WARNING - STRONG LANGUAGE

Clyde took David back home at around two. By the time they got to the neighborhood it was closer to four.

"Thanks for the ride," said David.

"No problem. Thank you for the visit. I'll think about what we talked and I'll hit you up. No need to come all the way to the shop especially in the bus. You gonna check out that arm of yours?" asked Clyde.

"Yeah, I'll have to go tomorrow and make an appointment and see if they take my military card. If not then I'll have to pay out of pocket," said David.

"Nonsense, here go to see this doctor. Her name is doctor Kamila. Tell her I sent you. She'll help you out," said Clyde handing David a card.

"Listen, if it seems you are going to be around, are you interested in a job? I could use some help," offered Clyde.

"Sure, thanks I could use the work," said David happily.

"Okay. Let's start next week. That'll give you some time to rest. I'll come pick you up bright and early Monday morning. How's that sound?" said Clyde.

"Sounds good to me. Thanks. I'll be here," replied David seemingly having made up his mind. Not so clear was if Clyde had made up his mind about David working with him on his side project.

"It's just a job though. It's nothing else," said Clyde hoping to set the record straight should there be any misunderstanding.

"Yes, just a job," said David.

"Good then. Rest up, say hello to your grandma and we'll keep in touch," said Clyde.

As he was getting ready to leave, Cheeto happened to be walking by.

"Hey brotha! Capt'n told me you was heading out to the docks this morning. Why didn't you tell me? I'd a given you lift. That shits far que-no (isn't it)?" he said greeting David.

"Oh hey Mr. Johnson, how you doing?" asked Cheeto once he saw Clyde was there as well.

"Cheeto, I'm good. Haven't seen you since you stopped working for me last year," said Clyde greeting Cheeto.

"Yeah, yeah. How's Cindy doing?" asked Cheeto timidly.

"Oh, she's Okay. Her hair grew out nicely, so she's doing better," said Clyde as he turned on his car.

"That's good, that's good. Say hi to her for me," said Cheeto.

"Eh, maybe next time. She's still getting over her car and the forklift incident. Give her some time. She'll get over it I'm sure," replied Clyde.

"Oh yeah. No, for sure. Next time then," said Cheeto as Clyde waved.

"Yes, next time. Stay out of trouble boys!" said Clyde speed off.

David was left with a look of puzzlement at the conversation that just took place before him.

"What happened to Cindy's hair? And what did he mean about the car and forklift incident?" asked David.

"Oh. I kind of burned her hair," said Cheeto bashfully.

"You burned her hair?"

"Not all of it! Just a chunk of it."

"And what did he mean with the car and forklift incident?" asked David.

"Nothing the insurance wasn't going to cover," Cheeto replied.

"So you went to see Clyde at his gig? He hook you up for a job or something?" asked Cheeto not aware of any other reason for why David would have got to see Clyde.

"Yes. I guess I did," David replied.

"He's a cool cat, funny too. Man I really liked his gig too! See if you can get me a job there," said Cheeto.

'I'm not sure Cindy would be too happy with that," said David.

"Oh right. Maybe later then," insisted Cheeto.

"Seriously, what did you do to her?" asked David.

"Oh, nothing much. Just learned I'm not a good welder and driving a forklift is not for me," said Cheeto as David invited him into the house.

Liz was in the living room watching T.V. when David and Cheeto walked in. Upon seeing them, she turned off the T.V and promptly made her way up the stairs past right by them. She glared and almost snarled at David and flew past Cheeto as he tried to say hi to her, unaware of the battle being waged between the siblings.

"Man your little sister has some genio (temper)" commented Cheeto.

"Tell me about it," replied David.

"Grams made some food in the morning. You want some?" offered David.

"Si carnal (Yes brother). Ayi lo que se te antoje (whatever you have to offer). No soy (I'm not) picky," replied Cheeto.

"So the little kids were asking about you today. Specially Sammy. He was asking when you was gonna be back," said Cheeto making small talk.

David nodded as he looked for the food and tried to figure out what kind of meal to prepare with everything he saw.

"How's Allen?" asked David.

"I don't know. Actually, I don't think I saw him today," said Cheeto.

"Does he come around every day to the Center?" asked David.

"Pretty regular. I don't think he goes everyday but never paid much attention to it," said Cheeto.

"Thanks for taking him home the other day," said David.

"Not a thing brother," said Cheeto fidgeting on his chair like an impatient child.

"He was acting all weird tho. Did something happen?" asked Cheeto.

"Some kids were picking on him," said David.

