Sins Of A King

By Shakema S. Haygood

Behind every man, is an even greater woman. Victoria King is the glue that holds the King family together after the untimely demise of her beloved husband. Raising two children in high society is not all it's cracked up to be, especially when the sins of the King family won't stay hidden. 

After finding out the truth that lies within the King manor's walls, Justice, and her brother, stumble upon a "Miracle" that changes their lives forever. 

With the King family, and outside forces daring to tamper with their lives as they know it, nothing buried stays below the ground in this modern day family drama.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shakema S. Haygood
• Release date: Dec 15, 2016
• ISBN: 9798201097745

Book preview

14 Years Later-Graduation

Justice King was getting ready to walk the stage to accept her Bachelor's degree. As she sat on her bed, in her new house, she glanced at her cap and gown and couldn't help but think how proud of her he would be. She glanced at her Rolex; it was almost time. She should be leaving for the field now. If she left now, she'd be able to see her family before she sat down. So, she got up, checked herself out in the mirror, and went on her way.

As she was driving, her father's favorite song by McFadden and Whitehead, Ain't No Stopping Us Now, came on the radio.

Hey, daddy. She said looking up towards the sky.

As Justice continued driving, she thought about how far her family had come. They came a long way since her father's death. She couldn't be more thankful.

She pulled up just in time to see her big brother, mom, grandparents, two of her aunts and uncles, and her two cousins walking in. In total, that was around 10 people, mind you, they only give you two tickets, but leave it up to her mom to get her way.

Justice!! Hey, cousin.

Hey, Cyn. Said Justice, laughing, giving her cousin a hug.

We're so proud of you, girl.

Thank you.

Hey, mom.

Victoria smiled at her daughter and then turned to the family, telling them they needed to get inside to their seats.

As they all walked in the building heading towards the field, Justice left to find her class. On her way there, she bumped into her best friend, Queen.

Girl, where have you been? I've been trying to reach you since this morning.

I was trying to get here. Where else was I going to be, Queen?

I don't know, but I need to talk to you. Said Queen, biting her nails.

What?

...I-

Chile, spit it out. We have to go. She impatiently demanded.

I think Leon is cheating on me. She said pacing back and forth in the hallway.

Is she serious right now? Justice thought.

Justice looked at Queen with sympathy, but impatience as well. She couldn't believe she was causing them to run late because of men issues. She really didn't know what to say though, for Queen and Leon been together since high school. They all grew up together and Justice knew for a fact that Leon worshiped the ground Queen walked on. It was no way Leon was cheating. Her friend was just being her usual paranoid self.

Justice continued walking to their seats as Queen followed.

And why do you think that, Queen?

Uh...because...just because...he has been acting different lately, so I don't know. She replied, sitting down.

Different how?

Before she could finish, they were told to stand for the singing of the National Anthem. Queen, however, remained sitting. Justice literally had to pull her up by the arm. Queen was not very fond of America and her beliefs. When asked why she stayed here, her reply is always, This is where my family is, but one day, I am leaving before they destroy me...count on it. She definitely walked to the beat of her own drum.

After the graduation festivities, everyone went back to the King Estate. Justice didn't really want to go, but she knew she would have never heard the end of it. So, she sucked it up, and she and her friends hopped in her car and made their way to Westbury.

So, did Queen tell you guys about her crazy ass assumptions?

What? About Leon? Veronica inquired.

What has he done now? Bought you a puppy you didn't like?

The girls were all laughing at Queen's expense, but she found nothing funny.

It's not a joke. I really think he's cheating on me.

I don't think so. They all said in unison.

Wow! Whose side are you guys on?

Yours and you know that, but that man loves your dirty drawers, that I know. Said Justice with assurance.

Yeah? Well, what's love got to do with it?

Pulling up to the gate, the girls said a prayer out loud, praying that none of their mothers were drunk yet. When they walked up to the entrance, they realized their prayers were not answered.

Woman, I'm telling you, that child is vicious. Listen to what I'm telling you. Um hm, she done told me to go to hell plenty of times.

Mm mm mm, you know she isn't wrapped too tight up there. Said Victoria, pointing to her head. Never was, ya know?

Justice and the ladies walked in the living room, interrupting the older folk's conversation.

Well, well, well, what do we have here?

