ALRIGHT ALRIGHT ALLLRIIIIIGHHHTTT! I'm back with another chapter ya'll WOOHOO! So yeah, this chapter is VERY extensive! I wanted to make sure every character got some dialogue and that Sunday dinner was as relatable as possible. Because in that environment, it's important to embrace the little things and the quality time with your friends in family. Can i get an AMEN!? XD XD XD

Enjoy!

Huey sat against the trunk of a giant oak tree that stood at the very top of a hill that looked over all of Woodcrest. He gazed up at the white clouds as the wind carried the colorful autumn leaves through the air. It was peaceful and solitary. This was his go-to spot for when he just needed time alone to think or to cool down.

He closed his eyes and put his hands behind his head as he relaxed against the amber trunk of the tree. He felt a finger tap his nose and he popped his eyes open. He saw Jazmine looking directly down at him.

He realized that he was laying in her lap as she stroked his hair, softly scratching his scalp. Huey closed his eyes again as he savored the sensational feeling of her talented fingers.

"You know you should probably get a trim soon, Huey Freeman," Jazmine giggled. Huey sat up so quick it startled her. "Whoa..what's wrong?"

"Jazmine..y-you're talking!" Huey said.

"Ummm.. yeah?" Jazmine chuckled. "Ever since I was 2? What's gotten into you?"

"But…but how is that possib…"

"Shhhh," Jazmine pressed her finger to Huey's lips. "I've waited so long to do this Huey." Jazmine moved her finger from his lips, down his chin and neck and hooked it around the rim of his collar. She pulled him closer, closing her eyes as she tilted her head.

Huey's eyes widened as he realized what was happening. They shouldn't be doing this. This all seemed weird. HOW WAS SHE TALKING?!

But his thoughts were put to a halt when he felt her lips gently touch his. It wasn't heated or rushed. They just enjoyed the feeling. When he pulled away, he opened his eyes half-way and looked at her, but then his eyes nearly popped out of his skull.

Jazmine's lips were SEWN shut!

Jazmine!...Jazmine! He tried shouting, but nothing came out. He touched his throat panicking. He couldn't speak!

Tears fell from her eyes as her muffled screams turned to shrieks of pain. The clouds floated closer together, creating an overcast throughout the entire sky until it was almost pitch black. Then he saw a dark midst come down and formed hands that grabbed Jazmine, pulling her away from him and into the air.

JAZMINE! NOOOO! JAZMINE! He still tried to shout, but nothing came of it. The midst carried her, screaming and struggling, into what looked like a dark hole in the sky. All he could do was watch in terror.

The last thing he saw a was drop of blood fall from her lips and land directly on his cheek. He smeared it off with his finger and formed a fist, breathing ruggedly with rage. Next thing, it started raining blood all around him, her voice screaming his name in horror, rung in his ears. Huey covered his ears and gave a barbaric roar into the sky, but still nothing came out. Jazmine's screams grew louder and louder…

Huey shot up in his bed in a sweaty mess. His chest heaved as he tried slowing down his breathing. He looked over at his clock which read 11:45 am. He never liked to sleep in past nine, but from the traumatic nightmare he just had, he didn't care at the moment.

Holy fucking shit, Huey thought as he continued slowing down his labored breathing. He wiped sweat off of his forehead and rested it in his hands.

"So who's Jazmine?"

Huey jumped and nearly fell out of bed. Rasheeda was laying on the other side of his king-sized bed, resting on her elbow as she looked up at him.

"Rasheeda! What the fuck?! I told you to sleep downstairs!" Huey shouted getting up in nothing but basketball shorts and socks.

"Yo..Huey you need to calm down. My head is ringing enough as it is." Rasheeda sat up and rubbed her temples.

"I don't give a flyin' FUCK!" Huey roared. The whole house damn near shook.

"Damn nigga, chill out! It was a draft downstairs and I was freezin' my ass off! Don't worry, I ain't touch you or nothin'!" she gave him a smirk as she did a once over his god-like body. Huey gave her a real serious and intimidating look. This woman really thought he was playing right now. "So you gon' tell me who Jazmine is?"

"Bitch HELL NAH!" Huey exclaimed making a slice motion with his hand. "You done barged into my crib in da middle of da night, drunk as fuck, sexually harassing me, invaded my personal space and you wanna talk 'bout some female!?" Huey's Chicagoan accent was well apparent.

He NEVER called a female out of her name...EVER! But this bitch… could get every name in the whole book.

