MC: LaPonte

by L. Ann Marie

  "Not liking riding in a truck when you're not 100%. My father died in a truck." He talks low.

  Fuck. I get out and look for VP. Everyone is watching me. "Rob's father died in a truck."

  "Fuck!" He gets off his bike and looks around. He pulls his phone and dials. Need you in the truck with Danny. Rob will wait for you. Monitor from the fuckin truck!" He hangs up. “Geek will switch places.”

  I jog back and climb back in. "Geek will ride with me. You’re in VP's truck meeting us at the airport. I need to park on the left or in an open lot. Make that happen for me."

  "Fuck, thanks Brother. I didn't know this would hit me so hard." He lets his breath out and climbs down. Geek climbs in with his laptop.

  I release the brakes and start inching forward. Tiny pulls out with two bikes, three follow me. "Distance isn't working for me. When the back tires reach the corner you need to tell me so I know to end the turn. I see very little on the right, the bikes will keep me clear but people are fuckin nuts, watch that for me."

  "We're on back roads, not many turns or intersections. I got your back Brother. Tires on the corner."

  Tiny keeps an easy route. The bikes are keeping me clear. Geek is monitoring and watching my right. It's an easy ride and I relax enjoying the driving, even if it is with help. We get to the airport, I see Rob at the back of the lot. Thank Fuck. I pull in on the side of him, pull the air brake and let out a breath.

  "You did fine Brother." Geeks says as sirens sound, cars and trucks surround the truck and bikes. "Fuckin hell." He dials his phone. "ATF surrounding us. I already hit Hammer." He's typing as he talks.

  My door is opened, I'm asked to step out and open the back. I step down telling the agent I don't have a key. He asks for my log. I tell him it's in the truck. He yells for Geek to come out the driver’s door with the log. Fuckin Geek laughs.

  "Right away officer. I got the log right here. Do you have a warrant to search this truck?" He asks as if he's Santa with a big fuckin smile chuckling the whole time. Fuckin guy, I hold my face and laugh. He holds the log out of reach.

  "What's in the truck?" The agent asks.

  "Where's your warrant?" Geek asks.

  "It will be here." The agent spits out.

  "In that case, we got shit to do. Unless you have cause to be annoying us, we got shit to do that has nothing to do with standing here talking to you." He climbs back into the truck, locks up and climbs down with his laptop. He walks over to VP's truck and puts the laptop on the bed. I walk over and look at what he's doing. The agent stands beside me. I can't help but laugh, I bend holding my face again. It's going to be one of those fuckin days. He's got the video feed of the parking lot. "Just keeping watch, you know, keeping the agents honest."

  I look over at Tiny, the Brothers are standing watching the agents. I yell over, "Let's Roll Tiny." He looks over at us and nods. He swings his finger in the air. The brothers climb on their bikes and roll out. I hop in the truck with Rob and Geek. Rob drives us back to the clubhouse. Fuck that was close. I put my head back and try to relax, so fuckin happy they didn’t ask for my license.

  "How'd you do Danny?" Rob asks as we're pulling in the lot. The bikes follow.

  "He drove like a fuckin trucker. No cops, no casualties." Geek tells him. I couldn't see a fuckin thing on the right but I keep my mouth shut. We pile out and walk through the doors. A fuckin cheer goes up.

  Tiny slaps my back, "nice driving Danny."

  Pres, Doc and Casper are here. All that's left is VP's crew. I look at Geek. "Where's VP?"

  "Relax Brother; he's the one you never have to worry about. He's on his way, give them ten minutes." He smiles and slaps my back. “Nice fuckin driving Brother.”

  I head to the bar, I need a fuckin drink. I get a beer and sit so the wall is on my right. Luke comes up and asks if I want to go one for old times’ sake. Fuckin Brother pisses me off. "Sorry Luke, I'm taken."

  "Brother she's pregnant. You can get some sweet pussy without the stomach." He tries again.

  "Fuckin taken. The lowest thing a man can do is fuck around on his pregnant woman. You think she got that way on her own? My fuckin kid is what's in that stomach. I put him there. I don't cheat. Whatever we did is over. You want to talk about your day I’m there but I’m done fuckin around." He walks away shaking his head.

  Patches comes over. "Brother heard you drove a rig today." I nod. "Fuck, that couldn't have been easy. I'm glad you made it back."

