A friend of mine drove from Chicago just to attend my book signing. Darryl Flenoy and I met because we fought when we were younger. I didn’t know I was supposed to be afraid of him and didn’t learn until later that in addition to being one of the baddest dudes in the school, he was a gang leader. I didn’t see Darryl for fifty or more years, but we recognized each other immediately at a Glenville High reunion.
He invited me to breakfast to tell me why he was so angry growing up. Family life was non-existent, so he lived with neighbors. We were at opposite ends of the spectrum in our childhood experiences, but we had the same spirit. Darryl had a stellar career in law-enforcement, but, more importantly, he became a great husband and parent. I’m so very proud of the brother for turning his life around and so happy we became the best of friends. Here’s to you, my brother.
