Page 7 of Creed

I pulled my credit card from my purse. “Here, let me settle that tab for her.”

She groaned. “I didn’t tell you this to get money out of you. It’s not your responsibility, and you should let Callie square up with me. I’m not all that angry, only because I know she’s trying her hardest to make ends meet. This is more Shane’s debt than Callie’s.” She pushed the card back toward me.

“No, let me take care of it so that Callie can get the things she needs. I’d maybe not allow her a tab anymore. In fact, from now on put whatever she needs on my credit card. Keep it on file, but just not the beer and cigarettes for Shane.” I pushed the card back toward her, but turned to look outside when I heard a large rumble of engines.

I turned back and looked at Mrs. Hoffman who was smiling as the motorcycles parked in front of the store.

“Who are these guys?” From what I could tell they were a motorcycle gang, so I was curious why she’d be smiling.

“As far as I’m concerned, they’re angels. They live at the lake, and they’ve been a blessing to this community. Ask yourmother, they have started an entire foundation that helps the old veterans in the nursing home, and they do quite a bit of community service. They rode into town a few years ago with that Magnus boy and they’ve been a true blessing.”

I remembered my mom telling me a similar story, but her version didn’t include community service or Josh Magnus.

“Magnus boy? You mean Josh Magnus? The guy that was accused of raping Deanna Hall?”

Mrs. Hoffman raised a brow. “Accused is the keyword there, Morgan. He never raped that girl. She ran out of town with her tail between her legs after she admitted she used it as an excuse when she was pregnant with another boy’s baby, but it was too late for that young man. His father made him join the Army, thinking it would make him look better for the judge and jury during his trial. Its too bad she didn’t tell the truth before he signed up and was shipped off to basic training then off to the war. He had a full ride scholarship to Ball State for hockey and he lost his entire future because of her. Not to mention the busy body women in this town that can’t quite accept his innocence. His mother died a few years ago, and he showed up not too long before that with this group of men. They have a thriving motorcycle business.”

The last thing I needed was a motorcycle gang recognizing me. Mrs. Hoffman must have noticed my discomfort because she reached up to a shelf and handed me a ball cap she had for sale. “Not that it’s necessary, but I can see you’re uncomfortable. Here take these.” She also handed me a pair of mirrored sunglasses.

“Thank you, please put them on my card.” I pulled the ball cap down to hopefully cover my eyes, which were my most recognizable feature. As she made a copy of my card then ranit through her machine, I patiently waited. Being recognized by townspeople was one thing, but a motorcycle gang was a completely different thing. In LA, motorcycle gangs were not good news, and I couldn’t imagine them being any better in Indiana.

I jumped a little when the little bell over the door rang and I heard deep voices and heavy footsteps.

“Seat yourselves, boys, I’ll be right with you.” Mrs. Hoffman said. I listened as the heavy footsteps made their way to the small dining room and I could also feel their eyes on me. It was the second time the bell rang, and I heard another set of heavy boots when the hair on the back of my neck stood up and a chill ran up my spine. I pulled the bill of my hat down and silently cursed Mrs. Hoffman for taking so long.

“Creed, darling I wasn’t expecting you today.” Mrs. Hoffman’s eyes were lit up and she was smiling wider than ever. The man was standing directly behind me, and I caught a familiar scent.

“It was just a quick trip, got back yesterday. Any news from New York?” He asked.

“We have a little while longer, but thanks for asking. How is the benefit for Lance Smith coming along?” She tore my receipt from the machine and slid it toward me, then slid a copy of my card toward me with a pen to sign off on future charges. I quickly signed it, and she gave me a wink with a smile before I quickly slipped on the sunglasses and turned to walk out.

Impatience

Morgan

I paced my room, trying to think of how to find Callie and Addie. A call to Shane’s parents resulted in his dad answering and offering me anal sex, so that call wouldn’t be happening again. His dad was as bad or worse than Shane and I should have known better than to call him. Mom called me down for dinner and I stopped in my tracks when I saw the last person I wanted to see.

“I wasn’t expecting you, Uncle Darren.”

He stood next to my father as they both glared down at me with their huge arms crossed. “I told you to stay away from that trailer park.” Dad growled.

I put my hands on my hips. “Nobody else wants to help me!” I looked at my uncle. “I’ve called you how many times? Something is wrong and if you two won’t help me, then it all lands on my shoulders.”

My uncle narrowed his eyes at me. “You turned in eight families to child services today, so yes, you have my attention. I had to send an officer to every one of those homes with a socialworker. You used up resources because children were playing outside?”

I shrugged. “They were too young to play unsupervised.”

They looked at each other then at me. Dad shook his head. “You must think the county has endless supplies of loving families to take each of those children. They don’t, and foster care is no picnic. When social services arrived, those children were in their homes with their parents.”

I looked down at my feet. “But what about the meth?”

“Meth, what meth?” Uncle Darren sounded alarmed.

“The meth dad said is made in the trailer park.” I was still looking down at my feet.

“Me? I never said meth was in that trailer park. I said meth is more of a problem than crack in these parts.” Dad defended himself.

I looked up at my uncle that happened to look just like my dad. They were both tall and very muscular. They always reminded me of Hans and Franz from Saturday Night Live when they stood together that way. “That doesn’t matter anymore, let’s talk about Callie and Addie.”

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