(22) What I post on here comes from the place that holds all my ideas, thoughts, and dreams; My mind. Pronouns-She/Her; Sexuality-Heterosexual; Race/Ethnicity-African American; Hometown-Chicago, IL; What I write: Whatever comes to mind; What I read-Fanfics
Alright, so I decided to create a master list of the other family one shots I did and make it feel like it's a sitcom. I'm also going to try to make the events in chronological order.
Since this is a family like series here's the role of each character:
Okay, so this movie feels like it's a clear cut moral lesson in "Be careful with what you wish for". Me and my mama went to see Obsession yesterday (We also saw the new Scary Movie too) and I gotta say: Don't fuck with magic for selfish reasons, especially when it comes to love.
I'mma get this out of the way: Baron/Bear was the real villain of this movie (I'mma use Baron since that was his actual name in the movie while Bear was a nickname that a lot of the characters used). I feel like this is pretty obvious since he was the one who made that wish in the first place. Not only that but everything he did to Nikki after that wish felt a lot worse when I think about it like the part where he was having sex with her. Mind you she's under the wish's influence so tell me I ain't the only one who thinks that he SA'ed her. However, part of me wants to give him a pinch of leniency only for the beginning BEFORE HE MADE THE WISH. Because realistically, if he knew that the wish was gonna work then he probably wouldn't have made the wish. But that also would've depended on his moral compass as well like if he makes the wish knowing full well what the consequences will be.
I've looked on Reddit and one person pointed out the wording of the wish where Baron said, "I wish Nikki would love me more than anyone in the whole wide world". I wanna say that confirms the obsession he has over Nikki where he wants her to obsess over him as much as he does with her. If he had said, "I wish I could tell Nikki how I feel" then that would've been a different case. Another thing someone pointed out on Reddit is that when things started to get out of hand, Baron only wanted to alter the wish at first before asking to cancel it completely meaning that he still wanted the wish to happen it's just he wanted it to be less intense for him to deal with. Another thing that makes Baron a villain was the scene when Nikki (The real Nikki) was in bed and she's asking Baron to put her out of her misery. To me that would've been a mercy kill on Nikki's behalf since she was under the wish's influence, so Baron failing to do that is him still wanting this fake version of Nikki out of selfishness. I feel like someone is gonna argue, "Well, he doesn't want to murder someone" but he was okay with disposing a body after Nikki killed Sarah and he let so much shit slide with the dead cat routine.
But one thing another person also pointed out on Reddit is that Baron pretty doomed Nikki from start to finish because once Baron died, Nikki is surrounded by three dead bodies and she has a gun in her hand. What the hell is she going to explain to the police when they see that shit? That her friend used a One Wish Willow on her? While yes Baron's death did free Nikki, Nikki is still gonna suffer the consequences of HIS actions! Needless to say, Baron still gets off scot-free. But what do you guys think? Is Baron the real villain or was he also a victim during the whole wish since he didn't know that the wish was gonna happen?During the movie I didn't know who to feel bad for more between Nikki and Sandy, the cat that died in the beginning of the movie.
Of course I feel bad for Nikki since she was the victim in all of this. Far as I'm concerned she never really loved Baron like that since it was revealed by Sarah that Nikki was on and off hooking up with Ian, who knew full well that Baron liked Nikki. Does this make Ian a villain as well for hooking up with someone that he knew that his friend liked? I don't know because they're adults, it was consensual, and Nikki wasn't really with Baron until after he made that wish, so therefore I don't know if I can truly call Ian a villain as well in this since it would sound like Baron had ownership over Nikki for life knows how long. So, while I don't know if I can call Ian an actual villain part of me wants to say that he is shady for hooking up with someone that he knows his friend has liked for years and then try to hype that friend up to confess his feelings as well to the same girl he was banging.
However, viewers only see the whole movie through Baron's point of view. What was Nikki's point of view throughout the movie? If she was able to break through and talk to Baron to ask to take her life, was she able to see everything that was going on? Lemme rewind back to the sex scene. So, viewers can easily see that what Baron did falls under SA or Grape and I'm pretty sure Nikki is seeing that as well but she couldn't do anything since she was under the wish's influence. Imagine how she feels in that moment where consent wasn't granted and it was from someone she had been friends with for years. I think her reaction in the end after Baron had OD'ed shows that she has some recollection of the madness that had unfolded up until Baron's death because she screamed out, "What did you do!?". I could be wrong but that's how I interpret it.
But, oh...my...God...I feel so bad for the cat, Sandy. As an animal lover and as someone who grew up around cats, the scenes regarding the dead cat were the only ones that bothered me throughout the movie (Well, that and the sex scene). I think that's the only thing I hate in horror movies is that when the animal dies or gets killed or gets turned into something pretty grotesque. The beginning when Sandy was dead after eating some of the pills...that made me sad because it honestly reminds me of when my mama found our eldest cat dead almost 3 months ago. But when Nikki dug up the cat and made it into a shrine, that made me shudder. BUT THE SANDWICH SCENE...I'm glad that was the last scene regarding the cat because I couldn't take that anymore. When Sarah read the back of the note and it said, "What do you think of the verdict: cat" I immediately looked away and went, "Hell no! She put the cat in the sandwich!". Baron underreacted because if I was him I would've raised all hell. Leave the poor kitty alone and let her rest in peace! But low-key am I the only one who thought the pills were foreshadowing? I didn't know what it was foreshadowing but I thought how Baron died in the end kinda mirrors how Sandy died since they both died in the same way.
Not gonna lie, I was rooting for Sarah to be the one to survive and help Baron but when it came to the car scene I was holding my breath while thinking, "She's gonna die, she's gonna die, she's gonna die!" Man, I feel like if Baron wasn't hung on Nikki, he and Sarah would've been a better couple because Nikki and Ian were already hooking up, so I feel like the chances of Nikki and Baron getting together were slim to me. I think what makes Sarah's death hella sad was the fact that she died not knowing that she got accepted into her dream art school. Ian, for some reason, I had a feeling he was gonna die at some point because he was the first person Baron spoke to about Nikki. But I ain't think he was gonna die quickly since Sarah's death was a build up after a calming moment like it was the calm before the storm type of thing. Speaking of which, bro Ian wishing a million dollars...I wanna say I sorta don't blame him because I know a lot of people wished for a million dollars. Plus, kinda like Baron in the beginning, he didn't believe that One Wish Willow was gonna work until after he made the wish. But I was like, "You idiot! " because Baron was trying to explain the situation and Ian just wasted the chance to help Baron. But...realistically speaking, like I said, he didn't think it was gonna work until after he made the wish and also, Baron's mess was not Ian's to clean.
But overall, it was a good movie because I love the use of folklore magic in the movie with One Wish Willow (I think it's folklore magic, correct me if I'm wrong). If anyone hasn't seen it yet, go watch it while it's still in theater.
"Oh, hold still baby." Annie tells you as you squirm while Annie puts your hair into a braided crown. You whined, complaining.
"Ow, mommy, that hurts!" You thought to yourself.
Annie sighs in satisfaction while smiling at your cute chubby face. Your hair was down in a braided crown and you were wearing a frilly lilac colored dress with shiny white shoes with flowers on the buckles.
"Like a cute lil' doll." Annie coo'ed while blowing raspberries against your cheek, making you laugh. Smoke walks in with his pipe in hand, which alerted Annie.
"Elijah!" She scolds. "I told you you can't be smokin' when they get here." Annie lectures Smoke, much to his dismay.
"Annie, y'know I'on smoke much in the house nor around Y/N." Smoke points out.
"Yeah, but I'on want my mama to be like I'm lettin' anyone smoke 'round our child." Annie defends, referring to her mother. Smoke flubs his lips.
"Do they really have to be here?" Smoke asked. "Y'know how they get when it comes to things." He recalls.
"I know but I've been plannin' Y/N's birthday for weeks, so they ain't gon' be able to change a thing." Annie announced proudly. Smoke chuckled at his wife's confidence.
"Today's gon' be a good day today for Y/N." Smoke states as he places a gentle kiss on Annie's forehead. You babble something to grab Smoke's attention.
"What, you want a kiss too?" Smoke asked before placing one on the apple of your cheek. You giggle in satisfaction as you grab Smoke's beard. Smoke chuckled blissfully at the sounds of his daughter's happiness. Annie couldn't help but be in awe.
"Why can't you stay lil' forever?" Smoke coo's at you. "That way you ain't gon' never leave my arms."
"Smoke, she's gon' grow up into a beautiful woman 'n it happens day by day." Annie points out.
"I know but I'm makin' the most of it every day, hour, minute, 'n second." Smoke acknowledged as he lifted you up. "Papa's lil' girl."
"I love papa." You thought to yourself as you placed your hands on Smoke's cheeks.
Once everything was set, Annie heard a knock on the door.
"Ah, that's them." She muttered out as she took two strides to the door to open it up.
On the other side of the door were two elderly folks: One short and plump woman with glasses and her hair done in a silver bun and one tall man, who has his face stolen by Annie, with short hair that was grey on the sides and a thick grey beard.
"Antonia! Bonjou!" The elderly woman greets as she engulfs Annie into a big hug.
"Bonjou papa and maman." Annie greets back in Creole. Smoke was sitting on the recliner with you in his lap. You looked up at the two elderly folks walking in, who locked eyes with you immediately.
"Granmé's baby!" The elderly woman squeals as she rushes over to you and picks you up out of Smoke's lap. She placed kisses all over your chubby face before getting a good look at you.
"Ohhh, you's just so cute I could just eat you up." Your granme commented. She then examines your hair. "Antonia, when was the last time you did this girl's hair?"
Confused, Annie replied,
"Just an hour ago." Annie replied, dumbfounded.
"Well, her scalp looks a lil' dry." Your granme critiques. "Use more grease in her hair."
Smoke watched as Annie frowned before getting up from the recliner.
"They startin' up already." He thought to himself while cleaning his pipe. "Just keep calm for Y/N 'n Annie, Elijah." He mentally tells himself.
When both of the parents walked in, Smoke cleared his throat before greeting them.
"Afternoon Antionette, Beauregard." He greets in a polite tone.
"Hey, it's sir to you boy." Beauregard lectures like he was a drill sergeant. "Thought you's a solider 'n soldiers always refer to the elderly as sir or ma'am."
Smoke's lip curled but he quickly fixed his face.
"'N y'know you ain't s'pposed to be smokin' around the baby." Antionette lectures while taking the pipe out of Smoke's hand.
"I wasn't even smokin'." Smoke defends.
"Still, don't be havin' no pipe around my grandbaby." Antionette tells Smoke, voice condescending.
Smoke grumbles but then his mood shifts when he sees you reaching out to him. Before Smoke could grab you out of Antionette's arms, she immediately turned away and walked into the kitchen with you in your arms still, making Smoke miss his chance to hold his babygirl.
"Hey, I wanna be with papa!" You thought to yourself as you reached out for Smoke. Due to you being an infant, you couldn't voice your request to your grandmother.
"Antonia, what food did you make for the party?" Antoinette asks Annie.
"Our usual dishes maman." Annie replied.
"Did you make it how me 'n grandmama made it?" Antionette asked as she examined one of the dishes.
"Yes ma I did." Annie replied.
Antionette takes a bite before turning towards Annie to give her critique.
"Well, the food's a lil' dry but it'll do." She commented.
"I spent the whole day yesterday cookin'." Annie pointed out. "Plus I still had to take care of Y/N as well so, o'course I'll have to be away from the kitchen for a spell." She reasoned.
"When I had you, I was able to cook with one arm while you were sleeping in my other arm." Antoinette recalls with a hand on her hip.
"Why you ain't have 'im watch her?" Beauregard jumped in while pointing at Smoke.
"He was workin' the other nigh' papa." Annie replied.
Beauregard scoffs.
"At that filthy ol' sawmill turned juke joint?" Antoinette asked. "That ain't a real workplace." She points out.
"Well where can you work when you've been nuthin' but a criminal for most of your life?" Beauregard wonders.
This angered Smoke as he balled up his fists but then did a deep exhale to release the anger that was building inside of him. Smoke didn't want to lash out in front of you.
"This is gon' be a long ass day." Smoke thought to himself.
When more guests started to come, Annie noticed her mother eyeballing everyone else.
"Where's lil' Y/N at?" Cornbread asked, excited to see your face. "I wanna see my lil' niece."
When Cornbread tries to reach out to pick you up, Antoinette pulls you away like Cornbread was trying to hurt you.
"Uh uh! You go wash your hands." Antoinette tells Cornbread like he was a grubby little child.
Cornbread frowns and makes another attempt, only for Antoinette to smack his hand. Cornbread snatched his hands back.
"I'on know you well enough for you to pick up my grandbaby." Antoinette tells Cornbread. Cornbread was dumbfounded.
"I'm one of her uncles." He points out.
"And? That don't mean nuthin', go wash your hands before you pick up my grandbaby." Antionette tells Cornbread.
Accepting defeat, Cornbread walked off to go wash his hands.
"But my hands are clean, I shower befo' I got here." Cornbread muttered out.
Therese was sitting on the couch, holding Cornbread Junior, right next to Mary. She sneered at Antoinette.
"I know this woman did not put her hands on Cornelius." She muttered to Mary.
"Righ', she treatin' him like he has diseases or sumthin'." Mary agreed. "I ain't wanna say anythin' 'cause that's Annie's mama but earlier, she tried to block me from comin' in 'n Annie had to tell her that I'm family too." She recalled.
"Mama or not, she bet' not touch Cornelius again." Therese grumbled as she continued to rock Junior.
Annie sighed, completely frustrated at her mother's behavior. She then looks over at her father to see him talking to the twins.
"So, y'all still work at that ol' juke joint huh?" He asks Stack. "What an interestin' example you're settin' for Y/N." Beauregard commented sarcastically.
"Only example we settin' is that as long as it pays, it's a job." Stack defends. "My brotha told me what you said befo' we got here." He tells Beauregard.
Beauregard shrugs his shoulders.
"What? Workin' at a juke joint or one that's made from an old sawmill ain't a real job." Beauregard states like it was a fact.
"Better than pickin' cotton in a hot ass sun." Stack rebuts.
"Y'all young men...y'all leave the Delta for a few years 'n y'all come back like y'all some classy folks." Beauregard insults.
"Least we here 'n we providin' for our families." Stack defends.
"Nah, he is." Beauregard rebuts while pointing at Smoke. "You just married to some white girl."
Stack sucked in his teeth as a smirk cracked on his face. Annie knew that smirk meant that he was gonna fight so she quickly hurried over to the twins and pulled them into the kitchen.
"Annie, I swear I'm 'bout to lose my shit 'f that nigga talks down to me one more time." Smoke growled out. "I'on care 'f he's your daddy at this point."
"Sayin' that we ain't settin' a good example for Y/N 'n shit." Stack adds in.
Annie sighs.
"I knew I shouldn't have told 'em about the party." Annie thought to herself before she spoke. "It's almost time for cake anyway, so once we get that out the way 'n open gifts, they'll be gone." She tells Smoke.
Smoke nods, acknowledging Annie's words.
Annie gathers everyone around for the cake. You were in Antoinette's arms when Annie set the cake down.
"Oh, I remember this." You thought to yourself. "Last time papa blew out the candle with me." You recalled.
You then reached out for Smoke so you two can do the candle blowing but Antoinette kept you in her arms.
"Hey, lemme be with papa." You thought as you began to squirm, trying to free yourself from your grandmother's grip.
Everyone began to sing Happy Birthday while you were still reaching out for Smoke. Smoke noticed you but held off, assuming that Antoinette will hand you to him after the song. However, he was completely wrong.
"C'mon baby, let's blow the candles out together." Antoinette tells you.
You began to whine.
"Antoinette, she wants to do it with her d-"
Before Annie could get the sentence out, it was too late.
Antoinette blew out the candles, thinking that she was doing it for you, then Beauregard clapped along with everyone else. Your lip trembled, upset that the moment wasn't with your dear ol' papa, then you began to cry. Smoke felt heartbroken and thought,
"I knew I should've taken her out her arms sooner."
Antoinette thought you were just being fussy, so she tried to soothe you, but to no avail.
