Nobody Likes The Gray Area

Homecoming

As we start the drive back home, Huey whips out his phone to call his grandfather.

"Don't tell him you found Cindy," I say.
He raises an eyebrow. "What?"

I feel Cindy's eyes on me from the backseat.

"I'll explain later. You just have to trust me and not tell him or her dad you found her. Just say you found Riley."
"Jazmine, really? This isn't the time for games-"
"This ain't a game," Cindy pipes up. "I'm in danger."

He still looks skeptical. I nod my head, hoping it makes him sway.

"She's telling the truth," I say.
He sighs, "Alright."

He calls his granddad. His old man takes no time picking up the phone:

~ "Huey! Did you find 'em?" ~
"I found Riley," he says. "Cindy never came with him, though. She must have run away somewhere else."

His granddad utters a frustrated and gratuitous plea to God then asks to speak with Riley. Huey passes the phone back to Riley. Reluctantly, Riley holds it up to his ear. Cindy smirks next to him.

"Eh... Hello-?"
~ "BOY! IMMA BEAT DA BLACK OFF YO' NARROW ASS! WHAT DA HELL IS WRONG WITCHU—GOT ME AND YO' BROTHER WORRIED SICK LOOKIN' FOR YOU!" ~
"Granddad, you don't understand. You see, I got lost-"
~ "I DON'T WANNA HEAR IT. You just wait 'til you get home, Imma wear yo' ass out." ~
"...Pause."
~ "SHUT THE HELL UP!" ~

Their granddad hangs up in his face. Huey takes his phone back. Riley huffs and rests his head against the window.

"Mane, fuck 'dis..."

Cindy cups her hand over her mouth. She's bursting at the seams with laughter.

"Girl, whatchu laughin' at?" he says. "Witcho flat ass."

Her laughing ceases. Her face tightens up.

"Boy, WHAT?"
"You heard me."

She tries to slap him, but he deflects the hit. The two start a petty tussle blocking and sending smacks at one another.

"Ay, hands to ya self!" Riley chuckles.
"Then, take it back, bitch!"

"Both of you, stop. I'm driving," Huey scolds. "...I've had enough of both of you," he mutters.

The rest of the ride home consists of more bickering, a peaceful phase when both Riley and Cindy fall asleep, and a nap for myself. Huey and I take turns driving again too.

We stop at a rest stop 30 minutes from home. After a bathroom break and a chance to refresh ourselves, Huey and I meet back up at the car. The lovebirds are still inside the visiting center.

Huey sits on the car hood, a bottle of water next to him. He hooks his arm around my waist and pulls me in to peck my lips.

"Why'd you make me lie?" he asks.

His demanding eyes apply pressure as they stare down at me. Mine dance around.

"OK, so Cindy's dad is...really mean...and violent," I say. "If she went back, there's no telling what he'd to her."

He gazes at a nearby pond while absorbing the information.

"Have you met her dad?" I ask.
"I've only seen 'em but never spoken."
"Does he look scary?"
"He blends in with the white suburbia pretty well, but I've always gotten a sketchy vibe from him... A criminal vibe."