  I smile, "Me too." He laughs. I watch the Brothers, everyone is in good spirits. Rob is sitting by himself. I nod to Patches telling him I'll be right back and go over to him. "You doin ok?" I ask.

  He looks around, "Feeling like I let the Brothers down."

  "I told VP your father died in a truck, he didn't ask not one single question. He called Geek and told him to ride in the truck. Geek wasn't told why. You know VP, he isn't talking about this. Let it go Rob. I was High Security when I first got my cut now I’m a Building Super. Everyone does their part that’s what makes it all work. You did your part. That's what was needed. That's what you did." He finally looks at me.

  "Thanks Danny. I'm so fuckin glad it was you in the truck." He looks away.

  "Don't sweat this Rob, grab a beer and be happy we did what needed to be done." I slap his back and go back to Patches.

  VP walks in with his crew. A cheer goes up. He scans the room and stops at me. I lift my beer to him, he lifts his chin. He continues to scan until he sees Pres walking toward him. He says something and Pres laughs. "Brothers, grab a drink, go home, do whatever the fuck you want knowing we did what needed to be done. Hammer and his crew are home safe and sound. Thank you for playing your part Brothers. It took all of us to get it done."

  I look at Rob and lift my chin as I'm walking out the door.

  Chapter Twenty Five

  One month…

  Just getting back from Kate's doctor appointment, I get a call about the solar panels at the Bakery. Shit. I drive to the Bakery with a smile. I'm so happy, my boy and Kate are both doing fine. Kate is excited it’s a boy. I can't wait to tell Rich, he's always wanted a brother. I was hoping for some time this morning to take it all in. I have a plan building in my head for the crib. I chuckle. I have months, what the fuck is my hurry?

  Walking in I see Peg. "He's on the roof." I nod and go back out and around the building.

  The guy is at his truck. "You Danny?" I nod and give him my hand. He shakes, telling me he's John. "The roof has room for two more panels. Do you want me to add them?"

  "What about the weight, I don't want the roof caving in the middle of winter."

  He smiles, “Baxter's are taking care of you, these are the new panels. They are cheaper, produce more and are light weight. Your eight panels weigh less than two of the old."

  "You're fuckin kidding me." I look at the panels. He tells me to lift one. It is fuckin light. "Add the two." He smiles and nods. "Leave the bill for all the buildings with Peg at the register. Thanks for checking on that.” He nods again.

  I get a coffee and head to the shelter houses on the other side of town. We have a roof going on two but the other two are occupied. I pop in just to make sure the Brothers aren't doing anything that would fuck with the clients inside the occupied houses. When I get there two Brothers are eating ice cream with two kids. I smile at the picture they make. I walk toward them, the boys are scared. "Doug, did you get me one?"

  Doug smile, "Brother, Brian ate it. I told him to save it for you but he couldn't resist."

  "That so?" I look at the boys. "Is it really that good?" The little guy nods, the older one looks terrified.

  "Tomorrow, I get the ice cream and Brian will get to watch me eat it." I say with a smile and ruffle little guys head.

  "We get ice cream tomorrow too?" Little guy asks.

  "Absolutely. I'll be here at one with ice cream. I need to know how many I need, you going to be here?" I watch him smiling.

  He smiles, nodding like crazy. "My brothers
too?"

  "How many? You can't count Brian, he ate mine today."

  "Darren is hurt he can't come out, my mom likes ice cream. Can you bring one for her too?" He has tears in his eyes. The bigger guy holds his hand.

  "Tell you what, how about I get all the stuff for banana splits and you can make as many as you want for dessert tonight. But you can't share with Brian." I give Brian a dirty look. He hides his smile.

  "Thanks mister. You a pirate?" Brian and Doug crack up.

  I squat down for him. He stuffs the last of his cone in his mouth making me smile. Moving closer he touches my face at the scar . "Nope, I'm just Danny, I had an accident and it broke my eye. I wear the patch ‘cause it's ugly and I don't want to scare small children."

  He nods pulling his hand back. "I'm a big boy. I'm not scared. Darren's ears broked that's why dads always mad. It's not Darren's fault, God made him with broked ears so we learn to be nice to everyone. It don't matter if you're broke." His brother takes a step and touches my scar.

