"What do we have to do tomorrow?" Huey asks Jazmine.
"Okay well... we have a meeting in town hall to talk about that new recycling program, we have 3 interviews for our full-time youth counselor, we have to meet the realtor for the new office space... Huey what's our budget for the office?"
"Hmm... how much income did we make last month?"
"Let's see..." Jazmine looks at the accounting books. "For the month ended March 2019... we got 2200 from community grants, around 1150 from donations, we have the monthly 5000 Wuncler cheque, and about 445 from misc. revenue."
Huey punches a few numbers on a calculator. "So minus all our expenses... we have a budget of 400 per month on the office space."
"That's not a lot right?"
"Yeah..."
"But I think we can manage it."
"I might have to pay for the rent out of my own pocket." Huey scowls at the budget.
"I'll help too, we can split the bill. We just need to get the office soon because It's kinda embarassing that Caesar and everyone else don't have a proper place to work."
"You're right..."
Jazmine notices Huey's face, it's rare when Huey has a worried look. "You okay?"
"We're gonna have to leave for university and we're gonna leave NBP in such a mess. I don't think they can even survive if we leave Woodcrest."
Jazmine puts her hand on his shoulder. "It's okay..."
Huey adds on "Plus we're basically dangling on the Wuncler cheque, if they get pissed off and they stop funding us then we won't last another week."
"It's okay... it's okay..." Jazmine wraps her arms around him and placing her head on his shoulder. "We just have to hope that things get better."
"Hope." Huey scoffs.
"And besides... we can always visit Woodcrest and check in from time to time, it wouldn't be bad if we visit home every other week right?"
"I guess."
"Cin and Riley will still be here. They still have 2 more years of school, I know you have your opinions about them... but we can still trust them right?"
"Sure..."
"And we have Caesar, and Charlotte, and Amy, and Sophie, and all the other girls, we can depend on them. And Ed and Rummy are good people, sometimes, but we can depend on them too! Huey you don't have to be alone anymore, you can depend on other people to help you..."
"Yeah. You're right... I really shouldn't worry." Huey returns Jazmine's embrace and they cuddle together.
"Plus, you have me." She winks.
"Very true."
Granddad suddenly interrupts them. "Huey! Cutie-pie! Stop smooching and going lovey-dovey on my furniture!"
Jazmine got startled "Sorry Mr. Freeman!"
"Boy! What did I tell about PDA? No Public Displays of Affection! Damn, fawning over each other like a bunch of bunnies."
She slightly blushes "Really s-sorry!"
"Well by the way, Angelia is coming over for dinner so you if you two are gonna stay I want you to be in your best behavior!"
"You're still dating her?" Huey asks.
"Boy what kind of question is that? You saying that like it's a surprise!" Granddad grips tightly on his belt.
"The girls you meet usually don't last after the first date... Granddad when was the last time you even went on a second date with the same girl."
"Shut the fuck up Huey. I'll have you know that we have been dating for 4 months now! Yes you heard that, Mr. Bitchez still got it!" Granddad cackles with a big smile. "I think she is the one!"
"Aww that's so sweet." Jazmins comments. "Congrats Mr. Freeman."
"See? Why can't you be happy for your granddad? Why the hell you always gotta be sad and gloomy all the damn time Huey. I have no idea what you see in him cutie-pie."
Huey scowls, still disapproving Granddad's relationships and the countless women who took advantage of his loneliness, Jazmine tries to get him to congratulate Granddad but then the doorbell rings. She walks over the door to answer it.
"Hello? Is Robert here?" Angelia is standing outside with a bright red dress, she is a woman in her 30s with a very dark complexion and long flowing black hair.
"Hi! I'm Jazmine come in!" Jazmine invites her inside.
"Nice to meet you Jazmine, are you a friend of Robert's?"
"Yes. His grandson and I are together." She smiles proudly.
"Angelia!" Granddad calls her from the dining room.
