“You’re damn straight she’s not, but she’s not no delicate little flower, either. I am the one who watched her when she had nightmares about him! The way she screamed and scratched at the air, as though she was tearing his eyes outta his skull. I am the one that stopped her from shootin’ all of her windows out because she was certain he was right outside of her house. Once English makes up her mind about something, that’s it, and if you’re lucky enough to find a woman half as good as her, then I think you’ll understand why there was a change of plans, you son of a bitch! You don’t know the half of it. This is MY woman, I took her feelings into consideration, and I did what was best!”
“EXACTLY! You did that shit for love, and it could have cost you everything!”
They were in each other’s faces now, nostrils flared, darkened eyes. Legend took a deep breath, and settled down first. “Everyone knows you’re a straight shooter, Axel, in more ways than one. Even in all of that commotion, you would have hit your target blindfolded. We risked our lives unnecessarily, just because you wanted to make English happy. She endangered us by just being there! Our original plan was airtight. Man, I’m on your side. I’m just trying to make you see that love changes people!” Axel sighed and turned away. “She said she wanted in on this, and to do it herself, and you let her do it. You couldn’t say no to her. Once our heart is involved, it’s a wrap. Don’t get mad at me for speaking honestly.” He chuckled mirthlessly. “It’s happened to the best of us. LOVE’S GONNA GET YOU! AND IT GOT YOU! Church!”
“That’s it. Stop fucking talking about her. My question to you had nothin’ to do with her. All I wanted to do, Legend, was acknowledge what you did. You saved me some time and—”
“Cool. You’ve acknowledged it. Anyway, you testifying would have destroyed these guys. You already knew that. They had to get you out of the way. This White man of upstanding character… career man… owns property… real estate… clean record… takes care of his mama, and now, has a pretty little thing on his arm.” Legend said the words with a tinge of animosity and resentment. “They didn’t stand a chance. On paper, you look like a pillar of society. They would have been servin’ life behind bars because of you. That threat was real. You’re a shark, man, but you don’t swim in my ocean. The murky, dark, nasty body of water, filled with blood.”
His eyes sheened. “You clean them oceans instead by eating everything in sight. You piss bleach and peroxide. Sparkling, like a diamond…” He jammed his cigar in the ashtray, extinguishing the flame. “No worries, brother.” He shrugged. “I did what had to be done. Just consider it an early wedding gift, and drop this shit. All of it. Let’s both move on. Next round of beers is on me…”
…One year later
The old farmhouse was decorated in white lights, and people were gathered from all over the state of Kentucky to witness their special day. Axel stood in his black tuxedo, his hair pulled and braided all the way down his back. A Black hairstylist English had hired had done it for him, as well as threaded his braid with white and black ribbons. He’d been staunchly against the idea initially as it seemed womanlike, especially when the stylist started trying to give him these little hair swoop things called baby hairs. He quickly made her undo them, but now, as he looked in the mirror at himself, he could see she’d done a mighty fine job.
He stood beside an open barn door, one of three being used as a changing room, while English was on the other side of the property, out of sight. He was surrounded by friends and family, employees and the like, and people he hadn’t seen in a mighty long time—thanks to Dallas and Mama inviting everyone they knew and exploding their guest list. He reached for his cellphone when it buzzed in his pocket.
“Yeah?”
“Today’s yer weddin’ day?”
“You know it is. And you’re not here. Tammy is, though. I guess she can pretend to be you if I shove a beer can in her hand, she starts cursin’ out the reverend, then blacks out. Won’t make a damn bit of difference.”
“I’m on my way. I drank too much last night, son. I was sick is all. You know my health has been failin’. I wouldn’t not show up for your weddin’, Axel. Come on… please don’t think that.”
“Don’t drive. I’ll call you an Uber or something.” He got ready to hang up.
“Naw, I ain’t been drinkin’ this mornin’, boy. I pushed through, promised Tammy I’d stay dry. I don’t want to ruin your day. I know you think I don’t approve of you marrying that girl, but—”