by MLJ Quigg
He took a breath and then continued, “I came out to her when I was fifteen, and she turned around and said to me that she already knew, and it didn’t stop her from loving me. I continued selling the paintings, and the gallery owner suggested I sell some of my drawings to a tattoo artist, so I went to his parlour and discussed what I’d done with him. When I was eighteen, Grandma and I got matching tattoos which I’d drawn. When I went into nursing, she encouraged me, but she still wanted me to keep painting and drawing, so I did. She met Monique, Richard, Mary, and the kids, and we would have weekly dinners at her house. When I gave up nursing to become a tattoo artist full-time, she was ecstatic. Don’t get me wrong, she was happy I was a nurse, but she knew my heart wasn’t really in it. I’ve always had art running through my veins, and she knew it. She loved the idea of tattooing and was all for it. I was drawing and creating masterpieces wherever I went… her words, not mine.” He looked around the room and smiled.
“She died of a heart attack just after her ninetieth birthday… five years ago. I was told at the will reading she’d left each of my siblings and parents a million dollars each, and the rest was for me. Her house, all her paintings were to be sold and put into a trust for me until I turned thirty, which is next year. I have no idea how much she was worth, nor do I care. I miss her and would wish her back if I could,” he explained sadly.
“Sounds like a remarkable woman. I’m glad you had her. She sounds like my mum,” I comforted.
“What are they like?”
“They are both dead, unfortunately. They died when I was eighteen in a car accident.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Hey, it’s okay. Happened a long time ago, and it wasn’t anyone’s fault. It was a tragic accident.”
“Still sucks.”
“Yeah, it does. I miss them.”
“Tell us about them, Mike?” Tweety insisted.
I told them all about how fantastic my parents were, how they had died, and how much they were my heroes.
“That sucks, but I’m glad you had such wonderful role models,” Dave soothed.
“Yeah, they were fantastic people. They remind me so much of Richard and Mary to be truthful,” I declared.
“I agree. I was thinking the same thing. Mum and Dad are such great people. I wish my parents were like them. Well, not my mum, more my dad,” Dave sighed.
“Their loss and Richard and Mary’s gain,” I declared.
“I so agree with that. My gain is right. I love you like a son, Dave. No one will ever make you feel less than what you are while I’m alive and kicking,” Mary agreed.
I didn’t even notice she was in the room she was so quiet, but then I guess with the number of people in the room, it wasn’t hard. She stepped into the room a little more and stood next to Dave and leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Love you, son,” she consoled Dave to which he sighed, “Love you, too, Mum.”
“All of you are family. Monique may be blood, but if you treat us with respect, you will get the same in return. Family is family, and we treat our family well,” Mary exclaimed smiling at us all.
“Thank you, Mary. You’re a phenomenal woman. I’m honoured to be a part of your family. I already think of Tiny as a sister,” Tweety smiled.
“I agree. Thanks, Mary,” Benny agreed.
She got no arguments from anyone, and we all smiled at each other.
“Okay. I have to ask a stupid question here. What are your real names?” Mary wondered.
“Not stupid at all, Mary. So, you know my name is Michael Williams,” I declared then went on to tell her their actual names.
Mary chuckled. “I’ll try to remember. It may take a while, but I’ll get there.”
“I don’t mind you calling us by our nicknames. I’m so used to it now, I’m not even sure I would answer to my real name anymore. I’m used to people calling me Tweety. Man, even my parents call me that now. The only time my mother calls me Tom is when she’s pissed at me,” Tweety laughed.
All the guys started nodding.
“Well, there you go. I’m going to get the kids from school. I’ll be back soon, guys,” Tiny told us happily.
“I’ve been making cakes all day, so we’ll have some afternoon tea when you get back,” Mary insisted.
“Sounds good, Mum. Be back soon.” Tiny stood up and walked out the door after grabbing the keys to her car.
We continued to chat until they returned, and we enjoyed the rest of the day together.
Mike
We’d been here for four days, and it was now Friday. I’d gone into work with Dave a few times and checked out the work he did. He was so talented. Dave had some time left after one of his appointments, and he tattooed a tribal band on my upper arm. It looked awesome, and I loved it. To thank him I sucked him off and then couldn’t help but fuck him. Jeez, you’d think I was a fucking teenager. I fucked him every chance I got. I think I’d had more sex than I’d had in my entire life and that’s saying something.
We were getting ready for our night out with the guys and Tiny. I walked into the bedroom and came across Tiny and Dave deep in conversation.
“I can’t do it anymore, Dave. I told my CO that after this mission, I’m out. I’m up for reenlistment in six months and told him it wouldn’t be happening. He said if I do this last one and finish early, I’m free to go. I miss the kids like fucking crazy, and I want to be their mum more than on a part-time basis,” she explained sadly.
“I will support you any way I can, you know that. What are you gonna do when you get out then?” he comforted.
“Sorry to interrupt… I couldn’t stop from overhearing that last part. You really going citizen on us?” I queried.
“Yep, I am. I can’t do it anymore. My kids mean more to me and being here has only reinforced it. I want to be here full-time for them,” she declared.
