Disclaimer: I do not own the Boondocks. All rights go to the rightful owners.
AN: Oh my Godddd, chapter two. This chapter is a little bit shorter because I was working hard to get it done. I was super excited about the feedback I got from people, and I love that you all enjoy my story. Thank you all so much! I love me some Juey, and I love me some drama but this story is shaping up to be more dramatic than even I thought, lol. It's been a struggle writing Huey so far, because he's got some serious explaining to do. I want to create an apologetic Huey who is still true to his character. Again, any feedback would be much appreciated and I hope this chapter good!
Jazmine had been back for a grand total of four days and each day was hotter than the first. She was lounging on front stoop of the Dubois house with Cindy sitting a step below her. They were watching Riley's hilarious attempts to bust open the fire hydrant, while the neighborhood kids were cheering him on. Besides Uncle Ruckus speeding past in an ice cream truck a few minutes earlier the day had been uneventful so far.
"Why is it so hot?" Cindy wailed.
Ignoring Cindy's grumbling she pondered out loud, "How many jobs does Ruckus even have?"
"It's like that hot that makes you wanna die."
Jazmine continued, "And on top of that, how you gonna let a one eyed crazy man drive an ice cream truck through neighborhoods full of kids? This town is too much."
Cindy screamed at Riley to hurry up. "Speaking of too much, I heard you put the smack down on Huey though. Dang Apollo Creed! Feel better?'
Jazmine didn't even try to hide the grin on her face, "A little. Maybe he'll leave now."
"I don't know Jaz, I don't think he's going anywhere. You should have seen it, he couldn't take his eyes off of you the other night."
He'd been watching her?
She chose to ignore the flutter in her stomach at the idea of him watching her. She wasn't that little girl desperate for his attention anymore. "He was probably just afraid I'd throw a chair at him. I wish I'd thought of it."
Cindy leaned back on Jazmine's knees to peer up at her. "And he hasn't apologized or nothing?"
Jazmine shook her head. "I won't let him close enough to try but I can guarantee he has no intention of it. He probably thought I ceased to exist the minute he left town and that he has no reason to apologize. It's Huey's world; we all just live in it." She blew a stray curl out of her face. "But I'm not bitter or anything," she added on quickly.
"You know I'm always on yo team. He hurt both you and Riley when he left, even if Riley ain't goin admit it. That's his big brother. You know they barely heard from him in all these years? Like damn, call your family on Christmas!" Cindy was ranting. "I got love for Huey but that's just selfish."
Jazmine smiled at how protective she was of Riley. It was clear she had feelings for him, and Riley would be an idiot to not love Cindy. Now they both just needed to realize it.
"I'm just glad Riley had you around to keep him honest," Jazmine added teasingly as if he wasn't committing a small crime at that very moment.
Still watching Riley and letting out a snort when he started kicking and yelling at the hydrant Cindy responded, "It's a rough job but someone's got to do it."
Jazmine smiled. She truly loved Cindy. She had been her day one, always there when Huey would rather overlook her. They had both known what it was like to be disregarded by a Freeman. Plus it was always so easy, Jazmine had never had to worry about saying the right thing or looking cool with Cindy because Cindy gave no fucks; rough around the edges but a genuinely good and loyal girl.
Despite the heat, she hugged Cindy from behind and they stayed that way for a minute. When a shadow loomed over them and blocked the sun they both looked up.
"Hey Huey." Cindy spoke up first.
"Hey Cindy." He was staring directly at Jazmine though and it was making her uncomfortable.
Not wanting him to have the upper hand in this battle of wills he had no idea he was a part of, Jazmine settled on being antagonistic. "How's your face?"
He seemed amused and didn't break his gaze. "Fine, thanks. No complaints." He carried on, "it's hot right? If only someone would set up a lemonade stand or something."
She knew exactly what he was referring to. If he thought bringing up childhood memories was gonna soften her up… he was right. Ugh!
Annoyed that he was still coming around her and annoyed that he could upset her so easily she stood up and headed to the garage. "Riley, I'm getting you some damn tools!"