"Mama, she wanted to blow the candle with Elijah." Annie calmly pointed out.
"Oh, well, I didn't know." Antoinette simply stated as if that statement will undo what she did. "'Sides, she has to learn that everyone will want a turn to help blow out her candles."
"Don't say it like she's incapable of doin' that in the future." Smoke tells Antoinette, a vein popping out of his forehead. "In this moment here, she wanted to do it with me since we did it last year."
"Well, some things aren't gon' be the same." Antoinette rebuts. "It ain't that big of a deal." She dismissed.
"Clearly it is to her." Annie pointed out, referring to you who was still crying.
"Well, we can relight the candle 'n y'all can have your moment." Antoinette offered.
But it wouldn't make a difference since the moment was already gone.
"It ain't gon' be the same for her." Smoke argued back.
"Well, don't get mad at me." Antoinette argues back. "I ain't know that was y'all thing since we didn't come to the 1st one last year."
"'N this is why." Stack thought to himself.
Beauregard jumps in to defend his wife.
"Righ', so I'd advise you to lower that voice when you speakin' to her." Beauregard warns.
This was when Smoke was at his breaking point.
"Y'know what? Let's take this outside then." Smoke challenged.
Annie, Antoinette, and Stack's eyes grew wide.
"Oh shit..." Stack muttered out.
Smoke and Beauregard walked out of the house and there was just complete silence. Antoinette looks at Annie for her aid.
"You really gon' let your husband figh' your father?" She asked Annie.
"Damn straight." Stack answered.
"I wasn't talkin' to you." Antoinette scolds Stack.
"But I answered for her." Stack replied back.
Antoinette finally sets you down as she hurries outside to try to diffuse the situation. Finally free from your grandmother's hold, you waddled outside behind Annie and Stack to see your papa and grandfather going toe-to-toe with each other.
"Wow, what a scene." You thought to yourself, somewhat used to the violence that Smoke always brings.
You began to waddle around a bit before stopping to see your grandparents' truck, which looked similar to Smoke's blue truck.
"Papa's truck..." You thought to yourself as you began to waddle to the back and climbed into the truck, thinking it was Smoke's truck. You sat there happily since this was yours and Smoke's favorite spot to be in whenever the weather was nice, so you sat here and waited for Smoke thinking that you'll be able to spend time with him after the fight.
However...trouble came afoot.
"Y'see that truck righ' there?" One robber whispered to his sidekick.
"Yeah, it's a nice one too." The sidekick agreed.
The leader looked over the truck to see if Smoke and the others were still distracted then nods to his sidekick.
"Move! Go!" The leader whispered to his sidekick as they both left the bushes and ran towards the truck. The leader picked the lock and opened the truck door then began to hotwire the electric circuits to get it to work. You heard the truck starting up, which surprised you as you looked to see Smoke and the others still by the porch, yelling and fighting.
"Hey, who's drivin' the truck?" You thought to yourself.
When the engine started up, this caught Stack's attention as he turned around to see the truck pulling off.
"Hey!" He yelled out as he ran after the truck.
Annie gasped once she caught a glimpse of you in the back of the truck as the truck continued to drive off.
"MY BABY!!!!" Annie shrieked out.
Smoke let's Beauregard go.
"Was that..." He begins, unsure if it was his truck that got stolen.
"That was my truck!" Beauregard yelled out.
Smoke sighs in relief that it wasn't his truck, however, everyone else began to come outside to see what was going on.
"The hell's goin on?" Bo asked.
"We heard Annie scream." Grace adds in.
"Smoke, what happened?" Sammie asked.
"Some bastards boosted my truck!" Beauregard yelled out.
"'N Y/N was in the back of it!" Annie screamed out.
Everyone gasped, but Smoke's eyes grew wide.
"Y-Y/N was in the back?" He stammered out.
"I ain't stuttered boy!" Annie yelled back, heart racing rapidly.
Smoke saw red!
He stormed back in the house along with Annie who was equally blinded with red fury.
"W-what's gon' happen?" Sammie stammered out.
"Smoke's 'bout to bring the fire." Stack replied.
The two robbers laughed as they continued to drive the truck into town while you were in the back, completely scared.
"I want my papa!" You thought to yourself. "I want my mama!"
You began to cry and scream in fear, which got into the ears of the leader as he looked into the rearview mirror to see you. He hit the brakes quick.
"Hey, what 'chu doi-"
"There's a baby in the back!" The leader yells as he quickly gets out of the truck and runs to the back. You looked at the leader with tears in your eyes.
"W-who is this man? Where's mama 'n papa!?" You thought as you continued to cry.
"Where the hell did a baby come from?" The sidekick asked.
"I'on know!" The leader yelled back.
"Should we return it to the parents?" The sidekick asked.
"No stupid 'cause they gon' get the truck back as well!" The leader reasoned.
"But takin' the baby with us is kidnappin'!" The sidekick yelled back.
All the yelling was making you completely distressed, which angered the leader.
"Shut up! Stop cryin'!" He yells at you.
This makes you begin to scream at the top of your lungs then the leader covers your mouth.
"Someone help!" You thought to yourself as you squirmed.
This began to attract people as everyone began to pop their heads out from the shops.
"The hell y'all lookin' at!?" The leader yelled out. "Can't a man discipline his child!?" He lies.
Your screams grew muffled against his hand.
"'F you don't shut up I wi-"
Before he could finish his sentence, the leader hears a gun cock and whirled around to see Smoke holding his pistol.
"Put...her...down." Smoke growled out.
The leader didn't want to accept defeat as he backs away with you still in his arms.
"You ain't gon' do nuthin'." He teases Smoke. "One wrong shoot 'n you'll end up hurtin' this lil' girl." The leader points out.
The sidekick chuckles as he pulls out a gun and aims it at Smoke to protect his leader.
Smoke felt his heart drumming against his ribcage as you looked at him with tears in your eyes, pleading for help. If Smoke did try to shoot the leader then he might hit you in the process and get shot as well by the sidekick.
"Fuck..." Smoke grunted out.
However, the leader watched as Smoke's eyes grew wide like he had seen a ghost. The leader thought that Smoke was afraid of him.
"What? Ya scared now nigga?" He chuckled out. "Scared that you'll shoot ya babygirl?" He taunts Smoke.
"Don't make...any movements at all..." Smoke warns the two robbers.
"Or what?" The sidekick asked.
However, the sound of a shotgun cocking was the answer to the sidekick's question.
The two robbers turned around to see Annie--eyes black as coal-- welding a double barrel shotgun. She had a perfect aim at both of their heads if they even so much as laid a scratch on you or Smoke.
The leader's confidence depleted as he stared into the eyes of a scorned mother whose child was in danger. All of a sudden, there was the sound of another gun cocking as the two robbers turned to the side to see Stack aiming a pistol at them as well along with Cornbread cracking his knuckles ready for a brawl.
They were outnumbered 4 to 2!
"Drop the girl 'n leave the truck...befo' your brains end up paintin' that truck red." Stack threatened.
"Y-you really think I'm scared of some guns?" The leader's voice cracked. The sidekick felt like he was gonna piss himself.
"Oh...I never saw Uncle Stack this mad along with Uncle Cornbread." You thought to yourself since this was the very first time to see your two happy and goofy uncles looking dead serious.
Annie's voice roaring out enough to scare the two robbers into complying.
"HURRY UP 'N GIVE ME BACK MY DAUGHTER!"
The robbers admit defeat as they quickly set you down and run off. Not before Stack shot them both in the legs, causing them to fall over.
"Gah damn what 'chu do that for!?" The leader yelled out.
"This nigga thought we was gon' let 'im walk out in one piece?" Stack scoffed.
Smoke ran up to you and picked you up.
"Are you okay!? Did they hurt you!?" Smoke asked while checking your body for any injuries. Once it was confirmed that you were okay, Smoke dropped to his knees and hugged you tight. You felt Smoke trembling then you heard him sobbing.
"Papa's here baby, papa's here." He sobbed out.
Annie kneels down to Smoke then presses a kiss on the top of your head. Smoke then lifts his head up to Stack and Cornbread.
"Stack, drive the truck back to the house." He instructs his younger twin before getting up.
"What were you thinkin'!?"
"She could've gotten hurt!"
"Or gone for good!"
"This shouldn't have happened 'f you hadn't picked a fight!"
"SA ESE!" Annie yelled out, silencing her parents.
The house went silent and all everyone could hear was Annie's heavy breathing.
"Both of you, out." Annie tells her parents while pointing at the door.
"Beg ya pardon young lady?" Beauregard asks.
"You heard what she said." Smoke chimed in. "Both of y'all get the hell out our house."
"Antonia! We're your parents! You can't kick us out!" Antoinette tells Annie.
"Who acts like y'all were the ones who invented parentin'!" Annie fires back. "This was s'pposed to be a nice day to celebrate Y/N turnin' 2 but y'all just had to critique everythin' like y'all were the ones who planned this party for weeks!" She lashes out. "None of this would've happened 'f y'all just accept that every parent is different!"
Once Annie was done, her parents were silent.
"Now, I ain't the type to tell ya twice but 'f you don't leave voluntarily, I'll have Uncle Cornbread escort you out." Smoke warns the parents as Cornbread stands up.
"Y'know he's the tosser at our juke joint so he has no problem gettin' physical." Stack adds in.
Admitting defeat, Antoinette and Beauregard left the house without another complaint.
Once they were gone, the atmosphere grew still and silent.
"'F any of y'all got any gifts for Y/N, just leave 'em on the table." Annie sighs out.
Everyone left the house one by one after leaving your gifts on the table and once the house was empty, it was just Annie, Stack, and Smoke.
"Ohhh, I probably shouldn't have yelled at 'em." Annie groaned out.
"Hell nah, they deserved that shit." Stack assures Annie. "They actin' like they know Y/N more than you do."
Annie sighs.
"I'm just...I just want what's best for Y/N 'n today was s'pposed to be a happy birthday for her 'n she almost got kidnapped." Annie explained.
Smoke presses his forehead against hers in a loving manner.
"I'll say this...God is good, God is good." Smoke muttered. "I'm glad they didn't get too far."
"You did a nice job protectin' her too." Stack adds in. "This is my first time ever seein' you hold a gun."
"Smoke taught me how to shoot." Annie explained. "Didn't think I was gon' ever hold a gun in my life but after today..." She adds in.
Smoke grabs Annie's hand and squeezes it before getting up to check on you. He walked upstairs to the nursery room to see you fast asleep in your crib--tuckered out from the crying and screaming.
The sounds of his footsteps creaking against the floorboard woke you up as you turned your head and see Smoke.
"Papa..." You rasped out reaching out to him. Smoke scoops you up into his bulky arms.
"Happy birthday Y/N..." Smoke begins. "Always remember that me 'n ya mama loves you so much."
Alright Sinners, I have a few ideas in mind for an upcoming episode to Moore Love To Give but I can't decide which one to do first, so I'mma leave it to y'all to decide which episode I should write about next.
Which Moore Love To Give Episode I Should Do Next?
Parents Knows Best (Age 2)
Papa's Here (Age 14)
Becoming Tough (Age 15)
School Days (Age 7)
A Lil' Girl's Wonderful Life (Age 10)
Voting ended onJun 3
Brief description of each one:
Parents Knows Best (Age 2): Annie's parents come into town for Y/N's 2nd birthday and end up trying to change things around for the birthday party.
School Days (Age 7): Y/N starts her first day of school where she meets her new friends.
A Lil' Girl's Wonderful Life (Age 10): Inspired by the film It's A Wonderful Life Y/N sees a life where she wasn't born.
Papa's Here (Age 14): An incident at school scares Smoke into becoming overprotective of Y/N to where he goes overboard with it.
Becomin' Tough (Age 15): Y/N asks Smoke and Stack to help gentle giant Willie stand up for himself against Bernard and the white boys.
Grace was currently reading a book, out in the living room. Comfortably curled up in the corner of the couch, truly invested in what she was reading. Occasionally taking a sip of a glass of lemonade. Enjoying her peace…She figured Bo probably fell asleep early, she wouldn’t have blamed him if that was the case. That Mississippi sun can certainly drain a person, especially when they’re working hard in it.
She was perfectly consumed in her book, so Bo took advantage of it. He slowly walked out of the bedroom, trying to make as little noise as possible—Not even a single creak of the floorboard. He tiptoed over to the couch, standing right behind where she was sitting and—Hesitated.
She did look quite peaceful…and he’d hate to ruin it. But he had to admit that he was curious about what her reaction would be. So he held his breath for a moment and suddenly grabbed her shoulders.
“Whatcha doi—“ He was instantly met with a hard ass punch to his face and a scream from Grace. Quickly letting out a pained grunt and covering his sensitive nose. “(It’s just me here, Grace, damn!)”
“I don’t care if it’s just you here! You know better than to scare me like that!” Grace shouted, smacking his chest with the hard cover of her book as she stood up from the couch with a frustrated expression. Then she noticed the trickle of blood from his nose and let out a deep exhale. “(This is your fault, you know? You were bein’ stupid.)” Bo only hummed and nodded his head in agreement. Seriously regreting his choices now. Wishing he didn’t do it at all—but he had to admit to himself, her physical strength was hot.
“Damn…ya sure can put someone in their place, huh?” He wiped his nose and looked at the blood on his hand in subtle disgust. Even after wiping it away, he can feel there was still more blood running down his nose. Grace walked over to the kitchen to grab some paper towels to clean his nose. Helping him clean up his bloody nose—unfortunately, to no avail. “How badly does it hurt?” She questioned, cocking an eyebrow at him. “And ya better be honest.”
“Well, my nose can’t stop bleedin’ no matter how much cleanin’ we do.” Despite just being punched in the face by his wife, he seemed pretty chill about it now. “But, uh…I’m sorry for scarin’ ya like that. I couldn’t help myself…but I definitely knew better than to mess with ya like that.” Grace raised an eyebrow at his apology and her expression softened—just a little. Letting out a small scoff before she spoke up. “(…I s’ppose I’m sorry too. I didn’t mean to hit ya like that but damn—you scared me real bad!)”
“(And did I still deserve it?)” Bo smirked and narrowed her eyes at her, leaning in closer to her face. “(Sure did.)” He seemed oddly satisfied with her response and closed the gap between their faces. Pressing his lips against hers for a few seconds. “(Mhm, better hope it ain’t broken.)”
Soooo Steve Urkel got into it with Cornbread. This is the second time a fight has happened on my Island and I had this game for like 2 going on 3 months
Soooo Steve Urkel got into it with Cornbread. This is the second time a fight has happened on my Island and I had this game for like 2 going on 3 months
Alright Sinners, I have a few ideas in mind for an upcoming episode to Moore Love To Give but I can't decide which one to do first, so I'mma leave it to y'all to decide which episode I should write about next.
Which Moore Love To Give Episode I Should Do Next?
Parents Knows Best (Age 2)
Papa's Here (Age 14)
Becoming Tough (Age 15)
School Days (Age 7)
A Lil' Girl's Wonderful Life (Age 10)
Voting ended onJun 3
Brief description of each one:
Parents Knows Best (Age 2): Annie's parents come into town for Y/N's 2nd birthday and end up trying to change things around for the birthday party.
School Days (Age 7): Y/N starts her first day of school where she meets her new friends.
A Lil' Girl's Wonderful Life (Age 10): Inspired by the film It's A Wonderful Life Y/N sees a life where she wasn't born.
Papa's Here (Age 14): An incident at school scares Smoke into becoming overprotective of Y/N to where he goes overboard with it.
Becomin' Tough (Age 15): Y/N asks Smoke and Stack to help gentle giant Willie stand up for himself against Bernard and the white boys.
Amari watched as snow continued to flutter past her vision through the window. She then sighed as the one thing ran in her mind, the same thing she always dreaded every year.
