Authors: Brair Lake
“Where are they?”
“What the fuck, are you on about?”
“I’m not in the mood for any games. Just fucking tell me, where the girl is?”
“Look Tabby I ain’t got any idea what you’re on about and what girl?”
With a deep breath, I draw back the arm, which is holding the gun, and with the handle, I swipe his head. “Now, fucking tell me.”
The petrified girl, who still has her legs spread on the table attempts to scramble away with no luck, as Tats holds her in place. With ease I pull the trigger back, the loud sound of metal clicking fills the silent room.
“His mama has a shack out by the bayou. You’ll find them there.” Tats rapidly supplies us with directions.
“She better not be hurt, and she better be alive by the time we find her. Otherwise, I’m coming back and going to personally burn this place down with you inside it.”
My blood may be burning at the thought of what could be happening to Emily. However, it soon turns to ice from the cold stare that Tats is giving me. Unease and dread curse through me. As we left New Lyons, Dec contacted Crabby and Sundance and tells them to meet us at Jimmy-Joe’s shack.
The hour is late and when we pull up at the shack. We discover that Crabby and Sundance have already arrived. Their hogs parked at an angle and abandoned. When I approach the door, it is already ajar and slowly I push it open. On the floor lay Jimmy-Joe a hole in his head. I did not know which one had shot him. Although my money is on Crabby. I had wanted that fucking pleasure.
“An ambulance is on its way.”
Sundance’s voices floats from the direction of an open door. The pulse in my throat is beating erratically and sweat has gathered on the palms of my hands as I slowly trudge towards the room.
“She’s alive Tabby, but barely.”
“Did he…?” All I am given is a shake of his head as he steps back, allowing me into the bedroom. Emily is laying on the floor; someone has put her in the fetal position as vomit and froth cover her mouth and floor. A rubber tube is tied round her upper arm and a disused needle lay beside her.
“Shouldn’t we be walking her round or something?”
Sundance gives me another shake of his head
“Emergency told us to do this.”
From a distance, the sound of sirens can be heard, and by the time I reach the door, an ambulance has arrived along with the Sherriff. As I wait for Emily’s body to be fetched out of the cabin, I feel as though I am on a different planet. All round me people are gathering as they talk. The flashing lights breaking the stillness of the night. Next to me stood Dec, a cigar stuck in his mouth, the aromatic woodsy scent filling the air.
“I’ll go in the ambulance and ring Rayven. Can you ring Fraggle and tell him to take the family to New Lyons County Hospital.”
I have not finished speaking before Dec has his cell to his ear.
“Inferno, I’m going now.”
“Sure. I’m going with Crabby. They're taking him in for questioning.”
At Inferno’s remark, I lift my eyes up from the young pale girl, as I watch the Sherriff’s department escort Crabby to one of their cars.
DCMC
The wait for Rayven is killing me. In one of the rooms lay the helpless body of Emily. As I sit and guard the door, a stream of people has come in and out of the room. Fuck, I hate hospitals. They stink of death. It was in cold place similar to this that I had lost my son. Agitated, I begin to pace the room.
“Tabby.”
Rayven’s scared voice has me spinning towards her, holding my arms out for her as she ran into them. Her tear streaked face pulls at my heart. This family has managed to work its way into my heart and soul. Life has kicked them down, yet they still manage to rally round and gather themselves together.
“Shush, Rayven, she’s going to be alright.”
“Is she?”
“Sure. Isn’t she a Winters? A fighter no matter what the odds.”
When Rayven had entered the hospital, Sundance had followed them in and now he is sitting with Laura comforting her as we wait for news. News, which appears to be taking a long time to come. As we wait, I am surprised to see Teddy walk in, and make his way over to Laura, who bursts into a fresh set of tears as he replace Sundance.
“Mrs Winters.” The doctor’s voice drew the attention of several eyes. All eagerly waiting to hear what he has to say.
“Mrs Winters, Emily’s going to be fine. We’re going to keep her in for the rest of the night. But she can go home tomorrow.
Fresh tears roll down Laura’s cheeks as she smiles. “Thank you doctor. Can we go and see her”
Everyone watched in shock as Laura and Teddy follow the doctor.
“Why would Baby Blu’s dad come to the hospital Tabby?”
“I don’t know Little Bird, buts lets collect the family and go home.”
“I want to stay.”
“There’s nothing you can do. Emily’s sleeping and she’ll be home tomorrow.”
DCMC
The drama of the last twenty-four hours has taken its toll on both the club and the family. When Laura had brought Emily home along with Teddy, Emily had run straight to her room, slamming her door close and now Laura and Teddy had delivered more news.
After bringing Emily home Laura had called everyone together, including Baby Blu and Inferno.
