Two months later…
Chapter 17
Charity
I open my eyes, but I don’t move. I am afraid to. I don’t want the nauseous feeling to take me over the way it has for the last three weeks. I don’t even want to think what this means. Living in denial is much easier. Nope, this is a virus that just won’t go away or food poisoning. Yes, that explains it. Who am I kidding? Not me, but I refuse to face it, so I go on with daily life. Faith has started giving me sideways glances when she catches me getting sick. Yes, I try to hide it, but this small apartment has paper thin walls. If I don’t think it and don’t say it out loud, then it is not true, and I do not need to face the consequences. Faith has gone as far as to go to the local drug store and buy me some vitamins to take. My sister thought she was being sneaky, but I caught her leaving the bag in our bedroom on the bed table on my side of the bed. I saw the bag and grabbed it from the moving carton we put a towel over to make it look like a bed side table. I looked inside and there was vitamins and two boxes of pregnancy test that we are not talking about. I took the vitamins out, who doesn’t need vitamins, and then stuffed the bag under the cabinet in the bathroom. I know Faith is only going to give me so much times before she confronts me. I’ll take every minute of it. I reach for a zip lock bag that has my crackers in it. I put a couple in a bag every night before I go to sleep, so I will have them for the morning. I look at the alarm clock and I know my alarm is going to be going off soon. I eat a couple of crackers and swing my feet off the bed and try not to wake Faith up. Yes, we are sharing a room and a queen size bed. It could be worse, a lot worse. Faith and I are sharing a one- bedroom apartment in one of Paul’s apartments, Uncle Hem’s oldest son. Paul is kind hearted just like his dad. His wife, Susan is the sweetest woman, and she helped Faith and myself hit some garage sales and second-hand stores to furnish this apartment. Nothing matches but it is ours. Our transition to the metroplex area has gone smoothly for the most part, but our small apartment is the refuge that Faith and I have needed.
The first week we arrived in Dallas was hectic getting settled. Paul lives in Ft. Worth, but he just purchased some old apartments closer to Dallas. The apartments aren’t that bad. They needed new paint and carpet and some minor repairs mostly plumbing and sheet rock. Susan put Faith and me in the managers apartments. It’s is perfect for us for now and with her help we have made a home out of it.
We have Faith all up to date on her school work with the help of Bubba, one of Uncle Hem’s other sons. Well him and his biker buddies, Brain and Tito. Tito worked with Faith getting the information that he needed to falsify school records. I know, not exactly legal, but Faith brought what paperwork she could find from the school work she had completed and then she took a placement test and to our astonishment she only needed two six-week courses and she has completed those, so my sister is a seventeen-year old graduate. We changed Faith’s last name on the records and a few dates. We also changed the name of the person verifying the work. I trust Tito and Brain to a certain extent, but the only person I trust completely is Faith. Susan was able to get her in to a doctor appointment, so we could get refills on her medicine after the doctor found out that our Ma was slipping her aspirin he did a full battery of test. His prognosis was that most of Faith’s attacks were brought on by Ma giving her aspirin. Faith has not had one asthma attack since we have been here. I am not complaining, it just makes me wonder if Ma hadn’t been slipping Faith aspirin for years. Only time will tell. Then there is the thought of what kind of doctor takes in an unknown patient with no paperwork, identification, or insurance. My answer was a very concerned man who put his patient’s health above asking questions.
Faith and I both have fake identification; driver’s license, social security cards, birth certificates, voter’s identification card, and even shot records. We kept our first names which Tito and Brain neither one liked the idea, but if we slip up it would look worse. I guess it might be easier to let the two men helping us in on everything, but Uncle Hem told Bubba a hell no on that idea. I worried about it but finally went with safe instead of sorry and Faith agreed. We took the last name of Jones, original, right? We are both employed. I am working in Bubba’s Repair and Restore shop. Yes, the name has no imagination to it at all, but Bubba said it is the truth and to the point. I love working there but first thing in the morning is difficult to keep from puking my guts out. Bubba is giving me the eye, but I can’t tell what I do not know. I make up my time in the evenings. I love working with my hands. I know it is not very lady like with all the grease and oil but the satisfaction I get when a motor runs with a perfect purr or a loud rumble after I work on it is an amazing rush. Bubba was hesitant at first to give me the big jobs. I was stuck with oil changes and tune ups but one day he came in and gave me a valve job and since that day he has put his trust in me and I hope I never let him down. Bubba is different than his dad and brother. He has rougher edges. Faith is not good around motors, grease, and oil, so Paul put her to work at the apartment building we live at. Right now, she oversees any messages between the different subcontractors at the job site to Paul. After they have the apartments repaired and they start leasing, then Faith is going to be the manager. Susan is training her and teaching her the computer programs. The world wide web is not something that we are accustomed to working with. Sure, we had laptop computers back home, but only for school work or filling out refill orders for our community. The elders in the community would take our computers at night to get the orders and our school work, I always wondered how they got access to internet to turn the orders in. Doesn’t matter now. Susan is teaching Faith and Faith is teaching me. I use what Faith has taught me at the shop. I know the internet now and I am tempted to check up on Brody, but Brain and Tito have warned us not to contact anyone from our past, Uncle Hem excluded. I know we are comfortable right now, but sooner or later we will need to move on. I am trying to absorb all the knowledge of living on our own. I try to remember every name I hear. These people are protecting us but if one name comes up that we know, then we will leave. We have to-go bags just in case it is a last-minute thing. We have learned in our life to expect the unexpected. We have come up with a plan in case we are separated, and we have signals if one of us is taken. It’s not easy being on alert all the time, it’s tiring but necessary. Faith and I both have prepaid phones and only Uncle Hem and the friends we have made here have the numbers. I think we are adjusting. It’s not what I thought it would be, us on the run. We have been lucky, and I just hope that luck holds up. I am brought out of my thoughts by the sudden urge to get sick. I run for the bathroom and make it just in time to empty the contents of my stomach into the toilet. If it was only once I think I could deal with it but my stomach wretches many times. I feel a cool rag put on the back of my neck and another put in my hand. I wipe my face with it. I reach up and flush the toilet and I think for the minute I am done. My stomach still doesn’t feel normal, but it is settling a little. I turn and put my back up against our small bathtub. The coolness of it feels good through my night shirt. I chance a look at Faith and yes, I know my time has run out.