“Tomorrow’s my birthday…” Amari muttered out. Amari wasn’t looking forward to one more step to womanhood as all she could link it to was Baxter. “Ain’t nothing to celebrate for…don’t have anyone to do it with…” She thought to herself. “Probably gon’ be helpin’ with the juke joint tomorrow.” Amari then rests her head on her hand while she continues to stare at the world in despair and subtle anger. Smoke walks into the living room to see Amari at the window. “Lil’ lady…” He calls out, grabbing Amari’s attention. “I’m ready to help with the juke joint today.” Amari tells Smoke. Smoke shook his head. “Don’t worry ‘bout the juke joint today.” Smoke assures her. “It’s too cold for you to be out there for hours ‘n I’on want you to catch a cold again.” He explained. “Then…what can I do?” Amari asked, being so used to the routine that it almost shocked her that Smoke changed it. “Stack is goin’ into the town for a bit ‘n might need some help with some things.” Smoke replied. “Think you can do it?” He asks Amari. Amari felt her heart jump a little—still not fully used to being alone with any man let alone the twins. “W-why can’t you do it?” Amari asked, trying to keep a calm demeanor despite being anxious.
“Annie ‘n I need to work on sumthin’ back here.” Smoke replied. “Plus, you might get along with Stack.” He adds in. Amari frowned. “Who said I might get along with anyone here?” Amari asked. “I told you I ain’t finna stick around here for long.” She states. Smoke cocked an eyebrow—challenged. “Alrigh’, then…there’s the door.” Smoke tells Amari, motioning to the door. Amari raised her eyebrows—baffled—while Smoke stood there with a straight face, not faltering at all. Amari quickly caved as she let out an exhale—admitting defeat. “Alrigh’, I’ll go but I need to use the bathroom first.” Amari replied as she stepped away from the window sill and walked past Smoke. When she got to the kitchen, Amari peeked over her shoulder to see if Smoke was near her. He wasn’t. Amari then dips into the kitchen and quickly grabs a knife—not too big for it to be noticeable but also not too small for it to cause minimal damage. Amari tucks the knife into her dress pocket then slips out of the kitchen, trying her hardest to act natural.
“Alright, I’m ready.” Amari announced to Smoke. Smoke nods as he escorts Amari out the door where Stack was waiting, leaning against his car. “Huh, she finally came out willingly?” Stack joked. “Took some…convincin’.” Smoke replied. “Now, you be good ‘n listen to what he tells you.” He lectures Amari. Amari was tuned out a bit as she stood there frozen—petrified that she was gonna have to spend God knows how long with a man by herself. Her palms began to sweat despite being out in the snowy weather while her legs shook. “Hey.” Smoke spoke, snapping Amari out of it. “Did you hear what I said?” Smoke asks her. Amari nods her head, lying that she understood. Amari had to mentally hype herself up before she began to slowly walk to the car while Smoke and Stack watched her. Each step felt like 5 steps to Amari while the twins’ gazes only made the walk feel like she’s been walking for a mile to the car. When she finally reached the car, she tried to get into the backseat, but Stack stopped her.
“You ain’t gotta sit in the back.” He assured her. “Gon’ git in the front.” Stack tells Amari. Not wanting to start an argument, Amari complied—both annoyed and a bit afraid that Smoke would kick her out if she ever made the smallest complaint. “We just gonna go to the Chow’s real quick ‘n then stop by Messenger’s for a spell.” Stack explained to both Amari and Smoke as he started up the car. Amari didn’t say a word while Stack pulled off. Smoke watched as they pulled off then went back into the house, where Annie was waiting for him.
“You sure it was a good idea to send her out with Stack?” Annie questioned Smoke–uneasy. “It was the only way to keep her out of the house for a bit.” Smoke replied. “Now, how we gon’ do this cake?”He asked. Annie goes into the refrigerator to get the ingredients. “It is nice that you doin’ this for the lil’ girl…but I gotta ask why.” Annie stated. “‘N how’d you know when her birthday is?” “I…don’t.” Smoke replied. “She said that her birthday is in January ‘n that’s about it.” He explained. “So, I wanted to do sumthin’ for her.” Annie smiles at Smoke. “Why you ain’t ask her?” She questioned. “That girl’s pretty tight lipped when it comes to certain stuff.” Smoke replied. “I doubt she’d be open about sumthin’ as basic as her birthday.” “While I do think that it’s a nice gesture…don’t you think this would be a bad idea?” Annie wondered. “What ‘chu mean?” Smoke asked. “You talkin’ about the time when lil’ girl says that she was taken away from her parents?” He recalled. “Her parents were taken away from her.” Annie corrected. “What’s the difference?” Smoke asked. “Smoke, you’ve shot people before ‘n you ‘n Stack were workin’ for some mob boss back in Chicago.” Annie pointed out. “You should know what I mean by that.” She adds. When Annie said that, it finally clicked to Smoke. He pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Why I ain’t think of that sooner?” He muttered out. “She told me when she came here a few months ago.” Annie explained. “She told you? Just you?” Smoke asked. “Well, from what I remembered, I did ask about her parents ‘n she told me that they died but I ain’t think they were murdered ‘til she ran out the house last week.” Annie explained. “Whoever she was with befo’ she came here, they probably the same ones who killed her parents.” She concluded. Smoke felt his heart break after hearing that. “No, no, that can’t be righ’.” Smoke denied. “Her parents had to have done sumthin’ to get killed.” “Elijah, how could you say that!?” Annie asked. “‘F anythin’, the girl wouldn’t be here let alone feelin’ like she has to survive every single day ‘n away from them folks she was with.” She pointed out. “But what does her parents have to do with the folks she was with?” Smoke asked. “One or both of ‘em have to have been involved with ‘em or sumthin’.” Smoke pointed out. “Smoke I get that but the girl has had her parents killed ‘n she probably was forced into that life of crime…not just ‘cause she wants to but because she had to.” Annie stated. “No child should be livin’ that life, not even her.” “I know…” Smoke muttered out. “What I also noticed ‘bout her is that she don’t take kindly to bein’ in water nor any man touchin’ her.” He pointed out.
“That child is hurtin’...” Annie sighed out. “She told me befo’ that a girl child is never safe in a room full of men ‘n it only took one man to show her that.” Smoke balled up his fists while remembering the screams and cries that escaped from Amari’s mouth before. Once he put two and two together, anger, the urge to kill, and sympathy wrapped around Smoke. “‘F I ever find out who they are…I swear I’ll kill ‘em.” Smoke growled out. “Who could do that to a lil’ girl ‘n for God knows how long?” “That’s sumthin’ I was thinkin’ of as well…” Annie replied. “One that scared me was that what ‘f she didn’t come to the Delta ‘n y’all didn’t find her…that lil’ girl could’ve been dead.” Annie felt her throat go dry at the thought of Amari getting killed. Smoke lets out a deep exhale. “One thing I’m tryin’ to do right now, I want lil’ lady to be safe with me, me, Stack ‘n anyone else we know.” Smoke tells Annie. “Last thing I want is for her to stay here ‘n she’s scared of me.” Annie places her hands on Smoke’s shoulders in a calming manner. “She gon’ be okay…but righ’ now…let’s just be patient with her.” Annie tells Smoke.
“I promise lil’ lady…you’re safe here ‘n I ain’t gon’ let no one hurt you.” Smoke thought to himself, swearing protection to Amari.
“You’ve been quiet this whole time lil’ rat.” Stack stated while keeping his eyes on the road. Amari was just looking at the blankets of snow that covered up the ground, ignoring Stack’s statement. Amari was mentally far from the real world while Stack was still trying to strike up a conversation with Amari. All of a sudden, Amari noticed the sky turning dark black like a storm was about to happen. Amari raised her head up as the wind began to pick up on speed.
“Is it ‘posed to storm today?” Amari thought to herself.
CRACK!
The lighting flashed through the air and Amari caught a glimpse of Baxter in the sky—eyes black and soulless and mouth stretched into an evil grin showing teeth—staring at Amari with that same predator-like stare. Amari just stared back at Baxter with the same feared look in her brown eyes while her heart began to race.
“Well, well, well, someone’s got a birthday coming up, eh?” Baxter asked—voice dark like a demon. “When I get my hands on you…” He chuckled out. “You gon’ be mine…my woman.”
Stack noticed Amari zoned out with a petrified look on her face. His eyebrows furrowed as he called out to Amari. “Streetrat? Streetrat!” Stack yelled out, trying to get her attention. No response as Amari continued to look at the sky like it was something that was trying to get her.
“Happy birthday Amari…” Baxter spoke in a low voice. “May you continue to become somethin’ that Capone ‘n I will always control…”
“No…no…I ain’t a woman! I ain’t becomin’ a woman!” Amari thought to herself. Amari then feels a hand grab her. Thinking it was Baxter, Amari flailed and screamed which startled Stack. “NO!” Amari screamed out. Stack almost swerved off the road from that reaction. “I ain’t a woman! I don’t wanna become a woman!” Amari shrieked out as she began to blindly hit Stack. “Hey! Hey! Cut it out ‘fore you make us crash!” Stack yelled trying to grab at Amari’s wrists with one hand while the other was still on the wheel. Tears began to form into Amari’s eyes–blinding her version even more—as she continued to hit at Stack, not fully out from her hallucination of Baxter. Stack finally got ahold of one of Amari’s wrist as he screamed out,
“STOP IT!”
Amari finally opened her eyes to see Stack staring at her. The angry look on Stack’s face immediately shifted to a concerned look once he got a good look at the tears in Amari’s eyes. “Is she…cryin’?” Stack thought to himself. Amari then snapped her head to the road to see a tree up ahead. “HEY! WATCH OUT!” Amari screamed while pointing at the road. Stack grabbed the wheel with both hands and swerved away from the tree—avoiding the impending crash. Both Stack and Amari then shared the feeling of fear as they both panted while Stack could hear his heartbeat in his ears. Stack then turns to Amari to yell at her but then notices the same tear faced and scared look on Amari’s face.
“Hey, are you ok-” Stack reached out to Amari again, but Amari flinched. “Don’t…touch me.” She spoke in a stern voice. “Don’t you ever touch me Baxter!” She yelled. Stack was dumbfounded. “Who the hell is Baxter?” Stack asked. Amari didn’t answer as she held herself tight like she was physically trying to keep herself together. Stack finally left Amari alone but something was still fresh in Stack’s mind.
“Who the hell is Baxter?”
“Capone! You got a visitor!” The CO called out while opening up the cell. Baxter raised his head up from the bottom bunk as Capone got down from the top. “Who is it?” Baxter asked Capone. “It’s probably one of the fellas.” Capone replied as he walked out of the cell to the visitation room. Behind the plexiglass window on the other side was one of Capone’s goons, Brick. Capone picked up the phone.
“Start talkin’.” Capone spoke. “Anythin’ regarding Streetrat?” He asked. “No sir.” Brick replied. “She hasn’t come back to the hideout.” He informs him. Capone clenched his fist at the disappointing news. “Dammit…” He gritted out. “So she’s really gone for good here huh?” Capone asked. “What about the others?” He questioned. “Still waitin’ for your return.” Brick replied. “How’s the plan?” He asked. “Baxter ‘n I got acquainted with some Italian suckers.” Capone replied. “Promised ‘em that I’d pay them ‘f they help bust us out of here.” He adds. Brick chuckled. “You better hope they ain’t the type to kill.” He playfully warns Capone. “Eh, I ain’t afraid of some punks.” Capone scoffed. Brick then clears his throat.
“But boss, when we got back to the hideout…” Brick begins as he pulls out a small journal. “We found this.” Capone raised an eyebrow—confused. “It’s just some small notebook.” He pointed out. “It has Streetrat’s name in it.” Brick replied. “It’s like her diary or something.” He adds. “Maybe we could find something linked to her whereabouts.” Brick suggested. Capone was silent for a beat—pondering—before he spoke. “Lemme see that book.” He orders Brick. Brick puts the journal in the drawer to send it to Capone on the other side. Capone grabbed the journal and flipped through the pages—confirming that it really was Amari’s journal—then smiled to himself.
“Capone! It’s time to go back!” The CO called out. Capone gets up from his seat while bidding Brick farewell. When he got back to the cell, Baxter was sitting on the bottom bunk.
“What’s that?” Baxter asked.
“Something that’ll help us find Streetrat.”
“Slim!” Stack called out. Delta Slim was on the piano playing when he turned around to see Stack and Amari. Delta Slim then smiled as he got off the piano. “Y’know we ain’t open today.” He stated—jestering. “Had to come see you for a spell.” Stack chuckled out. Delta Slim’s eyes then land on Amari. “Say, didn’t I see you from somewhere?” Delta Slim asked. “We…met at the train station a few months ago.” Amari mumbled out. Delta Slim snapped his fingers. “That’s righ’!” He exclaimed. “Damn, you’re still here? Thought you went back to Chicago.” Delta Slim stated. Amari just shook her head. “Not much of a talker huh?” Delta Slim asked. Amari didn’t answer. Stack cleared his throat.
“You still good with them keys, Slim?” He asks. “That depends.” Delta Slim replied. “I’ll give you $20 to come play at our new juke joint…once it gets done.” Stack offered. “Yeah, I wish I could.” Delta Slim declined. “Imma be here at Messenger’s every saturday like I usually am.” He adds. “Probably the only place I’ll be at ‘til my final days.” Delta Slim muttered out. Stack smirked to himself. “Y’know Slim, I’ll accept that.” He replied. Stack then reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small sack. Amari’s eyes grew wide when Stack pulled out a bottle of beer.
“That…that beer.” Amari thought to herself. “I’ve seen it before!” However, Amari wasn’t the only one who was focused on the beer. Delta Slim’s eyes were stuck on the bottle in Stack’s hand like it was a diamond. When Stack opened the bottle with a crack, Delta Slim exclaimed—interest full piqued. “What ‘chu got there boy?” He asks Stack. “Oh, this?” Stack begins. “This an Irish beer.” That’s when it clicked with Amari.
“Streetrat!” Capone calls out to Amari. “Hurry up with them crates of liquor!” He barked. 15 year old Amari groaned as she lowered down to pick up the crate of liquor. “Where the hell did Capone get this kinda liquor?” Amari muttered to herself. Baxter was right next to her carrying a crate. “He knows a few folks who do it.” He replied. “What did he get?” Amari asked. “Just some Irish beer ‘n some Italian wine.” Baxter replied. “Best kind there is here in Chicago.” “What’s he plannin’ to do with it?” Amari asked. “Enough with the questions.” Baxter replied in a stern voice. “It’s not like you ‘bout to get some.”
Before Stack could take a sip, Delta Slim stopped him. “You sayin’ that’s beer?” Delta Slim asked. Amari raised an eyebrow at Delta Slim. “He’s a drinker huh?” She thought to herself. “I reckon’ money ain’t the only thing that talks to this old man.” “Chicago didn’t bring us back to the Delta empty handed.” Stack replied as he handed the bottle to Delta Slim. “Gimme that.” Delta Slim chuckled out while accepting the beer bottle. Delta Slim examined the bottle for a second before taking a sip. Amari watched Delta Slim’s reaction to the taste of the Irish beer. Delta Slim was in pure ecstasy. “My goodness…” He muttered out. Stack chuckled at his successful attempt of bribery. “I got ‘bout 500 of those bottles, ice cold.” Stack stated. “So how ‘bout I pay ya $40 ‘n all the beer you could drink when the juke joint is complete.” He offered.
Delta Slim looks up at Stack for a minute before…
“Alrigh’, cake is done.” Annie announced as she pulled the cake out of the oven. “‘F she rejects the cake then we gon’ give it to Cornbread.” Smoke nods his head as he looks out the window to see the sky turning into a navy blue color. “She still out with Stack, I hope they alrigh’.” Smoke thought to himself before he walked out the door. He made his way over to the small baby grave then crouched down to dust the snow away. He noticed that Annie replaced the bottle of milk then sighed. “Always there for our baby.” Smoke thought to himself. Amari then pops up in Smoke’s head. Instead of her usual cold and stoic face, she was smiling—bright like the sun itself. Smoke then stands up to see the same happy Amari running at him with open arms—inviting him to a hug. Smoke was stunned at first but his arms instinctively stuck out ready to accept the hug. Once Amari came in contact with Smoke, she vanished into the thin air. Smoke just looked at his hands like he was still trying to grasp the emptiness.
“You thinkin’ about her…aren’t you?”