"You know what? I'm tired of you talkin' down on me like I'm just some hoe off the street! Why can't you see that I still want to be with you Huey? You a dog-ass nigga! What that bitch got that I don't?!" Rasheeda whined.

"You listen to me, and you fuckin' listen well," Huey rested his hands on the mattress, making him eye level with her. "We are NEVER getting back togther! NEVER! I want NOTHING to do with you. You are selfish, childish, irresponsible, sloppy, and detrimental. You stepped outside of our relationship with other men and you wanna wonder why I talk down on you like a hoe? Don't ever question me about what I'm doing or who I'm seeing, because I could care less about what you think of me. I let you stay here last night because I was being nice, but now I see it was just another one of your crazy ass, demented ass stunts! So hear this…Do NOT come to this house ever again and do NOT call me ever again. We are DONE!" Huey stood back up

"Now…I'm going to go to the bathroom, and take a shower. And by the time I get back, your ass had better be gone! Do you understand me?" Huey glared at her. She didn't respond, she just gave a hard glare back.

He looked her up and down before he left the room shaking his head. Rasheeda was stuck in that same spot on his bed just dumbfounded. She thought he talked bad to her when he found out about her cheating on him. This was just brutal. This had to be that bitch Jazmine's fault. Now that he was seeing her, Rasheeda was in his rear view, and she wasn't going to let him just skate over her like this. Her face turned from hurt, to angry. She gave a hard sigh through her nose like a bull, as she squeezed the blanket in her fists.

She slowly got out of his bed but winced as she was met with a headache from her hangover. She started looking for her phone and found it on the floor by the foot of the bed. She quickly went to the Uber app and called for a ride. It notified her that the driver would be there in 5 minutes. She closed the app and bent down to put on her heels. As she sat back up she immediately felt an even worse headache.

'He's gotta have some aspirin in here somewhere,' she thought. She snuck over to his door and poked her head out. The bathroom door was closed and she could hear the water running. The coast was clear. She pulled her head back in his room and went over to his desk. She looked through the a couple drawers and only found some papers and files.

In the bottom, left drawer she found a picture of Huey and some girl when they were little, probably around nine or ten. They were sitting on the Freeman's front porch side by side. She noticed the little girl first. She was very pretty, with two, large orange/golden puffs falling behind her head and light caramel skin. She was kissing Huey on the cheek, who had that same signature scowl, but he had a smirk rising on the corner of his mouth!

She's never seen him smile! Not even smirk! Who was this girl?! She flipped the picture over and made a sinister smile as she read the caption: Me and Jazmine, 2004. So this is the famous Jazmine. The woman of Huey's dreams, literally. No doubt from her beauty as a little girl in this photo, she must have been stunning now, but she didn't give a fuck. She still needed that aspirin though.

She put the picture back and closed the drawer. She went over to his nightstand and opened the top drawer, BINGO! A white non-prescribed bottle of aspirin was right there. She took a couple and swallowed them plain. She was about to close the drawer, but she noticed a tan piece of paper folded up in the very back corner.

Her phone vibrated in her pocket. It was probably the Uber notifying her they were there already. Okay, she needed to hurry up. She opened the note and saw the message and phone number.

Hmmm, she thought. She took a quick picture of it with her phone and put the note back exactly where she found it and closed the drawer. She booted out of the room and down the stairs where she saw the other Freeman brother coming in the door.

"Aye! Who ordered an Ube.." Riley shouted as he stepped inside. He smirked as he watched Rasheeda in her club attire and faded make up coming down the stairs. "Well, looks like someone had a fun night."

"Yeah, wouldn't you like to know?" Rasheeda looked him up and down, returning the smirk.

"Nah, I'm good." Riley reopened the door for her to go through. "Sloppy seconds ain't my style."

"Nigga fuck you and yo…"

"Bye Felicia!" Riley interrupted her slamming the door behind her.

Later on that day

Jazmine looked at herself in the mirror and gave a satisfied sigh. She had her hair in a half up/half down style, with a bun on the top of her head and a couple bangs hanging down on the side of her face, and the rest of her golden curls falling down her back. She put on light make-up with a light brown eyeshadow in the crease of her eyelids, some eyeliner and mascara, some lip-liner and lip gloss.

She wore a loose, white, satin, spaghetti strap top that showed just a smidge of cleavage, a light brown cardigan that came down to mid thigh, black skinny jeans and leopard print pumps. She wore a 33 inch gold pendant necklace, gold hoop earrings with rhinestone studs, and golden bracelets and rings.

