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Lori was right. The guy loaded me up with homework on my very first day. I exited the school and located the school bus that would take me back home to my grandmother’s house. Although the bus ride was pretty noisy it was uneventful. The bus let me off about a block away from my grandmother’s house. As I walked home, I saw Lori getting out of an old, brown Chevy Caprice, shouting obscenities at some guy who was dropping her off. As she walked around the front end of the car, the male driver jumped out and grabbed her. He shoved her against the car and pointed an angry finger in her face.
    â€œI’m Percy goddamn Jones and you’re going to give me everything I’ve got coming to me!” Percy barked at her like a madman. I stopped on the sidewalk and gawked at them.
    â€œYou don’t own me, fool! You’re not my daddy. Nowtake your damn hands off of me!” Lori didn’t seem intimidated by Percy’s harsh words.
    â€œI’m not playing with your bony butt! Don’t make me hurt you,” Percy warned. I decided it was time to keep on moving. Lori’s dispute with her boyfriend was none of my business. As I continued on, I heard the pop of a closed fist hitting flesh. When I turned around I saw Lori’s knees buckling beneath her. Percy grabbed her arm and shook her violently as he continued his angry rant.
    â€œYou don’t play around with me like that! Do you understand what I’m saying?” Percy wasn’t letting up.
    â€œHelp!” Lori shrieked. “Please somebody, help me!”
    â€œShut up! Before you make me really hurt you!” Percy slammed her body against the car.
    â€œWesley! Help me,” Lori shouted out to me. I turned back around to keep moving. I did not want to get involved in their squabble.
    Percy turned and met my gaze. “Who is that? Is that your other man? Are you creeping around on me? Is that what the damn problem is?” Percy once again slammed Lori’s body against the car.
    â€œWesley, please!” Lori called out once more.
    â€œThat weak punk isn’t going to help you. He’s not man enough to deal with a pimp like me,” Percy roared like a lion about to make a kill.
    â€œWesley, run down the street and get my grandmother. Please,” Lori begged as she tried to free herself from his clutches.
    â€œDamn!” I said aloud as I dropped my duffel bag, turned around and made the fateful decision.
    â€œYo, man. Why don’t you just let her go?” I said as I approached them.
    â€œWhy don’t you mind your own damn business!” Percy glanced over his shoulder at me.
    â€œYou know it’s not right to hit on girls, man. Just let her go,” I said, hoping I’d talk some sense into him.
    â€œI’m telling you right now, dog. If you don’t back the hell up and get out of my business, I’m going to—”
    â€œNever mind, man. I’ll just call the police.” I pulled my cell phone out of my back pocket. No sooner had I put it up to my ear than Percy rushed over to me and slapped it out of my hand. He stood menacingly in front of me. Percy was mean and ugly with yellow teeth and bad breath. There was a scar below his left eye and a tattoo on his neck. He was bigger than me, taller than me and as aggressive as a wild pack of hyenas fighting over a fresh kill.
    â€œI told you to move the hell on!” Percy shoved me so hard I almost fell.
    â€œDon’t push on me!” I shouted and shoved him back.
    â€œPercy, stop it!” Lori tried to step in. “He doesn’t know you. He’s new around here. Just let it go!” Lori pleaded.
    Percy swung at me, but I saw it coming and moved out of the way of his vicious swing. I immediately coiled my fingers into a tight fist and prepared to throw down.
    â€œYou don’t want to fight me,” I said as I stood my ground, ready to defend myself.
    â€œToo late now,” Percy