Kaleah

Smooth jazz music played inside Jazz’s Diner. There were only a few people eating at the counter, and no one was in the booths. Kaleah, in her early thirties, was drinking a sundae with her brother, Kayden, also in his early thirties.

“Man, I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re back,” Kayden said. “You know Dad talks about you all the time. It’s going to be nice having someone around to be miserable with.”

“Uh-huh,” Kaleah said.

“Don’t worry about work,” Kayden said. “Dad always finds bail jumpers or cheating spouses. You know he even has the cheating spouses attend our church, right? He’s crazy. I’m sure Mom didn’t have that in mind when he made it.”

“Uh-huh,” Kaleah said.

“Look out, there’s a spider!” Kayden said.

“Uh-huh,” Kaleah said.

“You’re not listening to me, are you?” Kayden asked.

Kaleah turned and looked at her little brother, eyes focused on him as she twirled her straw in her drink.

“How can I not? You talk a mile a minute, Joe,” Kaleah said.

She took a deep breath.

“I’m happy about being home and being back in church. It’s what Mom would have wanted. I’m just not happy about the circumstances,” Kaleah said.

A tall, well-dressed man in his thirties walked up to her and glazed her butt.

“Hey, sweetie, you look as good as your sundae,” the well-dressed man said.

Kaleah narrowed her eyes and glared at the man. Kayden covered his face with his right hand and turned away.

“That was dumb,” Kayden said.

In a swift motion, Kaleah punched the man in the face. He reeled back. He was about to say something, but Kaleah kicked him in the groin and then uppercut him. Tackling him to the ground, she wailed on him as everyone watched. She continued to beat him, with a slight smile on her face.

“What’s the matter, sweetie? Did I spoil your appetite?” Kaleah said.

Everyone turned a blind eye as she stood, paid, and walked out. Kayden followed, stepping over the man.

Tyson was in his office. In his late fifties, he was about five-foot-ten, with broad shoulders and a deadpan expression. His voice was lighter than expected but still came off as intimidating.

“No, I understand. We appreciate that he won’t be pressing charges,” Tyson said. “Tell him to avoid sexually assaulting women from here on out, though. Next time, I won’t care about him suing us, and the only reason we are not is because my daughter doesn’t want to. She would rather punch his face in some more. We clear?”

Tyson waited on a response.

“Good, have a blessed day,” Tyson said.

Tyson hung up the phone, still glaring at his adult children.

“HE TOUCHED MY BUTT! He’s lucky I didn’t break his hands,” Kaleah said.

“And you knocked out two of his teeth,” Tyson said.

Tyson smiled.

“That’s my baby girl! What a homecoming. Did you get everything moved in?” Tyson asked.

“With all the help you gave me, yes. Having the congregation do it seems a little much,” Kaleah said.

“Nonsense. You know, your mom always thought you had violent tendencies,” Tyson said.

“Which is why you put me in martial arts, Dad. Yes, I know. You called us here for a reason, right?” Kaleah said.

Tyson pulled out a folder with a picture of a blonde man.

“This is Walter Jones. His bounty is about 30,000. Why don’t you see if you can find him?” Tyson said.

“Why him?” Kaleah asked.

“Because I’m your father and your boss,” Tyson said.

“Because he attacked one of our members,” Kayden said.

“Finding him won’t be easy,” Kaleah said.

“With Kayden, it will be. God be with you,” Tyson said.

“We’ll be back,” Kayden said.