Page 91 of Creed

That sight warmed my heart. Those two men were prisoners of war just a few short years prior. They went from malnourished and beaten men to strong, healthy, and living full lives because of what was offered on the lake. We changed their lives, and they saw this place as heaven, just like me, but I forgot to enjoy it somewhere along the way.

“Can I do dat?” Addie asked.

“Yes, but I think it’ll be a tube for now. You’ll have to ride with Auntie Morgan.”

“Today?” She looked back at me with huge excited eyes.

“Its probably too late today, but maybe tomorrow. I have one more day off and maybe we can do something fun.” Yeah, like I really had a day off. I had a half a mind to turn my phone off the next day.

She squealed and clapped her hands. “Yay!”

“We can ask Auntie Morgan here in a little bit. Speaking of Auntie Morgan, we better get cleaned up for dinner.”

I was right, when we made our way up to the house Morgan was setting the table. “It smells amazing.” I kissed her cheek. “What are we having?”

I wrapped my arms around her from behind and as unbelievable as it was, Addie went to the bathroom by herself.

“Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy with mixed vegetables and homemade yeast rolls.”

I rested my chin on her shoulder. “You amaze me.”

She giggled. “Why, because I enjoy cooking?”

“Because it seems to me there isn’t anything you can’t do. You can sing, dance and I do expect one of your private dances later, you’re an amazing actress, you can stand your own against an arrogant prick biker, bake a mean pie, make a little girl feel at home and safe.” I whispered the next one in her ear. “Give one hell of a blow job.” I chuckled when I noticed her cheek turn red. “Make any warm blooded male fall to your feet, and you are as tough as nails. Oh, and you’re making me fat.”

She laughed.

“Auntie Morgan! We’re going on a boat!” Addie came running in as she was still pulling her shorts up.

“A boat?” Morgan whispered.

I nodded as I tried not to laugh at Addie. She had her little rainbow underwear all bunched up over the bottom of her shirt and her shorts were rolled on the top. She pushed her glasses up and I swear I never saw such a cute kid in my life. The curly pigtails just topped it all off.

“The big guy day so.” She pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose again.

“Addie, did you wash your hands?” Morgan asked.

Addie tapped her chin as if she was contemplating telling the truth or lying. “Nope.”

Good girl.

“Come on, let me help you.” Morgan took her hand, and they walked away. I watched as Addie pulled a wedgie out of her little butt and laughed to myself as I shook my head. There was no way a cuter kid ever existed.

I finished setting the table and then my damn phone rang. “Yeah?” I answered.

“Its all over.” Axton said.

“What do you mean? What’s over?”

He sighed. “It was a pulmonary embolism. He died about a half hour ago.”

“Shit!”

“The parents of the girl want to wait. They think time and prayer may save her.” He sighed. “The doctors don’t think she has any chance of ever waking up. They’re running tests, but they think she could have little to no brain function.”

“What about McLaughlin’s next of kin?” I asked.

“He has a great aunt listed. She lives in…let me see.” He paused. “The mountains of West Virginia.”

---