“There usually are…”
“There were little signs that she didn’t think I fit the bill, but I chose to ignore the truth. Hearing her on the phone only confirmed what I already knew. I was mad at her, but also mad at myself for trying to convince myself that it was all in my head. I knew better than that. I’m one of the most realistic bastards you’d ever meet!”
She burst out laughing and nodded. “I’d have to agree with you there.”
“I know truth from fiction and I don’t believe shit anyone tells me. I need some sorta evidence, but when it came to love, it was different I guess. Love being blind is so damn true. But you know what? It was even deeper than that, I believe. There’s something I’ve wrestled with for a long ass time, on top of all of this.”
“Layers, huh? What?”
“I always picked women that I thought were better than me in some way. I even did that shit with you.” He looked over her shoulder, at her face.
She offered a sad smile.
“Because then, I felt important – like, ‘See, I pulled this good lookin’ chick and she’s confident, got a good head on her shoulders, a great job and all that other shit’ but not once did I stop and say, ‘What about you, Sean? Is she good enough for YOU?’”
He paused, took another deep breath.
“I never had a problem getting women, all sorts of women…but I was always on some challenge shit, and didn’t even realize it.”
“I don’t doubt that. You’re very attractive and in some strange, rude way, charismatic at the same time. However, success isn’t just your vocation, Sean,” she said, a bit of sternness in her voice.
“Oh, I know that now, baby. Boy do I know it. But sometimes what we hate becomes an obsession because we really love it, we’re just too ashamed or in denial to admit it, ya know? I wanted money. I wanted a woman to love me for me, though. But uh, yeah… it was time to stop doing all that shit, and work on me for a change. That’s when I decided to enroll back in school. I did it for me this time. Not for anyone else. The second time around, I did the shit right.”
“You went to school for her?’
“Yeah…I mean, you know, I like studying actually so it wasn’t like it was some big sacrifice. I like reading and learning. I’m a fast learner; I just had never really applied myself in the past in that area. It wasn’t an interest that came naturally, like sports. I’m almost finished with school now, as you know. I’ve done really well this last semester, too.”
“I’m so proud of you. Sean. But there is something I want you to know. If you still remained a trash collector, I’d still be proud of you, and love you just as much, baby.” She turned for a spell to look at him with sincerity in her big, beautiful dark eyes, then resumed her position.
“Thanks, baby and I know you mean that. I want more than the Sanitation Department can give me though. I want you to have the best from me and the best from me is to always have goals and try to reach them. I’m gonna have my degree, hopefully get a job in the field I want, and leave the garbage behind.”
“In more ways than one…”
“Definitely.” He kissed the top of her head. “Most definitely, and I’m so glad I found you in the process…found a diamond amongst my mess. You sparkled bright and led the way. Thank you for that.” He looked into the glistening waters, shimmering from the city lights that kissed the waves just so. His eyes glossed over and he swiped the emotions away.
Damn, it felt good to be free…
‡
Chapter Sixteen
“Nah, I ain’t hungry.” Brian twirled the toothpick around and around in his mouth like an umbrella on its side.
Sean suppressed the urge to chuckle.
Is he whittling me a wooden duck for Pioneer Day? What the fuck is up with the damn toothpick? Here we go…
“But you said you were famished while on the phone earlier today, and you asked what I was cooking for dinner,” Treasure stated between gritted teeth, giving the kid a warning to straighten up and fly right. She paired the shit with a smile to try and disguise her annoyance, but Sean wasn’t fooled.
“I suddenly lost my appetite…” The little punk sneered as his eyes narrowed on Sean, who sat at the other end of the table, cutting his salad into smaller pieces to devour, and checking out the teenage terrorist intermittently between lettuce dissections.
The tension poured over them thicker than pea soup and Treasure was about to blow her damn top. It was written all over his sweetheart’s face, but she continued to play the game, remain poised in front of company. Asia, the pretty young lady with a killer smile and warm nature, reached out and opened the fresh bottle of Ranch dressing, then poured a generous amount over her chopped Romaine, so much so, barely any lettuce showed through at all.
