by Ryan Michele
6
Ensley
This place always smelled good. They changed it every time I stepped into the building. Today was a fall scent with some kind of pumpkin apple combination and maybe some kind of marshmallow or something. It was divine.
Some people thought going into an assisted living home, the smell of death and despair was all around. Nope. Not at the Rosewood where my friend Gladys lived. This place was like a ten-star resort that I’d love to come for a vacation. Instead of that, we just visited and enjoyed it from afar.
Remy tugged on my finger, then put her arms up in the air to be picked up. I lifted her and positioned her on my hip as I turned to the woman on duty. “Hi. We’re here to see Gladys Withendal.”
“Hey, Ensley!” Reba, who’d known me since I started coming, came from the back room, wiping her hands with a paper towel and totally ignoring the receptionist.
“Hey, Reba. How are things?”
“Good! And you brought Remy today! Gladys is going to be so happy.” Reba clapped her hands excitedly. She’d worked here for years and absolutely loved her job. Some people just acted like they enjoyed what they did every day, when they really didn’t. Reba did, hands down.
“Geee…” Remy squealed, kicking her legs. It was the closest she'd come to saying Gladys. It was a very hard name for a little one. Therefore, Geee it was. Remy loved her Geee.
“She is too,” I said with a smile.
“Go on in. I’ll get you down.” Reba went to the computer, and the buzzer to the inner door sounded. I hustled to the door, pulling it open just in time. Remy squirmed knowing exactly where she wanted to be.
“Hang on. We need to go see Gladys, and then we can play.”
“No…” Remy whined, and I kneeled to her eye level.
“Yes. We need to see Gladys first or we have to leave. They won’t let us play without Gladys.” This was partially the truth and a little white lie. We wouldn’t have to leave, but that was only because they knew us here. The playground in the courtyard was Remy’s favorite thing to do. It was for all the grandkids who would come to visit.
“Pay!” Remy called out, and several of the men and women turned. Most were used to Remy; she was young. But some didn’t like the noise much. We just went along with our business.
Remy looked at me for long moments, then calmed when she put her head on my shoulder. She had a short fuse, but it burned out quick.
It was one thing I hoped she’d keep through the years, at least the burning out quick part.
We made it to Gladys’ room and knocked softly. There was no answer.
“Are you looking for Gladys?” an older woman asked, moving down the hall.
“Yes. Do you know where she is?”
“It’s so sweet to see grandkids and great grandkids. She’s down in the poker room.”
I should’ve known my Gladys would be where the action was. She was never one to steer away from it, always being the center of it all. Hell, even bringing it. She was a spitfire, and it was why I was so drawn to her in the first place.
“Thank you.”
Knowing exactly where that room was, we took off, Remy coming back into herself by sitting up and then getting down to walk while holding my finger.
As we passed, several of the residents had their hands up for Remy to give high fives too. She always had a smile on her face doing it, and I’d always wondered what she thought about it, having all of these people who loved seeing her when she visited. One day maybe she’d tell me.
The poker room held three tables, one roulette wheel, and several video poker machines. The residents didn’t win money, though. Instead, they were able to choose different things they wanted to do that were the ‘extras’. Gladys liked her massages considering a very young blond man, Nate, gave them to her. She said he was ‘just so precious.’ Right.
Gladys was sitting at a round table with three other women and a dealer. The dealer was actually a worker here, but she wore a uniform to make the place feel as real as possible. Like I said, ten-star resort.
“Hey,” I announced, coming to the table as Remy took off to Gladys.
“There’s my girls!” Gladys cheered as she tossed her cards down, then turned and wrapped Remy in her arms tightly.
When we left our families over two years ago, I never knew we’d have this extended one. The Ravage MC and Gladys.
I met Gladys in the emergency room about a year ago. It was twisted and jacked up, and you probably wouldn’t believe me if I told you, but I’m going to tell you anyway. Gladys came in with her friend June who was in her late sixties and apparently very sexually active.
June somehow, someway got a condom stuck up inside of her, and she couldn’t get it out.
Gladys told me, “It was because his dick was so scrawny. Couldn’t hold the damn thing on if he tried.” It was that moment that Gladys and I bonded. It was totally messed up, but a great friendship came out of all the laughter.
“And how’s my baby girl doing?” Gladys cooed to Remy.
“Pay!” Remy yelled, and Gladys smiled.
“Sorry, ladies. My little one needs to play. I’ll catch ya on the flipside.” Gladys set Remy down and grabbed her hand, coming toward me. “Looks like we’re off to play.”
“Lead the way.”
Standing behind Remy and Gladys, I wanted to snap a picture it was so perfect. Little Remy holding on to Gladys’ hand all the while looking up at her and smiling. The guilt that burdened me from time to time started rising.
It was the one thing that I hated for my little girl, having biological family. When Katie and I left, we knew there was no going back, and we didn’t want to. It was the family part that we missed. Having everyone around and playing with the younger kids. There was always someone around whenever you needed them, and someone was always bored enough to do what you had planned.
