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)
“I ’preciate your confessions.”
“Can I ask you somethin’?”
“I reckon.” He eased onto the highway. “What’s up?”
“How’d you get the name Kage?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” He grinned. “It’s silly, like you thought your poem was.”
“I wanna hear it. I hope it is a funny story, actually, after I brought the mood down with my trauma, and baggage and shit.”
They had a chuckle at that.
“I want all of your trauma and baggage, ’cause I’m gonna help you unpack it and put it away. Bury it like the dead.”
“Hmm, I bet you have your own to take care of. Can’t be too busy dealin’ with mine. Besides, I never took you as no shrink, or undertaker.” She shrugged.
“Oh yeah, you didn’t know? I’ve got a degree in mental health.”
“Can’t say that I did.”
“Well, let me tell you, they call me Dr. Wilde! Fuckin’ up trauma, sorrows and the blues! I’m at your service!” All they could do was snicker together now, the mood real warm, easy and sweet. “It was a typo.”
“What was a typo?”
“My name. My father’s name was Kane. I was ’spose to be Kane, Jr. Whoever typed it up in the hospital on the birth certificate right after I was born accidentally typed, ‘Kage.’ My mama and daddy saw it and laughed, but decided they liked it, so they left it alone.”
“That is funny.” She adjusted herself in the seat, a big smile on her face. “I like Kage… it’s different, just enough so it doesn’t cause confusion. If that makes sense.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean.”
“You look like your name would be Kage. Kane doesn’t suit you quite as nice. You told me the other day that your father is dead, too.”
“Mmm hmmm.”
“How’d your daddy die?” He realized at that moment, as they sat side by side in his favorite truck, that they had something else in common. Neither reacted the way society deemed appropriate when discussions of death came around. They seemed not bothered in the least, and in fact, embraced and welcomed the conversation. His fascination with such things ran into uncomfortable arenas for most, he’d bet. Regardless, he was glad she wasn’t shy about asking about this. Without death, there would be less appreciation for life.
“Somebody murdered him. It’s still an unsolved homicide. Shot him up before I was even six months old.”
“Jesus… I’m sorry.”
He shrugged. “I didn’t know him. That don’t make it okay—just sayin’ that I didn’t get to bond or form a connection, really. I suppose it’s best he was taken then, before I got attached and knew him well.”
“I imagine that’s a healthy way to look at it. Or maybe it’s not healthy. Maybe it’s just a way for you to cope.” She sighed.
“You could be right about either. No sense in crying over spilt milk because that won’t bring him back. I can’t miss what I never knew, but I don’t hurt over his death at least. I’d have hurt if he’d turned out to be a fantastic father, and I had knowledge of it. I’m sure of that. Probably would’ve made me different in some way. Not in a good way, either.”
“I understand. Not the murdered parent part, but I know what you mean. Let’s talk about somethin’ happier. My Aunt Huni likes you,” she chirped, moving her feet around. So pretty in sandals. “She knew I had a bit of a crush on you when you came by the house the other day. And I know what you did, too.”
“What did I do?” He switched lanes as they neared their exit.
“You knew that if you could get her to like you, it would score points for you in regard to me. You also realized that you could get information outta her about me that could help you. You’re a sly bastard, Mr. Wilde. You did it so smoothly, too.”
“I did what I had to do. I actually did have fun with your aunt though. That wasn’t just for ulterior motives.”
“You did? Was it because she flashed you again? Added a little beaver to the mix?”
He cracked up. “Nah, she didn’t show me the cha-cha. No more boobie flashes, either. We had a good time. She’s funny. Oh, and just so you know, I watered down her colas. I know you’d said that she needs to watch her sugar, but loves drinks like that. I diluted them just a little. Not enough for her to notice, but just enough to cut the sweetness a bit.”
“Well, thank you.” He didn’t miss the appreciative smile on her face as she pressed out her purple shirt with the palm of her hand. “That woman is a handful, but she’s my world.”
He loved the way she cared about her Aunt Huni. A unique relationship full of pureness and depth.
Soon, he was pulling up to the Rainbow Lounge on Ella Blvd. and found a parking spot towards the back. It was a weeknight, so not as busy as a Friday night, much to his pleasure. He could see the element of surprise gracing Poet’s face as he helped her out of the truck.