She sprayed her favorite Armani perfume and fanned herself before she heard her doorbell ring. She fluffed her hair one more time and went downstairs to open the door. It was Trisha who was looking just as fine as she was.

She had on a black leather jacket, a maroon, split-buttoned cable knit dress, a Cashmink scarf, cream-colored leggings and brown, leather, heeled boots. She had on heavier make-up than Jazmine, with dark pink and brown eyeshadow that made her eyes look a lighter brown, falsies eyelashes and dark maroon matte lipstick. Her hair was worn down and flat-ironed with two Roman braids that started at her temples and tied around the back of her head.

'Who you tryna impress?' Jazmine signed looking her best friend up and down.

'Girl nobody! I'm just trying to make a good impression. I should be asking you the same thing' Trisha winked at her as she removed her jacket and scarf. 'I see you got the wildcats on your feet! No need guessing what your motive is huh?'

Jazmine rolled her eyes as she laughed. But she gave another questionable look at her feet.

'You don't think they'll give the wrong impression do you?' Jazmine held her right thumb to her left palm and rotated it downward.

'No Jazmine! I was completely joking! You look great!' Trisha reassured her.

'Huey should be coming over to get us soon. Want a quick glass of wine? I'm so nervous.'

"*gasp* Jazmine! You know I don't drink while I'm working!" Trisha said clutching her pearl necklace.

Jazmine gave her a dull look. Like 'bitch you and I know damn well'.

"Just kidding!"

Jazmine got out the Merlot and poured them both a decent amount into glasses. Trisha gave her puppy dog eyes as she took her glass. Jazmine rolled her eyes and poured her a bit more.

"Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. Better act like you know!" Trisha said as they cheered their glasses together.

Right when they finished they heard a knock at the door. Jazmine put her glass in the sink and went to open it.

There stood Huey in a his leather jacket, a simple cream long sleeve shirt, dark jeans and suede oxford dress shoes. His Afro was neat and freshly combed and she could smell his heavenly Versace cologne.

'Hello Jazmine,' Huey signed along with her full name. Jazmine smiled brightly at him as she signed hello back and let him in. 'You look great.'

Jazmine gave him a surprised look from how well he moved his hands. Huey smirked at her reaction. He knew she would appreciate it.

'Thank you. So do you! You clean up nicely.' She playfully dusted off his shoulders. She mouthed the words along with signing, just because she didn't know how much sign he really knew.

Huey responded by touching his lips with his fingers and gesturing them towards her. Oh wow…so he did know what she was saying!

"Awwww, look at ya'll," Trisha came out of the kitchen. "Now that's a true friend right there, Jazzy. You learn quick, Freeman!" Trisha went over to the coat rack and started putting her coat and scarf back on.

Huey rolled his eyes and signed to Jazmine again. 'You ready?'

Jazmine nodded and she grabbed her coat from Trisha and put it on, before signing something very fast so that Huey couldn't understand.

'Stop teasing him! He gets irritable really quick!'

'Jazmine I know the guy's a stiff! But you also know how I am. He's just gonna have to get used to me, hon' '

The two started signing over each other in, what looked like to Huey, a small argument. He watched their hands flap and twist and clap frantically.

"Uhhh, are we leaving or not?" Huey interrupted. The two immediately stopped and turned and smiled at him sweetly like they weren't just cussing each other out.

"Yeah! We're ready," Trisha spoke through her fake smile. Huey shook his head as he opened the door for them.

Jazmine bumped her with her hip before walking towards the door, but not before Trisha elbowed her back. They both took one of Huey's arms and they walked across the street to the Freeman residence.

When Huey opened the door, everyone immediately screamed, "WELCOME HOME, JAZMINE!"

Jazmine's eyes popped open as she covered her mouth. She saw every single one of her old friend's faces and it almost brought tears to her eyes.

Cindy was the first to run up and give her a fat bear hug. Jazmine's face damn near turned blue.

"Jazzy babyyyy! Oh my goodness I missed you so much! Girl don't ever go away that long again! You hear me!?" Cindy said with slight tears forming in her eyes.

" 'I missed you too Cindy! It's definitely been too long! But don't worry! You're Jazzy Baby is here to stay!' " Trisha spoke for Jazmine as she signed.

Cindy was taken aback from Jazmine's new language, but smiled at her nonetheless. Then, everyone immediately looked over at the new brunette guest.

