Summer of 1965
It was the very beginning of the summer he had just broken up with his latest girlfriend and his family like her. But the problem was he didn't like her enough he didn't feel the spark between them they were never insync. Like Sam and Drew they finished each others sentences and like being with each other that's what he wanted.
And he was tired of pretending that they were but before he could break up with her she asked him what they were doing. Let's just say that conversation didn't end well and he knew his father was going to be pissed.
Placing his backpack down and coming in the house and hanging his hat on the hook "Momma, Auntie I'm home" she shouted. Only to turn around and find his father standing there looking at him. The man stood 6'4 just like his father almond complexion curly jet black hair "Hey pop I didn't know you were home" he said surprised. As the older man shook his head " Curtis you are going to be twenty one soon and you need to start getting serious" Hank says.
"Daddy I am. It's just she wasn't it. I'm sorry we didn't have that chemistry dad and she's leaving so it's better this way it wasn't working"he answers. 'Boy you don't take anything seriously, do you chemistry comes later on after you build with someone.
That's the problem with you young people you expect everything to feel good" the man says as Curtis mumbles under his breath knowing she would call his father. "Hank gives him a break baby"Henrietta replies, Making Curtis smile that he loved his mother. She always had his back."Henrietta the boy changes more girls then he has draws" he said.
That's when Jordan said "I know a girl who is sure to knock him off his feet. Her name is Candice. She works with me down at the station,"she says. As Curtis shook his head and rolled his eyes before speaking "Nope no thank you I can meet someone on my own and your friends bore me"he said.
"CURTIS!" Hank's voices boomed throughout the house as his mother and Aunt shook their heads. "Anyway do you remember the the girl I brought to the fundraiser her she's single and she would be perfect for him" Jordan says as Curtis scoffs rolling his eyes
"Well bring her by this evening " his father says, making Curtis roll his eyes as Jordan patted him on his shoulder with him swatting her hands away. "Trust me you will meet her and fall for her instantly she thought you were handsome in your picture "she says. Going to give Thomas Jr a bath going upstairs leaving the room.
Just then Drew came in" good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Ashford ,Ms. Henry Curtis you want to play some ball" he asked, yes I'm coming" Curtis says, rushing. They lived in an army base neighborhood " Be back by dinner time Curtis you start work tomorrow " Hank said.
"Yes sir" he replies to his father as they leave the house when Drew comes back outside to his girlfriend excitedly jumping up and down hugging someone . Making enough noise to bring everyone out the Ashford house "who are they?" Curtis asked his best friend, ``I don't know but let's find out" he says, going over to them.
" Sam hey what's going on I thought I only got that greeting" he says sarcastically making her roll her eyes. "Drew, this is my best friend. Her parents just bought this house so that means she is staying" Sam answers. "Yeah, Yeah I'm staying my mom got me into another school so yes I will be going to school here which I think is bull..." Elle says,
As her sister looked at her and shook her head . When Manolo and Esmerelda got out of the car "I'm so happy you're here you are going to love it here Kat and the kids are already by dad's house oh my gosh"Sam replies.
"Samantha How are you honey it's good to see" Esme says hugging the teenager as did her husband. While Manolo sized up Drew and Curtis "Tio this is Drew, my boyfriend and his best friend Curtis who happen to be your new neighbors" the teen says with a smile.
But Curtis eyes were stuck on Elle whose hair back in a braided ponytail as Sam watched with a smile. Before coughing oh "Elle this is Curtis, Curtis this is Elena but we call her Elle '' Sam says as he stretched his hand out. "It's nice to meet you Elena '' Curtis says shaking her hand as both their bodies tingles, pulling away as he pulled away as his parents and aunt came over.
As the Tavares smiled politely not knowing how they would be perceived "Mr. Mrs. Ashford and Ms. Henry this is Manolo and Esmerelda Tavares" Sam says introducing them. "Nice to meet you Hank Ashford and this is my wife Henrietta and sister Stella and this is my younger son Curtis" he said shaking Manolo's hand.
"Likewise these are my girls my eldest daughter Elena and my baby girl Emelda our son isn't here" he replied. That's when another car pulled up with a young couple getting out "Hey Papi" Oliver says
"Olly!" Emy exclaimed, running and hugging here big brother, hey manita look at you did you get bigger, hey there Joe Louis" he said with a grin. With Elle flipping him the middle finger as their parents looked at her all she could do was smile. "Junior" she answers as he shook his head knowing what she was doing "ustedes dos comportamiento ustedes oyen" Esmerelda said.
When Kat bumped her with her hip"don't worry Joe Louis I have no doubt they deserved Mr. and Mrs. Ashford" she says winking at Elle. Who smiled "See it wasn't my fault" Elena said as her father gave her a look making her just groan and across her arms. "Katherine doesn't encourage her" Esme says, i "So where are you guys from" Henrietta asked, we just moved from Florida but we are from the Dominican Republic" she answers.
That's when they saw the guys moving stuff into the house "oh okay well it's nice to meet you we'll let you guys get settled in" she says, thank you we should go it was nice meeting you as well.
We should get inside" she replied as Ashford went back toward the house, "Papi can we go with Sam" Emy asked as the girls looked at him. "Emy you can go Nena in the house" Manolo says, when she groans "really that's not fair" Elle says.
