by L. Ann Marie
I lift her and Jeremy takes Mucimi. As soon as I put her down he’s trying to get to her. “Let me cover her before you put him down.” I get a sheet from the closet and cover her. I shouldn’t have bothered. Mucimi pulls the sheet away and lays his head on her chest. I cover them both and Aubrey climbs on the side of Mucimi and touches Holly’s hand.
I give all three a kiss on the head and walk out surprised to see my dad walk in. “I didn’t know you were here Dad.”
“VP and Pres are meeting with inner circle.”
I nod and give him a man hug. “Mom’s in the kitchen.”
He goes to her and I pull my laptop out. When he sits I slide it on the table and close the lid. “Judy, Jeremy and Aubrey are coming back with me.”
“Jacob is staying?” Mom didn’t say anything to me about him staying.
He pulls the tie out of his hair. “He says it’s time. I need you to keep an eye on him. I thought he could stay here and be a help for you, but your girl is here now.” He puts the tie back.
I smile. “I got him Dad. Between me and Taylor he’ll be safe. He can take the room above the garage if he wants it.”
His head jerks toward me. He’s anxious. “Yeah?” I nod and he pulls his phone asking if Jacob wants the room. He listens, then tells him he’ll have his own entrance then listens again and smiles. I guess Jacob is staying here.
He stands up telling him he’ll see him in a few and goes in the kitchen. I love my family. They’re calmer, and not quite as crazy as the others, but crazy in their own way. I guess with Jeremy and Christian you need to be.
He comes back smiling. “All set.” I laugh. He gets a serious look and I stop. “Your girl.”
“Holly and she’s not mine yet.”
He nods. “Holly. You keep covered even if she’s on something.”
I smile. I’m a little old for the talk again, but I nod. “She can’t have kids. There was too much damage.”
“Fuck. Sorry Son.”
“I’m okay Dad. I have Mucimi and there seems to be an abundance of freaky kids always falling in our laps.”
He smiles. “There are.” I get another serious look again. “Pres said she got picked up by someone wanting information on the kids.”
“Yeah, but I don’t know what I can tell you.”
He nods and lets it go. “If she needs anything let me know. This all started with the fuckin’ warning.”
I can’t tell him it was or wasn’t so I just nod. Thank fuck Jacob walks in. My house is like Grand Central Station lately. “Glad you’re staying Jay.” He throws me chin.
“Thanks for letting me,” he says sitting down.
“Ground rules,” I say and smile when he rolls his eyes. “Eat when you’re supposed to. Go to work when you’re supposed to. No driving if you’re drinking, you take my room at the Club. You have your own entrance, don’t wake Mucimi up coming and going. Call Mom and Dad at least once a week and Jeremy every day.”
He smiles. “I can do that.”
“We’re good then.”
Taylor comes in. “Mom said she had meals made.”
I shake my head smiling. “Kitchen.”
“He’s a good cook. Why doesn’t he ever cook?” Dad asks.
“Too much trouble. He eats here a lot so you don’t have to worry.” I smile at him. “Maybe he’ll cook with Jacob here.”
My dad stands. “Let’s get your stuff in Jacob.”
I check on Mucimi. He’s playing with Aubrey on the side of a sleeping Holly. ‘Is she okay Jeremy.’ I think.
“Yeah. Threw at her. She needs to sleep.”
I nod. “I’m helping Dad and Jacob. Call me if you need me.”
He looks away but nods. He’s not happy about Jacob moving.
The room is like an apartment. There’s a small kitchen, bathroom and stacked washer/dryer in a little closet. Once we get his shit in I tell him about the cleaners. He nods, but looks worried. “What’s up Jay?”
“I’ll be on nights.”
He sleeps in the day. “What days are you off? I’ll have them come on one of those.”
“Monday and Tuesday. Thanks Brother.”
“Mom made meals. Go get some before Taylor claims them all. I’ll send you the form for food and a Prospect will bring it up. You know how the gate works so stop up there so you can get deliveries.”
He nods running down the stairs. My dad laughs putting his arm on my shoulder. “He’ll be fine. With Christian at the reservation and Jacob here with you, Joey and Taylor, I feel bad for Mase and Terry.”
