Long Way Down

by Jason Reynolds

MY MOTHER USED TO SAY, I know you’re young, gotta get it out, but just remember, when you’re walking in the nighttime, make sure the nighttime ain’t walking into you. But Shawn probably had his headphones on. Tupac or Biggie.

People always love people more when they’re dead.

HI, WILL. My father’s voice brand-new to me. Deep. Some scratch on the tail of each word. How I figured Shawn’s would’ve sounded someday.

would steal air from the world if he could get his hands on it.