Mabel hummed with excitement as she took out the Sweet Potato Pie that she had made for the special occasion that had preoccupied her mind since she had heard the news a week prior. Her grandson, Dante, was finally leaving the horrid Anderson's Correctional Facility, and he would soon cross the threshold of her home. Family was important to her, and since his time being incarcerated, so many members left and joined their ancestors in the sky forever in their hearts as they looked down upon those who remained. In her lifetime, Mabel has buried her husband, two children, and their partners, along with her three siblings. All who were left were the last 3 of the Bellhook's bloodline, which included herself and two grandchildren from her son and daughter.
Tears brimmed in her eyes once more as she thought about the reunion as she stirred the Mac and Cheese on the stove. The thick cheese sauce covered the Macaroni noodles in the pot. It reminded her of the many times she had made Sunday dinners, watching her family sit up at the kitchen table and enjoy the meal, wishing for seconds of her authentic Southern cooking.
'Calm down, Mabel. You will see them soon.' She finished up the last dish for dinner, being mindful of time. The plan was for her grandson, Martin, to pick up Dante around noon, and they would be on the road for 3 hours to go to her house. It was now 2:30 pm, and the last task was to chill Dante's favorite dessert, Banana Pudding, in the fridge.
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Dante pulls himself up, finishing his last set on the exercise equipment, when he hears his family surname from the mouth of the correctional officer.
"Bellhook."
It has been 10 years since Dante took a ride with a few friends and never made it home. At the age of 16, he was forced to mature to survive. During his time in prison, he missed the passing of his parents, his aunt and uncle, his high school graduation, and other aspects of his childhood and milestones that were on his journey from boyhood to manhood. He was almost 30 years old now, and the dead look that rested in his eyes deepened as time went on, lingering.
"Aye, yo, Dante."
Dante turned around as he gathered his items, preparing to leave this cell behind. He saw his bunkie, Fellow, sending him off with a big brotherly hug. A piece of paper now sat on top of his items, and it was assumed it contained a number for him to be contacted. Dante placed it in his bag, and the two locked eyes and nodded their heads. No other words needed to be said, for this wasn't their end but a part of their journey as friends. Fellow had one more year left to serve, but he knew that they would talk before it was his time to go.
"Alright, Bellhook. Let's go."
Dante retrieved his items and left the cell. As he went down the stairs, all members of the O block at Anderson's Correctional Facility turned their attention to the young man who was making his way out of the prison. The penitentiary was a place that housed people whom society had recognized as criminals, and they were treated as such. For some, that treatment was a part of their repentance and redemption. In contrast, others saw it as fuel for their rebellious "fuck the system" attitude. One thing that everyone could agree on was that certain people slip through the cracks of the broken justice system and often pay the price they should not have had to pay.
Inmates of O block didn't always get along. Fights were seen every month, but the moment Dante walked down the steps towards his freedom, there was a brief moment of silence that was heard even from the block control room. They nodded their heads, and some of the correctional officers paid their respects as he reached the bottom of the steps.
*BANG BANG BANG BANG
One by one, there were loud stomps around the block that quickly turned into a thunderous banging on the ground. Shouts of men yelling Dante's name and chanting "Phan-tom," a name that was chosen for him because of how quiet and serious his presence was felt.
Dante made his way past the dining area, and the inmates hollered and clapped as he walked through the doors in the hallways that connected the blocks. He made his way to the front of the facility, following the correctional officer to the intake office.
The last steps included signing out and gathering his other items from the office. The officer gave him a bag that he said had the items he arrived with, and his eye immediately noticed the Gray shirt and black Nike basketball shorts. He finally signed out using his signature at the front desk and walked out of the building.
Fresh air, birds chirping, and rays from the sun hit Dante at once. His eyes adjusted to the brightness and saw a white Dodge Charger parked across the road from the entrance of the correction facility. A tall, light-skinned black man leaned on the hood of the car with shades on his face.
"Aye, CUZ, is that you?!"
Dante walked with quick, long strides, dapping up his cousin Martin and giving a brotherly embrace.
"Yeah, man. It's me."
Martin gave a genuine laugh as he scanned over his cousin. He hasn't seen him since he was 14, but did occasionally call over the years. Every time, it felt like his voice was getting deeper and changing. It was a sign of aging, but he still couldn't believe the man in front of him was, indeed, Dante Bellhook.
"Damn! Prison did a number on your ass. Haha."
Martin lightly slapped Dante's shoulders, and he chuckled as they both made their way into the car. The two put their seat belts on, and before Martin started to drive, he let out a sigh of relief.
"Man, I was worried. I thought something happened when I heard niggas scream your name. I'm glad you made it out in one piece. Are you good, tho?"
Dante adjusted his seat and nodded his head.
"Yeah, I'm good, cuz."
Martin turned on his navigational system and plugged in their grandmother's address into his phone.
"Alright, now let's go see Granny Mabel."
Martin drove down the road, existing out of the Anderson's Correctional Facility playing Fuck Tha Police by N.W.A while, Dante chuckled in the passenger seat next to him.
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*Ding Dong
Mabel heard the doorbell ring and got up from her couch. She went to the door and saw a tall, dark-skin man with muscles that were so defined it was noticeable through his clothing. He had bags in his hands and lightly smiled at her.