Unbreakable

Can We Just Talk?

"Mama, can I have something other than cereal for breakfast?" Zoie whined as she walked up to the counter while her mother filled the bowl with milk. It was no surprise that Fallon didn't cook, so it was cereal for breakfast again.

"Just sit down and eat please, your father will be here any minute," Fallon said trying to avoid answering the 6 year old's question as she carried the bowl over to the table. Zoie pouted as she did what her mother asked. It was another late night trying to get work in for the big deadline on Monday and Fallon was exhausted. "Did you get all your stuff together like I asked? Don't forget you have soccer today."

"Yea" Zoie sighed and rolled her eyes. For a 6 year old she already had a lot of her mom's attitude.

"Hey, I'm only asking so you don't end up like last time." Fallon was referring to last week when her daughter forgot her uniform and ended up playing in her dress.

"Can't help that I was the best dressed on the field." she shrugged. Fallon couldn't argue with her there.

Liam came into the kitchen and greeted both of the girls before grabbing an apple off the counter. He appeared to be rushing off somewhere.

"And where are you going Mr. Ridley?" Fallon asked.

"The tennis tournament is today, remember?" With the lack of sleep she had clearly forgotten her husband had plans to get together with friends to play their favorite sport. "I'm already behind, so I gotta run. Love you babe," He pecked his wife's lips and ran over to Zoie to give her a quick peck on the cheek. "Good luck later Zo!"

"You too, Liam!" Zoie shouted back as he was already out the kitchen and halfway to the door. Fallon was glad her husband and daughter had a good relationship. Truthfully, none of them knew how the situation would unfold in the future. Lucky for them it had all worked out so far; loving Zoie was the common link that kept them all together.

Fallon walked over to the fridge to see if there was anything simple to fix for herself.

"Hey mama?" Zoie asked with a mouth full of cereal.

"Yeah baby?" she continued to browse the fridge.

"What's racism?" Zoie asked after swallowing the mouthful of cheerios.

Completely throwing Fallon off, she Cloee the fridge and looked back at her daughter. "It's when....why do you ask?"

"I heard Grandma talking to Daddy about it the other day, she said that there were white people being mean to him some time and that they were being the 'r' word"

"Well, it's when anyone, not just white people, treat people differently because they are a different race, or look different than they do."

Zoie thought about it for a second before scooping another spoonful of cereal, "So...will you and Liam treat me different because I look different than you?"
Zoie was a perfect mix between her parents. She had Fallon's big, bright eyes and beautiful dark, curly hair. But Zoie was aware that her looks set her apart from her mom's side of the family.

"No, of course not!" Fallon replies, offended that her daughter felt this way "Do you think Liam and I treat you differently?"

"Mmm...not really, I just don't want you to."

"Well let me make sure I'm clear when I say that you're without a doubt my favorite person on this planet, Zoie Rayne. You are the best thing I've ever created...and as someone who owns many companies, that says a lot," she looked down at her daughter and tapped her nose causing her to giggle, "And know that I will always love you for being exactly who you are.

"And if anyone ever treats you differently, have them come see me or Daddy, ok?"

"Okay, love you mama."

Fallon pulled her not so little baby in for a hug as she squeezed and kissed her until she was begging to be free. "I love you too lovebug."

And just as they pull away from their hug, Culhane walks in.

"Daddyyyyyyy!" Zoie runs off into the arms of her father.

"It's been two days, she acts like she hasn't seen you in years every time."

"Don't be jealous that I'm her favorite" he winks and she rolls her eyes. "Go put on your shoes & get your bag ZoZo, we gotta go."

There was no doubt that their daughter was a "Daddy's Girl", but Fallon was content with their relationship and that they could keep it civil for the sake of their daughter. They were still very close friends, so close that Culhane could tell there was something on her mind.

"I know that look Fallon, what's going on?"

Fallon gives him a recount of this morning's conversation between her and their daughter.

"Ahh the ol' racism conversation." Culhane nods as he knows these discussions all too well.

Fallon looking over at him confused he wasn't shocked their daughter was already talking about it.

"I mean you're white, I wouldn't expect you to get it." Culhane states matter of factly.

Fallon playfully hits him. "I'm being serious Culhane. It completely threw me off. I mean she felt like I, her mother, wouldn't love her because she looks different than me."

"Well, welcome to raising a Black daughter in today's society. There are things none of us will understand. Why others will treat her differently and sometimes poorly because of the color of her skin. And I hate to break it to you, but this is the beginning of many conversations," he looks over at Fallon who now looks visibly worried, "Fal, she'll be okay though. We just keep showing her love and make sure she knows we love her no matter what, that's all that matters in the end."

He pulls her in for a hug, she sighs, "I guess you're right. I just wasn't ready."

"Come on Daddy! I'm ready to GO!

"While she gets her amazing looks from me, we'll never forget where the bossiness comes from." He smiles at her and walks towards Zoie. "No dress this time princess?"

"Daddy, that was so last week. Mama says a good outfit should never be worn twice," the little girl rolls her eyes at her father before looking back towards Fallon, "Bye mama!"

"Bye princess, love you to the moon-" she calls to her daughter before they walk out the door.

"And back!" Zoie shouts back, finishing their departing tradition.

A/N :  Something I had drafted a while back. Given the current circumstances of our country, I wanted to shed light on racism in this story. It's not much but it's how I imagine one of many conversation between Fallon & a child with Culhane could have gone regarding the subject. Let me know if you're liking these one-shots, feedback is much appreciated!

#blacklivesmatter #justiceforBreonnaTaylor