Page 101 of Duke

“Not if it’s a cash deal,” he answers sitting down.

“What am I supposed to do now?” I ask more to myself than to them.

“Go make babies with your man,” Meat jokes.

I raise my eyebrow, biting a fingernail. “It didn’t end so good. I treated him bad, and he didn’t deserve it.”

“What you need is a grand gesture. You now go big or go home. Show up in a raincoat wearing a teddy underneath or some shit.”

“Yeah, okay. I’m not taking romantic advice from you,” I laugh, noticing even Pops is trying not to smile. I haven’t seen him smile in months.

“But you are right. He’s done too much for me. I need to show him… god. I don’t know how.”

“Yes, you do.”

I gasp in shock at how clear Pops said the words.

“There’s more Shanna. Pops is on a waiting list for a spot in a home in Ashland that’s only an hour north of here. It has 24-hour care. It’s like a glorified retirement home. It has a pool, spa, and dance hall. There’s a lot of shit to do. You can afford it now. The MC goes through Ashland on their runs up to Canada. He’ll have visitors weekly.”

“Well, the two of you have certainly been busy when I’m not home. You’ve thought of everything. But Pops, please don’t sell this place. It’s too much change for me at once.”

He places his large hand on top of mine. And for once I cry, letting the tears I normally hide, fall in front of the two men who raised me.

Meat comes over, hugging me from behind. “Our time with you is up baby girl. We did the best we could. It’s Duke’s turn to love you now.”

Three weeks later, I showed up in the dead of night on Duke’s doorstep in the rain with Pops’ truck packed with all my things.

He opened the door, holding his arms wide.

We needed no words.

I was home.

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