Zora POV

Carlton and I were sitting on the couch doing a crossword as I laid my head on his chest and he had his arms around me

"What is a four letter word for an intense feeling or deep affection" Carlton asked as I was about to answer when Ashley walked in the living room

"Daddy isn't back yet" Ashley said

"Oh sweetie I'm sure he's fine" I reassured her

"Yeah it is pretty late" Carlton agreed looking at his watch

"Oh sweetie I'm sure he's fine" I reassured him rubbing his arm

"Let's try to finish this crossword" I said as he nodded

"This one is two separate words what is a romantic relationship where two people love the same person" he said as I was about to answer

"What are you two doing" Will asked walking behind us as we jumped

"We're doing a crossword puzzle" Carlton told him

"You wanna help" I asked

"Geez that sounds like so much fun" He said sarcastically as I rolled my eyes

"We'll finish later" I told him as Hilary and Mrs. Banks walked in the living room

"Shall I continue to delay dinner, madam?" Geoffrey asked

"Yes, Geoffrey. I don't know where he could be. He's never late without calling.

"Do you think daddy's alright?" Ashley asked worriedly

"It's awfully late, mom." Carlton said

"Okay, let's not jump to any conclusions. I know we're all worried,
but let's not.." Mrs. Banks said as Will screamed as we all looked at him

"Oh! Bill Cosby has a streetwise
niece coming on his show. That should be decent." Will said looking at the tv guide

"I'm home." Mr. Banks said walking in the living room

"Daddy." Ashley said running over to him

"Philip, where have you been?" Mrs. Banks asked him

"I was at the office. I'm sorry I didn't call, but I wanted to rush right home
with the great news. What is the highest recognition a self-made Black professional can receive?" He asked

"A raise!" Hilary said smiling as she hugged her father

"No, darling, it's not a raise. I'm getting
the Urban Spirit Award." Mr. Banks said

"Oh, Philip, we're so proud of you." Mrs. Banks said as I got off the couch

"Congratulations Mr. Banks" I said hugging him

"Is it a cash award?" Hilary asked

"Hilary, don't be so shortsighted. This award is an honor which leads to prestige which leads to cash." Carlton said walking over to us

"Well, the community leaders are recognizing me for helping our brothers and sisters on the streets." Mr. Banks said as Will stood up

"But the only time I've ever seen
you on the streets is when you're waiting for the valet to bring your car around." Will said laughing

"Is that so, son? Well, let me tell you something. The '63 March on Washington? I was there. The '65 demonstrations at Selma, I was there.
The '65 Watts Riots, I was there, too." Mr. Banks told him

"Seems to me every place you go,
trouble follows." Will said

"Well, your uncle deserves this award.
Now he's fought a lot of discrimination cases. He's prosecuted slumlords. He's started scholarship funds." Mrs. Banks said

"All that and he still found time to vote for Reagan. Twice." Will said

"Thank you, sweetheart. You know, it wouldn't be bad if you could remember
some of that when the reporter gets here.

"Reporter?" Carlton asked

"Photographer? New dress." Hilary said as Mr. Banks hugged her

"Honey..Alright, sweetheart, you can have a new dress. I want you all to look your best for the newspaper interview
and the awards banquet Zora you and your grandfather are invited too" Mr. Banks said

"Thank you Mr. Banks we would be delighted to attend" I told him

"Oh, daddy, this is wonderful. Two new dresses." Hilary gushed

"Have you called your parents?" Mrs. Banks asked

"You bet. They're taking the next plane out." Mr. Banks said

"Oh, great. Grandma and grandpa
are coming to visit." Ashley said smiling

"Toys." Hilary cheered

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I was in the kitchen with Will and Ashley as Ashley wad dancing

"Oh, yeah. That's it. Come on, Ash.
Rock this funky joint, baby. Come on, Ash. Less like George Michael, more like Hammer." Will yelled

"Come on. That's it. Baby, you got to put
some more butt into it." Will saud as he started dancing with Ashley as I smiled at them