Smoke turned around to see Annie. “I…I’on know.” Smoke replied. “But sumthin’ about that girl just makes me feel some type of way.” He admits. “That she’s like one of your own?” Annie asked. “How the fuck did you know that?” Smoke asked. “You comin’ out here to check on our baby ‘n then I saw you holdin’ your arms out like you acceptin’ a hug.” Annie explained. Smoke hung his arms to his side. “Come back inside ‘fore you catch cold.” Annie tells Smoke as he follows her inside. “It’s not like I’m tryin’ to replace our daughter but…part of me wants to protect that lil’ girl.” Smoke admitted. “I’ve never met a young girl so scared of life to where she has to fight all the time to survive.” He adds. “She kinda reminds me of…of…”
Annie places her hands on his shoulders. “I know Elijah…I know…” She spoke in a soothing voice. “Let’s just hope that she’ll come around soon.” Annie mumbled against Smoke’s neck. “I know you’re doin’ all this for her ‘n I know she will soon.” Smoke pecks Annie’s lips then wraps his arms around her waist. “In my eyes, with her, it’s like she’s one of our own.” Annie admits. Smoke presses his forehead against hers.
“It feels like she’s one of our own.” Smoke thought to himself.
Delta Slim happily played on the piano while Stack chuckled. “We gon’ make some money at this new juke joint.” Stack thought to himself. Stack then peeked over his shoulder to see Amari sitting at one of the tables. His face softened at the sight of Amari looking sad, like the world failed her. Stack grew nervous but he slowly strides over to Amari. Amari raised her head up when she saw Stack’s shadow in her vision. “Hey lil’ rat.” Stack greets. Amari just nods her head at him. Stack then pulls up a seat in front of her. “You’ve been quiet all day compared to the slick talk you always gave me ‘n Smoke.” He pointed out. “Where did you get that beer?” Amari asks Stack. Stack was a bit taken aback but he answers, “From Chicago. Have you seen it before?” Amari nods her head. “It was sumthin’ that the man I was with always had stored in the hideout.” She replied. Stack just nods his head, understanding what she said. “Well…me ‘n Smoke we stole that from some folks we used to work with back in Chicago.” Stack explained while fiddling with his thumbs. “Decided to sell it when we complete the juke joint.” He adds. All of sudden, Stack’s story began to feel familiar. “Wait…” She begins. “Who were the folks you stole from?” Amari asked. “Oh, it was from both the Irish mob ‘n Italian mafia.” Stack replied. “Smoke stole the beer from the mob, I stole the wine from the mafia.” He explained. “Do you know who the leaders were?” Amari asked. “Not really.” Stack replied. “All I know is that the man they were connected with was Chicago’s notorious gangster.” He adds in. “His name was-”
“Al Capone.” Amari cuts him off. Stack was baffled at Amari’s quick response. “Y-yeah, that was him.” He stammered out. “How did you know that?” “‘Cause he was the man I ran away from.” Amari replied. Stack thought for a second before it finally pieced together in his head. “You worked for Capone!?” Stack yelled out. Amari nods her head. Stack then slams his hand down on the table. “That’s where I knew you from!” Stack exclaimed. “‘Cause ever since I saw you, you just felt familiar like I’ve seen you befo’ ‘n I couldn’t figure out where or when.” He explained. “I somewhat remember you.” Amari admits. “I think I had to be 12 when you saw me.” “Yeah, you were in the corner drenched head to toe.” Stack pointed out. “That sounds ‘bout right.” Amari agreed. “It was a year after Capone ‘n them took me in…after my parents died.” She explained. “They…killed them, did they?” Stack asks Amari. “I remember whenever we mention your parents, you get pretty hot about it.” He recalls. Amari nods her head.
“My dad used to be Capone’s righ’ hand man before the other guy took over.” Amari stated. “I’on know what made Capone want to kill my dad, but I wouldn’t be surprised ‘f he was framed for sumthin’.” Amari continued. “‘Cused ‘im of stealin’ the liquor when my daddy was innocent ‘n they decided to take me in instead of killin’ me right there with my mama ‘n daddy.” She adds. Stack could hear the cracking in Amari’s voice. “If I were to have known I was gon’ be forced into a life of crime…I’d be better off dead with ‘em.” Amari cracked. “Capone took away my parents…’n his right hand man right now…took away my sanity ‘n my innocence.” That last sentence really grabbed Stack’s attention.
“Innocence? What ‘chu mean?” Stack asked. Amari then bit her lip as her eyes began to sting with tears beginning to form. Based on that reaction, Stack realized what Amari meant by her innocence. Anger was brewing inside of Stack as he thought to himself, “Those sick sons of bitches…who does some sick shit like that to a lil’ ass girl!?” Stack watched as Amari sat there with tears sliding down her face as if she was mentally reliving that same trauma for the nth time in her life. “Everyday…I had to fight, kill, ‘n steal in order to survive…” Amari croaked out. “I had to do the dirty work while still gettin’ beat for even the smallest screw up…” She continued. “Beaten…drowned…but ain’t nuthin’ worse then…when they took away the two things that I had been trying to keep close to myself ‘til life says otherwise ‘n it’s sumthin’ I AIN’T NEVER GON’ GET BACK!” Amari screamed out, catching Delta Slim’s attention as he stopped playing the piano. Amari's hands grew shaky—filled with both rage and recurring grief. “I ain’t proud that I’m here ‘n how I ended up where I ended up…but ‘f they still rottin’ in that jail right now then I have no regrets at all.” Amari spoke–voice low and filled with despair. Stack exhaled deeply through his nose.
“No child should be goin’ through that shit.” Stack thought to himself. Delta Slim walks over to the table. “Stack, is she alrigh’?” Delta Slim asked. Stack didn’t say a word as he sat there letting Amari’s tragedy and trauma play out in his head. Delta Slim pulls up a chair and sits in front of Amari. “Lil’ missy, what’s wrong?” Delta Slim asks Amari. Amari couldn’t form a sentence as she continued to hiccup and sob while Delta Slim watched her. Stack then gets up. “Slim, I’mma get her outta here.” He tells Delta Slim—voice sounding serious. “I’ll be back ‘nother time, c’mon Streetrat.” Amari gets up from the table and slowly trudges along behind Stack as Delta Slim sat there and watched. Once they left, Delta Slim thought to himself,
“That’s the look of a girl that’s hurtin’.”
The ride back to the house felt quiet. Nothing compared to earlier but this time it was both Amari and Stack who were quiet as mice. Stack was trying to contain his anger but whenever he looked over at Amari—who was asleep and tuckered out from crying—the rage only grew stronger. “How could Capone allow that shit to happen?” Stack thought to himself. “Why he felt the need to take in a lil’ girl ‘n then use ‘n abuse her?” Stack then thought of Smoke and how he would’ve reacted if he found out. “Smoke would’ve driven back to Chicago to kill Capone.” He thought to himself. When Stack reached the house, Smoke was standing by the door—waiting for their arrival. Stack scooped the slumbering teenager up and began to carry her into the house. Smoke noticed the tear stains on Amari’s mocha colored cheeks and furrowed his eyebrows. When Stack gently set Amari down on the couch he turned to Smoke.
“Was she cryin’?” Smoke whispered out. Stack nods his head. “She had a lot to get off her chest.” He explained in a low voice. Stack then motions for Smoke to walk outside. When the twins were on the porch, Stack ripped the band aid off immediately. “That girl worked for Capone.” Stack stated with no hesitation. Smoke looked at his younger twin like he had grown a second head. “What?” Smoke replied. “She told me.” Stack briefly explained. “Streetrat’s parents were killed by Capone ‘n Capone took her in ‘n made her one of his goons.” He adds. Smoke just stood there—stunned. “‘N she told you all of that?” Smoke asked. “I wouldn’t be sayin’ this ‘f I was bullshittin’.” Stack replied—face frowned into a serious look. “This whole time I was wonderin’ why she felt so familiar ‘n she remembers us, well, mainly me, ‘cause I remember seein’ her drenched head to toe when she was younger.” He explained. “Her comin’ here wasn’t on purpose but it wasn’t an accident either…she saw an opportunity to escape ‘n she took it.” Stack adds. Smoke just stood there quietly as he tried to process all the information Stack threw at him.
“My God…” Smoke muttered out. “This is probably why she didn’t take men too kindly in the beginning.” He points out. “Smoke…they beat that girl, drowned her, ‘n one of ‘em even raped that girl.” Stack explained. If that didn’t set Smoke off, Stack doesn't know what would. “Her father used to work for Capone, huh?” Smoke asked. “Did she ever tell you his name?” He questioned. Stack shook his head no. “Nah, but whenever I look at her she reminds me of this one man named…what was it? It started with an A.” Stack pondered. Then it hit Smoke. “Adam!” He exclaimed. “I remember he was one of the nicest ones there.” Smoke reminisces. “Streetrat says that he was accused of stealin’ the liquor that we stole ‘n Capone killed ‘im straight up.” Stack recalled. “But from what I remembered, he was Capone’s righ’ hand man ‘round that time.” Smoke remembered. “So, why the hell would he steal from the man who always had his back?” He questioned. “That’s the thing; he didn’t ‘n he had no reason to ‘cause he always tried to provide for his kid.” Stack pointed out. “Which is lil’ lady.” Smoke points out, referring to Amari. The twins didn’t know which feeling they were feeling the most in their bodies: Sympathy or anger. Smoke’s hands shook with the intent to kill. Smoke then deeply exhaled to calm down.
“Y’know sumthin’...in a way lil’ lady reminds me of someone…” Smoke begins. Stack looks at his dear older twin in the eyes. “I know ‘xactly what ‘chu saying too.” Stack agrees while nodding his head. Smoke pulls Stack in for a big hug while Stack lets out a deep exhale—relaxed at the loving embrace of his older brother.
“I told myself…that I was gon’ protect that girl from now on.” Smoke mumbled out. Stack hums. “You ain’t gotta worry ‘bout that.” He assures Smoke. “I got her…I got her in a way you always had me…” Stack declared.
“We both do…” Smoke stated.
Amari woke up to the beam of sunlight hitting her face. The sunlight felt like a reminder to Amari on what day it is.
“Well, happy birthday to me.” Amari thought to herself. “Which is sumthin’ I would say ‘f things weren’t like this.” Amari slowly rises up and finds herself on the couch. “Stack must’ve carried me inside.” She thought to herself as she slid off the couch. Amari then notices the house being quiet but then glances at the window to see that the truck was still there. “Hmm, they still here.” Amari muttered out. Amari opens the door, letting the ice cold wind hit her face—making her fully awake—as she looks around for either Smoke or Annie. Amari squinted her eyes to see Smoke and Stack crouched down a few feet away. She walked—shoes crunching against the snow—to check on them. Smoke didn’t react or anything but he could feel Amari’s presence.
“You up, huh?” Smoke asked. Stack turned around to see Amari and the feeling of anger and sympathy returned. “You slept well?” Stack asks Amari—trying to be nice. Amari just nods her head. Smoke then gets up from the snow, revealing the small grave to Amari. “What’s that?” Amari asked, pointing at the grave. Smoke looked at the grave then back at Amari. “My…angel.” Smoke replied. Amari looked at him confused but then she realized what Smoke was referring to as his angel. “Y-you had a kid?” Amari asked, a bit stunned at the fact. Smoke nods his head. “Thought you knew or Annie at least told ya.” Smoke stated. Amari shook her head. “No, I ain’t know that you were a father.” Amari replied. Smoke inhaled before he spoke again. “Me ‘n Annie lost her when she was a baby ‘n before me ‘n Stack came to Chicago.” He explained. “You…you had a daughter?” Amari asked. Smoke nods his head again. Smoke watches the sad look form on Amari’s face as he walks towards her. Amari stumbled back a bit.
“Annie made you sumthin’ yesterday.” Smoke tells Amari, changing the subject. “We know that your birthday is in January but we don’t know when.” Amari’s depression returned after hearing that. “It’s…today actually.” She muttered out. Stack’s eyes grew wide. “Oh, um, happy birthday?” He tells Amari in an uneasy tone. Amari just nods before she walks off back to the house. “That girl ain’t neva gon’ have a happy birthday again in her life.” Smoke commented. Stack shook his head as he walked into the house to see Amari sitting at the table with her head hanging low.
“Is this why you were so quiet yesterday?” Stack asked, pulling up a chair. Amari raised her head up at him. “You were quiet one minute but the minute I grabbed your attention, you tried to fight me like I was tryin’ to rob you.” Stack explained. Amari sighs. “I’m…sorry.” She apologized. Stack was a little surprised at the apology but he kept a calm face. “After the story you told me, it all makes sense now.” He stated. Amari didn’t say a word at first but then she spoke again. “It…fucked me up.” Amari muttered out. “They…fucked me up…” She specified. “I…want my daddy back…my mama too…” Amari’s voice cracked. Stack wanted to hug Amari but knew that wouldn’t result in anything good. “You don’t understand what it’s like to lose your parents ‘n then live to only be beaten.” Amari cried out. “Actually…I do.” Stack replied. Amari wiped her eyes—clearing her vision—to see the serious look on Stack’s face.
“I know what it’s like to lose a parent ‘n be alive only to be beaten almost to death.” Stack begins. “The only difference is that…my father…our father…was the one who almost beat me to death.” He revealed. Amari blinked away her tears as Stack went on with his monologue.
“Smoke ‘n I lost our mama when she gave birth to us…died righ’ after she had me. We had a close friend of hers look after us like we were her own…but that ain’t saved our pa the grief of losin’ our mama. That grief instantly turned into resentment, mainly towards me since I was the one who killed her ‘n our pa decided to make that a reminder everyday ‘n everytime he sees my face. Every yell, every insult, every punch ‘n kick were reminders that I took away the one woman he loved ‘n to him, those felt like wishes of him wantin’ me dead instead of her. Smoke had to be the one to take the beatings for me sometimes. Had to dress like me or had to shield me from it. One day, that was the last time pa ever put his hands on me. All I remember was our pa knockin’ me out cold ‘n when I came to, Smoke was halfway done buryin’ him. Our pa may be dead, but even Smoke ‘n I both knew that killin’ him wasn’t gon’ bring her back ‘n that was from then on, I had no one to trust other than Smoke himself. So, yeah, I understand the feelin’ of losin’ parents ‘n livin’ in nothin’ but beatings.”
After Stack finished, Amari felt like something in her had died. Amari stared into Stack’s eyes that were shaded by the wide brim of his fedora hat and could see the look of returning guilt. “It…wasn’t your fault.” Amari spoke. “That’s how life goes.” Stack lifts his head up a bit. “Can you say the same for yours?” He asks her. Amari grew quiet before she spoke again. “I…wanna say it, but I couldn’t.” She admits. “I can’t say that my parents dyin’ was my fault…but me stayin’ with Capone ‘n bein’ in a life of crime, that was my fault there.” Amari explained. “But didn’t you say before that you only did it to survive?” Stack recalled. “Yeah it was, but I feel like I should’ve died along with my parents.” Amari replied. “Then I wouldn’t be where I’m at right now.” “Everyone has regrets in our lives, includin’ me ‘n Smoke.” Stack stated. “You think he wanted to go to war ‘n Chicago after he ‘n Annie lost their child?” He asked. “I…pitched the idea ‘cause I wanted us to find freedom in the form of sumthin’.” Stack admits. “Thought that we could find freedom anywhere within the world besides death but now, I regret ever bringin’ Smoke out of the Delta ‘f it meant that he had to leave behind Annie like that.” He adds.
“To me, freedom feels nonexistent.” Amari stated. “Only death could’ve been my idea of freedom but why I ain’t do it, I’on know.” She continued. “Maybe I was just hopin’ Capone would’ve taken me out already but he needed me alive for reasons I’on even know.” Amari explained. “I reckon’ he knew that keepin’ me alive was a fate worse than death.” “Do you ever have those thoughts?” Stack asked. “Of dyin’?” Amari asked. “When I first started workin’ for Capone yes…but now, I decided to live long enough ‘til I can figure a way out of Capone’s clutches ‘n I reckon’ life provided it for me when I got on that train the day Capone got caught.” She explained. “Didn’t expect to be here but I’d rather start from the bottom of the barrel by myself than to be under someone’s thumb.” Stack nods his head, understanding Amari’s ideology of self living and freedom.
