Robert 'Grandad' Freman: Y'all need to start appreciating your Grandaddy! I went and spent your inheritance on this beautiful house in this neighborhood! And all I ask you to do is act like you got some class...

Riley [whispers to Huey] Ay, what's "class"?

Huey: It means don't act like niggas.

Robert 'Granddad' Freeman: See! That's what I'm talking about right there! We don't use the N-word in this house!

Huey Freeman: Granddad, you said the word "nigga" 46 times yesterday. I counted.

Robert 'Granddad' Freeman: Nigga, hush!

Robert, Huey & Riley Freeman: The Garden Party

Cookie picked up the washing basket and walked out towards the kitchen. It had been extremely quiet since Riley left. She noted it wasn't even this bad when he wasn't living with her but it just felt different now. Everything felt different. The elderly woman sighed and set the basket down as she loaded the washer with the clothes. The doorbell rang and she perked up, she wondered who that would be.

Since the hospital she had not heard from Huey, she wasn't surprised to not hear anything from Jazmine the girl was going through a lot but she couldn't believe her nephew was serious about his not so blatant ultimatum at the hospital that night. She wanted to be about 10 years younger and stress free to beat some sense into that boy however a part of her felt like it was her fault. Riley was the youngest so by nature he was the one she wanted to protect the most and he was the one in most need.

"You should just give me his number" Cookie rolled her eyes at the request.

"I thought you were leaving" Cookie asked Richard Freeman who was being a lot more persistent tonight that she'd ever known. She had to keep reminding herself that desperate times called for desperate measures and where her brother would be furious at this act. It was completely necessary in her eyes.

"I told you" she stressed.

"I thought you wanted me to reconnect with them" Cookie sighed as she

"They don't need a father Richard" she said sternly. He folded his arms across his chest

"By the looks of things and the fact that you went out of your away and against your dead brothers wish to call me. I'd say that's a lie and they do in fact need a father or at least you believe so" he noted. Cookie shook off the fact she heard that whole sentence in her oldest nephews voice. It was too late to put a cap on this.

"You're making me regret my decision" Cookie told him truthfully.

"Regret your decision. The decision wrongfully imposed by Robert" He scoffed bitterly. Surely Huey wouldn't buy anything this

"He did what he thought was best" she defended. He frowned, looking much like his sons when he did so.

"I just want to talk to him" Richard then said a little softer. She shook her head.

"Riley and Huey are completely different people Richard. Huey, is a whole other story that I'd rather not disrupt right now" she admitted.

"Look, you said things went alright with Riley. Well just focus on that" He let out an annoyed puff.

"So you're giving me one son and not the other" he asked in disbelief.

"Yes" she replied firmly.

It wasn't that she didn't want for Richard to connect with Huey; she just knew the situation was way more delicate than that of Riley's. Her reaching out to him was based off of the fact she felt Riley really needed someone who he felt was totally unbiased in his demise to be there. That was the only reason why she called. Now he was acting a lot more difficult than he had been on the phone. She had actually been under the impression he was different but she wasn't so sure any more. He might not have been drunk or doing anything illegal but he wasn't that pleasant to be around.

"Besides had I not called you, would you have ever tried to find them" He was quiet for a moment.

"Right, so you'll do as I say then" and with that Cookie continued with what she was doing. He grumbled something inaudible to her.

"I'll see you soon, goodnight" she heard from behind her before the front door was closing.

Maybe she'd try and see Riley again; hopefully he'll see her now even if it's just to ask her what she was thinking about bringing his father back into his life. In her heart she was guilty for betraying Robert but he was guilty of much more. That was another thing; she had to make sure Richard had no plans of tarnishing the memory of her brother, during his reintroduction.

Riley closed his eyes shut; he could hear the screams of someone down the hall. It was probably another rape; he turned on his side pulling the pillow over his head. He had been lucky today, since his last altercation he'd been put on some shitty library duty. At first he protested, what they were trying to say about his character. He could handle this, sure he had a rough start but he could do this. He hadn't felt so confident after his 4th visit to the prison hospital. Tonight had been too crazy, his father just showing up like that.

