Finest City Dreams

Chapter 17: Foolish

Christmas dinner at Savannah's house was very interesting. The questions that were grilled towards Charles from Savannah's father made him extremely uncomfortable. Charles is not the type that gets easily intimidated. Even his own father doesn't intimidate him. But there was something about Derrick that made him uneasy. It came to a point where Charles almost vomited.

Everyone had finished their dinner. It was late evening and dark outside. Savannah, her parents and Charles were just hanging out in the living room, watching some tv. No one was really talking. Savannah tried to lighten up the mood by starting a conversation. "So Daddy, guess what? Charles wants me to move in with him." Charles looked at Savannah wide eyed while somewhat aggravated all at once. Derrick's eyebrows rose. "Is that so? Well my baby girl is grown up and I can't tell her what decisions she should make. Hopefully it's the decision that works best for her." Savannah smiled. Charles was getting antsy and kept looking at his watch. He was ready to leave. Charles got up and walked over to Savannah's mother Azucena. He shook her hand. "Well thank you for the dinner Mrs. George." Charles walked up to Derrick. "Sir, it was nice meeting you." Charles had his hand out. And once again, Derrick left him hanging. "Okay."

Savannah got up and walked with Charles to the door. They both went outside. "Whew, your daddy girl! Man Oh Man!" Savannah just nodded. "Yep, that's how he is." Charles just shook his head. "You could've gave me a warning." Savannah had a sly grin on her face. "I could have but I didn't." Charles just sucked his teeth. "I'm bout' to roll up out of here. I got some things to do tomorrow. Gotta get all this shit done before New York." Charles hugged Savannah and gave her a quick peck on the lips. "Bye!" Savannah just stood outside and watched Charles walk to his vehicle. She noticed that he didn't immediately get in his truck. Charles was walking around his truck in the dark. He noticed that all his tires were flat. "Well I'll be goddamed!" Savannah quickly walked over to Charles. "What's wrong?" Charles looked at Savannah angrily while crouched down on the ground. "Someone let the air out my damn tires!" Savannah scrunched up her face. "Are you sure you didn't run over something sharp on your way here?" Charles stood up. "I didn't run over anything Savannah!" "Are the tires old?" Charles just shook his head. "The tires are brand new." Savannah had a look of confusion. "This doesn't make any sense." "Yes it does. That son of a bitch right there did it!" He pointed at Kwame's house.

Charles stormed across the street to where Kwame lived. He banged on the front door. "I know you' in there! Bring yo' ass outside!" The front door opened. It was Kwame's father Ferdinand. "Excuse me! Why are you banging on my door disturbing the peace?" Charles's nostrils flared. "Your son let all the air out my tires." Ferdinand nodded his head. "Kwame, come here!" Kwame came to the door. "This man believes that you let the air out of his tires. Did you do that?" Kwame shook his head. "No Dad. I swear." Charles shook his head and pointed his finger at Kwame. "You lyin'! I know it was you." Ferdinand crossed his arms. By this time, all the neighbors had come out of their houses to see what all the commotion was. Savannah's parents had also come outside. "My son said that it wasn't him. Now until you have proof that it was him, I want you off of my property. Or I'll have no problem calling the cops." Charles was breathing heavily. "Imma have proof! This ain't over!" Kwame's father slammed the front door shut.

Charles walked back to his truck. He called a towing service to take his truck back to his house. Savannah walked up to Charles. "Baby, you really think that Kwame could have done this!?" Charles curled his lip and looked at Savannah. "Savannah, who else could it be. Think about it. That mother fucker is sprung on yo' ass. And has been for a minute now. Don't play dumb!" Savannah furrowed her brows. "I'm not playing dumb! Any of these kids could have done it. Hell, it could have been Lavell for all we know." Charles shook his head in disagreement. Savannah took a deep breath to calm herself down. "Do you need a ride back to the house?" Charles shook his head. "Naw, I'll just catch a cab home." Savannah nodded. "Fine."

Savannah walked back to the house where her parents were standing. Charles stood outside waiting for the tow truck to come. Savannah's father was standing outside on the front patio. Her mother went back in the house. "And this is the man that wants you to live with him." Derrick just shook his head as he went back in the house. Savannah just stood there thinking almost teary eyed. Eventually the tow truck came and took Charles's truck away. A cab came and picked Charles up and took him home. Savannah stood outside until Charles was gone. He never looked her way when he left. Savannah would go back in the house in a somber mood. She decided for the best to stay home overnight. Savannah would deal with Charles the next day.