I do too. Jeremy has always gone his own way, but Mase, Terry and Jacob worship my mom. She’s going to drive them crazy. “You could always have another kid.”
“No fuckin’ way. I’m happy having a grandson. He doesn’t come with three a.m. feedings.”
I laugh. “He did, but we’re over it.”
He gets a call and says he’ll meet them at the hangar. Before we go in he hugs me. “I’m proud of you Brantley. You’re a good son, dad and Brother.”
“Thanks Dad.” It always feels good getting that from him.
“Tess and Nancy went to the ‘rents and Holly is up and in the living room,” Penny tells me with her hands in a sink full of dishes.
“Thanks Penny.”
I see the door closing as I make the living room. Dad moves fast. My mom is sitting with Mucimi and Holly. “Where is Jacob?”
They laugh. “He went to steal some food from Taylor’s,” my mom says. This is going to be fun. I roll my eyes.
When Penny comes in my mom stands handing me Mucimi. “We’re off to Kate’s. Take care of my boys Brantley.”
I hug her. “I will Mom. You’re here all the time and will see for yourself. Thanks for the food.”
She wipes her eyes and walks out with Penny. I look at Holly. “I’m glad they didn’t all show. They’re a lot to take in if you don’t know them.”
“They’re all very positive. I like them.” Her eyes are smiling. “Your mom is awesome.”
“You’re talking better.” I’m surprised and happy for her. “Jeremy is awesome too.”
She nods.
“We have food for a week. Let’s go see what they left for dinner. Mucimi needs to eat too.” I put out my hand and help her up. “We all know how to cook. I think they do this just so they have something to do while they’re here.” She makes a noise and I can tell it’s a laugh. Jeremy did good for her.
We have pork roast, potatoes and broccoli for tonight. I sit Mucimi in his chair and look for his food. Mom always makes him food. “Looks like potatoes and pork mush for you too Mucimi.” I get his bottle and heat it, grab forks, his spoon and get us a beer then sit with them. They do plastic trays for everything. Since I’m not into dishes I eat right out of the tray.
Holly gets up and gets a glass of water. “Sorry I should have asked. I’m used to Taylor. He eats and drinks whatever I put out.”
“Your mom showed me where everything is so I can help myself. It feels good to do that.”
I nod amazed with how well she’s talking. “There’s a form you need to fill out for food or anything you may need. The Prospects shop and deliver here.”
She looks down. “I need some personal items.”
I laugh. “They shop for everyone. Your order won’t be any different than Lily, Sheila, Jess and Eliza’s stuff.”
She looks at me and her right side is beet red. “Thanks.”
I just nod. We talk about the food and who was here today. She tells me they talked to her about Amanda’s tattoos and Mitch’s doctors. She likes the tattoo idea. Penny’s waterfall is awesome and Tess’s back is amazing with the flowers, but Prez’s back will always stick out in my mind. She covered all the graph scars with the Prince logo before we even knew about the Princes.
“She’s an amazing artist. She won’t do it until you’re healed, but she can start the drawing so she can get it right with colors and where the scar doesn’t get covered.”
She nods. “They let me feel it so I could see.” She has tears in her eyes.
“What hurts you?”
“Too bad she can’t do my face.” Fuck.
“Dakota will see you every day and Jeremy will come down a couple of times a week. Prez already set it up. You’re healing fast and pretty soon you won’t be able to see it. Mitch said she’d talk to her doctor for you, but I think you should wait. Give Dakota and Jeremy a chance. This is all new right now.”
She nods. “I don’t have to look at me. So I’ll wait. The doctor thinks I’m healing fast too. They should have Indian hospitals. Jeremy would make a fortune.” I don’t say a word, but Jeremy already has a fortune. He’s a wiz at anything he does and he’s been working with Mitch again.
Alex comes in with Prince as I’m feeding Mucimi his bottle. “It’s almost bath time. I came to help so Holly will know how to give him a bath. We have to teach her how to use her strong so she can help when we need it.”
I smile. “He’s almost done Brother. Do you want to get the tub ready?”
He looks at Holly’s tray. “No, she’s not done eating. You have to eat to get better. Mom says it keeps up your strength and strength is strong.”
