All In One Day
B. Norwood
Until the lion learns to write his own story, tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter - African Proverb The ConTextos Authors Circle was developed in collaboration with young people who are at risk of, victims of or perpetrators of violence in El Salvador. In 2017, this innovative program expanded into Chicago to create tangible, high-quality opportunities that nourish the minds, expand the voices and share the personal truths of individuals who have long been underserved and underestimated. Through the process of drafting, revising and publishing memoirs, participants develop self-reflection, critical thinking, camaraderie and positive selfprojection to author new life narratives. Since January 2017, ConTextos has collaborated with the Cook County Sheriff's Office to implement Authors Circle in Division X of Cook County Department of Corrections as part of a vision for reform that recognizes the value of mental health, rehabilitation and reflection. These powerful memoirs complicate the narrative about violence and peace-building, and help author a hopeful future for these men, their families, and our collective communities. While each memoir's text is solely the work of the Author, the images used to create this book's illustrations have been sourced from various print publications. Authors curate these images and then, using only their hands, manipulate the images through tearing, folding, layering, and careful positioning. By applying these collage techniques, Authors transform their written memoirs into fully illustrated books. In collaboration with
All In One Day B. Norwood
Almost four years ago, I was outside in my area hustl ing. I was out all day, trying to catch every dollar. At the time I was 18, and all I knew was fast money. So on this specific day, I’m on Howard, sitting in one of the old head’s van, eatin g an Italian beef from Tasty’s while others were smoking, drinking, and talking shit.
We all were waiting to buss a power move, so we were just killing time. Once we bussed the move, me and a couple others shot up to the mall. As I was walking through the door, my baby mama was calling. I didn’t want to answer because we just had an argument about me going out today, so I really wasn’t feeling her. But I had to ’cause she was pregnant with my son.
So I answered, and she asked me where I was. I told her, “Out at the mall.” She caught a little attitude and told me to bring her some Chinese food. I said, “Cool, I’ll get it delivered.” She caught more of an attitude, and that’s when I knew she just wanted me home with her. I felt like all she wanted to do was nag, so I sent the food, thinking, That will calm her down.
So while I’m in NBG inside Lincolnwood mall , I had ended up buying me a couple pairs of Rock Revival jeans, a pair of Mikes for me and my son, and an Akoo sweater to match. Me and my boys stayed in the mall for an hour or two, ate, and talked to people we knew that we ran into.
While we were there, I felt a little better and got out of my funk. Once we were done, we all went to my sister’s house over in Evanston, knowing she had something going on. On our way there, I dropped my things off at my dad’s house in Rogers Park. Did the same for my homie Terry, then we went on about our way to Evanston. Once we got there, I seen my ex and a crowd of other females we all knew, so we took their attention.
I had ended up smoking some weed and ate some hot wings that my sister had made. It got later and later, and everybody started going their own ways.
at the Hoyne store, hustling. We kicked it ish fin to rd wa Ho to ck tall black person Me and Terry went ba of nowhere, we seen a t Ou s. ur ho o tw t ou and face. nts for ab n tight over their head aw dr hustling and rotating blu s od ho eir th of d guy, with both and a short light-skinne
Common sense, they were up to no good; it wasn’t that cold outside for all that. So I ducked back, and once Terry seen me do that, he did the same and asked, “What you see?” Before I could reply, shots rang out loudly and answered for me. Lucky me nor Terry got hit.
over in Rogers Park, went to his house after, We e. tim me sa the at d up, mad, and I was heated and glad other guys. We were rile r ou th wi ed en pp ha t d jus and talked about what ha us got hurt. ate, even though none of ali ret to d nte wa d an t, upse
It was just the principal of them doing what they did. So me and Terry got dropped off at his house just to chill. My baby mama had called, saying she heard what happened. She wanted to talk shit, ’cause if I would’ve listened to her, I wouldn’t have been in none of what happened.
ty to calm her down. So we talked for about twen My emotions were all over, because now I had e so I told my homie to roll up, and he had som minutes, ’til I calmed her down. I was agitated, females come over to keep us company.
About three or four hours later, my baby mama called and told me her water broke. But me being high and irritated, I brushed it off, because I was thinking, She making something up so I can come home faster.
I ignored her other calls, and called her mother to see if what her daughter was telling me was true. She confirmed that she was taking her to the hospital, and that I should be on my way.
