“Why the fuck can’t you just be happy for me Nessa? I love her and I’m willing to take whatever comes at me. Besides, you know things aren’t as bad as they were before the block party. Shit’s changing, people aren’t ready jump at the drop of a hat like they were.” A scarless Casey said as she stood in front of her older sister.

Wait. Did she just say love?

“Yeah, shit may be changing but not fast enough for people to be alright with this.” She said as she pointed between Carmen and Casey.

They’ve only been dating for three weeks and there’s already love involved?

Casey put her hands up in questioning, “For fucks sake man why you gotta be like this?”

“Because I’m your sister and I care about you that’s why.”

“If you care about me so damn much then let me be happy and make my own decisions. I’m old enough to know what I’m getting myself into without you breathing down my neck.”

Vanessa looked from Casey to Carmen and stared at her intently. Carmen thought she was trying to stare daggers into her when Vanessa walked towards her. Casey made no move to stop her but stood ready if anything was to happen.

“Listen. I got nothin against you personally. It’s just that I’ve already lost a brother to a drive-by shootin and that bullet wasn’t even meant for him. I mean, how can a shot be meant for an eight year old boy buyin ice-cream right? But you gotta understand that Casey and Scruffy are the only family I’ve got and I don’t know what I’d do if anything was to happen to them. Am I making sense?”

Carmen simply nodded and stayed quiet.

“Good.” Vanessa sighed “I know your family and Diego aside, ya’ll are good people.” she smiled at the younger girl and dropped her voice so that only Carmen could hear her, “Just take care of my little sister alright?” She then looked over at Casey. “Alright. I’m cool with it. But if something happens to you Lord knows what I’ll do.” She said as she walked into the kitchen.

And at that moment, Carmen let out the breath she didn’t know she was holding in. Daren looked over at her and offered a simpathetic smile before following Vanessa into the kitchen as well.