We was in Vallejo at dads old spot, tryna go somewhere. Dad was telling us to get in the car while Marcus was tryna roast on hi, they goin back in forth I’m crackin up. Marcus gon say “You so light skinned you look like a Orange Crayon!” I was in tears, we was crackin up for forever on that joke, still makes me laugh about how silly we could be. Didn’t even make sense but we still enjoyed the laugh. 

Me and Demarcus (I called him Cali) started off not seeing eye to eye  but eventually we both got over the head bump and started a friendship I never knew would impact my lifethis much. Him and his wife Tonara (my best friend) opened there doors to me and we all grew strong bond. Cali was just a overall a genuinely good person and I saw that he was capable of a lot and had a good head on his shoulders. We used to give each other advice and he helped me in so many ways and taught me a lot. And I’ll never forget the friendship we had and he is forever missed. 

It took me a while before I could build up the strength to write anything so I will try to keep it brief.  Da'Marcus and I met when we were 13 & 14 years old. We were kids, but our friendship and bond was very strong. On every letter and after every phone call we would always say "We ain't too much trippen" and that was our way of saying 'Us against the world'. Now, I'm not going to try to fit the contents of our complicated love story into words because truthfully, it would be impossible for anyone to truly understand the extent and magnitude of our history or relationship. But I can say that Da'Marcus had a good heart and loved the ones around him deeply and he definitely left an impact on those that came around him. The experiences we shared and memories we made are unmatched. When we were younger he used to say "We gone grow up together, get married and have kids" and when we found out that we were pregnant with our son he just kept repeating "didn't I tell you we was gone have kids Tay?, who called it?" Lol He was a good father and he loved his kids.

Even though we parted ways. When we would be on the phone we could still talk like best friends. Things weren't perfect (not by a long shot), but we played the cards that were dealt and were making plans for the future to get in more family time. The Lord saw fit to alter those plans and he has the ultimate say, so I won't be sad. Instead, I'll be happy that I had the opportunity to spend more than half of my life knowing and growing with him and his beautiful heart. I hurt for my son, because he won't be able grow along side his father and be able to ask him all his curious questions and have those father-son talks, but I will do my best to handle those delicate times with Da'Marcus in mind.

D, I didn't quite understand the fullness and richness of loving someone with my whole heart until you taught me. I will always remember how you made me feel. I hope that I left that same impression on you. I pray we meet again King.