Chapter Text
I had this project in my mind for a very long time, and I finally managed to get it done, thanks to Sheer Cold. Now it's out with a title that I hope is good enough.
For images of the women, I will put them in the AO3 version, hopefully it works.
Enjoy
“I am not a prophet. But sometimes, I have prophetic dreams. Like the one where I was at a garden party.”
An empty podium stood in front of a large crowd of fancy-dressed rich folks, who were indeed in the middle of a garden party. A peaceful murmur of small talk enveloped the group as they had fun and enjoyed the champagne and the food that was being served.
Unexpectedly, a little black boy with a giant afro, dark green clothing, and a determined look on his face, walked over to the microphone and lowered it to his size, before addressing all the folks in the crowd.
“Excuse me, everyone. I have a brief announcement to make.”
Soon, everyone was focused on the podium. All of the patrons, and even the waitresses, stopped to look at the young black boy standing there with the microphone, wondering what he was about to say.
“Jesus was black, Ronald Reagan was the devil, and the government is lyin' about 9/11,” the boy spoke his piece to the entire crowd. Before walking away, he signed off, “Thank you for your time and good night.”
The boy ended it like that, and a moment of silence was present among the crowd, before—
“NOOO!” One woman screamed in terror, holding her hands over her face, “IT CAN’T BE TRUE!” Overwhelmed by the revelations, she passed out on the ground.
The thud of her collapse was like a trigger, and all hell broke loose. People started to fight. One elderly white man with a pipe in his mouth forced a waiter to turn around before smacking his fist across his face, just as another white man slammed a chair across the pipe smoker’s back.
People were being thrown about, kicked around, panic erupted, athletes who were only there to attract sponsors began throwing hands, and before anyone knew, somebody was lit on fire.
“He's on fire! Somebody get some water.”
…
But then, waking up from his sleep, the same black boy faced reality—
*SLAP!*
“Ow!” The boy got a slap across the forehead from an elderly bald black man wearing glasses, who looked very disappointed at the boy. It was as if he knew exactly what had happened.
“Mm-hm.” The elderly black man concluded, “You havin' that dream where you made the white people riot, weren't ya?”
“But I was tellin' the truth!” The afro-haired black boy said while holding his forehead.
“How many times have I told you, you better not even dream about tellin' white folk the truth?” The elderly man warned him, “You understand me?”
Lying there on his bed, the 10-year-old Huey Freeman, with his little brother Riley sleeping in the bed next to him, had just been thoroughly chastised by his grandfather Robert Freeman, who proceeded to walk back to the door.
“Shoot. Makin' white people riot. You better learn how to lie like me,” the elderly Freeman muttered to himself while switching off the lights. “I'm gonna find me a white man and lie to him right now.”
After the door had closed, Huey Freeman just sat there on his bed, contemplating in the dim light spilling through the window. After a moment, he looked at the camera, as if they had ruined the dream:
Of telling White People the truth.
...
Next morning
Woodcrest is a large, quiet, upscale suburban city located in Maryland, surrounded by expansive forests, mountains, and some urban areas. It appears to be a fairly normal-looking place, but it has a rich history dating back to the 19th century. The city was developed and owned by the Wuncler family, a wealthy real estate powerhouse. Their influence shaped the community, as their extensive wealth was invested in those who reside here, who conduct business here, and who wish to move to the area through Wuncler Industries.
The white-haired patriarch of that very dynasty sat comfortably in the plush leather interior of his custom Rolls-Royce, adjusting his wire-rimmed glasses as he gazed out at the manicured lawns and pristine sidewalks rolling past the tinted windows. Ed Wuncler smiled warmly at the man seated across from him, a well-built young man with blond hair and the kind of posture that spoke of military discipline.
"You know, son," Ed said in his measured, grandfatherly tone, "I can't tell you how pleased I am that Eddie found himself a friend with such fine character. A Marine, no less! That boy of mine could use some of that backbone you military folks are famous for."
The limousine glided silently through the tree-lined streets, past colonial-style homes with circular driveways and two-car garages. Ed gestured toward the window with a slight wave of his hand.
"I do hope you'll find our little community to your liking. We've worked very hard over the generations to maintain a certain... standard of living here. Quality neighbors, quality schools, quality everything." His eyes twinkled with a wicked warmth and smile. "And I suspect you'll be a fine addition to the neighborhood, young man. A very fine addition indeed."
The person sitting across from the white gentleman still wore desert camo pants and a pair of black boots, his shirt hugged his chest tightly as he held a duffel bag next to him with his belongings in it. With whisker birthmarks on his face, blue eyes, and a diamond necklace around his neck, the man was named Naruto Uzumaki, and Woodcrest would be his new aim.
“So, how long until that house will be ready for me to move in?” the blond asked him while looking out the window. “Because I don’t want to be a bother to my temporarily living mates.”
“Give it a month, and those workers will be done. It's just the plumbing and the walls left to do, but this family will suit you for now.”
“Family?”
“New residents, one man and his two grandsons. Black people .” Ed Wuncler, putting the noticeable emphasis on the word black, while looking back at the blonde. “They just moved in, paid for the house through the bank that I own. Interesting, given they are one of the few… minorities living in Woodcrest. Including the DuBois family, you…and that idiot you saw earlier.”
“You mean the guy with the weird eye who couldn’t stop saying racist shit about black people?”
"Ah, that's just Uncle Ruckus. No relation." Wuncler chuckled, waving his hand dismissively, "The man's a walking contradiction. Black as the ace of spades but thinks he's white. Some rare condition—'revitiligo,' he calls it. Claims he's getting darker every year."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "And people just... let him get away with all that?"
"Let me tell you something, son," Wuncler leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "That man is the main reason Woodcrest has this stupid reputation of being an all-white town. Scares away most black folks before they even consider moving here." He sighed, shaking his head. "Bad for business. I want rich minorities who also hate poor people. Money doesn't care what color you are if you’re willing to break people over it.”
Naruto raised an eyebrow as he listened to the old man's reasoning. He recalled what Eddie had told him about his grandfather: that he was different from others of his social standing, truly a ruthless businessman, but also incredibly pragmatic. Just as Naruto was about to inquire further, the limousine began to slow down.
“Ah, we’re here,” Ed Wuncler said as he opened the door. Smiling, he turned to Naruto, “Hope you don’t mind me doing the talking. I always enjoy scaring newcomers with the fact I own their lives, like I’m their pimp of some sort.”
“Uhm…sure.”
…
*DING-DONG!*
Ringing the doorbell, Mr. Wuncler and Naruto waited for someone to open the door that the new residents lived in, but Naruto was beginning to feel like something was a bit…off, like familiar off. Just then, he happened to look up and spot something in the window, a gun. It was a BB gun, to be exact, held by a small, dark-skinned hand, and a curtain covered the person’s face and hair.
