It was a beautiful July afternoon. The boys were playing ball in the park. A car slams on its brakes three bangers jumped out and started yelling and cussin'. They were after the youngest, skinniest, white boy ever seen in Gary. Johnie stepped up. He tried to stop them. The bangers cursed Johnie for bringin in a whitie. Then it happened with a flash there was blood everywhere.

I went home that night soaked in blood. Johnie died in my arms that day.