I'm only a few pages in, but WOW what a beautiful tribute to the show we all love so much🥹
Thank you to my good sis @pomegranateas for putting this together for the fandom. From the inception of the idea, to gathering feedback, to spending what was probably countless hours creating something we can access and cherish forever...WE LOVE YOU🤎
It hit me recently that one of the reasons our little Duster fandom is still going strong nearly a year after the show's cancellation is, in large part, because of the show's creator, LaToya Morgan.
A few months ago, our fandom had a HUGE win when we got the opportunity to chat with her virtually and completely geek out over how much we loved the show.
LaToya Morgan is not only incredibly talented, but she's also warm, generous, funny, thoughtful, and a self-professed big nerd!
I truly believe a fandom is only as strong as its show's creatives 'willingness to authentically engage with the people who keep it alive long after it ends, the fanfic writers, fan artists, editors, gif makers, etc.
So I wanted to circle back and share this wonderful zine that our very own @pomegranateas created to celebrate a special show that deserved so much more than it got, along with this little note of appreciation from "LM."
Let this be a reminder that every fandom matters, even the small ones. Don't be afraid to GO BIG and reach out to the creatives behind your favorite shows, especially Black creatives, and let them know what their work means to you.
for a place like Arizona where it was usually warm,
too much layers had you feel as if you was in a volcano pit.
for her who was always cold the layers sooth that coldness she felt.
even if it was a small sense of warmth became enough.
unlike her he was warm to touch.
as if the sun was his victory.
even if she did not admit it she liked the type come comfort he proved.
even it stepped over the just co-workers idea.
for her he proved a kind of warmth, that even multiply layers just could not covey anymore.
for nina he came the unchanging, warmth she had been seeking.
the type where they both felt a sense of wholeness.
anti blackness is also the reason for the rampant colorism that exists worldwide, even in countries with an absence of large black communities. your proximity to blackness and whiteness is what decides where you fit in the systemic tiers of racism and classism literally WORLDWIDE. no form of oppression exists in a vacuum.
Chapter Nine- Again, please, think before you speak.
TW: not the best writer, FLUFFY, nosey but caring parents, curious kindergartener…
Summary: Y/n's mama is getting tired of waiting and ready to meet her daughter's new lil friend. So Mama L/n takes things into her own hands and invites some extra guests to Sunday dinner.
AN: at the end, Suga! ♡
WC:5K
Y/n opened the entrance to her botanical apartment, arms full of brown paper bags holding a range of household items. "Mama, you didn't have to drive me around. My car is fine."
"Baby, I know, but I missed our days together, especially since ya been hiding from me and your daddy cuz we keep asking about ya new lil friend, " she conveyed while putting down her daughter's grocery bags.
"I'm not hiding, or hiding him. " Y/n softly-claimed while putting away her items in her small linen closet. " Mama, I'm not ready for ya'll to meet him…" She added while hanging up her large purse. "i want to take it slowly and know he's the one before I jump into anything. " The grade -school teacher carefully expressed, turning back to face her Mother again.
Yet, the Mother stopped and stared at her cowardly offspring, her hands on her hips and eyebrows raised. "Baby, I say this with love and respect." Mrs.L/n parted her lips, letting out a preacher-like voice, the kind Y/n hated to hear every Sunday when visiting Mississippi. "Grow up, honey!" Mama Claire shouted out with care. " He sounds good for ya, and ya can't keep moving like this, or 'll be wait forever and two moons until ya feel ready," she stepped closer to her daughter and placed both gentle hands on her shoulders. " June bug. Let me and your daddy put our eyes on the fella and add our two cents in."
"Soon, mama, I promise." Y/n shyly smiled at her Mother.
"Fine, baby, i love you, but I need to get home and look at that hairless man of mine before he turns into a homesick puppy-dog." Her Mother explained tiredly while extending her arms.
"Bye, mama,” Y/n giggled as she tightly hugged her Mother, while Claire placed a kiss on her daughter's round, amber cheek.