When Huey turned and seemed to be about to trail after her Cindy intervened.
"Pause." He did.
"Turn around." He did.
"Explain."
"Explain what?"
"Boy don't play dumb, I am not the one. Explain why I shouldn't whoop your ass. Explain why you think you can just come back after five years of being MIA and follow after her like a puppy dog."
He sat down next to her. "Would you believe me if I said I wanted to make amends?"
Cindy shrugged. "Not really. Make amends or pretend it never happened?"
Jazmine ran out of the garage towards Riley with a wrench almost half her size and Cindy watched Huey watching her.
When he caught Cindy's stare he got tense. Too bad. "Of course it happened."
He sighed heavily and continued, "I fucked up so bad. I knew it as soon as I left. I never wanted to hurt her."
"You left before you even got to see the consequences of yo damn actions. I'm gonna level with you right now. It was bad. Jazzy was messed up. "
She could hear Jazmine playing with the neighborhood kids, which bought her more time to grill Huey.
He opened his mouth to speak but she cut him off. "And your brother? He didn't cry, his underdeveloped ass. But he was hurt."
She wasn't stopping there. "Jazmine worshipped you, Freeman. You think she just shed a couple tears and moved on? I held that girl for weeks, nigga; weeks while she cried over you. That was a profound hurt and it's still there. You can't just force your way back in. You need to prove yoself. Earn that trust."
He nodded with his head in his hands. "I know..."
Cindy shook her head. She pitied him, oddly enough. "You don't deserve her but do you love her?" Cindy demanded.
He didn't know what love was let alone how to give love. He said as much.
Hearing the cheers of triumph from the neighborhood kids and the sweet sound of Jazmine's laughter they looked up to see the fire hydrant gushing water.
"I care about her more than anything. I always have, I could just never show it."
"Yes!" Cindy exclaimed, already distracted by the sight of the cold water. She gave him a pat on the back and stood up. "Prove it then, nigga." With that she ran to the others.
He sat there for a moment, watching the people who mattered the most laughing and playing and it took him back to the old days. He had missed out on so much time by being an idiot. He walked back to the Freeman house, contemplating. Jazmine looked up from the group just in time to see Huey disappear into his house. The reactive disappointment she felt wasn't because he had left. Definitely not.
After they were cooled off and exhausted, Riley and the kids headed home, while Jazmine and Cindy were sprawled back on her porch in peaceful silence. Then, they heard an uproar coming from the Freeman house. Standing up and leaning over the side of the porch to get a better look Cindy said, "Yo that's Riley!"
Jazmine stayed silent but mirrored Cindy, straining to hear what was happening.
She heard 'Man, fuck you!' and then with the sound of the front door open and close, there was Riley. In rare form, he looked genuinely upset. Seconds later, as he began to descend the steps Huey came outside as well. Always being the epitome of composed, he didn't have to raise his voice to get Riley to stop in his tracks.
Whatever he said must've been the wrong thing, because Riley turned around and shoved Huey against the door. The girls heard 'Man, don't nobody need you! Just leave, nigga!'
Huey was speaking again but they couldn't hear a word he was saying. All of a sudden, Riley seemed to deflate and he let Huey go.
"I don't think we should be spying," Jazmine finally said but as she spoke up the Freeman boys both trudged back into the house.
She had been used to them bickering as kids, but this seemed different. The girls looked at each other wide eyed before Cindy sheepishly suggested, "Maybe this is good for them?"
"Yeah, maybe…" Jazmine sighed and rubbed her temples. "He can't just do this; come back and uproot our lives like this. It isn't fair."
"Jaz, maybe I'm out of line. I can't imagine how bad he hurt you. But maybe, if you want this to go away…talk to him?
The look Jazmine gave her was priceless.
"Yo, listen! Not for him, but for you. You never got, what's that shit called? Closure! Maybe this is what you need. Just something to think about."
When Cindy left a few minutes later Jazmine was still considering what she said. After Jazmine had finished telling her mother the abridged version of events (just to save herself some embarrassment and tears), she told her mom what Cindy had said. Her mother conceded that Cindy had a point and Jazmine was starting to agree. Jazmine just didn't think she was ready for it yet.
