ky nail, the last one remaining, whi

t," Joy, the social worker, said as s

ng up from his chair. "Ellis sh

g up as well. She walked over to Jason and continued

nodding towards two plainclothes police officers sitting on

by Ellis, who approached, out of breath. Yes, she knew she was

lso emotional. It had been two years of trial, but they had finally made it. The moment could have been better for both of them,

obation after being caught running an illegal po

." Jason retorted, being restrained by h

by me, his probation officer," Smith continued, looking at Ellis and Jason. "Every day I will contact the numbers provided by Miss Barker to communicate with Jason and

and, sir,"

Smith said, handing his card to Ellis. He then tur

staring at each other. Joy approached the tw

form. Then I need you to leave here and start yo

y," Ellis said

old woman with gray hair and an affectionate smile had been the mother the two needed durin

ned her brother's release. The two smiled at eac

*

s, drugs, and shootings - is among the highest in New York. And it was there that Ellis and his brother Jason were raised by their parents. Many would say that Jason's path was natural, given th

e house, but Jason knew that his sister alone could not handle it. At first, he even looked for a job, but having just finished high school, w

essages about meeting points. However, as he gained the players' trust, he dec

mer bosses' contacts to acquire drugs, which was a way

u look more closely, it was a low price because the peo

ooked out the car window toward

?" Ellis asked, t

live," Jason replied befo

umped on her brother's back and continued talking,

er to the door. "I just want to see who'

me difficulty. It reminded her that she needed to change the lock as soon as possible, or she would be

throwing himself on the couch at home. He grabbe

ained Ellis, stopping in front of the TV. She sat at the t

y head," Jason retorted. "Th

lis replied, holding

how his sister could be so certain that the men who Jason

arrive and had come to confirm the day's gossip. Ellis reluctantly got up from the cof

st friend since childhood. Unlike Jason, Troy decided to pursue an academic lif

ng here?" asked Ellis befo

son come back?" the

replied

m door. They caught up, with Troy telling Jason how he was close to graduating, while Jason talked about life in the clinic. Meanwhile, Ellis made a snack for the boys, something that used to be routin

on the schedule today, my brother has been discharged... Yes, I've picked up my brother... He's already home... Mr. Williams, I

ed, turning his attent

you today," Ellis explained while covering the phone's mouthpiece. "But he keeps insis

" Jason said, lookin

irst night at home? No way," E

re making a move that would make him win aga

I don't think i

the controller on the coffee table. He approached his

n't k

oy and I can play for hours on end. How many ti

ent now," Ellis began to say when she n

on pleaded, looking at

rning to the phone. "Mr. Wil

ew minutes, she was already in the living room in uniform, giving a

., so no matter how engrossed you are, please answe

the brot

lease call me if anything

who locked the door carefully. Ellis went to the car w

e rushed through the restaurant trying to make up for the missing staff. The advantage of a busy rest

s called, leaning aga

ready separating his share of the day's tips. She already imagined that

rt," Williams said bef

own that her brother probably wouldn't hear the phone ri

knew for sure that her brother was completely focused on the game. At least

she entered the house a

he living room, so she headed towards

entered her own room, which was a

but there was no response. Her stomach began to chu

telephone in the liv