"Ahem.. uh..everyone, this is Trisha Romano. She is Jazmine's interpreter and good friend. They've been working together for a long time, so she's very close and dear to Jazmine." Huey introduced.

They all nodded and walked up to them to greet them.

"Hello again cutie-pie," Robert took Jazmine's hand and held it in both of his. "I can't express how wonderful it is to see you back. You're just as beautiful as ever lil' baby. Welcome, welcome, welcome back!" Robert pulled her in and kissed her on the cheek.

" 'Thank you so much Mr. Freeman! It's so good to be back!' " Jazmine gave him a big hug.

Robert turned to Trisha. "And it's very nice to meet you as well, cutie-pie. Anyone who sits at our table is considered family. Please make yourself at home."

"Thank you very much, Mr. Freeman. Jazmine has told me so much about you all, especially about your good cooking! I'm expecting that Itis to hit me like a runaway freight train. Hope you don't disappoint!"

"AaahhHAHAHAHA! Oh you just wait Miss Lady! My cooking is deadly!"

"Literally," Huey muttered.

"Shut up, boy! Didn't nobody ask for yo vegan, head-ass opinion! While my useless grandson is just standing there, may I take your coats ladies?" Granddad asked. They both smiled and handed them their coats and scarves while Huey just gave his grandfather a mean look. "Excuse me, gotta check on the food" They both nodded at him and watched him disappear into the kitchen.

Next, a slender brown-skinned woman with a dark brown bob, light brown/almost hazel eyes and red lipstick walked up to them.

"Hello ladies. I'm Ebony Brown, Robert's girlfriend." She shook both of their hands. They looked at her stunned. The grumpy, boisterous, old Robert Freeman was in a relationship with this beautiful stallion of a woman? Inconceivable.

" 'Hello Ms. Brown,' " Jazmine sighed.

"Please, just call me Ebony. I'm not as old as Robert yet." They all laughed.

That was for damn sure.

"I must say, you both are astoundingly beautiful! And those shoes!" Ebony pointed to Jazmine's feet. "Let me guess…Christian Louboutin? Red bottoms?" Jazmine's mouth fell open.

" 'Wow, that's impressive Ebony!' " Jazmine signed as Trisha sounded just as impressed. " 'And I especially love your necklace! It's extraordinary!' " It was a silver chain necklace attached to a fat sapphire diamond, with clear diamond accents around it. " 'Let me guess….Vera Wang?' "

It was Ebony's turn to be shocked. Oh yeah… they may have had an age gap between them, but they both could tell they were going to be good friends.

"I like her," she said to Huey as she winked at Jazmine. "You and I gonna have to talk soon, baby girl."

Jazmine nodded eagerly at her as she walked away.

Caesar was the next one in line. He gave her a cool smirk and held his arms open.

"Come on, bring it in," he said twiddling his fingers towards him. Jazmine gave a wide-cheeked smile as she jumped in his arms and he spun her in a couple circles. "You know there's a popular, blue, social media app that everyone uses nowadays. It's called uhhh..FACEBOOK!?" Caesar joked putting her back down. "Next time you go away, God-forbid, would you PLEASE try and keep in touch wit a nigga?! You had us all depressed and shit!"

Jazmine laughed silently at her dread-headed friend. He was always the jokester of the group. And he always took a liking to Jazmine, not as more than a friend, but he was just as protective of her as Huey was. And he always liked to see her smile.

He introduced himself to Trisha next.

"The name's Michael Zenzabaar Caesar, but you can just call me Caesar or Ceez. Welcome to the squad!" Caesar stuck out his hand.

"Nice to meet you Ceez! And thanks!" Trisha shook his hand. "Jazmine tells me you're a pretty popular DJ around here."

"Wellll that's very generous of her to say, but…I'm just,"

"Yeah, he is!" Cindy interrupted. "He's always being modest, but he's gotten 8 music awards this year alone, and celebrities have sampled from his mixes! Like G-Herb, Young Dolph, and even Kevin Gates!"

"Wow! That's very impressive!" Trisha's eyes widened along with Jazmine.

" 'Very!' " Jazmine added.

"HELLOOOO JAZMINE!" Riley walked up and yelled in her face. "DOOO YOUUU REMEMBER MEEEE? I'M RIIII-LEEEEYY!" He made enthusiastic gestures at himself as he spread his mouth wide open to enunciate. "SOOOO GOOOOD TOOOO SEEEE YOUUU!"

"Riley you fuckin' dweeb!" Cindy smacked him upside the head.

