Jared is an athlete by nature, an honor student by craft, and a "Stevens" by blood. He's from Toulminville, the hood. Mott Drive born and bred. And every day he hates it. Hates standing on the corner serving the strung-out mothers of children he grew up with. He hates the almost daily chase, having to run, alluding the police because he's the fastest in the hood. But most of all, he hates feeling like he's disappointing the memory of his late mother.
While his friends at LeFlore laugh and joke over girls, Jared's day-to-day life is no laughing matter. He's constantly under pressure from his family to produce, to support those who, for years, have supported him and his younger brothers. At the same time, he has to wear the mask his teachers, friends, and classmates expect him to wear: that of the honor student, the athlete.
How will it turn out for Jared? He loves his family. He's dedicated to them. But will the price of his loyalty bankrupt his future? Does loyalty—blood or not—have limits? In this fifth installment of the LeFlore High Series, journey into the hallways of John L. LeFlore and the streets of Toulminville to see how Jared navigates family, friends, dreams, and potential nightmares.
Approx. 50 pages
