“He was coming at Yasmin.” I told him deciding to try the lie first.
The truth was, I could give two sh*ts what outsiders think of me. However, Kenny and Mac were more than just my boys, they were my brothers. And yeah, it did bother me when they looked at me as if I was some kind of monster.
Mac shook his head. “Nah man, I ain't buying that.” Damn that pissed me off. Leave it to this dude not to just let it drop.
“Why not? That's what happened!” My voice raised in my agitation, but Mac was not deterred in the least.
“It happened again didn't it?” I picked up the file opening it, ignoring his question. I was done.
“Come on Gabe, you can tell us. How we gon’ help you if you never talk to us?” I looked at Kenny as if he lost his mind.
“Bruh! You can't help me!”
“So it did happen again?” Mac asked. I slammed the file back down on the desk. Damn.
“Yeah, it happened again!” I yelled. They wanted truth. I would give them the truth. However, when I spoke again my words were barely over a whisper.
“It's like out of nowhere I got a strong urge to kill him. I didn't think twice, I just acted. He was something vile and dirty and I needed to remove him.” I stared at my desk, not wanting to see that look that I know was in their eyes.
“You said you weren’t going to do it aga—”
“Damn it Mac!” I growled. “I don't have control over it. You think if I did we would be having this conversation. It's not like the people I've killed were worth sh*t.”
“But what happens when you hurt somebody that is?” For a moment I didn't have an answer to Kenny's quiet inquiry, because truthfully, I didn't know what was happening to me. I didn't know why sometimes I needed to kill. I didn't know why I was able to do it so effortlessly. I didn't know where my strength came from. But I know I never felt like I wanted to kill my loved ones.
“It doesn't work like that.” I told them, because they needed to hear me say something. “I never feel that way around good people. Just…”
“People like your dad?” Mac interrupted. I brought my head to rest in my hand. I don't know what happened that night. I just lost control... I don't know how…
“I think you should talk to ole’ boy in the cowboy hat, he can help you. I know he can!” I lifted my head shooting angry eyes at my friend, my brother.
“No!” I growled. “You want me to turn to the man that has been waiting to kill me for as long as I can remember. I'm alright. What happened that night with my pops was a fluke. It hasn't happened again and it won't. I never get the urge to hurt good people, so just let it drop.” It was time for me to reverse the energy and get these dudes off my back. And the best way to do that was to piss Mac off. Schooling my features, I sat back in my chair looking him straight in the eye.
“Plus, you’re always there... dogging my every step. How can I ever lose control when Captain Nurse Maid is on Patrol?” Mac hated that name I had given him. I mean he really hated it. If the man could he would try and take me when I called him that.
Kenny turned to look at the sour look on Mac's face. And of course, like I knew it would, Mac's anger brought Kenny's humor to the surface. And that would only piss him off more. Pressing his lips together, Kenny really tried to hold it in. I would give him an ‘A’ for his effort. But the angrier Mac got, the harder it became for him to control it. And the more Mac took in the smug look on my face, the angrier he got.
“You think I'm just going to sit here and let you disrespect me like that, chump?” Mac growled at me, so serious. Kenny's body jerked as a little bit of his laughter escaped through his lips. I smiled.
“Yeah? What you gone do about it?”
Mac shot up from the chair so hard it fell back on the floor. He was standing real swole, like he was punking me. And I ain't gone lie, it was funny. Kenny burst, falling back in his chair laughing so hard his face turned red. Mac turned on him, snatching him out the chair by his collar.
“I may not can do nothing with him, but I can kick yo a$$! Keep laughing you fu--”
Right then a mouthwatering scent drifted into my office. Kenny who was still being held in Mac’s fisted hands turned his head to face the door.
“What is that heavenly smell?”
“I don't know, but I'm getting ready to find out!” Standing, I walked around my desk. I had never smelled anything like that coming from my home. Mac dropped Kenny back into his chair before joining me to investigate this matter. Kenny followed quickly behind straightening his suit as he came.
“That smells like my mama’s kitchen.” Mac muttered from my side as we crossed the parlor heading into the kitchen. He wasn't lying. There wasn't anybody in the world who could cook like Mac's mom. The only time I ever ate soul food is when she sends me a plate.
I was struck dumb at the sight that greeted me. Yasmin dressed in an old yellow dress that managed to fit her sexy little body just right stood barefoot in a kitchen that I did not recognize; dancing to Aretha Franklin's song ‘Respect’ as she pulled a pie out the oven and sat it on the island next to two other pies.
Slowly, I walked further into the kitchen lured by the beauty of my wife and