Eva was outside smoking a cigarette on the concrete steps of the building, trying to avoid any complaints from the landlord about the smell of the habit as Claire L/n stepped out.“Excuse me, but do you know by any chance who Awan bitsui might be and where i could find him?” The doctor kindly asked as Eva looked up.
Eva smirked as she pointed the end of her lit cigarette to Awan in the parking lot. "You see that tall man with the two girls in his arms?" She asked, “That’s bubble boy, Awan."
"Uncle Awanie put us down!" Chayenna shouted as she was in her uncle’s arms, and her sister was in the other one
“Not until you two apologize,” Awan playfully barked at the set of sisters.
“But you do have a big nose,” Chenoa let out between giggles, long pigtails hanging down.
“And very bushy eyebrows. You should let mama wax them,” Cheyanne kindly told the man.
"Alright, I guess we're not going to the show." Mr.Bitsui argued, turning his nose up as Cheyanne and Chenoa goggled at him, beginning to whine and fuss at their uncle.
“Uncle Awanie, let us down!” The two yelled out, kicking and twisting to free themselves from Awan's grasp.
"Lord, forgive me for my behavior,” Mrs. L/n whispered to herself before taking her final step to the front of Awan's midnight-colored car. “Awan,” Claire called out, standing in front of the lively trio.
“Hi, Mrs L/n.” Awan stopped, locking his wide eyes on the woman he recognized from all the framed photographs in his girlfriend's festive apartment. Carefully placed his nieces back on the ground. He adjusted his shirt and cleared his throat before holding out his hand to shake. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
“Likewise, and these lovely little ladies are?” Dr.Claire beamed out.
“ I'm Cheyanne,” the seven-year-old cheered, waving at the newly familiar face.
“And Chenoa, I'm five,” the kindergarten student's face twisting upward, examining the woman who claimed to be the Mother of Awan’s girlfriend.
“My sister's kids,” Mr. Bitsui poured out.
“Oh, it’s nice to meet y'all.” Mrs.L/n smiled at the crowd.
"Miss Smiley stole your smile,” Cheyanne expressed with a big grin as her eyes kept wandering back and forth between the two adults, noticing the sweat forming and eyes popping out of her uncle's head. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it.
“That’s their nickname for your daughter “ he shakily proclaimed, nodding to the doctor.
Yet Chenao quickly concluded the woman’s appearance. “She doesn’t look like you, though.” The girl flatly noted, stepping forward to get a better look at the Mississippi woman.
“Chenao!” Awan and Cheyanne firmly called out in the five-year-old's direction as she covered her mouth. Yet, Claire only chuckled at the girl’s reaction.
“I get that a lot,” Mrs. L/n communicated with a grin, “but how would you three like to have dinner with us tomorrow evening?” The two girls' eyes lit up when they heard the question, since they loved the plates y/n would bring them back from her parents' house. Holding onto their uncle, they began to shake his arms while begging.
“Ooh, can we, Uncle Awanie.Please”. The two yelled out, holding onto their uncle; they began to shake his arms while begging.
"I don’t know; your mama does want you two home before dinner time." Awan nervously clarified.
"Not true! Mama always wants a break from us!" Cheyanne let out as she stared down at Awan, her arms crossed, and eyebrows raised
“Are you making cornbread?” Chenao asked, knowing her uncle was going to take them.
"Yes, I am," Mrs L/n declared cheerfully.
"And baked beans with the brown sugar on top?" The kindergartener continued to ask.
"I see my Junebug told y'all my Sunday menu." Claire giggled out, “But listen, don’t fuss with your uncle about it, ya hear!" The older woman lightly scolded the two girls, getting an agreeable nod in return. "It’s his call, but here's the address we start around three," she explained with a grin.
"We will try to make it." The two girls faced their uncle, then turned back to Miss Smiley's Mama and confirmedly smiled as they waved goodbye.

