Concrete Rose

Mav drives up to Evergreen Prison to see his father. He’s rattled by the news that Pops got Bus Stop Tony hooked on crack but doesn’t think he can judge Pops when he himself is planning to kill someone. Pops looks older than he did during their last visit, but he’s not angry at Mav anymore. Mav apologizes, and Pops admits that Mav was in the right when they argued. Mav breaks the news that Moe might be moving in with them. Pops is quiet for a moment, then asks if Ma is really in love with Moe. Mav thinks of how Ma lights up around Moe, and answers honestly that she is.

The conversation shifts to Dre’s murder. Mav tells Pops that he is positive Red killed Dre, and that he has a plan to enact revenge. Pops asks if Mav really wants kill Red. Mav replies that his father “[knows] the code” (318), but Pops says that’s not what he asked. Mav begins to tear up. He doesn’t want to kill anyone, but Dre was his brother. Pops cups his cheek and tells Mav it’s okay because “Daddy’s here” (319).

That’s all it takes for Mav to start sobbing.