I nod. “She’s right. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
Holly makes a laugh noise and Alex smiles. “You laugh.”
“I do. Thank you for making me smile today.”
Alex beams. He’s so fuckin’ cute. “I’m a good Goodwill Officer. I like to make people smile.”
She nods and finishes her food.
I stand against the wall while they give Mucimi a bath. He splashes all over the place making me laugh. He’s been so active lately I can’t wait to see what he’s like next month.
***
Holly
These people are crazy, but in an off-the-wall, good kind of way. They show up to do the strangest things.
Brantley helps me stand so we can get Mucimi out of the tub. Alex lets me change him on his cool truck bed. He’s a beautiful happy baby. I blink away my tears and lean down to kiss his smiling face.
“Are you okay Holly?” Alex asks putting his arm around me.
I nod. He’s a smart man. I can’t say I know any other Down Syndrome adults to know how smart they are, but this man doesn’t miss anything.
“Brotherhood means sharing your strong so you help others be strong for you. My dads say we all have to be strong ‘cause other people need to see different is still good. Dad has scars on his face like you and he don’t hide them either. That’s so we know he’s different, but still good. All the Brothers love him even with a patch and scars. Right Brantley?”
“That’s right Alex. Uncle Danny is one of the best men I know.” I don’t look back, but he’s talking softly. What Alex said touches him.
We’re all done with thelittle happy boy and I smile as Alex lifts him up. He’s so gentle with him. I touch his arm and turn for the door. This is so awkward, but I’m calm as if I just decided to accept everything going on around me during this whole situation. I’ve never had family and haven’t lived with anyone since my dad died when I was seventeen. Brantley has a whole family that is close and love him.
I have been happy at my job, but seeing them treat each other so well makes me wish I had a family too. He puts his hand out and I take it liking the feel of him holding mine. Alex follows us with Mucimi. I need to ask what that means.
Brantley waits for me to sit before he does. Alex hands Mucimi to him. “I have to go and call Ally. I saw my dads today so I can skip them.” I laugh covering my mouth.
“Thanks for showing Alex. Tell Ally I say hi,” Brantley tells him.
He’s got a huge smile on his face. “I will tell her. She will be so happy.”
I touch his hand. “Thank you Alex.”
“You’re welcome Holly. I will come see you again, but I have to call Ally so she doesn’t worry. If she worries she yells.”
I just nod and keep my mouth shut.
Brantley walks him to the door. He pets the dog and closes the door leaning against it when they leave. “He is so fuckin’ cute. Ally is his twin. She has Down Syndrome too. She works in HS IT at the MC in Mass.”
Holy crap. “I don’t know much about Down Syndrome. Are they usually so smart?”
He laughs. He’s such a happy guy like Mucimi. It comes to them naturally. “I don’t know, but we were all treated alike. They trained and learned right alongside of us. I know Alex doesn’t like math and did basic, no algebra or anything, but he’s good at saving and spending money. Ally was the opposite, she’s a wiz on the computer and can run binary code. We learned it as a form of math.”
“He’s really smart.” I thought the same thing when I saw him on the news talking about the homeless.
“Yeah. I think not giving them an excuse to use actually helped them realize their goals. No one in the MC has excuses for anything. Uncle Danny has one eye. Bob lost his leg, but is head of Family Security. Jake got caught by an explosion and half his face is scarred. My sister Joey has broken vertebrae in her back. Marty and Diego talk with some crazy invention from Jeremy and Mitch. Darren, Terry, and Samantha are deaf. You know Darren and Samantha is a doctor. Rayne has a steel back. Eliza has a steel foot, and Mitch has a robotic hand. We were always taught that different is just different not worth any less or more.”
What an amazing way to live. That’s why no one reacted to my face, they really do see past the scars. “That’s a great outlook I wish more people lived like that.” My hair falls and I leave it. It’s been covering my face since the attack. I don’t plan on putting it up anytime soon.
He moves it behind my ear. “I love seeing your hair down until you use it to hide from me.”
