by L. Ann Marie
Finishing the beds I carry the supplies to the bathrooms. There's central laundry bins in the hallway closet with push doors like fast food trash bins; one for whites, one for colors. I think this is genius. He put the same locker room style bathrooms in, one for boys and one for girls. These are two stall, two showers, bright and airy. I get the caddies filled with basic hygiene supplies and bring the rest to the supply room.
I'm done. I let the foreman know I'm leaving and call Christian. He comes running with Hawk and a guard, I think his name is Cal. This guard doesn't talk to me, he nods or answers monosyllabic. I've only spent time with him and Chase. Chase talks when we're driving but not when he's with the boys. I think that's as it should be, he's focused on the kids. Cal drives us to Security and Christian meets with Janelle. He follows me while I take Hawk for a walk. When I get back Christian is done and takes Hawk for training. He should get his new vest next week. I meet with Janelle and learn more about blocking these friggin kids and guys from my head. I'm doing good and get excited when she says so.
Feeling like I'm powerful we leave Security and I block Christian all the way home. He finds me funny but I friggin blocked him so he can laugh all he wants. DSS calls and has my contract ready to be picked up. This is becoming a great day! A Prospect picks it up for me so we don't have to leave town. Brenda comes in to pick up Christian and Hawk for the Kids Center and I get Rachel's laptop loaded with the sheets she'll need for her boards. I already put up the first set so she only needs to print and replace them at the end of the month.
Feeling like I've accomplished a lot today, I hit the patio to work out and relax before the kids get home.
Cloud
I fly through town and make it to the Kids Center for my class. Our kids were instructed to swim during class so I pull two of the best kids and have them help me keep the kids in form. They're taking the position seriously and I use each one to demonstrate positions. Without our kids I notice the class is relaxed. I ask my helpers what's up with that and they surprise the fuck out of me; the 'Club kids’ do everything perfect. According to my helpers they don't have a chance with even the little kids being better than them. I tell them they're my and Danny's kids and they're surprised. Hoping to ease their minds I tell them we workout at home so they have an edge. I'm going to have to talk to Pres about this. I don't like them being grouped then singled out as the 'Club kids'. I ask my helpers to work the next class with me, they leave standing tall.
I'm done for the day, I call into Security to locate Pres, he's in Surveillance. I ride over at a leisurely fifty and find him at Digs' station following HS home. When he sees me he tells Digs' to stay until every bike is in the building. He walks to the back table and sits waiting for me to start talking. "The kids at the Center are grouping our kids together calling them the 'Club kids'. They were more relaxed without them in class. They feel they have no chance with them in there. I told two older about them being me and Danny's and getting time to work with us at home. I saw it threw relief but they said even the little ones were better than them."
He sits back and thinks about this. "Our kids need to keep training; they need a way to defend themselves against a threat bigger than them, now more than ever." He stops and mulls it over. "I'll have Rich schedule you with them once or twice a week here at Security. We'll work it into your regular MC schedule so it's not taking time from home. I'm not looking for an army of kids but I want them to learn everything they can to keep them safe. I watched the video of cowboys and Indians this morning, even fuckin Devan is a good shot making smart defensive moves with a focus and intensity we don't see in everyday activities. There's a reason they're all equipped with that ability; I want to give them whatever they need to build on that."
I think about it. "Yeah, that sounds right. I trained from as young as the J's, I don't see it being a problem."
"I'm going to talk to Little Ben, Darren and Jessie about stepping up to more adult roles. They could do Patches job now but they're still young in age. Luckily they're the oldest among the kids at the Center. The problem lies with Little Brothers. I'll ask Patches about kids their age that are able to step up with them so they're not spot lighted." He's watching me for approval. I nod. "We talked about the riding classes for your kids and the little ones that were too young for the last class. Tiny and Danny will start on Saturday, the older kids will help." I nod. "Joey won't be able to take the class but Jess has something going with teaching the girls about money during that time. They'll be helping with budgets for the group homes and shelters or some shit. She says Joey and Lily are good with numbers, we'll work to build that." I nod, they think of fuckin everything.