“I’m talking to Susan today about getting you in to see a doctor. Whether you want to face it or not there is a problem, and if you would just take the damn pregnancy test it might relief some of the worry. It’s not the end of the world if you are pregnant, but if this is something else it needs to be found. I can’t lose you.” I look at Faith and I see the worry. I know if the she was in this situation I would be worried out of my mind. She’s right. I just need to be an adult about this and face my fears.
“I’ll take the pregnancy test we have here and go from there. I am sorry I worried you. I have been trying to hide my head in the clouds and it stops now.” I get up and walk to the sink and bend down and take the bag that has the pregnancy test in them and put them on top of the cabinet and I look at myself in the mirror. I look tired. I grab my tooth brush and hope this works better than it did yesterday. Yesterday I brushed my teeth three times before I quit getting sick, something about the taste of the toothpaste set me off again. I brush my teeth with no reoccurrence of nausea. Faith is sitting on the side of the tub watching me. I take the two pregnancy test out of the bag and throw the bag away. I hand one of the tests to Faith. Her eyes bug out. “If I do this then you are helping, so read that one and tell me what I need to do, it’s not like I have ever seen one of these things before.” Faith shakes her head yes and then turns the box over and starts reading, I do the same with the other one. Seems simple. I look at Faith and wait for her answer.
“This one is a digital one and it takes three minutes and the pregnant or not pregnant will show. You just need to take care of your part.” Faith gives me a weak smile.
“This one is two minutes and a plus sign or straight line. Out you go sis, I think the next part is all on me.” Faith gets up and hands me the box she is holding.
“You sure you don’t want me to stay.” I want to laugh. She has such a mother hen look on her face.
“I have been going potty all by myself for years now.” I laugh trying to lessen the tension. “Just go in the bedroom and wait. I will come out as soon as I get these things done, then you can hold my hand for whatever the outcome is.” Faith gets up and walks to the door and looks back at me. I know this can change my life, and Faith’s. I have known from the night that Brody and I where together that there was a possibility that I could be pregnant, and in the back of my mind I have thought about it. Who am I kidding, it has plagued my thoughts? Now to face the fear. I take care of the process, so I can get the answer I need. I wash my hands and walk out of the bathroom into the bedroom and I go over and sit on the bed. It seems like it is taking forever. Faith and I don’t say a word. I hand one test to Faith. The seconds tick by. I look at my test and there is a plus sign. I take a deep breath and it feels like my world is tilting. I feel the tears slide down my face and I don’t know if it is sad tears or happy tears. I’m pregnant. I will always have a small part of Brody with me and then my mind goes crazy with the thought of letting him know. Can I do that? Or is it best to just leave it the way it is? I feel Faith tense up beside me. Faith looks at me and our eyes meet, and I see she has tears in her eyes, but she has a smile on her face.
“I’m going to be an aunt and you are going to be an amazing mom.” I hand her the test in my hand and she hands me the one that she is holding. I look at the word, pregnant. I am going to be a mom. I have a little life inside me growing, half me and half Brody. I know I told Brody that I would not contact him, but I need to find a way to let him know he is going to be a father. He has a right to know but would he try to take my child away from me. Of course, he wouldn’t. His solution was to take the morning after pill. My mind is muddled again. I have time to figure this out, I just need to get dressed and get to work. “I am going to find out what we need to do for you to see a doctor. I am also going to download books about being pregnant. Neither of us has any experience with pregnancy. Knowledge about this subject can be useful.” I laugh. I don’t know if it is all tension or hysterics, but I can’t stop the laughter and then it turns to tears. How did life become so difficult? How can I deal with anymore? Faith and I have never had your typical family or even lifestyle, but we had what we called normal and then my Pop traded me to a motorcycle club and turned everything upside down. I get used to one thing and everything is turned upside down again. I can’t get my footing. I just need to catch a break. The tears finally stop, and Faith is looking at me like she doesn’t know what to do.
“It’s alright Faith, I think I just needed to let off a little pressure and the laughter and the tears helped. Now I am going to get dressed and get to work.” I am determined to get back to life as usual, or as best I can.
“Do you really think all those fumes are good for the baby? Don’t you need to take that into account. I am sure Paul and Bubba can get you another place to work, plus all the lifting you do and the hours on your feet.” I guess this might take a little bit to adapt to. Faith is only seventeen, but her mind is working better than mine right now. “I may have googled a few things.”
“Plan B then, I will call Bubba and tell him I need today off to see a doctor and then call Susan, so she can get me an appointment. Bubba has heard me getting sick in the restroom at the shop, so it shouldn’t be a surprise, plus today is Friday and we are only open half a day. Then I will make a list of questions to ask the doctor. I am not telling Bubba anything yet, but if Susan asks, then I will tell her. I’ll tell Bubba, Paul, and Uncle Hem after the doctor appointment.” That’s all I have. It’s a start.
