling him ruthless careless human being; though he wasn't the shooter.

It angered him to think that it was people out there that prayed for his execution and condemned him simply because of the company he kept; despite the evidence he had, and the repeated stance he held about his innocence.

He lost so much in this process, that he knew needed to break his silence and finally free himself.

"After being ridiculed and paraded in the media like some thug or some animal, and people speaking on me and wanting to end my life, despite my innocence. I feel vindicated, and hopefully people will take my story and compare it to the thousands of young black men who are unlawfully arrested and convicted, whose lives are being stolen."

"I will never get back my years, and I will never feel fully vindicated because I know that there's others out there who believe I am guiltily and who think I am a cop killer but hopefully now I can put the pieces of my life back together and live a better life."

Hand clapping could be heard after Keith's statements

"Well said my brother" Keith's brother Kevin said.

Keith being so focused on telling his side of story, he didn't even notice his brother was there to pick him up from his hell hole.

He hasn't seen his brother in years, but he did get to talk to him often and they wrote letters and when he did start making money, he would put money on Keith's books and that he was grateful for.

It finally hit Keith.

The years he spent, the broken relationships, the turmoil and pain he caused his family, he compromised their safety.

The years he will never get back.

It all hit him at once and came out in the form of tears, the two shared a brotherly embrace that showed the other exactly how they felt.

Keith held his little brother like a father would hold his son and he just apologized to him because that's the only thing he felt was right in that moment.

"Come on now, I'm a grown man. Got me crying in front of these cameras" Kevin laughed.

"Shut up fool" Keith retorted.

They hugged more.

"TELL US HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR BROTHER COMING HOME"

"DID YOU EVER DOUBT YOUR BROTHER'S INNOCENCE?"

~
After answering a few questions, Keith grew tired and just wanted to get the hell out there.

He was ready for his new life to start, and he knew he had to get the hell away from that prison entrance and then he will feel free.

"Oooo shit, Doobi. This shit ride clean, look at my little brother! Doing big shit!" Keith cheesed.

As Keith commented on his brother's 2020 Camaro coupe.

"You already know, nigga got a little bread. And nigga don't nobody call me Doobi anymore." Kevin said.

"I don't care, you're my brother and you'll be Doobi today"

Keith was looking out the window, just amazed at the world. He was used to having only one hour of yard time, once a week. He was excited to be outside and he drank all the features of the world around him. This was like foreign territory for Keith and he was ready to take on the world.

"So whatchu' gone do man now that you're out?"

"Shit man, I've been thinking about that shit for years and now that I'm out, I don't know. Of course, start working and make my own money but who the fuck gone hire me? I mean my record is getting expunged but everybody knows my name and my face." Keith stated.

"I know bro, but listen you'll figure it out. Don't let that shit get you down, you're home now and we have time to figure all that shit out." Kevin cheesed while looking over at his brother every once in while.

"Besides, you could always work for your little brother."

"Nigga what do you do again?"

"I DJ-" Kevin started.

"Exactly nigga what the fuck I'm supposed to do? Carry the equipment? Get your ass a drink? Clean them stank ass headphones?" Keith asked.

"Damn nigga, you could've said no! But I actually just started a fashion line and I'm going to need someone to run it for me and you could also model."

"It's called, AllureXO." He added.

"AllureXO? What type of shit is that?"

"Why the fuck you got to shit on a nigga? Why you can't just be like oohhhh shit Kev that shit sound dope as fuck."

"Look Doobi, I don't give a fuck what you want me to do. All that shit you done for a nigga while I was away, I owe you. You didn't have to ask at all. Nigga if you want me to mop the floors or model or sew the damn clothes I'm with it."

They shared a laugh.

"But for real, thank you for always looking out for me and having my back. I don't know what I would do, if it wasn't for you. You are one of the people that kept me sane in there, and I appreciate everything and once I get it I'll pay you back man, I swear."

"You're my brother, you don't owe me nothing. I'll do it again if I had to, besides I know you would do the same." Kevin said.

"Just promise me that once you're out, you're going to change. You're going to stay out the strreets, be clean, and do right by us. I don't want to lose you again man. Most people don't get a second chance." Kevin added.

"Come on Kev, you know that's not my lifestyle. I was just trying to take care of you, Mom's and the rest of the family. Besides, I'm not going to do anything stupid, I want to be home. I've been dying to be home. Being in that shit hole, put everything in perspective for me and I just want to be free." Keith went on.

The two sat in comfortable silence.

Until Keith broke it.

"So how is she? Have you been checking in on her like I asked?"

He couldn't help it, he had to ask. Being free made him think about all the fantasies that he and Tayler would concoct. All the what if's and sceanrios of their lives outside of Keith's prison walls. Now that he was free, he thought more about maybe contacting her. He couldn't change the past, but they were good friends.

Maybe they could rekindle their friendship. He missed her like hell and he owed it to her to at least reach out to her.

"Honestly, I haven't been able to keep up with her in some months. Every since she became big baby girl don't even message a nigga back. Your shorty done got big, she been on interviews and shit and be hosting little events, and on radio. She's doing good."

