Jalen Washington. 18. His story is incredibly riveting and heart-shattering. He is the real life storybook character that nobody knows but everyone talks about. He embodies everything a person would ever want to be - courageous, polite, outgoing, loving, caring. Yet he can’t escape the demons that follow him throughout his life, bringing him death and sorrow. Jalen goes through life with an open mindset and good intentions and it helps him and his family survive in the toughest city in America. In Convenience, Jalen will experience more of the same heart-shattering events along with some joyful ones as well. Jalen will be sad and he will be happy, but he will always try to stay positive. This is Jalen Washington.

I woke up drenched in …show more content…
But ya’ll are my everything. I guess the thought of losing ya’ll kills me,” I said, “But on a good note, my acceptance letter from Butler is supposed to come today. Let’s see if it here already.” We went outside and checked the mailbox. There was only one letter. From Butler University. My heart was racing and I “woo hoo-ed” so loud that I woke up a few neighbors. We went inside and quickly opened the package. Malik and Jamal were anxiously waiting at my side to hear the news. I read the letter. As I read the first sentence I nearly fainted with disbelief. I got in. Thoughts were racing in my head so fast I thought I might actually get dizzy. Why would they take a kid from nowhere who knows no one? Why would they even take a look at me? I didn’t know what to say. Then I remembered by brothers, who were still in the room waiting for me. I turned to …show more content…
Ever since that first day a couple months back when Darnell truly showed he was trying to be a better father for us, I’ve been contemplating whether i should take him with us or not. Last week I decided to let him go with us for a bit just so he could have a little “vacation”. When I told him I would take him, I could tell he needed it. He too had lost his father in this same neighborhood and had wanted to leave here for a very long time. He just never had the money to do so. Right before we were heading out, Jamal and Malik asked if they could go down to the convenience store to get something to eat because they were thirsty and didn’t want what we had at home. I gave them some money and they ran off the store, which was just right outside our house. I watched them run out into the street and into the store. On the side of the store was this nice, blue truck that looked as if it had come right out of a movie. I knew one day I’d have enough money to get one of those one day. Maybe even something better. I went off to help Darnell with the rest of the packing when I heard loud gunshots outside the house. I hear them all the time and I probably wouldn’t have even reacted to them if Jamal and Malik weren’t outside. I raced out to the street where I saw that nice, blue truck speeding off down the road. Right before me were two bodies.