“I’ll go to the office and get my paperwork done and put everything in the computer, so I can go with you.” Faith is showing me her support and she just doesn’t know how important it is to me.
“Sounds like plan B is ready to go.” I try to sound cheerful.
“You want me to make you some breakfast before I go.” I know Faith is trying to be helpful.
“No, thank you. If I eat anything now I will be running back to the toilet. I’ll grab a granola bar when I feel better. You do what you need to do, and I will make my phone calls. Don’t worry, I am fine.” I don’t want Faith’s mind as muddled as mine is. I hear Faith walking into the bathroom and it isn’t long before I hear the shower start. I call Bubba and leave a message on his cell phone and then both his house phone and the shop phone. I decide to go ahead and text him also and then I look at the clock. It’s early but I know that Susan gets up at five every morning and it is after six, so I go ahead and call her. She picks on the second ring.
Susan: “Hello, is everything alright? You have never called me this early. Are you feeling sick again?”
Me: “Good morning to you too. I do need a doctor appointment for today, but if you will, please, would you keep this between us until after the appointment. I don’t want to worry anyone for nothing.”
Susan: “I don’t like keeping things from Paul and if you are sick, he would only want to help. I don’t know if I comfortable with this or not.”
Me: “I am not asking you to lie. You know what never mind, I just didn’t want anyone worrying about me. If you think that this is something you need to share, then do. I would never want to cause a problem. If you can give me the number I can call for myself. I just didn’t get the doctor’s number that Faith went to. I’ll just ask her for it.”
Susan: “I did not mean for that to come out catty. I just have not had enough caffeine yet and you know I do not mind helping you. I won’t lie to Paul, but if he doesn’t ask then I won’t tell. I don’t think that you need to see a regular doctor. Don’t you need to see an ob/gyn?”
Me: “Why would you ask that?”
Susan: “Are you denying it? Come on, I am your friend just let me in, so I can be a better friend. We just want to help, and it is no secret how sick you have been in the mornings, just the mornings. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to put two and two together.”
Me: “Alright, yes, I need to see a doctor to find out if I am pregnant. I do trust all of you, but it is hard after the things that have happened. I am sorry, I know this sounds like I am ungrateful, but nothing could be further from the truth. I have been denying the possibility and today Faith kicked me in the butt to find an answer.”
Susan: “About damn time, I thought I was going to need to do it, but I think Bubba was ready to sit you down and talk to you. I’ll get the doctor appointment for you and then text you the time and place. Do you need me to go with you? I will gladly do it.”
Me: “Thank you, Susan, for all your help but Faith is getting her work done early so she can go with me. I don’t want to pull you both away from work and Faith is determined to go with me. I did take two home pregnancy tests this morning and they were both positive.
Susan: “You are welcome, sweetie. Don’t over whelm yourself. One step at a time. I need to go Paul is yelling at me. Later.”
Me: “Alright, goodbye.”
Before I can get the words out she has already disconnected the call. I thought once I was forced to tell share this with someone else that I would be tied up in knots, but I am not. I feel bad for not asking for help earlier. Everyone has been worried about me. That is not cool with me to let others worry on my behalf. It seems like everyone already figured this out before I would face the facts. I get up off the bed and gather my clothes and go the bathroom to take a shower. I look at the clock and I know Bubba will be texting or calling before long. He’s never late for work and it is seven fifteen. We open at seven-thirty, so he will be getting my messages soon. Some mornings he goes on long runs and he keeps his phone on silent until he is ready for work.
I get in the shower and take care of my business. I feel much better. The nausea has subsided, and the hot shower relaxed my muscles. I dry off after the shower and then brush my teeth one more time. I dress, moisturize my face, brush my hair out and dry it. I don’t wear makeup except on special occasions, so I am ready to go. I open the door of the bathroom and walk back into the bedroom. I go to check my phone and there are three messages waiting for me. I listen to all three; first one is Bubba letting me know the shop will be fine without me today and to let him know what I find out, the second is Susan letting me know the time of my appointment and address, and the last one is from Faith letting me know she is ready when I am. She’s just staying in the office until it is time to leave. I put the phone in my purse along with my gun, I never leave home without it, and some extra cash out of our stash. I turn and leave the room and go to the kitchen and grab a couple of waters and a few granola bars, I stuff them in my purse. I look around at the apartment and I feel at home and safe. I wish I could bottle that feeling up. I would have tried if I had known what was right around the corner for us. If I had known that our days in this apartment was numbered. I feel a shiver go up my spine, but I think I am being ridiculous. What is that old saying, I feel like a ghost just stepped over my grave. I turn and leave the apartment and go to find Faith.
It doesn’t take long for Faith to get her things together and for us to get to the jeep. Bubba helped me install a GPS system and then instructed me on how to use it. I still mess up sometimes, but it has been a lifesaver. If I didn’t have it, then there would no way that I could get around Dallas and Ft. Worth. These cities are huge compared to the small town we grew up near and I was not experienced at driving there. I have learned to do what I must to get around this monstrous place. I think all the people, close living, and the traffic has been the hardest to adapt to. Faith turns the radio on and I know she is trying to keep me calm. She knows not to talk to me while I am driving. I might have experienced road rage once or twice. I see my exit and get in the lane to exit off. Fortunately, the office building the doctor is in, is not far. I know I am going to be made to park in a parking garage. I hate these damn things. They are right out of a horror movie. The ones where it is busy until you park and then everyone disappears and all you can hear is the bottom of your shoe hitting on the concrete and you see shadows on every wall. I always hold my breath until I get in the elevator and the doors close. I think Faith and I have binge watched every horror movie made since we moved here. We don’t want to splurge on cable so we either go to the store and buy used movies or go to the library and check them out. Both have limited movies and it seems horror is one of the most popular. Why we can’t find a rom/com is beyond me. It was seldom we were able to watch anything but family movies or cartoons at home, so we are seeing another side of life this way, but it doesn’t need to scare me so much. I park and get out of the jeep and Faith meets me on my side. We look around for signs and finally see the elevator sign.