Yeah, definitely not ready. As she tossed and turned in bed later that night she had convinced herself Cindy was crazy. There was no way talking to Huey was going to help her. Now if only she could put the idea out of her mind.
This trip home was not turning out the way she wanted at all. It was forcing her to acknowledge feelings she had long since buried. Partially because she didn't want to feel this way, and partially because she was ashamed of herself for feeling this way. What kind of woman is in love with a man who belittled her at every turn from a young age, who took her for granted, who took advantage of her love and then threw her away like garbage? What kind of woman loves a man like that? Her. She could finally admit it; after all these years she still loved him. A part of her always would. But it didn't mean she was gonna lay down and roll over for him. She had pride. She had significance. She had fucking feelings. This wasn't what she wanted. She didn't want to be the girl based her self-worth off of someone else. She had done that the first time; made Huey her whole world. When he had left her world had crumbled. She hadn't had a clue who she was without him, and it took her a really long time to find herself. She couldn't just throw that away now. But when she remembered the real Huey, it was hard to hang onto the hate. The Huey who lead a protest to get her out of a child labor endorsing lemonade stand, the little boy who let her and her family in when he thought the end of the world was nigh. The boy who helped her love herself.
She never wanted to show her face at school again! As a thirteen year old Jazmine sat under the big oak tree she plotted her escape from Woodcrest.
"I'll run away to Alaska! I'll be the world's best dolphin trainer and no one will ever make fun of me again!" she said to herself out loud.
"There aren't any dolphins in Alaska, Jazmine."
She turned around, startled. "Oh, hi Huey." Then she went back to pouting, slumped against the tree.
He sank down next to her and replied, 'Hi Jazmine. What's wrong now?"
"The girls at school were making fun of me because of my hair. I can't control that! I've always had hair like this. They said a bird's nest could be in there and I'd never know."
She teared up, "I hate my hair. Hate it, I hate it. I wish it was straight like the other girls. They look so beautiful, and I bet they never have to spend a whole day washing it. It just isn't fair. I want to be beautiful too."
"You're stupid. You are beautiful."
She shook her head, feeling her stupid afro ponytail shake with the motion. "No, I'm not. Not like them."
"No, not beautiful like them," he snapped, already fed up with the conversation. "Beautiful like you. You can never be anyone but you but no one will ever be like you."
She stared up at him wide eyed. "You really think so, Huey?"
"Yes. Your hair…it's a part of you. It represents you. It's soft, wild, fun and sometimes difficult. Just. Like. You." Jasmine giggled.
"Someday girls are gonna want to kill for your hair, so never hate any part of yourself. You're perfect. Embrace it." Trying to hide the pink tinge of his cheeks he got up and walked down the hill, leaving Jazmine to mull over his words.
She had so many memories of him being that boy she fell for, it was hard to reconcile that with the man who abandoned her. He was like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. She threw a look at the clock. It's only 1 AM? Accepting there was no way she'd be sleeping for a while yet she climbed out of bed. Despite the heat from the day, there was still a wonderful summer breeze coming from the window she'd left open. Leaning against the windowsill to enjoy the nighttime weather, movement caught her eye.
There Huey was, standing outside her house like a total creep. Barely stopping to slide on a pair of sneakers she slinked down the stairs quietly as to not wake her parents. Okay this needs to stop, she thought. She stomped down her walk way where he was already waiting for her; his hands in the pockets of his unnecessary coat.
"Enough!" Jazmine hissed when she reached him. "Are you kidding me? Can't I do anything without seeing you?"
She continued in a harsh whisper, "Ruckus was right after all! Exactly how many times have you done this? Are you stalking me?"
"No I am not stalking you," he said in an exasperated tone.
"Oh, I'm sorry! Does that question bother you? You've standing outside my house in the middle of the night and you don't see a problem?" Her voice was beginning to get louder but she didn't even care.
He didn't say anything.
"It's fucking weird, Huey!"
"I can explain." he looked back at her house to make sure her parents hadn't woken up. "I just like being here. It helps me think, helps me feel closer to you."