The Golden Girls, I believe. Queen jokingly replied.

Justice and Queen were making fun of their mothers in reference to the show from the 80's.

Now, that is just an insult. Those women hold no candle to all of this fineness.

Queen's mom, Ms. Wanda, who was just like her, if not worse, was just as outspoken as Queen. Especially when she was drunk. That lady never shut up.

Where is everybody?

Justice heard music but saw no one.

In the yard, we needed a drink away from the madness of the youth out there. said Wanda.

I'm sure you did, mama Said Queen. Her mom waved her hand as to say whatever, and Queen dragged her friends away from their drunk parents.

When they walked into the backyard, they saw everyone they knew from elementary school till now. Everyone came out to show their support, and they appreciated it more than they would know.

Justice made her rounds to speak to everyone in attendance and then retreated to her room. She was glad that all her peers took the time out of their day to come out, but she was just really drained and not up for entertaining. Going to college right out of high school could be very tiring, but in her family, everyone got their degrees early, No slouches. Her mom would say, and Justice King was anything but that.

Walking into her room, the room she had for 23 years, she sat on her bed and stared straight ahead at the wall. Everything was still the same, except for the queen-sized bed, Day 26, and Danity Kane posters. They were all replaced with pictures of some of her favorite poems that she had framed. Mya Angelou: Phenomenal Woman being one.

Tomorrow she was moving into her own home, permanently, and couldn't be happier. She loved her mom to death but refused to live under her roof any longer. Lately, her mom had been acting funny, and she had no clue why.

Little did Justice know, her mother had a whole lot on her mind, starting with all the skeletons in her attic.

Justice’s older brother, Titan, glanced around the yard in search of his baby sister. He didn't find her, but he knew exactly where she would be; upstairs in her safe haven.

Titan opened her door and watched her look off into space.

Why aren’t you downstairs enjoying the party, big head? He asked, sitting next to her, and mushing her in the side of her head.

Just wanted to be alone for a few. You know...take it all in.

You alright?

Yeah, just thinking. She said looking off into space again.

You know you can talk to me. Your brother is always here for you.

Justice turned towards her brother and smiled. One thing was for certain, she could always call on her big brother. Justice and Titan had always been close, and when their father was killed, they became even closer. Victoria went into a shell and only came out when she felt like it. The brother and sister had no choice but to lean on each other.

No one talked about Zion King's death in their family. It was like a foreign subject, yet Justice and Titan made sure to go on and obtain BA's in Business Management, following in his footsteps. Zion King would be proud. He always wanted his children to have the best, and he made sure they did by instilling in them the importance of hard work and dedication.

Do you think daddy would be proud of us?

Why wouldn't he?

I don't know. I guess, sometimes I just wish he was here, ya know? I know it's been years since he passed, but I just wish...that's all.

I'm quite sure if he could be here, he would. It's never going to be easy. I think about his death every day. I look at it this way, he's in a better place than we are. We live here, in hell.

Just then, Queen busted in the room like someone was after her.

What y'all doing up here? Y'all missing all the fun! She said laughing. Y'all crackhead uncle out there with his ugly ass fiancé.

That means it's time for me to go. Replied Titan.

Titan and his Uncle Pete never got along. One-time, Titan had to beat him up for disrespecting his father's name. He couldn't understand why the family still put up with his ass, but he wasn't staying around to figure it out.

Alright, I'll call you in the morning.

Ah come on...do you have to, brother? Queen whined.

Yes, Q, I'll see you later.

Titan kissed both his sister and Queen on the cheek, congratulated them again, and was gone in a jiffy. They went downstairs to watch the circus that was forming in the yard. There, in the middle of a crowd that formed a circle, danced Uncle Pete and his fiancé. Queen was definitely right; she was ugly as hell.

He was out there shaking it fast to Mystikal and Nivea, looking a God, awful mess. He then turned around and started walking towards them.

Justice, Justice, my beautiful niece. Come give your uncle some sugar.

Uncle Pete grabbed her face, kissing her on her cheek like he didn't know his own strength. He looked at her and said, My brother would be so proud of you...so proud.

Aww, thanks Uncle Pete. I hope he is.

He is. Hey, you remember my fiancé, Shelly, right?

I don't, but it’s nice to meet you. She replied, shaking her hand as if she was