“Who the hell could be knockin' on this door this early in the mornin'?” From behind the other side of the door, they could hear a grumpy voice complaining, “If it's a Jehovah Witness, I'm kickin' his ass.”
“Hmm, up to a good start,” Mr. Wuncler whispered to Naruto in amusement, as the younger man kept looking up at the window.
“Wait…”
*Click!*
The door creaked open, revealing an elderly black man with round glasses perched on his nose. He peered out inquisitively, "Yes?"
"I'm looking for Robert Freeman," inquired Mr. Wuncler, standing tall with an assertive presence.
"I am Robert Freeman," the elderly man responded, introducing himself with a calm yet firm voice.
"I'm Ed Wuncler. From Wuncler's Savings and Loan," Mr. Wuncler stated, his tone carrying a hint of authority while he handed over his card to Robert Freeman.
"Uh, so?" Robert Freeman replied, his brow slightly furrowed with curiosity and caution, while reading the paper.
"I own the bank that owns your house," Mr. Wuncler declared, before attempting once more to introduce his companion, "Also, here is—"
“Freeman?”
But before he could finish the introduction, Naruto stepped forward, his blue eyes widening in shock as he took in the familiar face behind the glasses. "Old Man Robert?"
Robert Freeman's jaw dropped, his eyes focusing on the whiskered face, the wild blond hair, those unmistakable blue eyes.
"Well, I'll be damned," Robert Freeman muttered, his stern expression melting into a wide grin as he pushed his glasses up his nose. "Naruto Uzumaki! Boy, what in the hell are you doing here?"
He stepped forward, momentarily forgetting about Mr. Wuncler entirely, and reached out to clasp the young man's shoulder. "Look at you! Last time I saw you, you were just a scrawny little knucklehead running around the neighborhood getting into trouble. Now look at you—still got those crazy whiskers though."
“Well, I—”
“May we continue this discussion inside the home?” Mr. Wuncler spoke, a bit annoyed by this interruption, “May we?”
“Oh, of course,” Robert opened the door a bit further as he welcomed them, “Come inside your house.”
…
Sitting in the living room, Mr. Wuncler did not hesitate to ask, “So, you two know each other?” He turned to the blond with curious eyes, “You failed to mention it to me earlier.”
“Well, you didn’t mention the family name, Mr. Wuncler,” Naruto responded before gladly turning to the other man. “But Old Man Freeman and I have known each other for a long time now.”
“Oh really?” Mr. Wuncler asked, turning to Robert, “Like how, Mr. Freeman?”
Robert leaned back in his chair, adjusting his glasses as he fixed Naruto with a familiar glare. "This little troublemaker used to babysit my grandsons. Did a decent job too, considering those boys are a handful and a half."
"Your grandsons?" Wuncler raised an eyebrow, suddenly more interested.
"Huey and Riley," Robert nodded. "This boy here kept them in line when I needed a break. Though sometimes I couldn't tell who was watching who." He chuckled, shaking his head at some distant memory.
Naruto grinned, scratching the back of his head. "Riley was always trying to get me to help him with some scheme or another."
"And Huey would lecture you about revolution and the military-industrial complex," Robert added with a snort.
Wuncler swirled his drink, ice clinking against crystal. "I had no idea you went back that far. Small world."
"Smaller than you think," Robert said, his expression becoming more serious. "I knew his parents, too. Good people. Smart people." He looked at Naruto with something like pride mixed with sadness. "The last time I saw this boy was on his eighteenth birthday, watching him head overseas rather than drown in college debt like most kids his age."
Naruto's smile faltered slightly, a flash of something darker crossing his features before the easy grin returned. "Had to make my way, you know how it is.”
“Say, now you mention it, shouldn’t you still be overseas, boy?” Robert asked, pointing at the blond, “Last I heard you were in Iraq, hell, I haven’t seen you in six years.”
Naruto's expression grew a bit nervous, but he responded, "Yeah, well, about that..." He paused, then suddenly swung his right leg up onto the table with a heavy thunk that made the two other men focus. Naruto pulled the pant leg up, revealing the calf underneath. Robert's eyes went wide and his jaw dropped as he stared at the unmistakable gleam of burned skin in several shades that was anything but Naruto’s normal tone.
"Jesus Christ, boy..."
"IED got me about…eight months ago," Naruto said matter-of-factly, his tone surprisingly upbeat despite the gravity of his words. "Was on patrol outside in a village, but managed to drag myself out of the mess.” He points at Mr. Wuncler, “That’s how I got to meet Mr. Wuncler’s grandson while I went through some surgeries. I'm about to have another skin graft in about a month.”
“Now, back to the main topic, and why I came here. Let me explain something to my new neighbors.” Mr. Wuncler turned to the elder Freeman. “Robert, my family founded Woodcrest over 170 years ago. I was born here, and I still live here. I consider this place to be my home, and everyone in it my family. I am very selective about who I allow into that family.”
Spotting something moving at the open door behind Mr. Wuncler, Naruto’s eyes gazed there for a moment before he focused back on the conversation.
“Hey, yes, I totally understand,” Robert said. Clasping his hands together, he offered, “Would you like some...cheese?”
Hearing this, Mr. Wuncler gave a stern look and asked with an annoyed voice, “Did you just offer me cheese?”
“Yes, I did,” Robert confirmed with a hesitant smile.
Mr. Wuncler's frown faded as the sincerity of the sentence set in. He responded then with a smile, “I'd love some cheese, thank you.”
Naruto couldn’t help but chuckle a bit as he glanced back at the door, knowing one grandson was not liking this one bit.
“Riley!” Robert shouted out, “Go get the fancy cheese.”
“If you’d excuse me, I’m going to take a leak,” Naruto said, standing back up. Looking around for a clue, he asked, “Where’s your toilet?”
“Down the hall and to the left,” Robert pointed out. “Don’t take too long.”
Naruto nodded, grabbing his bag and putting it down in the hallway, causing Robert to look confused. Just as he turned back to Mr. Wuncler—
“I'd like to ask some questions, if you don't mind,” Mr. Wuncler began his interrogation. Without giving Robert even the moment to speak up, the white man went straight to the point: “Are you gay, and if so, do you have a gay lover living with you in the house?”
…
*FLUSH!*
Once finished doing his business, Naruto lowered the seat and turned around. After washing his hands and face, he used the towel to dry himself and walked out of the bathroom. Mere feet down the hall, a boy he had looked after years ago confronted him:
Huey Freeman stepped out, his usual composed demeanor cracking as his dark eyes immediately locked onto Naruto. The ten-year-old's face was a mixture of anger and something that looked dangerously close to hurt.
"So that's it?" Huey's voice cut through the awkward atmosphere like a blade. "You just sit there talking about skin grafts like you're discussing the weather?"
Naruto could already guess what the little man had heard and sighed while rubbing his neck, “You heard everything, didn't you?”