Now, we were on our own and doing great, but I wished my girl had more of a blood family. Don’t get me wrong, Ryker has pulled us into his world with open arms, and we loved it. It was a family of our own choosing. I just hoped that later on Remy didn’t hate me because of the choices I’d made. I did them all for her, and I’d make sure she knew that. When the time was right.
This right here though was precious, and I burned it into my memories, pulling out my phone and taking a discreet shot of the two.
“There ya go.” Gladys grinned, leading Remy into the playground. This home was fantastic. The play area rivaled the most top notch daycare by a mile.
What I loved was the sitting area off to the side which was where Gladys led us. Remy would come up five million times showing us her finds from the area, and we each loved it. She was busy, and we were able to spend time together.
“So, how’s my bigger girl doin’?” It felt good having her call me her girl. While I loved my mother, she wasn’t the loving type and rarely showed any affection. Even something as simple as a pet name. Nothing. She was more of an order-her-children kind of mom. I couldn’t remember a time when she hugged me just because. It had always been in front of someone she was trying to impress.
This small bit from Gladys meant the world, and she didn’t even know.
“Good. Work’s busy. Remy keeps growing like a weed. Katie’s good. Overall…” I shrugged. “Good.”
“You do realize there are more words in the English language than good.”
I smiled. “Yeah, but good is the way I describe it. Tell me how you’re doing.”
“Oh hell, there’s always something goin’ on here. Freddy’s been seeing Margo and Sharon, which caused a huge problem in the dance room for partners. It was a hoot to watch. Then we have June who’s spreading herself around the place.” She lowered her voice. “Which is nothin’ new. Love her to bits and as old as we are, I say go for it; just don’t get the rubber stuck again.”
A chuckle left me. “June’s gettin’ more than I ever have.”
Gladys laughed out loud. “She’s gettin’ more
than I’ve ever had too, and I’ve been alive a lot longer than you, child.”
She always did this, telling me about everyone around here but the one person I cared most about, her. “What’s going on with you, Gladys?”
“Just livin’ and lovin’ it. I won a massage the other day and can’t wait to get it from Nate.” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. Hell, with how Gladys was I wouldn’t be surprised if Nate gave her other favors. Not that I’d ask. Some things I don’t need to know.
Gladys could get her some, then go for it. Life was too short, and she needed to live it.
“Momma!!!” Remy yelled as she sat at the top of the slide waiting for my eyes to come to her.
“Go ahead!”
Remy smiled and went down the slide so fast her shirt started waving in the breeze. Remy didn’t wait for me, she just took off to the sandbox. She’d have it in her hair, shoes, and every crevis including her butt crack before we left. As long as she had fun, I didn’t care. Everything washed off.
“So, Ensley, tell me more than ‘good’.”
I knew she wouldn’t let that go. She might have only known me for a year, but she knew me more than my real mother ever had. Gladys was that mother figure I’d always craved yet never had. In fact, Gladys was the complete opposite of the woman who'd given me life.
My biological mother lived a life that I never wanted to be a part of. Not to mention to have Remy live it. There was no way in hell I’d allow that. Considering how much my family looked down on me when I was pregnant, they never would’ve given Remy the time of day. More than likely, they would’ve shipped Remy off with another family member to pass off as their baby or what they wanted to do—terminate the pregnancy all together.
“Good, huh?” I chuckled as Gladys lifted her gray eyebrow at me so I talked. “Katie’s been working.”
“At the store?”
My head shook. “Yeah. She talks a lot about a guy named Sam, but I don’t think anything is going on there. It seems to be more of a friendship than anything else.”
“Shame. You girls need to find what makes you happy.”
Happiness. There was only one thing that made me happy. “I have Remy, and she’s all I need.”
“Nonsense. Every woman needs to get laid.”
I burst out laughing. “I haven’t had that in years.”
“Well at least two and half years.” She nodded toward Remy, and she wasn’t wrong. “What about Remy’s dad?”
Talking about Remy’s dad wasn’t something I did. Ever. Once, only once did I talk to Katie about him. About that night. About the night that blew me out of the water, leaving me aching on the inside that I’d never have it again.
That was it. Nothing else was ever said. That night was like none I’d ever had. The last one I had with Ari, my old best friend.
I’m going to kill Ari.
This was the second time she’d done this exact same thing. She found a man, drinking across the bar, and he’s the only thing on her radar. I didn’t exist. Just when I was starting to loosen up a bit, she had to leave me. This entire situation was new to me, and Ari promised she’d stay by my side the entire time. We were just supposed to come here and dance. Now, she’s dancing with a man. Cute man, but still.
Sidling up to the bar, the bartender came up with a wide flirtatious smile on his face. One in which I returned, leaning into the bar top and getting close. Books were my go-to in learning about men. I’d get them from the small little ‘take one’ box down the way and sneak it into the house. When everyone was asleep, I’d pull it out and read. One can learn a lot from books. “Rum and diet.” Ari got it for me last time, and it was pretty good. Of course, I would sip it until all the ice melted.
The handsome man with long hair winked. “Sure thing, beautiful.” He took off as a deep breath tried to come in, but it felt shallow, like the sigh was more in my head than actuality.
