Black Lives Matter Pt. 2
A/N: I had no intentions of continuing this story. But here we are. So, here it is.
ETA:(I edited this thanks to the Guest reviewer. I tried to make the conversation smoother; however, the choppiness of that particular situation was partially purposeful because race is a hard conversation. the easier edit was making the distinction of who was where Thank you for letting me know. Appreciate the feedback.)
Lena's sleep had been unsettled after the conversation she'd had with Stef. By the time she made it to the kitchen the kids were in various stages of finishing breakfast. Thankfully, she smelt coffee. "Thanks for making coffee," Lena said to Callie as she poured a mug then filled her travel mug knowing there wasn't going to be time for a second cup at home. "For once I mean that sincerely-."
"Thanks, but wasn't me," Callie answered. "Mama came down looking like-"
"Like that walker Michonne killed when she was tied to that post. Remember that one?" Jesus looked over at Brandon who nodded, wordlessly eating his cereal.
Lena looked at Jesus skeptically, "what?"
"Walking Dead," he replied nonchalantly.
"Yeah, we had a Season 3 marathon a few weeks ago when we spent the weekend with Dad," Brandon jumped to explain why Jesus had been watching a show Stef and Lena had adamantly banned.
Narrowing her eyes, Lena accepted the explanation with a sigh, "I'm sure Mom didn't look like a zombie, Son."
"I don't know, Mama," Jude slid behind her to reach the sink, "she didn't even tease Marianna about being ready early."
Smiling at Jude's earnestness, Lena kissed the top of his head, "well, maybe Mom knew her presence at the table didn't guarantee she was ready." Grabbing her bagel, Lena looked at the clock, "like if she doesn't come back down in three minutes-"
"Marianna left already. She was up early," Callie looked up from her notebook. "Said she was meeting Mat or Tia or someone, I didn't really catch it." Roughly running her fingers through her hair, she tossed her pen in her bag before throwing her book on top of it.
"Book hurt you?" Brandon gave her a small smile, picking up her cereal bowl to wash with his.
Rolling her eyes Callie's words came out harder than she intended, "no but your face is."
Turning on the steps, Lena glared at the kids. Putting her hand on her hip, "Callie, come upstairs with me, please?"
"I have all my things," the girl mumbled, picking at a fringe on the placemat.
"That wasn't a request," Lena's voice compelled Callie to slide from the chair. When she got to the landing, Lena heard the kid's shower running. That was why she'd missed Stef. Turning to face Callie, Lena took a deep breath, "want to tell me what that was about?" Getting no answer other than a shrug, "OK. Tell me what that was about." She and Stef had realized the way they phrased things as an expectation rather than option, she would at least try.
Kicking her toe into the carpet, Callie met Lena's eyes, "I'll apologize to him. I didn't mean it. It's just this assignment." She shrugged, "I'm sorry."
"What assignment?" Lena asked, her voice softening a bit.
"We have to write a stupid letter to Martin Luther King, Jr. We read "Letters to Birmingham" yesterday," she explained quietly.
Lena pressed her lips together, studying Callie for a moment, "if you're having trouble with the work, talk to Timothy or I can help you this evening." Her offer being met with an intentional blank stare made Lena's eyes narrow. "What's this about?" Lena leaned against the wall as she again posed the question to Callie.
"Who writes letters?" Callie mumbled. Hearing Lena sigh, she looked up. "Look, it's just stupid. They're in jail, being beaten, starved for what?"
"Wait," Lena held up her hand. "It did count," she answered emphatically. "Dr. King and the other civil rights leaders changed history."
"For what? Saying some chants or sitting in a diner didn't change much. Hasn't changed much. If you're going to go to jail, make it freakin count."" Callie's voice was raising. "You don't get it, Lena, you've never been in jail. Never been stripped searched, or had that thick lice shampoo poured over you before you get locked in a room-"
"And you've never been Black," Lena fired back, standing up straight. Hearing her tone and watching as Callie instinctively took a step back from her almost stunned her. "Look, I get that you understand 'systems'," she air quoted, her voice falling back down. "I do." Looking up at the ceiling Lena tried to find the words for what she was feeling. "I'm just," she pulled her eyes back to Callie. Her daughter was looking at her expectantly. "I'm tired, frustrated, to be honest more than a little bit afraid for Mama's safety, and for the kid's out on the street. It's been a long few weeks. "
Uncrossing her arms, Callie's stare softened. "I'm sorry, Mama," she said. "For being rude to Brandon, too. I'm just, uh you know, sorry. I'll apologize to him," Callie tried to smooth things back over with Lena. She was skeptical of the whole conversation but needed time to think.
"Thank you for the apology," Lena wrapped Calie into a side hug. She understood Callie needed time to process what she'd said. Maybe they could have a longer discussion on race, the ongoing protests, and Callie's own experience in juvie; but that would unfortunately have to wait. Right now, they were late and Lena had to see Stef before leaving. "Get everyone in the vehicle. I am going to check on Mom and meet you all out there," she kissed Callie's temple, adding an extra squeeze. "Babe," Lena opened the door while knocking. The conversation with Callie had taken much of the time she had wanted to spend with Stef so she had to hurry.
"Morning, Love," Stef was at the sink, wrapped in a towel. "I heard you and Callie talking," she looked in the mirror as Lena came up behind her, slinking her arms around her waist. "What was that about?"
Lena closed her eyes, resting her chin on Stef's shoulder, "nothing. We'll talk about it later. Why are you up?"
Stef smiled tiredly. "Captain has called an emergency meeting for 9:30. Hernandez didn't say what was going on, just said it was mandatory. Least I got to see you," she hung up the towel, grabbing her lotion.
Lena returned the smile, "Yeah." Taking the bottle from Stef, she squeezed some of the lotion on her hand, rubbing it on her wife's back. She gave Stef a kiss, groaning feeling the mutual desperation. "We're going to bring dinner to the station this evening," she pulled away looking at Stef for confirmation.
"I love you," Stef confirmed. "Thank you," she kissed Lena again. "I really appreciate it," she added.
Lena nodded. "I think it's important, for all of us." Looking toward the door, she reluctantly stepped back, "I've got to go, Babe. I love you. Please, let me know what goes on in the meeting."
Stef laughed hearing Lena loudly asking Jesus why he wasn't in the car. She walked back into the bedroom and pulled out a uniform, listening as the car pulled out. She hoped the leaders of the protests had decided to finally negotiate with the Chief and Roberts was merely having a reception. There'd been rumors all week, though, that the organizers were planning something big this weekend. Taking a drink of the coffee she'd set on the dresser, Stef sighed. She needed a break. Her family needed her to have a break. Right now, though, duty called for her to get ready and to this meeting.