“Y’know sumthin’ kid?” Stack begins. “You’ve been livin’ a life where you had no one to protect you or look after you.” He stated. “Tell me sumthin’ I don’t know.” Amari replied. “But…now that you’re here…’n now that I know your story, I honestly don’t want you to go back to Chicago.” Stack admits. “Wasn’t plannin’ to ‘cause ain’t nuthin’ for me back there.” Amari shrugs her shoulders. “But here, it just feels different.” She admits. “Like, o’course I’m under y’all’s thumb now but…Smoke ‘n Annie, they allowed me in their house, fed me food, put some new clothes on my back…it almost felt like I wasn’t in y’all debt at all.” Amari explained. “Even after everythin’ whenever all this is happenin’...it feels like home.” “Yeah, ‘pecially after learnin’ that Smoke was a father too huh?” Stack asked. Amari nods her head. “Smoke always had a soft spot for kids, even after the one he lost.” Stack informs Amari. “That explains a lot.” Amari commented. It was quiet for a second before Stack placed his hand on the table.
“Hey kid, just know this…you ain’t gotta feel like you have to fight or steal to survive.” Stack assured her. “Smoke ‘n I said this the other night, we wanna protect you from now on.” He adds in. “Thanks but no.” Amari declined. “This is non-negotiable.” Stack stated. Amari grumbled. “But kid, we wanna know ‘f you trust us to protect you.” Stack continued. “Do you trust us?” He asks Amari. Amari looked down to see Stack had his hand stuck out—inviting her to grab. Amari raised a shaky hand up until her small hand wrapped around Stack’s large calloused palm—feeling the warmth of his hand.
“I accept.” Amari finally spoke.
“‘F that’s the case, you still wanna eat your birthday cake?” Both of them heard a gruff voice ask. Amari and Stack whirled around to see Smoke standing by the door. “How long were you righ’ there?” Stack asked Smoke. “Long enough to hear y’all lil’ heart to heart.” Smoke replied as he strides in. Smoke opened up the refrigerator and pulled out the cake that was covered in white vanilla icing. When Smoke set it down, Amari looks up at him then says the one thing that changed the relationship between them.
“Amari.”
Smoke looked at her confused.
“Beg ya pardon?” Smoke asked.
“Amari…that’s my name.” Amari repeated. Smoke looks at Amari for a second—hoping that she was pulling his leg—but then kneels down in front of her.
This one I remember asking @partylikemajima in one of the comments but would it be funny if the twins scared the fuck outta Annie and she swung on them but Smoke got turned on by that?
Smoke would look at that woman like prey and she’d end up pregnant all over again 😂😂
"Annie! Have you've seen my hat!?" Smoke called out walking around the living room.
"No Smoke!" Annie called from the bedroom upstairs. "Where did you have it last?"
"It was on the hat rack where it's usually at." Smoke replied as he hurried upstairs. "'N where's Y/N?"
"She should be in her room." Annie replied as she put on her necklace.
Smoke opens your room door to see it completely empty. No sight of you at all. Smoke frowned.
"Where's this girl at?" Smoke thought to himself.
All of a sudden, Smoke began to hear little girl giggles: Your giggles.
Smoke looked around to figure out where the giggles were coming from and then realized that it was coming from underneath your bed. Smoke smirked to himself, knowing that you like to play hide 'n seek.
"Oh no, where's Y/N?" Smoke asked, feigning confusion, as you covered your mouth to stifle your giggles. "Where's that crazy lil' girl at?"
You watched as his feet continued to move across the wooden floorboards while keeping your mouth covered from laughing.
"Oh well..." Smoke begins, faking his defeat. "I reckon' I can't find my sweet lil' girl here." You then watched as Smoke's feet walked away from your bed and then heard the door close. You let out a sigh of relief, thinking that you were home free.
All of a sudden, you felt something grab at your ankle and pull you out from underneath the bed. You screamed as you were face to face with Smoke, who had a smug smile on his face.
"H-how!?" You squeaked out.
"I'm your papa." Smoke replied, letting your ankle go. "Now gimme back my hat." Smoke takes his hat off your head.
"You always do that." You pouted.
"'N yet you still think you can try to hide." Smoke replied back with a chuckle. "Now c'mon 'n go downstairs, your mama's waitin' on us."
You giggled as you hurried downstairs to the entrance where Annie was standing by the door.
"You tried to hide from ya papa again?" Annie asked.
"Yeah." You replied as you ran to the truck. "Is everyone else gon' be at the party?" You asked Annie.
"Y'know everyone's gon' be there for Cousin Sammie's birthday." Annie reminded you. "Cousin Lisa, Cousin Junior., and your uncles 'n aunts." She listed.
You smiled after hearing that, excited to see all of your family.
"But wait, what 'bout my friend?" You remembered.
Annie and Smoke, who was coming towards the door, looked at you confused.
"Your friend?" Smoke asked. "Y'mean Celie?"
You shook your head no.
"No, my friend Remmick." You specified. "You remember him."
Smoke and Annie thought for a second before it hit Smoke.
"Hey, lemme tell you this now, that man is not your friend." Smoke tells you.
You frowned.
"But he's nice." You defended.
"He tried to eat you when y'all first met." Annie reasoned.
"I forgave 'im for that." You rebut. "He hasn't tried to ever since."
"Don't care." Smoke shot down. "You stay away from 'im, he's not what you think he is."
You pout as you stormed off to the truck.
Annie lets out a tired sigh.
"I swear that child makes friends with monsters quicker than she did at school." She commented.
"Yeah, but I'on care 'f that bastard is friendly or what, 'f I catch 'im near Y/N I'm rippin' his fangs out." Smoke growled out.
"This gon' be a long night." Annie thought to herself as she got in the truck.
"Hey! Y'all made it!" Sammie called out as you ran up to him with open arms.
"Cousin Sammie!" You squealed as you hugged his waist.
"Hey lil' bit." Sammie chuckled out, rubbing the top of your head.
You pulled away and crossed your arms.
"I'm not lil', I'm 7." You corrected him.
"Yet you still only go up to my stomach." Sammie teased.
You blew a raspberry at him.
"Preacher Boy, you love messin' with her do you?" Stack chuckled, stepping up to the door.
"Hi Uncle Stack." You greet.
"C'mon in babygirl, your cousins are already here." Stack tells you.
"I'm not a babygirl." You scold while storming inside.
Smoke and Annie walked up to the porch.
"She a lil' pissed off tonigh' huh?" Stack commented.
"She mad 'cause that vampire can't come here." Annie explained.
Stack felt his heart drop after hearing that.
"She still messin' with that motherfucker?" Stack asked Smoke.
"We've been tryin' to keep 'em away from each other." Smoke explained. "I'on see why she considers him as a friend."
"Who we talkin' about?" Sammie asked.
"Nuthin', just get inside the house." Smoke tells Sammie as the men go inside. Before Annie walked in, she looked at the moonlight that was shining like a natural light then sighed to herself.
"I hope he doesn't come here tonigh'." She muttered to herself before walking inside.
"Hey Y/N." Junior greets you.
Cousin Cornelius Miller Junior a.k.a Junior was only a few months younger than you yet he looked like the spitting image of your Uncle Cornbread.
"Hey Junior." You greet him back. "It's been a while has it?"
"Yeah, I haven't seen you since ma 'n pa's weddin' anniversary." Junior recalled. "Heard you made some friends at school too."
"Yeah, well, almost." You confirmed. "2 girls 'n one boy, though the boy is cousins with an ass."
Junior snorted at you cussing.
"Hey, watch ya mouth when ya hear." Lisa came up to y'all after hearing you.
"Hey Cousin Lisa." You greet. "How's the roses comin' along?" You asked.
"They bloomin' in real nice." Lisa replied. "'F they fully bloom I promise to send you some."
You smile with a nod.
Sammie walks up to you.
"What 'chu up to rascal?" He asked.
"Nuthin', I just wish Remmick was here." You sighed out.
"Who?" Sammie asked.
"My friend." You specified. "Ma 'n pa said I can't be 'round him because he's different."
"Is he white?" Sammie asked.
"Why does that matter?" You questioned.
"Well, y'know how white folks are here in the Delta." Sammie tells you.
"But Remmick is different." You tried to defend. "He's friendly."
"Trust me Y/N, no white folks are friendly towards us with no strings attached." Sammie stated.
You frowned as you walked off to the dining area where Junior was at.
"Ma always told me to make friends, but why the minute I do, it's a problem?" You complained as you and Junior rolled the ball around the floor.
"Maybe 'cause you tryin' to be friends with people that are mean." Junior answered.
"No, I'm tellin' ya, I already dealt with that at school with that one ass." You grumbled, referring to Eddie. "How can Willie be related to someone like 'im?" You thought to yourself.
"Yeah, but my daddy said that just 'cause a person is smilin' doesn't mean they friendly." Junior stated.
"Well, he did try to eat me when we first met, but that's his nature." You reasoned.
"Eat you? What is he? A monster?" Junior questioned.
"Well, sumthin' like that." You replied.
"Then I really do agree with Uncle Smoke 'n Aunt Annie." Junior shuddered. "I wouldn't want to be friends with anyone who tried to eat me at first."
You huffed.
"Fine, be like that." You grumbled.
"Hey!" Annie called out. "'F y'all gon' play with that ball do it in the backyard!" She adds.
You and Junior got up and walked outside with the ball in tow.
Remmick had just got through feeding off on some poor victim. He wiped the blood away from his mouth--hunger satisfied and belly full of blood.
"That should last me for the nigh'." Remmick pants. Remmick then looks at the sky to see the moon giving an illuminating glow like a natural light in the sky and something had pop into his head.
"I wonder how lil' one's doin'." Remmick thought to himself before he ascended up into the air, starting his trip to go see you. While flying in the air, Remmick thought to himself,
"It's been a while since I've seen lil' one." He thought to himself. "I hope she's been stayin' out of trouble...ah, who am I kiddin'? Her folks definitely keep her out of harms way."
As Remmick continued to soar through the air, a familiar scent hit his nose. He sniffed the air while flashing a smile, showing his fangs.
"There she is."
"Bet ya I can kick the ball high in the sky." Junior challenged. You gave your younger cousin a smug smile.
"Oh yeah?" You asked. "Do it." You giggled.
Junior set the ball down then took a few steps back before charging full speed to kick the ball. The ball only went far by 3 feet. You scoffed.
"That's nuthin'." You dismissed, walking up to the ball to retrieve it.
Junior scoffed while crossing his arms.
"Think you can do better?" Junior asked.
"I'on think, I either know or I do." You replied--cocky.
Once you set the ball down, you took 5 steps back--farther than Junior's step. You then took a deep breath before running full speed at the ball. You let out a yell as you kicked the ball hard. Junior's eyes grew wide as the ball went soaring into the air then let's out a low whistle.
"Well dang." He commented as you stood there in triumph.
"Told ya so." You giggled.
However, your victory was short lived when you heard the ball hit something on impact along with a grunt. You gasped as you and Junior watched as something fell from the air and landed in the bushes.
"What the? Did you hit a bird!?" Junior exclaimed.
"That's way too big for it to be a bird." You pointed out. "'Sides birds don't fly at night." You added.
"Yes they do, they can see in the dark." Junior argued back.
"Then what type of bird is it?" You quizzed.
Junior went silent.
"I'on know." He finally answered.
"Right." You replied back.
Junior then tenses up when he sees the bushes move--rustling--along with the sounds of some low groaning. This alerted you as well but curiosity got the better of you as you cautiously tip toe over to the bushes.
"Y/N, what chu-"
You shush Junior while continuing to slowly make your way to the bushes. All of a sudden, the groaning grew a bit louder and then you froze as a silhouetted human like figure rose up from the bushes.
"Agh! When do balls start hittin' me while I'm flyin'?" An Irish accented voice groaned.
Your suspicion died down and was replaced with happiness once you realized who it was.
"Remmick!" You exclaimed.
Remmick whirled around to see your beaming face.
"Ah! Hey Y/N, it's been a while, hasn't it?" Remmick greets while he steps out of the bushes.
Junior's blood ran cold once Remmick stepped out into the moonlight to see his blood stained clothes and dried blood stuck to his mouth and chin. His legs shook once his eyes zeroed in on Remmick's sharp fangs and claws. His fight or flight instincts were battling in his body, but eventually Junior made his decision.
"Mama! Papa! There's a white ma-"
You immediately covered his mouth.
"Are you crazy? You'll get our parents out here." You spoke in a hushed tone.
Junior pushed your hands away.
"That's the plan!" Junior yelled. "Ma-"
You covered his mouth again.
"He ain't gon' hurt us." You assured him. "He's nice."
"He's covered in blood!" Junior muffled into your hand.
"He was hungry." You pointed out. "He drinks blood."
"That's still bad!" Junior yelled out into your hand.
Remmick stood there dumbfounded as he watched your 7 year old self arguing with your younger cousin.
"See?" You begin. "He says he's not gon' eat you." You assured Junior. "Now, I'm gon' take my hand off your mouth 'n when I do, you better not call out to any of the grown folks, understood?" You instructed Junior.
Junior nods his head then you slowly remove your hands from his mouth. Junior didn't scream this time as he got a good look at Remmick, who waved at him with a fang flashing smile. Junior shuddered before he begins to speak.
"W-what are you?" Junior asked. "Why's your teeth 'n nails so sharp?"
Remmick chuckled.
"That's just how I look." Remmick answered. "I'm a vampire, you ever heard of 'em?" He asked Junior.
"Only from Auntie Annie." Junior replied. "I didn't know that vampires are real."
Remmick chuckled.
"Then I reckon' I'm a first." He says. "What y'all up to?"
"We're just playin' with the ball." You explained. "Actually, where is it?" You asked. Remmick went back to the bush to retrieve the ball.
"This yours?" He asked. "I was wonderin' what hit me when I was flyin'."
You fiddled with the hem of your skirt--guilty.
"Sorry." You apologized.
"Eh, no harm done lil' one." Remmick assures you. "I was actually hopin' to see you."
Junior was standing there, still a bit confused by the fact that you and Remmick were talking like y'all were good friends.
"How did y'all two meet?" Junior asked.
You and Remmick looked at each other then back at Junior.
"Would ya believe me 'f I say that he tried to eat me when I was 5?" You giggled.
"Actually, yes, I would've believed that." Junior replied. "Wait, then how come y'all are friends after he tried to eat you."
"Eh, I began to see her as someone worth protectin' rather than eatin'." Remmick replied as he playfully pinches your cheek.
"Does Uncle Smoke 'n Auntie Annie know?" Junior asks.
You and Remmick share an uneasy look, remembering the first time your parents met Remmick.
"They do...'n it's not good." You nervously answered. "B-but Remmick is still nice."
Junior frowned, growing suspicious.
"Right..." He answered.
"Hey, should I show 'im sumthin' cool?" Remmick asks you.
"Are talkin' about what I think you're talkin' about?" You asked as Remmick nods his head. You clapped excitedly then grab Junior's hand and pull him towards Remmick.
"Trust me on this." You replied. "Remmick wants to show you sumthin' cool."
Remmick nods as he turns around and crouches down.
"Get on me back." He tells Junior.
Junior was hesitant but he cautiously walked over to Remmick and climbed onto his back. You smiled before telling Junior,
"Hold on tight."
"Wha-"
Before Junior could question anything, Remmick immediately jumps up and begins flying. Junior quickly wraps his chubby little arms around Remmick's neck while screaming his heart out.
"Don't worry Junior! You're okay!" You called out.
Junior was scared for his life as Remmick continued to fly around in the sky but eventually he began to have fun as he looked around at the clouds and at the moon. Junior lets out a happy laugh, much to Remmick's delight. When Remmick sets Junior down, Junior is still high off the adrenaline.
"So, how'd you like that?" You asked Junior.
"He can fly!" He yelled out. "'N I almost pee'd my pants!" Junior admits.
Remmick barks out a laugh.
"Glad you like that kid." He replied.
Junior then gets an idea.
