Randy Chavez’s life changed in just Three Decembers and a June
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December 2009
My grandma passed
I remember at the time I was playing Modern Warfare2 (MW2). My family and I were planning to leave for Mexico that night to visit her.
We did get to see her. But she was inside of her coffin.
That same December day was when I started to drink and hang with the wrong crowd.
I was ten years old.
December 2010
My dad’s birthday, Christmas, my grandpa’s birthday. All fall on the same day.
I am told that my aunt went inside to give my grandpa his medicine.
“Call the doctor,” I heard her scream. “He is not responding.”
That’s what woke me up.
My grandpa died on his birthday.
I drank three bottles of tequila.
Shot after shot.
June came around and my cousin introduced me to his AK-47.
Soon, I had held A’s, .45’s, .16’s.
Just name it. I shot it.
I remember getting shot at. But I never got hit.
December 2011
Some dudes screwed up.
My cousin sent people after them. But the dudes were never found. They left their house. For good.
I had witnessed drug deals. Big deals. Not $15 dollar deals.
In Mexico, I carried my own strap because there are some snakes that would try to take my place. With my strap, I get respect and all I look for is respect. If you disrespect me I have this one person who will send people after you.
June 2016
My family always wanted the best for me.
My parents always tell me and beg me to graduate.
But I don’t know if one day I will get shot in Mexico and not come back to LA. At least, not come back alive.
I promised myself I will stop drinking and hanging out with the wrong crowd.
I promised myself I will graduate in 2016 and make my family happy.
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