Page 56 of Rather: The Therapist

“I guess not.”

Killian, second born of my father, was possibly the most logical of the three boys. The most tolerable. And, that was mainly because he was most relatable. However, he was far from average. There was a switch in that head of his, one that led me to believe he suffered from multiple personality disorder.

Once it was flipped, he became something so fucking beastly that not even our mother could get through to him. Keeping Killian on the other side of the fence where he was social and sane instead of straddling it was our safest bet. Killian was a fucking nutcase. With the same smile still on his face after having the time of his life, he’d gut the motherfucker who’d provided the experience.

You’d always see Kofi coming. He made it obvious. He never wanted you to be surprised by his presence. When it was your turn to receive the hell he was ready to give, he’d make sure you got the message. He sent a warning before destruction.

Killian was baffling. He left so much to be determined. Everything was always up in the air with him. You didn’t know when, where, why, if, or how he was coming. He was the mystery that solved itself.

Silent and artful. I left little to the imagination. Victims were certain of my presence and certain I’d meet them in hell to relive their final moments when my time finally came.

“She’s pretty.”

She’s wondrous.

“Yeah.”

Rose.

“This nigga better not fuck this up and ruin my chance of meeting those sisters.”

“It’s not happening. Drop it.”

“I can take on The Chemist. Drop that nigga where he stands.”

“But, you won’t. Besides, that motherfucker is too smart. He’s probably already found a hundred ways to kill each of us if he needs to. We are in possession of one of his. If there’s nothing else I’ve learned about him, it’s that he doesn’t fuck around when it comes to those girls.”

“Or at all. Cause, who the fuck crosses an ocean for a woman who took you down an–”

“A man in love, Killian.”

“Women can’t even get their niggas to take out the trash and this nigga was out there swimming with the fucking sharks to get back to his.”

“For a woman he loves, even a woman he likes enough, a man will not have to be asked, told twice, urged, or reminded… He just will. Anything. Any day. Any time. Any place. Nothing will ever be too much to ask of or expect from him. So, crossing an ocean for a woman you love isn’t surprising to me. It’s inspiring.”

“Inspiring?” He sniggered. “Do you even like women anymore, brother?”

With my lips twisting into a smirk, I nodded. No, Killian. I don’t like women. I like that woman.

“The first course is being served. Pay attention.”

The vibration of my cell during dinner hours could only mean one thing. As the appetizers were placed on the table, I excused myself.

“Excuse me.”

On my feet, I made strides toward the door. Simultaneously, I slid my finger across the screen. When I reached the hallway, my ear was glued to the device, waiting to hear what Nikola had to say. Princeton wasn’t in the best of moods when it came time for dinner. The adamant shaking of his head led me to believe he wasn’t interested in the family affair.

Because I respected his decision, I refused to bring him along and have him feeling the weight of my decision when he’d clearly made his own. He was in bed with his knees to his chest and his pajamas on when I left. Whatever was happening in that little head of his had him down a bit. Unfortunately, he wasn’t capable of telling me what was on his mind so I could help. I was still hopeful we’d get past the communication barrier one year, but year five probably wouldn’t be it.

“How is he?”

“He’s fine. He just seems a little… down.”

“Yeah. I felt that, too.”

“He’s usually sleep by now, but he’s not. He’s awake. Quiet and calm, but still awake.”

I cleared my throat and loosened the tie that had began choking me at the sound of her words. Something was bothering my son and I had no way of easing his mind. That shit pained me in the worst way.

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