"Damn, must have been some serious kids then cuz Allen's one of the 'it' kids. He usually the one picking on the other. You know who it was?" asked Cheeto.

David thought if he could confide in Cheeto. He didn't know if Cheeto would tell Claudia and if it would get Allen in trouble.

"No, I don't know the kids," said David.

"Maybe some high school kids. They always be messing with the little ones," said Cheeto.

"You get around Cheeto, have you heard anything about T.J. and his boys?" asked David.

"Oh que-paso, que-paso (what happen, what happen). Ni tanto asi (not that way)," said Cheeto at the perceived dig.

"I don't mean it like that. I mean you have an information network," clarified David.

"Well, I don't know about that, but I do know people," said Cheeto.

"I hear T.J. could be laying low at some hommies crib out by the beach cities. I don't know. He has a bunch of hommies out by Newport," said Cheeto as he snacked on some food.

"And he just goes off for days? Nobody looks for him? His parents?" asked David.

"Nah man. Mom ran off years ago and the dad is some O.G. himself. J. is the only one that keeps tabs on that boy," said Cheeto.

"Seems to me like the school or the police could take the dad in for truancy or something," said David.

"If they took all the parents in for their kids not going to school, half the hood would be brought it," said Cheeto.

"Everyone always has an angle don't they?" said David.

"Cops have other things to worry about, with rumors that there is a turf war going on between 13 Street gang and the Black Roosters. Area's been getting violent the last few weeks with some of 'em getting shot up and stuff. The roosters aint that far from home. I be hearing some of the shooting at night. Shit's scary bro" said Cheeto.

"So how does T.J. and J. fit into that or do they?" asked David.

"I don't know. They shouldn't. That zone is out of our turf," said Cheeto.

"Man are you okay there? Looks like you are struggling," said Cheeto getting hungry and anxious.

"Yes sorry just trying to figure out what all of the containers have," said David. Nothing in the refrigerator was labeled and some of the containers were recycled from other products making it difficult to sort for someone unfamiliar with the contents.

David finally settled on a casserole whose smell was the most familiar and two side dishes he figured were beans and rice, and started to serve.

"Hey Cheeto, do me a favor. Can you please take this plate up to Liz's room? I'm sure she hasn't eaten yet," said David.

"Aye pues, que se venga a server (Ah what, let her come get some)!" said Cheeto still unaware of the feud. David was stoic looking at Cheeto with the plate stretched out to him.

"Dale pues (Fine then). Pero si no bajo me vas a buscar (But if I don't come down, come look for me)," said Cheeto picking up the plate and heading up to Liz. Just then, the front door swung open as Grams came in from work.

"Hola Dona, como esta (Hello Mam, how are you)? Llego a tiempo (You got here on time). El David esta alli sirviendo de comer (David is there serving food). Arranquele ante de que se le acabe el amor (Hurry before his love ends)," said Cheeto teasing David.

Grams was surprised to see David in what appeared to be a good mood. She didn't know what to expect coming back given the conversation they had earlier that day. Grams saw David messing in the kitchen and approached with reservation. She had her many bags with the tools of her trade, and a sweater she took everywhere. Grams sat everything down and went into the kitchen.

"Hi, how was your day?" asked David. There was still an awkward exchange between the two of them since they didn't know how to speak to one another after the heated discussion.

"Bien, y tu (Fine, and you)? Fuistes al doctor (Go to the doctor)?" asked Grams aloof, but concerned with David's health above all.

"No I didn't get a chance. I went to the old docks looking for...a friend," said David not knowing how else to describe Clyde and wanting to keep it simple.

"Oh, Bueno. Si eso es mas impartante, tu sabes mejor (Well, if that is more important, you know better)," she said, not pleased with David's choice but unable to despite it since he was and adult.

"Yeah. He has an interesting business there. Looks like he could have some military applications. He does work for law enforcement too," said David trying to make eye contact with Grams who kept looking around, and acting uninterested.

"That's nice. Sigues con eso entonses (You still with that then)," Grams said disappointed in where she thought the conversation was heading.

"Yes, well it is what I know," said David as if to justify his profession.

"You could learn new things," said Grams still acting aloof.

"Maybe," said David.

"He offered me a job. I think I'll take it," he said hopping to get a positive reaction out of Grams.

"That's nice," she said still looking down sorting the food David had so much trouble with earlier.

"Yeah. I figured if I'm going to stay that I should do something with my time. Not just sit around doing nothing," he said.

Grams finally stopped what she was doing and lifted her eyes to see David. Though she did not say anything, her eyes gave way her relief and joy.