I almost tell him I’m not, but I am. I really like Brantley. I love to listen to him talk about his family. In the hospital he told me all about them and growing up with the MC. I really liked him before, but the way he took care of me – without even thinking about it – has me wondering if he feels the same. I hope it’s more than like. I tell myself to knock it off, he’s just a nice guy.
“Is there something I can help with while I’m here?”
He smiles and I feel the need to drool. “I’m sure there is. I’ve lived on my own for a while so I just do things. With Mucimi I don’t always have time to clean and put things away so I’m sure there’s a lot I miss. The cleaners help. They come every Wednesday to keep us straight, but by Friday the house is usually a mess again.”
I laugh. “Your house is clean and today is Friday.”
“Because we’ve been at the hospital and weren’t here to mess it up.”
He’s got a point so I nod. “What does Mucimi mean?”
“Always and forever. In English his name is Always and Forever Blackhawk. Mohegan is Mucimi. When I found out about him, I didn’t have all the information and named him before I met him. I wanted him to know he would always belong, and forever be loved. Mucimi.”
I look down wishing I had what this baby does. “His mother doesn’t see him?”
He doesn’t answer and I look up. “She died of a brain tumor. She refused treatment so he would be born healthy. I picked him up at the hospital the day she died. He was two days old.”
I put my hand on his arm. “What an amazing woman.”
“She was. She gave me my son.” He kisses Mucimi’s head.
“I have some work to do. Do you want to watch a movie?”
I shake my head no. “I don’t watch TV very often. I like to read and my books keep me busy.”
He smiles. “I remember you saying that. Do you read on a tablet?”
“Whoever brought my clothes brought my electronics. I have a tablet with all my books on it.” I move to get up and he stops me.
“I’ll get it, I need to put Mucimi to bed anyway.”
I nod. Bending for his bath was a little painful and I’m still sore from it. I wish I hadn’t refused the pain pills at the
hospital. While he’s gone I look around the living room. This is a nice house, Prez and his Uncle took good care of him and Mucimi.
“Here you go.”
I jump and hold my stomach. Crap that hurt.
”Sorry. Do you want to lie down?”
“No. The sudden movement pulled, but I’m okay.”
He watches me and walks back toward the room. I pull my bag open and fight to get my laptop out. What the heck is with everything hurting now? When I finally get it out my arm hurts. At least my face isn’t hurting.
Brantley sits down and hands me a glass of water then two pills. “Advil.”
“Thanks.” I take them and pull my laptop open. He does the same and hands me his laptop to order what I need. This is kind of cool. When I’m done I give it back and he’s smiling.
“You look like you wanted to laugh. I guess when you’re not used to it we are a strange bunch of people. To us this is our life. We’ve always lived under the threat of losing our kids and women.”
Holy crap! How the heck do you live with that every day? Why do you have to is probably a better question. I’ve seen when we go into lockdown and hear about people coming to attack the towns but never understood the reason why. I have no idea what to say to that so I get back to my book, happy that we work in silence.
***
Brantley
When there’s nothing more to follow on this lead, I save what I found and add a progress sheet to it then send it to Geek. I close everything down and shut the laptop off looking around. Shit, Holly is asleep on the side of me. I slide the laptop on the table then take hers and save what she was writing. It looks like a story. I shut it off and put it beside mine. Her chin is on her chest and all that hair is covering her face. I put it behind her ear and she moves, but doesn’t wake up. She can’t stay like this so I lift her and carry her to the room. She’s the first woman to sleep in here and for some reason that makes me smile. I lay her down and sit on the edge of the bed moving her hair away from her face. She was in pain and didn’t say anything about it. I hope she sleeps with no pain.
I grab some shorts, a pillow and blanket as I’m walking out. I hear Mucimi moving around. It must be close to twelve. Dropping everything on the couch I get his bottle ready and go back for him. Once he’s changed we sit on the patio. I like feeding him in here, it has big windows and brings the outside feel all around you when you sit in here. Mucimi likes it in here too. He finishes his bottle and I burp him then turn him so he can see the night. When he moves around I know he’s done. I turn him putting his head against my shoulder. He holds my shoulder making me smile. Everything he does makes me smile, but this feels good. I get him back to bed knowing he’ll sleep until seven but I take the monitor and carry it out putting it on the table.