It was Sunday afternoon, and Y/n had pulled her pale yellow car into the driveway of her parents' home. Closing the front door of the Mid-Century Modern house behind herself, Y/n entered the living room where Reginald, her father, was relaxing in his off-white Lazy-Boy. She threw her keys into the side table bowl where they usually go. Her father quickly rose to greet his daughter. "Hey, daddy," She hugged the man while placing a kiss on his cheek. "Hey, mama, anything I can help with?” she asked, popping into the mod-style kitchen. All while her father rushed outside to maintain Y/n’s car.
“Set the table,” the woman ordered while placing the Southern-made baked beans into the silver oven. “We’re expecting company,” the woman carefully added while stirring a pot of collard greens.
“Oh, the ladies from church are swinging by, or your new coworker, Miss Simore? “ Y/n questioned as she gathered the extra crocheted placemats, utensils, and dishware from the small wooden hatch.
"Just set it, and don’t worry about it,” the older woman fussed out as she continued seasoning the dish before turning the black nob to a lower temperature. Y/n shrugged and began setting up, soon hearing the home's screen door open and shut quickly, alongside clamorous footsteps.
“Junebug,” Reginald L/n called out, causing Y/n to jump and both women to stop what they were doing. Looking at the hairless man who was fuming as he held his daughter's car key in the hallway,
“Reggie, what is it now?” Claire questioned, her arms crossed and eyebrows furrowed as she eyed the stubborn man.

“I just checked your car. The tank is full, and the oil is changed,” he stated, directing it to his kid in a firm tone.
"Yeah, my friend did that." She told him with a frown before continuing to set the table.
“When and what type of oil did he use? “ the father asked, following behind. “Where did he get the gas “
"Thursday night, and the same oil and gas you get for me, daddy,” Y/n answered her look-alike, sighing as she walked around to the other side of the table to properly adjust the mats.
“Oh, you sure you know?” He raised his eyebrows and scratched the back of his head. " Did he check the tire, y'know? I always check the tires too." He asked, crossing his arms. "You sure he put the right kind in there? Your car don’t take the cheap stuff, and guys will say anything to keep ya around!" He explained firmly, as his wife rolled her eyes. Their daughter's lips pressed together as she blankly stared at Reginald.
“Daddy, my car is fine!” Y/n sighed at the man, trying to hold back a giggle as Reginald's chest puffed up.
“What, you know I don’t like this fella?” he scolded, wiggling his pointer finger in the air.
“You ain’t ever met him,” she whined to the older man from across the table, looking at her Mother for support on the matter; however, the woman remained wordless.
“That’s my point, Junie. What kind of fella doesn’t want to meet the parents of his lady?” The bald father asked in a very strict voice. " You ain't even let the guy meet me before that crazy aunt; she said he was good and goofy, but you know I don’t trust everything she says or do."
"Ya just saying that cause she traded ya in for a new partner during the last spade game." Doctor Claire interrupted ” and beat the brakes off ya too!” Reginald’s face went flat as his bottom lip stuck out, turning to his wife, smacking his lips at Claire.
"He's nice and a gentleman; he’s just shy, ok daddy," Y/n said. "And I don’t want to scare him off; you’re not the most welcoming person around, y'know.” She told him as she stepped closer to the man. “Now go wash up, old man; you smell like outside." She demanded of her grumpy father, who huffed and puffed before walking off into the hallway. Standing next to her Mother in the dining room, she asked, "You sure Miss Simore can't give Daddy a psychiatric check-up?” The grade-school teacher requested, gradually turning to her Mother.
“She did, and still doesn’t know what’s wrong with him.” The doctor let out a flat sigh, throwing her dish towel over her shoulder and returning to the kitchen.
An hour later, Awan was standing on the front gray porch of the L/n's home with his two nieces, holding a bouquet of spring flowers in one hand as little Chenoa held the other.
