Page 45 of Restless
“What the fuck that mean, Megan? Ain’t we got eight livin’?”
“Y-yes,” she said, her voice trembling. “But Johnnie said—”
“Megan, Johnnie didn’t say shit, baby. I haven’t talked to that motherfucker in days.”
The nurse smiled at her. She’d overheard Christopher’s blare. “See? Just a bad dream.”
“Megan, baby, you been so fuckin’ drugged up, I’m surprised you ain’t seein’ Miss Piggy and Kermit the fuckin’ Frog visitin’ you. I want as many children as you want. We got a battalion of lil’ motherfuckers, but if you want a fucking legion and you can survive, we can have more.”
“Doyouwant more children?” she demanded, fogginess overtaking her. The nurse must have pushed the sedative into her IV. “Don’t worry about what I want.”
“It’s your pussy, baby. How can I not worry if you want more lil’ motherfuckers? Me? I’d worry your entire pregnancy, so no I don’t want you to have any more of my kids.”
“Do you wish I’d had easier pregnancies?” Her voice was fading but she found the strength to ask her questions. “If I could promise an enjoyable pregnancy, would you still say you didn’t want more kids?”
“Megan, baby, I can’t be more clear than to say I don’t want no more kids. I don’t think your body can take it and I ain’t riskin’ you. But I’m doin’ whateveryouwant. Hear me? Now, get some rest. We can talk about this when you all better.”
“Okay,” she said, and sank into sleep.
Chapter Nine
After tossing and turning the entire night, CJ knew he couldn’t make it to school. There were less than two weeks left before Winter Break began and it couldn’t come soon enough.
Rising early because he didn’t want to run into anyone and offer explanations, he headed to the hospital to talk to his father. In between snatches of sleep, he’d debated if he should involve Outlaw. While Mom and Jo were in the hospital, his focus should be on them. Yet, Molly needed help. Going to Uncle Johnnie had been a stupid idea. CJ felt like kicking his own ass.
Honestly, what the fuck had he expected from that fuckhead?
If he went to any of his other uncles, Outlaw would find out anyway, so it was best to cut outallmiddlemen. Since the hospital doors didn’t open until eight, and it wasn’t seven yet, CJ called Slipper so hospital security would let him in. He also wanted to hang out with him until he was certain Outlaw was awake.
Slipper had been called away on an emergency; therefore, one of the younger members, Bishop, came down himself and opened the door for CJ.
“Fuck, bro, who gave you that fucking facer?” Bishop asked around a yawn.
“A shithead,” CJ grumbled.
Bishop chuckled, leading CJ to the bank of elevators. “My brothers are little shits, too.” He pressed the ‘Up’ arrow.
“Have any sisters?” CJ asked as they boarded.
“Nope,” Bishop responded. “More’s the pity. Girls are gentle. I’d prefer to be the only swinging dick amongst a gaggle of girls. Poor Reb. I feel sorry for her.”
“Fuck, dude, my sister has the face of an angel, but the soul of fucking Beelzebub. She’ll kick the shit out of you if you look at her wrong.”
“Huh.” Bishop thought for a moment, then nodded. “Bitch sounds like a wild one.”
The elevator doors opened, and Bishop pressed the button to hold them until CJ walked off.
“Rebelis wild,” he tossed out with meaning.
“Point taken, dude,” Bishop said with a chuckle.
At the doors leading to the wing with his mother’s room, CJ halted and glanced at his watch.
“Are you going in?”
“If things were normal and we were home, Mom would’ve been awake for at least an hour by now,” CJ confessed. “I don’t want to disturb her.”
“CJ?” Dad called from behind him.