“There it is.” Faith tells me. I think we noticed it about the same time. “Are you nervous?” We walk towards the elevator.
“I thought I would be and I was to begin with, but I think I have caught my second wind and I am just ready to get it over with.” I tell Faith honestly. “I just want to get on with my life. I have accepted what the pregnancy test have told me. I’m excited about being pregnant. I want you to know Faith that I understand if you don’t want to be a part of this. I’m not married or even in a relationship and people frown on unwed mothers. I don’t want to embarrass you.” I didn’t realize how worried about that part until I said it out loud.
“Have you bumped your head. Of course, you do not embarrass me, and I am excited about being an aunt. You and I are going to get through this together and then we are going to raise my niece or nephew together. It may not be easy, and we may need to google everything, but we will love and protect this child together. Sisters together, going through ups and downs of life. One day it will be my time.” Faith smiles but I think she realizes what she has said. “Many years in the future, very many years. Besides we are in the modern world where single women have babies all the time, every day. You don’t need a husband or a man in your life to be able to raise your child in a happy home. You do need to reconsider your choice of contacting this Brody guy, but I will stand beside you with any choice you make. He deserves to know, but I am not the one who will be living with that decision and that is the last time I will give you my opinion on the matter.” We make it to the elevator and I hit the call button to get the doors to open.
“I have heard your opinion and I have thought about it and I am going to contact Kaden. There is a less chance to get caught calling. I will just call and ask for Sheriff Samms and then give the message and hang up. Not giving him a chance to do or say anything. When we leave here I will go get one of the cheapest prepaid phones with the fewest minutes, activate it and then when the call is finished I will throw it away without the battery, so no one can use it even if it is found.” The doors to the elevator open and we walk inside. I hold the doors open and look back out back at the parking garage for some reason the hairs on the back of my neck are standing up. Twice in one day. Faith pulls me back and I let the doors close on us.
The next two hours are full of paperwork and answering a list of questions that I have no way knowing. I don’t know anything about our family medical history except Faith has asthma and the fact I can’t remember the last time I was sick. I have been healthy throughout my life. The typical ear aches and sore throats but nothing else except a few seasonal allergies. At the end of the visit I have a picture of my child and two prescriptions. I don’t know whose head is in the clouds about this more, Faith or mine. I text Susan, so she knows what is going on and she can pass the word around. I think I just want everyone to get the idea in their heads before I see them. I hate to disappoint people. The trip back through the parking garage to the jeep is without the eerie feeling I felt earlier. I don’t know if that is because I am so happy or if the threat I felt is not here anymore.
“Let’s go to the mall and get that phone, drop off your prescriptions, and look at some baby clothes. They have a sandwich shop in there that has free WIFI and we can activate the phone and get some lunch. I am starving.” Faith is enthusiastic and to tell the truth, so am I. I need to get the phone call to Kaden taken care of before I lose my courage. I don’t know why I am so nervous, it’s not like I am going to be talking to Brody. I will leave it up to Kaden if he tells Brody. It’s not like I have Brody’s phone number or anything. I can always get in touch with Kaden at the sheriff’s office. I am losing my courage, no, I can’t do that. I just need to do it and quit second guessing.
“Alright, I am starving too. We are getting the phone first before I lose my nerve.” I start the jeep and find my way out of the damn garage. I have said I hate parking garages. It’s like a damn maze. Finally, the exit. I take out my parking stub and pay the machine and then head straight for the mall. It takes us over an hour to drive fifteen minutes away because of all the traffic at lunch time. I find a parking space close to the front of the mall.
“It’s been a while since we have been here. We need to start treating ourselves a little more often. We are making our own money and I think we can afford an afternoon of window shopping and lunch.” I know I have held our purse strings tightly, but we still owe people and I would prefer to repay what I owe than to have lunch at the mall. Faith shouldn’t be worrying about money at her age. I should be able to take care of us both. One day at a time. We will get there. We walk through the heavy doors of the mall and I see an electronics store but before we go in I pull Faith to the side, so I can talk to her.
“Faith, any time you need to get away and come to the mall then do it. I don’t want you concentrating on just what I need to pay back but remember to always watch your back. I don’t want to come off sounding like an ass or a harping older sister, but we can never take enough precautions. I have been getting weird feelings like something is off or someone is close to finding us and I know I am sounding irrational. The feelings are just getting stronger and it is hard to ignore them anymore.” I see Faith’s eyes get larger.
“I thought I was the only one getting those feelings. It’s like a bad feeling that something or someone is coming for us. Why didn’t you say anything to me? I have had the same feelings for the last two weeks. I thought I was overreacting to being in hiding but since you have the same feelings then someone must be watching us. Pop always said there are no coincidences in life and if we both feel it then something is going on.” Faith starts looking around.
“I didn’t say anything for the same reason you didn’t, I didn’t want everyone to think I was over reacting, but today the feeling has hit me twice and it was so strong. Do you mind if we just get the phone, get my prescriptions filled and then eat while I get the phone activated? The sooner we are out of this crowded place, the better, and can we stick together?” I don’t know what it is, but I don’t want Faith out of my sight in this crowded mall.
