When We Were Boys

This story is inspired by true events based on the life of Michael B. Blacc (as Kamar Washington) and T.N.M. (as Joaquin Parker). T.N.M. is the real-life beloved friend of Michael B. Blacc.

When We Were Boys - Book I heavily concentrates on the life of T.N.M.

Joaquin Parker escapes from Brooklyn after a gruesome fight that hopefully puts an end to his traumatic past. He is on board a plane, flying to Atlanta to get help from his Aunt Emilia. On the flight, he is fated to meet a man named Kamar Washington. Kamar is going back home to Atlanta after getting done with his last gig as a Concert Promoter.

Do you suddenly become a different person and start leading a different life just because you fly to a different place?

Even after moving to Atlanta, Joaquin still has a string of problematic issues to face. Meanwhile, his aunt, on whom he is banking on for some comfort, is harboring a secret about Joaquin that consumes her each passing day.

Having a problematic blood brother.

Joaquin also has a blood brother who is immersed in every disturbing act one could imagine. He has made a flesh crawling confession to his parents for a couple of them. But the list goes on. From torturing animals as a kid to being involved as a suspect in a murder case, Joaquin’s brother is all kinds of bad news.

On the other hand, Kamar has been astounded as Joaquin tries to cope with his trauma and other psychological ailments. Joaquin gives words to everything that he has been going through after his parent's deaths. He would describe each and everything to Kamar. He would tell Kamar of the trauma he faced and the state of utter helplessness that he found himself in.

There is a shadow looming across Joaquin, everywhere he goes.

The past creeps back on Joaquin when he, his aunt, and his friends are hanging out in a café one day. Not only that, Kamar’s past begins to surface in the most excruciating ways one could endure. In helping Joaquin to deal with his trauma, his own disturbingly dark past rears its head. Constant flashbacks have upended his life brutally.

Kamar has to face the peripheral lurking of the past.

But what darkness could the past hold that disturbs Kamar and results in his aloofness from his friend who still very much needs him?