You want some salad with that ranch? She seems like a nice kid…too bad she’ll probably O.D. on dressing and miss the entire showdown between me and her wood-working brother over here pretending to be some lumberjack, or maybe cowboy. Howdy partner…
I’ve seen so many pictures and video clips of these kids, I feel like I know them already.
“Mom says you’re Irish.” The girl smiled up at him, her expression genuine and her friendly disposition leaking through her words.
“Yeah, I am.” Sean offered a quick wink, lifted his glass to his lips and took a hearty mouthful of his cream soda. He hated cream soda, but he wasn’t going to make a fuss.
“We had an Irish celebration at our school this past St. Patrick’s Day. Mrs. Bergman talked all about St. Patrick and Irish traditions.”
Sean nodded, listening intently to the young lady’s words. “I take it Mrs. Bergman is your teacher?”
“Yes, my social studies teacher.” Asia plucked her glass of chocolate milk from the table and took a generous sip, then returned it.
“Did your teacher tell ya that St. Patrick actually wasn’t Irish?” He smiled proudly as he took another stab at his lettuce, ready for the conversation that would push wooden soldier boy out of the way, no matter how much he eyeballed him.
He thinks he’s the nutcracker… You’re not crackin’ my nuts, Jack…
Asia gasped, as if her entire existence was now pulled into question, causing Treasure to lightly laugh at the theatrical gesture as she took a taste of her seltzer water.
“No, she didn’t,” Asia finally uttered.
“Here’s what happened.” Sean leaned in a bit closer. Making full eye contact with the girl, he placed his hand flat on the table. “He was a slave in Ireland, okay? At the time, he was about the same age as Brian here, about sixteen.” He pointed at the boy.
…I hope he gets a splinter…
The person in question didn’t look up, but his lips twisted so far to the side, it seemed they’d soon leap off his face and run down the center of the table in protest.
“He actually came from Roman Britain, also known as Britannia. Most scholars say he brought Christianity to Ireland. In any case, he escaped from slavery then came back as a missionary. He died on March 17th, that’s why St. Patrick’s Day falls on the 17th.”
“Cool! She never told us any of that!”
“Well, she should have. That’s the most important part.” He offered Asia a smile and could feel Treasure’s approving glare upon him.
“What is your deal, man?” Brian interrupted, crossing his long, thin arms over his heaving chest and leaning back in his seat, far to the side like a damn gangster ready to do important business. “You think you can grab my mom’s trash and her, too? You think you can sweet talk my sister here, give her some Irish trivia ’nd crap, and be in good with the family? This ain’t no game, man! We ain’t playin’ Bingo, Monopoly, none of that! Naaaaah bruh!” He shook his head and waved his hand in the air, causing his long, unruly hair to sway a bit as he maneuvered around in his seat. “You’re a fuckin’ clown!”
“Brian!” Treasure’s eyes bucked as if she’d just witnessed a car wreck. There was no doubt from her tone a
nd expression, she felt implausible rage and mortification. It manifested in the way she now gripped her napkin, possibly creating an internal mélange of resentment for how her child was behaving.
“We talked! You promised to be on your best behavior. If this is your best, then the Devil had a new run for his money.”
“It’s okay, baby,” Sean stated before leisurely rising from his seat. He placed his beefy palms on the table, causing the beverages to shake ever so slightly, as if a tremor were moving the earth right under their feet. He glared down the other end of the table.
Bring it, Pinocchio… I don’t want to be a real boy. I’m an adult, Brian, and you’re messing with the wrong grown ass man, kid.
“Baby? She isn’t your baby!” Brian corrected, his disdain glazing each word that trundled off his sharp tongue…
*
“Brian, that’s it! Apologize and go to your room!” Treasure tossed her napkin on the table, refusing to let this go on one second longer…
Treasure couldn’t believe her damn ears. The perfectly planned evening was turning into a dining disaster right before her eyes.