“My feelings exactly. Let’s get this done and then back home.” Faith grabs my arm before I turn around and go in the electronics store. “It’s not what you have to pay back, it is on us both. You did what you had to, so you could get me out and away from our parents and I will help you pay back every penny and the thought of coming to the mall is for both us, not me alone. I just thought occasionally, we just need to live instead of worry. I don’t think you are harpy. I think you love me and want me to be safe and you want us to always have a plan. I love you too, Charity, and I thank the heavens above every day for you being my sister.”
“Wow,” I grab Faith and hug her to me and then let her go and step back. “we are both lucky and you are going to make me cry. Let’s do this.” I dab at the edges of my eyes. We turn and walk in the store and we go straight to where we know the phone is that we are looking for and Faith reaches for the card with the minutes on it and get the phone. The phone is cheap, and the minute card only has thirty minutes on it, but they will suit my purpose. “You need anything while we are here?” I ask.
“Nope, I am good.” Faith answers. We both head to the checkout counter and I pay the woman the amount she asks for. We walk back out of the store and go further into the mall. I see the pharmacy.
“The pharmacy is right there. I will drop my prescriptions off and then we can go eat.” My stomach is growling.
“When we come back to pick your meds up then I am going to get some tampons and some conditioner for my hair. I was going to need to make a trip to the store anyway.” We have let our worries go from our conversation earlier and things are back to normal between us, but I know Faith is paying attention to our surroundings just like I am. It doesn’t take us very long in the pharmacy. We walk over to the place we are going to eat, and Faith goes and orders for us. We always get the same thing here. Faith eats tuna fish salad on whole wheat and I eat a chicken salad on a croissant. I get us a table and tear the phone out of its packaging. It simple to get it activated and add the minutes. I wonder if I should wait until Faith comes to the table. I lay the phone on the table in front of me. I get my personal phone out of my purse and bring the number up for the sheriff’s department where Kaden works. I pick up the disposable phone and decide I need to get this over with, so I will quit worrying about it or I change my mind. I flip open the phone and put the number in for Kaden. It rings a couple of times and then a woman’s voice comes on the phone.
Woman: “Wood County Sheriff’s Department how can I direct your call?”
Me: “I need to talk with Sheriff Samms, please. It is important.”
Women: “If this is an immediate emergency, please, hang up and call 911, if not hold the line and I will connect you.”
I wait, and it seems like forever and I think about hanging up, but I can’t do that.
Kaden: Sheriff Samms speaking. Who am I speaking to, please?”
Me: “This is Charity, Kaden. Don’t say anything, just listen. I do not expect anything from Brody, but I am pregnant with his child. I thought he had a right to know so I am giving you the information.”
Kaden: Don’t hang up. Just give me a few minutes, please. We want to help you. We just need to know how to get to you. There are things happening you don’t know anything about. You are in danger. Let us help you. Doesn’t Brody have the right to protect his child.”
Me: Kaden, all Brody and I had was one night and I know he is not interested in being a father. I just needed to let him know that it is happening. I owe him that. The Demented Revengers MC wanted to keep me in their clubhouse. I was already held against my will by The Hell Keeperz MC and I won’t be held against my will again where I have no say in what happens to me. I have my sister with me and I need to protect us all. I won’t be in touch again. I know I have said that before, but this time is the last time.
Kaden: “We know you have your sister, but you need to listen to me.”
I disconnect the phone call. I can’t listen to Kaden anymore. I have done what I needed to do. Brody will know now. I am brought out of my thoughts by Faith coming to the table.
“I got us both a small water to drink. I hope that is alright with you.” Faith is looking at me strangely and then to the phone on the table. “Did you make that call?”
“Yeah, I did. He warned me that we are in danger. I hung up on him. He was trying to convince me to come back to Winnsboro.” Faith hands me a bottle of water to go with my sandwich and opens it and take a drink. I smell the chicken salad sandwich and I feel ravenous. I pick the sandwich up and take a bite. I notice that Faith hasn’t said anything. I look over at her.
“Are you sure that we shouldn’t go for the extra protection? Your pregnant and I was trained like you, but our family never pushed me to learn like you. With all the asthma attacks I was having I couldn’t put in as many hours as you. Why do you think that Ma and Pop pushed you so hard when they didn’t Hope or me? I still have not been able to get our family straightened out in my head. You are so smart, but they pushed you more on physical training. You congratulated me on graduating at seventeen, but you finished with your high school work at sixteen and you had been doing college courses since then. Hope, she barely finished her classes at all, but they pushed her to marry just like they did me but you, they didn’t. Did any of it make sense to you? Why the different treatment in the three of us?” Faith sounds as confused as I was at first. Over the last few months I think I have straightened part of it out in my own head.
“Hope is the perfect follower. She has always been the one of us that never questioned the way we were raised. She accepted everything with a smile and she was the perfect daughter. When Hope married Sam, Pop received a big payout like a dowry in reverse from Sam himself. I think they called it a bride price or bride wealth. Pop received a load of money and a bigger part of the money that the elders divide. Sam gave the money and his dad gave the rest. He would have gotten close to the same from Nic’s family for you.” I was not happy when I heard of this and was determined Pop would never broker a deal when it came to my future, but I guess he fooled me.
“That is the most barbaric thing I have heard of. Is that even legal?” The look on Faith’s face is one of astonishment.
