by J. B. Reed
“Yes, I’m here Vivie. I can’t believe she’s here. You said she came early? Is she okay? Are you okay?”
“We’re both fine. She is a little small but perfectly healthy. Michael, how are you?”
“I’m well. I miss you Vivie. I can’t begin to tell you how much I miss you.”
“I miss you too, Michael. I hesitated calling you. I didn’t know if you would want to talk to me. I also didn’t know if it was the right thing to do…to contact you. How are things with Joseph?”
“Of course I would want to talk to you. Just hearing your voice has made my world a little brighter. Things with Joseph are going well. He believed that I carried out his order regarding you. He has never questioned anything.”
“So, I am officially dead?”
“As far as Joseph is concerned, yes. I wish it didn’t have to be this way, I wish you and Rose were here, with me.”
“As do I. We both know that can never be, not as long as Joseph is alive.”
“Vivie, I need to see you. May I come to see you and Rose?”
“You want to come here…to West Virginia? Michael, do you really think that would be a good idea? How would you explain your absence to Joseph?”
“Let me work that out. Please, permit me to come see you. Please tell me that you want to see me as well.”
“Michael, there is nothing I would like more. I’m just concerned for your safety and the safety of Mama and the kids.”
“I would never put you or your family in danger. I’m not sure what I will tell Joseph, but I will come up with something that he will not question. I can leave here tonight and be in West Virginia by morning.”
Vivie gave Michael directions to Mama’s house. A part of Vivie was worried this was a mistake, but another part of her, a very big part, wanted to see Michael. She could not help but feel excited and happy. Her heart was beating just a little faster, knowing that in a few hours, Michael would be there, in Matewan.
“I need to make a couple phone calls and then I’ll be leaving. I will see you soon, my darlin Vivie.”
“Take care, Michael. I will see you soon.”
“Mama? I have news. I just spoke to Michael; he’s coming here, to Matewan. He wants to see the baby.”
“Vivian, do you think that is prudent? “
“Michael said he would work it all out. He’s leaving tonight and will be here by morning. Oh Mama, I’m so happy. He still loves me, I know it.”
“I’m sure he does, Vivian. The fact remains that he is who he is. Coming here to see you and Rose does not change anything. He will not stay in West Virginia and you cannot go back to New York.”
“I know that, Mama. I know that as long as Joseph is alive, that Michael and I will not be able to have a life together.”
“Joseph aside, do you really believe that you could have a life with Michael? He’s a killer, Vivian, a professional killer. Would that be the kind of life you would want for yourself and Rose?”
“You need not remind me of who Michael is. You cannot choose who you fall in love with, either, Mama.”
“Well, I do look forward to meeting him. I would like to thank him for what he’s done for you, and for the rest of the family. Although, I do not know that I can forget that he is the reason your Papa is dead. I know I need to remember the reason he did what he did. He believed he was avenging you. I realize he did not intend for those monsters to come after your family.”
“That’s true, Mama. Michael has made some bad decisions, but what he did, it was for a noble cause. He would never do anything that he believed would cause me more heartache.”
“We will make him welcome, my dear. I just hope you know what you are doing.”
“Thank you, Mama. I need to see him; I need to talk to him, at least one more time. I need to try to make up for the terrible things I said to him, the day I left.”
Michael pondered what excuse he would use to leave town. Joseph was not a stupid man. Whatever he tells Joseph, it has to be something that would not raise suspicion in his mind. Michael had not gone anywhere since Joseph told him to lay low. The trouble with the Westies, and Flannery was still very much an issue.
“Joseph, it’s Lucky. I need to get out of town for a while. Staying in like this has made me a little stir crazy. If I don’t get away for a while I feel that I may lose my mind.”
“Lucky, this is a bad time for you to be taking off. Flannery is going to be looking for you and I’m sure his boss has already put a hit out on you. Where the hell are you thinking about going?”
“I don’t know. I thought, maybe, you might have a suggestion, Joseph.”
“Hell, I don’t know. I think it’s a bad idea for you to take off. Wherever you go, it needs to be far away. What about LA? You’ve never been out west, have you Lucky?”
“No, I haven’t. LA sounds great. I could leave tonight. I just need a little time away, Joseph.”
“Okay, go on out to LA, get yourself some sun and clear your head. You need to get laid while you’re there too. It does wonders for a man’s state of mind. Maybe you could hook up with one of those Hollywood starlets.” Joseph laughed a big hearty laugh.
“Yeah, sound like a good idea. I’ll call you in a few days to let you know how things are going.”
“Be safe Michael. Talk to you soon.”
Michael packed his bag and left the apartment. Opening the trunk of the T-Bird, he viewed the contents.
“I hope I don’t get pulled over by one of those southern good ol’ boy cops. I would hate to have to try to explain why I’m carrying this cargo. I would also hate to have to off a cop. But you do what you have to do.”
