“Look at who rose from the dead!”
I ignored my cousin and focused on my brother. I playfully jabbed the center of his belly, then smoothed down his fresh cut. Even with his special mind, my brother was a handsome man who obsessed over his appearance. Well-fed, Easy was stocky and loved to dress like Carlton fromThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
“You switchin’ up on me?” I caressed my beard. “You let twin take you to the barbershop, and now, your line is crooked.”
He sucked his teeth. “You’re jealous and basic. I called you to take me, but you didn’t pick up the phone.”
“I called you back, but you didn’t answer. Ever since you and Stephanie got close, you act like you don’t know anigga.”
Easy’s shoulders collapsed, and a rosy color filled his light-brown complexion. He spent a lot of time at a social club for special adults, and he called himself finding a girlfriend. Their connection gave me mixed emotions. I may have killed for my father and spent money on Chrissy, but I would die for Easy. Anybody who hurt my brother—special or not—I would do timefor killing them. His mama had a problem with loving him, but it was an honor for me to be his big brother.
“Give me some love. I’m about to whup Dad in golf,” Easy declared.
He hugged me tight, and I didn’t pull away until he did. Born with Down Syndrome, my brother was a unique twenty-five-year-old, though I treated him like I would treat any of my siblings. We had always been close, and after our mother got ghost, I made it a point to ensure Easy felt included. It was necessary since our father was an asshole and our mama was trifling.
Easy stepped away and grabbed a golf club, giving Echo the chance to corner me. I was a few inches taller than him, but my cousin had about thirty pounds of muscle on me. Unlike his twin, the gym owner rocked a goatee and wore cut-off tee-shirts, even in the winter.
“What do you want, nigga?” I quizzed.
“I’m happy you’re straight. For a second, I thought you boxed up your puzzles and finally took a vacation, employee-of-the-month-assnigga.”
“A man is supposed to have a solid work ethic. Don’t press me because your daddy didn’t teach you that.” I smirked. “That’s why your ass will always be a knight and never a king.”
“Fuck you. I work hard too. You speak like your spot is secure when I got one up on you.”
My dad chuckled, letting me know he was more focused on our conversation than his game of golf.
“You’re right, Nephew, especially since Neptune cut Chrissy’s uppity ass off. After a year together, I just knew she would pop up pregnant.”
“Y’all got me bent,” I replied. “I’m not starting a family with someone who has proven they can’t handle me or my lifestyle. It took her two days to fuck around. I’m not worried or pressedabout a broad or baby. Milestones will manifest when they’re supposed to.”
The old man forced a cloud of smoke from his nose. “I don’t want to hear that shit. I’ll be damned if Luke’s kids inherit the legit businesses, the arms operation, and the casino!”
Echo’s head jerked back. “Damn, Unc. I’m standing right here.”
“I know, little nigga.”
As Pluto and I walked back to the house, I pulled out my phone. I wasn’t big on social media, but I created an Instagram account to see what Kannon was up to. I chuckled when I saw her crazy ass had posted a picture of the flowers I sent her. Her caption was simple:gifts from Candyman.
Chapter 5
Kannon
“Kannon, did I ever tell you about the time I made my boyfriend beat up the fool I kept on the side?”
Tickled by my patient’s random question, I sucked in my lips to keep from laughing. “No, you never told me about that one, Ms. Mosby.”
“But I told you to stop calling me that. I’m going to put your ass out.”
“No you won’t. You love me. I’m your favorite nurse.”
The seventy-seven-year-old brick house sucked her teeth. “It wasn’t hard to earn that title. The other nurses smell funny. You know which ones I’m talking about.”
“That’s not nice.”
“I never said I was nice, but I am trying to be better,” she admitted. “I’ve done a lot of wrong. I want to make my kids proud before it’s all said and done.”
“As much as your babies come up here, I think you’ve carried out your mission. I know what you mean, though. I’ve been on the same mission for years.”