"Yeah, I did," Huey replied, his afro seeming to bristle with some calm ire. "And I can't believe you'd talk so casually about getting shipped off to some illegal war like you’re just another statistic."
Naruto leaned against the wall, studying the young boy's face. There was something about Huey that reminded him that the boy was somewhat like his parents. Fond memories crossed his mind as he saw that Huey hadn’t changed a bit while he was away.
"Look, Huey," Naruto said softly, "I wasn't making light of the situation. If anything—”
"How could you possibly talk so lightly?" Huey's voice rose slightly, his small fists clenching at his sides. "They're using youths like you as pawns in their 'War on Terror,' then they'll discard you when you're broken. Now you're just another disabled vet to parade around when it's politically convenient every election season.”
Naruto crouched down to Huey's eye level, his blue eyes suddenly seeming older than his years.
“Because I was pissed, man, like many others. But now, people are starting to realize we were duped,” Naruto said, trying to reason with the little knowledgeable young boy. “After what happened in New York, I was pissed, I wanted to do my part…” Naruto chuckled as he ruffled his hair a bit, “But now that I came out of there alive, I guess you are right with hindsight.”
Huey sighed as he couldn’t help but vent his frustration through his mouth. Crossing his arms, he muttered, “Yeah, I can't be mad at you for too long…at least you didn’t move us out here to the enemy.”
“I was told by people from the old neighborhood that you hated your granddad’s decision to move out to Woodcrest,” Naruto said. Knowing the boy’s behavior could rub people the wrong way, he gently asked, “Are you having trouble fitting in?”
“Man, it's like moving to a different country. Ain't nobody here except rich white people, bankers, Industrial Complex people, and White-Jesus lovers,” Huey complained in his still calm tone. “The only other black folks I've seen here were the DuBois family.”
“Well, perhaps you can talk to them to try and fit in. It will take time, but things will get better. I know it's different from the city, I can relate to that,” Naruto said before standing up. With a stretch to loosen up, he asked the boy, “Mind if you put my bag up on the first floor? I gotta go back to Mr. Wuncler and the old man.”
“Wait, you’re staying here?” Huey asked with raised eyebrows. “For how long?”
“Until the house next to you is ready for me to move into, of course.” Naruto smiled, and as he walked past Huey, he tapped his afro-hair, “We’re going to be housemates, just like old times.”
Leaving Huey standing there, Naruto knew the boy wanted to say more that was on his chest, but it wasn’t going to be settled while the owner of the house was still around.
…
Naruto walked back into the room just as the cheese arrived. Mr. Wuncler was about to continue his questioning of Robert Freeman until he spotted Naruto entering.
“Ah, just in time, Uzumaki, because I'm just about to tell Robert here about the arrangement,” Mr. Wuncler said, turning to the elderly Freeman. “That you’ll be keeping a roof over Mr. Uzumaki’s head until the building next door is ready for him to live in, understood?”
“Uhm, sure, I don’t see why not.” Robert agreed, a bit hesitantly. “But you know, he’s got to—”
“He’ll be compensated for a while, so there is no need to worry about that,” Mr. Wuncler said as he stood up from his seat. “Anyway, I have to leave now, but before I do that, I want to invite all of you to a garden party I am holding tomorrow. It's for my grandson’s return,” Mr. Wuncler turns briefly to Naruto, “And also perhaps for you too, son. Because if it wasn’t for you, he might’ve gotten hurt.”
“Oh sure, but I don’t have anything nice to wear, Mr. Wuncler.”
“That is no problem, just please stop by,” Mr. Wuncler said as all three walked over to the front door. Turning to the two newest residents of his hometown, “So you know, Robert, I like your style. Old School. I respect that.” Looking at Naruto, “And for you, Uzumaki, we'll discuss that business plan you got another time.”
“Business plan?” Robert questioned before he changed his mind and opened the door for Mr. Wuncler, “Never mind, have a nice day.”
“Good day,” Mr. Wuncler said as he walked out of the home, not even waving to the two as he left. Once the door was closed, Robert just released a breath of relief as he turned to Naruto.
*POW!*
A BB plastic pellet hit the door, barely flying past Naruto and Robert’s faces, making the old man angry.
“Huey!”
…
Back in the living room, with both Riley and Huey confined to the couch, Naruto looked on as Robert Freeman checked the confiscated BB gun. Taken from Huey, it was part of his attempt to ‘assassinate’ Mr. Wuncler.
“This damn thing looks real,” Robert says while trying to check it out. Turning to Naruto for help, “Boy, tell me what to do.”
“How about not pulling the trigger, old man?” Naruto told him with a hand out to be cautious, “Because you’re doing it wrong.”
“Can I have my gun back?” Riley tried to ask—
*POW!*
Robert accidentally pulled the trigger, and the pellet bounced off the table into Riley’s knee, hurting him and making him drop to the floor.
“Aaauuuuw” Riley screamed in pain as he held his knee and began cursing, “Son of a—!”
“Anyway, Mr. Wuncler invited us to a garden party? Yeah, boy!” Robert sounded ecstatic while throwing the BB gun away. He reached for his foot and raised it, “I might buy sandals and new underwear.”
“Oh, you shot me!” Riley yelled, rolling around and nearly hitting his knee on the table. “Granddad tried to assassinate me!”
“It's just a pellet, Riley, no need to overreact,” Naruto said, having picked up the BB gun. After he removed the magazine and the one in the chamber, he hummed, “I gotta say, these toys are looking more like the real ones day after day.”
“Boy, what did I tell ya?” Robert leaned over the table, talking to Huey, who had his arms crossed, “This is the new white man. He's distinguished.”
“Granddad, I do not sip tea with the enemy,” Huey spoke with finality, not the slightest bit impressed. He stood up, making a grand gesture, “You could force me to go, but you cannot force me to be someone I'm not.”
Robert did not take this lightly and stood firm, “The hell I can't! You're gonna go and you're not gonna embarrass me in front of my new neighbors…or I'm gonna beat your ass.”
"Yo, hold up," Naruto interjected, stepping between Robert and Huey. "Before y'all start throwing hands, can someone tell me what the hell is going on here? I just walked into some family drama, and I'm still trying to figure out why you," he pointed at Huey, "tried to pop Wuncler with a BB gun in the first place."
Riley, still nursing his knee. "Yeah, and why you roll up with that rich white dude anyway? You his bodyguard or something?" Riley continued with the questioning of his grandpa, “Why can't we be ourselves, huh? Why can't I be me? Are you ashamed of us?”
“Very!” Robert told his grandson off and warned him, “And don’t talk like that to Naruto, boy. You can learn a thing or two from him!”
“Hold up—”
“We never asked to move here with your precious new white people, Granddad,” Huey chimed in.