"AAAGHH! What the fuck is yo problem!?" Riley shouted rubbing his head.

"She's not deaf you dumbass! She can hear what you're saying!" Cindy yelled back.

"Oh.." Riley let out before looking back at Jazmine who gave him the most dullest look in the world. "My bad Jazmine. Got my disabilities mixed up."

Huey, Cindy and Caesar all palmed their foreheads. But Jazmine just smiled again at him.

" 'I see you haven't changed much, Riley. Glad to see you're still an asshole,' " Jazmine stuck her index finger through a 'O' shape made by her other hand. Everyone made 'Ooouuuuuu' sounds around them.

"Ya'll shut the fuck up!" Riley pointed at everyone. "I see Mariah Carey done worked up a spine now!" He patted her arm. "Glad to have you back."

Then his gaze turned to Trisha and the whole world faded out. He looked her up and down with a sexy smirk as he stuck his hand out. "And it's very nice to meet you, beautiful. The name's Riley, or you can call me Reezy. I'm Huey's brother."

Trisha shook his hand slowly and gazed into his wine-stained eyes. She could definitely tell that they were brothers. They had that same demanding presence and he was just as built as the older brother. She could sense a recklessness to him, and it actually attracted her to him very much.

"Nice to meet you too, Reezy." They still held onto each other's hand, shaking them slowly.

"So how you just gon' let her flame me in front of everybody?" Riley said tilting his head back in a cool way. "You knew what she was sayin' you ain't had to say it out loud!"

"That's part of my job, Riley." Trisha giggled at him. "I have to be her voice you know? I interpret her signs and make it known."

"Well I hope you can put those "interpretation" skills to use wit' me one day," Riley said in a low tone as he bit his bottom lip. Trisha's lips parted as she sighed softly.

Everyone was just staring at them. Did they forget that there were other people in the room?! Jazmine looked between the two and slightly bumped Trisha to snap her out of it.

"Soooo, uhh, drinks anyone?" Ebony spoke up breaking the awkward silence. Everyone agreed immediately as they followed her into the parlor.

Soon, everyone was casually conversing as they sipped whatever drink they chose. Ebony was sipping brandy, Trisha had Cabernet while she was chatting with Riley, who was sipping Hennessy on the rocks. Cindy and Caesar were sipping Gin on the rocks, while Huey and Jazmine sat back in the corner silently. Huey had his scotch, while Jazmine sipped Cabernet as well.

Jazmine could tell Trisha was feeling Riley so she didn't cramp her style. Plus, she was used to watching everyone else talk. It was normal for her. And she enjoyed being near Huey, who seemed to understand her silence and endured it with her.

Huey snuck a peak over at Jazmine and how she smiled and silently chuckled at overhearing the others' conversations. He was amazed at how calm and secluded she was and that she was okay with being left out, as harsh as it sounded. But she looked beautiful while doing it.

But deep down, he knew she was hiding something. She did an excellent job of faking it, whatever 'it' was. He desperately wanted to find out, but he didn't want to pry. Maybe he would never know.

He remembered the nightmare he had the night before, how her voice sounded so smooth and crystal clear, the way her fingers traced over his thick hair, the feeling of her warm, soft lips; All to have her stolen away into the dark abyss in the most gruesome way possible.

He slightly shivered at the thought, but put it in the back of his mind. It was just a dream, nothing more. She was here now, beside him, with his family, smiling, looking beautiful he might add. He shouldn't think too hard on it.

Jazmine felt him shift beside her and looked up at him. He had an almost worried look on his face.

' You okay? ' she signed to him.

' Yeah, I'm good, ' he signed back, taking another sip of his drink. Jazmine nodded and sipped hers as well as they continued watching the others in silence. Until Robert came out of the dining room.

"SOUP'S ON YA'LL! COME ON IN!" Robert gestured for them to enter the dining room.

"HELL yeah!"

"Alright!"

"Let's GRUB!" Riley, Cindy and Caesar all exclaimed.

As they entered the dining room, the long table had a white, linen tablecloth, with two candelabras on each end and a bouquet of flowers in the middle. The food was absolutely abundant.

There was pot roast, fried chicken, ham, chitterlings, oxtails, cheesey potatoes, fried yams, pork-infused collard greens, Mac n cheese, and sweet corn and a garden salad for Huey. They never bothered with dessert because everyone was always full at the end of the meal.

"Dang Granddad! You know Thanksgiving is only 2 weeks away you know!" Riley said.

