Summary

In "At Tameeka's Yard," Gabriel and his new friends, Not Nice, Kane, Tameeka, Marcia, and Stephanie, start hanging out at a yard, using it for a trap house. With time, Gabriel grows close with Not Nice. Not Nice gives Gabriel advice about guns and gang relations. When Not Nice stops paying Gabriel for weed, they have a falling out. Gabriel considers killing Not Nice. Thinking of "Not Nice's daughter with her plastic butterfly hair clips," he drops the idea (72).

In "First Years," Gabriel starts university. He makes some new friends, but stays serious about school. Feeling proud of his academic successes, Gabriel buys himself "some iced-out grillz: two white gold teeth set with diamonds" (74). Needing to be closer to campus, Gabriel stops living with Uncle T, moving from place to place. Meanwhile, Gabriel maintains his relations...