“Didn’t ask?” Robert retorted, “Well, you didn't ask for us to be attacked by dogs and fire hoses so you can live here, but we were anyway—”
“Oh, here he goes again with the dogs and the fire hoses.” Huey rolled his eyes at his grandfather.
“Shiiit, we were attacked by dogs and fire hoses!” Robert lectured his grandchildren.
Huey pressured him, “Were you attacked?”
On that point, Robert didn’t answer a yes or no, but muttered, “I-I don't know what difference that makes-”
“Because it's like the whole generation tries to take credit for what happened to some people,” Huey responded a bit angrily. The boy was well aware that a great many people back in the 1950s and 1960s during the Civil Rights movement were simple bystanders, and they would take credit for something that very few people did.
Naruto, while not saying anything, knew that Robert Freeman was certainly one of those people. The Freeman patriarch was just in the gray area of the events, where he was ‘part’ of the Civil Rights movement, but he was a passive member who was simply close enough to many active participants. The grandsons were never going to allow Robert to coast by whenever he claimed to be part of it. They were smart enough for a ten and eight-year-old to recognize the truth of the matter.
“Hell, I read that even Naruto’s godmother and that pervert godfather of his were active,” Huey added in, turning to the blond. “They ain't talking about it much, but everyone knows.”
Not wanting to stay and listen to this conversation repeat for the millionth time, Naruto excused himself. “I’m going upstairs and getting my room ready. I’ll see you later.”
As he walked out of the living room, Robert tried to keep him back. “Holdup boy, you stay—” but gave up as he saw Naruto had already gone. In frustration, he snapped his fingers, “Oh, shoot.”
Riley turned to his brother and asked, “Sooo, Ruto’s going to be living with us now?”
“Yeah, for now at least,” Huey nodded back. “Said he paid for the place next door, but will be here until it's ready.”
“Damn, just like old times,” Riley snickered. “Like back in the old neighborhood.”
“HELL NO!” Robert protested, “I am not experiencing THAT again!”
…
Evening
The rest of the day remained tense after that whole debacle with Mr. Wuncler, and dinner was mostly a silent affair with the only discussion being the present heat. Everybody had already decided what to wear for tomorrow and went on to their bedrooms early, given that the next morning the garden party was supposed to happen.
Lying on the bed in a pair of shorts and a simple shirt, Naruto stretched himself out. He had grown into his muscular build throughout his time in the military, but now he was stuck staring at the ceiling while his right leg rested on a special cushion. It was meant to be part of his therapy, as the skin from the numerous grafts was still fragile even after his long rehabilitation. These last six years after leaving behind the Freemans and his old neighborhood were certainly a journey, and he spent this time remembering how he got here.
His old home was next to that of the Freemans. Although Naruto and his family were among the few non-black residents in the neighborhood, they were welcomed warmly because they were well-known. Naruto was recognized for his antics, his father for his strong work ethic, and his mother for her infamous temper. Over time, they grew close to their neighbors. The Freemans, particularly Robert and his daughter-in-law, were respectable, hard-working people who tried to look after their boys. However, tragedy struck when both Robert's son and daughter-in-law died in a car accident, leaving Robert Freeman as the legal guardian of both Huey and Riley.
Naruto was there for the boys, being like the older sibling to help them out, or the other way around. If Robert needed a babysitter, Naruto would fill in. He was always there to help bring them to kindergarten, or even help teach them how to walk and talk—the last part he perhaps made a huge mistake—but also gave lessons on looking out for each other.
“Boy.”
Naruto turned his head to the door to see Robert Freeman standing there at the open door, and gestured for him to come in. Giving a smile the old man rarely shows, he sat at the end of the bed, though it slipped when he took notice of the burns.
“How’s the leg?”
“Just a bit itchy now, but nothing serious,” Naruto said, looking at it briefly, before turning to Robert. Being direct with the old man, Naruto asked, “Did I come at a bad time?”
“No, no…I mean yes, but…you know,” Robert rubbed the bald spot of his head and sighed. “We just moved in here last week, and also changed schools and everything. The boys are still trying to adapt to their new surroundings.” He said, “Not like it's easy for two black boys to be in an all white town.”
“Yeah, can't blame that on them.” Naruto agreed as he went further, “But that’s why you decided to move here, to give them a better future.”
“I know, I know, but the boys don’t seem to understand. Or they don’t want to,” Robert said in some form of irritation. “I want them boys to be far away from the dumbass niggas that were growing in our neighborhood. Back in the day, they were easily ignored, but now with television, this rap and MTV, it seems everyone wants to be some wannabe gangster. I refuse to let them boys follow that path.”
“Or follow my dumb example,” Naruto reminded the old man with a chuckle. “Remember, I didn’t join the Marines out of pure patriotism.”
Robert snorted, his face softening slightly. "Yeah, well. At least you had the sense to straighten yourself out. Six years ago, I never would've thought you'd be sitting here in my guest room with medals to your name."
"The Marines have a way of beating the stupid out of you," Naruto replied, absently scratching at the edge of his bandage. "Though sometimes they have to be literal about it."
Robert chuckled, then grew serious. "You did well, though, son. Real good. That assault charge could've ruined your life, but you made something of yourself instead."
Naruto shrugged uncomfortably. "Not like I had much choice. It was either the Corps or prison."
"There's always a choice," Robert said firmly. "Plenty choose wrong every day. You didn't."
A moment of silence passed between them before Naruto cleared his throat. "So, how are Huey and Riley handling the move? Besides the obvious culture shock."
Robert sighed deeply, the weight of single parenthood evident in the lines of his face. "Riley's acting out worse than ever. Got in a fight on his second day. And Huey..." He shook his head. "That boy's too smart for his good. Sees everything wrong with the world but can't see what's right in front of him."
"Which is?"
"That I'm trying to give them something I never had: a chance." Robert looked around the room. "Used every penny to make sure they got better lives than my folks and I ever did. I owe that to their parents.” He turned to the blond Japanese boy, “What about you? I haven’t talked to your folks in a long time, but they told me what you used to do with your time between Iraq and Japan on leave. What’ve you been up to?”
On this, Naruto chuckled, but then said, “I made some friends, got to know my roots…and met some people.”
“Hmmm, met some people, I get that,” Robert smiled deviously. “You finally found yourself a woman?”
“Please, old man. You know me.”
“That’s why. I know you too well, boy.” Robert stood back up, laughing a bit, “I know you all too well.” He walked to the door and held his hand over the light switch. He smiled at the young man, “Have a good night, son.”
“Night, old man.”
With the light switched off and the door closed, Naruto lay his head properly on the cushion as he went on to sleep, trying to do so without some images in his head.
…
Next day
Rolling down the street inside a 1975 Lincoln Continental named Dorothy, Naruto and the Freeman family were headed to the Wuncler estate. Robert was driving and Naruto sat in the front seat, while in the back, Huey and Riley were messing about. They were clothed well for the garden party, at least, they were according to their descriptions.