"Is there anything I should be looking for?" I ask, they obviously talked about the kids last night or this morning.
"Until the charting is done we don't have questions. I want you to look at video feeds before you give us the chart; the little ones are showing different traits away from home. I had Digs email them to you." I nod, the charts just about done, CJ has been adding to it as she sees more.
"On a totally different topic the Brothers are looking at you for Officer. With the chopper and the kids we feel the need for two more positions. One, Vehicle Maintenance Super, the other the kids. We don't have a title yet. We don't even know what the job would be but this is getting too big to leave scattered among everyone like it is now. I know about the planning at Baxter's every month and you obviously have ties to your tribe, but there isn't another Brother confident in his take on the kids and their wellbeing. We're talking thirty minutes before church and on call when there's trouble. We can meet during your scheduled hours here." He finishes and I'm stunned. I just had this talk before I left work today. Officer, fuck.
"I'm stunned. Partly by the Brothers thinking I can do this and partly because I just had a conversation with Baxter's flipping my schedule so I work two there and three here. They don't have the need for a full time missions pilot so it works for them. They can schedule the Ops around my two days, they did ask for the same 'on call' for trouble and they're already setting a central command station for the choppers." I smile because he's shocked. "My tribe requires me to attend the regional and national meetings, that's once a year for each. The local council uses email for those of us away. We don't have to attend their meetings in person. I am honored and accept the Officer position." I say smiling.
His mouth falls open. "I thought I'd have to convince you using the kids like a weapon to get you to do it. Danny's pissed at me for even thinking it but the kids are more important than my moral compass at this point." He looks miserable with his head down and hand in his hair.
I laugh making him look up. "Pres, I said yes and gave you another day. My people groomed me to be the warrior I am. My purpose in life was set before I could walk. Women and children are the most important part of any civilization, without them we can't go on, there is no purpose. Now I have my own kids, they were given to me to protect and teach. I don't take that lightly. I had planned to groom them into warriors and council members anyway. Now I get all the kids and you pay me."
He cracks up. "When you say it like that I'm not so sure about the paying you part." I laugh because I wouldn't give a fuck. "Seriously, your next MC day go see Josh or Jake at HR, it takes a fuckin degree to get through it but get it done right away. Yeah?"
"Yeah but I already did that."
"No this is for Officer. If you don't need the pay have Jess invest it for you she's a fuckin wiz. I think every fuckin Officer is at the very least a millionaire."
I laugh. "Mitch does it now. I live free so she always puts it all in Baxter's. I've worked for them for almost ten years."
"Holy fuck Brother. You can buy your own damn dry goods from now on." He looks fuckin serious.
I'm laughing hysterically when Danny, Rich and Steve come in. He tells them about Mitch investing for me and me buying my own fuckin toilet paper. Danny and Rich are doubled over.
Steve tells him that d
oesn't count the take on the casinos. I give him a dirty look. "He's on council, a warrior full blood gets a bigger cut than most and grandmother is shaman. He even got them payin me. Crazy fuckin Indians." He's so disgusted I can't help laughing. Danny and Rich are gulping fuckin breath in between laughing.
Pres and Steve wait for us to stop. I sit straight and avoid looking at Danny and Rich. Pres looks at them, "He's our new Officer without a name yet. Baxter's dropped him to two there so he can pick up the third here." Danny sighs. Pres looks at him and rolls his eyes. "I didn't pressure him, he agreed as soon as I said it. He was setting it up so he could do most of it on his own anyway." Steve laughs. Pres gives him a look. "Don't start them fuckin laughing again!" He yells at him running his hands through his hair making us all laugh. "Fuckin Brothers, I'm in the meeting room when you’re ready. We got shit to sort." He walks out. I stand up laughing.
Danny slaps my shoulder. "Good to have you Brother." Rich does it on the other side. I throw them chin.
Steve man hugs me. "Bout fuckin time." He laughs walking out.
I look at Digs, "Welcome aboard Brother. Maybe you can calm their fuckin crazy down. No one else has been able to." I throw chin and walk out laughing.
