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Ta-Nehisi Coates begins his story in fear. It's 1980s Baltimore, downtown, Charles Street, no less or more dangerous than now. He and his older brother, whom he affectionately calls Big Bill, are about to get their manhood trampled by an eager crew from Murphy Homes trying to reconfirm their own. Reputation precedes their adversaries. They "split backs and poured in salt." Two brothers without a burner against hungry opponents ready to split wigs means you haul ass. Big Bill was more versed in the streets. He's quick to jet. It takes moments of clarification and a hard right hand for Ta-Nehisi to follow suit. He runs. He calls his father. He waits to be rescued. His brother vows never again to be caught empty-handed.

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