Michael placed his bag inside the trunk and closed the lid. The thought of reuniting with Vivie and seeing baby Rose was all the incentive Michael needed. In a few hours he would be there, once again holding Vivie in his arms.
“Mama, someone just pulled in, and boy do they have a fancy car.” Vivie’s brother Liam, yelled from the front door.
Vivie rushed to the door where she saw Michael’s T-Bird sitting in the driveway. She walked out onto the porch, her heart beating fast. Vivie ran down the porch steps to meet him. Michael held her tightly and kissed her.
“Who is that, Mama? Liam questioned.
“That, my son, is your brother-in-law, Michael.”
Vivie and Michael walked into the house. Mary and the children were standing there, not knowing exactly what they should say.
“Mama, this is Michael.”
Michael offered his hand to Mary. “It’s an honor to finally meet you, Mrs. Clancy." Mary looked at his hand, then walked over to Michael and hugged him.
“Please, call me Mama. I’m happy to meet you too, son. Welcome to our home.”
Vivie introduced her brothers and sisters to Michael.
“That’s some car you have.” Liam, now 16, was in awe of Michael’s T-Bird.
“You like it, do you? Perhaps, with your Mother’s permission, we can take a ride later, if you like.”
“Would I? Can I, Mama?”
“Hush now, Liam, Michael just got here. Give him time to settle in before begging him to take you somewhere.”
“There is someone else you need to meet, Michael.” Vivie took Michael by the hand and led him over to the bassinet where Rose lay sleeping.
“My God, she looks just like you, Vivie. She’s beautiful.” Michael’s eyes started to tear.
“She’s been a blessing to me. She’s a wonderful baby, Michael.”
“How could she be anything else? She’s your child.”
“She’s our child, Michael.”
Michael turned to hug Vivie again. No one was happier, at that moment that Vivie and Michael. After lunch, Vivie asked Michael if he would like a tour of the area.
“Can I go too? Liam was still trying to get a ride in Michael’s car.
“No, not this time. There will be plenty of time for you to take a ride in Michael’s car.” Mary knew that Vivie and
Michael need some time alone.
As they traveled down the road, toward town, Michael reached over and took Vivie’s hand.
“There are so many things I want to tell you, darlin.”
“How are things in New York, Michael….truly?”
“There’s big trouble with the Westies, Vivie. And with Tommy.”
“What has happened, Michael?"
Michael told Vivie about the hijacking of the furs and Joseph’s order for him to take care of the men responsible. He related how it had gone down, with Tommy escaping him, and how now, there was a hit out on him.
“Jesus, Michael. Is there no end to the torment Tommy is capable of causing?”
“I blame myself. I’ve never let a hit go unfinished. I’ve always been able to follow through on a job. Tommy is like a sewer rat. He hides in places where no one will find him. I now have to find him and finish the job.”
“Michael, you cannot kill Tommy.”
“Why not? He deserves to die, Vivian.”
“Michael, listen to me. Rose has the same blood type as Tommy. It’s very rare. If anything should happen to Rose, Tommy may be the only person that could save her.”
“Do you really think that Tommy would give a rat’s ass about Rose? And would you be willing to confront him, to ask for his help, after all he’s done to you?”
“If it meant the life of Rose, then yes, I would whatever was necessary.”
“My sweet Vivie. You are still so naive.”
“Maybe I am, but Michael you have to promise me, you won’t harm Tommy. You don’t know how I hate to say those words, but Rose may need him someday.”
“Vivie, I cannot promise that one of Joseph‘s guys will not get to Tommy before I do. There is an out right war raging right now between Joseph’s family and the Westies. I will promise you that I will stay away from Tommy. I’m not sure how to handle this with Joseph, but I will think of something. You have to understand though, if it comes down to Tommy or me, it will have to be Tommy.”
“Michael, why not stay here, in Matewan, with Rose and I? Why do you have to go back to New York? We could start fresh, here, in West Virginia.”
Michael laughed, thinking of himself as a mountain man. “What do you suggest I do to earn a living? Do you think there’s much need for a hired killer in Matewan?”
“I don’t know what you will do for a living; I haven’t thought that far ahead. But, Michael, if we really want to be together, to have a life together, we will think of something.”
Michael pulled the car over and turned the engine off.
“Vivie, you know what I am. I don’t know how to do anything other than what I do. Do you realize what Joseph would do if I failed to return? The first place he would look is here. No, Vivie, I cannot stay in West Virginia, no matter how much I would like to be with you and help you raise Rose. The best I can do, for now, is help you financially, and I will visit as often as I can, but anything more is not possible.”
“I don’t want your money, Michael. I’m sorry I brought this up. I know Matewan is not the place for you. I just hate to think of you back in New York, the possibility of Tommy or one of the Westies killing you.”