"Better hush up and eat then boy before you don't even SEE Thanksgiving!" Granddad pointed at him. Riley smacked his lips and rolled his eyes.

Granddad pulled open a seat for Ebony at the foot of the table before sitting down on the other foot. The guys all did the same for Cindy, Jazmine and Trisha. Granddad said grace as they all bowed their heads and held hands. They all simultaneously said "Amen," and began to dig in.

There was a long, unadulterated silence as they enjoyed the food, except for the occasional clinking of silverware and chewing. It was previously agreed before Jazmine arrived that they should wait near the end of the meal, when everyone slowed down, before conversing with Jazmine and Trisha, just to be polite. They couldn't possibly get much eating done from signing and interpreting.

Ebony was the first to talk to Jazmine. "So, Jazmine. How did you get such a fine eye for designers?"

Jazmine eyed Trisha across the table, who finished chewing and wiped her mouth with her napkin. They nodded at each other to let each other know they were ready.

" 'I am a fashion editor for Vogue magazine, but I was recently promoted to Public Relations. I've always had a "Passion for Fashion". At first I wanted to model, but I started to fall in love with the business side of it.' "

"Really?! That is amazing! I read Vogue all the time!" Ebony complimented.

"It's true! She's always first in line to purchase the latest spread." Robert added.

"So that article you all did recently…aaaghh..what was it?" Ebony tapped her finger on the table. "Oh! That Waiting for Rihanna piece! That was you?" Jazmine nodded excitedly. "Wow… I am star struck. It was so beautifully put together and plus I am a huge Rihanna fan!"

"Jazzy, you got to meet RIHANNA!?" Cindy asked dumbfounded.

" 'Yeah. She was so chill and laid back. People always portray her as stuck up or a snob. But I enjoyed talking with her very much. She even complimented ME and I thought I was going to faint!' " Jazmine placed her fingers on her temple and moved them in a circle.

"That is so cool!" Cindy said loudly.

Huey looked at Jazmine beside him with so much fascination. It sounded like she had already done so much for herself. What blew him away was that she chose the business side, rather than the subjective side and he knew that she had matured more than he comprehended.

"Where did you move to when ya'll left?" Caesar asked next.

" 'Well, my father still stayed in Maryland for a while, then moved to New York. I stayed with my mother in Savannah, Georgia until college. Then I moved to New York with my father and attended NYU. That's where I started my career and…' " Trisha stopped when she saw Jazmine stop.

She knew she was having trouble trying to find something else to say, so she decided to but in. "She met me!" Trisha said with a genuine smile.

Huey caught on to that real quick, but no one else did.

"And where you from, Trisha?" Riley asked, eyeing her longingly as he put a fork full of greens in his mouth. She smirked at him at how goofy he was. She had already told him her story, he just wanted her to say it again.

"I was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. But my family is originally from Venice, Italy. My father runs a wine vineyard there, which was passed down from my grandfather, and great-grandfather, all the way back since 1860." Trisha informed them.

Everyone nodded their head in amusement.

"So how did you get into sign language?" Ebony asked.

"My father went deaf when he was a child. When he and my mother had me, I started learning it when I was 3. It's been a language I've had a lot of passion about, so I broke away from the "Romano vineyard heritage line" and decided to study ASL (American Sign Language) at NYU, which is where I met Jazmine."

"That is very interesting!" Ebony complimented.

"Well I don't know about ya'll, but I am stuffed!" Riley exhaled, leaning back into his chair.

"Why don't we all disperse for a while, let this food digest and then we can continue the night with some cards and dominos, hmmm?" Granddad said standing up out of his chair and clapping his hands together.

Everyone agreed and they all left their spots on the table. Huey tapped Jazmine on the shoulder and she turned to him. He had an open hand near his face, then moved it away while closing it. 'Outside?'

Jazmine nodded and smiled. She couldn't believe he had learned such a vast vocabulary in sign in such a short amount of time!

Then again, if there was one thing she remembered about Huey Freeman, was that he was exceedingly smart and adaptive. It probably wouldn't take him long to learn the whole dictionary.

They got their coats and snuck outside. It was almost completely dark outside already and the temperature was starting to drop, but they were so full and their coats were very warm, so they could stand it.

Huey reached into his pocket and pulled out a black and mild. He freaked it back and forth between his hands to loosen the tobacco inside.

