Page 165 of 12 Months of Mayhem

The boy looks excitedly at his dad, while the older man runs his hands through his hair.

“I can take you up on the breakfast, ma’am, but my truck broke and we ain’t got a way into town. Appreciate the offer though.”

Grace looks up at me and, yeah, she doesn’t have to say a word.

“Look, go grab your wife, daughters, and all your shit. I’ll run into town, grab one of our vans, and we’ll meet back here. We can eat breakfast then your family can take a minute to warm up and maybe even clean up a bit. No, not that you have to, but I always feel better after a hot shower. That’s the least we can do. Once we get to the clubhouse, I’ll talk to my president as we own a few apartment buildings, let me see if any are empty. If so, if you like, we can put ya up for a bit ‘til you get back on your feet. I’ll have one of the prospects come back with ya tomorrow and tow your truck into town so someone can take a look at it. No, no charge. This is what my club does. Oh, I’m Stitch, by the way, and this beauty next to me is my ol’ lady, Grace.”

As introductions are made, my soul lifts because this is what life is about. Treatin’ others the way you want to be treated. I grew up beyond rough and was abused by my own family and swore I’d never treat another human being like that. Grace clasps my hand as Thoran and Peter turn to go grab their shit and women. We walk hand in hand into the cabin, where Grace stands on her toes, giving me a gentle kiss.

“Thank you, Francis. You never cease to amaze me. Let me see what I have for breakfast since we have a few guests. Might want to put a call out to Brick so he’s aware, and he can tell Emmie about the additional guests.”

Damn, I’m blessed, I think as I go to the screen porch and grab my cell. Poor Brick, he’s gonna have to break it to his ol’ lady that, yeah, I invited even more folks to the dinner. Oh well, the women have been cooking for days, I’m sure we’ll have enough.

****

By the time the homeless family made it back to the cabin, warmed up, had breakfast, and took some showers, we were late heading back to town. Grace shared some clothes with Martha, Thoran’s wife, and even had some clothes for the two girls from a donation she was planning on for the shelter. Peter and Damien were close in size so that worked, and I gave some jeans and a few flannels and sweatshirts to Thoran. They all seemed to be amazed at what we were doing, which I know made my Grace happy. Brick already told me we have a few empty apartments, so he was gonna offer one to the family if Thoran would do some of the chores around the building in return. To me a win-win. We’ll see. Thank God I grabbed our largest passenger van as Thoran is beside me, with Martha and Grace in the middle bench seat with Joey between them. The four kids are split between the last two rows, squeezed in together with the food we’re bringing. My headache is gone and all I can hear is that deer thanking me, it’s almost like it heard Emmie’s request we all come prepared. Shaking my head, I glance in the rearview mirror to see Grace watching me, a small smile on her face. I grin back and pay attention to where I’m going, as we have precious cargo in this beast of a van. I mention to the family about Emmie’s request and Thoran starts to chuckle. I look to him and he explains.

“Funny, Martha does the exact same thing every holiday. No matter how bad it gets, she finds something to be grateful for. We’ll have our thoughts together by then, and thanks, Francis, for the heads-up. Kids, did you hear that, one thing you’re thankful for, okay?”

They all shout out, “Yeah.” As we get closer to the clubhouse, I can’t believe how excited I am. Usually I’m not the people person, some of my brothers are but today seems different. We’ll see.

