Getting off the bus, Chris heads for his building but Jerome starts walking upto him.
Jerome: "Hey lil dude from across the street, let me hold a dollar"
Chris thinking of todays way to get out of this situation come's up with an idea.
Chris: Points to a couple of trash cans "Jerome, look money"
Jerome looks at the trash cans then heads towards it, scavaging through it. Moving piles of trash out of the cans and onto the floor. He carries the trash can over his head, piles of garbage land on his face.
Chris: Enjoying this, has a little more fun "Jerome you have to lick the trash can that's how the money will show itself"
Jerome: 'Hell no' expression "I ain't lickin a trash can"
Chris: Smiles and tempts "Fine, don't lick it but with all that money someone can buy themself a sway jacket and be 'the' gangster to stick out of the crowd"
Jerome looks at chris in anxiety then at the trash can thinkin 'but'. He looks back at Chris then the trash can and whimpers in confusion. An old lady digs through the trash can. Jerome whimpers at the sight of the old lady, thinking she'll find it. The old woman is black is slouching over because she has a bad back and holding a cane to help her walk. She is wearing a brown overcoat and has gray fluffy granny hair.
Chris: "Jerome she got a dollar on her"
Jerome: Looks at the old lady "Hey lady". She looks at him "Let me hold a dollar"
The old lady and Jerome stare at each other. Jerome's hand gesturing an 'I'm waiting' expression. The old lady looks in her purse and looks for something. She retracts her hand from her purse.
Old Lady: Speaks in a sweet voice "Oh I dropped it, I'm sorry"
Jerome looks at the ground but doesn't see nothing, then turns back to the old woman who is half away across the block running like hell and without her back affecting her or the use of her cane. Chris; mouth slightly open, watches the old woman running then looks at Jerome realizing Jerome will ask him for money again.
Chris: Felt guilty but felt it was the only way out "You going let her con you like that? Granny got more swag than you"
Jerome looks at Chris then runs towards the old woman. Chris walks towards his building while he has the chance.
Risky: "Sending a dog on an old woman, now that's Bed-Stuy style" He laughs
Chris: Turns to see Risky "Gotta protect my investments right Risky?"
Risky: Smiles "Yes we do. Speaking of investments, how would you like to buy a remote?"
Chris: "No thanks"
Risky: Amps up the deal "How bout with batteries?"
Chris: "No thanks"
Risky: "How bout a remote that actually works"
Chris: "You were gonna sell me a messed up remote?"
Risky: "Ugh... I'll sell you the tv with it" He points to the tv.
Chris: "How much?"
Risky: Smiles "Well for you I'll take a hundred"
Chris: "No thanks"
Risky: "Fifty"
Chris: "Twenty dollars tomorrow"
Risky: "Deal"
Chris: Grabs the tv then notices the buttons are missing "Man... this tv is messed up"
Risky: Giving Chris a 'not my fault' look "I never said the tv works"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Chris enters his building, he doesn't buy the tv but some reason bought the remote. Chris heads for his room anxious to take his back pack off and throw it on the bed. He tosses his bag on his bed and takes off his shoes. Tanya stands by the door. She has ice tongs in her hands that are clipping onto a bunch of dirty socks. She tosses em on the floor.
Chris: Angry "Tanya what are you doing with my socks?" The sound of the front door opening is heard in the distance.
Tanya: Evil smile "Ooh I'm tellin momma"
Chris: "Tellin momma what?" Rochelle comes up the steps.
Rochelle: "Hey baby" She kisses Tanya on the forehead.
Tanya: "Mom, Chris threw his dirty socks all over the floor" Rochelle looks at him.
Chris: Protesting "No I didn't she just came in the room and threw them on the floor"
Rochelle: Makes an 'uh-huh' face "Boy, why would she throw your dirty socks onto the floor? Why would she even want your dirty socks?"
Chris: "Cuz she's tryna blame me for it"
Rochelle: "Boy just pick up your socks before I'm done changing my clothes"
Chris: "But mom..."
Rochelle: Crazy eyes "Don't you 'but' me, pick dem socks up before my belt comes off"
She grabs onto her belt holding her pants up with both hands then tiltin her head to the right with her right hand on the right side of her head like cowboys do. Then walks backward pointing at him and leaves the room.
Chris: Looks at Tanya angrily "I hate you"
Tanya: Backsashing him "Not my fault you leave your dirty socks around"
Chris: "My socks have been missing now I know that you were stealing them and taking it to your room like a racoon. You definitely got the smell down and the face so similar. What'd you do climb the fire escape and scratch at the window?"
