Chapter 13: Trouble

One night Danny and Alex were walking around town. This lowered Danny's suspicion on Alex hiding something since he was with him this time. They walked towards an arcade and played a little. They were kicked out though, because Danny got mad and kicked one of the machines.

"Where to next?" asked Alex.

"Don't know. I don't live here."

They walked around a little bit more and came across a basketball court. The two walked down to the court to watch the game being played. It was a two on two game and one of the teams was killing the other. Danny figured out they were playing 21.

"Game Point," yelled one of the guys after he made a shot. They weren't playing make it/take it so the other team had the ball. One of the guys tried to go inside for a shot, but the other guy stole it from him. He took it back passed the three-point line and went inside for a shot. He passed the ball behind his back and it went to his team member. He took it in and made a lay up.

"Game," he yelled. "Get your weak butts outta here. Y'all suck. Who got next?"

"A little cocky aren't they?" said Alex leaning over to Danny. Danny smiled and said,

"Wanna show them a little something?"

Alex smiled and they got up.

"We got next!" yelled Danny.

"Y'all," said the guy pointing to the two. "We'll sweep you guys off of the court."

This guy was already getting on Danny's nerves. He will admit, he's a little cocky but he hated people who were too cocky. They don't even know who they're up against. They didn't know them.

"If you're so confident, put some money on the line," yelled Alex as they walked down to the court.

"How much," yelled one of the guys.

"How much you got."

"I'll bet 20."

"25"

"27"

"30! No split. Unless y'all are scared."

Alex smiled. The other guys looked at each other and accepted. They walked up and shook each other's hand. The bet was official.

Danny pulled off his sweater and threw it to the side. Showing off his black tee. He put his dog tags into his pocket. Alex pulled of his jacket and threw it on top of Danny's sweater showing off his long white tank top.

They readied themselves and they guy checked the ball to Danny. Danny checked back and the game started. The guy tried to crossover Danny but he stole the ball and passed it to Alex. Alex faked a shot and made a two-pointer. The crowd cheered a little. The other guys just kept a serious look on their face. Danny guessed they wanted to make the first point.

The game went on for a while. At one point when the game was tied, one of the guys fouled Alex. Alex jumped right back up but Danny stopped him before he could make any moves. He looked at the guy that fouled Alex. The guy smiled. Danny then knew that these weren't any sore losers. Danny whispered over to Alex.

"Time to quit going easy on them."

"Gotcha."

From then on Danny and Alex showed no mercy. They smoked the guys. When Danny made the final shot he went up to the other two sweating guys. They were breathing hard too.

"That'll be 60."

The guys looked at him.

"What are you talking about! You guys said thirty."

"No. My buddy over there said thirty dollars no split. That means we're not splitting the thirty dollars. We're getting thirty each. I guess you guys never knew street talk."

The guys were real angry. They had just been cheated out of their own money. But they had been shook on it so they had to give up their money. They handed it over and Danny and Alex.

Danny and Alex picked up their sweater and jacket and walked off laughing. Danny pulled his dog tags out of his pocket and put them back on. They reminded him of Maria. He really did miss her. Alex counted the money and gave Danny his share.

"Those were a couple of suckers, huh?" said Danny.

"Yeah…Danny. Was Tulsa better than Atlanta?"

Danny looked at him.

"I guess. I mean. I can't compare the two cities. But family surrounded me for the first time in my life. I mean, I know we used to call the gang family. But we weren't blood. I'm glad I met my cousins. It would be even better if you could stay down here."

"Yeah. After I received your letters. I kinda wished that I could come and see how it was. I didn't think it would be this type of situation that would make me come down here."

Danny had kinda felt sorry for his best friend. He was just about not wanted at home. His dad and him always argued and his mom died from cancer. After she died, his dad showed his true colors. He treated Alex like dirt. He probably didn't even care if Alex was in trouble.

They walked around some more and the sky got dark. They decided to go on ahead to the room and hang out with some of the Brumly Boys. When they were a couple of feet away from the building, a car stopped up the street from them. Teenagers then stepped out. Danny's fears hit him. This could be Tay's gang. He was about to yell run but saw two familiar guys. The two guys they beat at basketball. Danny relaxed a little bit. There were five of them.

"We want our money back!" yelled one of the guys.

"You're making a mistake," said Danny smiling. "Turn around."

One of the guys turned around and tapped his buddy on the shoulder. They all turned around and saw about ten Brumly Boys standing behind them.

"Try something!" yelled Jean.

The guys and their friends hurried back into their car and took off. Danny shook his head and smiled.

"Man, it sure is fun being a greaser."