My life was changed forever. It was as if my entire world had been flipped upside down! And today, I'd like to share my experience with you:
I was born and raised in West Philadelphia by my Mother. My dad had left her before I was born, so we couldn't afford much. I didn't live in the greatest neighborhood, but I strived to make the best of my situation. I normally spent the days playing basketball after school in the public court with my friends. We would also talk about our days, shared life experiences and such. I enjoyed this.
One day, this would all change drastically.
We were playing another game of basketball afterschool as usual. Our ball accidentally went out of the court, and hit one rather violent looking man in the side. Him and his group stood up, looking quite angry. I gulped and tried to explain the situation, get the ball, and return to our game, but it was too late.
They gave me the thrashing of a lifetime.
I returned home, beaten and bruised. I tried to hide my tears from my mother. But the instant I walked into the kitchen and I looked into her soft, old eyes... I just couldn't hold back.
She held me to her bosom, and sang softly. After I had calmed down and wiped the tears from my face, she asked me what happened. I explained, and she was shocked.
"I... didn't want this kind of life for you William..." she said shakingly, "If only I could have done something to change all this... you deserve better..."
She began to cry.
"It's not your fault mom, you try your best and I appreciate it, don't you dare blame yourself for this, I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time; it was just an accident." I said.
"I'm scared for you. You just, don't belong here. It's not safe" She replied tiredly, "I... think it would be best if you moved to Aunt Vivian and Uncle Phillips house in California."
I had heard of my Aunt and Uncle's place up in Bel-Air, but I still didn't quite like the idea of basically abandoning my mother like this. I love my mother with all my heart. But her decision was final, there was no arguing with it.
She called her sister, and it was arranged. Within the next few days, I was to move away.
I solemnly began packing the few clothes and items I owned. I looked at a picture of me and my mother when we lived in New York when I was about 8 years old. We were so happy back then. We didn't need my father to support us. But once he got incarcerated, and stopped paying the Child Support, and the bills began piling up... the times grew worse.
I sighed in nostalgia as I lay on my bare mattress and slowly drifted into a deep sleep. Tomorrow would be a new day, maybe moving won't be so bad.
By the next day, my mother found it to be her duty and actually finishing packing for me while I was sleeping. Once I was awake and ready at the doorway, she handed me the tickets, and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I worringly said good and I walked out the door, but I couldn't manage to shake the sinking feeling in my gut.
I put my earphones in and listened to my Walkman while heading down the street. I slowly began feeling more optimistic towards this idea of moving to a city like Bel-Air.
"Heh, they probably drink their Orange Juice in the Morning with Champagne Glasses!" I thought to myself.
I took the bus to the Airport, and before I knew it, I was on my way there. For some reason, the flight made me very tired, and when I woke up, I was in California already! I gathered my things and exited the plane, and then the airport.
I summoned a Cab to drive me to the house. The second I got into his car, a disgusting smell greeted me. The whole place reaked of alcohol, expired food and body fluids. It was and extremely unpleasant, and long ride.
We pulled up to the main entrance of the house at about 7:30 at night. I took my paid the Cabby, and took my suitcase out of the trunk. Before the cab drove away, the Cabby nodded at me and said "See you later!"
I responded "Smell you later!". It was a snide comment, I'll admit, but the smell had irritated me the whole time, so I felt such a response was justified.
I turned toward the house, and gazed at it in awe. This place was a mansion! I was there, and actually very happy to be there.
I was greeted at the door by my Aunt, and packed my things. I looked at all the expensive things they owned, they were like Kings and Queens here! I was amazed, to say the least. I met their children and I think we get along well. They also had a butler, but he was too sarcastic to me for me to truly judge how I feel about him yet.
My uncle actually didn't seem to completely approve of my moving in, but I didn't mind, I didn't have to have much interaction with him anyway. I was here to stay... to sit on my throne of sorts... as the "Prince of Bel-Air".