“I can understand that.”
“Dad and I have spoken about it, and I’ll join Henderson Security with him. It was always in the cards anyway. Dad wants me to take over for him eventually, so he can retire and take Mum travelling,” she maintained.
“If something happened and I get out of the military, do you think you could use me for anything?”
“Are you serious? I’d hire you on the spot, Mike. We could definitely use you. Well not use, but you’d have a position no matter what.”
“It might be good to keep my options open. I’m not looking to leave anytime soon. I love the military, but I would like to have a back-up plan if something does go wrong. You’ll be seeing me when I get leave so we can discuss it later.”
“Well, you have it with us. We’d welcome you anytime.”
“I plan to be around for years to come. But I’ll definitely take you up on that offer.” I looked at Dave and gave him an eyebrow raise, practically asking if he wanted me to.
“So, are you guys boyfriends now?”
“I don’t know. What do you say, Dave? Want to be my boyfriend?” I teased with a chuckle.
“Yes. I liked you the moment I met you. Man, even before I was introduced. I liked what I saw as soon as I noticed you that first day.”
“Good. The feeling’s entirely mutual.”
“Right, let’s get dressed. I want to party,” Tiny squealed.
“Alright. Alright. If you promise never to make that sound again. Fuck me, Tiny, I think you pierced my fucking eardrums.” I laughed.
“Shut up,” she muttered.
Once we’re all downstairs, we discussed where to go.
We were heading out to a club called the Angels Gentlemen’s Club in Penrith which was about an hour’s drive away.
We’d been at the club for a little over an hour, and we were all enjoying ourselves and having a great time. I didn’t know what to think of the place at first. We were sitting at a table as we watched the girls shaking their arses up on stage.
We all turned to a commotion happening behind us when a group of about twenty bikers walked in
the door laughing. They all took a seat near the bar and on the back of their cut was printed ‘Thorny Devils Motorcycle Club’. I turned back to the girls on stage and continued to watch.
Tiny was getting slowly drunk, and we were all laughing at her stories. “I have to pee. Be right back,” she stated.
She stood from the table, and all of us watched as she made her way to the bathrooms. We were all protective of her. My gaze went over to the bikers, and they were also watching her arse as she walked past them. One of them was staring intently at her, and I didn’t know what his problem was. Another one claps him on the shoulder. They all made a toast, stood, and made their way to the exit. One of the guys looked over at us, and his eyes widened, so he got up and stepped to us.
“Dave. How the fuck are you doing, brother?”
Dave looked up, smiled, and stood to shake his hand, and they gave each other a one-armed hug.
“Hey, Tatts. We’re having a night out, while my best friend and her teammates are on leave from the Army.”
“Well, have a great night. Gotta go, mate. We were out celebrating our president’s birthday. Catch you at the next convention, yeah?”
“You certainly will. See ya ‘round, Tatts.”
Tatts walked off outside as we heard the rumble of the bikes while Tiny stepped back in the room which quietened as they rode off.
“You guys wanna stick around for a while or get going?” she asked.
I looked at the time on my watch and noticed it was two in the morning. I was getting pretty tired, so I didn’t particularly care. “I’m beat. I wouldn’t mind calling it a night,” I declared.
“Yeah me, too,” Tweety acknowledged.
Everyone else was nodding. We all stood. Yep, time to go.
We walked outside as a group and made our way to the bus and took our seats. I pulled Dave next to me and wrapped my arm around his shoulder, and he leaned into me and sighed happily.
“Fuck, Mike. I thought you were going to take that guy’s head off when he hugged Dave,” Bazza chuckled.
“Huh. What are you talking about?” I mumbled.
I thought I hid it better than that. Yeah, I was pissed he touched him, but I thought I was calm about it. “Yeah, well, what can I say? He mine,” I cautioned while hugging him tighter and kissing the top of his head.
“Tatts is a fellow tattooist. I met him last year at a tattoo convention in the city. He’s a good bloke but totally straight, and he’s not my type anyway. So, no worries there,” Dave defended leaning into me a little more.
“So, what’s the story with you two?” Tweety questioned.
“We’re together. Eventually I want to settle down and start a family,” I noted.
“What are you gonna do?” Tweety asked.
“He’s going to come work for me. I’m out as soon as I finish this mission. Dad wants me to take over from him at Henderson Security. I asked Mike if he’d be interested in joining when he got out, and he accepted,” Tiny informed.
“It’ll be years down the track if I ever get out of the military. I love what I’m doing now,” I insisted.
“Would you have room for me, too?” Bazza queried.
We all spun around and looked at him. He was dead serious. I didn’t even realise he wanted out.
“Hell, yes. All of you have a job if you want. We’re a family as I’ve said before. I’d welcome you all with open arms,” Tiny gushed.
“Thanks. I’ll definitely keep that in mind. I love the military, but it’s great to have a fallback plan,” he remarked.
“Were you serious about all of us having a job, Tiny?” Benny inquired.
“Fuck yeah, course I am. You guys are the best of the best. I want you by my side if you ever want to leave the military. You all have a place with me,” she insisted.
