His name was Charles Washington. He was born in 1999 in New York to a loving mother and father and has young brothers, but he always had a smile that had people's attention. His mother, Wendy used to call Charles, the "smiling baby," as Charles came out of the womb smiling. Charles played football, basketball, soccer, baseball, tennis, having excelled in wrestling, track and field, volleyball, worked out a lot, having particpated in numerous bodybuilding competitions and even had a black belt in karate. He graduated high school in 2017 and graduated college in 2021 with a degree in Engineering. Charles used to volunteer and gave back to the homeless. Back when he as a child, Charles and his father used to feed the homeless and spend their time volunteering. A peaceful, but powerful young man; Charles experimented with both men and women. However, his weakness was sex. Sex gave him a freedom that allowee him to be in tune with his sexuality. Although he grew up Catholic, he always knew that he was bisexual. Both of his parents accepted that he was a bisexual and made it easier for him to be his authentic self. His smile attracted people and it also led to his demise. The year was 2021 and this was after he graduated college. Charles was with a male companion, hanging out at a local park. Both of them grew up together, having went to elementary, junior and high school together. Charles was in a white shirt, jeans and shoes. There's a lot of people in the park riding their bikes to having picnics to even relaxing. Charles' male companion, an African American muscular, tall and attractive young man was seen just enjoying Charles' presence. They were holding hands and kissing each other passionately. As they were enjoying each other's company, a man approached them and made a few homophobic slurs. Charles, having a black belt in karate, didn't say anything, but his male companion got up and walked up to the man and they get into a heated argument. Charles gets up and walks over to them, trying to diffuse the argument. Then, the man makes a racial remark to Charles' companion. His companion and the man start tussling with each other, causing them both to fall to the ground. People notice and some try to intervene. Both Charles' companion and the man get up. As Charles and his male companion turn their backs and walk away, the man reaches into his pocket and takes out a gun. People start screaming, causing Charles to take notice. He quickly turns around and falls down to the ground. His companion looks at him as Charles' stomach is bleeding. The gunman fires shots in the air, causing people to freak out. Despite what's going on, Charles has a smile on his face, trying to remain calm. He gently closes his eyes when the paramedics arrive. At the hospital, Charles' family get the news that he passed away. The doctor said that he died due to being shot in the liver, but died with a smile on his face. The doctor explained that Charles w was shot in other places such as the leg, arm, ear and shoulder, but that the shot to the liver was the fatal shot. Distraught, Charles' parents decide to donate Charles' organs to the needy, while struggling to cope with his death. Charles died for no reason and the gunman who shot him was later arrested and charged with first degree murder. Charles was known for his beautiful smile and the fact that he came into the world smiling and literally died smiling shows the power that a smile has. Charlie may be gone, but his spirit lives on and he would want everyone to be smiling. Rest in peace, Charlie.




© Josiah Bhola Hillaire