Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81488 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81488 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
Grandpa flushed in dark hues of crimson.
“Big boss man from Goldman Sachs who was born from that good ol’ old money, versus some poverty stricken, White southern menace with a ferocious father who raised hell and sired a boy with a Godfather complex. Eric ain’t about to roll over for the likes of you, and you can see by today’s events, I won’t either. Your new money is sprinkled with blood from your own kin. Sacrificing us all. Grandpa, I might resemble him a little, but I ain’t Jesus.” Roman cracked a smile. “You ain’t puttin’ me on no cross to die for your sins. No, sir. Jasper is losing a lot of blood, and I’ve got shit to do. Now that I’ve had my say and explained to you in great detail what is at stake, it’s time to make your choice. Hurry.”
Grandpa stood there for a moment, seemingly letting it all sink in. The birds began to return, resting in the trees. Looking down upon them.
“…It’s over.” Grandpa hung his head for a brief moment, as if unable to look him in the eye. “You’re out of the contract, Roman. My business with you is done.”
Roman felt his jaw constricting. Clenching tight as a clam. He pushed the remote in his pocket and ‘He Walked on Water,’ by Randy Travis, played from a speaker he’d hidden in the brush. He blinked back angry tears. Sad tears. Pent up tears.
“It’s on a timer. You better duck.”
Grandpa looked rather confused at his request, and then his eyes grew wide.
“SHIT!”
Grandpa dropped to the muddy ground, yelling curses as an arrow came whizzing towards him from clear across the forest. The dart whooshed past the tree of life and death, then over the old man’s trembling body…
There is always a boy, a woman, or man—
Who underestimates the black sheep of the clan.
He plots, he plans, all while dancing and humming—
No one sees, through the trees, the big horns coming…
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Time Heals All Wounds
Tony tossed another fry into his mouth, then looked towards the Buffalo Bayou River. He sported his Astros baseball cap and jersey while Roman wore a plain white shirt and jeans. It was a breezy day—the sun was bright and the smells from the river were earthy and nostalgic. Roman dipped a long fry in his mound of ketchup and swirled it about as he and his buddy sat at a bench, talking and catching up.
“Yeah, I could do that but it’s not just my choice. If there was no one else to consider, this would be easier,” Tony said after slurping up some of his Diet Pepsi. “The counseling isn’t helping much.”
“Tony, ask yourself what you want, and what’s best for your family.”
“It’s not that simple, man.”
“It is.”
Tony was quiet for a spell, his angry gaze setting on him. Then he took a bite of his hamburger, chewing it roughly.
“You haven’t been married yet, Roman,” Tony stated around a mouthful of food. “This isn’t the stock market. We’re two people who fell in love, and now the feelings aren’t the same because—”
“That’s the problem. You only fell in love. Anything you can fall into; you can fall out of. You have to BE in love. Not just fall.”
“You ain’t Oprah, man. Don’t act like a love specialist, or some relationship professional. This is your first successful rodeo. All up until this point with my sister, you been out here wildin’ out.” Tony rolled his eyes, then laughed.
“Okay, that’s fair, but let me finish. Loving someone is partially a decision, and the other portion is what our hearts and souls do all on their own. Regardless, our brain has the final say. I fell in love with your sister, but I chose to BE in love with her, going forward. That’s all I’m saying.”
“You don’t understand. Genesis isn’t like Penny, and you and I, though we have a lot in common, we’ve got differences, too. Plus, this isn’t how I wanted everything to go. I value marriage, man. My vows were serious to me, and I know the disappointment this would cause to not only myself, but also my kids, and the entire family.”
“Okay, look, Tony. You’re right. I know that I’ve never been married. I was that guy running the streets.” Roman threw up his hands. “But I have been a front row witness to what a bad marriage can do to children.” Tony sighed, then reached for another fry. “If you’re fightin’ and going off on each other in front of your kids, it will affect them, man. I’m not talkin’ about the little tiffs here and there, either. That happens. We’re human. I’m talking about toxicity. The kind where she’s every bitch in the book, and you’re every fucker she can think of. That’s not healthy for the kids, you or Penny. It’ll wear you down, and then you risk your children doing the same thing when they start dating and being in relationships. I’m proof of that. I ended up dealing with a bunch of women, just like my father. Unfaithful. Kids repeat what they see. Good, bad or indifferent.”