"Hey Y/N, think he could fly us both around in the sky?" He challenged.
Remmick cocked an eyebrow--interest piqued.
"Alrigh' then." Remmick chuckled. "One of you can get on my back 'n the other I could just grab by the arms." He instructed.
"Yay!" You both cheered in sync.
While the adults were gathering around to sing Happy Birthday to Sammie, Cornbread noticed something.
"Hmm, Therese..." He calls out. "Junior's been hella quiet for a while."
"Maybe he 'n Y/N are just sittin' around somewhere in the livin' room." Therese guessed.
Cornbread peeked his head into the living room and scanned the area. No sight of you nor Junior.
"He's not there." Cornbread reports to Therese. "Neither is Y/N."
This caught Smoke's attention.
"Huh? What 'chu mean Y/N ain't here?" He asked.
"Last time I saw 'em was when they went into the backyard with the ball." Sammie recalled.
Cornbread and Smoke looked at each other before they both made their way outside to the backyard. Cornbread felt his heart sink to his ass when his mini him and you were no where in sight.
"W-where did they go?" Cornbread stammered out. "HOW COULD THEY BE GONE IN 10 MINUTES!?" He yelled out.
Cornbread's outburst alarmed everyone else as they all made their way to where Smoke and Cornbread was.
"The kids are gone!?" Therese yelled out.
"What happened?" Grace asked.
"How did they get out?" Bo asked.
"I knew I should've had someone watch 'em!" Annie groaned in frustration.
Everyone was clamoring and questioning you and Junior's whereabouts, which began to stress Smoke out. He then yells out,
"QUIET!!!"
Everything went dead silent. All they could hear was the crickets.
Smoke took a deep breath before he spoke,
"I have a good feelin' on where they at...or who's with 'em."
"Weeeeee!" You laughed as Remmick held onto you while Junior rode on his back. Remmick continued to fly through the air while the clouds hit y'all faces and the wind blew through all of y'all hair.
"Alrigh' lil' ones, it's time we stop here." Remmick announced, slowly lowering down much to yours and Junior's dismay.
"Awww, can we have a lil' more time?" You pout.
"No, no, I'm sure your folks are probably wonderin' where y'all are at." Remmick reminds you.
Once Remmick went lower, he noticed that something was off: Y'all weren't anywhere near the house nor the backyard.
"Oh...that's not good." Remmick muttered out.
Junior noticed that they were in an unfamiliar spot as well.
"H-hey, this isn't the backyard." He noted.
"I'm sure we landed somewhere near it." You replied, trying to stay optimistic as you scanned the area. Nothing but trees, dirt, and some houses. Your heart dropped.
"R-Remmick, I thought you were keepin' an eye for the backyard." You whimpered out.
"We were in the clouds, so I couldn't see." Remmick explained.
Now was the time to panic.
When you all got on the ground, your little heart started racing fast.
"Are...are we lost?" Junior asks Remmick.
Remmick gulped as he looked around the area.
His silence was enough confirmation for both you and Junior.
"We're lost! We're lost!" You cried out.
"What do we do!?" Junior yelled. "Pa's gon' be lookin' for me!"
Remmick was panicking at the sight of you and Junior's distress.
"L-let's calm down." He stammered out. "We'll find a way back, I promise." Remmick swore.
You looked up at him with teary eyes.
"R-really?" You blubbered.
Remmick nods.
"Let's just walk around for a spell 'til we can find someone who'll help us." He suggested.
Remmick stuck his hand out for you to grab as he did the same with Junior. Junior nervously accepts his hand as they all began to walk around the unknown area.
During the walk, Junior looks up at Remmick.
"Hey Remmick..." He begins, grabbing Remmick's attention. "How did you become a vampire?"
Remmick sighs before he begins.
"Well, let's just say I was tricked." Remmick replied. "Many years ago, I came across a strange man who says that he grants nice things for people." He explained.
"Like a wishin' well or sumthin'?" You guessed.
"Sumthin' like that." Remmick replied. "The strange man gave me sumthin', a drink, 'n says that it's supposed to let me live forever." He continued.
You frowned at that.
"My mama always told me to never take things from someone I'on know." You remembered.
"Yeah, that was sumthin' I ain't think about back then." Remmick replied with a nervous chuckle. "I was a stupid lad who wanted to live to see how the future would look like."
"So, you took the drink 'n it changed you into a vampire?" Junior asked.
"All I remember was after drinkin' it, I passed out 'n then I woke up." Remmick explained. "I thought that I was fine 'til I couldn't see myself in the mirror."
"Vampires can't see themselves in a mirror?" You asked.
Remmick shook his head.
"That was one thing 'n another thing was when I tried to go outside." Remmick replied. "Couldn't go out with the sun actually cookin' me alive."
Junior shuddered at that.
"So that's why you only come out at nigh'?" Junior asked. "Do you sleep durin' the day?"
Remmick chuckled.
"Yes, but that's to make sure that it'll be safe for me to come out at nigh'." He explained.
"Wish you could start comin' out in the day time." You sighed. "Maybe we could've been able to play durin' the day."
"Aw shucks, but that's how vampires work lil' one." Remmick tells you.
Remmick then halts once he began to sense that something was wrong. This alarmed you.
"Remmick, what's the matter?" You asked.
Remmick could hear the whispers of an approaching threat as he closed his eyes to listen.
"Quiet..." He muttered out.
"It's two lil' nigger kids..."
"The hell is some monkeys doin' in this part of town"
"Let's get 'em...gon' skin 'em alive."
That last one really alarmed Remmick as he scooped you and Junior up and began to run.
"What!? What!? What's goin' on!?" Junior asked.
"We gotta get outta here! Now!" Remmick yelled. "This place ain't safe!"
Before Remmick could run home free...
BANG!
Remmick fell to the ground after being knocked back from a bullet, dropping both you and Junior. Junior looked in horror to see the bullet wound in Remmick's shoulder.
The three of you then heard a gun cock then you whirled around to see three white men stalking towards you, wielding guns.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" One of them chuckled out.
"We got some white man 'n two lil' nigger kids." Another one answered.
You noticed that one of them had a patch on his shirt...one that had a cross like symbol on it surrounded by a red circle. It then hit you on what that symbol was.
"Junior...we have to leave...now." You quivered out as you quickly tried to help Remmick up. "These are Klan men."
Junior couldn't move as one of the Klan men aimed his gun at him.
"Why are ya here boy? Y'know your kind ain't welcome here."
Junior was took scared to speak.
Remmick looked at you and Junior's fear filled faces then snarled as he slowly got up.
"W-wait, Remmick, what 'chu doin'?" You stammered out.
Remmick just glared at the Klan men before he turned to you and Junior.
"Y/N...take ya cousin 'n hide behind that rock over there." He ordered. "I got this."
"Thought I told his ass...to stay the hell...away from her." Smoke growled out while gripping the wheel. Cornbread was holding onto the seat for dear life.
"So, it's the same vampire that tried to eat Y/N 2 years ago?" Cornbread guessed.
"Yes, how else were they able to leave the backyard without any of us seein' them?" Smoke pointed out. "I swear when I get my hands on 'im, I'mma kill 'im!"
"How when bullets don't work?" Cornbread points out.
"Oh, I got some stakes in the trunk." Smoke nonchalantly explained. "Annie, Stack, 'n I made some a while back after what happened with Y/N was 5."
"Okay, now that's smart...BUT I AIN'T THINK THAT JUNIOR WOULD GET GOT EITHER!" Cornbread roared out in anger. "Lord knows what that vampire is tryin' to do with 'em."
Smoke clenched his jaw as he hits the gas to speed up.
"Papa's comin' baby...papa's comin'." Smoke thought to himself.
You screamed in horror as Remmick took a bite out of one of the Klan members, letting blood gush out from their neck. Junior was keeled over while retching at the sight of blood. Remmick growled with his fangs full out along with his claws while his eyes glowed a deep red.
To you this was the very first time seeing Remmick going feral.
The last Klan member was now trembling in fear as his two members laid there dead with their throats ripped open and blood pouring out.
"Y-you's not human..." He trembled.
Remmick cracked a wicked grin as he walked up to the shaking Klan member. The Klan member just froze with his gun still aiming at Remmick but petrified to shoot.
"Don't worry...I'll let ya live." Remmick tells the Klan member. "Only 'f you'll promise to see us all as one." He motions over to you and Junior.
The Klan member found his guts.
"No! You burn in hell you bastard!" He barked out.
Remmick's lip twitch but he still kept the same smile on his face.
"Fine then..."
You and Junior both covered your eyes and all you can hear is Remmick's growling along with the screaming of the surviving Klan member.
It was now just silence.
Remmick walked up to you and Junior, panting and soaked in blood.
"They can't...hurt you no mo'." He pants.
"You...you killed them." You quivered out.
"I know...not the best thing to do but they was gon' hurt y'all two." Remmick reasoned. Junior looked over Remmick's shoulder to see all the body laying down then vomited on the ground.
"Oh...that's nasty." Junior groaned out before vomiting again.
"He don't like blood, do he?" Remmick asked you.
"Not really." You replied. "He always throw up at the sight of blood." You briefly explained.
Remmick just shook his head then began to walk.
"C'mon now, let's get back to findin' home." He tells you and Junior as you both began to follow him.
During the walk, something popped into your head.
"How did you know that they were near us?" You asked. "The Klan men?"
"Just 'nother thing that vampires do." Remmick replied.
"Vampires just seem so much fun to be." You commented.
"Well, besides the blood eatin' part." Junior groaned out.
"Trust me lil' ones, it's not." Remmick sighed out. "Can't feel the warmth of the sun without cookin' myself alive nor can I see my face again."
Sympathy grew into your little heart as you pat the lower part of his back.
"It's okay, we'll find a way for you to enjoy the sun." You assure him.
Remmick was in awe at your kind nature.
"Ah shucks, thank you lil-"
BANG!
You and Junior jumped and screamed when Remmick was knocked back into the ground with a bullet hole in his chest this time.
"GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM OUR KIDS!"
When you and Junior got back to Sammie's house, Annie and Therese ran up to y'all.
"Y/N! Are you okay!?" Annie cried out as she quickly checked your body for injuries.
"Cornelius Miller Jr! What the hell were you thinkin'!?" Therese yells at Junior.
"We were just flyin' 'n we got lost." You explained. "Remmick came here."
"Don't lie to me! Where the hell were y'all?" Annie asked you.
"She's not fibbin'." Junior defends. "Remmick came here 'n I asked 'im if he could fly while holdin' both of us 'n we got lost 'n...'n...we almost got killed by Klan." He explained.
When Junior explained that, Therese fainted.
"Therese!" Cornbread exclaimed as he caught his unconscious wife. "Boy how'd you make it out okay?"
"Remmick saved us." You replied. "He killed 'em 'n that's why he was covered in blood." You explained.
Smoke's eyebrows furrowed.
"So, that blood wasn't y'all's?" He asked.
You and Junior both shook y'all heads no.
"You can check us for scratches or anythin'." You insisted. "Remmick saved us from gettin' killed, you gotta believe us!"
Annie just shook her head.
"Y'know what it's best that we get home." Annie tells Smoke, much to your dismay.
You pout as Annie grabbed you by the hand and walked you to the car. You looked back at Junior with a sad look as he helped Cornbread carry Therese to the car.
"So much for tryin' to have fun..." You thought to yourself.
"She in her room?" Smoke asked.
Annie sighs then she nods her head.
"Yeah, she's still upset 'bout earlier." She explained.
"Look, she gon' learn that when we tell her 'bout sumthin' that it's for her own good." Smoke stated. "As for that damn vampire..." Smoke grumbled out. "I better not see 'im within' 10 feet of us."
Smoke then storms off to retreat to the bedroom he and Annie share.
"I should start makin' a mojo bag for Y/N..." Annie thought to herself. "There's too much danger in the Delta."
Annie went downstairs to make a mojo bag for you to grant you protection. She lit up the candles then clasped her hands together while muttering the prayer,
"Soil of my soil, bone of my bone, blood of my blood, I bless you...ashé."
All of a sudden, Annie heard a noise coming from outside. This alarmed her as she blew the candles out. Annie grabbed the razor blade from the table and cautiously make her way outside on the porch, armed.
It was quiet...too quiet but Annie still had a feeling that she was being watched. However, Annie thought exactly who could be here.
"I know it's you." Annie spoke in a calm voice. "Come out."
Remmick slowly came out from behind the tree with his hands up in the air. Annie noticed the bullet hole in his chest from when Smoke shot him.
"I...I ain't here to harm anyone...I promise." Remmick spoke in a calm voice. "Just please...don't shoot me."
Annie still kept her blade up in between her and Remmick as Remmick slowly walked up to her.
"We were just flyin' 'n I wasn't payin' attention to where we were." Remmick explained. "I did try to get 'em back when I realized that we were in Klan territory." He continued. "'F I didn't kill 'em, they would've hurt the lil' ones." Remmick adds in.
Annie then remembers what you and Junior explained with Remmick's testimony matching up, Annie believed him. She lowered the razor blade.
"So, you really did save 'em huh?" Annie asked with a hand on her hip.
Remmick quickly nods his head while gesturing to his stained clothes.
"All this blood came from the Klan members." He stated. "But miss, I ain't here to start no trouble...I just want to prove that I'm not a threat."
"Well, you tried to eat our daughter 2 years ago so that failed." Annie recalled.
"Hey...I get that it was messed up but vampires gotta eat." Remmick justified. "But...I'm sorry for tryin' to eat Y/N."
Annie nods at Remmick.
"Well, I'm still keepin' an eye on my daughter no matter what." Annie declared. "She gon' need all the protection she can get when she gets older."
"Please, let me be the one who can protect her." Remmick pleads. "I really do care for the lil' girl 'n I swear to protect her even 'f it kills me."
"How when you can't even be out in the sun?" Annie asked.
"Some folks are just worth dyin' for." Remmick replied.
Annie sighs while closing her eyes then she turned on her heels to walk back into the house. Thinking that he was rejected, Remmick lets out a sad sigh then begins to walk. He stopped once he heard the door open up again and Annie walking out with something in her hand.
"Here."
Annie hands Remmick what looks like an umbrella.
"An umbrella?" Remmick questioned.
"It's a parasol." Annie corrected. "Made to protect from the sun."
Remmick's eyes grew wide, impressed.
"Huh, now why I ain't think about this sooner?" He chuckled out.
Annie then spoke.
"Now understand this...my husband may not accept this 'n I may have a hard time acceptin' this too, but my daughter seems to really trust you." Annie begins. "Therefore, I'm trustin' you for the sake of our daughter to protect her wherever she goes." She tells Remmick.
Remmick nods his head, understanding Annie.
"However..." Annie begins as she holds up a jar filled with a clear liquid. Confused, Remmick took a whiff and immediately gagged.
"Is that garlic?" Remmick asked.
"Mhmm." Annie replied. "'F I ever find out that you hurt our daughter or 'f you failed to protect her...I'mma kill you." She threatened.
Remmick shuddered and let out an audible gulp.
"Y-yes ma'am." He stammered.
Annie then walks back into the house, leaving Remmick out there still holding the parasol.
"I'on know who scares me more: Her mama or papa." Remmick thought to himself before looking up at the window where your bedroom was.
"Y/N...you gon' be alrigh' as long as I'm around."
You huffed as you stormed back to your bedroom---grumpy.
"I swear that girl has your stubborn nature." Annie remarks to Smoke.
"She ain't get that from me, she got that from you." Smoke rebuts. "Y'know you have the stubbornness of a mule." He adds.
Annie tilted her head with a raised eyebrow at her husband's comparison.
"'N you's just an ass." She insults.
"Y'knew that from the start 'n ya still married this ass." Smoke spoke with a smug smirk on his face.
"Boy hush."
It was now a crisp autumn October day at school. You were still in a funk from the other night, which your friends noticed.
"Who spat in ya grits this mornin'?" Eddie asked you as you slumped down in your chair.
"I swear I feel like the sayin', "They grow up so fast" is horse shit." You complained. "We ain't growin' up fast at all."
Willie sat down next to you.
