Page 22 of My Darling Mayhem

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The social worker’soffice smelled like old carpet and burnt popcorn.

This was slightly better than the last time I’d been here when the air had an odd odor of feet.

“Mr. Green, do you have those pay stubs we discussed?” Iris, Kane’s social worker, looked down her nose at me like my neighbor did. Which only had me thinking about yesterday and how I’d told her off in the street. I had no regrets about what I said, but I didn’t miss the hint of red that had stung her cheeks afterward or how she’d wiped her eyes.

It seemed my little iron-hearted single mom had a weakness, after all.

“Yes, right here.” I pulled an envelope out, which contained the last six months of paystubs.

Iris started unfolding each one while entering information on her keyboard.

The sound of keys clacking filled the space while people around us engaged in phone calls and murmured conversations. Iris had frizzy blonde hair that she piled on top of her head, with pieces that she very clearly sprayed down with hairspray. Hereye makeup was dark purple, her eyeliner thick black, and her lipstick blue. I had absolutely no idea how old she was, but if I was thirty-five, she had to be somewhat close to it or older.

“So, you’re a freelance financial manager?” Her penciled brow lifted like she didn’t believe what she saw on the paystubs.

“I’m hired through E Trust, but it’s a smaller branch: Trust and Save Financial Management. They currently have three agents hired, and we handle anywhere from seven to ten clients. I oversee the other two agents, and my client list is only five clients, but they’re the top five of all our clients combined.”

Iris looked at me while adjusting her thin glasses. “That seems like an incredibly demanding job.”

I shrugged, feeling uncomfortable in my suit and tie. “It can be at times, but I’m salary, so my timetable is flexible, and I’ve yet to find a reason to ever require me to stay any longer than three in the afternoon. As soon as I leave for the day, the work waits for me to return the following morning. It allows me to have hobbies and, of course, be present at home.”

Iris stared, trying to find something else to say, but merely clicked her tongue.

“And you only work four days a week?”

I nodded, hoping she’d see the gap in time as a way for me to have more time with Kane if I were to have my brother full-time.

She clicked a few more keys, then glanced at me briefly before asking, “And describe what your weekends will look like if you gain custody of Kane.”

Easy. “He’s currently learning to ride his bike. We’ll go to parks when the weather is nice; when it’s not, we’ll be at home playing and relaxing. Depends on what’s going on. Or, if he wants to join a sport.”

Iris took off her glasses and set them aside. “And what about your motorcycle club? How will you balance your club’s needs with Kane in tow?”

“Well, he?—”

He what? He’d come with me? I couldn’t say that to a social worker. He’d stay home? Fuck.

I must have taken too long to respond because Iris sighed.

“We’re not yet, but we could be going up against a parental hearing. I just got a call from family services in New Jersey. There’s a petition that was just filed for Kane Green. This means another family member might be trying to contest you becoming Kane’s legal guardian. My guess is it’s Kane’s father. We will treat these sessions as though that were happening because it’s a worst-case scenario. You need an ironclad case. The court doesn’t care about what you did as a teenager or even in your early twenties. You’re an established adult with a home, a functioning vehicle, and a good job. Those are all wonderful things that would make a great guardian. However, you lead a motorcycle club, and if there’s a chance this other family member doesn’t, then you’re in trouble. While I think you would make a great choice, I don’t make the rules. When asked what you’ll do with your ward, the only correct answer revolves around being available for them. Kane is in kindergarten, so part of your weekend plans might revolve around practicing reading, writing, and anything that would help him progress in school.”

“Right, I just—” I started, but Iris started clicking on her keyboard again, ignoring whatever defense I was about to use.

“The judge won’t care for your excuses, so I won’t do you the disservice of entertaining them. Solidify your free time because this question will certainly be asked of you during the custody hearing. Talk to your lawyer about pushing the date. The longer you’ve been in that house and away from your club, the better it looks.”

My heart sank; even if I knew she was right, it felt like a knife had started carving into my back, cutting away at invisible wings. My club had always been my freedom, and no one saidI couldn’t return to it after a time, but I had no idea how I was supposed to balance being Kane’s legal guardian and the president of Mayhem Riot.

“And Mr. Green?”

My eyes flicked up.

“It would help if you had more support in your corner. A girlfriend, boyfriend…husband, or wife that would make the judge agree to temporary guardianship faster. It would make you look better if extra hands were in place to assist you caring for this child. If that’s not possible, then your only option is to make the appropriate plans regarding your club. Sadly, in this situation, I don’t see a way where you can keep both.”

My scoff had her jolting.

“What you’re talking about is community…I have that with my club. While I understand the stigma around motorcycle clubs, and while I completely agree it’s no place for a child, the people within the club are decent. Did you know one of my members is a doctor, another is a bank manager, and others volunteer with hospice? These men and women come together to form a community, and you’re telling me I should find that. I’m telling you I have, and it somehow makes me look worse to the courts?”

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