“It’s not legal to trade something for your daughter either but that did not stop Pop. I think Pop thought I was too stubborn to accept any of the rules or any man he chose for me. He knew the only thing that kept me in the community is waiting for you to turn eighteen, so we could both leave together.” It is a sad thing to think, but I have decided this is what Pop was thinking, there is no other answer. “After you told me about Ma slipping you aspirin, I think that is the way they controlled you and me. They knew I would never leave you and they thought you were dependent on them because of your illness. I don’t see how our parents could have endanger your life so many times. I have just found out I am pregnant, but I will kill someone over hurting my child.” It’s just the way I feel about it.
“We both would. You are not alone That’s my niece or nephew and I will protect that little one with my life, just the way you protect me. We are in this together, never forget that.” Faith tries to get the bad thoughts out of my head.
“Let’s finish our lunch so we can get back and see if you have any work to do and then I think I need a nap.” That bed is sounding mighty nice. Faith is shaking her head yes.
“Sounds like a great afternoon. Sooner or later we are going to have people knocking on our door checking on you.” I know Faith is right. I wouldn’t be surprised if Susan wasn’t at home waiting on us. We finish our lunch and I am tempted to get me a cookie for dessert but if I get completely full I won’t be helping Faith in the office, I will be heading straight home and getting that nap. We put our trash in the can along with the phone I used to call Kaden without the battery and make our way back to the pharmacy. I go back to get my prescriptions and Faith goes to get the items she needs. I am still in line waiting when Faith comes to stand in line with me. I dig in my purse and dig to get the battery for the phone I threw away. I hand it to Faith and take her items out of her hand. I point to a trash can and Faith goes over and throws it away. I am the next in line and move to the counter and put the items up there and ask for my prescriptions. The cashier gets my prescription and rings them up with Faith’s items and I pay the woman and she bags it all up for me. Faith walks over to me and we walk out of the pharmacy and make our way back to the front door of the mall. Faith is looking over at a little girl who is throwing quiet the temper tantrum with her mom, but I see the van as it pulls up in front of us. I know this is wrong. This is a no parking zone but the side door on the van slides open and I see Nic and Glenn his older brother. It shocks me to see Glenn, I think it is him. I haven’t seen him since he walked away from our community when he was eighteen. I couldn’t have been over six years old. He must be in his mid-thirties now, to my best guess. The thing that holds my attention is Glenn is wearing a Hell Keeperz MC cut. Oh shit, I was frozen momentarily, but when the back of the van opens about the same time the passenger side door swings open, I am brought back to my senses. I see that Faith has already taken her fighting stance. That’s my sister. I drop the bag and reach for my gun in my purse. Glenn is the first one I shoot, and he goes down. Faith has the one that came out of the back on her and Nic goes straight towards Faith, but I trip him and that is when I feel the punch to my face. I shoot Nic in the leg and then turn to the guy that punched me. I see that he is wearing a Hell Keeperz MC cut also. Then I hear the sweetest sound, sirens. The cops are on the way.
“Get the Pres back in the van, five-o is coming. We need to get the hell out of here.” I run over and jump on the back of the guy still fighting Faith. Faith’s eye is swelling where she has been hit and her mouth is bleeding. I hit the man in the head with my gun. I don’t know why I didn’t just shoot him, but I do see where Faith has stabbed the man. I look at the man and realize I know him. This is Cin and he is Nic’s best friend. My mind isn’t working but I am thrown over Cin’s shoulder and I hit the ground hard. He tries to sling Faith over his shoulder and that is when I shoot him right in the middle of his chest. He drops instantly. I hear the van doors shut and the van speeds away. Faith crawls over to me.
“Are you alright?” Faith asks me, and I think I am in shock. My first thought is to stay and wait for the cops. Why is it taking so long for them to get here? Faith’s brain is working faster. She gets my bags I dropped and my purse. She gets me on my feet and out to the jeep. She puts me in the passenger seat and my little sister drives us out of that parking lot. “Charity, you are scaring the hell out of me. You are in shock or something, GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER!” Faith is yelling at me. I don’t know how fast Faith is driving but it seems fast. “CHARITY!” There is a desperation in Faith’s voice and I know I need to snap out of it.
“Okay, Faith. Where are we going and are you good to drive with that eye?” I ask Faith.
“I was hoping you could tell me where we are going, and I can see out of my other eye and a little out of this one. I think it is safer for me to drive right now than you. I am driving towards the shop. If they found us at the mall it means they have been following us. I don’t think the apartment building is safe.” We are under attack. I can do this. I find my purse and get my cell phone out of it and I text Susan and tell her I need the bag that I left at her house and to meet me at the garage and to be sure to bring backup. I also let her know what has happened. I get a fast reply and I am happy for that. I text Bubba next and give him the update also and tell him we may have someone watching the place. Bubba text back and tells me to drive for thirty minutes and then to come to the shop so he can get some friends to back him up and close the shop up. Tito and Brain are already there, but he wants more backup, just in case Nic has eyes on the shop. I didn’t tell him that the Hell Keeperz MC was involved, just Nic. We drive around and when it is close enough to thirty minutes we pull into the drive of the shop and the parking lot is full of motorcycles. I know that Tito and Brain are from two different clubs. Brain is from the BlackPath MC that have a clubhouse close to here and Tito is from the Feral Steel MC in Oklahoma. I don’t know how they got so many people here in such a brief time, but no matter how many reservations I have about motorcycle clubs, I know not to judge all clubs by the Hell Keeperz MC. Faith parks the jeep as close to the front door as possible and before I can get my door open Bubba is opening the door for me and he has me in a hug. This almost shocks me as bad as the van full of men earlier. Bubba is not a touchy kind of man. I know he has a soft heart when it comes to Faith, Susan, and myself, but the most he has ever showed in the emotion department is a pat on the back or a hand shake. Paul is at Faith’s door with the same reaction.
