Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 119454 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119454 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
“I’m glad to be here. It’s my pleasure, and you’ve given me such a warm welcome.”
“You’re different…” The woman tapped her chin thoughtfully. “I don’t know much ’bout race stuff. I don’t know much about historical books, either. But I do know ’bout my boy. Whoever makes him happy makes me happy. I stay outta his private life,” she reiterated, then waved her hand emphatically in his direction. Axel’s facial expression read: ‘Untrue. False. Lies.’ “As far as women, things like that, especially, and it’s been a minute since I’ve had the pleasure to meet someone my son took a likin’ to. You seem like a real sweet girl. This was such a treat!”
“Well, thank you so much, Ms. Hendrix. I really appreciate that. I hope we can continue to spend more time together, and get to know one another better. He’s spoken so much about you and Dallas, I feel like I’d already met you before I even came through the door.”
“Axel and I are real close.” Dallas had a heavy energy about her. In one way, she seemed fun-loving, sociable, and silly even, but in the next, she always seemed to be observing. Sizing her up. “Do you have any brothers and sisters?”
The Cure’s, ‘Just Like Heaven,’ started to play now.
“Yeah, I have an older sister and a younger brother. We’re all one year and three months apart.”
“Middle child. Your parents together?” Dallas asked.
“Yes, they are. Maybe one day you can meet my family too, Dallas.” English winked at her, and Dallas winked right back. Curious woman…
“Boy, you ain’t gonna talk to ya Uncle Axel?” Dallas nudged her son, who seemed totally engrossed in his game. The little boy with dirty blond hair lifted his head, showing big blue eyes and a snaggle-toothed grin.
“Hi, Axel,” Lucas said in a soft tone, with a slight rasp. “You comin’ to Mom’s barbecue?”
“I sure am. I wouldn’t miss my sister’s party for nothin’. In fact, I—” Just then, Axel’s phone lit up and buzzed on the table. His eyes turned to slits. “Hold on a second,” he mumbled as he snatched it from the table, got to his feet, and walked off.
“Probably work.” Axel’s mother rolled her eyes, then sucked her teeth. “They call him all hours of the day ’nd night. He’s gonna be right there in the grave with ’em, with the way those people work him to death. You’d think he was the only cleanin’ crew service in town! English, what do you think of my son’s job? Don’t it give you the creeps?”
“Oh, Mama, don’t start! Be supportive!”
“I am supportive.”
“Turn this old music off. I wanna hear something else. At least he’s workin’ though, Mama. Hell, half of these guys won’t keep no job or they’re on that shit, and couldn’t keep one if they tried.”
“Was Daddy on that shit, Mom?” the boy questioned.
English slowly ate her food, but kept her eye on the drama unfolding at the table. Dallas got up, yanked the radio station dial, and ‘Problem With It,’ by Plains drifted from the speakers.
“Yup. Your daddy was a piece of shit before and after the drugs. He got sober, but he’s still an asshole.”
“Dallas, don’t talk like that in front of my grandchild! We know Lucas’ father wasn’t worth a damn, but you don’t have to tell him so.”
“Why not? We knew our own daddy wasn’t shit before we could even talk or walk, Mama.”
“Not on account of me. I tried to keep that sort of thing ’way from y’all. I kept my mouth shut.”
“Oh, please, Mama! You can’t be serious? Daddy was every bitch, bastard, and asshole known to man ’round this place. If I hadn’t known any better, I woulda thought my daddy’s first name was Son, middle name Of-a, and last name, Bitch.”
The conversation went on and on, only halting once the front door slammed. The talking stopped immediately, and everyone looked towards the dining room entryway. Axel stood there like a foreboding brick wall. He sucked all of the air out of the room with his mere presence. His nostrils flared and his chest heaved.
“Axel, what’s wrong?” Dallas asked, breaking the awkward silence, her voice a bit quaky.
“Daddy done got himself locked up.”
Well, speak of the devil…
“That was Tammy callin’ me, talkin’ ’bout they got into a fight. He was drunk and pushed her, and she fell. Hurt herself. Now she’s tryna drop the charges, and wants me to bail him out. That motherfucker.” He glanced at his watch. “Now I gotta go get him.”
“Oh, like hell you do!” Axel’s mother tossed down her napkin from her lap, and began massaging her forehead as if a headache was brewing. “It’s just like him to have his drama spread everywhere like a disease! We’re sittin’ here having a nice dinner, and now look! I never get to see ya! Spend time with you! I say let his ass rot in there!”