That’s right. They took everything, down to the very mattresses we slept on. My mother’s jewelry gone, including the macaroni necklace I made her in kindergarten. It took time, hard work, and long hours for my mom to raise the money just to get us to North Carolina where her sister lives.

Her sister, Aunt Marsha, got her a job and set us up in the small two bedroom trailer we live in. I sleep in the living room so my mom can have a bed to rest her tired feet in at the end of a long day. Pride has always kept her from telling anyone how bad our finances are.

“What do you mean Laney needs shoes?” Uncle Kenny asks, his face distorted in anger and concern.

“The electric is about to be turned off. Laney needs shoes. Bonnie needs clothes. And Mom is working herself sick. I’m the man of the house; I gotta help. I was given an opportunity, so I took it.”

The swift movement of the back of his hand coming across my face doesn’t register with me until I am on the floor, spitting out blood.

“Fucker, you call me. You don’t go steal shit.”

As soon as I am standing, the next blow comes—a punch to the gut. My breathing is coming in hard pants as the room spins around me. Trying to catch my breath and remain standing is almost too much. Before I fall to the ground again, two arms are holding me up by my shoulders.

“Enough, Bull,” Roundman commands from behind me.

Turning me to face him, he smiles at me as I fight to breathe regularly and my face is rapidly swelling. “Boy, I get you’ve had it bad growing up, but it’s time to learn about family. You want to learn about brotherhood, son?”

I can only nod in agreement. What else is there to say?

“You’re young, but you’re strong. You’ve faced what you’ve done with pride. Still, you’ve got a debt to pay for touchin’ my car, and you’ll start repaying it next weekend. We’ll take care of your momma and your sisters; get them what they need. The Hellions are gonna make a man outta you, boy, and teach you what your daddy obviously didn’t.”

I nod once again in agreement. As I breathe deeply, I realize the man in front of me is cutting me a break, which is something no one has ever done for me before.

Roundman meets my eyes as he continues, “Life may hand you a shit deal in the cards, but you have to show that motherfucker no one controls you. Rise above it, boy. Make something for yourself, your mom, and your sisters.” With that, he turns and walks away.

Afterward, Uncle Kenny takes me home and agrees not to tell my mom about the shit-storm I’ve escaped today.

One bad choice has changed my life. The path before me that has once been unclear and filled with more struggles than I care to think of, suddenly opens to a world of possibilities and the chance to do something with my life.