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“So, let me get this straight. You came on a job, but you aren’t carrying?”
“Nope,” he grinned. “Not even a knife.”
Knight stared at him, then turned to me. “And how does that make you feel?”
“Uh…I prefer to stay out of this.”
“She’s totally safe,” Fox chuckled. “See, I’ve been testing out this theory that I can basically turn any angry person into a happy person.”
“With your winning personality?” Knight said sarcastically.
“Well, I’ve developed a series of phrases used to calm the target. For instance, if someone is annoyed, I tell them to breathe.”
“I’m feeling annoyed,” Knight stated.
“Okay, good, so what you want to do is take a deep breath and hold it in.”
Knight just stared at him.
“Just…you gotta breathe,” he said, motioning toward his body as he sucked in a breath. “Like, suck in a breath and hold it. Are you doing it?”
“No,” Knight said.
“Well, it’s not gonna work if you don’t try it.”
“Are you suggesting that I can’t control myself?”
“What?” Fox’s face morphed into shock. “No. Never. The Kamau is always in charge of his emotions. If ever there was a man to be revered, it’s you.”
“Um…who is The Kamau?” I asked, holding up my hand.
“This man,” Fox said, jauntily sauntering forward and wrapping his arm around Knight as he patted his chest. “The Kamau is a great warrior, someone to be revered and feared.”
“But, you’re trying to calm him. Won’t that make him…less fearful?”
Fox laughed, slapping his knee. “Oh, Skylar, if only you knew whoyou were dealing with. The Kamau is fearful no matter who or what stands in his path. He could be as serene as a kitten and still strike fear into the hearts of everyone in his path. And for thousands of miles away, I might add.”
He turned back to Knight, grinning at him from ear to ear. “So, if breathing isn’t your thing, there are also some great juices I can make,” he said, rushing around the counter and digging through the cabinets. He pulled out a blender as he continued to talk. “Personally, I love using mango and pineapple. They have that cheery quality that makes you feel like you’re on an island somewhere, enjoying the sunshine without a care in the world. It really centers me.”
“I hate sunshine.”
“Okay, well, maybe that one’s not for you. What you really need is something to reduce stress and anxiety,” Fox continued, rushing around the kitchen and grabbing ingredients. “See, your cortisol levels rise when you’re stressed out, and that can leave you feeling anxious, irritable, and depressed. And a depressed Kamau is someone that goes out and kills people, am I right?”
He winked at the man, then continued with his work.
“What you need are fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C. So, berries, oranges, red and green peppers…Ooh, and kale. Now, I know what you’re going to say. That’s so disgusting, but trust me, my friend. It will change your life. And once you have it all macerated, you’ll have a delicious drink packed with all the vitamin C rich fruits and vegetables you need to live a healthy, stress-free life.”
“What about if someone shoots at me?” Knight asked. “Do you think a drink can change the way I feel?”
Fox chuckled. “We’ll have to see, but I’m afraid you’ll have to find someone else to do the shooting. I’ve put down my weapons.”
There was no way I was drinking his concoction. I grabbed my coffee and enjoyed every sip as he blended this concoction that looked more like shit than anything healthy. When he was done, he poured it in a glass and slid it across the counter to Knight, who didn’t bother to touch it.
Fox waited on pins and needles for him to pick it up and drink it, but as the minutes passed, it was clear, Knight wasn’t having it.
Enter Jason, stage left. “Fuck, I’m tired.”
“Here, have a juice,” Knight said, picking it up and handing it to Jason.