Tanya: Angry, yells "Momma, Chris called me a racoon"
Rochelle: Yells "Chris"
Chris: Laughs while picking up the dirty socks "Now I know why you pick through the canned foods in the kitchen"
Tanya: Yells "Momma he said it again"
Rochelle: Comes in the room, yelling "Chris, you see that window over there?". She points to the window in his room "If I open it I'm gonna show you a better view of Bed-Stuy"
Chris has been the odd one out for a long time. It was the worst feeling in the world but being the odd one out you learn a couple of things and Chris planned to use one the things he learned in the drama in the household and direct it towards someone else, in this case at Tanya.
Chris: "Mom, are you gonna let Tanya get you in trouble with dad?"
Rochelle: Grabs one of chris's socks "I think the smell of these are getting to your head cuz I know you didn't just say that to me"
Chris: Smiling on the inside "Tanya is making you yell, which will only make Mr. Omar hear us and file a complaint. Dad will ask who was yelling, you'll say you were doing it cuz you have too but it's not your fault mom" Rochelle calms down "It's Tanya...". Points at Tanya "Making you yell for no reason especially since the socks have already been picked up"
Rochelle: Looks at Tanya and yells "Girl you makin..."
Chris: "Mom" Rochelle turns back, he puts his left hand up and makes a 'lowering' motion.
Rochelle: Looks back at Tanya and whispers "Girl get your butt in your room and get ready for dinner, makin me scream for no reason". She looks at Chris "And you too get ready for dinner"
She leaves the room. Tanya looks at him as to say 'I'll get you back'. She heads to her room.
Chris: Smiles and yells out lightly "Racoon"
Tanya: Hears what Chris says and yells "Momma"
The sound of stomping feet can be heard from the hallway. Rochelle passes by Chris's door with a shoe in her hand and then the sound of screams are heard from Tanya.
Rochelle: "Tanya what did I say?" Chris just smile's as he hears the sound of his mom smacking Tanya silly.
Drew: Comes in the Room "What's going on?". He starts to freak out "Are we all getting a beating?"
Chris: Laughs "Hey Drew, momma is beating Tanya with her size nine shoes"
Drew: Laughs, makes a fist and pulls it back "Yes"
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Everyone goes downstairs to the dining room. Rochelle places food on the table and poured spaghetti and meatballs on each individual plate with a ladel. Tanya sitting in her seat has a big shoe print on her face. Chris standing and Drew sitting point at her face and taunting her silently. Making silent gestures of how exactly she got that print. Chris goes to Drew and pretends to be angry and beats him with a shoe harshly while Drew act's like he's crying.
Tanya: yelling "Momm...". Rochelle looks at her with ladel raised up in a hitting gesture, Tanya shuts up.
Chris: Comes upto his mom "Mom you didn't have work today right?"
Rochelle: "No baby I was out grocery shopping, it's snowing so heavy outside. Why you wanna know? You got something to hide?"
Chris: Backs off "No just curious"
Rochelle: Suspicious, raises ladel "Why curious? You tryna scedule a drug trade while I'm out hmmm? Who's this guy you tryna sell drugs too? You FBI?"
Chris: Left brow raised confused "No"
Rochelle: Points ladel at him "Then you not trying to pull a sting which means your trying to sell. What is it crack, meth, weed, cigarettes, my leather couch, your sister?"
Chris smiles at the thought of Tanya being sold. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Daydream
Everyone's in the living room while a man pays Julius money. He accepts and signs a contract.
Man: Takes contract "Alright boys let's go"
A bunch of movers carry her and take her out the door.
Tanya: Screams "Daddy". But julius 'hoo hoos' while counting all the money.
Rochelle is singing in the kitchen and cooking her best dish. Drew is break dancing, Chris is jumping on the sofa.
Rochelle: Smiling so happily "Ohhh my boys todays a happy day, come come let's eat" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Chris: Breaks out of thought and explains "No I was only asking how you were able to cook so fast if you went out?"
Rochelle: "I was cooking and left the flame on low, I only went to Doc's place"
Chris: "Oh' faced "I knew you wouldn't leave the gas on unless you told me to watch it"
Rochelle: "Of course not baby if I did the whole apartment would catch on fire and that reminds me why were you late today?" Hands at her hips.
Drew: "Probably asking out a girl who turned him down" He laughs
Chris: "I'm not gonna be the one bringing Twenty pregnant woman home" Rochelle looks at him angrily, he then talks to his mom "You should keep an eye on him mom. You and I both know how many girls like him" Rochelle looks at Drew and points to her head, Drew suddenly flinches.