I looked at all the guys, and they were nodding their heads.
Well, it looks like we’ll be together as a team for years to come.
Personally, I can’t wait.
These guys were my family as Tiny had stated. I didn’t have any blood family left, so I accepted them as mine. I sat back and eavesdropped in on the conversations going on around me and smiled to myself.
“Did you see the size of some of those guys? I swear one of them was like seven foot. He was fucking huge. I wouldn’t have ever expected a club like that to be so clean. Do you know what I mean? Like they were all well behaved and making no trouble for anyone, and even though they had beards and fucking shit like that, they all looked clean. Maybe I’m just used to seeing things differently. My cousin was in an MC, and they were fucking arseholes. Always getting into trouble. They did drugs and guns and shit. I was asked to join, but no thanks. Wasn’t my scene,” Benny proclaimed.
“What are you talking about?” Tiny questioned.
“The Thorny Devils MC, they came into the club. They were sitting by the bar, ‘bout twenty of them in total,” Benny related.
“Oh yeah, I remember them coming in, but I don’t remember them being there when we left,” she recounted.
“One of them sure liked the look of you. He followed you with his eyes all the way to the bathroom. When they left, one came over and talked to Dave,” he confided.
“Really. Dave, you didn’t tell me you knew any of the Thorny Devils,” she stammered.
“I met Tatts last year at that convention I told you about. He was in the stall next to mine. Nice guy. I didn’t realise he was with them, though. He didn’t wear anything with their name on it, and he didn’t say anything. He recognised me and came over to say hello. He was out celebrating their president’s birthday,” he soothed.
I watched as a sad look came over Tiny’s face.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Dave insisted.
I'm guessing he can tell her moods as well. Probably better than all of us.
“It’s nothing. Just remembering, is all. Derrick would have been thirty today,” she mumbled sadly.
“Oh, honey, I know it hurts still. But you have to let him go. It’s been eleven years. He’s not coming back,” he comforted.
“I know. I can’t help it, though. I still love him, Dave. What if he is still alive and out there somewhere? I can’t give up. I have to keep trying to find out what happened. The kids deserve to know,” she mumbled with her eyes glistening. The tears didn’t fall. Instead, she took a huge gulp of air and composed herself.
“What if you do find him? What then?” Tweety queried.
“I would never keep him from them. He’s their father. He has a right to know his kids. If he wants nothing to do with them, then we’ll take it day by day. I just hope he’s happy wherever he is,” she related.
“You’re a bigger person than me, Tiny. I don’t know what I’d do in the same situation,” Tweety declared.
“There has to be a reason he left so suddenly. I have to find out. Maybe it had something to do with his mum dying. I just don’t know. Derrick was always so loving and carefree. Something happened. I just know it. My only hope is that he’s not dead and perhaps we’ll connect again,” she revealed.
“Would you ever take him back?” I questioned.
“I really don’t know. It would all depend on the circumstances. I’d have to really look at my life and take it all into consideration.” She shrugged.
“You’re an amazing woman, Tiny. I wish all women were like you,” Benny mused.
I looked over to him, and he appeared so sad. “You okay, brother?”
He took a deep breath and nodded his head. “Yeah, man. My ex’s a fucking bitch. I have a little boy who she keeps from me. She won’t let me see him, and I didn’t do anything fucking wrong. She sent me a Dear John letter while I was overseas and moved out of our place. I’ve been trying to find her and my boy, but I have no idea where she is.”
“Fuck, that’s brutal. I hope you find her. You need help… I’m there for you, man,” Max mentioned.
“Thanks. May take you up on that when I get done with the
military.” He fist-bumped him.
“That goes for me, too,” Bazza reiterated.
Everyone nodded their heads in agreement.
“I think that goes for all of us,” Tweety declared.
“You guys are the best. Fucking gonna make me shed a tear here,” Benny noted.
“Fuck that. Don’t go all soft on us now.” Tweety chuckled, and we all joined in.
“So, Monique… you wanna go to a class tomorrow?” Dave queried.
“Yeah. I wanted to go Wednesday night, but I was buggered.”
“Good. After lunch then?”
“Sounds good.”
“What are you two talking about?” I questioned. “Can I watch?”
“Sure. I’d like that,” he replied.
“Hey… I wanna have an early birthday party for the kids tomorrow after dance class. I asked Mum to set it up when we were away. I want to go shopping for presents in the morning for them. They all want phones, so I’m going to get them and maybe something else. I’ll figure it out when I get to the shops. Do you guys wanna be involved?” she inquired.
“When’s their birthday?” Tweety asked.
“March seventh. So, just over two weeks. I won’t be here, and I want to celebrate their tenth birthday with them before I leave. At least, they’ll know I’m thinking of them.”
“Yeah. I’m in. Your kids are fucking awesome, Tiny,” Bazza exclaimed.
“I agree. Love to be there,” Benny revealed.
All the other guys nodded and agreed, so I guess we’re all going shopping tomorrow.
What the fuck do you get ten-year-olds?
I’ll have to talk to Dave and Tiny later to figure something out.