“Are you forgetting who you are talking to, Mrs. O’Bannon? You just happened to be married to the best. You need not worry about my safety.”
Michael was trying to lighten Vivie’s mood by joking. Although she laughed, Michael could see that Vivie was near tears. How he wished things were different for them. If only they could be just Mr. and Mrs. Whoever, like they were in Vegas.
The week quickly passed and soon it was time for Michael to leave. Vivie had dreaded this day. How was she supposed to say goodbye to Michael? Would she ever see him again? Would Tommy find him and kill him? How would she ever know? Michael said his goodbyes to Mary and the kids and then Vivie walked him to his car.
“Michael, please take care of yourself. Will you call me when you get home, just to let me know you made it safely?”
“Will do, Mrs. O’Bannon. Vivie, please try not to worry about me. I will call you frequently and I’ll be back for another visit soon. I promise you. Take good care of our little Rose and don‘t forget to tell her that her Daddy loves her.”
As Michael took her in his arms, one last time, Vivie found it impossible to hold back her tears. Michael wiped the tears from her cheeks as he kissed her tenderly.
“I love you Vivie. Remember that. Always.”
“I love you too Michael. Drive safely. I will be waiting for your call.”
Vivie watched as Michael backed out of the driveway and started down the road. When she went back into the house, she walked over to Rose and picked her up, holding her close to her. As she picked up a blanket from the bassinet, she noticed something sticking out from under the little mattress. It was money. Vivie counted it. Ten thousand dollars. Michael was true to form. She thought of the many tips he had left her at the pub. Michael was determined that she and Rose were going to be taken care of.
“We will be together again, Michael. Even if it means Joseph must die.”
Vivie walked into the bedroom and opened the closet door. There on floor of the closet was the last present Luke had given her. A crossbow.
12.
SETTLING SCORES
It had been three months since Michael’s visit. Michael would call Vivie twice a week, just to let her know all was well. He also never failed to send her a check every week. Using a portion of the ten thousand, she purchased a car. Vivie was feeling more independent as each day passed. She also was devising a plan to return to New York. Vivie felt she had to go back; she had to face Joseph. How to do that without putting Michael in danger was the question. And then there was the Tommy factor. Ryan was also in her thoughts, or to be precise, how she would make him pay for what he did to Papa. Drawing on her time with Michael, Vivie knew she had to start compiling the tools she would need to accomplish her tasks. She had the crossbow that Luke had given her, but firearms were what she needed. Guns were easy to come by in Matewan. One of Luke’s best friends bought and sold guns; perhaps she should pay him a visit.
“Mama, I need to run to town, would you mind watching Rose for a bit?”
“Not at all. Why are you going into town?”
“I just need to get out of the house for a while. I thought I would go in and do some shopping. Is there anything that I can pick up for you while I’m out?”
“I don’t believe so, Vivie.”
“I shouldn’t be gone long. See you in a little while, Mama.”
Ronnie Miller lived just on the outskirts of town. Ronnie was a former coal miner but had to stop working when he was involved in a roof collapse. These days Ronnie walked with a cane and made his living selling and buying guns. Luke had told Vivie that Ronnie had any kind of gun a person would want. Vivie was counting on that.
“Well hello there, Miss Vivian. How have you and that little girl been doing? I haven’t seen you since our buddy passed.”
“Hello Ronnie. I’m doing well. Rose is growing like a weed. I’m sorry I haven’t been to see you before now, but you know how it is.”
“Sure do. What can I do ya for, Vivian?”
“I’m in the market for a couple guns, Ronnie. Think you can help me?”
“Now what’s a little gal like you wanting with a gun?”
“We have been having coyote problems at the house. I was thinking I should get a couple guns; one for me and for Liam.”
“Damn coyotes. They can be a real nuisance, that’s for sure. Well, let’s go back here and see what we can fix you up with. Luke told me what a good shot you are so I guess I don’t have to warn you about the dangers of firearms.”
“No, Luke taught me well.”
“Well, let’s see here, I have a .38 but that might be a little heavy for you. I have a real nice Smith & Wesson 9mm, semi-automatic. Here, see how this feels.” Ronnie handed the gun to Vivie.
Vivie held the gun out, aiming it at the d
oorway. “That feels just about right, Ronnie. What do you have in the way of shotguns?”
“Damn, Miss Vivian, you sure are serious about those old coyotes.” Ronnie laughed, but was wondering if Vivie was certain a shotgun was what she really wanted. “Well, lets see here….oh, this may be to your liking. This is a short barrel shotgun. Lot of people call em sawed off shotguns. Have to warn you though, it does pack a kick.”
Vivie took the gun from Ronnie and held it up.
“I’ll take it. This would be better for Liam, I think. And don’t worry, I’ll teach him how to use it.”
