Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 128702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 644(@200wpm)___ 515(@250wpm)___ 429(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 644(@200wpm)___ 515(@250wpm)___ 429(@300wpm)
“Crying. Curtis is crying? For what?”
Curtis sighed at the sound of Ruxs’ deep voice in the background. He heard shuffling then Ruxs’ angry voice blasted through the speaker. “Curtis?! Buddy, what’s going on? Where are you?”
“I’m alright, Dad, calm down. It was just a really shitty day at work. One of the… the kids, he… the director….”
“Curtis calm down, just tell us slowly.”
He could hear Green’s compassionate voice mixing with Ruxs’ pissed one.
“What did that motherfucker do? Tell me!”
“Mark, chill out, let him talk. Go on, Curtis, nice and slow,” Green said softly.
“He said I was inappropriate with some kid. All the kid did was hug me because he was happy about me helping him pass his test. It’s disgusting, Dad. That asshole knows it wasn’t like that. He wants me to quit, but I’m not quitting. I’m not gonna quit!” Curtis yelled, trying to hold in more frustrated tears that only welled up in his eyes and spilled over anyway.
“Oh, he’s dead. He’s fuckin’ dead!”
Curtis squeezed his temples. He knew Ruxs would go there. “Dad. I can handle it. Will you just let me handle it, please?”
“Okay, okay. We know you can handle it, son. I just hate this guy is doing this to you and getting away with it. He has a boss too ya know,” Green said.
“It’s alright to fight fire with fire, Curtis,” Ruxs added.
“He sent me home for the day, okay. I just want to go home and forget this happened and come back tomorrow to help Jamal with his next test. I promised Shelia I’d help her with her food chain project on Wednesday. I told the kids last week if all of them brought in items to donate to the Goodwill, that I’d bring Krispy Kreme on Friday and I’m not going back on any of that. Most of them have brought bags full of stuff already. I am a man of my word and that’s why those kids trust me. I know the director’s just pissed because they like me and hate him.”
“I’m so proud of you, Curtis. I know you’ll figure this out,” Green said, but Curtis could still hear the pain in his voice. His dad wanted to intervene, to come in and crack some skulls, but he didn’t need them to do that for him anymore.
“I’m proud of you, too. But say the word, buddy, and we’ll be there first thing in the morning.”
“I know. Trust me, though. I’ll handle it.” Curtis said goodbye, sagging down in the seat of his Malibu.
He hoped Genesis wasn’t still mad about him ruining their vacation and was willing to have a quiet night with him. He needed him desperately.
Genesis
It was a little after three and he was just about finished making his wonder burger surprise. It was one of Curtis’ favorites. He always went on and on about how juicy it was with all the rich, infused flavors. His favorite part was how Curtis begged for the recipe anytime he made it, offering up all kinds of sexual favors for it. Little did his partner know, all Genesis added to the fresh ground beef was A1 Steakhouse and a little Heinz 57. Nothing more, nothing less. He’d done it by mistake one day when Genesis couldn’t remember which steak sauce he’d used the first time and ended up adding them both, only for it to come out tasting delicious. He smiled at the memory and formed the last patty, tucking it into the refrigerator to marinate. He’d throw them on the grill a few minutes before Curtis was supposed to be home.
Genesis took off his Falcons apron and hung it on the hook next to the pantry door, just as his cell phone rang. Please don’t be calling to say you’re working late. Genesis hurried to the living room and yanked his phone off the table. He slumped when he saw it was Ruxs. Swiping the screen, he answered cautiously, never knowing what his partner’s intimidating fathers were going to say.
“What the fuck, Gen? Why’s my boy still getting the business at that goddamn center?”
“Hi Ruxs, it’s nice to hear from you, too.” Genesis sighed. Terrifying was a gross understatement to describe Ruxs’ voice at that moment.
“Cut the crap. I asked you to handle that prick months ago,” Ruxs growled.
“Curtis is a grown man, Ruxs. You know he doesn’t like anyone stepping in to fight his battles. He may be smaller than us, but he can solve his own problems.”
“I know he can! You think I don’t know that? He’s the strong man we helped him become, but Curtis will keep taking the abuse from that dick because he’ll do anything for those kids. He’ll never risk losing that job. Did you know he’s sitting in his car right now, angry and upset because that motherfucker had the audacity to say Curtis touched one of the kids inappropriately?”