I find them serious in the meeting room. Davis and Mercs are dealt with. Rob is chatty with fuckin everyone. It will take time to go through conversations. They have a Brother on it but he has some regulars that are new. They show in the different bars on the days he's working. Those are being pulled first. The weird thing is they're all men. One woman shows at the Pub only on days he's working but she doesn't say much to him. She watches though and seems to know his new regular. They make eye contact, a lot. Geek is looking at that one. "I talked to him this morning; I'm having a beer with him when I leave here." Pres says, "Is there anything we need to go over before I leave?"
"You'll talk to the kids?" I ask as he's picking up his bag.
"Fuck. Yeah, thanks. Tell them what's going on. I'll talk to them tonight. What are you doing it’s early yet?" He asks us all I guess.
"Riding for the next hour Brother." Danny says with a smile.
Ben looks like he was kicked. "Fuckin Brother! You should meet with the fuckin kids."
"Ok, after my ride I'll meet with the kids, they should be home by then." Danny says so easy and agreeably. "Kate asked if you'd get her stuff for her, she's got a late class and she needs it for the morning."
His shoulders drop and he turns around. "What stuff?"
Danny shrugs, "Something for her face." He's enjoying this.
"Why the fuck don't you get it on your ride?" His hands go into his hair. I want to laugh but I'm clenching my jaw so I can see this play out.
"She doesn’t need makeup. I don't shop. You do. You know exactly what she needs." He has the biggest fuckin smile on his face.
"You know every fuckin thing she puts on her face, you know her size, you know every fuckin thing about her. You just won't admit it!" Pres is yelling again. Danny just looks at him with a blank look. "Fuckin genius not ever admitting it." He slams the fuckin door and we all burst out laughing.
Danny stands up. "Maybe I should have told him she's using the summer colors. I'm not sure he knows she changed for the season again, last time he was pissed he had to go back."
I bend over laughing. Rich is across the table and Steve is doubled over on the side of Danny. I recover first. "You're not going to tell him are you?"
"No, I don't think I will, he was fuckin with my tools again, used a fuckin saw blade to wedge something open like the screwdriver pegs were empty on the fuckin wall above the bench. Besides, I'll never admit to knowing any-fuckin-thing about makeup, clothes or women's bodily issues. I like that it is not even a topic that's ever discussed with me." I slap his back.
"What's her dress size?" I ask.
"Four or six." He says walking out. I laugh with Rich. CJ is six and Tess is two or zero.
"Same as Jess, they're both small. What the fuck’s zero anyways? That ain’t even a number, it’s why I don't shop, fuckin zero." Steve says shaking his head. Fuckin Brothers, we all walk out laughing.
We ride for an hour pulling in together right behind Pres. He doesn't even look at us carrying his pharmacy bag in the house, of course we laugh. Danny follows me and I tell him about the kids in class and the new training schedule for them at Security. He’ll get the time from Pres. He asks for the kids to be brought to the Diner at six. He'll meet there and talk about the changes over dinner. We can pick them up at seven thirty. Nice.
I go find my wife and get to see her practicing the new sequence I taught her. I sit and watch until she’s done. “That was perfect. Do you want to help me with the ‘Club kids’ classes; we’ll be separating them out and training at Security. You’d be a good teacher and if I’m called away you can handle the class.”
She smiles like I’m giving her a gift. “Yes. I’ll put it on my schedule and be there every time. I want to move to the next level but I didn’t have the time before. For some odd reason, having six kids and a new husband and dog freed up my schedule. This is turning out to be the best day!”
I laugh. “Mine too baby. I had the best day too, the Ops went really well, I haven’t trained with this team so it was a surprise to me, I got an hour ride in clearing my head before I got home and I became an Officer today.”
She runs and jumps on me kissing my face like she does to the kids. Fuckin cute. “This is a good day! Congratulations. Do we get a cake?” I laugh and tell her the kids have a dinner meeting with Danny about some changes to their schedules. She’s instantly alert. “I don’t have the times but it’s Saturday riding lessons and the training at Security. We’ll find out tonight but I think training will be one or two days during their regular Kids Center time.”
