The Last Kings by C.N. Phillips Read Free Book Online Page B

TV made the one at the dorm look like a baby. I kept straight, going toward the kitchen where the smell was coming from and saw a shadow bustling around in the light.
    â€œGrandma Rae?” I called out once more.
    â€œIn here, chile!” she yelled back at me from the kitchen.
    I entered the kitchen and saw my grandmother in a cute peach jogging suit outfit, an apron, and house slippers. Although she had silvery gray hair that fell just above her ears, Grandma Rae didn’t have a wrinkle on her body. She had the high cheekbones of a runway model and sharp brown eyes just like me and Ray.
    â€œMmm! Grandma Rae, what you cooking?” I set my purse on the high six seating kitchen table and went to where she was over at the stove.
    â€œJust some corn bread, macaroni and cheese, yams, and fried chicken,” she told me wiping her hands. “You hungry, baby?”
    â€œYou know I am! Did you know I was coming over?” I said.
    â€œI figured you or your hardheaded cousin would make an appearance,” she said with a knowing smile.
    My mouth was watering. She made me a plate, and I took it to the table to dig in. The first bite was pure perfection, and I didn’t know how I was surviving without her cooking at the dorm. I knew everybody said their grandma could cook, but my grandma cooked as well as Whitney Houston sang. There was no one better. Her dream at one point in time was to open her own restaurant, but then she got pregnant and married a man who felt she would do better as a housewife. Whenever she spoke about her dreams and not being able to follow them, I always noticed the sadness in her eyes. I think that was why she wanted Mocha and me to go to school so bad, to make it and be something one day. I just wished I could live up to her expectations. I didn’t have any dreams of a career, well, an honest career, that is. My dream was to lead the biggest drug cartel Detroit had ever seen. I wanted it all, and if I were to tell my grandmother that was the life I wanted to live, I was almost certain it would break her heart.
    â€œWhat’s wrong with you, girl?” Grandma Rae stood over me staring with a concerned expression. “You look like somebody stole your man or somethin’!”
    â€œNo, I’m fine, Grandma Rae,” I laughed at her comment. “I was just focused on my food.”
    Grandma Rae gave me a skeptical look, but she left me alone.
    â€œWhere’s that girl Mocha at? I barely ever see the two of you apart! Like two peas in a pod you two are,” she said and sat down at the table with me.
    â€œShe had class, and I just was tired of being cooped in that dorm,” I told her.
    â€œWell, make sure you take that girl a plate. You know she loves my corn bread,” she waved her finger at me.
    â€œHer ass does too,” I said under my breath, taking my last few bites of food.
    â€œWhat?” Grandma Rae asked, not hearing what I said.
    â€œOh nothing,” I told her. “How have you been, Grandma Rae? I see Ray is still keeping you fly.”
    â€œYea, you know that boy loves spendin’ his money on me.” Then she shook her head and stood up to start cleaning the kitchen. “I keep tellin’ that boy to save his money! Buying me all this designer shit. I’m sixty-five years old! What do I need Gookie for?”
    â€œI think you mean Gucci, Grandma Rae.” I giggled at her horrible pronunciation of the word.
    â€œThat’s exactly why I don’t need it!”
    â€œYou’re right!” I said still laughing.
    â€œI just wish he would settle down. When I don’t hear from him, I can’t help but to worry. I know what he does, and I don’t like it, not one bit!”
    I felt my head fall slightly; I couldn’t look her in the face. I heard her sigh and continue sweeping.
    â€œBut he’s grown now and has to find his own way. I know that money is addictive, but it’s