GET IN, GET OUT by Salim Amir

by Saleem Little
(Harrisburg, PA)

"A CLASSIC...GET IN, GET OUT sets a standard in street fiction and solidifies its author as a staple in Urban Literature for years to come. Salim's astute characterization, and gripping narration of not only the inner city struggle but human plight in general, lifts he and his gem of a book into echelons of literature not seen in this genre since Sista Souljah's THE COLDEST WINTER EVER."
-Rakeish Cotton
Author of MISGUIDED GLORY

GET IN, GET OUT chronicles the life of Marquise Jackson - son of a hustling father - his tumutuous trek into manhood, and the journey of a soul that is torn between what is right and what is necessary. In choosing the same life tthat took his father, he soon realizes that once a person is in the game it's never as easy as one wishes to GET IN and GET OUT. This is the introspective story of a young man forced into manhood prematurely because of a tragedy that threatens the life and welfare of his family who is trying desperately to get out of the life, before he's claimed by the same fate that claimed his father.

"GET IN, GET OUT is a riveting, action filled, reflective voyage into manhood not seen since the release of Claude Brown's MANCHILD IN THE PROMISELAND. Salim invites you deep into the conscience of his characters as they contemplate every decision in a cold and unforgiving world."
-Ice Cold Drinks
Author of THE TRUE INGREDIENTS IN CHOCOLATE

...In his dark room at his family’s home on Long Island, Mar’s heart is beating fast and hard as he jumps up from his slumber. Startled by a loud noise in the alley directly below his window, he gets up and walks toward the window to see what all the commotion is. As he looks down he can see someone, someone he can’t recognize because of the pitch darkness, someone that has stumbled into the aluminum trashcans in the alley.

When the Man stands up, Mar notices another shadowy figure. As this man positions himself directly under the cascade of coral light streaming from the streetlight, Mar realizes that the second man is his father. Now he’s truly awake. James is waiting to receive something, probably a payment Mar concludes. The amount must be a lot he reasons as the ocherous streetlight reflects a bright silver glint off of the shiny metal object in James’ right hand.

The other shadow-like figure James’ is gesturing to Just keeps shaking his head nervously and once Mar finally creeps his window open he could hear the man pleading with James to spare his life.

“One more week.” He’s crying, the desperation in his voice tugging at the cords of Mar’s forgiving heart. James however is cold and unforgiving. He grows angrier and angrier but he says nothing. After the man makes one more pleas for more time to get the money, James glances around to make sure no one is watching. He has no idea his oldest son is watching everything.

After making sure the coast is clear, James strikes at the guy like a puma, plunging the knife into his gut repeatedly. Mar counts fourteen stabs before James finally lets the man’s limp body fall to the pavement and runs off into the shadows of the night. Mar can’t believe what he’s just witnessed. Sure he’s heard stories about murder before, even heard that his pops had done it, but to actually see it was another thing. Something Mar had no way of preparing his mind for.

It’s hard for Mar to get to sleep this night. A bolt of fear shoots through his body as he hears James walk in the house. He lays there staring at the roof until dawn finally arises and washes away the shadows of a horrific night. Mar’s confused and wonders what would make his father snap like that. This is the first time Mar actually fears his father...
-Excerpt from GET IN, GET OUT
by Salim Amir

Visit the author at www.myspace.com/salimamir81