Chris thinks about why he was late. He thinks about Caruso waiting at the corner of the block.
Chris: "The bus was stuck in a snow ditch" He lies.
Tanya: "Liar"
Chris one day wants to get back at her but he'll wait for the right time. Julius enters the apartment.
Rochelle: Smiles "Hey baby come sit dinner is ready"
Julius: Puts his work jacket on the back of a seat "Mmmm something smells good"
Drew: "Momma made spagetti and meatballs"
Julius: Mutters "Three dollars and forty cents wasted"
Rochelle: "What?"
Julius Fake smiles quickly "I'm starving"
Rochelle: Smiles "Ohh ok". She takes a seat.
Tanya: Huge smile "Daddy"
Julius: Walks to her "Hey baby". Kisses her then notices the mark on her face "What happened to your face?"
Tanya: "Momma hit me"
Julius: Angry "Rochelle what are you thinking?"
Rochelle: Looking at him and squeezing a meatball in her hand, voice slowly rising then escalting "You take her side I'll serve your head with the spaghetti AND FORCE THE KIDS TO ENJOY IT"
Julius: Scared, looks at Tanya sympathetically "Well Tanya you know you shouldn't fight with your mother"
Tanya: Upset "Daddy, Chris called me a Racoon" Chris knew she was gonna do this.
Julius: Looks at Chris "Chris did you call Tanya a racoon?" He rolls up a newspaper ready to hit.
Chris: Couldn't lie "Ya but she start..."
Julius: "I dont care, your not..."
Rochelle: Extends her arms "Hey enough let's eat"
Chris and Julius take their seats. Chris feels his side of the table feels wobbly, shaking it a little to see why.
Chris: Confused "Mom, why is the table floppy"
Rochelle: "I had to unscrew one the legs but when I screwed it back on it just wasn't right anymore"
Chris knew there was only one reason she would unscrew the table and Rochelle knew why SHE would unscrew the table. Chris looks at Tanya sees nothing then looks at Drew and notices a huge bump in his head which he didn't notice at first cuz Drew already has a huge head, spotting a bump that wouldn't really stick out. Now he knows why his mom looked at Drew and pointed at her own head a few minutes ago also explaining why the table leg wasn't screwed back on apparently drews head had a huge impact on it. Drew must have made his mom angry about something.
They start to eat. All enjoying the food Rochelle made and all starving, taking their sweet time eating and savoring every bite.
Rochelle: "So how was School guys?"
Drew: "I scored twenty-five shots in gym class today"
Julius: "My man" He high five's Drew.
Tanya: "I had a quiz today and I think I did really good"
Rochelle: "Awwe my baby" She rubs Tanya's hair.
Julius: Smiling "That's my baby girl". Tanya smiles too then taks a bite of her meatball.
Rochelle: "But if you fail tomorrow we're gonna have another loose table limb". Tanya knows what her mother means and hopes she passes.
Julius: "How about you man?" He refers to Chris.
Chris: Smiles "I had fun today. Me and Greg just talked" Rochelle was paying heavy attention to make sure Chris wasn't only focusing on fun but also education "He helped me a lot in math class today"
Rochelle: Smiles "Awwe that's sweet, you and Greg are best friends. Don't ever let Some girl or something stupid like a fight tear you guys apart"
Chris: Smiles "I know I never will"
Rochelle: "That boy is gonna become something some day"
Chris: "You think so?"
Rochelle: "Ya, his best subjects are math and science right?"
Chris: "Ya"
Rochelle: "Then ya he can become a scientist or a doctor"
Julius: "I wish I could be a doctor or scientist, bet it pays a lot. Tell Greg if he needs an assistant I'm up for the job"
Drew: "Dad you and science aren't really great together"
They all think of Julius as a scientist. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Daydream
Julius is wearing a lab coat and has a dollar held by tongs in his hand and another dollar on the table. Three other scientists are behind him looking over his shoulder with saftey goggles on so does Julius. Julius is sweating on his forehead(a huge amount) slowly lowering the dollar. The other scientist wide eyed dont blink and stare anxiously at what will happen. Julius lowers the dollar right next to the other dollar and wait five seconds for a reaction.
Julius: Smiles then grins and looks at the others "We did it, two one dollar bills together DOES equal two dollars total". They all cheer.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Drew: "But math you get estimations on priced items right" Julius smiles looking at Drew then takes a bite of spaghetti.
Rochelle: "That's why Chris is so good at math" They all laugh.
Chris: "This is three dollars and forty cents worth of spaghetti and meatballs" He mocks his dad but not harshly.
