Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 75642 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75642 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“Janet and Carlen had her living with them for a while, but she kept leaving the house and wandering the street. Welfare services were called, and they were strongly urged to put her somewhere she could be monitored twenty-four-seven. It broke Janet’s heart to realize it was just too much for her to handle.”
I want to reach out for her, but I maintain my distance.
“Carlen never called and told me they were struggling so much,” I say, but it feels shitty to put any level of blame on the dead.
“I had a falling out with Janet a year ago. It was so petty that I can’t even remember what started the argument, but we hadn’t spoken in so long, I had no idea what they were doing,” she explains. “I don’t know if they alienated me on purpose so I wouldn’t butt into their business or what. I don’t know if it was Carlen losing his job or the cost of Mom’s healthcare that put them so far in the hole that they have so many disconnect notices going to their house. I don’t know if they started making drugs to catch up financially or if they were forced to make drugs by Keres. I know nothing, and it kills me that they were struggling so hard and didn’t call me either.”
I remain silent because I don’t know that there’s much more to say at this point.
“We can’t stay in St. Louis,” I say eventually.
“I don’t expect you to be involved—”
I hold my hand up, grinding my teeth so hard my jaw starts to ache.
“I will not walk away from my child,” I assure her, trying to hedge any arguments before they can even start.
“I didn’t figure you would,” she whispers, her eyes locked on her hands.
I want to rage and yell. If she didn’t figure I would walk away, then why the hell did I have to find out this way rather than the day she found out she was pregnant.
On the other hand, I’m in a different place in my life than I was two years ago. I was still in the Corps then, not in any position to physically be there for a kid.
“I can’t leave those boys either.”
“It seems we’re at an impasse.”
I immediately shake my head.
“We’re not. We’re all going to New Mexico.”
“I can’t leave St. Louis,” she snaps.
“You won’t have a choice. The kids are coming with me.”
“So you’ll just take them from me?”
“Taking them would imply that you’re not welcome to come along. I’m not taking them from you, but it’s not safe to stay in town. We have to figure out how to rid ourselves of the issue with Keres, and they aren’t exactly known for backing down. They want money and are demanding monthly payments. They will from now until eternity. The only way to get out of that is death. I don’t plan on dying nor do I plan on letting you or those three innocent kids end up that way.”
“Won’t they follow us?”
I’d like to assure her she’s a hundred percent safe, but there’s no way to guarantee any of it. Not being able to do so makes me feel like a failure before we can even attempt the trip.
“I’ll use every resource I have to get you there safely.”
“And what happens in New Mexico?”
“We’ll stay in the clubhouse. We can—”
“With a bunch of bikers? That’s where you want your daughter to be?”
I take a fortifying breath. It astounds me the preconceived notions people have about bikers. Some may be true for clubs like Keres, but there are more good clubs than bad.
When I don’t answer, she continues, “I won’t have any of those children around drugs, crime, and women with loose morals.”
I can’t help the huff of laughter that escapes, feeling a little prideful of the way she grows angry, her eyes narrowing to slits as I laugh at her words.
“Let any of the guys there hear you call their women that, and you might regret it,” I warn. “There are no drugs, no crime, and other than the occasional gal one of the guys might bring home for the night, there are no loose women.”
She sure does have a strong opinion about other women considering the way she knocked on that damn above-garage apartment door not wearing any panties, but I wasn’t complaining then and I sure as hell won’t complain now.
She doesn’t seem convinced.
“The overnight guests are instructed to leave before any of the kids can see them,” I explain further.
“There are other kids?”
I nod. “More than I can count some days. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what you find there. I’m not even going to bother telling you to hold judgment until we get there. Feel free to think all you want. Everything you think will be proven wrong. Cerberus is a group of people who love and care for each other. They’ll give you the shirt off their backs without hesitation. You’ll see.”