Animal 2 by K'wan Page B

watched him bust his ass for decades trying to create the American dream for his kids, only to have his youngest offshoot piss it all to hell with his Hollywood shit. Shai is a good kid, but I’m not a fan of the way he’s running his father’s empire. Maybe a good pat on the ass is what he needs to get his head back in the game and get you out of the fire all at the same time. If we play this right, then everybody walks away with what they want. Shai gets a wake-up call, the feud is ended, and I can die knowing I helped my son when he truly needed me.”
    â€œShai hates my guts, and I hate his. The only way he’s gonna ever truly let go of the grudge is if one of us is dead,” Animal said.
    â€œAnimal, death is the most effective resolution to most problems but not always the only resolution. Pay attention, and you just might learn something from your old man before it’s all said and done.” Priest got out of the car.

SEVEN
    â€œI THOUGHT YOU SAID WE were going to a funeral,” Animal said, once they crossed the threshold of the tavern. It was a cramped little bar that smelled of musk and alcohol.
    â€œWe are,” Priest said, scanning the room. He spotted the man he was looking for, hunched over the bar, nursing a glass of something brown. “Follow me, and say nothing unless I tell you to,” Priest told Animal, before making his way to the bar.
    The man nursing the drink must’ve felt Priest approaching, because he looked up from his glass. He was a light-skinned man who looked to be about fifty, with a balding head. His eyes were beet-red, but the dried tears on his face said it wasn’t from the alcohol. He had been crying.
    â€œAin’t you afraid you might burst into flames coming in this hellhole, Father?” the old man said over his shoulder.
    â€œI go wherever the word needs to be heard.” Priest invited himself to the stool next to the old man. “How are you, Charlie?”
    â€œNot too good,” Charlie said, tossing the drink back andmotioning for the bartender to bring him another one. “I buried my wife this morning.”
    â€œI heard. You have my condolences. Nancy was a good woman,” Priest said sincerely.
    â€œToo good for a wretch like me,” Charlie said. “You know, she could’ve had any guy in the world, but she chose me. I always asked God what made me such a lucky bastard.”
    â€œSometimes it’s senseless to question his will. Everything the most high does, he does for a reason, and the reasons aren’t always for us to understand,” Priest said, watching Charlie take the fresh shot down.
    â€œWould’ve been nice if you could’ve been there to say a few words,” Charlie said. “I know you take that collar about as seriously as I take my liver, but it still would’ve been good for show, huh? Nancy never did give up hope that you’d find your way again one day.”
    â€œI wish I had half the faith in myself as Nancy had in me.” Priest raised his hand and motioned for the bartender to bring them three more shots of whatever Charlie was drinking. When she set them down, he slid one to Charlie and one to Animal and kept one. Animal stared down at the glass quizzically.
    â€œWho’s this, your new altar boy?” Charlie asked Priest.
    â€œNo, this is my son,” Priest said.
    Charlie turned around on his stool and gave Animal the once-over. “I ain’t seen him since he was knee-high. Where you been hiding him, Priest?”
    â€œWe’re estranged,” Animal answered for him.
    Charlie laughed. “He abandoned you, too, huh? Yeah, Priest is good at walking away from shit. Cold-blooded, that one is.”
    â€œCompassion is only a friend to a fool. When people findplaces in your heart, they use them to their advantage.” Priest raised his glass.
    â€œTouché, nigga.” Charlie threw his shot back. Priest sipped his.