"Come on Zee" Will told me

"No thanks" I said shaking my head

Come on" he saud grabbing my hand pulling me off the stool as I began dancing with Will and Ashley

"That's it. Ooh, yeah." Will said as Carlton and Hilary walked in and turned off the music

"Excuse me, but grandma and grandpa are here. I just saw the cab pull up the driveway." Carlton told us

"Yoo-hoo!" Mr. Banks father said walking into the kitchen

"Grandpa." Ashley said running to hug him

"Sweet potato." He said

"Grandma." Ashley said running to Mr. Banks mother

"Ashley, sweetie. Oh, my, how you've grown." She said hugging her

"Hilary, sweetie. Ooh, my, how you've grown." She said hugging her

"Carlton, sweetie. Hi." She said to Carlton as Ashley grabbed mine and Will hand

"Grandma, grandpa, this is my cousin Will and this is Zora my tutor" Ashley introduced us

"Oh, hi, Will. Your uncle told us
all about you. I don't know, Hattie.
He don't look like the devil incarnate." Grandpa Banks said

"Thanks." Will said

"Nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Banks" I said

"Oh sweetie you can call us Granny and Pop" Grandma Banks told me as I nodded

"So, how was the flight from Baltimore?" Will asked

"Baltimore?" Granny asked

"Well, yeah. That's where Uncle Phil's from, right?" Will asked

"Oh, he moved there when he was 16
but he was born and raised in Yamacraw." Granny said

"Yamacraw?" Will asked laughing

"North Carolina. I can't believe Zeke never mentioned his hometown." Granny said

"Zeke?" Will asked as he laughed

"Mama. Pop." Mr. Banks said as he and Mrs. Banks walked in as they hugged them

"Hey, Uncle Zeke!" Will said as Mr. Banks glared at him and I laughed

"Zeke, give your old man a hug." Pop said as Mr. and Mrs. Banks switched who they were hugging

"Am I tripping, or does this sort of remind you of the last episode
of "Family Ties?" Will asked as we walked into the living room

"Hey, daddy, didn't I send you some money for a new suit?" Mr. Banks asked

"Hey, you're looking at it. When you sent that money, me and my buddy Leroy went down to the dry goods store
and we each got a suit, a fishing rod
and some radial tires." Pop told him

"Well, I guess I better get to fixing supper. Geoffrey!" Granny said as everyone sat down and I stood behind the couch and wrapped my arms around Carlton's chest

"Madam?" Geoffrey said

"This is what I'll be needin'." Granny said giving him a list

"One pound of lard, four handfuls poke greens, and a big old slab of fatback." Geoffrey yelled

"Now, if it comes to more than a dollar, they're cheating you. We are going to have pork chops, collard greens baked macaroni, and sweet potato pie." She said as Will licked his fingers

"Have mercy!" He said as he hugged Granny

"Grandma, grandpa, you want to go
see our swimming pool?" Ashley said

"That's a good idea." Mr. Banks said

"Oh, growing up my Zeke always did love our swimming hole. He would strip down to his birthday suit and dive right in." Granny said

"Oh, granny, please. It's almost dinnertime." Will said

"Oh, he just loved his skinny-dipping
him and Melvin." Granny said

"Melvin?" Will asked

"Oh, I don't think we all want to hear anything.." Mr. Banks said

"Au contraire, dad. The Melvin stories are priceless." Carlton said

"So, Melvin was like his best friend?" I asked

"Melvin was his pig." Hilary said as Will started laughing and I hid my face in Carlton's shoulder trying not to laugh

"Oh, I have plenty stories about my Zeke." Granny said

"Well, are any of them humiliating stories?" Will asked

"The best ones are." Carlton said nodding

"Let's start with those." Will said as they walked into the kitchen

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Since the Banks family had thier interview Will and I decided yo take Granny and Pop to Disneyland

We walked in the kitchen laughing as I was holding up a Winnie the Pooh bear Will got me

