Invisible Son by Kim Johnson EPUB & PDF – eBook Details Online
- Status: Available for Free Download
- Author: Kim Johnson
- Language: English
- Genre: Teen & Young Adult Fiction on Prejudice
- Format: PDF / EPUB
- Size: 7.9 MB
- Price: Free
DON’T SPEAK
February 27, 2020
I live in the whitest big city on the Blackest block. Simultaneously seen and
unseen. I used to hate the erasure. But now, well, now I don’t mind if I stay
hidden. Especially since MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility is in my
literal rearview. But the longer we idle in Portland traffic, the more reality
sinks in that that’s not how any of this works.
Marcus tries to bury this truth with conversations on moving forward.
On possibilities. But it will be as hard to shake the strike against me as it is
for the windshield wipers to win their battle against this torrential
downpour.
Marcus’s and my coexistence in this car proves that fact. There will
always be somebody to check me. To explain myself to. To keep at a
distance. Which makes who I roll with matter more than ever. And I don’t
mean my boy Boogie, who knows I’m more likely to be up late reading
Octavia Butler or scouring through my collection of Black Panther comics
than be hanging out. I mean my other so-called friends. Correction, white
friends who’ve been known to mouth off to an officer without fear. Who
don’t think twice about trying to be anything they want.
Meanwhile, I’m not trying to be nothing at all.
Marcus hands me coffee he picked up from the first drive-thru after we
left the facility. Coffee is nasty. My stomach can’t take it, but I also can’t
say no to him. I’m so close to semi-freedom—I’m not taking any chances.
Not today.
“Dre, how you really feeling about all this?” Marcus adjusts his mirror
like he’ll see better.
“All right.” What am I supposed to say? Living the dream riding with
my probation officer? Can’t wait to get home…so I can still be under
surveillance? I know I’m wallowing in my situation, which isn’t like me.
I’m the type to kick my feet and claw my way above water—even if it’s
only with words. But staying silent seems like the best way to just get
home.
Besides, he’s asked this same question fifty-eleven times. He wants
something deeper ’cause he takes my silence as not caring. But he’s wrong.
I do care. My life felt like it was about to be over until I got community
monitoring. But even without more juvie time, I’m still twisted inside with
all types of feelings. Like how I got caught up in the first place. And how
bad I wanna roll down the window and let the rain drench me as I yell out,
I’m free. It’s a wrap. Dunzo. Then swipe my hand below my chin with a
cocky grin. But that’s not the kind of care Marcus wants.
“That’s all I get? All right?” Marcus sighs, giving me a once-over. “You
hit the jackpot, Dre. The sooner you realize it, the better. Use your mind.”
Marcus taps his temple like he just dropped some knowledge.
“Yeah, okay.” I bounce my right foot, fighting the urge to scratch at my
ankle.
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