And If

I was 10 years old the first time I saw her. She was much taller and a lot greener than I thought she would be. She welcomed me to my new home with a stoic expression. I had mixed feelings.

If I had known then what I know now, things in New York would have been different. A little less dirt and a little more polish in life’s choices would’ve been better. But sometimes things turn out differently than you plan. And that’s exactly what happened to me.

I was a magnet to bad company. And I was a quick learner. I never saw the wrong in what I was doing. I saw the challenge of surviving another day, another night.

My best friends were small-time criminals and I had to buy my women. My problem was, I was smarter than they were. So I moved up the ladder of crime until I ended up serving time. Seven long years. Not so smart after all.

As soon as I get out ofthis mess, I’m going to deliver like an honest man. Turn a new page. Start a better life.

With a little less dirt and a lot more polish.