“Treasure, honey,” Sean tossed her an uneven smile, “I’ve got this.” He swiped the bridge of his nose purposefully, then dragged his long, thick fingers down his well-shaped lips. He cocked his head to the side and studied her son, as if he were some pitiful little thing.
“Brian, you’re being really disrespectful. Your mother cooked this nice dinner, invited me over, and you’re making all kinds of judgments and coming to all sorts of conclusions. You shouldn’t. You don’t know me.”
“You don’t know me either, bitch ass nigga!”
“Brian!”
“Try me, mothafucka!” Brian screamed out as he glared at him, paid his mother no mind. He threw up his fingers and made strange gestures like a crack head trying to throw up gang signs in Chinese.
Now Treasure was on her feet and gunning for him. Before she had an opportunity to go round the table and lay hands on the smart-mouthed joker, he called out, echoing throughout the room in a loud boom.
“Treasure! No!” Sean put his hand up in her direction. His brows dipped low and a scowl split his damn face. It scared the shit out of her… a true man had spoken. “Do me a favor, please. Give me and Brian a minute or two alone.” He smirked, clicked his tongue against his cheek, and glared at her child.
She hesitated, loath to enable their quarrel to escalate further. Sean was a bit of a hot head, and Brian had gotten a hold of the same disease…
Must’ve gotten it from his father… Okay fine, my son is like me at that age, but this is just inexcusable!
She was appalled at her son’s behavior, but certain her words and punishment may have little to no effect on the boy. Yet, she continued to stand there, shooting glances between the two, her feet sinking into the plush carpet as the weight of the damn stratosphere pushed her down until she was barely above sea level.
I can’t believe Brian is acting like this! I’ve never seen him so disrespectful to someone!
A hellacious heat commenced from her scalp and meandered its way down like blood flowing through her veins until it reached the bottom of her freshly pedicured feet. The desire to take matters into her own hands was almost too tempting to resist. Brian chucked an indolent glance her way, one of heartlessness and contempt, combined it with a ‘Who the fuck cares’ smirk, Sincerely yours, Your first born.
It hurt like hell.
She’d been assured that they had an understanding, that he was slowly but surely accepting the situation and only wanted her to be happy. Instead, he’d turned on her like a cold-blooded serpent in the grass, waiting to attack under the guise of loyalty and love, plotting, then striking at the prime opportunity when he’d gained her utmost trust and thoughtful consideration.
“Asia, let’s go in the kitchen for a little while.”
The girl slowly rose to her feet, collected her half empty glass of milk, and she trudged behind her mother under the dining room archway until they’d disappeared…
*
Gradually getting up from his seat, Brian mirrored Sean’s stance and stare. They sized one another up like two boxers seconds before the first round.
“You’re a real card, ya know that? I’m not going anywhere.” Sean raised a brow.
“Oh, you’re leaving.” Brian gave a chin check and a harsh chuckle, his teeth glistening under the glittering dining room chandelier.
I’d like to knock ’em all down your scrawny throat; all that expensive dental work ya got there…but you’re my baby’s son…can’t do that.
“Your mother is happy, that should be the main objective.” Sean stood straighter and crossed his arms, not in the mood to mince words or play with the ill-humored boy, but still kept check of himself for Treasure’s sake.
“She can be happy with someone else.”
“Like who? Your father?”
“You keep my father out your damn mouth!” The boy pointed at him, his finger shaking, his voice loud, vibrating and wrestling in his gullet. “You ain’t got shit! What can you give my mama? She been through enough! You’re a busta, man!”
“So because I’m not rich, I’m not good enough for your mother?” Sean grimaced. He cocked his head to the side like a confused canine looking at some chaos that simply wouldn’t compute. “Do you know how messed up that is? This sounds like a personal problem. Are you thinking about her or you?”
The boy’s face knotted, as if he needed a moment to gather his thoughts, to grapple with the conversational curve ball. It was written all over his twisted façade. This was deeper than who dear ol’ mom was dating, having sex with…loving…
“She’s defenseless and you knew it, swooped right in to try and take advantage of her. You ain’t gettin’ one dime!”