He had been trying to search his memory for anything relating to the man. He couldn't get anything clear enough it was like all his memories were fuzzy he could make a noises and sounds but it was all unclear. The cry got louder and he just pulled the pillow tighter on his head, they were animals in here. He hadn't even realised his body curl up, he didn't sleep much. He was too paranoid about niggas trying to pull him out of his bed and try sneak attack. That's what they did in here; they would get you while you were sleeping. It's not rape if you say surprise, sick fucks he thought. Who even thought of that fuck boy phrase?

Drowning out the agony erupting down the hall he settled on something. Huey didn't even try to fight him in the hospital it was like that nigga really didn't give a fuck about him. No matter what, anytime he bumped heads with his brother they would fight but this time nothing. Riley could admit that it was weird and he could further admit in here that he didn't know if his brother would actually ever talk to him again. But why should he himself even talk to him, he outted him in front of everyone including their Aunt, that was foul. He shouldn't have said half the things he did but yet he did.

Nah, his brother wouldn't stop being his brother right. Huey would always care. He said it himself.

"You really leaving" Riley asked as he watched his brother packing another suitcase

"Yes Riley" he answered in a bored tone. Riley looked around the surprisingly empty room that his brother was still living in, though he had packed a lot of his stuff away into storage and boxes.

"You giving a nigga a key to your new place?" Riley asked, he weren't gonna miss him or anything but Granddad was gone and even though Aunt Cookie had come to take care of the house and him until he was old enough to move out on his own, his brother was still leaving. Personally Riley didn't see why his brother was going, he had everything sorted here with the bills being paid, food being made. They were sitting pretty or at least that's what Riley thought about the situation. Plus didn't it make more sense to stay close after the death of a family member than to disperse ?

"No Riley" Huey said as if Riley was bothering him.

"What, that's messed up. I'm your only brother. What if I gotta pee and you the closest place to a nigga" Riley asked him in disbelief of his denial. He couldn't see his brother's expression but he heard him sigh.

"Or, what if I need you to do my homework. Nigga you selfish" Riley told him in a matter of fact tone.

"Riley" Huey started his voice holding that annoying parental tone that Granddad used to use with him.

"You'll be fine, by yourself" Huey simply finished. Riley face scrunched, the fuck was he talking about. He knew that he'd be fine. Dumb nigga.

"Nigga I know that. I'm talking about you, I mean you all paranoid and shit like you might just be in your place freaking out that the lights cut cos the FBI are about to throw tear gas and bring you to their headquarters. When really nigga, you forgot to pay your light bill" Huey turned now to look at Riley, his look as usual was unreadable to Riley. After a moment of what Riley imagined as Huey making up something smart to respond with.

"What, you the one who had the SWAT at the crib years back" Riley justified. Huey took a deep breath.

"Can't say I'm touched that you'll miss me but like I said you'll survive Riley. As will I" Riley frowned at this statement.

"You just gon leave, not give a nigga a key. Probably change your number too huh" Riley wasn't sure why he was annoyed at his brother.

He was moving out for godsake, did Riley even know a time in life without his brother. Then this nigga was going to say he wasn't trying to hear shit about him missing him. Well he wasn't going to miss him, he just wanted a damn key. It was a reasonable request. Cold ass and like he said he wasn't going to miss him. He was just concerned Huey might end up getting himself shot and killed fighting the power and poor Aunt Cookie would be crushed that her oldest nephew was slain. Shit Riley knew Huey was going to die before him, he was just trying to help him out. He was a real nigga, he knew when to chill. Huey did not.

"You gotta stop smoking" Huey said as he turned around, Riley sucked his teeth. What did that have to do with anything.

"Nigga give me a key" Riley replied. He didn't like feeling like Huey was trying to keep him away and change the subject.

"You the only brother I got, it could be fucking important. Do you want to be responsible for missing something important to do with your only brother Huey? Your baby brother all cos you wanna be a cold ass motherfucker" Riley continued his rant.

Ok Huey had said many things over the years about leaving the family home and calling once a year just because he could. Riley knew deep down he just wasn't prepared to actually test his brother's bluff cos he knew Huey liked to say a lot of messed up stuff to mess with you but he kind of trusted his brother not to look back after he moved out.

