by L. Ann Marie
Danny points out a tent with boxes. “Those are gifts for you. They’re fuckin crazy buddy, good luck with that. We had two garage bays filled with boxes.” He slaps Cloud on the shoulder and walks away shaking his head. I crack up, Batshit Crazy! People come to us congratulating and giving hugs to us and the kids. When the crowd thins we sit again. Holy Shit, I need a rest. The kids take off. Joey goes back to Nunánuk. We watch everyone having fun, dancing to the band, playing games and talking in groups.
Mitch, Jamie, Kevin and Ben come and sit with us. “Love the dance Cloud. You’ve never done that one at the Pub.” Mitch says, her eyes are shining. She’s always so happy.
“I was saving it for my wife.” He squeezes my hand. They laugh.
Jamie leans forward. “How is Joey walking? Mitch took her tests to the doctor. The most she was going to be capable of was pulling her legs behind her leaning on a walker.”
“Jeremy healed her. Like me.” I pull my shirt down so they can see my neck. “A heat moved through him to me. When Little Ben and Jessie held his hands it felt like hot water was zinging through me. Cloud went to change the bandage and it was healed.” I watch them for their reaction.
Jamie looks at Cloud. “Christian told me when I was looking at her thinking it was incredible. I didn’t say a word but he was answering everything I was thinking.” Cloud nods. “We have to protect them Cloud.”
Cloud laughs. “I know, that’s what I’m doing, trying to keep them safe.” Ben and Kevin are just watching. Jamie asks if there are others. Cloud smiles. “It seems it’s all the kids, Tess and every one of the old ladies is special in some way. Look for the beautiful people, the ones that have a glow to them. The men are either warriors or prophet like. It’s easy once someone says it out loud. Then you can pick them out easily. Like at the compound it’s the same. You just don’t see it yet. You will.”
Mitch laughs. Kevin smiles, “She’s been telling us for years.” He says making Ben laugh.
Jamie watches them I can see his brain working. He smiles nodding. “Too fuckin much Angel.” They all laugh. I just watch, Cloud tells me he’ll explain later.
“Is there anything you need from us? Anything we can do to make this easier for you?” Ben asks.
Cloud looks at me. I’ll let him answer. “The MC is stepping up security on the kids. We may need help with that. The Brothers are great but the kids don’t take to just anyone. They understand more than you think and some men make them nervous.” Jamie nods, Ben is typing it on his phone.
“Chase is good with Jeremy and Jacob?” Ben asks. I tell him they always migrate toward him no matter what we’re doing. He nods.
Cloud continues. “Christian can’t go to school until he can control what comes in. If you look around you’ll see him away from the crowd. He has a tutor to keep him up to speed. He’s too smart for a tutor though. The teacher that helped Jess a couple of years ago might be better for him. We have a service dog being trained to help and protect him during his visions but he’s not even close enough to going back to the school yet. There’s a parapsychologist coming to help next week. Danny told me she worked with Tess and was able to help in a matter of weeks. Christian reads as well as has visions so it may take longer. The MC is paying for it up front. They won’t even tell me how much it is.” Kevin laughs, saying he agrees with the MC. “I feel funny taking so much from the MC. I have money but they keep saying it’s about taking care of their own.” Kevin nods; he understands it better than me I guess.
“Jeremy is going to need help. He sees, hears and can heal. I have no idea what he’ll need but I know it will show up soon. He said his first words today shocking the hell out of all of us.” Mitch claps her hand and robotic together and laughs. I smile at her; she’s got such a pretty smile. “We saw Joey walk for the first time today. They stayed at Danny’s so we could have some time alone. Jeremy healed her as much as she could be, that’s according to Steve, told by Christian. I have no idea what help she’ll need. That leaves Brantley and Taylor. They seem to be the kids’ guards, they watch over the little guys. They’re never far from Jeremy, one or the other are always watching him. Brantley keeps watch over Christian too. He feels when Christian needs help. Neither of them seems to need anything right now.” He stops and looks at each one of them.
Kevin and Jamie look around, Ben is still typing. “Everything you said is happening. Christian is sitting away from the group but watching. As soon as I looked at him he turned his head and smiled at me. Brantley is between him and Jeremy. Taylor is by the little boys’ side. Joey eyes scan across all of them. That’s incredible."