Putting his hand up "You know why vamonos" he says getting another groan out of her. As she stormed up to the house "Ahh come on Joe don't be like that" Oliver says with a grin "Vete para carajo stupido" she shouted. Sam and Emy looked at Curtis and Drew as Olly laughed "she's angry"he says, not cool Manito it really wasn't her fault.
It couldn't be avoided and she's the only one being punished which makes it worse" Emy says. Kat shakes her head " I don't blame her for being angry I would fuck some shit up too" she says, what did she do" Curtis asked. When Oliver grabbed the basketball "who wants to play some hoops I do" he says, ``me too"Drew says as they start to walk towards the park.
All Curtis could do was stare, He was smitten "Be home before Dinner Curtis" his father shouted from the porch. He shakes his head and they walk to the park to play ball when Manolo got into the house looking around for his middle child. Who was him without a doubt his wife nodded outside so that he walked to the backyard as she sat there. Just staring at her shoes "Elena i'm not punishing you" he says, could have fooled me" she replied.
Not even bothering to look up she was angry and fed up with all of it she was the only being punished. When it wasn't even her fault she did what she had to and felt like her father didn't have her back.
He sighs understanding her anger and frustration "mirame nena"Manolo says turning her face to him. Seeing what he knew was already there "Chula apostaría por ti cualquier día y sé que es injusto, pero ese chico era blanco. Y él va a ganar cada vez, incluso si fue el equivocado, hice todo lo que pude para usar mi color. Pero esas personas saben la verdad, mami, te dejan salir con todos tus créditos y eso es lo importante.
Sé que estás enojado, así que no puedo protegerte de esas cosas, pero mami, quiero tenerte cerca ahora mismo por mi cordura "
(chula i would bet on you any day and i know it's unfair but that boy was white. And he is going to win every time even if he was the one in the wrong. I did all that I could do to even using my color. But those people know the truth mami they let you walk away with all your credits and that is what is important.
I know you're angry so am I that I couldn't protect you from those things but mami I want you close right now for my sanity" he says.
As he looked over to her "I really hate this papi I wasn't wrong" she says, with a nod of his head "I know you weren't mami" he says pulling her close to him. And giving her a hug and a kiss on top of her head as they sat there in silence "so how much of this father daughter time are we talking" she asked. Making him smile "you are going to be sick of me by the time school starts and but you will get all A's" Manolo said.
Receiving another sigh and groan as she shook her head "tell me I get a little time out of Alcatraz" Elle asked. Shrugging his shoulders "that remains to be seen Nena not let's help mami" he says helping her up.
Ashford house
He made it just in time for dinner the table was being set that's when he noticed the girl with his sister in law. As his brother made a face as he drank his beer with little Thomas sitting next to him copying his every move. While they watched the baseball game. As Jordan eyed him angrily he just shrugged it off and sat down"what's up nephew" Curtis says when saw them get up" Curtis this Candace" she says.
"Hey how you doing I would shake your hand but i have to wash my hands Hi momma, Auntie, Hey Mr. Beck , Daddy" he said going to wash his had. With his father staring at him he couldn't be made because he made it before dinner was served.
" Curtis go and change we have guest" his father says, he don't have time the food is done come help us baby" Stella says. As his father shook his head he smiled while his aunt winked at him as he went to help set the table.
When she whispered "I don't like that girl she seems to eager to me but your mother said to give her a chance" she says. Making Curtis smile he loved his aunt she was everything and if she didn't like this girl already he knew she wouldn't make the cut.
Just to save face he went upstairs to change his shirt so he didn't smell like outside that was the least he could do. By the look on his sister in law's face he knew she was mad"Thomas Jr go and wash your hands now" Jordan says.
As Curtis shrugged and took his seat while his brother took his son to wash his hands"Where were you Curtis you should have been home already" she said whispering , "out Jordan and last time I checked your husband is in the bathroom" he answered. Just as she was going to reply Tommy sat down next to her then his mother said grace. That's when Candace spoke "So what are your plans for the summer Curtis" she asked.
While he stuffed his face"momma the meatloaf is good" he responds as he father looked at him sternly. "Thank you baby boy" Henrietta says with a smile, I don't know work hanging out with my friends" Curtis says with a shrug. "Jordan say your looking to go to Law school" she said making him roll his eyes at his sister in law.
Knowing his father was watching him tried to change his attitude"It was a thought"he answered. "You should go for it we need alot more african american lawyers" Candace says encouragingly. His father smiled he like her ambition maybe she was just what he needed to motivate his youngest son. Just as there was a knock on the door "I will get it" Curtis says jumping up out off his seat rushing to the door dying to get a reprieve of this nonsense.
Snatching the door open only to find Elena standing there "Umm i'm returning this to your dads tools we fixed so we don't need to borrow it any longer" she said. Curtis just stood staring at her in her light blue hot pants and black t shirt with the temptations on it. And white tennis shoes "Umm are you going to take it this thing is kind of heavy" Elle said. "Oh sorry about that we're in the middle of dinner" he responds taking it from her.
"No I apologize" she says as they both stood there "Good evening Elena did you dad not need it" Hank said appearing next to his son. "Actually we fixed it my cousins got it to work thank you sorry for interrupting your dinner sir good night" she says waving then walking away. With Curtis waving as well his father not noticing the look shared between them" No need young lady you didn't know and tell your dad anytime Good night" both his dad says who closed the door.
Before turning to Curtis" you need to change your attitude it's like your looking to ruin things before they get off the ground. Curtis Byron Ashford get it together I will not have you slacking do you hear me put that away and get back to the table and entertain that young lady.