Chance

“CHANCE”

“Go ahead and get outta here cuz. Be safe out there.” Last words Yaseer heard from his cousin Art as he walked on the tip of his toes out of building 58. He spent the past 2 and a half years of a 9 year bid sharing a cell with his paternal cousin that he never met until fate would deem them worthy of this encounter. They built a strong bond in such a short time after being introduced to each other by cousin number 3. Unfortunately for young black boys who grow to be “men” it’s not rare to end up incarcerated with kin or a friend.

Joy graced his face as Yaseer began to breathe in a more suitable form of air. Like a newborn fawn, his legs nervously wandered a world that became foreign. He smiled.

Anxious, yet elated Yaseer climbed the steps to his childhood home. Happiness stole the day as his senses took in the sights and sounds of family gathered to spread love upon his arrival. The smell of his Aunt in the kitchen was a welcomed fresh start. Home. Granny’s house. He said a silent prayer and dug in.“What’s this bro,” Yaseer asked about this small black book everyone clamored over. He couldn’t connect the dots. “You've never seen one of these before?” His childhood friend Chance sarcastically answered. “Is that a rhetorical question?” Yaseer replied.

“It's the answers to all of our prayers.” “What?!” “That's what's in the book, the answers to all of our prayers.” “Impossible,” Yaseer said more confused than… psychology. “Do sharks poop in water?” Chance asked. “Absolutely, but what does that have to do with my prayers.”

The next day Yaseer began to thumb through the contents of this “little black book”. A brand new world began to unwrap like 80’s Christmas. Like the times we thought Santa ate milk and cookies only to realize later our gifts were from GOD.

He spent the next few months examining the contents with a magnifying glass. He saw the prayers of the “world” being answered, but not his own. Immediately he called his friend Chance looking for answers. “You lied to me bro! That book didn't answer my prayers!”Friends don't let friends…

Yaseer was a praying man. His life gave him reason to be. He prayed for peace and LOVE. His wife made him coffee and a bagel every morning before work. He would come home to a thousand kisses. Seemed like this “little black book” may have been a blessing in disguise. As he continued to marvel at its contents, what was discovered would shine light in a dark space. His wife however couldn't understand the fascination. They grew apart…

As he moved from couch to couch, stick and a bag man thought about all of his doubt. Somehow the black book made him question his GOD. He became incensed screaming at the book, “You lied!!” The book responded, “Give it time.”

This was the first time the book spoke, but not the last. Yaseer’s first instinct was to throw it in the trash. How convincing the speech of a poet. Yaseer lifted his arm, but not to give praise. He asked his TEACHER to turn the page.The sly speech of a “colored book” would spin webs of deceit in the coming months. Yaseer would become enthralled with the amount of “prayers” he saw answered. He began to pray to the “book”. Not GOD.

Instantly visions of grandeur filled the mind of a mad man. Newfound glory brought false hope. A roller coaster of emotions sent Yaseer into a tailspin. The broken promises filled pages with blood colored tears. All Yaseer could see was the hourglass. “Give it time” replayed, yet rescinded its offer. It became clear this black book came with a coffin.

GOD screamed from Heaven and shook the spirit of a man lost in a field of green dreams. “Yaseer!!!” “Yes FATHER.” “This “little black book” has replaced MY LOVE!” “Forgive me FATHER.” “It is finished!!!”

A sigh of relief interrupted his normal breathing pattern. Yaseer stood at the edge of a lake ready to rid himself forever of the lies this “little black book” promulgated. His FATHER called out. “Keep it.” “Why?” Yaseer replied. “It will bring forth blessing.”Draw near to HIM and HE will draw near to you.

Renewed faith gave strength to a broken man.

The past echoed into present time through speech and brought peace.

Yaseer, looking for the prize his FATHER promised, saw light shine from a book once dishonest. A contest with a grand prize lit his eyes. “My prayer!” Yaseer shouted.

This was his chance to be the father and man deserving of honor. All he had to do was be honest. The caption read, “Tell us your life story. We’ll pick a winner. Grand prize, 20,000 shorties.

That's 20 grand. Yaseer knew he could win and immediately picked up his pen. As he anxiously awaited the winner to be announced, he said a prayer that brought forth the full amount.

Elation and joy spung forth from patience and poise. “Thank you FATHER!” he shouted.

He rushed to the phone to apologize to Chance. Chance answered and replied, “Thanks in advance.”