"Yo, yo, yo. Yo, yo, yo, yo, you After living in Bel-Air, you know it was great to spend some time at Disneyland
you know, to get back to reality." Will said as we laughed

"Ooh. Joe, it's 7:30. We're getting to be
a couple of night owls." Granny said

"Yes, ma'am. We better go put ourselves to bed." Pop said

"Oh, honey, I'm with you." Granny said

"Goodnight." Will and I told them

"Goodnight, honey." Granny told us

I watched as they left. Even after all these years they're still in love with each other. I hope I have that

"I should head home too go check on my grandfather" I said

"Yeah" he told me

"Oh thanks for the bear" I told him holding it up

"Yeah I knew how much you wanted it" he said scratching behind his head

"But you didn't have to go all the way to a toy store for it" I told him

"Don't sweat it Zee" he told me as I smiled

"Well by Will. See you tomorrow" I told him

"Bye Zee" he told me as I walked to my house

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The next morning I walked into The Banks Kitchen

"Good morning" I told Geoffrey

"Good morning Miss Zora" he told me

"I got the newspaper for you" I told him

"Thank you" he told me as he began reading it

"Oh, dear." He said as I furrowed my eyebrows

"What's wrong" I asked as he handed me the paper as I skimmed over the article about Mr. Banks

"Oh dear" I said as Mrs. Banks walked into the kitchen

"Oh, good, you got the paper." She said

"Yes, madam." Geoffrey said

"Make sure you buy the 100 copies
that Mr. Banks wanted." She said pouring a cup of coffee

"Before we make such an investment
perhaps it might be wise for you to peruse the contents of this article." Geoffrey told her as she grabbed the newspaper and read the article

"Oh, dear. Geoffrey, Zora, how on earth did they get a hold of all these stories?" Mrs. Banks asked

"Madam, the press is made up of a very low type of person. You see what they've done to Fergie." Geoffrey said as Mr. Banks walked in

"Vivian, is it in the morning paper?" Mr. Banks asked

"Uh...yeah." Shr said

"Good. You got the paper." He said

"Oh, why don't you have your morning coffee first, sir?" Geoffrey suggested

Oh, that's perfect. I'll have my coffee, and you read it to me, Geoffrey." Mr. Banks said as we looked at each other

"Yes, sir." Geoffrey said as he sat down on a stool

"Local lawyer wins prestigious award."
Well, it goes on from there." Geoffrey said

"Goes on to what?" Mr. Banks asked

"Just details, really." Geoffrey said

"I'll just recycle this." I said grabbing the paper

"Give it to me." He said as I handed him the paper

"The coveted Urban Spirit award given to Los Angeles' outstanding Black leaders will be presented tonight to distinguished attorney Philip Banks."
Ah, this is well-written." He said

"Known to his barnyard companions as Zeke.." He read as he furrowed his eye brows

"Banks is no stranger to accolades. This ex-hog-handler.....slopped his way
to the top with the help of his trusted companion Melvin, the pig." Who is responsible for this?" He asked

"Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, yo! Hey, Uncle Zeke, I got your 100 black and whites, huh." Will said walking into the kitchen

"I can't believe this, how did they get
all these stories about the pig?" Mr. Banks asked as Will laughed

"Oh. Alright. Alright. Alright.
I wasn't going to tell you, but.." Will said smiling pointing to himself

"You!" Mr. Banks asked

"Will, honey.....run." Mrs Banks told him as she and Geoffrey left

Will ran to me as I hugged his torso protectively trying to protect him from Mr. Banks

"What did I do?" Will asked

"What did you do? You destroyed my image." Mr. Banks told him

"Man, I ain't destroyed nothing." Will told him

"Of course, you did. Look at that story.
I've gotta walk into that banquet room tonight filled with people who are gonna think I'm nothing but a hog-handling hick from Yamacraw." Mr. Banks said

"But that is where you come from, Zeke." We heard Grandma Banks say as Mr. Banks turned to her

"Mama, I was just having a few words with Will." Mr. Banks told her

"And I'm having a few words with you.
What have you got to be ashamed of?
We always put food on the table and clothes on your back." Granny told him