"Uncle Awanie, you're shaking like Miss Mimi!” Cheyanna noted as she was on one side of her uncle.
"I am not. "He scolded the girl.
"Your hands are sweaty too," Chenoa commented, letting go of his hand and brushing off the sweat onto her thin jacket.
Awan tried his best to shake off his nervousness by turning his head clockwise. "It's now or never." Taking a deep breath, he pressed the golden doorbell.
Y/n was sitting on the off-white sofa reading a Jet magazine as the TV played the evening news, showing a perky blonde in a lipstick-red dress, Katherine, predicting the weather. Slamming down the magazine upon hearing the doorbell ring, "I'll get it!“ Y/n hollered to her Mother as she sped toward the navy blue door. Quickly opening it to reveal their company while pouring out her routine greeting, "Hi and welcome-” Y/n wrinkled her forehead as her jaw slackened at the sight of her tall boyfriend in a brown suit, with his two nieces on her parents’ porch. “What the hell are y'all doing here?” Y/n questioned as her mama crept behind her.
“Well, I invited them,” Dr.Claire murmured as she stood tall next to her daughter, who was giving her the dirtiest side-eye the grade-school teacher could." Hon, mind your manners.” Claire demanded, lightly slapping Y/n’s forearm. “Come on in and make yourselves at home,” Mrs. L/n sung, stepping back from the doorway as the Bitsui trio entered the mod-home. “ Aw, for me, thank you, sweetie,” She asked, taking the flowers from the quivering gentleman.
“You have a lovely home.” Awan complimented, noticing the off-white living room set with the joyful artworks hanging on the walls
" Thank you,” the older woman smiled, sniffing her flowers. “Reggie,” Dr. Claire called out for her husband.
“I am so sorry,” y/n mouthed to her boyfriend as her Mother’s back was turned, placing the bouquet into a glass vase.
Reggie stepped into the living room without his hat on. “Who's they?” He questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Daddy.” Y/n called out, taking a big gulp and grabbing Awan’s shivering hand. This is Awan Bitsui, my boyfriend,” she said
"And he has not one, but two kids?" The father pointed out firmly.
“Those are his nieces, Reggie." She’d hit her husband's stomach. “Girls, are y'all alright?" Their jaws were on the light-colored flooring as they examined the hairless man
"Awan, Chenoa, and Cheyenne, these are my folk, Mama Claire and Daddy Reginald," Y/n said.
"Hi, it’s nice to meet you both. I enjoy being in your daughter a lot, sir.” Awan shook her father's hand as he stuttered over his words. “I-I mean being in her presence a lot.” He cried out through gritted teeth. “Girls, please say something cute to save me." The girls were transfixed as they stared at the bald man, speechless for the first time in their little lives, mindlessly waving at the older Mississippi couple. Awan smiled tightly as sweat rolled down his cheek, pulling his collar loose. "Again, please, think before you speak.”
“It’s nice to meet you two.” The seven-year-old said, snapping out of her dreams after hearing her uncle's wobbly words and shaking the older couple’s hands. “ We love Miss Smiley.”
“Aw, glad to hear, and we're happy to have ya,” Dr.Claire gushed as she lightly pinched Cheyenne’s chubby cheeks.
"Is something wrong, Chenoa?" Y/n knelt to ask the five-year-old carefully, then she tilted her head to the side, and her eyebrows slightly raised.
"Your daddy’s bald," the five-year-old whispered into Y/n's ear. "I thought people were only bald on TV, like Charlie brown."
"Yes, he is bald." Y/n nodded while holding back a chuckle. " They ain't used to seeing men without hair." Y/n giggled, explaining to her folks, trying to ease their puzzled faces. "He had hair once, I promised, before i was born," Y/n explained to the nosy kindergartener before pointing to Mr. and Mrs. L/n 's black-and-white wedding photo on the glass coffee table.
"Oh, can I touch it?" Chenoa lit up like a Christmas tree, questioning as she glanced at Reginald L/n. Awan's hand slid down his face, shaking his head, wondering why he loves making things harder for himself.