  Fuckin hell. I look up at the guys, they freeze watching. "I think you're right. A wise little man gave me some advice when I first had my accident. He said, 'some people have scars on the inside where you can't see them, some on the outside where you can. No matter where the scars are, they make you stronger.' I think that's true. Everybody has scars, so if you're good to everyone you're helping make them stronger."

  The older boy opens his mouth, "we, www, we help mommy and DD, Ddddaaaa, Darren all the ttt, ttt,tttime."

  "Then you must be pretty strong little men. When you build up strong in other people, you don't even know it, but it's building strong in you too." We all look over at the banging at the house.

  The older boy runs. Little guy grabs for my hand. Brian says, “fuck, I'll be right back." I give him money to get banana split stuff with every topping they have. He moves toward his truck and I see the boy on the porch. Fuckin grown man beat this boy. I let little guy pull me over.

  Darren looks scared. His face is bruised, he has a bandage on his arm. Fuck, I hope I get this right. I let little guys hand go and sign 'hi Darren' working my fingers slow. He smiles and signs so fast I don't understand. I hold my face and laugh. I use my other hand telling him 'slow'. He nods still smiling. I tell him my friend went to get ice cream for him. He thanks me.

  "We can't talk with our hands; dad said we have to talk reglar." Little guy says.

  I look at him trying to think of the words I know. I sign and talk, "Darren's scars are inside. If you help, you get stronger too. It helps him if you can talk to him. It makes him stronger so he can live like everyone else." I'm watching Darren hoping I did it right. He smiles and makes a noise as he signs, 'I'm going to teach them, mom says I can now.’ Fuckin father kept him alone in the middle of his fuckin family.

  "That will make all of you stronger, good job Darren." I say and sign knowing I got it right. He stands straighter and smiles. I wonder where their mom is. They shouldn't be outside. I ask, "Where is your mom?" Darren answers with a frown, 'sleeping, she can't wake up.' Fuck. I nod at him pulling my phone I turn toward the road.

  "Babe, I'm at one of the shelter houses. Three boys, one deaf. They’re outside, say mom is sleeping and can't wake up. Can I go in?"

  "Yeah, I'm at security with Doc. We'll be right over."

  "Can you take me to see your mom?" I sign 'can I see mom'. Darren opens the door and limps in. Fuckin hell.

  At the bedroom Darren stops. I talk as I'm walking, "mam, my name is Danny. Your boys are worried, I'm just checking to make sure you're alright." She doesn't move. Fuck. I reach down and move the blanket. Fuck she's bruised on the side I can see, her face, shoulder and arm." I watch for her breathing. She's breathing. I squat down and touch her shoulder. "Mam, I'm Danny, can you hear me." No reaction. I look at the boys and ask them to open the door for my wife and Doc. Darren stays in the doorway. I'm careful to hold the blanket shielding his view but lifting to see if there's something obviously wrong. I drop the blanket, there's fucking blood all over the bed. I look up feeling sick but trying to blank my face. We've been outside all this time while she was fuckin bleeding in here.

  I hear the commotion coming down the hall. Doc runs in, I turn and tell him about the blood telling him to watch he doesn't say anything in front of Darren, he can probably read lips. He nods. Kate comes to the door. "I have the boys at the tv." She puts her hand on Darren. He makes a noise and shrinks away.

  "I got him K, help Doc." I move to Darren signing 'Doc and my wife will help mom.' He nods. I sign 'TV, brothers.' He nods and we walk down the hall. Brian is at the door with three bags. The boys run over helping him.

  We unload the bags, Brian helps them make banana splits. I give them small bowls not wanting them bouncing off the walls. The boys wait for Darren to get his made. I smile as I'm walking out.

  Kate meets me in the hall. "She's bleeding internally. Doc's got an ambulance on the way. I need to get someone with the boys."

  I'm thinking that was a lot of fuckin blood outside, what the fuck is happening inside. "They need to sign." I tell her.

  "We don't have anyone that signs."

  "Can they stay with me? I'll take them home and feed them." That boy doesn't need to be kept isolated.

  "I didn't know you could sign. Because of insurance, we’ll need to keep them in a shelter house. How about you bring them to my house? It's set up with things for them to do and it's closer to home." I nod.

  "I have to meet someone at the office anyway. That will work. Can you get me food brought in? I'll take them to the diner for dinner."

