Page 56 of Intangible
“We all do, but he’s not going to change. He’s been enthralled with cars from the moment he learned to drive.”
“But what happens if he’s caught or hurts someone?” she asked, taking the water.
Memphis shrugged. “He only takes cars that are in parking lots or car sales lots and he goes to jail if caught. Look,” he said, pulling her down onto the couch next to him. “We don’t condone his behavior, but he’s still our brother. So, we turn a blind eye.”
“But I thought you said Randall straightened all of you out when you got into trouble.”
“He tried, but even Randall can’t fix everything. We take comfort in the fact that he didn’t get into trafficking drugs or people. He’s not a bookie or an enforcer for someone. Sometimes you just have to pick your battles.”
Thayer shook her head. The idea that everyone was fine with Shaun heading up an illegal organization baffled her.
Memphis had told her that after Randall and his older sister, who was married and living in Chicago raising kids, had both moved out, Miss Beulah had decided to become a foster parent. With her husband long since passed away, she quickly grew lonely in the big house.
When a caseworker she went to church with asked her to prayerfully consider opening her home to more kids, she agreed on one condition. She wanted the kids everyone else considered lost.
Jay was the first child she took in. He had been taken away from a crack-addicted mother who happily gave up her parental rights.
Memphis had been placed there next, followed quickly by Ben. Ben had been found scavenging through a neighbor’s trash for food when his parents left him alone for the final time.
Shaun, Hettie, and Samantha came shortly to fill out the bedrooms. Hettie and Sam were the only girls, so Miss Beulah had given them a room on the first floor near her with their own bathroom. Other kids had shown up as they had aged out, but the six of them had continued to remain close.
Randall had been concerned that his mother had bitten off more than she could chew, so he originally came home every weekend. But when he saw she was still able to command this group of “hopeless” kids, he started stretching his visits to once a month. Except when someone dared to disrespect his mother, then he swept in with a vengeance.
She wondered what Memphis’ life would have been like if Knox had managed to find him after his mother died. He hadn’t shared with her what had happened in the other foster home, but she knew it was bad just by the way his foster family avoided the topic.
“I’m going to start dinner.” Thayer stood up from the couch, crossing into the kitchen. She had to have something to do to keep herself busy until Knox returned or she would go crazy. She already felt like she had fallen down a rabbit hole. She had all of the vegetables chopped for stir-fry when she finally heard the door unlocking.
“Any news?” Shaun asked, walking through the door.
“Nope,” Memphis answered, sprawling on the couch. With a shrug, Shaun pulled out his phone. Thayer wanted to scream at how calm they were.
Finally, she heard the door open again. Knox walked in with a scowl on his face. She was overjoyed at seeing even that emotion. It had been the longest hour of meal prep she could ever remember. Memphis had calmly remained on the couch reading another one of Randall’s books while she fretted the time away.
“Did you catch him?” she blurted out, running to the door the moment Knox stepped inside. He was sweaty and dirty, but she hardly noticed as she searched his face for an answer.
“No, sweetheart, but it wasn’t for lack of trying,” he answered. She felt her face fall, he had finally been the break they needed, and Knox had let him get away. “Let me go clean up and I’ll tell you all about it over dinner.” She managed to muster a smile at him before he crossed the room, heading for the bathroom. She started the stir-fry with a feeling of defeat.
“I’ve got everything secured for tonight. A couple of the guys are going to hang around for a while, just to make sure there aren’t any surprises,” Shaun finally said, looking up from his phone.
“Good, thanks Shaun,” Memphis answered.
“Yes, thank you, Shaun,” Thayer added. She didn’t have to like what he did, but she was still grateful for his help. She guessed the old adage “necessity makes strange bedfellows” was true. If Memphis trusted Shaun, then there must be more to him than just a car thief.
Knox emerged about the time dinner was ready in a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. His hair was damp, and he smelled much better than when he had walked by her earlier. Sitting down, she barely tasted her food as he regaled them with his rooftop chase. She questioned his description of leaping effortlessly across an alley from one roof to another, but she decided the real story wasn’t important.
“All those damn buildings are nothing but a labyrinth in that area,” Shaun said when Knox had finished. “If he’s from down there, you’d never have found him. Those kids can slip in and out of those buildings without anyone ever knowing. I can ask around tomorrow about him, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.”
Taking her last bite, Thayer noticed Knox yawn. “We’ll clean this up, if you want to turn in. I think after this evening’s excitement, we could all use a little extra rest,” she said.
“That sounds like a good idea,” Knox answered. He pushed his chair back from the table, standing up. “We’ll talk about a new strategy tomorrow. Good night.” They all watched as the big man headed off to the bedroom.
“Murphy,” Shaun said. The dog picked his head up from the dog pillow he lay on. “Looks like it’s you and me tonight. Come on.” Murphy happily joined Shaun at the door where his leash hung. Snapping it onto his collar, Shaun opened the door to take him out.
“Looks like that leaves us to clean up,” Memphis said.
“Looks like,” Thayer agreed.
“I’ll make a deal with you,” she cocked her head at him. His deals were always interesting and usually benefited her in some way. “You head on into the bedroom and I’ll deal with this. When I’m done, I’ll come help you ‘relax’ so you can fall asleep quickly.” She laughed at both his use of air quotes and a wink. She liked the sound of that deal, though.