Angelia lets out a small gasp. "Robert!" They walk to each other and greet with a hug. "I missed you! You look wonderful in that suit!"
Robert smiles, his cheeks turning slightly red. "Thank you kindly. Now have a seat, dinner is almost ready!"
Angelia gasps a second time. "And you must be Huey! I'm so glad we can finally meet!"
"Nice to meet you Angelia." Huey bluntly says, still disapproving another one of Granddad's dates.
Angelia responds "So you and Jazmine are together? Aww... you look so cute together..."
"Thank you!" Jazmine sits down next to Huey. "We're really happy together." She starts holding his hand.
Granddad goes to the kitchen to prepare their two dishes. Leaving them in the dining room to socialize.
"Huey I'm so excited to meet you! I've heard so many good things about you, from Robert, from Micheal, from everybody! And my oh my! You are a really busy man!"
Huey nods his head, still looking over their finances. He turns his head to make eye contact. "Thanks for the compliment, I have many projects going on."
Jazmine adds. "We keep ourselves busy! We have a bunch of stuff going on, like going to university, managing our non-proift, studying for our final exams. Sometimes we barely have any time for friends!"
"Oh so you manage NBP as co-partners? Wow that's so cute." Angelia giggles.
Jazmine flashes a smile. "Yes! Ever since we were little we've always done things together! It's like synergy!"
"Robert must be so proud of you two! You haven't graduated high school and you already have a non-profit startup! Do you know how much you guys have done for Woodcrest? You two helped so many people! Including me!"
"Thank you! If you don't mind, what did our organization do for you?"
She answers. "When we moved into Woodcrest we had such a hard time, we weren't even ready for winter because in Jamaica we don't get them. And I barely had the money to buy winter coats!"
"Oh that's terrible!"
"But one day, Micheal came home and dragged me to the NBP clothes drive, where you were giving out winter coats for everybody! We picked two out and they are so warm. I don't think I could last the winter without it!
"You're welcome!" Jazmine hugs Huey's arm proudly.
Angelia smiles at the couple. "Huey is not much of a talker is he?" She grins.
"Yes. He only opens up to me, and he's always grumpy to everyone else!" Jazmine and Angelia giggle like little girls.
Huey finally speaks "How did you and my grandfather meet?"
"We met online! I was looking for people to talk to in Woodcrest because we moved here and we didn't know anybody! I was looking for friends and Robert was such a gentleman! Then one thing led to another and we had a very nice coffee date."
He eases his suspicions "Well congratulations with you two. He seems very happy with you."
"Thank you! And thank you for helping my son get a job with NBP!"
"Yeah. The scarf you made was very nice."
Angelia smiles and then Robert walks into the room carrying 2 plates and 2 wine glasses.
"Will you join us for dinner?" Angelia asks.
Jazmine replies. "Sorry. We're vegetarian." She gestures to Robert's food which looks to be some steak and gravy. Huey feels like scolding Granddad for eating unhealthy again. Where the hell did he get those steaks. He's smuggling meat inside again.
Angelia sounds impressed. "Wow both of you are vegetarian? Robert these kids are like gifts from heaven! You must be so proud!"
"Yeah they're really good kids, but sometimes the boy gives me headaches." He mutters and Angelia giggles.
Huey and Jazmine gather up their papers to give them some alone time. Jazmine says "Well if you will excuse us we'll be on our way, have fun with your date Angelia! You too Mr. Freeman!"
"Bye!"
"She seems nice." Jazmine comments.
"Finally a girl who isn't a psycho or a hooker, although it might be too early to tell." They are sitting together in Jazmine's room, on her bed.
Jazmine rolls her eyes "She's really cool though, give her a chance... anyways, now that we got all our stuff done, what do you want to do?" She asks.
"I don't know, maybe read."
"A study session hm..." Jazmine places a finger on her chin to think.
"Or maybe I can show you some of the books I read... there's one about how our people was exploited in Confederate America."