Everyone laughs except Julius. Julius not finding it funny since he's the center of the joke but also shocked that Chris was right, guess his son has his talent after all. Rochelle is open mouthed laughing with two noodles dangling out of her mouth.
Rochelle: "So sweetie Greg is a really good friend to you huh?"
Chris: "He might be my only but me and him can always get each other to laugh"
Julius: "You know if Greg was a girl you probably would be dating him right now"
Rochelle: "Julius" Gives him a dirty look, Chris wonders what his dad means.
Julius: 'Let me explain' expression and gesture "I don't mean in it a bad way I'm just saying that best friends are the best lovers"
Chris: Left brow raised "Ummm dad i don't like Greg like that"
Tanya: "Eww Chris you like Greg?"
Drew: "So more girls for me... oh wait you were never getting girls anyway' He leaves his hand in the air waiting for someone to slap but no one does.
Rochelle: "Julius, don't make accusations"
Julius: "Look everyone just calm down and listen, what I mean is... not that you and Greg will fall in love... like me and your mom we're married, husband and wife but she's also my best friend" Rochelle starts smiling.
Chris: "I still dont understand, you both started out dating not as friends"
Rochelle: "What your father means..." Blows a kiss at Julius, he catches and puts it in his wallet. "Is we are in love but we also have a friendship side to us..."
She becomes interupted by her kids.
Tanya: "Nuh-uh you and daddy don't have a friendship your always yelling at him"
Drew: "Dad's always telling you your spending too much money on something"
Chris: "I see more love and hate and chocolate turtles and lottery numbers"
Rochelle: Looks at Julius then extends her arms, everyone quites "Me and your dad have a friendship underneath all that that. Love, hate, chocolate turtles are signs of a friendship"
Julius: "It doesn't look like we do but we do have it"
Chris: "But it looks more like love then best friends"
Rochelle: "Baby, friendship cmoes in different ways"
Chris: Laughs "So me and Greg should be a couple?"
Julius: "No, I meant if he was a girl you'd probably have some sort of feelings for him"
Chris: Now curious "Like what, just give me an example use me and Greg as an example"
Julius: "Ok like he makes you happy, you want to see him everyday"
Rochelle: "You guys have a good back and forth communication, one of you makes the other laugh, you'd never wanna replace him or seperate like long distance. He should be a doctor or a lawyer and make alot of money and not do drugs"
Julius: "He should have a decent job. A house that's been paid off. He shouldn't nag to you about the kids or how bad his day went" Rochelle looks at him.
Chris: Now confused "Sounds like more of what I should look for 'in' Greg"
Rochelle: "Julius do I nag to you?"
Julius realizing what he said, stuffs his mouth with a lot of spaghetti then tries to talk but muffling is all that's heard.
Rochelle: "Alright Chris and Drew when your done I need you to finish your chores"
Drew: "How come Tanya Doesn't have any chores?"
Julius: "Cuz your big boys and the big men should do the work"
Tanya: "Ya Drew"
Chris: Not being able stand Tanya's annoyingness he smiles evilly, he knows he can't convince his dad but his mom on the other hand "Mom if Tanya doesn't do her chores then she'll be free to do anything she wants and you know if she doesnt learn to do them now she won't do it in the future". Rochelle not impressed listens while eating more spaghetti "Then she won't want to clean her own room, then not want to stay home and choose not to wear what you want her to wear. Then she'll meet up with boys thinking she always has freedom"
Drew: Understanding where Chris is going with that "Ya mom you know what happens when girls and boys get together 'alone'". Rochelle eye's now wide.
Chris: "She'll get pregnant then you'll..."
Chris and Drew: "Be raising babies"
Rochelle: Stares at Tanya "Nuh-uh I ain't raising no babies Tanya go clean the dishes"
Tanya: Whining "But momma"
Rochelle: Stands up, looks at her plate "Julius I think we might need a new table one of the legs are about to break off" Tanya gets up and runs to kitchen to do the dishes. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
After doing the his chores Chris jumps on his bed and lays down. Arms crossed behind his head thinking about how funny it was that Tanya was gonna get hit by the table leg and at how he got her to have chores now. He remembers what his mom and dad said about Greg, what they mentioned was exactly how he was with his friend. But did that mean he liked Greg like that? If Greg was a chick would he date him?
After laying down for half an hour, Rochelle yelled up to Chris saying he had a phone call. Right on time and he knew Greg was on the other side cuz they talked every night, which now made him remember his previous question.
Chris: Went downstairs, went to the phone "Hey Greg"
Greg: "Hey Chris"