"You don't mind do you?" Huey asked as he took it out of it's wrapper. Jazmine gave him a 'Psshhh' expression before pulling out her pack of Marlboros as well. She tapped the bottom of it against her palm a few times before pulling one out and sparking it with her signature lighter.

"Damn, I forgot a light. Help me out?" Huey asked popping the plastic end into his mouth. She nodded as she flipped open the lighter and ignited the flame, holding it up against the end of his cigar. Huey puffed his black and mild a couple of times, making the end glow as it caught the flame.

He really wasn't trying to, but he briefly noticed the engraving on her lighter. He saw ' M x J ' right next to a heart and a little phrase he wasn't able to read. When he finally got his cigar lit, he pulled away and she flipped it back closed.

They just casually smoked a couple minutes. Jazmine sat up on the railing crossing her ankles as she gazed across the street at her house, while Huey just rested on his arms right next to her.

It was almost bittersweet. After all these years, she came straight back here, having Sunday dinner with her old friends and it was exactly how she remembered it and even better. It was a very good feeling.

She took another puff and blew the smoke out through her nose, before she noticed Huey smirking at her.

'What?' Jazmine held her hands upwards in front of her.

"Since when do you smoke?" Huey asked taking his cigar out of his mouth. Jazmine wasn't sure on how to respond. So she just opened her locket and scribbled for a minute, handing the paper to Huey.

Soph. year at college

Stressed out

Also helps relax my throat, as contradictory as that sounds

'You?' she signed.

"I don't know. It just happened. I guess you can say it eases my stress too. But after a meal like that, it helps me digest." Huey said as he puffed again.

'We need to quit,' Jazmine signed slowly so he could understand.

'Yeah, we do….some day,' Huey rested his right elbow with his index and middle fingers pointing up, on his left hand and brought his fingers down, meeting his left elbow.

Jazmine smiled as she slightly corrected him, putting down his middle finger as to just point his index finger. Huey scowled again. Not at her. Just because he doesn't like making errors.

'Just not today,' she signed back as she took a puff and blew out a big cloud. She laughed at herself, making Huey lift his scowl and smirk at her.

"You know, I'm really glad you're back Jazmine. Truly…" Huey said aloud. Jazmine grinned and wrote something else on the back of the first note.

'I am 2 Huey

More than u know'

"I think I know a great deal," Huey said still looking at the note but then slowly looked back up at her. There was a quick silence as they kept eye contact until Huey stepped closer to her. "You know Jazm.."

"And what's going on out here?" Cindy came out with her coat zipped all the way up and earmuffs, followed by Caesar, Riley and Trisha. Huey stood back and rolled his eyes as he took another huge puff from his black.

"Yo what the fuck!?" Riley exclaimed. "Jazmine smokin' wit cigawettes!? Damn! And I thought I done seen it all!"

"Helps soothe her throat, as much as I advise against it," Trisha said walking up next to Jazmine.

"Ya'll can have that tobacco and shit," Caesar said pulling out a pre-rolled blunt. "Meanwhile, me an Mary Jane gon' be doin' business right ova cheaaa'! You know what I'm sayin' pimpin?"

Everyone just gave him a stale look.

"Just light the blunt, goofy," Cindy shook her head.

"Shitttt ain't gotta tell me twice," Caesar took out his lighter, which was designed like the Jamaican flag and lit up one end. He passed it to Cindy, who passed it to Riley, who passed it to Trisha.

"Oh, no thanks. I don't smoke." Trisha held her chest with one hand and shook the other one.

Riley shrugged but then passed it to his brother. He put his black and mild down and took a couple good hits, and handed it to Jazmine.

She honestly hasn't smoked weed since college. Probably because it made her horny as hell. But she wouldn't be releasing that tension anytime soon.

So she put it up to her lips and drew in two big puffs, french-inhaling both times and passed it back to Caesar, who took it with an astounded look on his face.

" 'You all can stop being so surprised at me. We're all adults here!' " Jazmine signed aggressively.

"Sorry girl." Cindy chuckled. "But no matter what, you will always be our wittle Jazzy Baby," Cindy cooed in a baby tone.

Jazmine signed something even more aggressive, but Trisha remained silent.

"Yo..what she say?" Caesar tried saying with a chest full of smoke before passing the blunt to Cindy.

Jazmine finished by flicking her fingers under her chin.

"She said she appreciates you all's concern, but she respectfully wishes to be treated with the same courtesy and that you are all her best friends and she loves you very much," Trisha lied with a sincere smile.

"Riiiightt, I got the gist of it. Nice try," Cindy took some puffs and handed it to Riley.