I smile seeing her relax. “That will work well as long as the bike thing is in the morning. What about Joey?”
I hit my head, “She will be learning about money working the budget for the group homes and shelter houses with Lily, Ally and Jess.”
“That is awesome! She’s going to love it.” I kiss her and put her down.
“Do you want to go to the Seafood Shack while the kids are at the Diner?” I ask but don’t need her answer judging from her big fuckin smile. She nods like I missed it.
The kids come through the door all excited, laughing and trying to all talk at the same time. I laugh; the Baxter kids do this all the time. CJ holds her hand up and they quiet. Fuck I like that. She points to Taylor.
Taylor smiles at them and looks at us. “We did races and Christian beat everyone. It was the coolest friggin thing. He even beat Little Ben.”
“Good Job Christian! Taylor, don’t say friggin, you’ll lose a dessert over it and you love dessert.” He nods looking down. I hold in my laugh. She points to Jacob.
“Me and Jeremy beat Alex, Ally, Victor, Aaron and Joey. The big Brothers picked us up and everyone cheered for us.” He’s looking so fuckin proud.
I pick them both up and give them a squeeze. “Skillz, my little Blackhawks have skillz.” They smile for me. CJ rises up and kisses them both.
She points to Joey. “I didn’t beat anyone but I kicked my legs the whole way and I made it all the way across the pool. Tess said I can do pool therapy and strengthen my legs. She’s going to check with the new schedule and get someone in to do the therapy with me.” She’s smiling so happy. I bend and kiss her. The J’s kiss her too. Jacob gets down and stands with the boys.
CJ’s smiling proud. I want to laugh but keep my jaw clenched. “That is really good Joey. I already talked to Aleena. She’s going to let us know this week. Since she moved she’s not sure about the timing.” Joey is bouncing she’s so excited.
CJ points to the two left. “First or last?” Christian calls last, Brantley calls first.
Brantley smiles. “It was good to be away from the other kids. It’s hard trying to make stupid mistakes so they don’t get pissed. Today we had a blast just playing
and being kids. It was our best day there.” He’s a happy boy but I think he lost his dessert so that happy won’t last.
“I’m so glad Brantley. I didn’t realize you were faking mistakes to fit in; that has got to be exhausting. I think the MC is fixing it so you won’t be in that position anymore. This is your second warning for pissed. You’ll be pissed when you don’t get your dessert tonight. Sorry buddy.” His shoulders slump and his head falls forward. I put my hand over my mouth. “Christian you’re up.” She says.
“Hawk got to swim with me. A lady was yelling at Tess and she told her the Kid’s Center was owned and operated by the MC and Hawk was an MC Service dog so he was welcome in the pool but the lady was not. Everyone was laughing; Tess was so calm and happy while the lady was yelling then she talked so sweet it took the lady a minute to figure out she was just thrown out of the pool by little Tess. She wanted to see a Supervisor and Patches came over. The lady was yelling louder and Patches asked her to wait for a minute. He got Security to take her arms and throw her out. He threw her bag out after her telling her ‘you don’t fuck with the MC!’” Everyone freezes. He keeps going. “When I grow up I’m gonna say that to people that mess with my Brothers and wife. Patches is cool!” He looks from CJ to me. Jeremy holds his mouth. I can’t hold it in, I burst out laughing then Jeremy does then Joey and the boys. Christian is looking at us then CJ. I can’t look at her, she’s probably pissed. His eyes go wide and he slaps his hand on his mouth. Shoulders slumped he takes his hand down, “Did I lose dessert for a month?”
I laugh harder and walk away with Jeremy. CJ says something to him but I can’t hear it. I take Jeremy back to the group. Christian is looking down. Joey is ready to start laughing again. “So how about you Jeremy, what was the highlight of your day?”
He smiles, “Christian’s badass.” We all fuckin lose it. I put him down and hold my stomach. Fuckin kids.