“Damn, you two scared the hell out of us. Why didn’t you tell us how much trouble you are in? Dad didn’t tell us that you have the Hell Keeperz MC on your ass. We would have taken better care of you and put security on you. I have connections.” I guess I am still in shock a little bit.
“We explained when we got here what was going on the best we could. We didn’t want to put your families in any more danger than we had to. How did you find out that the Hell Keeperz members were there today? I didn’t tell you that. What’s going on?” I ask Bubba.
“I can answer that question, but I think it would be better if we get you two inside. Charity Connors, you are one hard person to find, but I knew it was only a matter of time.” I look at the man talking. I see the name Chief on the man’s cut and the President patch with it. He must be the President of Brain’s club. Then it dawns on me the name he called me. I look for Faith and she has come around the car and standing by me. I look at her swollen eye. We need to get ice on it.
“I agree. Faith needs ice on her eye.” I don’t know why this gruff man makes me feel safe now, but he does. I grab Faith’s hands and Tito goes to the other side and takes her other hand. I look at their hands and then to Tito. I see a softness there when he looks at Faith. “Paul would you please get my purse from the jeep and lock it?” I look to Faith. “You do have the keys?”
“In my pocket. I think I need something to drink though, my head feels woozy.” I look closer at Faith and she her breathing is not erratic, and I don’t hear any wheezing. I look back at Paul. “Can you grab Faith’s backpack in case she needs her inhaler, please?”
“Sure thing.” Paul answers. We follow the gruff man back into the shop and the place is full of bikers. The man goes straight to the office and goes behind the desk and sits in Bubba’s chair. I find that rude, but I don’t say anything. Faith and I sit on the couch against the wall. Bubba comes in with ice wrapped in a clean shop towel. He hands it to Faith and she applies it to her eye.
“I think we may need to get Charity checked out. She took some hard falls and she is pregnant. She climbed on the back of that goon like a monkey. She shot Nic in the leg and his best friend Cin in the chest. There was another shot.” Faith looks at me. “Who else did you shoot Charity?” I don’t answer.
“I think your sister asked you a question, but I want the details after you left the mall and don’t leave anything out Charity, I am not a patient man.” I glare at Chief. I know he is the President of a motorcycle club and he is supposed to be given respect but right now I have about had my fill of bossy assholes for one day. Paul comes in and hands me my purse and puts Faith’s down beside her. I just want to get this done. I am sore in places I didn’t even know I had.
“We came out of the mall and there was a little girl that distracted us. She was having a temper fit with her mom by the time the woman had quieten her down the van was in front of us. I dropped my bags when the door slid open. The front door was not open yet, but the back one was, and Faith was already in her fighting stance and was ready. I grabbed my gun out of my purse and the first one I could make out was Glenn, he’s Nic’s older brother, but what shocked me was he was wearing a cut of the Hell Keeperz MC and his patch said President. I was aiming for his heart, but he moved, and he was gut shot. He was bleeding out bad. Nic came out of the front door and he and I fought. He landed a haymaker into my face. I shot him in the leg, but I must have got his knee cap because he went down hard and wasn’t getting back up. I always knew he was a damn wuss. Faith was swapping punches with Cin, Nic’s best friend. She stabbed him in the leg, but he threw her down hard and tried to sling her over his shoulder and I jumped on his back and was punching and holding on the best I could. He slammed me into the concrete walkway. I was stunned a minute, but when he started to sling Faith over his shoulder again I got him mid mass in the chest. If he doesn’t bleed to death from the leg wound, then the shot to the chest should have taken him out. I don’t know if I heard sirens before that or after, but the other man in the van said for them to load up because they had to get Glenn out of there. After that I zoned out and Faith got us out of there. It was a plain white work van. No logo on the side or anything. That is all I can remember.” I gave it all to them non-stop. They can figure it out. Chief takes his phone out and text someone but doesn’t give us a hint who. As long as it isn’t the Hell Keeperz MC or someone from our community then I don’t give a damn. Chief finally looks up and looks at Paul.
“Can you get a doctor here to look at these two, so we can head back to Winnsboro?” I fling my head to look at him.
“We are not going to Winnsboro.” I am beyond pissed. “Listen tall, dark, and quiet, I am not going any closer to the damn community we left so they can come after us again. It is my job to protect Faith and my unborn child and we will not do it, I do not do well when orders are barked at me by someone I don’t even know.” The man smirks at me and then leans up in the chair and puts his elbows on the desk. Then his face is wiped of all expression except for the anger in his eyes.
“Woman do not back talk me, except my Em and she likes the consequences of her backtalk, but I can guarantee you that you will not. How is your little plan working out for you, so far? You have had to defend yourself against grown men today and I can tell you, you do not look so hot. You could have not only lost your life but the life of your sister and your unborn child. I happen to know that Brody would not agree with any of the shit you pulled today. So, get your hard-fucking head, out of your ass and do what the fuck I tell you to do, or would you like me to get Brody here, so he can pull you by your ratty hair all the way back home. It’s called child endangerment. Brody is the assumed father, so he has rights. If I was him I would demand a damn DNA test. Get a dictionary and look it up or just damn well google it. I have no time for a temperamental pregnant woman or her little sister!” Chief is standing up and yelling by the time he is finished and then he smiles, and I can see how a woman could get lost in his big brown eyes, but I am still pissed.
