Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 74450 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74450 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
“Forgot what?”
“I know you, just like you know me. You figured out that I had been…” Legend grinned from ear to ear and rubbed the skin right below his lower lip as if trying to find the right words, “doin’ a little vacationin’.”
He handed Caspian a fresh cigar—one from the box he’d gifted him the day Roman was born. Caspian unwrapped it, motioned for the lighter, and lit it.
After smoking for a bit, pondering Legend’s words, he smiled.
“Legend, how many for you?” The man looked at him curiously then, just as quickly, his facial muscles relaxed once understanding had settled in.
“… When I was in the life?” He shrugged nonchalantly. “It kinda came with the territory. Had to toe tag a few clients who got out of hand. Territory issues had to be addressed, too. Had a partner at one point early on who tried to set me up—had to body his ass. There were the pedos in prison… got rid of a few of them on sight… another guy for a whole different situation… then, of course, there were what I like to call the ‘promise murkings.’ The best ones yet. You can put a white feather in ya cap on that.”
They both chuckled, enjoying the moment of camaraderie. “The number isn’t important. The reason is.” They both nodded at that. “Caspian, Axel was reluctant to come into the truth of who he really was. You know how he is. Dr. Do Right. Me? I didn’t particularly go looking for it but I used it like medicine. You practice our way of life to make the world a better place in your own twisted, fucked-up way.” Caspian smirked. “I’d never stand in your way, but yeah… me and Axel have known for a long time how you get down.”
“Why’d you call me over here? I doubt it was just to tell me you’ve gone to see a shrink to help deal with distress, or that you know I’m an unhinged lunatic takin’ matters into my own hands.”
“You’re right, but as far as the therapy, I’m only doing it because my wife wants me to. She’s unnerved about how calm I’ve been. Of course she doesn’t know why. It’s ’cause it’s settled. I have some peace now. Peace to her involves a head doctor.” He made a face and rolled his eyes. “I’m good, but I’ll go if it’ll make ’er feel better. Also, I can’t lie. I liked what you said about it the other day.”
“And what was that?”
“That therapy is more to help teach you how to problem solve. I dig that. Anything I can use to, uh, solve more problems, if you will, I’m game…”
Caspian understood these words loud and clear. He tapped his cigar ashes onto the ground and leaned back against the wall near his brother.
Therapy helps me hide my demons better. It doesn’t stop me from letting them out to play. That’s the best part. We just pretend that it does. If it can do that for me, it’ll help Legend hide his demons better, too…
“Caspian?”
“Yeah?”
“You have to find out if your mama toe tagged herself or someone else did it. Yo’ soul ain’t gonna never rest easy.”
“I’ve already made up my mind and don’t need you hovering over me like some fuckin’ alien aircraft, trying to influence my thoughts and actions. I don’t need this shit right now, Legend. I knew you were going to do this.”
“Well, if you knew, then why the fuck are you gettin’ so upset? You saw my extra-terrestrial ass comin’ from a mile away, accordin’ to you. Ain’t no need in getting bent out of shape about it then. I’ll say to you whatever the hell I want to say to you. If you don’t like it, that’s too damn bad.”
“I love ya, Legend, but I’d have no problem putting an end to that mouth of yours.”
“You gonna turn me into a chair, Ed Gein? Ol’ Dexter ass…” Legend tilted his head back and laughed raucously.
“I confided in you, and this is the thanks I get. I called you the other day to tell you what my promise to Mrs. Florence was, and to let you know I was thinking about how to handle this. Trying to wrap my hands around it. It’s going to be handled, motherfucker. Not because you or Axel say so. Or anyone else!”
“I ain’t seen Mrs. Florence in a long ass time, but because of you and this incredible pigheadedness of yours, she came into my fuckin’ house last night, seeped into my dreams, and let me know your time is tickin’. Something is going to shift. You don’t have all month, all week, or even all day. She wants you to get the closure you need and stop bein’ a pussy!”
“I ain’t pussy.”