Sweet Sixteen

Age ain't nothin' but a number. I've met a fair share of 19 year old men who are less mature than my 15 year old nephew. Watching how some of these characters rationalize their actions, and act strictly on impulse, has been really disturbing. These days when I watch the news and hear about a brazen robbery, shooting, or kidnapping I'm not as surprised as most people because I've seen the mentality at play.

Armslong, in many ways, typified this deficient mindset. He wasn't a bad person per se. Although I wouldn't put my money on it, I don't ever see him robbing a bank. For the most part, he'd do the right thing. He was also very respectful. Armslong's ability to see beyond what was right in front of him is what concerned me most about him. If I handed Armslong a slice of pizza and asked what he saw, he'd probably tell me it was just pizza as opposed to seeing dough, tomato sauce, and cheese.

I once asked him why he thought I was trying to learn the game of golf and he was really confused. I tried giving him every possible clue so he could see that my interest in golf was based on my desire to network with wealthier people, and he just didn't get it. I didn't realize how broken his mentality was until his boy, Thuglife, dimed him out on some sketchy behavior.

Thuglife: Ayo, coach. You got some nasty dudes on this team.
Me: What do you mean by that?
Thuglife: Some dudes just got no standards for who they mess wit. They'll just bang on anything!
Me: Why are you bringing this up right now? Weren't we just talking about you having no money.
Thuglife: Oh nah.. I'm just sayin. He nasty!
Me: (realizing he was ready to spill his guts about something good) So, why's he nasty?
Thuglife: Armslong.. he just don't care who he mess with. He be bringin some ugly lookin chicks to the crib and he don't be wearin' rubbers. I don't understand that dude.
Me: Yikes. Really? He get burned?
Thuglife: I wouldn't be surprised. And you know what? Between me n you?
Me: What?
Thuglife: He be messin wit high school girls. This 16 yr old been sweatin him hard and he tryin to deny beatin it. We know he got with her cuz she be comin by the crib a lot! 

Interestingly, when I was visiting a local high school a young woman, who somehow knew I was the Men's basketball coach at my college, asked me to say "hi" to Armslong.