“I didn’t tell Brody to assume anything, including this child. Has anyone ever told you that you are a rude asshole and you are not the boss of us.” Chief smirks and then sits back down. I don’t know if that calms me or puts me more on edge.
“I think we should go with them Charity. I am your sister and will always have your back, but you cannot take the chances that you did today. Think about the baby and as much as I try, I will never be as good as you are defending us. We should go just until Pop, Nic, and the Hell Keeperz MC is dealt with.” I look at Faith and I want to argue with her, but I can’t. If anything happened to my child I would never forgive myself. I hate letting this man have his way. Susan walks up to the door.
“The doctor will be here within the hour.” Susan looks at us and I know we look a mess.
“Thank you, Susan. We appreciate it.” I am grateful for everything that has been done for us.
“Listen to Faith, Charity. You need to take care of yourself.” Paul says from behind his wife.
“I’ll have dad check in on you. I promise.” Bubba says.
“Enough, I did not come here to coddle no woman.” Chief says to Bubba.
“Do you need to be so damn rude? You come into a man’s shop and not only take over the shop but the man’s office and his chair. I was going to say alright, but you won’t let me get a word in edge wise. Do you ever quit bitching? We will go, but we are leaving when we damn well want to.” I try to stare Chief down, but he only laughs.
“If you were a man, I would kill you for talking to me like that or make you wish you were dead, but a little sass coming out of a woman reminds me of my daughter, Callie. Damn, I miss that girl. I think you could grow on me, if we were around each other very long, but just to be clear, you were coming whether you wanted to or not. You have Brody’s kid inside you and the man has been hunting for you everywhere. Little did we know that you were right under our damn noses. Your sister is a smart kid, listen to her more often, I am not a nice man, but if you will just listen to someone that just wants you safe, then this will go easier.” Chief walks around the desk and walks around in front of Faith. I stand up and move closer. Chief laughs. “I just want the keys to the jeep, we need to have it filled with fuel. Is there anything you need from your apartment or can we leave from here after the doctor sees you?” We need to go by the apartment and I am about to say it.
“We need to go by the apartment to pick up clothes. We have a few bags packed but there are a few things I need to add.” Faith says to Chief and then hands him the keys.
“Alright, we’ll run by the apartment, but you only have fifteen minutes to get what you need.” Chief tells Faith. Chief doesn’t seem as aggressive with Faith. “You two rest for a few, while I take care of some business.” I still think he is an asshole. Chief walks out and so do all the other men. Susan walks in and sits in Bubba’s chair. Faith and I are lounged out on the couch.
“Charity, Chief is not a man to be arguing with. He is in your face and all alpha. You should take a step back, and access the situation again, he wants to help you.” Susan says quietly. I look at her and I see the concern. I start to say something, but I don’t get the chance.
“Susan, we appreciate everything that your family has done for us but listening to men without questioning is how we ended up here. That is how we were raised. Man is head of the house and the community, women are like children to be seen and not heard. Not that I see children that way, but it is what we were taught. Charity and I will not do that anymore. We were born with a brain and free will and we are going to use both. Do not get me wrong, we have come to think of you, Paul, Bubba, and Uncle Hem as our family, but we don’t know Chief or why he would want to help us. I like his idea of extra help, but only because it is the logical thing to do and I can be nice to him. I don’t want to see my pregnant sister thrown on the ground again, but there will come a point that Charity and I will need to do what we think is best and even Chief with his rough exterior will not stop us.” Susan laughs and shakes her head. Faith looks at me. “Charity, you do not need to antagonize and be so confrontational with a man that might save of lives.” Susan laughs again.
“Now who is the mother hen around here. Charity you have been schooled by your baby sister.” I smile at that, because Susan is right.
“Alright Faith, but if that man is an ass to me then he is getting as good as he gives.” I shake my head thinking about the giant of a man.
“Charity, you have it wrong, that was Chief being nice. You do not want to see the bad part of that man. He will eat you alive and then make you wish you’d never met him.” I am not worried about Chief, but I will remember the warning. “I am going to go and see if I can find some more ice.” Susan walks out of the room. It is not long before the doctor that looked after Faith when we first arrived, is giving both Faith and I an exam. Bruising and swelling is all he finds. He warns me to take it easy and makes sure that Faith has her meds in case she needs them. I wait for Chief to come in and start ordering us around, but Brain is the one that comes into the room. I wait for someone else to follow him in, but Bubba and Paul are the only ones that come in behind him.
“There’s been a change of plans. Susan has gone to get us some food with the prospects and then after we eat, some of my brothers and I are taking you to your apartment to gather some things up. Then we are going back to Winnsboro. This is going to be a quick trip.” Brain isn’t his normal joking self, he is all business.
“Is Chief going to be joining us?” I couldn’t help but to ask. Brain looks at me and I feel a shiver run up my back. This isn’t the man I am accustomed to dealing with. This man is cold and calculating. He’s trying to stare me down, but it is not happening.
“That’s club business which means it is none of yours. We will see Chief when we see him.” That sets me off. I stand up and I fight back the tears.
“I thought we were friends, excuse me for wondering where the man was that has been giving me orders for the last few hours. It looks like the biker world is just like the real world. There are no friends just family.” I don’t give Brain a chance to respond. I turn and walk into Bubba’s private bathroom and let the tears fall. I don’t understand anything anymore. Someone that has acted like a friend for over two months and then suddenly, he isn’t. Is there anywhere that we can find a normal life? What is normal? I take care of my other business and then splash water on my face and wash my hands. I know I can’t stay in here all day and I guess it is time to face another angry man. I need a freaking nap, so I can regroup and be the total bitch I know I can be to these assholes.