Robert wore a tuxedo with a bow tie, while Riley sported a white suit and a fedora, giving him a gangster look. Huey dressed in an overcoat and pants, making a bold statement, and Naruto donned his style, featuring cargo pants and a fitted black shirt that accentuated his muscles. He also wore a headband around his head and some military boots that he barely used.
Of course, this did little to help Robert’s stress as he gave a glare to the two boys, telling them clearly, “Now, the word for the day is 'behave’. B-E-H-A-V-E. Behave .”
The car ended up stopping in front of a giant gate, with a sprawling villa behind it. Off to the side was a small building, from which a fat-looking black man came out running. The group of four got out of the car, seeing that it was the valet.
“I'm comin', I'm comin'.” The fat man shouted, running past the Freeman Family and yelling at them, “Excuse me. Out of the way, Kunta Kinte!” He walked up to another guest—a white guest—and began acting friendly, “Yessuh, how can I help ya?”
Hearing that did little to surprise the three Freemans, nor did Naruto after he recognized the valet. He stayed silent as he watched an irritated Robert extend his hand out as the valet ran past him.
“Excuse me?”
The valet then finally noticed them, but instead of helping, he responded as if there was trouble, reaching for his walkie-talkie. “Oh, Lord, have mercy.” He then called it in, “Security. Security. We got a Code Black. Code Black at the main gate!”
“Ruckus, what the hell is a Code Black?” The receiver of the call sounded irritated.
“There are some hungry-lookin’ niggas at the front gate.”
Now that just raised eyebrows on both the boys, but Naruto glanced over to Robert, who appeared to be in a good mood now, seemingly unbothered by the valet’s words.
The valet turned to the four, “What y'all doin' here? Deliveries are in the back.”
“Watch it, fat fuck,” Naruto told him off. “Remember me?”
“Oh shoot, I remember you, the fish-eating muthafucka—” The valet spoke with no filter as he looked at Naruto and responded, “What you doin' here? Don’t you have a plane to fly into one of our ships or something?”
“Well, my name is Robert Freeman, and this is Naruto Uzumaki,” Robert intervened just in time before that sentence could be finished, and something irreconcilable was said. “I was invited here by Ed Wuncler.”
“Well, I'm Ruckus. Uncle Ruckus, no relation.” The valet introduced himself as the weird-eyed man attempted some sort of bow. “I work for Mr. Wuncler, and you slick niggas ain't gonna fast-talk your way into this here party or sell them Hyundais or Toyotas, you Jap!”
“Hyundais are Korean,” Huey corrected.
“Well, it makes no difference, they look the same—”
“Ruckus, what the hell are you doing?” A security guard arrived just in time. Speaking directly to the Freeman family, he apologised politely, “Uh, Mr. Freeman, I'm sorry. Please, come this way. You as well, Mr. Uzumaki.”
The gate was opened immediately, so the Freeman family and Naruto proceeded to walk in.
“See, boys?” Robert told his grandsons while glaring at Ruckus, “ And you thought we'd be the only black people.”
As the four walked through the gate, Huey gave a glare to the valet, who ignored the boy and pulled out a flask to drink from. Heading up to the estate, all four went in without any more incidents.
…
Walking to the back of the Wuncler Mansion, which was even bigger from up close, a thought crossed Robert's mind that it showed that old white money knows what it's worth. The four arrivals found themselves joining a full-on garden party with many other guests. Nearly a hundred people had been invited, by the looks of it. Rich folks, white rich folks, socialites of Woodcrest were interspersed all over the garden, which felt like the size of an entire neighborhood. Butlers and waitresses were walking around with plates, serving people who wore clothes worth more than the salaries of the workers.
A live orchestra was softly playing classical music for ambiance, and there was a buffet laid out outside, accompanied by cooks who had prepared it all and were making individual dishes for the rich guests. Others were mingling while eating appetizers, enjoying wines, or smoking cigarettes in the most stereotypically socialite manner.
Perhaps that was the reason why some of them started to notice the arrival of the Freeman family, and also the blonde individual who accompanied them. The young man initially stood out as he wasn't in a suit, but the scars on his face, looking like whiskers, were impossible to miss. Naruto started to notice that some of the glances had begun shifting to glaring. Some of them, mainly the elderly women, were openly glaring at the perceived intrusion, while the older men and even some of the waitstaff were giving neutral glances.
However, the women closer to his age had a positive reaction to his presence. Glancing about the garden, he spotted three who seemed to be particularly interested in his arrival: a blonde, a brunette, and a redhead. The blonde woman was wearing a low-cut pink dress with fur accessories. She could see the reactions from those around her and raised one perfectly manicured eyebrow as she waited for the situation to unfold. The brunette was wearing a blue dress, her hair tied back with an accent ribbon. She was standing by the buffet table, holding a plate of food in one hand, and around her other arm was a shawl, exposing her bare shoulders and ample cleavage to the midday sun. The red-headed woman had just received a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, her green dress fitting snugly to her curves. She had a smug expression on her face, as if the party’s reaction went exactly as she'd expected.
As Naruto's eyes met the blonde's, she bit her lower lip and let a slow, knowing smile spread across her face. Her gaze lingered on his broad shoulders before traveling down his form with obvious appreciation. She tilted her head coquettishly, her golden hair catching the sunlight as she continued to study him with predatory interest.
The brunette nearly dropped her plate when their eyes locked, a deep crimson blush spreading across her cheeks and down her exposed décolletage. She quickly looked away, then back again, her breath catching as she fumbled with her shawl. The delicate fabric slipped further down her shoulders as her hands trembled slightly, revealing even more of her sun-kissed skin.
The redhead was the boldest of the three, raising her champagne glass in a mock toast toward him. Her emerald eyes gleamed with unmistakable hunger as she took a slow sip, never breaking eye contact. She ran her tongue across her lips after drinking, a gesture so deliberate and provocative that several nearby guests turned to see what had captured her attention so completely.
(For any Boondocks fans who paid close attention to the first episode, you will notice the three women, one of whom even speaks. Yes, I am writing them, enjoy.)
Naruto smiled and waved them off, eliciting chuckles from the Freemans, especially the grandson, Riley.
“Yo, Ruto.” Riley whispered to Naruto, “Look out, some white women are looking at you.”
“I know, I know.” Naruto whispered back while being polite, “Just saying hello to them.”
“Just watch out, okay?” Huey said in advance, “Rich white women can be a trap.”
“Only one way to find out.”
“You boys behave yourselves, I told you in the car.” Robert cursed the three in a low tone, “Don’t embarrass me—”
“Robert!”
The whispers ended when Mr. Wuncler and a young man around Naruto’s age began walking to them. He wore green baggy pants that barely covered his underwear, with a sleeveless green army shirt, some dog tags, and a golden W necklace. The short-haired, earring-wearing redhead looked disinterested.
