Concrete Rose

Mav and Lisa enjoy a peaceful moment in her bed before the arrival of Ms. Montgomery sends Mav scrambling out of Lisa’s window. As he leaves, he tells her he loves her and asks when he’ll see her again. Lisa’s only reply is that she’s sorry about Dre. The next day, Mav is more confused than ever when Lisa still hasn’t unblocked his number.

Mav spends Sunday working at Wyatt’s Grocery. He tries to call Lisa from the phone in Mr. Wyatt’s office, but Ms. Montgomery answers and tells Mav to stay away from her daughter before hanging up. Mav recalls that the first time they met, Ms. Montgomery sized him up in a single look and decided he wasn’t good enough for Lisa.

Stepping outside to sweep the curb, Mav spots Iesha and her friends leaving Reuben’s, a popular barbecue joint across the street. Mav races to confront her. He asks her where she’s been, and Iesha answers that she’s been homeless and staying with various friends since moving out. Mav notes that her hair and nails look freshly done, but recalls that Ma told him “poor don’t always look the same” and brushes it off (148).