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)
Not only was he a big-time liar and opportunist, he was also an attention seeking fiend. On birthdays, he had to do something outrageous so he could take centerstage. He’d done it to him and Dallas—ruining birthday parties. Thanksgiving. Christmas, too.
Axel slid his phone out of his pocket and noted a couple missed calls, his father being one of them. Let me just get this over with.
“What?” Axel asked, calling the old man back.
“You had no reason to be sore at me and hang up! I had a right to go to the news and tell the truth!”
“This ain’t the sword you wanna die on, Tommy. I’m tellin’ ya now, it ain’t got nothing to do with truth or tall tales. It’s got to do with the fact things were starting to die down, and then here you come! Squirming out the woodwork like some worm, kickin’ up dust. All so you can be in the limelight off of my name. You put me in more danger!”
“Me telling people that the police aren’t doing their job is not putting you in danger. I’m helping you! They still ain’t found out who sent that man down here to mess wit’ you… all the way from fuckin’ Texas. So it needs to be in the limelight, don’t you think? Not just for me, but for you, and the police ain’t found out nothing to stop the harassment.”
“People know where they came from. It’s no great secret. I’m trying to keep my head above water, Dad, and then here you come, asking for a storm. Jesus! I sure as hell wish you’d sit down somewhere and be quiet.”
“I ain’t gonna be quiet, not as long as you have to look over your shoulder. Them phone calls you’ve been getting? I know all about them!” Axel shook his head. Someone had blabbed their mouth. “Yeah, that’s right. I know all about it.” He could picture his father with a big, sycophantic smile spread across his sunken face. “People talk ’round here and word travels fast. You got somebody callin’ and threatening you, wishing death on my boy, and you expect me to just sit back and flow with it. Then they—”
“It’s nothing I can’t handle, but the messed-up part is you didn’t do this for me, out of concern. You ain’t do it for the city either, for brotherly love, or the betterment of mankind… tryna keep folks safe from the druggies and dealers like you’re some advocate. What a crock of crap.”
“Who’d I do it for then, Axel? You got all the damn answers, right? Mr. Smarty Pants. All them fumes from them damn chemicals you gotta use to clean up; guts, spit, and shit must be gettin’ to your brain.”
“Is that so? I know you’re not talking about smarts and brain damage, of all people. If your brain was a stick of dynamite and exploded, it would only make your hair on the top of your head blow like it were in a summer breeze. Wouldn’t make no difference.”
“You fuckin’ smart-mouthed pecker. Who’d I do this for then, Axel? Tell me! I did it for Winne tha fuckin’ Pooh, huh? Is that who?”
“You did it for YOU. I gotta go.”
He ended the call and looked about. The street was rather quiet. Typically, he could hear faint music, people laughing while lounging on their porches, or kids playing in their yards. To his left, an old gray Buick was coming down the street. He locked eyes with the driver, a guy with glasses and short blond hair, and a funny feeling came over him. He nodded at the man and shifted his position a little, allowing a clear view of the gun on his hip. The driver in the Buick kept sailing by.
Whatever Pandora’s box he’d opened months ago by simply doing his job was far from over. He had to stay vigilant.
For all I know, they’re lost and don’t know where they’re going, but I’m not taking any chances.
He went back in the house, freshened up, and thought about making himself a sandwich. Opening the refrigerator, he didn’t see much to get this meal underway, and figured he’d need to go to the store soon. As he rummaged around for mustard, bread, and slices of ham and cheese, his phone rang.
He pulled the device out his pocket and cradled it between his shoulder and cheek.
“It’s my favorite book lady.”
“I’m the only book lady you know.” She casually laughed.
“Since you’re at work right now, can you do me a favor?”
“What kind of favor?”
“Research an old porno magazine from back in the day, called Forest Humps Adventures? There’s a spread in there on Jeeeennny!” He said the name just like Forest Gump did in the famous movie. “I need you to bring it to me… shrimp gumbo… for research purposes only, of course…”