Even with all the noise around me, thoughts began to invade as my drink showed up, and I drank it way too quickly, needing the escape from the words tormenting me. “Another.”
“You alright?” he asked me, and I wanted to punch him, but that would damage his pretty face. Just because a woman drinks didn’t mean a damn thing was wrong with her.
“Absolutely.” His gaze lingered longer than it should before he took off to make my drink. A subtle come on, but definitely one of them.
A tap came to my shoulder, and inside I wanted to jump. Earlier, when Ari and I were dancing, I’d been blowing men off left and right. I really wasn’t in the mood to do it again while I was sitting here drinking.
Turning my head slowly, a man on the shorter side stood next to me with a goofy as hell grin. “Go away.” The order came with an eye roll. No, he wasn’t ugly, but he did nothing for me. Sure, I could go back to being polite and doing everything the man said, but out here, I didn’t have to do any of that. I could make up my own mind and do what I wanted to do. Not what a man told me to do.
He might be a good guy, but just from one glance at him, I knew he wasn’t for me. Romance books had so many different heroes in them. The ones who got to me were the men who were strong and dominate. The ones who took what they wanted and made a woman feel like she wasn’t so alone in a world of chaos yet didn’t take over their lives. They were loving and caring, doing anything and everything for their woman. I’d yet to find one, so maybe they were just in my imagination.
The guy started to talk, but it was the deep baritone on the other side of me that caught my attention. Turning to him, my breath caught for a moment, and words wouldn’t form on my lips. It’s as if I was suspended in time, unable to do anything but stare at the beauty of this man. I’d never described a man as beautiful, but he was.
“Just ignore him,” he said to me as my brow quirked, my voice coming back after clearing my throat. All I could think was ‘Don’t sound stupid. You’ve got this’.
“Now why would I want to do that?”
The hunk of a man’s face was very well-defined with solid angles and planes giving him an imposing look. When his lip tips in a smirk, my panties instantly dampen. It’s one of those a woman will never forget in her entire life. One that makes you stop and take notice. One of those that was burned so deep in a woman’s mind, it never escaped. One I thought was a figment, a ghost. Almost like the books I’d read.
Of all the men I’d ever been around, none of them made me feel even a speck of whatever this tingle was.
The eyes were his other weapon, deep brown with layers upon layers pulling me and captivating me completely.
“No answer?” I jabbed, wanting to hear more from him and curious what his story was. Everyone had a story. Some weren’t so pretty like mine. While others were intriguing. I wondered which he was.
“You’re the sexiest woman I’ve seen in years. You think I’m lettin’ you go?”
To this, I threw my head back laughing. “Flattery will get you everywhere. What’s your name?”
“Micah, you?”
“Cyrus.”
“Beautiful name for a beautiful woman.”
To this I laughed full out. “Beautiful name? No. More like a life sentence.”
He leaned in to my ear. “Sexy Cyrus. Yeah, I think it’s damn perfect.”
My belly did a small flip, and my heart rate picked up. Fuck, I was in trouble.
Yeah, I was in serious trouble that night. Little did I know, he’d leave me with a bundle in my belly.
7
Micah
“How the hell are ya?” Dryerson put his hand out and I clasped it, pulling him into a man embrace. Or whatever the hell you called it. I didn’t give a fuck; I was just happy to see the man.
“Fuckin’ great,” I responded as he pulled away with a wide smile on his face. Dryerson was my brother. We were Marines, with a team fighting together, and we trusted each other with everything inside of us.
We depended on one another every damn day, and we didn’t let the other one
down. Ever. We never left anyone behind. Come hell or high water, we all got out. Even if it were on a stretcher unresponsive. Those were the memories I hated reliving, but they were always there just at the edge waiting for some moment to trigger them to all come flooding back.
“Get your ass in here.” I opened the door to my new home, and Dryerson stepped inside. The place was sparse, and Dryerson didn’t know it yet, but he was going to help me get my things out of storage later.
When I got home from college, I’d bought a home in Sumner. It turned into a rental property while I was gone in the Marines, and there was a realtor who handled everything for me. When I knew my service time would be ending, I called her up about a year before and had her get it ready for me. The two-story home needed to be cleaned and updated. Paint, cabinets, flooring, beams, appliances, countertops, bathrooms—everything was new.
No offense, but I wanted my ass to be the only one that sat on my toilet. After sharing everything for four years, I needed that.
Luckily, my realtor handled everything. I just paid the bills.
It worked out in the end.
It saved me a ton of time and money for that matter.
“Lookin’ like you need some furniture, man.” Dryerson commented, stepping into the entryway, then into the living room with cathedral ceilings. Ceiling fans whirled above, and the exposed wooden beams gave it a homey look.
The living room fed into the kitchen which was stocked with all the appliances. The realtor had them delivered yesterday before I got here. Stainless steel all the way, and the countertops looked like marble with whites, browns, and blacks swirled around, but really it was fake marble.
It looked good and wouldn’t take much to replace, but it went well with the cherry color of the cabinets. Even I had to admit the kitchen was huge and included a large island in the center. Off to the side of that was a connected dining room, but it would probably end up being a pool room or something. I’d either eat at the island or the couch, once we got it anyway.