Love Thy Neighbor ~ Part 1

Remember When Our Boys Became Men?

Moz: "Guys, some police officers judge us unfairly because of the color of our skin."
Jade: "So what do we do?"
M'Dear: "Matthew 5:44. 'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.' "
Shaka: "I'm not praying for them."
M'Dear and Jeb and look at each other, but for some reason they didn't respond which was unlike them.
Jade: "This is so unfair."
Moz: "I know sweetie, but it's the reality we're living in."
Mazzi: "So...this can happen again?"
Cocoa: "I wish I could say no. But the truth is we have no control over it. But what you do have control of is how you react."
M'Dear: "And you, Shaka, and Y/n did a great job of staying calm and following those officers' directions."
She says walking to us with Jeb following.
Cocoa: "We love you guys...and I am so sorry this happened to you."
Jeb: "Let me say a few words. Lord, we lift our kids up to you and pray that you will keep them safe and out of harm's way. Amen."
All: "Amen."
Someone's phone goes off.
??: BIG BOOTY JUDY
Jeb: "Jade, didn't I tell you about that devil music?"
Jade: "It's not me."
M'Dear: "I thought I put it on vibrate."
They all laugh but me. I'm still terrified by the experience.
~Time Skip~
Mazzi had already left the room and I was up. I was sitting at the foot of Shaka's bed just thinking. He got up and sat beside me.
Shaka: "You're up too?"
Y/n: "Yeah. What if it happens again?"
I say starting to cry a little.
Shaka: "We react the same way. I wish I could protect from stuff like this."
Y/n: "Thanks."
We sat there in silence for a second.
Y/n: "Shaka, I have a confession to make..."
Shaka: "What is it?"
Y/n: "I heard you on the phone with Grayson the other night. I'm sorry I didn't say anything..."
Shaka: "It's fine..."
I'm still crying.
Y/n: "I can't get the image out of my mind. Them aiming guns at us....everything I try and think about leads me to it and it won't st-"
He lifts my chin up and kisses me.
Shaka: "Maybe that will help."
He gets up and leaves.
It did.
~A Few Days Later~
I was laying across Mazzi and Shaka, thinking about how crazy that day was. The boys were reading books. BOOKS. M'Dear walked in.
M'Dear: "Ooh. Cocoa's making jewelry again. Uh. Oh, maybe she'll let me keep this one since she ain't paying no rent around here."
She sets it down and walks towards us.
M'Dear: "You know, you guys are in the same spot since you finished your homework. Why don't you go outside and play?"
Mazzi: "Maybe tomorrow."
M'Dear: "Y'all said the same thing yesterday."
She walks away. Jeb walks in the house.
Jeb: "I got something for you guys."
They turn around and I sit up.
Shaka: "What is it?"
Jeb: "I'll give you a hint. Starts with Play and ends with Station."
Kids: "PlayStation!"
We get up.
Mazzi: "Thanks, Grandpa!"
Shaka: "You're awesome."
Jeb: "I am pretty awesome. And you guys can keep the money you made."
Mazzi: "Sweet."
Y/n: "No."
Shaka: "A deal is a deal."
Y/n: "We're gonna give you the money."
Mazzi: "We are?"
M'Dear: "You are?"
Shaka: "Yes, we are, because that's what men do."
Y/n: "And humble women."
Shaka shakes Jeb's hand.
Jeb: "Well, it's a pleasure doing business with you. Heh heh. Why don't you guys go have fun?"
We take the PlayStation upstairs.
Shaka sets the PlayStation on the ground.
Mazzi: "SOOO...."
We both turn around.
Mazzi: "I know your secret."
Y/n: "What secret?!"
Shaka: "There isn't a secret!"
Mazzi: "Oh really? I saw."
Shaka: "Ok we admit it."
Y/n: "We kissed ok."
Shaka: "Don't tell anybody though."
His eyes widen.
Mazzi: "I was talking about you guys stealing M'Dear's snacks...."
Uh-oh.
Shaka gets a phone call from his mom. He answers it. His mouth drops and his eyes start to tear up a bit. He slowly hangs up.
Shaka: "We're moving back to Seattle...."