"You may not like it; it's quite bumpy and rough," Dr.Claire elbowed Reginald as she rolled her eyes. "He needs to shave.” Doctor Claire couldn't help but laugh at the girl with her husband. "Why don't we sit at the table? Dinner should be done now."
"Tell us, girls, what your favorite thing about your uncle Awan is?" Claire asked as she took a seat at the table.
"Um- he cusses a lot."Chenoa let out, Awan slapping his forehead as he fell back into his seat. The other adults at the table choked on their water, food, or awkwardly laughed it off.
"Oh really?" Reggie asked, eyeing his daughter.
"Every time Awan swears, he owes them a dollar so he can learn to stop," Y/n explained, positioning her hand on her dad's and petting it.
"Hmm," the hairless man mumbled as he eyed the sweaty Navajo gentleman, then glanced at his daughter.
"Daddy, be nice," Y/n demanded from the older man, yet the man's sharp gaze was only on Awan.
"Anything else, girls?" Mrs. L/n asked
"Uncle Awanie is really good to us; we can always count on him to be there for us, no matter the situation," Cheyenne explained, holding her fork, recalling the memories her Mother would describe to them about her life with her younger brother. "He's the only person from our mama side there when we were born."
"And the only person there from Mama's side at our parents' wedding." Chenoa chimed in. "He even gave Mama away, even though Mama always says she wishes she had given Uncle Awanie away when she had the chance."
"He's the one who has been there to help Mama pay the bills when our Daddy can't," the seven-year-old recalled, remembering how her Mother received a white envelope from her uncle during drop-off. "But my favorite part about Uncle Awanie is how he loves everyone even when they don't love him back, like Grandpa"
Y/n put her hand onto her boyfriend's shoulder. Giving him a simple smile, Awan's upper body muscles relaxed as he looked into his girlfriend's eyes.
"And always says yes even after Mama says no, like going to the Jackson 5 concert; it was so good too," Chenoa told with a grin.
"Aw, how precious?" Dr. Claire wiped away the small tears trickling down her dark umber cheeks before turning to the Navajo man. "What do you do for work again, dear?"
"I'm an FBI Agent," Awan said, taking his first bite of the evening.
"That's right." Mama L/n nodded before taking a sip of sparkling water. "What's that like?" She questioned, tapping her chest, trying to keep down an air bubble.
"And will this put my daughter in any trouble? "Her father asked, interjecting himself into the conversation as his eyebrows turned down and his blank expression turned into a frown.
"Daddy, I can protect myself!" Y/n scowled at the head of the table before rolling her brown eyes as the girls carelessly filled their bellies with soul-food.
Awan took Y/n's hand into his and carefully held it underneath the glass table. Lovingly gazing into her eyes before turning to Mr. and Mrs L/n to state his promise. "I can ensure that your daughter's safety is nowhere near at risk, sir."
"Awan, breathe and loosen up; you're doing just fine." Mrs.L/n lightly giggled at the sun-kissed man, his knee slowly coming to a stop from bouncing. Say where you three came back from when I talk to ya?"
"Oh, the skating rink; we needed to waste some time before getting ready for the concert."
"It really was a waste of time tho, because Uncle Awanie kept falling on his butt the whole time. So embarrassing."Chenao let out in between huge bites of food.
"I wasn't that bad, just warming up."
"You got asked to leave by the owner because other people were scared to get on the rink." Cheyanne stared in a serious tone. "And you fell on your face a few times," the second grader explained before digging her silver spoon into her plate again. "We had to drag him out by the end so he wouldn't embarrass us in front of our friends," Cheyanne voiced as Chenao nodded along.
"Oh," Mr. and Mrs L/n nodded in the girls' way as they carefully listened to the tale of last night.