"Well, why wanna grow up fast?" Willie asked you. "I'd love to be a kid forever 'cause there's a lot of fun stuff 'n imagination just runnin' wild in our minds." He pointed out.
"Well bein' a kid doesn't get us into juke joints." You mumbled out. "My ma 'n pa says I'm too young to be at Club Juke." You stated.
"The one where Sammie is singin' at?" Celie asked. You nodded your head as Celie lets out a sigh---filled with puppy love.
"I bet his voice sounds like an angel." She sighs out with hearts in her eyes. You shook your head at your best friend's crush over your older cousin.
"Well, we still have a few more years 'til we grown so..." Willie pointed out.
"But I wanna go to Club Juke now." You whined. "Where's the fun in waitin' until we're older?"
You continued to sulk when all of a sudden a light bulb lit in your head.
"Y'know what...Willie just gave me an idea." You stated---mood instantly changing from sulking to beaming.
Willie was baffled.
"I...I did?" He asked.
"Willie said that we can use our imagination." You recalled. "So, what 'f we create our own juke joint?" You suggested.
Eddie rubbed his chin---intrigued by the idea.
"Y'know what? Our own juke joint...for kids 'n by kids..." He muttered out before snapping his fingers. "I like it!" Eddie exclaimed.
Celie nods her head in agreement.
"Yeah, that way there can be a juke joint where kids can go to 'n have fun." She pointed out.
"Exactly!" You agreed. "It can be like freedom from all responsibilities from both school 'n home!"
All of you were all laughing while agreeing as you thought to yourself,
"This is gon' be good."
When recess came around, you all gathered around by the wall to plan out the kiddie juke joint.
"Why don't we just call it Club Kid?" Willie suggested.
Eddie hummed.
"While that does get the point across who the juke joint is for, I'm thinkin' about addin' a lil' sum sum to it." Eddie replied as he scribbled in the notebook. Willie cocked an eyebrow, confused.
"Klub Kid"...with a K?" He questioned.
"Think about it: It really makes the juke joint feel more like a kid's place than just "Club Kid"." Eddie explained to Willie.
"I like it." You agreed. "We'll go with Klub Kid."
Betty chimed in.
"'F ya doin' a juke joint, you gon' need entertainment." She pointed out.
Celie nods, agreeing with her little sister.
"Since juke joints usually have music, I'll do it." She volunteered.
"You play an instrument?" Eddie asked Celie.
"She sings." Betty stated. "Me 'n her sing in the gospel choir at our church." She explained.
"Pastor always said I have the voice of a saint." Celie spoke---chest puffed out with confidence.
"That's just an opinion, it's not a fact." Betty pointed out rudely.
Celie scoffed placing her hands on her hips---offended.
"You ain't have to be rude 'bout it." She fired at Betty. "'Sides I'on be soundin' like a dyin' cat Beatrice." Celie insults.
"How would you know? Since you always like to drown out everyone else's singin' with yours along with your ego...Cecilia." Betty fired back.
Tension grew thick as the two sisters glared at each other with fire in their eyes until you broke it up.
"Y'all can fight 'bout it later." You tell them both. "It's settled that Celie will be the entertainment." You confirmed.
"What else?" Eddie asked. "We got the entertainment, so what else we need?"
"We gon' need some refreshments." You listed next. "I know a thing or two 'bout making some catfish."
"Alrigh', so Y/N is on refreshment duty." Eddie agreed. "Now what?"
"Well, hey Y/N, don't one of your uncles stand outside the juke joint?" Celie recalled, referring to Cornbread.
"Yeah, that's righ'." You agreed. "We are gon' need someone to be the tosser in case things get tough." You stated.
All of you looked at Willie, who sat there confused.
"What?" He asked.
Eddie smirked at him.
"Y'know exactly what big man." He chuckled out.
Willie's eyes grew wide as he rapidly shook his head.
"Oh no! I ain't a violent man!" Willie immediately shot down. "No way!"
"But Willie you's the biggest one out of all of us." Celie pointed out.
Willie crossed his arms and looked away.
"Nope, not happenin'." Willie rejected.
You and Celie looked at each other then Celie nudged you to do something. You took a deep breath before leaning forward.
"Please Willie?" You asked---voice sweet like candy. "Can you be our big strong tosser for our kid juke joint?"
Willie didn't look you in the eye, knowing that he would fall for it if he looked at you. Willie didn't say a word as he kept his eyes averted away from yours with batted eyelashes.
However, Willie peaked over his shoulder to see you still staring at him with the sweetest smile on your face while you fluttered your eyelashes at him. Willie groaned in defeat.
"Ohhhhh! Fine I'll be the tosser." Willie grumbled out as a shade of pink spread across his chubby cheeks.
You giggled, feeling victorious.
"Good, we now have someone to toss the rowdy ones out." You continued the planning.
"Well, what can me 'n Betty do?" Eddie asked. "We can't just sit on our asses the whole time."
You pondered for a minute.
"Well, don't people have to pay for anythin' in a juke joint?" Betty asked.
"Yes, yes, they do." You agreed.
"Well, you gon' need someone to handle the money 'cause we gon' need the money to buy the stuff to keep the place afloat." Betty explained.
Celie smiled.
"'N I'm guessin' you gon' take that duty? My lil' math genius sister?" Celie encouraged.
Betty nods her head with a cocky smile on her face.
"Alrigh', so it's settled that Betty will be on money duty." You confirmed.
Eddie wasn't satisfied though.
"Hey! What do I do?" Eddie asked. "Y'all took all the good jobs."
You all looked at each other trying to think of what Eddie could do, but no one could think of anything at the moment.
"We'll think of sumthin' when the time comes." You assured Eddie. "Other than that, we should be good for our juke joint!" You squealed excitedly. Everyone cheered until Betty's voice cut the celebration short.
"Hold it." She spoke, silencing all of you. "Y'all missin' one last thing." Betty stated.
You looked at her confused.
"What 'chu mean? We got everythin'." You pointed out.
"Everythin' but the place itself." Betty rebuts.
That's when it hit you:
Y'all don't even have an actual place to do the juke joint at.
"Damn! Why I ain't think of that from the start?" You groaned as you facepalmed yourself.
"How did your pa 'n uncle get Club Juke in the first place?" Willie asked.
"They bought it off some fat white man in a cowboy hat some years ago." You explained. "However, though, that ended up supposin' to be a trap since that man almost tried to kill all of 'em the very next mornin'." You added in.
Willie shuddered at that.
"R-really?" He stammered out. "'N they still kept the place?"
"Well, they bought the sawmill 'n papa warned the man from the start that 'f he 'n any klan members tried to step foot that he 'n Uncle Stack was gon' kill 'em." You recalled. "Mama told me this story when I was 'bout 7 years old." You explained.
"I swear I still believe it to this day that you got lucky to be the daughter of the Delta's most feared 'n respected men." Eddie commented as you chuckled.
"But we can't actually borrow the sawmill." Celie pointed out. "We probably gon' have to build one with our bare hands."
Willie then smiled to himself.
"'N I think I know just the place for it too." He announced.
William Jones Sr. was the proud owner of Willie 'n Son's hardware store. It was the best in all of the Delta since it started off with Willie's grandfather then passed down to Willie Sr. and eventually Willie will own it when he's old enough for it.
"Willie, this is a good idea." You commented as you and your friends scanned the aisles.
"With this type of wood, we can make the biggest kid juke joint in all of the Delta." Eddie stated, amazed at all the different types of wood on display.
"Does everyone have any money though?" Betty asked.
You all dug into your pockets to pull out loose changes. Some of y'all had enough to fit in one palm and some of y'all had enough to fit in both palms.
"Ya think this is enough?" You asked Willie.
"Only one way to find out." Willie replied as you all walked to the counter.
Willie Sr. was at the counter reading the newspaper when he looked down at the kids in front of him.
"Hey pa, we wanna buy some wood." Willie told his father.
Willie Sr. raised an eyebrow.
"How much y'all got?" He asked.
You all poured your coins out on the counter, letting them pool out.
"How much wood can we get for this much?" Willie asked Willie Sr.
Willie Sr. looked at the loose coins on the counter then reached down to pull out a small block of wood, much to y'all's disappointment.
"Y'all need a paper bag for this?" Willie Sr. asked.
You all groaned.
You all sat outside the store, faces frowned up with discouragement.
"Where in the hell are we gon' get a $100 at?" You asked.
"At that rate, we already gon' be adults by then." Celie added in. "We'll be too old for Klub Kid."
You sighed in defeat.
Willie then looked at Eddie.
"S-should we tell 'em?" He asked Eddie.
This caught your attention.
"Tell us what?" You asked.
Willie and Eddie looked at each other then back at you, Celie, and Betty.
"We...may know a place that could be big enough for our juke joint." Eddie tells you.
"Where are we?" You asked as you continued to follow Willie and Eddie through the trees.
"Where are ya takin' us?" Celie asked.
"We're almost here." Willie tells you.
You then looked ahead to see a small wooden house---presumably an old cabin---in front of y'all as Willie and Eddie stopped.
"Here it is." Eddie announced as he and Willie continued to walk inside.
You, Celie, and Betty followed them in to gaze at the interior, which was filled with nothing but drawings that were done by either Willie or Eddie.
You couldn't help but be impressed by this.
"When did you find this place?" Celie asked Eddie.
"Almost a year ago." Eddie replied. "Me 'n Willie were wanderin' around one day after school 'n we came across this." He explained.
"From what this place looks like, it's probably one of them old cabins that sharecroppers used to store their stuff." Betty pointed out.
"It is, but no one came here ever since me 'n Eddie found it." Willie explained. "We assumed that it's abandoned 'n that the other sharecroppers that had it died." He added.
You shuddered at that.
"This...is...perfect!" You exclaimed. "This is big enough to fit at least our whole classroom." You guessed.
"This was meant to be our secret clubhouse but we can use it for Klub Kid." Eddie tells you.
"All we need to do is some cleanin' up a bit 'n we should be okay." Willie advised.
"Let's do it then!"
For roughly an hour, y'all were cleaning and rearranging the secret club house into y'all kid juke joint.
"How do we cook the fish?"
"I can use my mama's fryin' pan 'n make a small fire."
"Should we place this box here?"
"Yeah, that can be used as the bar."
"How do we make a stage?"
"I'll think of sumthin' for that."
Once it was done, you all got a good look at your new Klub Kid then smiled to y'allselves.
"We did it...we did it, everyone." You chuckled out as you high fived Eddie.
"So, how do we spread the news?" Celie asks you.
Eddie pointed at himself with his thumb.
"Leave it to me." He tells you all. "I think I know what job I can do for this."
The next day at school, you were all in class when you, Eddie, Celie, and Willie all looked at each other then nod your heads---signaling that it was time to unleash the plan.
You took out a small piece of paper and handed it to a random student next to you. Willie did the same with a student behind him along with Eddie and Celie doing the same with other random students.
"Spread the news." Eddie whispered to the student with a wink.
The random student opened up the piece of paper and read it.
Lookin' for a place of freedom? No school? No chores? Just music, food, 'n fun?
Then come on to Klub Kid!
We got singin', food, 'n no homework!
Y'all ready to eat? Y'all ready to drank? Y'all ready to sweat 'til y'all stank?
Then come to the old sharecropper cabin only 3 miles away from the school!
When the bell rang, all of you got up and left the classroom---satisfied that the plan has been executed.
"Thanks for sendin' out the flyers Eddie." You thanked him.
"I told ya I got this." Eddie chuckled out. "'N nice lines there Y/N."
"It was sumthin' my Uncle Stack always says whenever he announces Club Juke to new folks." You explained.
One student approached y'all.
"H-hey, are y'all the ones runnin' Klub Kid?" They asked.
"That's us." You confirmed.
"Do we have to dress nice for the place?" They wondered.
"Yes ya do 'cause we some classy kids." Eddie replied as he tips his hat. "Come up there in your finest glad rags."
The student nodded as they walked off.
The flyers didn't stop there as you all continued to spread the news to every student during lunch.
Word spread like fire as every student---old and young---showed the flyer to anyone within close proximity.
Hearing them talk about it was music to your ears as you felt as if life was now fair for you.
"This was the best plan yet." You thought to yourself.
After Smoke picked you up from school, you were excited for the grand opening of Klub Kid. When you got home, you ran upstairs to your bedroom to find something nice to wear for the grand opening.
You then set your eyes on your purple velvet dress. Something that Stack had bought you before on your 10th birthday.
"This will be perfect for tonigh'." You thought to yourself.
Annie then calls you.
"Y/N! Did you wash your hands for dinner!?"
"I'm 'bout to mama!" You called back as you smiled to yourself while hugging the dress.
After dinner was finished, you snuck into the kitchen to grab the small frying pan Annie uses for frying fish,along with some catfish and breading, and tucked it into your bag along with your purple dress. There was then a knock on the door, which made Smoke get up and answer it to see your friends at the door.
"What y'all doin' here?" Smoke asked.
"Can Y/N come to play?" Celie asked. "We're playin' a new game."
Smoke was a bit weary as he looked to see the sun slowly lowering down like molasses.
"I'on know, it's a bit late." Smoke pointed out.
"We won't be far papa, we promise." You swore as you flashed the most innocent smile ever.
Smoke looked at you with a raised eyebrow as sweat began to form on your forehead.
He then exhales through his nose.
"Fine, but be back here by 9." He tells you.
You quickly nodded your head as you hurried out the door like your feet were on fire.
"I promise papa!" You called out as you and your friends ran off.
Smoke leaned against the door frame and shook his head.
"The hell kinda game they playin' that has to happen at nigh'?" He thought to himself.
You and your friends quickly changed by the trees then walked up to Klub Kid to see a bunch of kids there, much to your surprise.
"Damn, this is a lot more than we expect." Eddie commented.
"But hey, it's the grand openin' night, so I'd say we gon' have a couple of nights like these." You pointed out as you went inside.
To say that Klub Kid was alive would be an obvious statement.
Celie was singing and dancing on top of the box...
Eddie was helping Betty with the money...
Willie was posted up outside the cabin letting people in...
And you were frying up food for all the bellies to feed.
"Hey Y/N, ya sure it's okay to light an actual fire in here?" Eddie asked you. "This place is made of wood."
You scoffed.
"Trust me, I know my way 'round fire when it comes to cooking." You assured Eddie as you continued to fry the fish. You quickly made some for Willie then walked outside to hand it to him.
"Careful it's a lil' hot." You warned Willie as he accepts the cooked fish. "Figured you was hungry."
"Thanks Y/N." Willie thanked you. "You look beautiful." He complimented.
"Thank you Willie, I like your suit." You returned the compliment.
"Eh, it's just my Sunday clothes." Willie nervously chuckled as you leaned against the wall.
"I'll admit, this was probably the best idea ever." Willie tells you.
"Couldn't have done it without y'all." You replied back. "Now you got me wishin' that I could be a kid forever, 'cause I'on want this to end at all."
"Me either." Willie agreed.
For the past few days, y'all have been keeping the kiddie juke joint alive every time after school. After dinner your friends will always come to your house to get you and every time it's always a new excuse for Smoke or Annie to hear.
"We're doin' a study session at Celie's place."
"Willie's daddy wants us to help with cleanin' Willie's room 'n I volunteered to help."
"Eddie has...this thing that he needs my help on."
For a while Smoke did buy it but one night was different.
Smoke watched as you ran out the door, following your friends as Annie, Stack, Cornbread, and Delta Slim all sat around the living room.
"She left again huh?" Annie asked.
"Mhmm." Smoke hummed as he sat down.
"Where the hell that girl be goin' off to?" Cornbread wondered.
"I'on know but it's sumthin' new every time." Smoke replied.
"Not only that but earlier I was 'bout to fry some fish but I can't find my damn fryin' pan." Annie stated. "Not only that but I noticed that some of the fish 'n breadin' has been goin' missin' 'n I just bought it a few days ago." She explained.
Smoke frowned.
"The hell?" He muttered to himself.
"You don't think Y/N has been stealin' it?" Delta Slim assumed.
"I mean, she knows how to cook a lil' but I'on think she would take the fryin' pan to a place where there ain't no fire." Stack pointed.