  With that big fuckin smile she says, "Yeah." The EMT's knock. Thank God they didn't use the siren. "Thank you honey. Keep the boys in the kitchen for me. I love you." She gives me a quick kiss and goes to the bedroom.

  When I turn Darren is standing there, his eyes are huge, filled with unshed tears. I bend to him, 'Doc take mom to fix up at hospital.' He looks in my eye, fuck he's scared. 'You stay with me, go to work, then we check mom'. He nods still scared. I ruffle his hair. 'Doc leaves you get bag clothes one day, one night.' He signs 'yes I pack for brothers.' I smile, "thank you." I turn him back to the kitchen hearing the gurney coming down the hall. Kate tells me she's riding along and she'll call me.

  Doc comes into the kitchen. "I'll meet Kate at the hospital when she calls. She says they should move to her old house. I called Tiny; Prospects are on their way to get them moved. Are you ok with them?"

  "Yeah, we'll be fine." I tell him. Darren stands on the side of me and asks Doc about his mom. "He's asking about his mom."

  Doc looks back and forth between us. "You understand him?" I nod. He looks at Darren. "She is very sick. I'm going to the hospital to make sure the doctor fixes her fast so she can come back to you." Darren frowns and looks at me. I squat down and sign it to him. Well most of what I can remember. He nods with a small smile signing, 'thank you.' I tell him I have friends coming to move their stuff. They will bring it to a house that's closer to mine and my wife will bring their mom to them in the new house when the doctors fix her up. He nods signing, 'no pack." I sign it back smiling. He nods.

  Doc asks, "What did you say?"

  "I told him what you said. Told him my friends are coming to move their stuff and Kate will bring their mom when the doctors fix her." I look at the boys talking with Brian. Fuckin father. My phone goes off. I answer and look at Doc. "I need to go." I look at Brian. "Can you find the seat for little guy here, I need it in my truck." I corral the boys into the bathroom lining them up. I wash them in line. They think this is funny as hell. Maybe the second ice cream wasn't such a good idea. I smile as we get them in the truck. "We can't go any further until you tell me your names." Brian laughs.

  Little guy talks for all of them. "That's Darren, he's Victor and I'm Aaron."

  "Ok Darren, Victor and Aaron. I'm Danny, we have some work to do, people to meet and friends to visit. Are you ready to get started?" I sign, almost all of it while talki
ng. The little guys scream yeah, Darren nods with a smile. Doc and Brian laugh. I turn around, "fuckin ice cream." They laugh harder.

  Meeting John at the Women's Center I agree to add more panels to this building and all the others that have the room. He tells me this will change the amount of power generated and he can have Baxter's Engineer rework the numbers for me. We walk across the street to the Bakery. I introduce my new friends to Peg. She gives them a water to take with us and promises to box up some breakfast for tomorrow morning. Darren smiles when I tell him, he asks for muffins. I tell Peg, she asks me how to say yes and signs yes to him making him laugh. It's a funny sound but we understand what it is by the huge smile he's wearing. I drive us all over to Jess'. While the boys are playing with Jessie and Little Ben, Kate calls. Their mom has to spend the night. She lost a lot of blood and they need to monitor her. I ask if we can bring the boys after dinner. She'll find out and meet me at the diner at six.

  Little Ben pulls on my belt. "Teach me to say friend. Uncle Danny." I squat down and show him. He tries it out. I show him again moving his hand with him. He does it by himself and smiles. He goes to Darren and signs friend. Darren smiles and signs yes. Jessie looks at me. "He said yes." Jessie signs yes. The boys sit in a circle and Darren tries to teach them words. Jess watches holding Elizabeth with tears in her eyes. I give the boys the words as Darren signs. Aaron picks everything up quickly. I'm wondering if Darren has taught him this before.

  Steve and Ben pull in. Steve takes Elizabeth and watches the boys. Ben sits on the side of me. I tell them water and they all follow Darren's motions. Ben laughs, "I didn't know you signed."

  I nod. "Boy on Rich's baseball team was deaf." I keep giving them the words and they keep signing.

  Jessie tells Darren to stop. "We have to practice so we know it. Then we can do more." Darren signs 'ok'. I don't tell them what he said; it's something he showed them earlier. Jessie surprises Ben, "ok." He signs and says back. I laugh. "Uncle Danny can you say a word and we'll move our fingers for it?" I hold my hand to my face and laugh.