"Yeah, He looked like a baby giraffe learning how to walk." Chenao described between bites, "I learned about them in school on Friday during reading time." The kindergartener let out, mouth full and face covered in Mrs. L/n's homemade sides. "Can I have more baked beans?" She held up her empty china plate to Dr. Claire.
"Sure, baby." Dr. Claire half-giggled at the five-year-old while raising an eyebrow with a smile.
The dinner went somewhat smoothly from there. However, Mr L/n wasn't fully sold on his daughter's new lover compared to his wife, as the man carried a disapproving look every time Awan and he made eye contact. Yet, the pair of elementary school sisters got a real kick out of finding out Reginald's middle name is Oscar, like the famous grouch on Sesame Street.
"Girls, would you like to have something sweet with Miss Smiley and me in the kitchen?” Mama L/n asked carefully as she began gathering the dirty plates from the table.
"Did you make a pound cake?" Chenoa questioned with a twinkle in her eye, practically jumping out of her seat.
"Well, yes, I did, strawberry flavor."Dr. Claire added, walking the set of sisters into the kitchen; however, Chenoa wiped her face clean with her uncle's help before following behind Mrs. L/n.
"Awan, let's go!"Reginald ordered as he rose from the head of the table. Awan shot straight up with his girlfriend beside him, yet Reginald held his hand toward her. "Junie, he'll be fine; we're just going on the back porch." Watching the men exit, Y/n was chewing her fingernails as her heart rate picked up.
“Baby, calm down; your daddy ain't gonna do nothing." Mama L/n cried out, serving a piece of cake, and the set of sisters sat at the breakfast nook connecting the dining room to the kitchen. “he’s not that bad...yet.”
“Yeah, you're right.” She admitted, easing into a slouchy posture. “Don' ya dare think i ain't mad at ya for this tho!."She yelled out, wiggling her finger at her mother, causing the doctor to give her daughter the ‘look’.
"I'm sorry, baby, just wanted to meet the man who's been making ya so happy lately, that's all," she conveyed while cutting a piece of strawberry pound cake and handing it to the grade school teacher. "Plus, I knew he would be fine; he survived Lisa after all." Y/n shrugged in agreement before digging into her dessert.
"Yeah, you're right, could've told me tho when i asked," Y/n said, finally noticing what the girls were wearing. Cheyenne was wearing a long denim skirt with a paisley pattern shirt; however, her sister was wearing a pink feather boa and sunglasses, disco pants, and a Jackson 5 shirt."Say, what’s with that cute get-up of yours?"
"Tito waved and smiled at me." Chenoa lovingly cuffed her hands, frozen in place as she batted her eyes, daydreaming about the star. "I'm famous, and now i have to dress the part.” She quickly added before taking a bite of cake.
“Oh,” both Mama Claire and Y/n chuckled at the girl's wild imagination as Cheyenne rolled her eyes, placing her hand in her palm.
“I don't get it; Jackie's the cute one,” Cheyenne argued.
The night sky was a shade of dark blue, the stars shining against it. The air was thick, coated in a cool temper. The two stood there in silence as the distant sound of the women and girls could be heard.
"Sir, I really like your daughter. I want to give her everything i can if she lets me, and I promise I will keep her safe no matter what.” Awan communicated shakily, facing Reginald as he looked up at the evening's sky.
"Really, so why ya sound like that?” Reginald asked, puffing out his chest, arms crossed as he eyed the tall brunette down.
“Just scared, sir,” Awan quietly revealed, darting his eyes down as Reginald's gaze was on him.
“You shouldn’t be.” Mr. L/n calmly stared at the jittery man, placing one hand on Awan's broad shoulder. “Now, if anything happens to my daughter, and i do mean anything, then yes, you should be very scared.” The father stated with a strong frown, squeezing Awan’s shoulder tightly, cutting off circulation. “Until then, don't worry bout it,” Reginald told the FBI agent before entering his home again.