Mitch laughs. Kevin asks who are the other kids? "Little Ben, Jessie, Darren, Arron, Brenna, Tess’ new twins and something is up with Alex and Ally. They have something in them. Like with Joey. They watch and are extremely happy kids. Sharing hugs and love with just about everyone they come into contact with. I only know those because I’ve seen them. Steve would probably be able to tell you better.”
Jamie runs his hand down his face. “He doesn’t talk about this stuff with us. He’s not autistic is he?”
“I think CJ’s aunt said it best, the kids you think are autistic or ADHD are really just living on a higher plain. Steve is able to jump back and forth easily. I don’t think he’s autistic. I think when he goes red he’s in warrior mode. I’m not sure if that has to do with the Indian in him or the same thing that the kids have. I was raised to be a warrior; Steve didn’t know or have contact with my people or culture. Like so many of the team, he went through the same training and landed in the same place that we all did. We all seem to share something.”
“Cloud I’ve never heard you talk so much. Chase says the same thing. I’m going to guess it’s CJ. I love it!” Mitch says bouncing in her seat. I laugh. Ben leans over and kisses her head. Cloud just smiles.
“Aside from what you need for the kids is there anything you need personally?” Jamie asks.
“Taking a vacation is almost impossible because of crowds and the kids. Where do you go when you need to get away from everyone? I know it’s secret but they’ve never had a vacation and I want to do something like that with them. I think it will help bond us more than we are right now.”
Mitch bounces up. “I know just what to do, let me handle that. It has to be soon because the parapsychologist is coming next week. I’m so happy for you, this will be great!” I laugh; she’s talking so friggin fast. The guys are all smiling at her. She’s cute. The kids come over to us Jeremy climbs in Clouds lap, Jacob in mine. Christian sits on the side of me, Taylor and Brantley stand behind us. I look over and see Joey walking toward us smiling. Mitch laughs. “Just like you said!” The kids thank them for helping with the party. I see the men’s heart melt. They are such good friggin kids.
The guys talk and I tell Mitch we’re looking at houses to open another home since my rooms are taken. She tells me she wants to help; I’m so excited I bet she has some great ideas about the activities. She made her compound a kid’s paradise. Joey makes it over to me and leans over my back. I kiss her cheek and pull her around.
Christian moves but is distracted. I hit Cloud on his side and tell him to look at Christian. Max comes running over causing people to laugh as he moves them out of his way. Cloud asks the kids to slide down. Jacob, Taylor and Joey go to the other side with Mitch. Cloud bends down and turns Christian so he has one leg on each side of the Bench. Brantley sits behind him so Christian can lean on him. Jeremy stands on the side close to Christian but not touching him. “CJ find Danny.” Cloud says.
Jeremy grabs my hand but looks at Jacob. I look over. “He said it has to be Steve.” I look around. Jamie and Kevin stand and look. I see him as Kevin points. I run calling him. He runs to Christian not even looking at me. I push my way through people trying to get back to them. When I make it Steve is on his knees by Christian, Danny is standing on his side holding Jeremy. Cloud is behind Brantley holding both of them and Max is under the table with
his head on Christian's leg. It strikes me these are their protectors. Christian is crying, Jeremy leans down and touches his head. He calms and moans. Steve is talking but I can't hear what he's saying.
This goes on for two or three minutes. Everyone is quiet. Jessie comes over and squeezes close to him putting his hand on top of Jeremy's. He looks at Cloud. "It's almost over. He'll be ok, Jeremy will take it away." Cloud nods looking at Jeremy my littlest son is tired. I don't know why but I start crying, really it's just tears falling. I move closer to Danny and Jeremy cries out and grabs me I hold him with my hand on his head. He's hurting. Jessie holds his hand on Jeremy’s back. "We need help." He says with tears. Cloud tells Taylor to get Brenna or Little Ben. Taylor runs away looking for them. Danny sits me down by Christian, I can't stop the tears. He's hurt and I feel it in my heart.
