Page 19 of Joker
“I’ll tag along,” Tank says as he jogs toward my truck.
I give him a chin lift as we all get into the truck.
The drive to the nearest Target isn’t too far, and the whole way there, Beau has his face pressed against the window taking everything in. All too soon, we’re in the parking lot. Watching Beau in the mirror, his eyes are wide.
“Son, you ever been to a store like this before?”
He slowly shakes his head while still taking everything in.
“Okay, so this place sells everything you could ever need. We’re going to get you some clothes and stuff for your new bedroom.”
Jumping out of the truck, I open his door for him.
“It’s going to be busy in there, lots of people, but that’s okay. Uncle Tank and I will be with you, and nothing will happen. If you see anything you like, let one of us know, and we will get it for you. Okay?”
Tank and I each grab a cart and head into the store with Beau between us. We head straight for the clothes, grabbing him jeans, underwear, tops, and pajamas. Tank finds a pair of kid’s biker boots, making me smile.
“Look, dude, same as your dad’s and mine.”
Beau has a massive smile, he’s still timid, but luckily, it’s not too busy, so he’s been okay. He tries a couple of pairs of boots on until we find the right size. Now we know his size, I can order him some decent footwear.
A couple of loud kids run past us, followed by a harassed looking mom shouting at the kids. Beau’s hidden between the carts, trying to make himself really small, frightened by the sudden noise and movement.
Fuck, I knew this was going too well. Tank gets down to his level again and takes his bracelet off.
“Beau, you’re safe now. We’re going to make sure of it. I want you to have this.”
He ties the bracelet onto Beau’s wrist.
“Now you always have something that reminds you of your momma and know we’re always with you, keeping you safe.”
Jesus, the smile that lights up his face when Tank gives him that bracelet, I’m glad he came with us. Beau seems to calm down and we manage to fill the carts with everything the kid needs, plus a few other bits such as toys. I get him an Xbox and all the age-appropriate games I could find too.
I know he’s ten years old, but he’s not a normal ten. He’s never been to school or around normal kids his age. Thinking maybe a trip to some places other kids his age go, like the park and stuff is in order.
Making it back to the compound with the truck piled high with stuff, we get Beau set up in the bar with his new Lego while I get the prospects to haul all the crap we bought into our rooms. I go to start unpacking, but Pip has beaten me to it.
“Go spend time with your son. I got this,” she shoos me out of the room.
Prez’s ol’ lady is one of a kind. She’s sweet, kind, and soft. But she can put men four times her size in their place with just a look and a few choice words. Making my way back downstairs, I sit and build the Lego with Beau. Watching the concentration on his face is sweet. His little tongue sticks out as he’s thinking and working out how it all fits together. He might not have been to school, but the kid’s smart. Pops and Reck join us on the sofas in the common room.
“Beau, come here a minute, please. Got some important people I want you to meet.”
With a little pout that makes me chuckle, he comes over and sits next to me.
“Beau, this is Bull and Reck. They’re your granddads. Bull is my dad, and Reck is your mom’s dad.”
He looks at me for a second and then slowly turns to look at them. Reck’s face is awash with so many emotions it’s hard to get a read on them all.
“You look just like your dad, Beau. I’m Grandpa Bull.” He holds his hand out for Beau to shake, which he does, making me smile. The more he seems to be around the compound and the brothers, the more he seems at ease.
“Beau, I’m Grandpa Reck.” He opens his arms a little as if he wants a hug. Beau looks at me as if he’s asking if it’s okay. I give him a little nod, and he hugs Reck. Reck gets choked up and seems to hold him tighter.
“Beau, you also have an uncle named Johnny. He’s your mom’s brother. But you can think of every man here as your uncle. They will all care for and protect you.”
Reck is not wrong, as we’ve been playing Lego in the common room, all the brothers have been stopping by to say hi and introduce themselves. Some had even played Lego with us for a bit. I’m really hoping having everyone around will help Beau settle in. Bull smacks me on the back.
“You doing good, kid? We have church, but Pip is going to watch Beau.”
