Flaws and All Read Online Free

she could tell that he was holding back from her. “Kenny, come on now. You know that we don’t keep secrets from each other.”
    Kenny looked down at his half-eaten sandwich and back up at her. “I heard you guys arguing,” he revealed. “Daddy was yelling and calling you bad names.”
    Kina stiffened a little. It hurt and embarrassed her for Kenny to know how she was treated by his father. “Kenny, I know that you know better than to be eavesdropping on grown folks’ conversations.”
    â€œI wasn’t, Mama, honest. He was just talking so loud that I couldn’t help it.” Kenny paused a moment. “I don’t like it when he talks to you like that.”
    â€œHoney, your daddy loves both of us. It’s just that sometimes he drinks too much, and it makes him act a little crazy and say a lot of stupid things that he doesn’t mean.”
    â€œBut he scares me when he does that. Can’t you tell him to stop drinking?”
    â€œI can’t make him stop, Kenny. He’s a man, and lots of men like to drink, especially when they have to work as hard as your daddy does. You’re too young to understand this, but your father is under a lot of pressure between working, paying bills, and taking care of us. Drinking helps him to relax.”
    â€œWhy can’t he relax in other ways? Cameron’s daddy works hard, too, but he doesn’t drink to relax. He just plays golf.”
    Kina laughed. “Different strokes for different folks, baby. Mr. Nelson likes to play golf, and Daddy likes to drink. You and Cameron don’t always like to do the same things, do you?” Kenny shook his head. “See?”
    â€œI’m just scared he’s going to hurt you one day.”
    Kina shook her head. “He won’t do that.”
    â€œBut what if he does?”
    â€œHe won’t!” she stated with finality.
    â€œHe better not.”
    â€œOr what?” challenged Kina.
    â€œI’d kill him!” vowed Kenny. “I’d kill anybody who hurt you.”
    â€œKenny, you don’t mean that, and it’s a terrible thing to say, especially about your own father. You better not ever let me hear you talking about hurting or killing anybody ever again. You hear me?” He nodded. “I’m serious.”
    â€œI won’t say it again, but I won’t let anybody hurt you, Mama, not even Daddy.” Kenny turned the game system back on. This time, he switched to a combat game. Kenny aimed at his targets and executed each shot with chilling precision. It unnerved Kina to see him shoot and kill his opponents so callously.
    â€œThis game looks violent to me, Kenny. I don’t know if I want you playing this.”
    â€œYeah— take that !” shrieked Kenny, striking his adversary. “Aw, come on, Mama. I’m just having fun.”
    As he continued to play, Kina saw the intensity in his eyes and recalled what he said about hurting E’Bell. She wondered if her baby had the capacity in him to kill, and the thought scared her to death.

Chapter 3
    â€œYour parishioners don’t have to like me; they just have to respect me.”
    â€” Sullivan Webb
    Â 
    Charles walked past their Venetian-inspired bedroom, surprised to find Sullivan slipping into her nightgown. “I didn’t hear you come in. Why didn’t you tell me you were home?”
    â€œWas I supposed to check in with you to prove that I didn’t break curfew?”
    Charles tottered into their bedroom and offered Sullivan a heartwarming smile. “Sweetie, you know I didn’t mean it like that. I’m glad you’re home. I missed you. This house is lonely without my better half. How was the party? Did Reggie like the gift?”
    Sullivan sat down in front of her vanity mirror to brush her hair. “It was Coach—of course she liked it. The party was fine.” She turned around to face him. “You know, if