"That is not any less weird!"
He sighed. "Can we please go somewhere and talk?"
When she opened her mouth to say she wasn't going anywhere with him he added on, "Just right down to block. To our old spot."
Cindy's mention of closure replayed in her head.
She nodded reluctantly and made her way down the sidewalk. A second later he fell into step beside her and she sped up so they weren't walking in unison. I can be petty all I want. She hadn't been to this tree since the day before prom. The look he threw her way said he was thinking the same thing.
"Just tell me what you want Huey. It's late."
He took a deep breath and took a step towards her.
"I don't know where to start… I just want you back in my life."
He'll never apologize and this is a waste of my time. When she turned to leave, she was jerked back around straight into Huey's embrace. She immediately tensed up, but was too surprised to think to push him off.
"I'm sorry, Jaz. I'm so fucking sorry," she heard him whisper into her ear.
She was tired of fighting. The tears quickly welled up and she whispered back, "I just want to know why. How could you do that to me?"
He sighed, placing a kiss to her temple which she allowed. "I had been planning to leave for a while, just not the way I did. I'd always wanted a different life for Riley and me. Even at a young age I had this idea of how life should be. I made a promise to myself that I would dedicate my life to standing up for the weak and fighting injustice, even at the expense of my happiness. It was never a problem, because I never had anything tying me to this place. Not really."
He continued, "Until I had you. When I first met you, your personality was just so…much. But even then I had a soft spot for you. You were this excitable, bubbly girl who only wanted to see the very best in the world; even if it meant blinding yourself to how bad it could be. As much as that angered me there was a part of me that envied you, cherished you. You made me want to be a part of your world; to be a reason you smiled. I was constantly struggling between the idea that I could be happy and the idea that I needed to be a part of the change the world needs. But as we got older, no matter how hard I fought it I always came back to you."
She was shocked. He never gave anything away with her. She had no idea he had felt this way back then. "Huey..."
"Please, let me finish," he rushed out. "Five years ago, I sat right here under this tree. There had been story after story about unarmed black men being slain, about the riots and protests. It was beating everyone down and I just thought to myself 'Maybe I'm too young to know what the world is supposed to be… but it's not supposed to be this. It can't be this.' I knew I had to do something."
He let go of Jazmine to look down into her eyes, "You'll never know how hard it was, leaving you."
What? She pushed him away not ungently.
"I'm so sorry that was hard for you, Huey. I can't imagine how you felt."
She went to lean against the tree, wiping away her tears. "It's a beautiful story. Heartbreaking. But it doesn't answer my questions. Why ask me to prom, why sleep with me knowing you weren't going to stay? Were you ever planning to show up?"
He sank down the tree, sitting by her feet. "Because I was weak. I had spent so long fighting it, pushing you away. When you told me Wallace asked you to prom… When I heard him bragging to his friends about it, I decided if I had to give you up," he took a deep breath. "If I had to give you up I wanted to share something beautiful with you. I wanted to be the one who walked into prom with you." The emotion in his voice caught her off guard. "I didn't intend for it to happen but we made love that night and it was so perfect it scared me, Jazmine. I started thinking there was no way I could leave. So I ran… distanced myself from you. I had the tux and everything, but then that day I knew I wouldn't be able to say goodbye to you. So I decided it would be easier for us both if I just left."
"That wasn't your decision to make. I deserved more." She shook her head. "You want to know the worst part? It isn't that you stood me up. You were my best friend, Huey. I thought I was yours. And you just threw that away. You threw me away like I was nothing."
He stood up again and when he spoke she could hear the sincerity in his voice. "You have never been and never will be nothing to me, Jazmine DuBois. I never once forgot about you. All I'm asking for is a chance to prove myself; to get my friend back. Please?"
She didn't know what to do. The idea of trusting him again was terrifying. "I don't know if I can…"
"Believe me when I say I'll never give you a reason to doubt me again."
She bit her lip and sighed. "This is a lot. I never thought I'd see you again, I never thought I'd want to… I need some time to think."
He nodded and she left him there at the top of the hill.