So I asked which hospital were they going to, and she told me, “Evanston.� I felt shocked and upset with myself, because I should have been there for her. Once I hung up, I told everybody I was with that I was about to have my son. Everybody got excited. I was determined to be the best father I could be, and I still am.
The females wanted to celebrate, but I told them I was about to go to the hospital. They start playing around, saying I’m gonna be a good daddy and other jokes. On my way to the hospital, I felt excited and nervous, not knowing what was in the future.
About twenty minutes passed, and I was in the cab on my way to the hospital. Once I walked through the hospital doors, I got a weird feeling, but I went on to the room my family was in. When I got to the room, my sister, her best friend, my girl’s mother, and her best friend also were all there, excited and glowing.
Once they recognized me, they all gave me hugs and told me congratulations. I told them thank you, and went on and gave my baby mama a hug. That accidentally put her in more pain, but she was happy I was there.
my It was about eleven or midnight until everybody started to leave. I was hungry, so I told sister to take me to Tasty’s and bring me back, and that’s what she did.
She gave me a lecture the whole ride, telling me how to be there and what I need to do, and also what I need to stop doing. Once I made it back, the lady of the hour was asleep.
So I ate quietly and watched TV, noticing the nurses and doctors coming in and out of the room.
the world. I called my family, my girl’s mom, Time was flying, and it was time to bring son-son in took them no time to arrive. and best friend. Everybody literally shot up there; it
seven in Everything was in motion, and I was tired, nervous, and ready for it all to be over. It was the morning, and I was recording everything on my phone.
The nurses and doctors were setting their tools and preparing their pads for what was finna happen next. My girl looked like she was in pain. She was telling me to come hold her hand, but I denied because I wanted to record everything.
This was a precious moment, my first child being welcomed into the world. Minutes later, all we heard was, “Push!� My sister had a funny look on her face. My aunt and my girl mom looked excited, and my girl best friend looked like she wante d to cry from the pain my girl was causing her by squeezing the hell out of her hand.
The nurse I was watching, looking at my son head come out and go back in. noticed me recording and said I can’t record, but I ignored her. ing.
There was no way I was letting this moment pass without record
to me but I Once he came out, they wrapped him up. They tried to pass him ng up. I never denied; he was so little and fragile, and I didn’t want to mess anythi liked to see babies fresh out of the womb.
them to stop. They The doctor tried making him cry twice, until I got agitated and told hear it. They heard him tried to explain to me that that’s their procedure, but I wasn’t tryna humming, so that was good enough.
They cleaned him off, and checked his blood pressure and sugar because he was a premature baby. Everybody got a chance to see him and express their feelings.
After everybody was done, they took him to the nursery to make sure everything was cool with him. I stayed in the room for about ten minutes, until I got curious about my son. So I went down to the nursery by myself and sat down there with him for an hour.
Once I got down there, I saw a person I went to school with standing over a little girl. Our eyes met, and she was surprised to see me. We hugged, and she asked me what I was doing there.
out I told her and she got excited, and told me congratulations. We conversated, and I found that she was down there with her niece. We talked for a while then went our own ways.
Once I got back to the hospital room, I see my girl asleep or just resting with her eyes closed. I sit on the couch next to the bed, and boom! It finally hits me like, I’m a real father. I have full responsibility of another life to look after, take care of, and teach.
I hear someone call my name and take me out the daze. I look and see my girl looking at me, and she asks, “What’s wrong?” I tell her, “Nothing. I’m just surprised I’m a whole father now.” She looks at me and smiles, with a single tear slid down her face.
I ask her why she's crying. She says, “I’m just happy I made you happy.” I sit there looking at her and say, “Thank you.”
Looking back on that day, I realize how reckless it was, but at the end of the day, I got a blessing and that was the presence of my son-son.
As I look back now, I can say I am an awesome father. It’s some things I did that I regret, but for the most part, I’m doing a damn good job.
B. Norwood I am from poverty, From trenches and slums. I am from the Southside of Chicago, where Disloyalty and love parallel each other. I am from hearts and wills of Kings, Queens, and Warriors. I’m from looking good and feeling good, From Mixon and Norwood. I’m from the adventure and travel, From “look after your mom” and “don’t be out too late.” I’m from a Christian religion but believe in Islam. I’m from Chicago, Fried chicken, rice and beans. From selling drugs at a young age, The respect and fear.
Until the lion learns to write his own story, tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter - African Proverb Copyright © 2019 ConTextos