“Awan, would you like a to-go plate? The girls already got theirs." Claire asked, already fixing him one as her daughter listened to Cheyenne babble on about the Jackson 5 band. "Also, I've been wondering, why do your neighbors call you bubble boy?" She handed the sun-kissed man a wrapped-up dish.
“I hate to admit it, but I like taking baths." Awan shyly replied with a slight grin.
"With extra bubbles too." Cheyenne quickly added, laughing, as her sister tried her hardest to fit five to-go plates into a grocery bag, with Mr. L/n's help. “Oh yeah, my mama wanted me to tell you, he doesn’t have any sugar in his tank; he just got three sisters." The seven-year-old repeated to the doctor with a straight face. “I don’t know why tho?” She added, her eyebrow raised, yet shrugged it off, returning to Mr. Reginald, asking him how to get to Sesame Street
"Well, it's good to know ya clean, and why ya smell so good." Dr.Claire expressed, patting Awan's chest as she smiled at him. "Ooh, and very strong, just like my sister said," Claire let out, feeling herself warm up as she bit her fingernail.
"Mama!" Y/n yelled at the older Mississippi woman, "Bye, girls, have a good week, ok." The elementary school teacher cooed out while slightly kneeling to wave and hug goodbye to the set of sisters. "I'll see ya when i get home." Y/n stepped close to Awan, the two leaning into one another, before hearing her father clear his throat. Y/n rolled her eyes before turning a step back.
“Bye, little ones. You're always welcome to come back.” Mama Claire waved to the sisters as they stood on each side of Awan.
“Bye, Mr Oscar and Mrs Claire, thanks for having us,” the sisters chanted in high-pitched voices.
“It was lovely to meet you, Awan!” Dr.Claire cheered out.
“Same here, Mr and Mrs L/n.” Awan smiled, standing in the doorway. Have a great evening”
Reginald nodded at Awan, then was elbowed by his wife and daughter. “Same to you, Awan.” Mr L/n let out as the family smiled and waved goodnight to the Bitsui trio. Then the older man returned to the backyard as Claire and Y/n cleaned the kitchen.
Reginald was in the yard watering the grass, loosely holding the water hose. His free hand was gradually sliding down his face. Exiting through the sliding doors, Y/n was leaning against the wooden deck railing.
"Daddy, stop overwatering that lil' patch of grass," Y/n hollered out from the white deck.
"I miss having a real lawn," Reginald sighed out as he stalled to turn off the water.
"You agreed to this move, old man." Y/n reminded him.
“I always do what's best for my family, cause I know what's best for us!" Reginald claimed in a monotone voice, "Even if I got to settle with a patch of grass”
“You didn't like him, huh?” Y/n frowned, biting her bottom lip. Her father stomped up the small stairs, standing next to his offspring.
“It's not that I didn't like him; he seems fine, Junie.” Reginald turned to Y/n. “ The fellas always start the same, then they turn on ya.”
“Daddy, he's different; I can feel it.” Y/n let out in a low voice.
"I hope so cuz..." The older man lowered his head, shaking, clasping his rugged hands over his head. He met his daughter's glassy eyes. "I can't watch you get hurt anymore." Reggie choked out. Y/n watched her father's brown eyes mist up at the idea of watching her become broken all over again. The way Y/n would become a shell of a person, questioning everything about herself while rotting away in a cage of insecurity; While the jerk who dumped Y/n gets to enjoy life as if nothing happened. "This ol’ heart of mine can't handle any more pain. " He whispered, placing a hand on her shoulder and squeezing it. The space instantly went silent as Dr. Claire watched from behind the glass doors. Hearing the crickets chirping and the coyotes howling at the moon. "Let me get ya home; it's too late for ya to be out by yourself. Don't worry about work tomorrow. I'll take ya too."
"Thanks, Daddy," she cooed out, letting him put his arm around her shoulders as they walked into the house. "I love ya, old man." Y/n turned and told him, placing a gentle kiss on his cheek before resting her head on him.
