One day, one of his clients vented to him about needing t-shirts for an event, to which Raymond said, “I can get you some t-shirts.” The next week, he bought his first screen printing machine, and from this came the birth of ‘Just Let Me Play Sporting Goods’, which today services Newark Public School, Sanitation Department, Recreational Centers, and city workers with uniforms, trophies, banners, and sports and recreational equipment.

“Hey, you ok? It’s pouring.” “Yep! Just made it over the bridge, I’ll be home in 10 minutes.” “Ok sweetie. Pull over if you need to. Love you.” “Love you too. See you soon.”

5 minutes go by and I dial my mom again.

“Hey, that was quick. I’ll unlock the door for you-“ “No. I… I’m so sorry-” “Kamillah, what’s wrong?” “I… I don’t know what happened. I was so close. I-“

But at twelve, my favorite time was summer, because I could look as loud and as bold as I wanted to for 3 months straight. I recall one summer day when my older brother and I were visiting my Nana for a weekend. In a year, I would go visit my nana less, wanting to give most of my free time to my friends. But for now, her modest town house forty-five minutes away in the suburbs was enough for me.

I sit up from my relaxed position in my seat and watch intently as the man pedals in our direction. He gets a bit closer and I see his brown skin and long grey beard. Immediately I start to sympathize, imagining a long, hard life for the brown biker.