"No thank you. That book is too sad for me."
"How so?
She frowns. "I just don't like slavery and all the bad stuff that happened, I just feel really scared whenever I learn about it."
"You're scared because... it happened? It's our people's history."
"Our people?" Jazmine asks.
"Yes our people. African americans. Black people. You're half black Jazmine."
"I- I know. Yeah- I'm scared that it happened to our people."
Huey sighs, closing his eyes as they lay down together on her bed. "I was scared too..." He knows he can share his feelings with her. "I was scared when I first learned about it. When I was 6."
Jazmine listens attentively. "You were scared too?"
"Yes... but I'm not scared anymore. I'm just angry. Angry that it happened."
Jazmine sighs too. She tries to remember the few things she learned. "So many innocent lives were ruined, all those people... they died alone and unloved... I hate it."
Huey adds "Our people built this country, the foundation that this country stands on is made with the bones and the blood of our people and what do we get in return? Nothing, we were rewarded with the freedom that everyone already had. It sickens me."
"Maybe..." Jazmine spoons Huey, wrapping her around him. "Maybe I'm not scared. I'm angry too."
"Don't be scared then. Do you wanna read the book?"
Jazmine ponders. "Hmm... we can do something together. Maybe we can watch a documentary?"
"Alright..." Huey relents, still preferring to read. He then gestures to the TV in her room. "Can you turn it on?"
They sit there cuddling each other, laying on her bed as they watch some sort of history documentary. With back to back days of paperwork and studying for final exams, only now have they found some sort of alone time since the amusement park. But even though they are submerged in work, Huey relishes in it, deep down he's happy that he has so much work to do. As the more work he's done, the more he progress he makes with his goals. And he's glad that Jazmine is by his side, keeping up with his workaholic pace.
The documentary continues to talk about the various slave revolts and the public unrest of that era. Jazmine talks over the TV. "I'm so glad Angelia got help from us. It's kinda nice to have some feedback."
"I'm glad too. It means we're making a difference."
"I really like that feeling. The feeling like you're giving a gift."
"You mean compassion."
"Yeah. Compassion."
"You should probably get used to it."
Jazmine smiles "Why?"
Huey watches the documentary for a brief second as it mentions a famous slave revolt, then he exclaims "Cause we're gonna be doing a lot more than just a single non-profit organization. We're going to change everything, we're going to tear away the most broken systems of our country and we're going to buld them back from the ground up."
"You said we?"
"Who else would I do it with?" Huey affirms.
"I love it. H- hey! Wait a minute!" Jazmine laughs. "Are you trying to radicalize me?!"
"Maybe."
"That's revolution talk Huey!" Jazmine giggles. "You're getting me to join your future revolution aren't you?"
"Not join, I want you to start it... with me."
"Ah yes- Jazmine the Revolutionary, politically sapient and borderline militant. I love it."
"Come here." Huey gives her a kiss, he gently nibbles on her bottom lip causing her to softly moan.
Jazmine whispers between breaths "Of course I'll start it with you..."
"Huh..." Huey caresses her cheek as he explores her lips, he takes a breath then says "Maybe I did radicalize you... sorry."
"No complaints about that."
Then they pull away their kiss, their lungs plead for air but yet they notice the coldness of each other's absence. Jazmine leans her head on his shoulder as they continue watching the documentary.
Jazmine breaks the silence "I really love this... sorry if I'm getting too emotional, I just want to stay like this forever."
"Hmm?" He lifts an eyebrow.
"I mean, we're in bed, snuggled in pillows, watching some TV. It feels really nice."
"You're right, it is kinda nice."
Jazmine blurts out "Huey... do you think... we're ever gonna do it? In bed?"
"Do what?"
"Well... it's so peaceful and quiet... and you're laying in my bed so..."
"What do you mean?"
Jazmine's face goes bright red. "I mean- sex."
"I told you already, we're not ready yet."