“Teddy’s Emily’s father. I didn’t know how to tell anyone and it was never the right time to tell Emily. Well, that was until last night.”
Silence fills the room as a collection of shocked and angry eyes met the parents.
“Did you know Dad?”
“I’ve always known.”
“And you didn’t tell me.”
“Baby Blu.”
“Shut up Inferno. For fourteen years, my dad lied to both Emily and me. I have a sister and no one saw fit to tell me.”
“Momma?”
“I’m sorry Rayven. It wasn’t easy.”
“Did Papa know?”
“Yes.”
“Is that why he left us?”
“No Rayven that wasn’t why. It’s a long story.”
Rayven did not respond, instead she jumped from her chair and slammed the door, her footsteps heavy as she stomped up the stairs. Usually Rayven’s anger is quick and the response she is portraying now is out of character and frightens me. Without bothering to make any excuses, I run after Rayven, finding her in one of the bedrooms. She is lying on the double bed, her body shaking as the tears fell. Not bothering to take my boots off, I curl my body round the weeping woman.
“I nearly did it Tabby.”
Tenderly, I stroke her hair away from her face, offering the comfort she needs. “You nearly did what Little Bird?”
“I nearly denied you your son and Kavan his father.” Slowly, Little Bird turns until she is lying on her back, staring at the ceiling.
“Would that have made me any better than Momma?”
Now I know why Laura contacted me. It had nothing to do with that creep, Anton. We both know that Rayven could have handled him.
“Your Momma had her reasons. Just as you had yours. Talk to her Rayven and listen to what she has to say.”
Chapter 24
Although Tabby had left ahead of time this morning, allowing me to face Momma on my own. He has left me a short note. If I need anything, I was to give him a ring. It had been a restless night for me and even Tabby’s lovemaking had not been able to soothe my nerves. Unable to put off facing Momma any longer, I left the bed, showered, soothed my skin with lotion, and cleansed my face. The face staring back at me from the mirror is my face, yet my eyes are large against my pale skin and the only way I am going to hide the dark circles, is to wear make-up.
“How did you sleep Momma?”
Momma is already in the kitchen by the time I reach it, a cup of coffee in her hand. Eyes that are more tired than mine, look my way.
“I didn’t Rayven.”
A part of me wanted to go over to the frail woman and hug her. While another wanted to scream at her. Unable to drink the coffee that I had poured myself, I threw it down the sink, and then joined Momma at the table.”
“We’ve got to talk.”
“I know Hun.”
Silence descended on the room as Momma avoided my eyes.
“Momma.”
“It was a long time ago. Your papa was working all the hours he could. I was lonely and felt undesirable. We had four children under the age of nine and you were all a handful. One day I had taken Luke and Georgie to the park while you and Kent were at school. Georgie fell while chasing a stray dog and Luke was about to wander off when a young man came to my rescue. He chased after Luke and watched him while I sorted Georgie out. Then he left.” Momma is lost in her memories. A wistful smile spreads across her face.
“I didn’t go looking for someone and I wasn’t expecting anything.” Momma’s hand has stretched across the table and she is gripping on to mine.
“The following day, I came back to the ballpark with the boys and the same man strolled by. This time he stopped and sat down beside me and we chatted. It wasn’t until then, that I realized how much I missed adult company and conversation. Each day I would go to the park and he’d be there. One day he asked if I wanted to go for coffee and I said yes. Coffee led to lunch, which then led to bed. This handsome man was seeing me as a woman, Rayven and each day I fell a little more in love with him.”
Now Momma has stopped and her shoulders are slumped forward. While Rosie gives a whimper as she lays her head on Momma’s lap. Idly Momma tickles Rosie’s ear, lost in her memories.
“It wasn’t a whirlwind courtship Rayven. It was slow and sweet. When I found out I was pregnant, Teddy wanted me to leave your Papa. Only I couldn’t. Why should this young man take on a ready-made boisterous family?”
I never remove my eyes from Momma as she takes a sip of her coffee, noticing her hands shaking.
“Your papa and I hadn’t had sex in a long time and I seduced him. He never doubted Emily was his. Well, not at first anyway. Then things started to go wrong at work for him. His hours were cut, and finally he lost his job. We began to argue and one night I threw it in his face.”
With an agitated push on her wheelchair, Momma opens the back door.
“The rooms stuffy, don’t you think Rayven?”
“A little Momma.”
“Anyway, this argument escalated and your Papa threw me out.”
“Momma.”
“No Rayven you wanted to know. After the accident, your father felt guilty, blaming himself. After I left the hospital, I returned to the house and for a few months, your father looked after me. Being stuck in this chair didn’t help Rayven. As I became more depressed, your papa become more disillusioned. Until one morning he got up and walked out.”
For a long time I have hated my papa. Momma’s story was not making me hate him any less. Only differently.