grow up and become the family piranha.”
“You’re not a father. You don’t understand, King. If he had—”
“In that case, I should be a drug addict, too.” They stared hard at one another. “I could blame my issues on you and Mom, right? On the divorce. On all sorts of shit.” Dad’s eyes darkened, and he turned away. “I’m sick and tired of the beef you have with Chris coming between us. He hasn’t done anything to you.” His head throbbed. “I should’ve just walked away when you started going off. Next time something like that happens, I will.”
Dad fell back on the couch, as if defeated. He looked around the apartment, then paused at the sight of something. King turned around to see what the guy was looking at.
“Who is that?”
“A woman.”
“I know that,” he said with an attitude as he got to his feet and approached the painting. “Is it someone you actually know?” Dad snatched the painting, which leaned against two others that leaned against the wall.
“It’s the ‘probably over before it even got started.’”
They both looked into Suri’s big dark brown eyes…
“Your girlfriend? Maybe an ex-girlfriend I mean?” Dad held the picture up with both hands, then brought it back down to eye level. King shrugged and turned away. Flashes of the blood running down the shower drain popped back into his mind. Dried blood had been all over him, in places he hadn’t even noticed.
Red paint.
“We’re just… I don’t know. I’m feelin’ her, she’s feelin’ me. I was supposed to take her out tonight but that’s not going to happen. I haven’t spoken to her since yesterday afternoon.”
“Why not?” Dad put the painting back down and returned to his seat.
“Because things are fucked up. I might say something that… shit, it doesn’t even matter.”
“You really care about this lady, don’t you?” Dad clasped his hands.
“Yeah.”
“It’s not like you to care about what anyone thinks, or to watch what you say.” He chuckled and lit a fresh cigarette. “Have you fucked her yet?”
“Don’t do that shit.”
His father laughed hard and slapped his leg. Uncouth.
“Shit, it’s just a question. You’ve definitely fucked her though. I can tell by the way you responded.” King stared at the window. It seemed bleak on the other side. “You paint so well, I know that is exactly how she looks. Beautiful, black beauty, huh? My son likes the soul sistas, too. You always get pretty women. Just like your old man,” he teased, a big smile on his face. “She’s a sight. You even painted some moles and shit on her face. Looks like a snapshot. She’s pretty, King.”
“I know.” King sighed and closed his eyes. “She hasn’t seen the painting.”
Dad was quiet for a spell, then said, “It’s good, so why not?”
“Because it’s mine. It’s private. Not only that, it still needs some work. The ears are a little off.”
“The forever perfectionist.” Dad laughed dismally. “That’s always been your problem. Always wanting everything to be perfect. Your fuckin’ standards are too high. You expect everyone else to be perfect around you, too. Judgmental prick.” Dad sneered, then burst out laughing.
“Your timing always sucks, ya know? Are you really going to fuck with me right now when I have a court case looming over my head from none other than my fucking drug addict, thieving, lying piece of shit brother? Mom said he told her he’s pressing charges against me for assault. Like I need this shit right now!”
“You’re right, you’re right. I was just tryna lighten the mood.”
King rolled his eyes and sucked his teeth. One thing Dad always showed was consistency. “Lightening the mood by poking and jabbing? Kickin’ me when I’m down? Niiiice.” He sucked his teeth.
“Oh, grow a fuckin’ pair, King. You fuck with me when I’m down all the time! What about when ya called me a drunk Irishman, huh? Stereotypin’ the shit outta me. You’ve talked about me havin’ a hot temper, even said that little fucker on the Lucky Charms box was me and that I should sue General Mills for stealing my image without offering compensation. Always trying to be a comedian at my expense. You’ve said all kinds of shit and I know you’re just kidding. Besides, you’re half Irish, too, so I just take that shit on the chin. Hell, I’m the one who taught ya how to joke that way, so come on! I thought you had a thicker skin than this. I never see ya sweat, don’t start now! Man