She stops laying down and sits up "Of course not! But we need to talk about it! it's a big part of being a couple!"
He sits up too "Okay fine then what do you want to talk about?"
"A- are you a virgin?" Jazmine asks.
"What kind of question is that? Of course I am! Are you?"
"O-of course I am!" Jazmine playfully punches his arm.
"Good. Then what else you want to talk about?"
"W-when will we be ready?"
"When we are financially and emotionally ready for children."
Jazmine blushes "You're already planning for children?"
"I plan for everything Jazmine!"
"Oh come on! Why you gotta be so Huey-like!"
He gives a confused look "What? That sentence doesn't even make sense!"
Jazmine sticks her tongue out skittishly.
Huey puts his arm around her shoulders. He pauses for a bit and then says "We don't need sex to prove anything in our relationship, we don't need sex for pleasure, and we don't need sex to say we love each other. Jazmine if you want to do it then I'll oblige, it's my job as your boyfriend to make you happy, but I think it is in our best interest to do it when we're ready."
Huey continues as he eyes her tenderly. "Maybe we don't have to do it just to have a child. So we don't have to wait that long, but I think we just have to be ready emotionally. Does that sound okay for you?"
"Yes." She nods her head, feeling at awe towards his maturity.
"Do you want to do it?"
"Y-yes. But... we're not ready... the time has to be right." She gives him a loving smile.
"When the time is right." Huey repeats after her.
"I love you."
"I love you too, now can we get back to watching the documentary?"
Jazmine replies "Yes please." And then wraps herself around him once more.
"Yeah me and Reezy had sex yesterday." Cindy tells one of her friends.
"Oooh you go girl!" Amy shouts.
"Where'd you do it?" The girls drown themselves in gossip.
Cindy, Riley, and some other members of NBP are having a small little party at Cindy's place. To say it was a place is an understatement as Cindy's family is actually pretty wealthy. The 3-story mansion with marble columns and has an english-manor architecture. Cindy's dad had managed to strike big in his stock broker career and they had been living pretty gluttonously ever since Cindy was 11. However her parents never really spent time with their only daughter, they are always busy and out on business trips, leaving her to raise her by herself.
"Cannonballl!" Riley jumped inside the pool, splashing water everywhere.
Cindy shouts at him "Reezy you dumb fuck, you gonna get water splashed on us! Don't they teach u manners?!"
"Ya'll are gay, it's just water. C-Murph jump in! Jump in or else you scared."
"I'm not in my swimsuit!"
"Wear it then. The red one that shows a lotta skin."
"Reezy you sick perv!" Cindy takes one of her slippers and throws it at Riley's shit-eating grin. "Bitch Reezy fuckface, you gon catch these hands if yo keep acting like an ass!"
"Jump in C. Aren't you all about that hood shit and you out here scared of a little water."
Cindy shouts "Nah you trippin, Reezy I ain't going in a pool if I have to swim in the same water as your stanky dick.
Reezy goes to the edge of the pool and in one quick motion he jumps out, Cindy and the rest of her girls can't help but notice Riley's athletic physique. He walks up to Cindy, with his muscles and his conrows hair drenched.
Cindy shouts at him "What the fuck you doin, this ain't Baywatch the fuck you walking up to me thinkin you're the shit. Reezy if you think you're gonna throw me in my fucking pool then I swea-"
Riley throws her in the pool.
Cindy swims up and gasps for air "Reezy! Ugh! I'm gonna kill you!"
Riley jumps in too and swims towards her. "Come on C, stop acting like a prude ass bitch and just make out with me. It's kinda hot if we do it in the pool."
"Nah I'm gonna punch you."
Cindy drags her arms in the water and goes for a left hook on Riley. He lets her land one good punch in the face and while it did hurt, Riley didn't react or show emotion, he just stared at her.
"You done?" Riley asks.
"Yeah."
