She's Watching Over Us

“Until the lion writes his own story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”

The Soy Autor writing process was developed in collaboration with young people at-risk of, victims of or perpetrators of violence in El Salvador. In 2017, this innovative program launched at Cook County Jail with young men awaiting trial for violent offenses. Through the process of drafting, revising, illustrating and publishing memoirs, the Authors’ Circle develops reflection, critical thinking, camaraderie, conflict resolution and positive self-projection.

In collaboration with:

Cook County Sheriff’s Office

She’s Watching Over Us Maximilian Aldridge

When she returned I had Aidan on my bare chest paang his back and rocking him back and forth trying to put him back to sleep.

Aidan heard the door creak open so he raised his head for his boole.

Taayana gave me an evil look with her lip turned up as she got in the bed.

As she got comfortable I handed Aidan over to her so I could get in the shower so we could start the family day as planned.

AAer I got out the shower and Taayana had put Aidan back to sleep I walked in the room to put on my white Airforce Ones.

Taayana was so used to my morning rouune. She knew I was headed out to smoke my morning blunt.

Automatically, I knew it was Tatiyana.

I didn’t want to upset Shayla anymore than she already was so I changed the subject and told her my brother JoJo was trying to match my blunt and he was waiing for us to pull up.

I dialed Taayana’s number back franncally because I knew she was devastated and thought I was creeping on her with Shayla.

when I would write, “I’m in traffic who tryna link up?” Females would always comment saying random things: come chill with me, let’s go out to eat, come smoke with me, and lastly, I got OT (open p) pull up.

My response would always be inbox me, making Taayana think I was with another lady.

When Taayana answered the phone I could tell by the low, groggy voice that she’d been crying.

I knew she was irritated because she kept telling Aidan to sit down and don’t get up.

The first thing she told me was, “Why do you keep doing this to me?”

Hearing those words made my heart shudder and feel hurt for Taayana, knowing everything I’d put her through.

My response is one I will forever regret.

I told her, “Stop trippin’! I’m on my way back now.”

“I don’t care because when you get back it will be too late and I’ll be gone and won’t be coming back this me.” She said

I was red of her thinking I was always lying so I angrily responded saying, “You not going nowhere so I don’t care. Plus, I have the keys to both cars.”

She didn’t say another word.

When the phone call ended, JoJo just happened to be walking out his room.

I told him let’s smoke at my house cause Taayana trippin’ again.

Jojo shook his head as he lee out the yard and hopped in Shayla’s car. We both said at once, “Drop us off at the crib.”

When I looked over Shayla looked like a sad puppy with watery eyes.

The ride was filled with music unnl my phone rang from a call coming from my oldest brother, Tony.

I yelled, “Pull over, pull over.” I told JoJo, “She shot herself.”

We all broke down crying because we didn’t know the seriousness of her being shot. I contemplated going home, but I couldn’t go home under the circumstances.

I asked myself‌

How am I going to tell Aidan about everything that happened?

What actually pushed her over the edge to make her leave Aidan and I alone?

Was this all my fault?

In the days to come, my heart was torn to pieces. As I’m laying in the king-sized posturepedic pillow top bed, I break down and start sobbing.

My face was like an overflowing river.

My mother and I was the only ones at home.

My son wasn’t home to comfort me because Taayana’s mom needed the comfort more than me.

At least that’s what she thought.

Losing a daug daughter is heart wrenching but nobody knew losing a wife, a lover, a girlfriend, and my high school sweetheart was going to take me down the wrong road.

I am from Basketball from Spaulding and Wilson.

I am from the home filled with siblings

loving, caring, talkative.

I am from dirt filled yards,

dry dirt in the air, dust in the eyes.

I’m from get-togethers, giving and receiving.

From the Jones and Aldridges.

I’m from a playful, fun filled and thoughtful family.

From “Make sure you use the bathroom”

and “Don’t feed into the foolishness around you.”

I’m from the house of Baptist, the praise of God and Allah.

From Naptown, Indiana. Family originating from Mississippi.

I’m from ham, turkey and ribs,

sweet potato pie and peach cobbler.

From the horrific heart break of losing my wife, From the hip of my grandfather that he broke falling in the kitchen, From the pictures and clothes laying under my bed belonging to my wife,

the items that can never be replaced.