Huey sat on his bed, pulling a suitcase to his feet.

"If I give you a key what does that even prove, isn't that gay, that you're pushing for this so hard" Huey asked him normally.

"Prove you care and you aint a cold motherfucker" he spat then he paused, that sounded so fucking girly.

"Man, it aint gay either. Just real shit, a real reasonable request from your only brother. Nigga forget Aunt Cookie, I'm all you got" he said, he felt the eye roll from his brother. Their granddad just died not that long ago and he was all out willing to just lose contact. Riley figured he was over exaggerating but it would be weird. How could it not be weird for Huey, they were always in each others space whether they liked it or not. Obviously he complained but he refused to believe this wouldn't be weird for his brother, to just be away indefinitely.

Riley didn't know about Huey but as far as he was concerned. This was like going cold turkey.

Then having the nerve to not even want to give him a key. Even Jazmine said she'd give him a key to her place if she should ever lose her mind. It was some slick shit but at least she considered it before saying no. Huey straight up said no, in fact this nigga didn't even think of it. Riley had to say it to him and he still just said no.

A part of him was trying to figure out why this was important, it was a piece of metal. If anything he could just get it and cut himself a copy without Huey knowing. Riley continued to frown, no it was the principle behind the key that was bothering him. They were brothers.

"I'm not going to say it" Huey told him suddenly. What was this nigga talking about

"You shouldn't even be going anywhere, you selfish" Riley accused.

"Do tell" Huey replied.

"Aunt Cookie is here for us. US nigga. And not even 3 months after Granddad dies you out ? That's it you calling it a day. She done up and left the Chi to come keep us here and you leaving"

"What's really bothering you Riley" Huey had looked at him briefly but had returned to fiddling with his suitcase. Riley didn't budge he just stared a head at the now bare walls in front of him.

"I just want a key to your place, why you being difficult" he grumbled lowly.

Huey's phone beeped by his leg, he casually looked at it not saying a word. Riley stole a look at his brother. Did this nigga ever lose his composure, he place the phone back down by his side and rubbed his chin repeatedly. So now this nigga wanted to stroke his dumbass beard, then he stopped and looked Riley right in the eyes. Riley couldn't even look away quick enough before he started speaking.

"I'm just going to say this once, then I don't want to hear about keys and you looking out for me or whatever excuse you're trying to use to justify the fact that you will in fact miss me"

"Yes you are my only brother" he mimicked his voice which Riley did not appreciate.

"I aint say it like that" he interjected, Huey shook his head and continued.

"And yes I am leaving the house but no I will not disappear and lose all contact with you or Aunt Cookie. I understand the last few months have been hard but we're not kids any more Riley and you'll be fine by yourself you still have a year left at high school and you're doing pretty well. You should just focus on that. I can't hold your hand through everything but I mean obviously if you ever need anything I'm gonna be there. You don't need a key to my place; I'm never, even if I say so. I'm never not going to open the door for you and I think that's more important than you invading my personal space and getting shot in the chest by me because I thought you were the CIA"

He started to stand up. See this is why this nigga needed to monitered he was talking about shooting a federal agent, even real niggas knew fucking stupid that was. And he's the one everyone fawns over and he's here saying some stupid shit like that.

"That'd be pretty fucked up" Huey finished when Riley finished his internal rant.

"You fucked up but" he paused in thought then begun nodding and rolling his eyes. He weren't gonna say it either."You already know" Riley said quietly. If he weren't saying it, he weren't saying it either they were both men.

"Hmm" he replied as the unspoken words lingered between the brothers.

"Do I need to buy you ice cream now" Huey asked him smugly when a few more moments of silence passed between them.

"Nigga shut up before I beat your ass" Riley challenged standing up also, Huey rolled his eyes and nodded towards the door

"Come on, lets go get something to eat. On me" he simply said walking out of the door.

"Damn right you paying" Riley said from behind him.