"Entonses te vas a quedar (So you are staying)?" she asked in a soft tone that communicated the joy the two of them could not say.

"Si, me voy a quedar (Yes, I'm staying)," he said smiling as he understood the happiness that this decision finally settle for them both. They had a place in the world now. They had a family that would face the challenges together. That was the underlying understand between the two of them. Grams would not have to shoulder the burden alone and her family would not be broken up.

As Grams and David shared this moment, Cheeto came back down the stairs having given Liz the plate David had prepared for her.

"Man, lla le di de comer a tu demonio (I fed your demon). Girl almost took my head off with her door. Is scary," said Cheeto.

Both Grams and David looked at each other and laughed.

"Aye mijo deja les sirvo de come (Oh son let me fix you boys some dinner). An de tener ambre (You must be hungry)," said Grams in an up-beat manner as she took over the kitchen from David.

"Thanks Dona (Mam). Aqui David se muere de amber sin usted (David here would starve without you). Entonses que hay de comer (So what's for dinner)?" asked Cheeto, rubbing his hands together and licking his lips.

"Pues hay unas enchiladas con su arros y frijoles y aqui encontramos alogo (Well, there are some enchiladas with rice and beans and we can find something else)," said Grams optimistically.

"Orales (Alright)! Ah eso si le entro (I'm down with that)!" said Cheeto.

Grams prepared to serve up her food and gave it to both David and Cheeto.

"Hey so Claudia was asking about you today," said Cheeto as the two waited for Grams to do her thing.

"Oh yeah? What about?"

"She doing something at her school and she was hitting us up to buy stuff and help her set up or something. I don't know. It's like a fundraiser or something," said Cheeto.

"I think I'll pass," said David.

"Come on man! Them college kids always be throwing fun shit to do." said Cheeto.

"Watch your language niño or I'll clean your mouth with Ajax!" said Grams menacingly.

"Aye Doña, que salvaje (Ah Mam, so savage)!" said Cheeto shuddering at the thought.

"Cheeto has a point. You should go out and have some fun. Meet some people. You should also support Claudia, especially if it's for her school. She need our help and we should encourage the young people going to school. Eh muchacho, me estas escuchando (You listening to me young man)?" said Grams to David, the last part directed at Cheeto.

"Oh Doña, the only school I need is the streets, haha," laughed off Cheeto.

"No seas chistoso (Don't be silly)!" said Grams hitting Cheeto with a wooden spoon in his right hand.

"Oh Chales (Come on)!" said Cheeto rubbing his wounded hand.

"Ese osico (That mouth)!" said Gram hitting Cheeto on the other hand.

"Esa violencia (Such violence)!" said Cheeto at the onslaught.

"I'll think about it. Parties aren't my thing," said David smiling at the antics of Grams and Cheeto.

Grams handed over the plates to the guys who started to eat.

"Oh Seño que es esto (Mam what is this)? No son chilaquiles (They are not chilaquiles)!" protested Cheeto biting into the dish Grams gave him.

"Que tienen (What's wrong)? Estas loco, saben bien (You're crazy, they taste fine)," said Grams offended at the suggestion her dish was not excellent.

"Saven raro que no (They taste funny no)?" asked Cheeto of David to second his claim.

"It's... a little different," admitted David with trepidation.

Grams looked over her dish for inspection. "Aye pallasos, solo porque cambie el queso, las tortillas, y el pollo (Oh you clowns, just because I switched the cheese, the tortillas and the chicken)," said Grams as if the changes were minor.

"Nomas (Only)! Pues que's eso (So what is this)?" questioned Cheeto.

"Lactose free cheese, gluten free tortillas, and tofu chicken," said Grams, not understanding what any of the changes had to do with the taste complains.

"Que 'tisnados es (What the heck is) tofu chicken y (and) glue-ten tortillas?" was the puzzlement of Cheeto, not aware such things existed.

"Ah pues si no te gustan entonses echa pa-qua (Oh well if you don't like it then hand it over)!" said Grams threatening to take the plate away from Cheeto.

"No, pues ni pa tanto (No, it's no big deal). Solo digo (Just saying). No le voy a despreciar un plato (Not going to turn down a plate)," said Cheeto taking back the plate.

"Si me lo como, pero avise pa' la proxima (I'll eat it but give me a heads up next time)," he continued taking another bite. "Pues malo, malo no es (Well, it's not that bad)," said Cheeto.

"Nomas cuando te conviene (Only when it's convenient for you)," said Grams.

They continued to eat for about an hour, talking of the past and present. Bonding over their meal.