“Glad you made it, Robert.” Mr. Wuncler introduced the young man to his arriving guests, “This is my grandson, Ed III.” Looking around at the gathered crowd, the young man just spat a wad of something to the ground, clearly uninterested.
Naruto nods his head to him, “Hey Ed.”
“Sup, Ruto,” Ed acknowledged back without much of a change of facial expression. Turning to Riley, his expression completely shifted, “Whassup y'all, what's good?”
There, Riley and Ed just casually dabbed hands, like they were long-time pals, showing a clear difference between grandfather and grandson.
“Uh... so I understand you just got back from Iraq.” Robert tried to start a friendly conversation and adjusted his glasses. “I heard you and Naruto here met over there.”
“For real?” Riley exclaimed in surprise, immediately asking, “Yo, what's it like?”
Ed just looked down and had that flat expression again. “What's it like?” He halfway shook his head and then held his hand over his mouth, with a sigh, “What I supposed to say to that? It was cool.” His eyes widened for a moment as a thought crossed his mind. “There was bitches? Okay, there was bitches, but a lot of them had,” Ed held his hands over his eyes, “you know, they was covered up in them curtains and stuff they be wearin’.”
“Niqabs,” Naruto corrected the man, knowing exactly what he was talking about. Given he took time to learn a thing or two about Iraq, turning to the younger Wuncler, “They wear the Niqab, Ed—”
“But I digress. It was war!” Ed interrupted by raising his hands out, “It was war, basically. War, you know what that's like?”
Ed’s startup of an explanation got many of the guests to pay attention to his unique way of talking, which wasn’t something folks of Woodcrest were used to hearing.
“Motherfuckers be, like, shoot—Kakakapowpow!” Ed made gestures with his hands like it was machine gun fire, then threw them in the air wildly as he continued, “Bombs blowin' up. And, you know, the shit scared me! It scared the shit out of me.” Ed held his hands to his butt and explained, “Matter of fact, I sh*t on myself over a dozen times, and ran out of toilet paper after the second time. So you know what that meant, right?”
The detailed information wasn’t something that the guests were expecting to hear. Robert Freeman, in particular, was doing his best not to look disgusted, while Mr. Wuncler Sr was clearly used to this kind of talk, but gave no overall reaction.
“I had to use the thumb, man. It was kind of nasty.” Ed added on but tried to say, “But, you know, the good thing about it was they stopped taking me out on patrol. 'Cause my name became ‘Stink bomb.’ You know what I'm sayin'? They said, you know, I was giving away our position because of the sh*t smell. That was fine with me, you know what I'm sayin'. They- They wanted
to leave me back. And I was like: Well, f*ck y'all. Y'all go ahead on 'cause I don't need y'all anyway. I'm rich, bitch!” Ed shouted as he ended his little rant, before he looked around.
The entire crowd stood there, looking at him with shock at the use of language.
“The fuck y'all looking at?” Ed asked them with hostility. "Whatever," Ed muttered, turning to Naruto, "Yo, for real though, this fool right here saved my life." He pointed at him with newfound animation. "You shoulda seen him on the fifty cal. Straight up video game shit!"
Riley's eyes widened. "For real? Naruto was blastin' fools?"
"Hell yeah," Ed nodded. "We was rollin' through this village, right? Then these hajji motherfuckers pop out with RPGs and shit. Before I can even grab my piece, Naruto's already on the gun."
Huey raised an eyebrow about a flaw, “But you said you were Army, and Naruto’s Marines.” He turned to the blonde, “What happened?”
“Well, we happened to cross paths down a road where we usually would meet for a patrol,” Naruto looked down, uncomfortable with the attention. "It wasn't like that—"
"Man, don't be modest," Ed cut him off, getting the whole crowd to listen, "This dude dropped like fifteen insurgents in thirty seconds flat. And when our Humvee got hit? Shit, he kept firing even with his leg half blown off."
“Half blown up?” Robert looked in shock at the young man. "You nearly lost your leg in an RPG attack? I thought it was an EID, or something.”
Ed corrected the old man, "An IED, that’s what its called, but it was his Humvee that got hit first, tripped it—he started shootin’ fast until they ganged up on us! They had to drag his ass out." He kept up his energetic recollection, "Blood everywhere, leg barely hanging on. And you know what this crazy motherfucker says? 'Is everyone else okay?' Like he ain't the one about to lose a limb."
Mr. Wuncler Sr., who had been silently observing, finally spoke. "So you're a war hero."
Naruto shook his head. "I just did what anyone would do."
"Nah, man," Ed insisted. "These Woodcrest folks don't know. They ain't seen what we seen." He looked around at the manicured lawn and well-dressed guests. "Man if it ain't for you, I’d be dead, fool, dead!”
“Well, I’m glad at least this fine young man managed to keep my grandson out of the hospital,” Ed Wuncler Sr. said. Putting on a big smile, he changed the topic with an emphasized voice, “Let’s get back to the festivities.”
The party went on as the crowd dispersed, and Naruto watched as Old Man Robert went with Mr. Wuncler Sr. for a drink, and Riley disappeared somewhere else along with Ed. Left him alone for now with Huey, he could see on the boy’s face that he had some questions for the newly-recognized heroic big brother figure.
“Something wrong, Huey?”
“You didn’t mention any of it the other day,” Huey said to him while looking up. “How you nearly lost your leg while covering your team?”
“That’s the job for a top gunner, Huey. I did what I had to do.” Naruto said, smiling to the little man as he kept it simple, “My team got roughed up, taken by surprise, but they all are still in better shape than I am. Physically, at least.”
“You didn’t change.”
“Hmm?” Naruto was confused by what Huey said, “What do you mean?”
“Always looking out for people, never putting yourself first, always taking care of business.” Huey explained to him, nodding to him, “At least the government didn’t take that away from you.”
Naruto chuckled softly, running a hand through his hair. "I suppose some things are just too stubborn to change."
"Uhm, excuse me."
The redhead in the green dress had approached them, champagne glass still in hand, her hips swaying with each deliberate step. Up close, her perfume carried notes of jasmine and something more exotic that Naruto couldn't quite place.
"I couldn't help but overhear. You're quite the hero," she said, her eyes fixed on Naruto with a smile that looked genuine. She held out her hand elegantly, which had a green ribbon on it. "I'm Ciara."
"Naruto," he replied simply, feeling suddenly self-conscious about his own outfit. He took Ciara’s hand and kissed its back, being polite.
Ciara giggled; it was a cute one that felt like chimes. "I know. Everyone's talking about you." She turned her attention to Huey. "Would you mind terribly if I borrowed your big brother figure for a drink? I'd love to hear more about his... tales."
Naruto shifted uncomfortably. "I should probably stay with—"
"Sure, take care of him," Huey interrupted with a shrug, his expression unreadable as always.