Riley remembered his brother telling him once the only time he really needed to be worried about their relationship as brothers was when Huey wasn't worried about it. He asked him how the fuck did that make sense and how an earth would he know that.

Well Riley could say as he sat here in his cold cell completely removed from the life he once lived. He had no idea how they would make it back from here and how he would make it up to him and Jazmine and Cindy. He just didn't know plus this stuff with their father wasn't going to go down too well with Huey but then he figured Aunt Cookie must have already known that and she still made the call. She must have been desperate, did they really make her that desperate. He opened his eyes again, and stared into the darkness. He had to figure this out, maybe he could trust his dad and they could do it together. Only maybe though.

Richard Freeman got in his car and glared at the house in front of him before driving off. What was the point of asking him to come, if she just wanted to throw things that were out of his control in his face? He drove back to the hotel he was staying at. Had he been waiting for this moment, if he was honest; not really. When he received a phone call from their Aunt he had initially asked who she was. The man had since buried the thought of his sons in the back of his mind, it only took him a few seconds to then realise what was happening. He was being given a chance to make amends.

Upon hearing the woman's pleas, he had questioned the stance of their grandfather. He hadn't been aware that the old man passed. Everything started to make sense. He was almost smug about the fact their grandfather thought he knew what was best and given his observation of the situation; clearly the old man didn't do that great of a job. Richard failed to see why he was so incapable of parenting when Robert didn't do much better and he was sober.

Foolish man

Making his way up to his room he sat down on his bed, going over the boy he saw in front of him hours ago. Strung out, tired, angry in fact Riley reminded him of himself 10 years ago. He rubbed his forehead in deep thought. For now, Riley accepted him and he should be grateful for that even though he knew that it didn't mean everything was squared between them it was a start and he was going to help him through his stint in prison. Their aunt had been clear in stating that Riley feels some way about everybody he's close to judging him all the time, so she felt that maybe if there was an outside source someone who he didn't feel scrutinised by he might be able to get through to him.

It was good enough for him and he was determined to not screw it up with Riley at least.

Kayla pulled a face when she saw the police at her door, what an earth was the issue now.

"You called us about Huey Freeman" the black guy in a dusty police uniform started. She was a little surprised at this.

"Is this legal" Kayla asked him, she was very careful to make sure her call was anonymous. If she had known she would have been tracked then she wouldn't have made it. Did they really need someone to take the fall for this that much.

"Does it matter" She peeped his name badge as he was talking.

"Officer Richards, I have no idea what you're talking about" she said politely but her tone was thin and he nodded as if he knew better.

"Then you wouldn't mind coming in and answering some questions" Kayla eyebrows knitted together. He challenged with the smallest smirk on his features. This nigga wasn't serious, this couldn't be legal. It was an anonymous phone call. Why was it that nobody wanted to play the rules anymore.

"Get a warrant you dirty cop" Kayla threw before slamming the door in his face.

"I can help you get Huey Freeman" he protested.

"Get him?" she replied confused. She wasn't out to get Huey in the way he was implying.

"Don't you want him thrown in prison? Isn't that why you called" he persisted, almost touching her in his little plea. She resisted rolling her eyes at him because she knew to an extent he was doing his job but it wasn't about saving the world. Far from it and this nigga was breaking the law.

"Uh, no" She observed the frustrated look on his features. It seemed Huey was popular with some fucked up people. Dirty cops, homo thugs, gangsters, crackheads the list really did go on.

"Then why did you call" He pressed trying to step into her space further.

"Can you back up, what's wrong with you. Leave me alone" Kayla tried to shove the door close again.

So you couldn't even make an anonymous phone call these days. She'll make a formal complaint in the morning. She'll kick up enough fuss for him to at least be suspended if not lose his job as well.

"Dumbass" she muttered walking back into her apartment to construct her plans.

Darnell sighed, well that went well. He wondered how she knew, he had done a background check on her she knew Huey Freeman was employed by her father but that was about all he knew. None of it made sense and he wasn't an investigator of any sort. He tried to play off that she could have just been mad at the man, maybe something was going on between them and it's spilled into legal issues.

He shook his head, he'd just keep an eye on her wasn't much else he could do now.