"I love ya more, junebug," he said. "Your mama didn't give away all the food, right?" he asked, peeking at his daughter's laughing face.
Sitting in Reginald’s pickup truck, the father and daughter were singing at the top of their lung along to My Girl by the Temptations.
“Talking about my girl,” Y/n and her father sang along.
"My girl," the father sang as he pulled into the poorly lit parking lot of the apartment building.
Pulling to the curb, the older man noticed his daughter’s boyfriend sitting on the concrete stairs of their building. “Would ya look at that, he's out here waiting for ya.”
"Yeah, he's been doing that for a while now, and kinda reminds me when you and mama used to do it. "Miss it a lil too.
"You only saying that because y’know it was a piece of cake waiting for ya."
"Yeah, because ya ate the rest of it,” she joked, laughing before looking at her boyfriend, then her father again, sighing. “I’ll be careful this time, I promise, Daddy.”
“I know,” the man softly nodded, his gaze lowered. “I'm just a lil scared for ya.” He turned back to her with foggy eyes and a small tear rolling down his sepia colored cheek.
“Aw, daddy,” her bottom lip poked out as she wiped her small tears, foaming, giving the man a gentle smile. “I’ll be fine; you’re just getting soft on me,” She teased as her father cleared his throat.
"No, I ain’t,” Reginald yelled out. “Think he's still scared of me?” he asked, looking at the Navajo man.
“Of course, look at him; he's shaking like a cat straight out of the tub,” Y/n said with a smile. She looked at Awan before turning back to her father.
“Good, and good night." Mr L//n grinned. “Love you”
Y/n gave the man a peck on the cheek before exiting the truck. "Love you more, old man," she yelled to Reginald as she walked towards her trembling boyfriend. Mr L/n tipped his hat to the tall brunette, waved goodbye, and drove off as the Temptations' instrumental faded from the speakers.
AN: i know Aponi somewhere laughing her ass off about this, and the phone calls to Mississippi must have cost Daddy L/n a fortune that month. Overall, I LOVE THIS ONE and cried a little while writing it. ANYWAY, I hope you enjoyed. Thank you for reading🫶🏾
Jamaican actress and socialite Blanche Dunn photographed by Carl Van Vechten in Harlem, New York 1940-1941.
Blanche Dunn, born in 1911 she arrived in Harlem as a teenager and became a chorus girl in the Broadway musical Blackbirds Of 1930, she also had a small role in the film adaption of Eugene O’Niell’s play, The Emperor Jones in 1933 starring Paul Robeson. Blanche was the “It” girl of the Harlem Renaissance. She was a mainstay at Carl Van Vechten’s legendary parties, she was guaranteed a table at the exclusive Harlem speakeasy Hot Cha, she dined at the haute downtown spots, shopped in Paris, attended the horse races and as noted by the legendary Harlem Renaissance writer and painter Richard Bruce Nugent:
“at all the Broadway first nights. A party was not a party, a place not a place, without Blanche.”
In 1940 she moved to Whale Cay, purchased by Bahamian British oil Magnate and speed boat champion, Marion Barbara ‘Joe’ Carstairs , they partied with likes of Marlene Dietrich and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor before she moved back to Harlem. In 1953 she went on a nine month vacation that included Paris and the Riviera. She ultimately married and relocated to a villa in Capri.
Y/n(Bella)- a simple Mississippi woman who is Awan's neighbor!
MAMA Claire- a successful doctor who only wants for her daughter, no matter how it looks
DADDY Reginald- he's a bald daddy, enough said!
Grandma Louise and Grandpa Leroy- a lovely older couple who runs a bed and breakfast- clearly favor Y/n over some of her cousins!
Auntie Lisa- The youngest of Grandma and Grandpa L/N, who only a few years older then Y/n yet. Her and y/n always have the best time together regardless of what they do.
Bounes-
Richard (rick)- Awan's step-cousin (his step-brother and cousin on his mama's side) who's work more than he sleep