Ciara’s smile widened as she linked her arm through Naruto's. "Wonderful. I promise to return him in one piece." She led him toward the bar, her body pressing against his side. "Unless, of course, you'd prefer otherwise.”
“Hey, hold up I—”
“Go ahead.”
Huey watched as the green-dressed white woman took Naruto away, leaving the stoic little revolutionary black kid on his own. He took a moment to look around in the crowd, seeing if he could perhaps chat with these rich white folks.
See if they wanted to know the truth.
…
While at the table where the buffet was prepared, Robert took notice of Naruto being dragged off by one of the fine-looking young ladies in one of those curve-hugging dresses. He had seen that she was eyeing the young blond ever since they walked into the garden, and had two conflicting thoughts in his mind.
On one hand, he was glad the young Naruto started to get the good company of a nice-looking young white lady, seeing how Naruto back in the day in his high school days was dense as a brick when it came to signals of girls. He wasn't surprised that this one needed to take direct action by approaching him. On the other hand, he was a bit irritated.
He’d been trying to get a young-looking white lady himself, but it's the boy who was getting lucky today. Grumbling to himself, “That boy had better not use Dorothy and go off—”
“Well, la-di-da-di-do. Look like we got us the winner of the Lucky-nigga-of-the-Year award.”
Immediate irritation halted Robert’s thoughts as he damn well remembered that voice from behind him. It was that valet named Uncle Ruckus who somehow managed to sneak up from behind. He really had been distracted, because the stench of cheap alcohol could otherwise have been smelled from a mile away. With what the crazy-eyed looking man was saying, Robert was feeling fairly uncomfortable.
“Ah,” He could hear a flask open that Ruckus took a swig from before he continued to ramble, “They must think the sun shine out your ass.”
Not wanting to make a scene, Robert glanced back and stated calmly, “Mr. Wuncler's been very nice, yes.”
“They must think you Sidney fucking Poitier.” Ruckus got into breathing distance of Robert’s neck. His spit could literally be heard, if not felt, “Well, I been workin' for Mr. Wuncler for 20 years. I ain't never got invited to the party. Shiit, he don't even let me use the front door. But you wouldn't know about that, now, would ya, Mr. Tibbs?”
The pain that Robert went through caused him to pinch the bridge of his nose in embarrassment, as he continued to be subjected to Ruckus’ ramblings.
“Oh, yeah. They must think your shit smell like spring daisies and cinnamon.”
…
While observing Huey talking to people about Ronald Reagan being the devil, Naruto was still accompanying the young redhead named Ciara. She was curious by the way the young boy was articulating about some subjects, and turned to Naruto to ask for confirmation.
“Are my ears clear or did he say Jesus was black, Ronald Reagan was the Devil, and that the government is lying about 9/11 in front of a whole bunch of people?” She asked in pure surprise at the blonde who stood a head taller than her.
“Yeah, he’s like that.” Naruto nervously chuckled. He asks her, “Is that troubling you?”
“Well, it's weird, but it has merit, to be honest,” Ciara answered honestly. While looking with interest to the boy, she put on a wistful expression, “Also, he got guts, I give him that.”
Surprised by her take, Naruto was curious, “What do you mean by merit?”
“Oh, please, white Jesus? That’s bullshit,” Ciara said, catching Naruto by surprise by the use of language he did not expect from a well-sophisticated lady as she chuckled, “If Jesus were white, then Trickle Down Economics would work. As for Ronald Reagan, he ain't the devil, but he sure belongs down there with him.”
Naruto was becoming more and more surprised as he continued to hear the redhead with golden earrings speak, so he raised his eyebrow and asked, “Go on?”
“Have you even read the shit he did?” She happened to lean her head toward him a bit, “Like deinstitutionalization of the mental asylums, neglecting AIDS for a long time, and the Iran-Contra Affair? Let alone this bullshit on the War on Drugs, that muthafucka was demented halfway through, yet still got voted twice into office,” Ciara chuckled briefly. Tucking some locks of hair to the side, she apologized, “Sorry if I am too political.”
“No, no, no need to. I am used to it, especially as I grew up around that boy.” Naruto smiled at her, making her feel at ease. “I am, however, surprised that you sound like a Democrat—”
"Anything but," Ciara snorted, rolling her eyes. "Just because I think Reagan was trash doesn't make me a Democrat. Both parties can kiss my ass."
She glanced around to make sure nobody important was listening before continuing in a lower voice. "My dad nearly had a stroke when I got arrested at that anti-Iraq War protest in 2003.”
"You got arrested?" Naruto's eyes widened.
A mischievous smile played across her lips. "Kicked a cop right in the balls when he tried to drag this old lady away. Worth every second in that holding cell." She laughed at Naruto's shocked expression. "What? You think just because I went to private school and wear golden earrings, I can't raise hell?"
"I didn't say that," Naruto defended himself, hands up in surrender.
"My parents wanted a perfect little debutante. Instead, they got me." She shrugged, watching Huey continue his impassioned speech to an increasingly uncomfortable audience. "At least that kid knows what's up. Speaking truth regardless of consequences—that's rare."
“Huey’s like that, always speaks his mind,” Naruto said, staring at the young, clearly frustrated boy. It was a bit funny watching him get a bit annoyed by the fact he was getting applause from the white crowd, “He just gotta learn that many people would rather drink the Kool-Aid.”
Ciara took notice of something and chuckled, “Speaking of drinking, I think my friends are looking.”
With that prompting, Naruto focused momentarily on the blonde girl in the low-cut pink dress with fur. She had taken another glass of champagne and was toasting to them, while nudging the clearly nervous-looking blue-dressed brunette who was trying not to make eye contact.
“Friends?”
“Blonde’s Andrea, the shy brunette is Janet. Long-time friends of mine,” Ciara introduced. Giving a bit more detail, “Andrea is the more daring of our group, looks and dresses rich, but deep down she’s just craving to do something crazy from time to time. Janet’s always been the shy one of our group, given that she is always insecure about her breasts.”
"She shouldn't be," Naruto commented, glancing briefly at the brunette. "She looks fine to me."
Ciara smirked, leaning in closer. "Tell her that. She's convinced Andrea and I get all the attention because we're more... developed." She rolled her eyes. "Rich girl problems, I guess."
Naruto chuckled, taking another sip of his drink. "So all three of you are from money, huh?"
"Woodcrest elite," Ciara confirmed with a hint of mockery in her tone. "Our parents are all on the same charity boards, country club memberships, the whole package."
"And yet here you are, feeling up strangers at parties," Naruto teased, his voice low, “I must say you-oh!”
He gasped in surprise, as Ciara had taken the bull by the horns when she laid her hand over the crotch area of Naruto’s camo pants, right in front of the entire crowd. Luckily for the blond, nobody seemed to have noticed aside from the humored expression of the blonde Andrea and surprised Janet, so the redhead began boldly fondling the mass that was in Naruto’s pants.
