Free Carl Weber's Kingpins by Clifford “Spud” Johnson Page A

music down and smiled when he saw his Aunt Doris May’s face pop up on the screen of his phone. “What it do, Aunty?”
    â€œNot much, boy, just thought I’d give your ass a call ’cause you seem to have forgotten about your aunty.”
    â€œNah, you know I can’t do no shit like that. I’ve been caught up doin’ me, that’s all. You know you can never be forgotten by the King.”
    She laughed and said, “Boy, you are somethin’ special. Are you too busy doin’ you to stop by here and kick it wit’ your aunty for a li’l while? I needs me some more medicine. I done ran out.”
    Now it was King’s turn to laugh. “Yeah, I’ll be through there this evening. I’ve got a few thangs to take care of first. You know I got you, though.”
    â€œAll right, I’ll see you later. Be good out there, boy.”
    He laughed again. “Aunty, I’m twenty-six pushin’ twenty-seven. Why do you still insist on callin’ me ‘boy’ like I’m still some snotty-nosed li’l kid?”
    â€œNo matter how old you get or how much money you make, you will always be my favorite nephew, boy. So I’ll call you ‘boy’ as long as I damn well please.”
    â€œI’m your only nephew, Aunty.”
    â€œBye! Boy!”
    After getting off the phone with his aunt he started thinking about all of the good times he shared with her. If it weren’t for her, only God knows where he would have ended up. Both of his parents ran off and left him when he was seven years old. He remembered that day as if it was yesterday.
    He came home from school and saw his Aunt Doris May sitting in the living room, watching television. He smiled when he saw her because she always showed him so much love whenever she came around. He ran over and gave her a hug and kiss and said, “What’s up, Aunty?”
    She smiled a sad smile at her only nephew and said, “Hey, boy, you have a nice day at school?”
    â€œMmm hmm. Where my mama and daddy at?”
    Tears swelled in Doris May’s eyes as she told her nephew, “They gone, boy.”
    â€œWhen they comin’ back, Aunty? My daddy told me he was taking me to the mall to buy me some shoes today,” he said innocently.
    Doris May sighed and said, “They not comin’ back, boy. They done ran off somewhere.”
    â€œWha . . . what do you mean, Aunty? I don’t understand.”
    â€œYour mama and my no - good - ass brother done ran off and left you with me. I’m not goin’ to hide or sugarcoat nothin’ from you, boy. I loves you and I’m goin’ to raise you so you can be a much better man than that so - called father of yours.”
    Tears fell slowly down King’s face as he listened to his aunt. While she hugged him tightly he asked her, “What did I do to make them leave me, Aunty? What did I do?”
    She grabbed him lightly by his little face and stared directly into his innocent eyes and said, “Nothin’, boy. You didn’t do a damn thang and don’t you ever forget that. One day they gon’ realize and regret leavin’ you like this. Until then, we got to make do the best way we can. So, are you with me, boy?”
    He smiled through his tears and said, “Uh huh. I’m with you, Aunty.” They hugged each other tightly and cried some more.
    That pain seemed unbearable, but his aunt’s love made everything a’ight. Damn, that was twenty years ago. I wonder whatever happened to them bastards.

Chapter Six
    â€œWhy would you wait until the night before we’re supposed to leave to throw this at me, Shayla? This is really fucked up,” Flamboyant said as he stared across the dining room table. Shayla had made dinner of catfish and rice. While they were enjoying their meal she decided to tell Flamboyant that she wasn’t going with him and his friends to Miami. She knew he was