From Hood to Holy

1 CHAPTER 1 The Night Everything Changed Rain polished the streets of West Philadelphia until every traffic light appeared twice. Marcus Reed sat inside his car across from New Hope Community Church, watching people enter beneath umbrellas. Warm light spilled through the open doors while thunder rolled above the rooftops. He had not planned to stop there. The church simply stood between him and the place he was supposed to meet Jamal. Marcus checked his phone. Three unanswered messages filled the screen. Where are you? Dre says the plan changed. Call me. Jamal was nineteen and determined to prove he was no longer a child. He was not Marcus's biological brother, but they had grown up close enough for the distinction to feel unimportant. Marcus taught him how to fight, how to recognize an unmarked police car, and how to stay alive on streets that treated young men like temporary occupants. Lately, Jamal had been learning too much from Dre. Marcus called him. The phone rang until voicemail answered. "Jamal, don't move until you hear from me. I mean it." He ended the call. A man holding a large black umbrella approached the car. Marcus lowered the window several inches. "Parking for service is behind the church," the man said. "I'm not attending."