Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 149301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
“That isn’t a fair choice, Daddy. He told you ‘no!’ You done went out there on his property, burnin’ down his shit, takin’ his shit, ruining his shit, shooting holes in his shit, and killin’ shit, too. You’re the reason I gotta practically show up in body armor just to visit my son. After you sent your men after him and his cousins, nabbed them up for that meeting at your house, things have never been the same. He don’t trust nobody on his land at all now, and the last go ’round y’all had caused him to buy enough cameras to dole out to every tourist in New York damn City!”
“If he has more security, it’s because he’s a target of his own making. Your fuckin’ lunatic son is Charles Manson, Albert Fish, and Ed Gein combined.”
“Now you’re just being dramatic.” She chuckled.
“Am I? That motherfucker skinned two of my men who were still breathing, Sarah. Skinned them alive!”
“I don’t believe that.”
“Because you don’t wanna believe it! You live in La-La-Land! He did it, I tell ya. He put ’em in coolers and set them near my gotdamn compound, then drove off like big whoopty fuckin’ do! Now let me tell you something, little lady: that was uncalled for.”
“Daddy, you’re one of the king players in the southern mafia,” she stated dryly. “I know damn well you aren’t actin’ as if violence is not in your nature, and you’re so appalled by what you think my child has done.” She tsked. “I’ve seen you beat a man to death with your cane, and when I asked you why, you smiled and said, ‘Because it’s Tuesday.’”
“I’m a diplomat first. Violence is used when necessary. From the beginning of the existence of mankind, violence has indeed been necessary. Like when every other man that has entered your life decides that you need to be knocked around, for starters.”
“I haven’t had—”
You’re into all of that hippie shit! Gemstones, wands, readin’ those strange placards. It’s witchcraft! ALL OF IT! It’s against God’s will. Devil’s work! Do not turn to mediums or wizards; do not seek them out to be defied by them. I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 20:6! That’s why your luck has always run dry, Sarah. You think that you’re a female Harry Potter or some such. Ain’t none of them runes, candles, sage and incense saved you from the likes of abusers, now have they? You still had to call your daddy!”
“I’m a seer… I’ve always had vivid dreams, and it ain’t Satan at work, Daddy.”
“You’re no seer. Just crazy! Like your son! Gone clean off your rocker! I warned ya. A hard head makes for a soft behind. You can’t read nobody’s future, ’cause if you could, you’d seen the writing on the wall. You’ve got blue eyes like mine, but you shoulda been called, ‘Black eyed Sarah.’ The bloody lips. The chipped tooth. All administered from weak men who had to slam their woman around. My beautiful child. You were a gorgeous woman. It was your claim to fame. They tried to ruin you. Pathetic! When it comes to protecting my children, violence is ALWAYS the motherfuckin’ answer.” He seethed.
“Let’s not cherry pick, dear ol’ dad. Quote some scriptures ’bout murder, and womanizing, too, Daddy. Why don’t you do that?” Her voice rang with command.
“I don’t like your tone, little lady. I’m afraid I’ll have to fix it if you keep this up.”
“I’m sorry that my tone displeases you, but the way you’re dealing with my child displeases me. You’ve been hurtin’ people, Daddy. You’ve been doing devilment for a mighty long time. You can make fun of my spiritual beliefs all you want, but if you don’t stop chasing down your grandchildren, somethin’ real bad is going to happen to you. Karma always has her way, and God don’t play about my boy.” There was a lethal calmness in her voice.
“God and the demons you talk to when you pray are not agreement. I’m chosen. My life is nothin’ but a miracle. Me even standin’ there drawing breath after the hell that I’ve survived, is a miracle! I bled, so that you, and the rest of my children wouldn’t have to! You’re not on my level. Fear God, not the reaper.”
“You know… when I was a child, daddy, I was afraid of you. I ain’t gonna lie, I still am a little bit, but not in the same way. You don’t have the same power over me, because I can see you for who you are, through adult lenses, rose colored glasses and all. Mama was afraid of you, too.” Her voice trembled as the words tumbled forth, tinged with anger and fear.
“Well, Sarah, it sure as hell wasn’t because I’d ever slapped her, smacked her, or punched her. I never touched a hair on your mother’s little platinum blonde head, and I’d swear that on a stack of Bibles. When we divorced, I even continued to financially take care of her. Even after her second marriage ended, too. There was no bad blood ’tween us. She just was no longer what I needed. I wasn’t good for her, and she wasn’t good for me. Didn’t mean I didn’t want her to be happy in life. That is what a real man does, Sarah. He protects, even when his desires change! I’ve killed over you, ’cause NOBODY, and I mean NOBODY, lays a hand on my girls and gets away with it! I’ve been real kind to you, even when you deserved a good tellin’ off! I called you today, to get you to try and talk sense into that boy. Kage may listen to you, so here’s your last chance. I suggest you remind him what’s on the line. He could hurt his mama by not doin’ the right thing.”