~June 14th~

I don't wanna give you the wrong impression,

I need Loovvee and affection.

And I hope I'm not sounding too desperate

I need love and affection

Looovvveee, Loovveeee, Looovvveee,

Love and affection

Looovveee, Looovveeee, L.O.V.E-E-E AND AFFECTION!

Rihanna's verse soon took over as Caesar blasted the song on his radio in his guest room. He was happily packing his duffle bags for New York. He would be spending the summer with his father in Manhattan. His mother was in Jamaica with relatives settling some legal issues, so he and his younger brother Danny had been staying with their parental uncle, Cecil, and their aunt Melody. Amy had been glad for the company that her two cousins had brought her in the house. Speaking of which, Amy came and stood in the doorway of her favorite cousin's room.

"Hey Mikey," she yelled over Rihanna's voice.

"Oh hey!" Caesar yelled back as he reached for the remote on the bed and turned down the sound. "What's up, gyal?"

"I just came to see if you needed help with packing."

"I guess you can help me stuff some clothes," He chuckled.

Amy giggled as she picked up some clothes and put it on the bed. She grabbed the closest duffle bag and huffed with disapproval when she saw that Caesar had balled and stuffed the clothes inside as opposed to folding them.

"Caesar, I know you can do better than this."

"Hey it's my luggage."

"Whatever. I'm refolding these."

"O-kaayy, but you're doing extra wooorrkkk."

Amy only shook her head as she took out the clothes and started folding them. Caesar chuckled as he continued. They worked in silence for a bit before Caesar spoke up again.

"Hey, do me a favor and watch over Danny while I'm gone."

"He'll be fine, Mike."

"That's what you think. But he has Riley around here and no telling what trouble those two will get themselves into."

Amy laughed. "Don't worry, I will. I'm really gonna miss you Caes…"

She stopped what she did and hugged Caesar. "Ames, I'm only gonna be gone for the summer. These next two months will fly by in no time." But nonetheless, he hugged her back. Within the next few seconds however, there was a small knock on the open door. The duo looked up to see Caesar's uncle, Cecil, standing in the doorway.

"I hope I'm not interrupting a bonding moment," he said, his Jamaican accent thick, "But I was wondering if I could talk to Michael for a bit alone,"

"Okay daddy," Amy said sweetly. She released her grip on Caesar and they shared a knuckle punch before she walked away. Just as she was about to leave, Cecil tapped her shoulder. She looked around and stared at her father who then placed a hand gently under her chin and smiled warmly at her. She returned the smile before walking out of the room. It was soon just him and his nephew."

"What's up, Uncle C?"

"Nothing boy. I just wanted to say be careful when you get out there."

Caesar stared blankly at his uncle's stance. He knew him all too well. "Something tells me that's not all you came in here to tell me."

"You're right…" Cecil took a step closer. "I wanted to warn ya. Now, when ye get up there, your father gon' tell ye things that may seem appealing, and-"

"Uncle C, please, not this again," Caesar huffed out in frustration as he turned around and banged his fists against the back wall before place his head there. Cecil and Julien, Caesar and Danny's father, haven't always been on good terms and ever since Julien and his wife Mabel divorced when Caesar was only eight years old, Cecil and Julien's relationship took a turn for the worse. Mabel had gained full custody of the two boys and she moved them down to Woodcrest three years later when Caesar was eleven. Caesar and Danny would normally go visit their father every summer in Manhattan, but this time Julien only wanted to see Caesar.

Now Caesar had to admit it: Cecil had been a better father figure than Julien ever was, but Julien still does his job and gets involved in the boys' lives. But Caesar also had to admit that while during these visits, Julien would tell him things that soiled Cecil and Mabel's names and ask if Caesar was truly happy with his mother down in Woodcrest. He would ask if he wanted to come back to live with him and be in New York again. Caesar would always feel conflicted because he did in fact miss New York, but he had a good life in Woodcrest; he met so many new people and had a close circle of friends that loved and supported him. To move back to New York so suddenly would be devastating to his friends.

"Listen to me, Mike. You're a smart boy. Ye got a good head sitten 'pon ye shoulders, mon. Ye sixteen years old, Michael. I know you can make ye own decisions, but just listen to me."

"Please, Uncle C. My dad's not trying to get me to move back there. I love being here. I just miss New York and I miss seeing him."

"Mike-"

"WHAT DO YOU KNOW? YOU HAVEN'T SPOKEN TO MY FATHER SINCE ME, DANNY, AND MOM MOVED DOWN HERE! YOU DON'T KNOW THE MAN HE IS. YOU DON'T KNOW HIM LIKE I DO."

"I grew up with that spoiled, good for nothing, monster-"

"HE'S NOT A MONSTER! HOW DARE YOU CALL MY FATHER A MONSTER!"

"OH SO CHEATING ON YE MOTHER IS NOT BEING A MONSTER? MERCILESSLY BEATING YE MOTHER WHILE YOU AND YE BROTHER ARE IN THE ROOM RIGHT THERE IS NOT BEING A MONSTER?"

Caesar opened his mouth to say something else, but stopped, rubbed his face and turned to his bed to continue packing.

"I'm going to see him still. Even if it's just me alone. That's it."

Cecil stood defeated, but put his hands up in a surrender stance. "Alright. I'm not gonna stand here anymore than I have to. But promise me you'll remember this moment and you'll listen."

"Uncle C, you know I'm a smart boy. I'm not gonna do anything wrong. I promise."

Caesar stopped what he was doing and turned to hug his uncle. They stood still for a few moments before Caesar pulled away. "I'll be fine."

Cecil clasped him on the shoulder. "Goodbye, Caesar."

He turned to leave the room, but as soon as he was almost out, Caesar stopped him at the doorway. "Hey Uncle C, you do know this is only just for the summer, right?"

Cecil turned to look at him and shot him small, sad smile which faltered very quickly, before turning around and walking away. Confused, Caesar shrugged it off as he continued packing his bags.