Then they kiss in the pool and they jump at each other hungrily. They feel each other rub up and down their bodies, stuck in such a trance that they didn't even notice all their friends staring at them. Riley was already tightly gripping her ass until Cindy punches him in the gut, this time making Riley wince in pain. She says right in his face "Bitch."
"Yeah you my bitch."
"Shut your fucking mouth before I drown you."
A while later they are out relaxing and sitting in chairs beside the pool, Cindy had to change her soaked clothes into the bikini that Riley liked, The pool party reminds Riley of the time when he hanged out with Thugnificent, whenever he was little he always used to throw these extravagant parties, with hookers and sugar babies littered everywhere. Now with all the money from Wuncler and with Cindy's parents being wealthy he can't help but feel a sense of deja uu.
Riley gets a lighter and smokes one of those expensive cuban cigars. He would always make fun of people who smoke these things, partly out of jealousy and partly because it looks stupid, but now that he actually has one in his hand, he feels so distinguished. Riley isn't even a smoker, but just like with gold chains, he understands that these are status symbols.
"Yeah this is the life C. We made it, we living the whole successful rapper lifestyle," Riley drinks the martini beside him.
Cindy drinks her own martini "And we only 16 and we got our crew and we be like stylin on them niggas, Reezy we got that playboy vibe."
"Yea babe."
Cindy's eyes dart between the pool and her surroundings "I should get some statues out here or some waterfall or sum shit. Rich niggas have waterfalls in their backyard right? I want a waterfall then we really livin the life."
"A waterfall for the pool? That's some white girl shit."
"Fuck off, the black nigga shit is paying some hookers to swim in the pool. That's yo version of a pool decoration."
Riley was about to protest, but he knows she's right, every rich gangster he's met with a pool always has bitches on call to lounge around. "Hey hey, fine if you want yo waterfall we can buy one. I ain't no cheating nigga, I ain't gonna call some walmart-brand discount hoes to be in the pool."
"Good. We ride or die as always but since we at the topic if I find you cheatin with a hoe then you dead. I'm dumpin all my cash on an international security service and Imma get your ass merc'd."
Riley panics "Ey chill! We know we good! I ain't gon cheat. Chill babe!"
"Aight aight, I chill, but you gon scream for yo life." Cindy gives Riley a deathstare.
"Well I did make you scream last night. Screaming at me to keep going so..." Riley reminds her of their love-making yesterday.
Cindy's face goes red "Fuck you nigga, yo dick always on a 30 degree slant I swear."
Riley laughs, knowing Cindy is just trying to keep her facade in front of her friends, he took him a while to figure out why she's always so brutal in public but he knows that the girl can get pretty freaky in private.
"Yeah whatever, I'mma get a refill inside, you want anything C-Murph?"
"Fill ma glass too!" Cindy shouts rudely.
Riley stands up from his chair and takes Cindy's glass, but before he does so he gives Cindy a quick kiss.
"Be right back."
Cindy whispers softly, in a hushed feminine voice "Okay babe."
Riley opens the sliding glass door and goes inside. With Huey's work, the money from the heist, and Cindy's rich parents he feels like he's made it in life. He has always been chasin the dream of getting his dream girl, in a big house, and chilling and frankly he has been doing that almost every single day. He does feel bad however, all he is doing is leeching off people's work, he's never really done much to deserve any of this, and while any nigga lacking in character might be content with that, Riley can't help but think he has to do something to earn it.
It must just be part of the Freeman gene, deep down he wants to do something and earn something instead of taking advantage of people's work. And while a young 8 year old Riley would be more than happy to just chain smoke and drink expensive shit all day, he feels a sense of maturity to have a little self awareness.
Thugnificent comes into mind again as he looks back at how we lived his life, surrounded by bitches and girls and living the dream, Riley was so obsessed with that dream. Then it came crashing down on Otis as he never found a purpose in life other than to be a rich asshole.
If he doesn't do anything then maybe this whole dream of his might come crashing down on him too.