Ben comes to us with Brenna not understanding what's happening. She fights him to get down and walks up to us touching Jeremy. She leans in and puts her head on his back and arms around him. Tears fall down her cheeks but she doesn't make a sound. Danny kneels down and puts his hand on her head. She smiles but the tears still fall. I look at Cloud not knowing what to do or what's going on. He doesn't know then something changes in his face. He comes over to us asking Danny to hold Brenna, he lifts us and sits wrapping his arms around us. He tells Danny to put her back then closes his eyes. I close mine and relax into him calm washes through me and I smile, we're floating. Brenna laughs a sound so sweet it feels like we're bouncing in the air to her little laugh.
Something happens and my eyes open. Steve smiles at us. "Ten minutes is enough." He looks at Jeremy who’s smiling up at us.
Cloud laughs. "The wind, it's the answer." He squeezes us.
Steve nods. "For this yeah."
Jeremy climbs down and hugs Brenna. He walks her over to where Jacob is and helps her sit with them. I laugh; I don't know what else to do. Christian is sleeping leaning against Brantley. Brantley has tears on his face. "He's going to be ok. You did just what he needed Brantley." He nods and looks at Jessie. Jessie nods at him.
Cloud takes Christian; Max makes a noise under the table. "He helps with this part." Danny says.
Cloud sits so Max can lean against Christian. "It will never be dull." He says making everyone laugh. Steve is pacing. Nunánuk comes over telling Cloud to bring Christian into her tepee. Steve tells him to go but come back. She calls the kids to come with her. Jeremy and Jacob take Brenna's hand and walk behind Cloud. I take Brantley and Taylor, Jessie walks with us. Ben carries Joey, Mitch follows with her crutches. We're quite the parade.
Cloud
I'm torn, Nunánuk tells me to lay Christian down and go with the men. "This is for me. You must be a warrior now and protect what is ours. You will prevail but only when you follow the spirits who are guiding you." I bend and kiss her cheek. Kuwômôyush.
She smiles pushing me out. CJ stays with the kids and Pres follows me out. We walk back to the table with the Baxter's, Steve and Danny. I sit and take a calming breath. "That was very intense. I can see where Christian would need protection during a vision. Why did Jeremy have to take it away?" Jamie asks.
Steve answers, thank fuck because I have no fuckin clue. "Hurts him to see it. I took everythin I could, he doesn't get it but it hurts him. Jeremy takes it away so he doesn't remember. This time hurt Jeremy he understands more. Cloud took him to the wind; he gets strength from the connection there."
Jamie looks at me. "The wind?"
"You know it as meditation, we learn on the reservation to follow our spirit guides; my hawk takes me into the wind. I can connect to my ancestors, the spirits on that level." I tell them hoping they understand because I don't know how else to say it.
Steve looks at me. "They get more than you think." I nod.
Kevin laughs. "Have you always been able to do that?" Steve smiles but doesn't answer. Kevin laughs. "Fuckin Knight." Jamie laughs. "He's answering in our head." He explains to me. I nod fuckin cuz.
"Christian hears someone hurtin Mitch and CJ. Sees house with lots of bedrooms. Looks like Mercs. Say Davis but I don't feel Davis, feels like Mercs. Lookin for Mitch but catchin CJ in the house too. Christian and Jeremy love them both. Hurt to see them get hurt. Mercs had clothes off them. Christian can't look at it. I kept him there to get more. Jeremy took it away but saw. Don't know how to do it with them yet. Won't hold him longer next time." He looks at me. I want to be pissed but he's learning right along with us. He at least understands. I nod. "Thanks, am learnin. Not always sure what's right, they’re stronger than Tess. Mercs say Davis want Mitch for money. Not sure what to think. Didn't feel Davis."
Kevin stands up. "Fuckin Davis had a bet with my father, his gross receipts against Mitch's earnings. We fucked him out of his company, not as bad as Salazar but close. He was paying our employees for information about Mitch's activities."
Steve stands and paces again. "Let me take that. Need basic info. I'll deal, no one will know."
"You’re still running contracts?" Ben asks surprised.
"Mostly government now." Steve says, Pres nods.
