8 July 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2792: another lazy stereotype

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“So I already knew what was going on and that he was trying to do all kinds of reverse psychology. We weren't supposed to know about the sale and roll up that early – we were supposed to do what normally happens and be picking over what was left. So he hit us with 'You people and watermelon again,' and we just laughed at him and I said, 'Another lazy stereotype, but look here: we like watermelon and our ancestors liked it before y'all even knew about it and brought it with us.

"But I tell you what: you know what else Black folks do that you don't think we can? We buy distressed property out of foreclosure.' I tell you that he turned as pale as death as I presented him the deed and had the sheriff escort him off my property and away from my watermelons!”

Eleven-year-old Velma, nine-year-old Milton, and eight-year-old Gracie Trent were listening to their grandfather, billionaire Thomas Stepforth Sr., telling somebody on the phone how he had dealt with one of Lofton County's most bigoted farmers. All three grandchildren were shaking their heads.

“When you do foolery too long,” Velma said, “but forget to pay your bills.”

“How you just gonna let Pop-Pop catch you out there like that?” Milton said.

“The same way you get caught out there all the time, Milton,” Gracie said. “People think about what they want, not what they need.”

“I can't even argue with that – ain't it the truth,” Milton said.

“And it's not just one race of people either – to think so would be another lazy stereotype,” Velma said. “Remember that time Cousin Brenda's friend who had that crush on Dad rolled up trying to flirt, but didn't know one of her high heels was about to pop off?”

“And when you have a four-inch heel and a tight dress,” Milton said, “you really need to think about what you need, not what you want.”

“Ain't it the truth,” Gracie said. “That thing broke on the stairs and not only was Dad seeing everything she wanted him to see but so was everyone else when that dress split completely.”

“I felt so bad for her,” Velma said, “because that was all a waste of time. Dad doesn't cheat.”

“And what about Cousin Darnell, rolling out here and having to run for his life in Stacey Adams?” Milton said.

“Yep,” Velma said. “Our Trent family has another lazy stereotype about all non-drug-dealing Trents being soft and easy to get stuff from, but I'm still trying to figure out how they didn't figure out that Dad and Aunt Victoria are veterans, and veterans will take you all the way down.”

“It's the same thing with everybody who has been messing with our eight Ludlow friends and not figuring it out that not only is Capt. R.E. Ludlow a veteran, but he's also maybe a little crazy,” Gracie said.

“I'm trying to figure out how the bad foster parents he got last didn't learn from what happened to the one he got first,” Velma said.

“That's easy, Velma – they probably didn't have each other's phone numbers,” Gracie said.

“Well, yeah, there is that,” Velma said.

“Do we need to set up a Consequences-Are-Coming-for-You emergency hotline or something – you think we could be 9-2-2 instead of 9-1-1?” Milton said.

Velma and Gracie considered this.

“No,” Velma said. “That thing would short out in one day, with all the consequences catching up with people.”

“Ain't it the truth,” Gracie said.