One thing I had promised myself was that I would never lose my temper and grab Milton or Yvonne by the throat during one of our encounters. But his new demand almost made me do it. Somehow, I managed to keep my cool. I didn’t even bother to protest no more. Because as soon as Yvonne and Milton was dead, I’d steal the five hundred dollars back. That meant I had to kill them the same day I gave them the money before they spent it. “All right then. Come to the store any time after noon next Friday and I’ll give it to you.” I was so elated knowing that them motherfuckers’ days was numbered, I actually smiled. “Now will you excuse me? I have to get going.”

Before I could even turn around, Milton grabbed ahold of my arm, narrowed his eyes, and shook his head. “Odell, I declare, you never cease to amaze me.” He grinned.

I pried his hand off my arm before I replied. “I can say the same thing about you.”

“True. I have to admit that I didn’t know it would be this easy to get more money from you. If I had known it was—”

I cut him off immediately. “Milton, it ain’t easy. But I’ll do whatever it is I have to do.”

“Bless your soul, Odell. That’s what I wanted to hear.” He reached out his hand for me to shake again. I ignored it. The only thing I wanted to do to it was bite it in two. The scowl on my face made him stop grinning and pull his hand back. That bastard stood in the same spot, looking confused, when I rushed to the living room.

I could barely breathe now. A couple of other folks attempted to conversate with me, but I ignored them and scurried out the front door. My head felt so light, I had to lean against the porch wall to compose myself before taking another step.