The Rights to the Streets of Memphis
By: Richard Wright
Adapted by: SofÃa de la Garza
I was aware that I was going to lose this fight and wouldn't be able to buy the groceries. The groceries. The most important thing on my mind. Yes, I was hungry. My mom told me before I left that if I didn't stand up for myself, fight those boys and buy the groceries, she wouldn't do it. But now I was on the ground, bleeding through my nose and weaker than ever. The boys didn't take the money this time. I had it hidden inside my sock.
The boys were nowhere to be seen. The streets were completely empty. No cars were passing by, the only sound I heard where some birds singing. It was a sad melody. I was too tired to stand up for the first few minutes. When I finally did, I realized the stick I used to fight was gone. I guess they took it. I was going to walk home, but since I didn't win the fight, I thought at least I should buy the groceries and go home with something.
On my way to the store, I didn't see anyone. It was as if all the people went home after the boys hit me. The weather was turning colder by the second, I was freezing.
When I finally entered the store, the owner was reading a magazine. He looked up for a moment and then kept reading. I just did what I came for. I picked up milk, bread, two apples, and a carrot. When I reached the counter, the man said: "You look bad kid. What happened?" I thought of ignoring him and wait until I paid to get out of there. I didn't answer, but he said something else, more of a whisper. I didn't get to hear him clearly, partly because he said it very quietly and partly because I didn't care. I just took my groceries, opened the door, and kept walking. On my way home I tried to think of what the man said, but I came with nothing. When I knocked on the door and my mom opened it, she was smiling. She knew I hadn't won, but I understood right then that I have stood for something.