Page 80 of Red's Peril: Part 1

Then, I put my arms around Rosa, forcing her cheek to rest against my chest. “Cry, darlin’, let it out.”

She takes a shuddering breath but holds in her tears. “I need to stay strong for the boys.”

“Titch has got them. Just let it go, darlin’.”

She moves slightly, still connected but making a gap between us and stretches out her hand. “We…we sat there last night, watching TV. Brick looked pale, but I believed him when he told me everything was okay. He made me make popcorn, poured us both whisky, and we watched a film. He must have been in such pain, but he didn’t let on.”

That sounds like him. “He’d want you to remember him like that, Rosa. One last normal day.”

She raises her now tear-streaked face to me. “Do you think he knew?”

How could anyone know? “Darlin’, who knows? Do I think he knew it was his final day on earth? I’ve no idea. He knew it was coming though, he’d accepted it. Do I think he’d have wanted that last moment of normality, to give you pleasant memories to remember him by? Fuck yeah, that was Brick all over. Rosa, I know this is a fuckin’ nightmare for you, but you are going to get through.”

She does that shudder again. “I knew it was coming. I thought I was prepared. Now I’m lost and I don’t know what to do.”

“You’ll muddle through,” I tell her. “You’ll get up each day, putting one foot in front of the other. You’re a strong fuckin’ woman, Rosa. Brick knew he could depend on you.” I don’t tell her I wasn’t prepared either. However you can try and get ready to accept what’s coming, when it arrives, the reality of it’s a shock. I’d been through that with my dad.

“Mom? Can we take the Xbox?”

Rosa pulls away from me, wipes her eyes and gives me a sad smile. She turns toward the stairs and calls back, “Sure. Just choose a few games.”

Tom hesitates before going back to his room. He stares at his mom, then comes running over and throws himself into her arms.

“We’ll be okay,” she tells him, rocking him as though he was still a baby.

“Dad said we had to look after you.”

Rosa swallows a sob. “We’ll all look after each other.”

Tom takes her comfort for another moment, then with the resilience of children, pulls himself together. He shoots me a look, but can’t seem to find words, then turns and makes his way back upstairs.

A family torn apart, that’s what they are. My heart bleeds for them.

“When you’re back,” I tell Rosa, “come back to the club. There’ll always be space for you and the boys there. It’s what Brick wanted.”

She tries a small smile. “I know, he told me.” She closes her eyes for a moment, then visibly steels herself. “I’ve got stuff to do before we leave. I better get on with it.”

“Want Titch to drive you?”

She considers it for a moment, and I hope she accepts. She’s been through hell today, and I wouldn’t want her to break down while she’s behind the wheel.

“Do you think he would mind?”

I’m VP, I can instruct him if necessary, but I think he’ll help. As I recall, Brick’s parents live in Baker just under an hour and a half away. They have to be the grandparents she’s talking about, according to Brick, she’d not seen hers since they’d thrown her out.

I grimace realising they’ll have lost a son today. Christ, one death affects so many.

The boys come down the stairs, Titch laden with bags following behind them. Rosa starts fussing about packing a bag for herself, then remembers she’s got to tidy up the glasses and stuff from last night.

“Don’t worry, Rosa. I’ve got it.” I’ll get Sarge to come around and tidy the house, change the bed, wash the dishes, make it straight for when she comes home. Having been in the Army, he’s good with shit like that, and an ace at making things neat and tidy. Sure, it’s probably OCD, but we do make the most of it at times. Along with his PTSD, the man’s a walking acronym.

She doesn’t ask if I’m sure, just takes me at my word, just as she would as if Brick had spoken.

When she emerges from her room, trailing a suitcase in her hand, she nods at Titch who corals the boys and rushes them out.

“You call me, Red. Date and time, remember?”

“I’ll call and tell you, Rosa. I’ll speak to you, keep you up to date on the plans. We’ll give him the send-off he deserves.”

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