Page 41 of Stone

Stick with me, and I’ll make you happy. I swear it.

Yours always,

John.

Since John had left for boot camp, my world had grown a little darker, though the frequent letters helped.

Before he left, he promised he’d call me daily, but I hadn’t spoken to him at all. John’s recruiter had lied to him, because it wasn’t until he got there that my guy discovered he could only make one call home on his first night, and he owed that to his folks.

Instead, John sent a letter to me every few days. Honestly, I found I preferred it, because it meant I could keep his words with me wherever I went. A call would be over in a matter of minutes, but a letter would last a lifetime.

John told me about everything his days entailed, about his friends and even the drill instructors. At first, his words were tinged with regret, but after a few weeks, their tone became lighter, which was a huge relief. I may have felt like I’d lost a limb, but at least I had our family and friends around me, whereas Stone was alone.

Even though college was full-on, and I worked at my dad’s store on Saturdays, I still made time to visit Constance. For example, that morning, I’d seen her at church and gone back to John’s house with her for a catch-up.

I always felt a little closer to John when I spent time around his mom. Connie would tell me stories about all the trouble Stone got into growing up around the clubhouse. I’d lean my elbow on the kitchen table with my hand cupping my jaw, enthralled by every word she spoke.

“He was a little shit without even knowing,” Constance mused, a small smile playing around her lips. “Do you remember Pastor Hinkley?” she asked.

“No, I was too young, but I’ve heard him mentioned. He lived here with his wife and two sons, didn't he?”

Connie nodded. “John was friends with their younger boy. They were inseparable for years. Two worlds collided there. Can you imagine Bandit’s boy hanging around with the clergy’s son?” She looked at me deadpan. “A few months before they moved up to Big Horn, John was playing at Paul’s house with the new football Bandit bought him for his fifth birthday. My boy loved that ball, it was the first thing he ever asked for and got. Everything was fine until their dog got a hold of the ball and burst it.”

“Oh no!” I exclaimed. “What did John do? Did he cry?”

“He did for a minute,” Connie replied. “Then he went straight up to Pastor Hinkley, kicked his shin, and told him his dog was a fucking little devil bastard.” She pursed her lips. “I couldn’t show my face at Sunday service for weeks.”

I laughed just as Bandit strolled into the kitchen, heading for the fridge. “D’ya remember when the little fucker covered two-thirds of his body in green paint ‘cause he wanted to be just like the Incredible Hulk?”

My mouth fell open. “He didn’t?”

“Yep,” he muttered, grabbing a bottle of beer and opening it. “Thought he was simple for a while, the weird little fucker.” Bandit rolled his eyes and took a long swig.

“Don!” Constance berated. “Don’t talk about our son like that.”

“Hewasa weird little fucker,” Bandit retorted, shaking his head exasperatedly as he turned to me. “He gets it from his mother’s side. Her brother’s a strange little bastard, too.”

Connie cocked an eyebrow. “Carry on with your bullshit, and that chili bubbling away on the stove will get poured down the waste disposal.”

Bandit sauntered across the room, hauled his wife from her seat and laid a big, sloppy kiss on her mouth. “You know I think the world of your Charlie.” He nuzzled her cheek. “Even if he is a bit slow.”

Constance rolled her eyes. “You’re such an asshole.”

“Yep,” Bandit agreed. “And you wouldn’t have me any other way.”

Connie giggled like a schoolgirl, rolling up on her toes and kissing his cheek.

My heart swelled watching them.

I hoped John and I would be as happy as his parents were after thirty years of marriage. Their love for each other was beautiful and epic. My parents got along just fine, but their relationship was nothing like Bandit and Connie’s. John’s parents couldn’t be in the same room without touching each other in some way, and their banter was legendary.

Even though some townsfolk looked down on John because he was raised around bikers, I thought he was the luckiest kid in the world. He grew up in a house full of affection and with a dad who showed him the perfect way to love a woman. It meant John would love me perfectly too, and in years to come, our boys would love their wives the same way.

It was a beautiful legacy to leave.

My gaze fell on the wall clock, and my heart sunk inside my chest. “I have to go home. Dad invited Mayor Henderson to dinner, and I promised I’d be home in time.” I sighed, getting to my feet.

Bandit smirked. “Tell Bert I said hi. Remind him about our appointment on Monday.” He touched his finger to his head in a salute and made for the door. “Be back in an hour for that chili, Queenie,” he called over his shoulder before disappearing.

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