"I did teach her how to start a fire when she was 11 when me 'n Therese were havin' some heatin' problems last year." Cornbread explained. "So, she knows how to start a fire on her own."
Smoke shot a glare at Cornbread, which made Cornbread tense a bit.
"Oh, righ', you didn't know 'bout that." Cornbread muttered out, realizing he put his foot in his mouth.
"I'll deal with that later." Smoke stated as he got up.
However, Smoke noticed a piece of paper on the floor by the door. Confused, Smoke took two strides over to the piece of paper and picked it up.
"Did Y/N drop this when she ran out?" Smoke thought to himself.
When he flipped the paper over, it all made sense to him now.
"Annie! I think I know where Y/N be runnin' off to with her friends."
"So, who's the host of the juke joint?" A party goer asked you and Eddie.
"I am." You and Eddie both replied in sync before looking at each other.
You cocked an eyebrow at Eddie---confused.
"It was my idea to make a juke joint for kids in the first place." You pointed out.
"Yeah, but I was nice enough to allow y'all to use me 'n Willie's secret club to turn it into a juke joint." Eddie rebuts. "'F anythin' I should be the host of the juke joint."
"But it was my idea 'n you willingly gave up y'all's secret club for it." You pointed out. "You didn't have to do that."
"'N what we would've used 'nstead of this?" Eddie asked. "'F anythin' we didn't even have enough to build one on our own."
Tension was now growing thick as you and Eddie continued to clash over ownership of the juke joint.
"I was the one with the vision here." You stated---cocky. "You just went along with it."
"Ohhh sure 'n 'f it wasn't for me 'n Willie tellin' us 'bout this, your idea would've fallen flat like your ass." He insulted you.
"I know gahdamn well ya didn't say that!" You yelled out as you slammed your hand down on the bar counter.
Celie stopped singing as everyone's heads began to turn towards you and Eddie.
"Oh hell." Celie mumbled as her and Betty walked into the crowd, trying to diffuse the situation.
"Since you wanna talk about my ass, how 'bout I kick yours?" You threatened with a raised fist. "I've slapped ya down when we were younger 'n I ain't afraid of knockin' you out."
"I'd like to see you try." Eddie challenged as he got closer.
"Oh, now this is way better entertainment." One of the party goers commented as everyone began to cheer---hoping a fight will break out between you and Eddie.
"Eddie! Y/N! Stop y'all both can be hosts!" Celie yelled out, hoping that a compromise would reach the two of you but the combined ignorance and anger blocked it out along with the chanting from the crowd.
"Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!"
"I ain't afraid of fightin' ya! Gon' head 'n throw the first punch!" Eddie barked at you.
"At least the first one will knock you clean out!" You fired back.
The crowd was going wild as you and Eddie circled each other. Everyone was placing bets on who would win, much to Betty's surprise.
"Y'know this would've been sumthin' we should've done as entertainment." She tells Celie.
"I'mma sound like an ass when I say this but, yeah, I agree." Celie agrees with a head nod.
All of a sudden, the cheering went dead silent at the sound of a door slamming open along with a booming male voice.
"The hell is goin' on here!?"
Everyone, including you and Eddie, all turned to see Smoke---stern look glued to his face--with Stack, Annie, Cornbread, and Delta Slim behind him. You looked at Willie, who looked like he had seen the Grim Reaper himself.
"I-I-I'm sorry Y/N." He stammered out. "I tried to stop 'em 'n stall 'em." He meekly explained.
"What is all this?" Annie asked.
Nobody said a word until one kid panicked.
"It's the grown folks! Run!"
The kid ran out the cabin but not before bumping in Stack on the way out. Stack accidentally knocked over the frying pan along with the active fire underneath it. The fire immediately spread across the wooden walls, eating up the wood within seconds.
Now every kid was screaming and scattering like mice as the fire continued to spread across the cabin. Kids pushed their way out the door, desperately trying to escape the possible fiery demise. You, Eddie, and Celie all ran out but Betty tripped and fell behind.
When everyone was outside, Stack counted all the kids.
"There's 25 of 'em." He announced to Smoke.
This alarmed Celie.
"W-wait, 25!?" Celie quivered as she looked around for her dear younger sister and realized she was nowhere to be found. "WHERE'S BETTY!?" She screamed out.
That realization hit all of you quick as Eddie ran back inside of the burning cabin with his hat flying off his head. The inside of the cabin was hot and collapsing quickly as Eddie squinted his eyes through the smoke in search of Betty. He found Betty passed out on the ground then picked her up to set her on his back.
Celie covered her mouth in horror and shock when Eddie came out with the unconscious Betty on his back.
"I...got her." Eddie pants out as he sets Betty down. Annie walked up to Betty while Smoke kept you and the other kids at bay.
"Give her some room." Smoke orders.
Annie places her two fingers on Betty's neck to check a pulse. Luckily there was one as Betty began to cough while her eyes fluttered open to see Eddie---face covered in ash---and Annie hovering above her.
Celie ran up to Betty and hugged her tight.
"I thought you were dead!" She cried out, squeezing Betty tight.
"She's alrigh' Smoke." Annie reports to Smoke much to yours and everyone else's relief.
You couldn't help but feel guilty that Betty almost died in that fire.
Everyone was now gathered around as they watched Klub Kid continue to go up in flames.
"Well, that was fun while it lasted." One kid commented.
"I'll say." Another one agreed.
All the kids began to walk off, while you and your friends tried to sneak off but Smoke caught y'all.
"Where y'all think y'all goin'? Get back here." He ordered in a stern voice making all of y'all stop in your tracks.
All of the adults lined up as you tried to avert your eyes away from Smoke's intimidating glare.
"Whose idea was this?" Smoke asked.
You took a deep breath before raising a hand up, much to Eddie's surprise.
"Sir, it was my idea 'n my cabin." Eddie jumped in, not wanting you to get in trouble.
"No pa, it was my idea to start all this." You told Smoke, defending Eddie as well.
"But I was the one who offered up my cabin for this." Eddie rebuts.
"Enough." Smoke growled out, making you freeze up, as he looks at you.
"So, this what you've been doin' huh?" Smoke asked as he held up the flyer.
"Shit, I forgot I had that in my bag." You thought to yourself.
Stack looked back at the cabin that was now nothing but burnt wood and ashes as smoke continued to levitate into the air.
"I'll give 'em this, they did a good job." Stack commented. "Though it only lasted a week."
You all looked at each other in shock.
"We've had this runnin' for a week!?" Celie asked. "I thought it was longer than that!"
All of y'all groaned in disappointment that Klub Kid was short lived.
Annie dug into the rubble and fished out her frying pan that was now burnt and black like coal then tuts to herself.
"Ruin my good pan...all that damn fish..." She muttered to herself.
All of a sudden, you heard Delta Slim chuckling...then he burst out laughing, which confused all of you.
"Uncle Slim, what's so funny?" You asked.
Smoke looked at him confused as well.
"I'm sorry, I ain't laughin' at this..." Delta Slim laughed. "I'm laughin' at how cute this is."
You crossed your arms.
"This wasn't 'pposed to be cute Uncle Slim." You defended. "This was meant for us, sumthin' that kids can have that grown folks wouldn't let 'em have." You explained. "We're...just tired of bein' kids 'n we want to have fun like y'all."
Cornbread shook his head.
"Trust me lil' Y/N, you gon' miss bein' a kid once you become our age." Cornbread tells you. "I'd give anythin' to be a kid again."
Stack nods his head in agreement.
"Cornbread's righ'." Stack tells you. "Bein' an adult ain't all that fun that you think it is now."
"We still tryin' to make ends meet for our families..." Cornbread begins.
"Still gotta make enough money in order to eat..." Delta Slim adds in.
"Gotta deal with the hard stuff like managin' the juke joint." Smoke adds in.
"Yeah, that's sumthin' we've learned the hard way." You sheepishly replied as you looked at the burned down cabin.
"Well, there ya go." Annie stated to you with the burnt frying pan in her hand. "Welcome to one of the struggles that ya papa has to go through." She concluded you.
Smoke then notices that it was now nighttime.
"Alrigh' now, it's time y'all go home." He announces to Willie, Betty, Celie, and Eddie.
You all bid each other farewell and parted ways.
"C'mon lil' big girl, time to go home." Stack tells you.
After you cleaned up, Smoke, Stack, and Delta Slim came into your bedroom.
"Y'all mad at me?" You asked while looking at your feet.
Smoke lifted your chin up.
"I am mad that you were out in an area you had no business bein' in." Smoke replied. "You 'n your friends don't know 'f Klan could be roamin' that area." He pointed out.
That made your heart race a little at the possibility that you, your friends, and a whole bunch of classmates could've been killed by the Klan and not by a burning fire.
"I'll admit to one thing: that was a mighty fine juke joint you 'n your friends did." Stack praised, which earned a chuckle from you.
Delta Slim sat down next to you.
"Baby girl, I know you wanna grow up 'n don't wanna be seen as a child no mo', but that's the part of growin' up." Delta Slim explained to you. "You have to be a child first before you become a grown up."
"It is nice that you 'n your friends are usin' y'all imaginations." Stack commented. "Some of us didn't even get to do that." He referred to himself. "So, I'm happy that you are actually bein' a kid 'n havin' a good childhood."
"I would encourage you to do that, but from now on...only with my approval." Smoke lectures as you nod your head.
"Also..." Delta Slim begins as he rested his chin on the top of your head. "Enjoy bein' a kid...go out there...make mistakes 'n learn from 'em cause that's where growth comes in." He tells you before pressing a loving kiss on the top of your head. "You hear me?"
Summary: Everyone survives UNTURNED besides Mary because this is for the _, strictly for the _. Takes place in the juke joint tho and Bo is still my man- argue with the wall.
Contains: Arguing, cursing, dancing, background stuff, everyone has a southern accent, gambling mentions, some fighting, but still cute sweet and nice, some anxiety and tension, the twins talk it out, flirting, Smoke x Annie, established relationships, one innuendo, this is for the _, strictly for the _
“Will you shut the fuck up?? Damn!”
“Boy, who the hell-!”
It was hot, drunkheads abound, and worse- there was still 2 hours to go until sunrise and you were tired, sighing from where you were sat on Bo’s lap, watching him deal cards with nimble hands.
“How don’t you know the steps? You black ain’t you??”
“Man, watch out!”
It’d been a long night for everyone.
It didn’t take long to figure out what the pale trio from earlier was really after, especially after Mary got back in and tried to off Stack. Annie was the first to ask the important questions while Smoke checked him over.
“She tried to bite me-“, and from that plus them asking earlier if they could be invited in, the answer came. Vampires.
The first order of business was to keep everyone inside. There was the usual fair share of complaining but no real protests once the situation was made clear: this was real and happening- leaving meant death. Period. Everyone had lives and families to get back to; even the ones that didn’t still had things they wanted to do so living was essential. Next, every window and door was locked shut.
“Well what if I gotta piss?” Cornbread whined out. A couple people shouted in agreement with him but Smoke wasn’t playing.
“Then yo ass can piss right from behind that door.” And the sound of his gun cocking made that end of discussion. Lastly, everyone had to take at least one bite of garlic to make sure no one got bit in all the fuss of the initial panic. Pearline complained, Sammie got knocked in the mouth, Stack almost caught it too because Smoke ain’t have to hit the boy like that and Delta Slim almost died since raw garlic and liquor don’t mix. Shaking your head, his old ass know damn well.
Y’all did what you could to help Stack grieve losing Mary- now you’re not saying she deserved it but god’s timing is always right. Slowly but surely, once the tension of the situation set in a bit, everyone got more comfortable. It’s just staying until the sun comes up. Delta got back on the keys, filling the room with a lazy but heavy tune, drinks got to being served again but since Sammy was temporarily banned from singing for the night, he and Pearline took to the floor with the other couples. Meanwhile the rest were either playing cards, dice, drinking or arguing.
“Mmhm! That’s why he ain’t here tonight!”
“Ya bullshittin’!”
“I ain’t! Ask anyone! Smoke shot em clear in the ass! Got the limp and erry’ thang!” The man vividly recounts what he saw earlier that day to the other slack jawed men at the table when Smoke came to get some stuff for the juke in order. It shouldn’t have been funny but you giggle anyways, leaning in to whisper in Bo’s ear over the music.
“S’that true?” He nods, grinning. You shake your head lightly at that as he presses a soft kiss to your cheek.
“How you feelin’, baby?” You hum, laying your head on his shoulder as you answer back.
“Sleepy. I wanna go home. Want you back to myself..”.
Bo’s eyes widen. Out of all the things, you just wanting to go home so y’all could be alone was what was bothering you? A fond smile dimples his cheeks as he presses another kiss to the top of your head, holding you closer to him. Voice dipping low as he gets close to your ear,
“I want you all to myself too…in bed…where I could-”, by the end, you’re flushing.
Meanwhile Smoke and Stack are off arguing in the corner office.
“See? I told you to let me handle it!” Smoke yells in his brothers face, breathing heavily in anger.
“She wasn’t yo’ business to handle-“,
“Which is exactly why I should’ve! You ain’t never been able to watch yo own back and damnnit I told you it’ll catch up and look what!”
Stack didn’t have anything to say to that because it was true. Smoke was always warning him about chasing waterfalls and when to built dams.
“You could’ve died! I woulda lost you! N’ over what? A woman you ain’t got no business bein’ wit anyways?? And I’m is ‘posed to be calm bout that?!” Unshed tears make his eyes shine as he yells and yells, until Stack understands. Cutting him off as he pulls him into a hug, clapping a hand firmly on his back. He gets it. Smoke was scared. Terrified even- of losing someone else.
Whenever he pictured any aspect of his life- past, present, or future; it always involved his brother. Like a habit. When Stack looked in the mirror, he saw Smoke. When Smoke looked in the mirror, he saw Stack. Two halves of the same whole. For a brief moment, he tries to picture how Smoke would live- truly live- without him and finds himself holding back tears at the grim image.
“I’m sorry I ain’t listen to you.”
Smoke is quiet but brings his hand over his back, patting gently.
“Should be. Don’t do no shit like that again.”
Huffing out a laugh, Stack agrees as they separate. Smoke looks up, narrowing his eyes when he sees Cornbread gambling at one of the tables, drink in hand and yells,
“Fool! Didn’t I tell yo big ass to stay by the door!”
Cornbread rolls again and the table bursts into cheers as he laughs before answering,
“Yea- but the lovebirds got that covered so I figured I take some time off.” Smoke looks around confused. Lovebirds? He looks around the floor, first spotting his cousin with his arms around Pearline then his glare softens as it lands on Annie, beautifully lit where she stood behind the bar. Soft voice and full curves have him gravitating towards her when Stack smacks him on his arm- barking out a laugh as he jerks his chin toward the closed door, smiling.
“I think thems the lovebirds in question.”
There, Bo sits with you in his lap. Thighs around his waist, foreheads pressed together, hands on shoulders as you smile, laugh and whisper about whatever. Sharing a drink and Smoke rolls his eyes as Stack coos.
“Aww~ Ain’t that just sweet?” Smoke is unamused.
“If they call that watchin’ the door then just call me boo boo the fool wit’ a side of ice because-“, Stack laughs again, hitting him on the arm as he hands him a cigarette.
“Ah ah, don’t be like that. Lighten up. S’ a hell of a night for everyone. ‘Nd before it’s over, you needa ease on a lil’”, Stack tilts his head as he rolls his shoulders. Coaxing Smoke to do the same as he takes a deep breath, shoulders dropping and Stack continues,
“And what better way to wind down than dancin’ with yo lady”, jerking his head towards Annie and Smoke follows with his eyes. Zoning out as he takes her in before he remembers-
“Then who gon’ handle the drinks?” Stack sucks his teeth, pushing him toward the bar until he’s face to face with the pain in his heart and balm of his soul and Stack shoots her off too.
“I got it covered. Y’all gon on.”
Annie shares an amused look between the two before offering Smoke her hand and he doesn’t hesitate to take it, leading her to the floor. Delta whistles, laughing as he plays up a tune that spells trouble.
It’s been one hell of a night for sure. But since the club survived this..
