Saving Gracie// Nba Youngboy Story

.1

Gracie Santura

June 8, 1994

Today I had to do one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life, lay the love of my life to rest. Darren, my sweet Darren. My first friend, my first love, my... everything. I don't even know which memory is more painful, the last hug and kiss we shared while he was alive or the last kiss I was able to plant on his casket before he was lowered into the ground. This was not fair... Life was not fair

"Gracie I love you sooo much" April, Darren's mom said to me as he hugged me tight

"I love you too ma" I replied, not wanting to let her go. She was the closest I'll ever get to hugging Darren for the rest of my life. I took a deep breath "I still can't believe he's gone"

"Neither can I sweetheart. I hope they just find those bastards that took my baby"

"They better" I mumbled as I pulled away from the hug and looked back at the plot where his casket lay then looked at April again while shaking my head "my whole life is gone"

"No it's not Gracie. This is only the beginning" she told me with a weak smile as she pushed a piece of hair outta my face and behind my ear "Darren might not be here anymore, but we both know he wouldn't want you moping around. Now as much as I loved you two together, you're gonna eventually have to move on and find someone to make you just as happy as Darren did. And it's gonna be okay"

"But I-"

"Gracie. Babygirl it's gonna be okay. Just as long as you promise me you won't ever forget Darren"

"I could never forget Darren ma" I responded and she smiled before hugging me again

*******_______*******

A month later

July 12, 1994

"Gracie you gotta get outta this house girl" my mom told me as she walked into my bedroom and opened the blinds. I quickly covered my eyes and groaned

"Why would you do that? I like being in the dark"

"That's the problem. You in the dark!" She told me as she stood at the edge of my bed with her arms crossed "look, I know you're still upset about Darren but we both know he wouldn't want you this way"

I sighed and laid on my left side facing her, hugging the stuffed animal Darren brought me on our first date years ago.

"I miss him so much"

"I know you do babygirl" she told me as she sat down on the side of the bed and stroked my hair "We all do. But you gotta move on eventually. But that don't mean you have to forget about him, cause trust me there's no way you can forget about somebody as goofy as Darren"

"You right" I laughed and wiped a stray tear that fell from my eyes

"But forreal Gracie, you can't stop life because you lost Darren. He would knock you upside ya head if he saw you sitting around like this. He was all about life, having fun, taking risks. And you know that"

I sat up in the bed and nodded

"Yeah, but when something like this happens. Where do you start?"

"You start over. You're young, beautiful and smart. Plus you're fresh outta high school so this is the perfect time to start over"

"I guess" I shrugged and my pager went off. I still was used to seeing Darren's number popping up so I was a little disappointed when I saw that it wasn't him. Instead it was just my Cousin Sophie. I got outta the bed and went over to the house phone and dialed her number

"This is step one, getting that ass outta the bed" my momma laughed while she walked outta my room and I rolled my eyes as Sophie picked up the phone on the other end

"Gracie! How you feeling?" She asked enthusiastically as she answered the phone and I sighed

"I'm good"

"Ugh. You can't even lie good. Well I know what'll make you feel better"

"Can you bring Darren back?" I asked and she smacked her lips

"Come on Gracie. I'm tryina help you feel better"

"Fine, What is it?" I crossed my arms with the phone to my ear still as I leaned back against the desk in my room.

"What you say if I told you I got 2 tickets to see TLC in concert?"

"Shut up!" I stood up straight and smiled a little "when?"

"Ahhh, I knew that would make you feel better. And tomorrow night!"

"You know how much I love TLC!" I told her excited and she laughed

"Yeah I know. That's why I was willing to go through hell to get these tickets because I knew they would put a smile on your face. And plus, their front row tickets"

"Sophie I love you so much" I cheered and she continued to laugh

"I know, I know. Well I gotta go, I'm bout to get GiGi to help me hotcomb this shit on top of my head so my hair can be extra straight for the concert"

"Okay" I told her before hanging up. As soon as I put the phone back on the hook, I ran outta the room to find my mom "momma!"

"I'm in here" she yelled from the kitchen and I walked into the kitchen, seeing her sitting at the table changing the channel on her new radio. Right here by SWV started playing and she moved her head to the beat as she pulled a cigarette outta the box that sat on the table

"Guess what" I told her with a smile

"What got you happy? I ain't see you smile like that in a long time" she said with a laugh as she put the cigarette in between her lips and lit it

"Sophie got us tickets to see TLC tomorrow"

"Sophie who? My niece Sophie?" She raised her eyebrow and I nodded with a giggle

"Yeah. And they're front row"

"I wonder what she did to get those" she mumbled as she pulled the cigarette from between her lips, blowing smoke "well you two have fun. Just be safe"

"Trust me, we will" I told her as I turned to walk off

"Gracie"

"Yeah" I responded as I looked back at her. A smile slowly stretched across her face

"Babygirl, I know you'll be outta this dark space soon. I love you"

"I love you too momma" I replied

"Here" she reached into her shirt, pulling a wad of cash outta her bra and pulled out $120, handing it to me. I looked at her funny before taking it

"What's this for?"

"Make sure you enjoy yourself tomorrow. I gotta work a double so I won't be home at all. That's why I'm giving it to you now" she told me before placing the cigarette in between her lips again and I nodded

"Thank you momma"

"Anything for you babygirl"

I was about to walk off again but she called me again

"Yeah?" I asked again

"Hand me that ashtray" she pointed to the ashtray that sat on the counter. I laughed and handed it to her before leaving outta the kitchen