"Jazmine got a filthy mouth, errr…hands," Riley scratched his head. Everyone just busted out laughing as Jazmine and Huey rolled their eyes.

The blunt went around two more rotations before they were all pretty stoned and headed back inside, where they saw Robert and Ebony slow dancing in the living room. Robert had the deck of cards and dominos waiting, where they played Speed, Belote, Rummy, classic dominoes and where it got the most competitive: Spades.

Robert teamed with Ebony, Riley teamed with Trisha and Cindy teamed with Caesar. And of course, Riley and Cindy's competitive natures always got the best of them. They were screaming across the table and flipping and slapping cards down and arguing about who's book it was and what rules apply and don't apply.

Meanwhile, Huey and Jazmine were a solid team. They didn't need to argue or feed into the psych-outs the others were taunting them with. They just intensely eyed each other from across the table in silence as they simply threw their cards in the center one by one, collecting their books and that DUB! They won 9 out of the 12 matches, 6 of which they were undefeated.

By the time the evening ended, it was almost 10:00 pm. They all said their goodbyes, most of which were to Jazmine, and left the Freeman home. Robert didn't think his grandsons noticed how Ebony snuck upstairs and Riley rolled his eyes. Great…another sleepless night for him.

He and Huey escorted Jazmine and Trisha across the street. Riley and Trisha stopped at her car on the curb, while Huey walked Jazmine to her front door.

"So I'm gon' hear from you right?" Riley asked opening her car door for her.

"If you're up late enough," Trisha said in a sultry tone looking him up and down.

"Awwww see now you can't be doin' 'dat! Girl you better stop. You talkin' like 'dat to da wrong one shawty," Riley bit his bottom lip.

"Nah, you got the right one, il padrone," Trisha said in her Italian accent as she sat in her car.

Riley looked at her in disbelief. Sexy, smart, and Italian!? Awh yeah, he hit the jackpot.

"We'll see about that," Riley retorted as he closed her door. He kept his smirk on her as he walked backwards from her car and continued across the street to his house again. As Trisha started her car, she rolled her passenger window down. "Aye Jaz! I'll be here tomorrow at 10:00 am okay?"

Jazmine gave her the 'Okay' sign and waited for her to pull off. When she saw her turn that corner, she turned back to Huey, who was still for some reason, giving her that same, intense stare.

However, she didn't look away this time. She gazed right back.

" 'Thank you for tonight, Huey. I really enjoyed it.' " Jazmine worded as she signed.

'My pleasure. I'm glad you had a good time,' Huey pointed to his left wrist with his right index finger and then brought it back up, pointing to the side of him.

Jazmine grinned at him and corrected his gesture again. It was all correct until he pointed to the side of him, which she switched it to his thumb, not his index finger.

Huey gave an irritated sigh as he shook his head.

"My bad. I'm trying to get the hang of it." Huey shrugged. Jazmine shook her head and hand reassuringly. She reached into her locket and wrote another note.

'U r doing absolutely great!

I'm happy u r learning

It means a lot 2 me

"Well, thanks," Huey mumbled.

'You are such a good friend,' Jazmine signed as she reached out and held his hand…his large…warm… calloused… hand!

They both paused and looked at their intertwined fingers. Huey took note of how incredibly soft her hands were, like she's never touched a hard surface in her life. He wanted so desperately to bring her wrist to his mouth and kiss it, but that would probably freak her out. But still, this simple, but intense hand-holding was already driving him crazy.

She looked into his eyes for the millionth time. She didn't know if it was because she was still high, or she just couldn't get over how damn FINE he was! A familiar, but foreign feeling overcame her, and she automatically shunned herself for feeling it.

She shouldn't be feeling this.

She can't be feeling shis.

'Well..goodnight Huey,' Jazmine signed quickly before pulling her hand away, unlocking her door and disappearing inside, closing the door on him, all in a quick flash.

Huey didn't even have time to react. He still had his hand out, looking confused, at a complete loss for words.

"Goodnight, Elizabeth," Huey whispered.

Ya'll! i'm exhausted! Like for real! ughhhh! It's a 3-day weekend for me and I plan on taking FULL ADVANTAGE OF IT! So don't expect a new chapter probably until mid-next week. UNLESS of course I get some reviews? ;) ;) And MAYBE i'll suck it up! hahahaha

And a quick Happy Veteran's Day to all of our country's soldiers! Your honorable sacrifice and service is greatly appreciated!

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