CHAPTER SEVEN

EMMIE-Ol’ Lady to Brick

My God, how many people are coming? Looking around, I’m glad it’s more of an open concept because the door keeps opening and more folks make their way in. Brick had Bullet and Dingo drag the propane heaters out to put in the outdoor patio and kitchen area. Also, the firepit is blazing, as are the two solo burners the club has. So there are folks inside and out, plus, a few in the front of the building—off to the side—where the small little kid park is. Dingo had just come in to tell me he put another propane heater there, in case kids are playing over there. He told me it’s not super cold but more on the chilly side. Abby, Cathy, and Odina are in the kitchen right now, as I’m going around making sure the snacks are filled and no one needs anything. Wild is manning the bar at the moment, having a blast making Shirley Temples for the little kids. Talon and Rogue are walking around pissed ‘cause Abby told them absolutely not, they are not drinking beer today. Fury even had to take the two of them outside to have a word with them. The younger women are in the process of setting up the buffet area. That was Spitfire’s idea and, as usual, it’s perfection. Right now she has Tiny’s twin girls, Savannah and Adelaide, along with Iron’s girl, Everly, following her around, helping her set up. Apparently Tiny and Sweet Pea are on a break again, so she’s off in the corner pouting. They need to, as Mike says, shit or get off the pot. Those two girls need a stable life.

Celee and Joy are helping Wild with getting drinks to everyone as they fill pitchers with soda, juice, and water. If adults want alcoholic beverages, they need to go to the bar themselves to get them. Some of the women from town are off in the far corner setting up and arranging all the desserts, which there are way too many of. Mike was right, I made way too many pies. My three precious angels are off to the side in a huge Pack ‘n Play, right by their daddy. I’m waiting on Grace and Stitch to get here before we start the festivities. I’m a nervous wreck for some reason and feel a bit sick to my stomach. I walk over to Wild and ask for a Seven-Up. He quickly fills a large plastic cup with ice, pours in my soda, and puts a lid on the travel mug for me. I thank him, then start to drink it down because I feel dehydrated. Looking around, I decide to step outside for a quick second to try and cool off. I look to where the kids are and figure Mike has them, so I quietly make my way outside and sit on the bench next to Bad Dog, who’s scowling. Oh great, just what I need, his grouchiness, today of all days.

“You okay, Bad Dog?”

“Yeah, I guess, Emmie. I’m waitin’ to speak to Beast but every time I approach, he’s either busy or ignores me, and it’s pissin’ me off. Pardon the language.”

I laugh because he seems to have forgotten who my ol’ man is. Mike swears like the mixture of a truck driver and a sailor. I put my hand on his leg, which has him stop jerking and he looks down at me.

“Go in there right now, grab Beast by the arm, and pull him out back. Then ask for Odina’s hand, and that way you can ask after dinner. That’s your plan, right?”

His face goes white as his mouth falls open into a perfect ‘O.’

“How in the ever-lovin’ fuck did you figure that out from me sayin’ the man won’t talk to me? Do you think he’ll say yes? Odina won’t accept if Beast isn’t on board. As you know, him and me don’t have a great relationship. Damn it, should have just taken her to Vegas and eloped, for Christ’s sake.”

As I try to calm him down, I see the huge van pulling in across the way. Thank God Grace and Stitch are here, maybe Stitch can calm down Bad Dog and help him out. As they approach, with some strangers behind them, I can see Stitch reading the situation. When he’s close, he tells Bad Dog to follow him, which the older man does. Grace leans down with Joey strapped to her chest to give me a kiss. Damien steps forward with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

“Hey, Auntie Emmie, these are for you from Joey and me. Thanks for all the hard work you did. I just know it’s gonna be perfect.”

I feel the tears filling my eyes as he takes off to find his buddies inside. Grace introduces me to the family they brought along, and I can just see the hunger and desperation in their eyes, so I do what I do best. I delegate some things so they not only feel welcome, but as if they are helping out. Once they all head inside, I turn to Grace, who’s watching me closely. Damn her, she’s almost as bad as Stitch.

“What, Grace? Something on my face?”

She smiles and touches my shoulder.

“How far along are you, Emmie?”

I almost fall off the bench. I’ve told no one and only had one doctor visit, and she was at a CE training class in the next town. I feel my eyes filling up and she immediately sits next to me, pulling me close.

“How did you know?”

“Damn it, Emmie, that’s what I do, come on. Why are you so upset, this is what you wanted, right?”

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