"Two can play at this game," Ciara murmured, her green eyes flashing with invitation as she maintained her bold grip, feeling the heat radiating through the fabric. The music seemed to pulse around them, masking the tension that crackled between their bodies.
Naruto's breath hitched, but his hands didn't remain idle. In one swift motion, he slipped his palm along the curve of her hip, fingers finding the swell of her ass through the silky green material. His grip was firm, possessive, and utterly unexpected.
Ciara's lips parted involuntarily, a soft sound threatening to escape before she caught herself, teeth sinking into her lower lip. The sensation shot through her like electricity, her carefully constructed composure wavering for just a moment. She hadn't anticipated his retaliation would be so... direct.
"Careful," Naruto whispered against her ear, “I’m not someone to be tempted, I don’t like to lose.”
By then, the redhead’s dark eyes turned to the blue ones, and a mischievous grin erupted on her face.
“Oh, I’d like nothing else but to 'Welcome our troops back home’ personally, okay?”
“Ahem. Attention please!”
The small ‘innocent’ interaction got interrupted by the squeal of a mic’s feedback. It was Uncle Ruckus himself, with the microphone in one hand and a flask in the other. Looking to the flask for a moment, he instead lifted up the microphone, about to say something.
“My name is Uncle Ruckus, no relation. I want to sing y'all a brand new song I just wrote called: Don't Trust Them New Niggas Over There.” Ruckus said briefly, pointing at where Robert and Huey stood, inviting the crowd to join him, “Sing along if you know the words.”
Over the next few minutes, everyone in the garden was forced to hear the obscene, drunken, and openly racist lyrics—if they even deserved to be called that—that spewed from this fat man on stage. More confusing to the partygoers was that, for some reason, the piano player had joined in and was helping Uncle Ruckus in his singing.
Looking at the ongoing event with a sneer, Ciara had to ask in utter disgust, “Tell me, is he actually black?”
“Honestly, I do not know,” Naruto answered her while watching this uncomfortable scene. “Apparently, he claims he’s suffering from a darkening skin condition called 'revitiligo’ of some sort.”
“That has to be a made-up name,” Ciara said while turning her head to Naruto, “Is it?”
“Either that, or he’s just extremely mentally ill to the point of no return.”
“Thought so.”
Before they all knew it, Ruckus fell down off the podium. Unfortunately for everyone who had to witness the event, it was only after he had finished the song. The audience let loose an awkward applause, if only out of respect for the host and the entertainment he must have arranged, which would have been fine until—
*BANG!*
The crack of a gunshot was followed by a person sent out through a window screaming. Hitting the ground with a heavy thud as he landed in the middle of the party, Ed Wuncler III had fallen from the second floor, wearing Kevlar and holding onto a half-empty bottle of liquor.
Raising back up, Ed took notice of all the looks he was being given, and just like that, commented.
“Fuck y'all lookin' at?”
His outburst was followed by another round of applause, this time a bit more enthusiastic at the dramatic entrance, which made the whole situation even weirder.
…
With the sunset low on the horizon, the garden party was coming to a close. After finding out the whole window debacle started when Riley was given a shotgun with live ammunition to shoot at Ed, which resulted in Riley’s arm being dislocated for a while, the ending was a bit tense for the Freeman family.
As Huey sat alone at one table, he was approached by the injured Riley, “Hey, you think we in trouble?”
“You shot his grandson out the window. What you think?” Huey snapped at his little brother. Letting out a heavy sigh, he turned back to watch the sunset. “I don't know, bro. I didn't want to move here, but I really don't want Granddad to lose his house. He worked his whole life to get here.”
“Man, I like this house.” Riley tried to say his reason to match Huey’s, but then smiled, “Oh, well, I shot a nigga!” He laughed before looking around and wondering, “Where’s Ruto at? I gotta tell him.”
“I don’t know. Saw him speaking to some rich white girl,” Huey said, not giving much thought to it. Instead, his mind was on other things, as first he focused on his little brother, but then slowly looked over to the villa. Up there, he could see their grandfather was approaching Ed Wuncler Sr., wringing his hands.
Struck by nervousness, Robert spoke, “Mr. Wuncler, I'm... sorry about the whole, you know, my grandson shooting your grandson out of the window thing.” He paused for a moment, not seeing any reaction at all, so he asked, “Are you mad?”
A minute of silence weighed heavily on the elderly duo, before Mr. Wuncler responded, “In 30 years, that boy will be the president of the United States.” He then turned to the elderly Freeman and finished, “And he'll still be a fucking idiot.”
Hearing that, Robert released a sigh of relief, “Whew.”
“Now, are we gonna have that drink or what?” Wuncler asked Robert, giving him a smirk.
…
“Glad you were able to make it, Robert.” Wuncler raised his glass with liquor and toasted to him, “To the old school.”
Robert agreed and repeated, “To the old school.”
*CLINK!*
Both glasses clinked as the two elderly men enjoyed their own little peaceful moment away from all the crazy stuff of their grandchildren.
…
Meanwhile, in the suburbs of Woodcrest, a 2006 BMW 3-series was parked up in the spot Old Man Robert normally used. Exiting the vehicle with a spare key in hand, Naruto and a slightly tipsy Ciara were walking to the front door. They had an exceptionally great time at the party, but they weren’t going to finish it anytime soon, so both approached the front door of the now-empty Freeman residence. The night air was cool against their flushed skin as Naruto fumbled with the key, feeling the alcohol kicking in. Ciara pressing herself against his back didn’t help either, as her lips teased the nape of his neck.
"You sure the house is empty?" she whispered, her breath hot against his ear, hands wandering boldly around his waist.
"Positive," Naruto replied, finally getting the door open with a click. "Huey and Riley are stuck at the villa with Old Man Robert."
"Good. Because after hearing Uncle Ruckus' stupid song, I feel like a little payback..." She switched places and now had her back against the open door, face to face with Naruto, pulling Naruto by his shirt collar. "I want to make it worth his racist ass having a heart attack."
Naruto smirked, placing his hands on either side of her hips. "Using me to piss off the neighborhood bigot?”
“Him, my dad, my mom, all of Woodcrest.”
The challenge in her eyes ignited something primal in him. Without another word, his mouth crashed against hers in a kiss that was anything but gentle. Both moaned into each other's mouths as months of tension finally snapped. His hands found her waist, fingers digging into the fabric of her dress as he pulled her flush against him. He growled against her lips, spinning them around and dragging her through the doorway.
"There goes the neighborhood."
The door slammed shut behind them with a resounding thud that echoed through the quiet Freeman house—that wouldn’t be quiet for a good while.
He was going to enjoy causing his own mayhem in Woodcrest.