Page 6 of Joker
I couldn’t agree more with that statement. It’s like I could feel it in my bones. Something is coming whether we want it to or not. I make my way into the gatehouse to make sure the prospect on duty is paying attention.
After speaking with the prospect, I make my way back to my room. Lying on my bed, I still can’t shake the feeling. Something is brewing. I know the woman from tonight is the key to all this. After tossing and turning for a few hours, I finally find sleep.
The next morning, I make my way into the kitchen in search of coffee. A few of the brothers are finishing breakfast before we head into church. Today is the day Reck gets out of the big house. I’m happy to see him as he had played a massive part in our lives growing up, but also dreading it at the same time. I’m not sure how much he knows. Does he know he has a son? Does he know about Carrie? He loved Carrie with everything, and she was always a daddy’s girl. She used to look at him like he’d hung the moon. The same way Tink, our Princess, looked at BJ, our Prez. Another daddy’s girl.
Taking my coffee with me into church, I take my place around the table. BJ, our Prez, is at the head of the table with my old man, Bull, to his right as VP. Once we have all settled down in our places, Prez bangs the gavel.
“Well, brothers, let’s start the good news, our man Reck is to be a free man today.”
The room erupts into cheers and fists banging on the table. BJ lets the boys have this moment before bringing them to order again.
“Now, yes, it’s a good thing he’s free, but there is going to be a life adjustment to being on the outside. We need to make sure we do all we can to help him find his feet again.”
Meeting my eyes, he knows my question.
“Joker, I know what you’re going to say, and no, he doesn’t know Carrie is missing, and he doesn’t know he has a son. Once he’s back at the clubhouse, I’ll have a sit down with him and break the news.”
Raising his hand as I open my mouth, he carries on.
“It was his choice, Joker, he requested he know nothing of the outside. Only way he could cope being on the inside.”
Knowing my Prez is right, it would have only made his time on the inside worse, knowing he was helpless to protect those he loved. It had killed me not being able to protect her and Johnny.
We finish the rest of church, going over how the businesses are doing and a charity run we have coming up. Prez asks Bull and me to stay behind. Once the brothers leave and the doors close, Prez levels me with a stare.
“Son, I know you feel we aren’t doing enough to find Carrie, but trust me, I’m doing everything I can to find her. She’s our Princess and means something to every brother here,” he says. I nod my head as I feel my throat closing with emotion.
Getting up and leaving them to it, I make my way through the bar and out to my bike. I need to clear my head a little before I see Reck again. Getting on my bike, my baby girl, on the tank is a portrait of Carrie. I make my way out of town and along the back roads, feeling the wind and the road beneath me lets me clear my head and sort my feelings out. Making it only a short ride as I know we would be leaving soon to collect Reck, I make my way back to the clubhouse.
Driving through the gates, I can see the brothers are all getting ready to move. Falling into formation behind my pops and next to Tank, Prez gives me a nod.
Heading out together as one with the prospect behind in the truck with Reck’s bike on the back, we make our way to the prison.
After about an hour, we pull up in front of the prison. Dismounting my bike, I make my way over to the truck to help unload Reck’s bike and also check on Johnny. Johnny is a prospect, but also Reck’s son. Only Reck doesn’t know he’s his son.
Slapping Johnny on the back, I ask, “You okay, bro? You ready for today?”
He turns to look at me, but I can’t get a read on his face. Bro’s got an excellent poker face. I can never tell how he’s feeling.
“As good as I can be, considering I’m about to meet the man who doesn’t know I’m his son,” he grunts out with a shrug of his shoulders.
“I know, man, and I’m sorry it’s not in better circumstances that you’re meeting him. But we will make it right, I promise.”
The noise of the gates opening distracts us as the boys closest to the entrance start to shout and holla. Clearly, they’ve released Reck. Giving Johnny’s shoulder one last squeeze, I head over to join my Prez and my old man.
Walking through the gates is a man who is thankful to be on the other side, but also looks a hell of a lot older than he should. The boys all cheer as Prez and Bull greet him with man hugs and back slaps. By the time Reck is standing in front of me, we just stare at each other, not saying a word. After a few beats, a grin appears on his face.
“Well fuck me, Jason, you’ve really grown into a man,” he states while grabbing hold of me and hugging me.
Pulling away from me, he looks at my cut. “Always knew you were club. It’s in your blood.”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” Bull chimes in.
Smirking back, I reply, “Good to see you, Reck.”
“Let’s get this back to the clubhouse,” Prez shouts.
We all mount up, and Reck mounts his bike while stroking the tank, his hands slowly starting her up. He closes his eyes and revs her a little. A total look of peace forms on his face. I can see Prez and Bull smirking like they know how he feels. Once Reck has had his moment with his bike, Prez gives the signal, and we all ride out.
