“Yeah. It’s about using what you know to get seven streams of income, if running doesn’t work out. She said, ‘You can be Black. Or you can be broke. God help you if you’re both. Here, read this.’ And she shoved it in my hand.”

“Did you read it?” Dell asks.

“Yeah, and so did my dad. And now we have a meeting set with my guidance counselor, so we can discuss my future,” he says with a deep groan. I playfully give him a sympathy hug while he shakes his head in dismay.

“I came out to my dad two weeks ago,” Shawn says.

“You did? Why didn’t you tell us?” Dell asks.

“I wanted to wait until Ayo was here.”

“How did your dad take it?” I ask.

“Much better than I thought, because last year, your mom made him go with her to a workshop sponsored by the Trevor Project. She said it was research for See Us. And since he’s a member, she dragged him along. They heard stories from kids who got support from their family and kids who didn’t. My dad said the ones whose parents pushed them away were really messed up. And he didn’t want that to happen to me. I mean, he’s not throwing a party that I’m gay, but he’s not judging me. And this morning, he asked if there was anyone I liked. That’s huge for my dad!

“Your mom didn’t come right out and tell him I’m gay, but she tried to prep him. That made a big difference. So yeah, I’m here for whatever she needs.”

“You told your dad—does that mean you and Milton are going out?” Nai asks.

“As soon as we find the keys,” he says, practically blushing. We tease Shawn like the immature people we are, and then get down to business.

“Let’s start with what we know,” I say. “All the keys will be found somewhere in Harlem. My mom would only hide things in this community.”

“Also, it will have something to do with Black folks, since, well . . . you know your mama,” Nai adds.

“Yup! And one last thing: the keys will most likely be somewhere we can legally get to so we don’t get in trouble,” Shawn says.

“Is there any chance they’re at the soul food spot?” Dell asks. Nai takes a textbook out of her backpack and hurls it at him. He ducks. “Hey, I’m just being thorough.”

I place my notebook on the table. “Let’s take the first clue in the set: The King’s death gave me life.”