“Yeah…” Sean rolled his eyes at the idiot and briefly looked away. “That’s why I pay for almost everything we do, everything we eat, and places we go…’cause I’m taking advantage. That was my aim this whole time. To wine ’nd dine her, pay for everything, then go in for the kill. How ridiculous you sound. You don’t know what the hell you’re talkin’ about.” He shook his head, looked away for a spell then back at the boy. “Your mother is grown, Brian. Unless I was hitting her, talking down to her or some shit like that, you have no right to take her through these types of changes.”
“I’m not taking her through anything, I’m protecting her! I know y’all fuckin’, too…” The boy’s gaze dulled, as if he’d gone to some dark, evil place within. “You leave my mother alone, you hear?! I’m not askin’ you, I’m tellin’ you!”
“You’re cute.” Sean guffawed.
“You’re corny.”
“Your mother doesn’t think so…”
The boy’s eyes went pitch black as he narrowed them upon him.
“I oughtta beat your ass.” Brian plopped back down in his seat. He said the words, but they didn’t feel legitimate, tried and true. They came out wimpy, watered down and bruised. The damn things were wrapped in faux passions falling on semi-deaf ears. “I should fuck you up.”
“And I would beat you down.”
The stare-a-thon continued a moment or two longer.
“You don’t want to mess with me. I’m serious, don’t let my thinness fool you!”
“Give it your best shot. I’d like to see you try.” Sean grinned a bit wider, then slowly sat in his chair as well. “I’d mop this damn floor with you if I didn’t love your mother, that’s a fact. You got entirely too much mouth.”
“How you gonna say some shit like that to me?!” Brian seemed truly appalled.
The little turd realized he didn’t have the upper hand, and things weren’t going as planned… and this tickled Sean a bit.
“Look,” he said with a shrug, “I’m just giving it to you how you’re servin’ it to me. What? You don’t like it? All joking aside, let’s finish this pissing contest and get right to the main issue. I just need ya to
know that no one is kickin’ anyone’s ass tonight, so relax. Besides, I’d have an unfair advantage.”
“Oh, I’m supposed to be scared of you? ’Cause you a big ass Irish mothafucka with a damn tattoo on your arm, a fresh scar on your face, and you look corn-fed?” The cocky son of a bitch smirked.
“Your mother feeds me well…but I don’t like corn. I prefer her kisses.”
“More jokes…” Brian grimaced and rolled his eyes.
“I have to, Brian. I have to find humor in this because if I didn’t, I’d have you on the ground right now but not doubled over in laughter.”
The boy looked at him a second or two, catching his drift.
“And trust me, it wouldn’t be a laughing matter. I don’t like how you acted in front of your mother. My feelings aren’t hurt by the bullshit you said, so fuckin’ what, you’re just a kid…but you really hurt her tonight. THAT’S my issue with you!” He pointed at him, and was met with a steely glare and silence. “Now, what I was getting ready to say before I got sidetracked, was that I’m Brooklyn Kickboxing Champion for the past three years in a row. I’ve received several national honors and awards, too. I’ve taught Jujitsu for over six years to inner-city youth and I was personally trained by one of Louis Neglia’s prodigies.”
He could see on the boy’s face that he knew exactly who Louis Neglia was… Oh yes, the seed had been planted.
Brian swallowed down his surprise and gulped it whole, maintaining his obstinate stance.
“I don’t care if you were shit out of Mike Tyson’s ass…” the boy mumbled, now staring down at his cuticles. “You hurt my mama, and it’s a wrap.”
“I have no intentions of hurting your mother, Brian. I love your mother, and she loves you. Anyone that Treasure loves, I’d learn to love as well, but don’t make this harder than it has to be, because making things challenging for one another can be a two way street across the globe—and I’m an International traveller known to ignore traffic signs.”
The threat lingered in the air like burnt coffee, microwaved fish, and cigarette smoke.
The boy huffed, but said nothing.
The Fight Within Page 27
