Page 183 of Rhet

“This group had the power to make us NFL superstars.”

I can hear the lost hope in Dante’s voice.

“You gotta understand. I had a sick mom and a sister with no college tuition.”

I nod because I understood.

“Marcus was talking about being a prospect for Carson. The chance that one of us could be a prospect was mind blowing,” Dante reaches for the pillow beside me.

“If we listen to Carson, our futures would be bright.”

“Then you killed my brother,” I interject, this story wasn’t making me feel any better.

“Carson lied to us and told us Trent stole money from him. Carson wanted us to beat him up.”

“My brother has never stolen anything from anything one. He was a God send” I stand slowly needing to distance myself from Dante.

“We didn’t know that.” Dante cries “That night we met Trent and Marcus. Marcus left to use the bathroom and never came back.”

My rage was boiling “Where is Marcus?”

“We never saw him after that night.” Dante replies.

“So, you beat my brother to death.” I roll my neck as it begins to tighten.

Dante shakes his head “We shoved him around, but then, it became too much for me so I backed away.” Dante’s eyes look wild from the memory he’s having.

“Jamie told me it was too late. I was in it. I should have run and called the police, but a black man versus three white boys.”

“Who were they going to believe?” I wish I could have killed those boys all over again. If I had the chance, I would have done it slower.

“When they dragged him back to the car. I remember them throwing him in the backseat, and the two of them just stood outside and drank beer.”

My legs begin to shake, knowing what’s about to happen. I can’t move. I feel numb. Angry at myself for not being there, angry at Dante, most of all Carson…. he is a dead man walking.

“I remember looking up in the rearview mirror, seeing the guy mouth help me. As I started the car to take him and leave. Jamie opened the door and shoved me to the passenger side.”

It’s all falling to place in my mind.

“Jamie told me they were taking him home chill,” Dante eyes filled up with water.

“I believed them.”

Even though Trent is dead hearing how he died feels like a new wound is being cut open.

“Once we entered your neighborhood, I knew I didn’t belong there,” Dante states.

I press my elbows into my thighs and I pull on my hair.

“Jamie told me to get back behind the wheel once we reached your house.”

It was happening again, that feeling of not being able to breathe. God help me.

“They took him inside, I stayed in the car. After forty minutes they both come rushing out. Screaming for me drive.”

My mind takes me back to my mother screaming while she held on to my brother.

“I’m sorry. Banner” Dante apologized.

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