"Fuck." Ben says shaking his head. "Some people I track went missing, was that you?" Steve doesn't answer he keeps pacing. Jamie shakes his head no to Ben. He doesn't want to press this.
Jamie looks at Kevin then Ben. He turns to Steve. "How else can we change this?"
I look at him. "I can teach CJ how to defend herself. She's already a brown belt."
Steve stops, "already a brown belt, Mitch at master level?" Jamie nods. "Didn't stop em from bein overtaken, won't matter." He paces again. "Stop em from bein at same house, vision will put em at another scenario. Get rid of the threat, it's gone."
"Fuck." Ben says. "Are we going to kill every threat that he sees?"
Steve looks at him. "You see CJ's scar?" Ben nods. "Less than a week ago was shot in neck and chest, collapsed lung, severed artery. Today she's fine. Jeremy put hands on her, healed her. Joey's father broke her back. Wheelchair was her life, couldn't feel legs. Today she walks. Will kill every motherfucker comes near em and the old ladies. Mitch and kids are special too. Need protection. You won't do it, I will." He looks at me. I'm with him protect them at all costs. Thank fuck he's with us. He fuckin nods. Fuckin cuz.
Kevin laughs. Jamie looks at me then Steve. "This is bigger than us. It's not about Baxter's or the MC. It's about the kids and our spouses changing the world as we know it." Pres laughs. They're getting it. Jamie looks at Ben. "We'll get the information for him. We need to clear their way to do what they need to. It isn't about us."
Ben looks at him for a minute then nods. "I'll get right on it." He gets up and pulls his phone. I laugh, typical Ben.
Jamie looks at Pres. "Our boys are older now. We'll put Chase on the twins. They like him and he could use the change. Aleena will want to be with him, she works in Therapy, we'll send security to pick her up but they'll need a house."
Pres nods. "We have one on the next street, its two bedrooms but nice. Danny redid it." Jamie nods.
Kevin yells to Ben he has a moving job. Ben nods and talks to whoever on the phone. I sit smiling like a fool. Danny hits my arm. "This is going to be good." I just nod. When Ben comes back he tells us he'll have the information tomorrow. They collect their kids and Mitch to leave. I take the congrats, hugs and fist bumps and sit back down. Steve isn't finished and I want to hear what he held back. Danny and Pres are waiting so they know too.
When they're gone Steve sits, "was a month. Enough time Mercs have info. Nothin stoppin them from workin alone. Heard Davis but didn't feel Davis. Thinkin Davis was already dead." He looks at us. "Need to get rid of the Mercs."
Ben gets up. "Get rid of Davis, take Bob and Chet clear the Mercs. Cloud can fly you wherever you need to be. Geek is learning about flight plans and shit."
Steve looks at me. "You good with this?"
"Whatever it takes I'm in. Why didn't you tell the Baxter's?"
"Ben wouldn't go for it. One he
had trouble. Mercs before they strike wasn't goin to fly." He's right.
"Yeah. It needs to be done. Where ever you need me I'm there." I tell him and look at Pres. He throws chin. "We done?"
"You block against Christian?" He asks.
"Yeah."
"We'll start next week when Janelle is here. Block from her too." I nod. Who the fuck is Janelle?
"Parapsychologist." He says. I laugh and nod asking 'anything else?' He tells me no. I look at Danny and Pres. They have nothing. I get up and look for my wife and kids. When I get to the tepee I look back, Rich and Tiny are sitting down with them, I smile. Planning session.
I walk in and laugh. Everyone is dancing. I join them making sure to touch every one of them. Even Joey is moving her feet on the side of an adorable Brenna. Fuckin kids make me so fuckin happy. Christian laughs. I show him how to move his feet then Brantley, Jessie and Taylor. Jeremy and Jacob are already doing it right. When Joey looks tired I pick her up and dance with her, she's laughing the whole time. Nunánuk says, Námsh ni! Wiyayuwak, I translate, 'look at that! They are so happy!' Making everyone smile a little bigger.
Ben, Kate and Danny come for the kids they watch us dance smiling. When the drum stops I collapse on the floor with Joey on top of me. She's still laughing. Kate brings her the crutches. "You dance beautifully Joey." She smiles up at her saying thanks.