"Tell em Granny" I said as Mr. Banks glared at me as I put my hands up in defense

"Mama, I'm not ashamed. There are just aspects of my life I don't wish emphasized." Mr. Banks told her

"Where I come from they call that being ashamed.....Mr. Big Shot!" She said then walked away

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Later that night my grandfather and I walked into the banquet hall as we walked to the table

"PaPa this is Hattie and Jo Banks. Granny Pop, this is my grandfather James Allen" I said

"Nice to meet you" they told him

"Likewise" he said as he sat down

"Hey I saved you a seat" Carlton told me

"No sit next to me" Will said

"Sorry Will we spent all day together yesterday" I said as I sat next to Carlton

"Mother, you look very nice in your dress tonight." Mr. Banks said as she didn't say anything

"Did you enjoy the ride in the limousine, pop?" He asked his father

"Oh, you bet. I went.." He said as Granny nudged him as he stopped talking

"Hattie, aren't you going to talk at all?" Mrs. Banks asked

"Oh, come on. We're mature adults.
And refusing to speak is not gonna solve anything." Mr. Banks said

"That's, you know, that's right, Uncle Phil." Will said

"I'm not talking to you." Mr. Banks told him as Mr. and Mrs. Furth walked uo to the table

"Philip, Vivian, congratulations." Mrs. Furth said

"Yes. We're all quite proud of you at the office, old man." Mr. Furth said

"Oh, thank you. Thank you. I'd like you to meet my parents, Hattie and Joe Banks. Henry and Margaret Furth." Mr. Banks said as they sat down

"Ma'am, would you like the salmon
or chateaubriand?" The waiter said

"Oh, we don't want to be a bother.
We'll just hang on to these empty plates. Thank you kindly." Granny said

"Hattie, are you sure you don't want any other food?" Mrs. Banks asked

"Oh, we don't want to impose. We'll just fade into the background." She said as she pulled chicken out her purse

"Breast or wing?" She asked Pop

"Oh, I think I'll have a wing, thank you." He said

"We got any okra casserole" Pop asked

"Comin' up." She said pulling out okra

"Can you pass that over here" I asked as they passes ne the bowl as I put some on my plate

"Aww, granny. You know how much Uncle Phil likes his mama's okra casserole. W-why don't you ask him
if he wants some?" Will said

"It ain't going to work, Will." Granny told him as Pop gave it to the Furth's

"What is this interesting melange? It smells divine." Mrs. Furth asked

"Just plain old okra and tomato, honey." Granny said as she tried it

"Mm. Delicious. Try that, Henry." She told her husband

"Outstanding! Do we have any biscuits?" He asked

"I hope they're still hot." She said pulling biscuits out her purse

"Ca..Can I say something, please? I just know that at a time like this my Uncle Phil is extremely happy to have his two loving parents here with him. Oh, I can feel the love at this table." Will said

"Parents? To hear him tell it he just sprung full-grown from the ground
and we had nothing to do with it. Yes, he just sprung up like a big, old eggplant." Granny said

"Excuse me." Mr. Banks said as he got up and walked away as Will followed him

After a while Will and Mr. Banks finally came back

"In addition to the Civil Rights cases
he has won as an attorney Philip Banks is a community leader an unsparing philanthropist and a role model
to all citizens. Ladies and gentlemen,
Philip Banks." The presenter said as we all clapped

"Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo
hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo! Hoo.." Will yelled as Mr. Banks walked to the stage

"Thank you. Thank you. I grew up on the streets of Baltimore." He said but then looked at his parents

"But I was born on a farm in Yamacraw, North Carolina. I was one of the lucky ones. I had two wonderful parents
who worked hard every day of their lives. They couldn't give me a lot of material things but they gave me morals.....courage.....and most important of all, love. I just hope I can give the next generation.....what my parents gave me." He said

"Oh. I hope he mentions his pig." Granny said as we watched him continue his speech

Two updates In one day but this is my new favorite story so expect multiple updates