Cleanin' Up The Hood

Daddy's Little Bitch

Lamar pulled up to Vespucci and parked behind a gaggle of cars that scattered across the beach in numbers. Savannah's mouth gaped open and then closed.

Of course, She thought. Uncle Sweet and Pops have a lot of love around here.

Savannah she slammed the passenger door of the Le'sabre.

Her and Lamar follow a group of dudes in Grove Street Families gear to where a large crowd was gathered at the edge of the beach. Each of them was holding a candle.

Savannah blushed and punched Lamar.

"Why you didn't get us some damned candles? "Savannah fumed at him and punched him again.

"Yo,I forgot! Don't be hittin' me like that! I ain't no bitch," Lamar whined rubbing his shoulder. "You hit like a fucking man! Damn girl!"

Savannah shook her head and begin to bustle through the crowd looking for her father. She was recognized by a good many of the crowd and was stopped to receive condolences.

Savannah had made it into the front of the crowd when she saw him.

She almost fell to her knees in shock.

Carl Johnson, Grove Street OG, was confined to a wheelchair and that wasn't the worst of it.

The normally muscular luster of his brown skin that Savannah last remembered her father was now laced with purple bruises. His head was now completely shaved bald and skillfully bandaged. His left leg was in a cast. CJ had a black urn in his lap and a small crowd was gathered around him as he spoke.

As Savannah moved closer, she could see they were all strapped with guns.

The crowd turned their attention to Savannah and CJ broke out into a grin.

"Aye, baby girl come down here and give ya old man some love!."Cj exclaimed.

Savannah plastered on a weak smile and hugged her father.

"More like a beat up old what happened to you? You look bad," Savannah asked worriedly.

Cj looked onto the water sadly."I'll tell you when we get to Grove. I want right now just to be thinkin 'bout all the good times we had with your Uncle."

Savannah raises an eyebrow confused"Grove? Why we goin' to Grove and not home?

"Shits crazy right 'Vee. Home ain't there no more. They torched it to the ground night after when they caught us slippin".Cj replied gritting his teeth in frustration.

Who is they?

"But I th-"

"Aye, he obviously don't want to talk about it now, so just hold tight ma,"

Savannah is interrupted by one of the members of the Families.

She turns and faces a young caramel-skinned African American man with brown eyes. He was around 5'7 with dark curly hair. He was decked in a green polo, black jeans, and a bandana. He had slim, but muscular build. Savannah's heart skipped a beat by looking at him.

Damn, he's fine but, he's not about to disrespect me in front of the families.

Savannah scoffed offended and surprised. "And just who in the fuck are you?" Savannah inquired looking the man up and down condescendingly.

"Zay," he replied nonchalantly.

"Well, Zay, next time know your damned place. Don't interrupt me while speaking.

Get it. Got it. Good!"Savannah acidly replied narrowing her eyes at Zay.

Zay's gaze didn't falter as he stared right back at Savannah.

"Aye!Enough with that shit! We here for a fucking memorial ceremony and you acting childish, Savannah," Cj scolded.

Savannah's eyes widen. "So you just gonna let this dude talk to me like that Pops?" Savannah asked.

Cj sighed at his difficult daughter.

"Look "Vee, Zay did a lot for the 'Families since you been gone. He saved my ass when our place got blasted. Show some respect."

Savannah sneered and haughtily replied, "Well, he must not be that damn good if we here right now with Uncle Sweet in a fucking jar on your lap."

Zay reddened and lowered his eyes to the ground. CJ glared at Savannah about to reply but, then the shots rang through the salty, night air.