Boondocks One Shots

The Chain

~•~

"Ah nigga ain't ah nigga without three thangs, boy.

His jays.

His hoes.

But most importantly, lil' nigga?

The chain."

"The chain?"

"The chain."

Ace stared up at his father with big, sea-blue eyes. A bandana was wrapped around his head, framing his coconut curls. His plants were baggy and so was his shirt. Oh yeah, the swag was on point. But it was missing one thing.

"The chain."

Ace blinked. "How do I get one, pop?"

Riley smirked, teeth showing. He pulled from under his shirt, a silver chain, polished and looking new. "Someone ah admired tossed me this after ah proved myself when ah was yo age. And now mah nigga? It's yo turn."

Ace's blue eyes sparkled. Riley pulled the chain from around his neck and placed it over the six year old's head. Ace gazed at the fake metal on his chest and smirked. "Yea..."

At that moment, Cindy walked into the kitchen in a tank top and sweats. She was tying her hair high into a messy bun as she entered. "Evenin'."

"Good evening, baby," Riley smirked, nothing her curves underneath the tank top.

"Hey moms."

"Baby." Cindy leaned in to kiss Ace in the cheek, but he leaned back and pushed her lips away with his tiny hand. "No, Ma! I'm too old for kisses!"

Cindy gave him a look and put her hands on her hips. "Ain't that so." She noted the shiny metal on his chest and frowned, turning to Riley. "Didn't ah tell you to throw that shit away?"

Riley's mouth opened, and closed again, he rose his finger.

Ace spoke. "This ain't shit, ma! This ah collection!"

"Boy, watch yo mouth."

Ace smiled apologetically and hopped off his chair, strutting out of the room with a bounce in his steps. Cindy looked at Riley again and glared at him. Riley held his hand up. "Okay, listen--"

"Reezy, I dun want mah baby walkin' around with that shit around his neck. It ain't even worth nothin', but it's still gon attract people. What if he gets jumped?!"

"Hey! He's my kid, aiight? He ain't gon' get jumped!"

"Nigga you got jumped!"

"None ya!"

Cindy's eyes narrowed. Riley shrunk in his seat. "Get him to take. It. Off."

"Yes, ma'am."

Cindy walked out of the kitchen, haste in her steps. "Nx. Bitch."

"Whatchu say?!"

"Nothin'!"

.
..
...

The next morning, Cindy and Riley were sitting in the living room in each others' arms, watching television. They begun to talk when they heard the door swing open and slam again, making them wince.

Ace ran into the room, crying. "Waaaahhhh!"

The parents jumped at the moment he ran in. Cindy got on one knee and placed her hands on his shoulders, a worried look on her face. "What's wrong, baby?!"

"I! I! I got juuuumped!" He wailed. "Buch took mah chain!"

Cindy looked slowly at Riley, who scratched the back of his head with a small smile. She stood up and smacked him hard against his head. "Ow!"