He smiled at the thought, this is what he always wanted for her. He can't lie though, it did hurt that he wasn't in the picture with her to see her achieve everything she spoke about.

Everything she said was starting to manifest.

Maybe there was hope for them after all, he thought. Even though it's been years and the idea of a relationship seemed far fetched, he still toyed with the idea of them being together and working in those plans that they created when they were just kids.

"But I ain't gone lie. Your girl is sort of seeing someone" Kevin confessed.

It's like the record had scratched. Keith immediately eyed Kevin for a moment, then his gaze shifted out the window as he didn't want to look weak.

"What?"

Surely he didn't expect her to be single, but just hearing the confirmation put everything in perspective. It hurt him to know that someone else had her. Then it angered him because she did move on, she moved on without him. Not only that, he knew nobody could love her like he did, nobody would measure up; despite his shortcomings and the obvious pink elephant in the room of him serving time. Although it was his idea to encourage her to move on, at least a small part of him believed she would stay.

"Yeah some suave ass singing nigga name Algee. I seen him at a few events, I've hosted. He's well liked and put together but I don't think it's serious between them. Something is just off about him bro."

"Why? You thinking about getting your girl back?" Kevin questioned.

"Hell no man. I mean, I do love her and I miss her and I want nothing more than to know what could have been. But look at all this shit she is achieving without me, she's doing just fine man. She don't need the extra attention and press with my name being thrown about. It seems like she's happy and she's moved on just like I wanted her to. I won't subject her to more hurt by popping back into her life, she doesn't need that negativity. I'm not gone lie, it hurts but I've been doing a lot of thinking and maturing and I just want her to be free and happy, even if it's not with me."

"Damn man, you said some deep as shit, look at you all grown and shit" Kevin poked at Keith.

Keith laughed.

"Besides, if it's meant to be our paths will cross again."

Keith looked out the window and continue to think of her, his one true love.

He pondered what was she doing now and if she would be happy to see him again.

~

As she dug through the freezer to find something to eat, she stiffened at the name that was said on TV.

"Keith Powers, the man formerly known as one of the four men known as the Sacremento cop killers was freed today due to a technicality. After being in jail for almost 6 years, he is free. We caught up with him and his brother during an emotional reunion."

Tayler ran to her television and turned up the TV, there she came face to face with the man she hasn't seen in years.

Her breath got caught in her throat, her heart was pounding faster and faster as she heard Keith spoke.

Free.

Her thoughts couldn't even form at this moment, she froze. She was blank, her mouth was dry. She was captivated by the look of a scruffy Keith, his hair was longer, he had a few bags under his eyes but yet he still looked handsome. His freckles were in the same place she had last left them and his lips were so plumped and pink. She was so busy analyzing his features, she couldn't really hear what he was saying. She had to force herself to hear the words that was being spoken.

"Although I may feel vindicated, I have to understand and realize that there are family's affected. They have lost a loved one as my family has lost me for some time but as I get to go home, they will never come home. And for that, they have my deepest condolences, my prayers, and my sincerest apology. I am sorry and I hope my freedom does not anger you or produce hate for me because of me being released."

That burning feeling in her core returned as she watched as Keith spoke passionately. She knew the love of her life and she knew when he was being sincere, and he was. She was in a trance as her eyes were glued to the tube. She licked her lips as she watched him speak so eloquently. After all this time, her body reacted like he never left. The same feelings returned as if she didn't cut them off a long time ago.

She snapped back once the news anchors returned to the screen, cutting the segment of Keith's release. She blinked her glossy eyes to help regain her sanity. She immediately sat down on the couch, placing her elbows on her knees. She was still in shock by what she saw.

"Oh no, you can't do this Tayler. It has been years, you moved on you should move on. This changes absolutely nothing."

She tried to tell herself.

"Who knows maybe he met someone else. You know women are always corresponding with inmates.
Yeah maybe he got married."

She sucked her teeth. "Don't be an idiot"

As she mentally played tag with herself, she tried to settle the war between her young heart and her adult mind. She knew consciously she had moved on but subconsciously she never had. Keith always resided in the corner of her mind. That corner always actively working and would play snapshots of Keith and her at random times. Some times when she was laid up with Algee, which caused her to feel guilty and retreat from her growing feelings for the new guy in her life. The memories, the good, the bad. The love making, the petty arguments, the smiles, the laughs, and even that night that traumatized her. She relived everything, even though she contested it.

She rubbed her eyes with her hands and sighed.

"This means nothing, why can't you just move on. That's what he wanted."

She swallowed that same bitter taste that came up all those years ago. Move on, move on she wanted to do. Move on is what she thought she had done. However, this moment just proved that she failed. Her young heart wouldn't allow her to. She was consumed with the what if's, she was consumed with what could have been. She was consumed with the life that she expected to have with Keith. Although they were kids, her feelings were real and she couldn't escape them.

During her mental game of ping pong, her thoughts settled once her phone begin to ring. She picked up the phone without even reading the caller I.D.

"Hello"

"Have you seen the news?" A voice asked with urgency.

"Yes mother, I seen it" she sighed.