by L. Ann Marie
I’m repeating after Little Ben as the boys watch me sign and say it in Mohegan, ‘I have a meeting’. Because I don’t have a meeting I have to get to right the hell now, I add jerk on the end and kiss my boys. Little Ben laughs. I tell him I have a meeting in Mohegan and kiss him running out the door with my bag. At this rate the boys will know the language before I do.
Eliza is waiting and opens the door for me. “This is just weird. You don’t have to open the door for me.”
She smiles closing it. When she gets in she starts the SUV up and looks at me. “I do. It is one of the things that shows a level of commitment to the women and old ladies that don’t get that ‘all in’ means from the entire Club.”
“It’s weird. You are a woman that should have that door opened for you too.”
She laughs. “At work I am a Brother that does her job like all the rest of the Brothers.”
Whatever.
At the Center Anita is waiting with a smile. “I know. I had to say it in Mohegan the right way before I walked out.”
She laughs. “What would have happened if you just left?”
I look at her surprised. “He would have spanked my ass when I got home tonight.” I stop. “Dammit!” She cracks up making me laugh. “I’ll remember tomorrow and say something stupid.” She nods still laughing. Deirdre watches with a smile, but doesn’t say a word. “Let’s get the plan down so we can meet and look like we know what we’re doing.”
We sit around the table and go through the entire program. This is big. Uncle Danny pledged a huge amount of help and I’m excited to get it all in place. Today!
The Pastor and Mayor come in and we sit with coffee and pastries supplied by the café. Finally, Little Ben and Dakota show up. I check the time and smile, he had a minute to spare.
We all sit and I let Anita do an overview while I slide a packet to each person. We do the women’s program for the towns then get to the part that I’m excited for.
Trapper comes in with Uncle Danny and sits with us right on time. Little Ben laughs then stops, looking at me. “Go ahead Lily. I’m excited to see what you’ve kept a secret.”
I smile knowing he’s going to love this. “Homelessness contributes to the crime and poverty statistics. It brings property values down and gives a general feel of hopelessness to the area that these people are congregating in. We have a program that can help. For each town, a nonprofit put up money or land to use for a completely self-sufficient homeless housing neighborhood. They will be overseen by the nonprofits that sponsor them. The Pastor will oversee the nonprofits and we will have quarterly reviews on the properties.” I look around and see Little Ben and the Mayor are surprised.
“The program is huge when it’s all put together so we broke it down creating an Operations Manual that makes it easier to follow. When I say they will be completely self-sufficient I mean in everything. Each property has one community building with a kitchen, locker rooms, mail boxes and laundry. The back has a greenhouse. The buildings are running solar and gray water systems. The Baxters have supplied the panels and windows that will collect energy providing the neighborhood and community buildings the money for maintenance and repair. We have grant money for each neighborhood for the supplies they will need to get started and donations to help keep it going. There will be no administration costs for the entire project.”
Dakota smiles and motions his hand for me to continue. “The buildings are built. The homeless have been assessed and approved to live in the neighborhoods. This frees up the shelters putting those with addiction or psychological issues in a more controlled environment. With the money that is saved, programs will be made available to them through the churches that shelter the homeless now. The military Vets that are homeless will be housed separately when it is possible. There are donations, medical and social adjustment programs ready and eager for the chance to thank and give back to our Vets. The buildings are waiting and completely free and clear, also with ex-military assessed and approved for the buildings.”
“Holy fuck Lily,” Little Ben says and we all laugh.
“The reason for the meeting with you is we need someone to oversee the ex-military. Uncle Danny suggested Trapper with the backing of the Princes.”
He looks at his packet then back at me. “Who will not qualify for the military buildings and is medical available to all the homeless?”
“The addicts, violent with no interest in help, and severely psychologically unstable. They will all be accepted at the church shelters still reaching out with help for them specifically. Medical for the Vets is separate than the free clinic that sees everyone else. This is to ensure the men and women who sacrificed receive the best we can give them. It is not a slight to the homeless that are not military; the programs are completely separate. Taking the military out of the clinic frees them up too. The medical for the military comes from the hospitals’ community service programs. They will have everything from surgery to psychologists available to them.”
The Mayor is smiling. “How many houses in a neighborhood and do you need help with building them?”
I look at Uncle Danny for him to answer. “The houses are built. There are forty for each neighborhood. We need the backing, but they’re being loaded onto trailers right now and waiting for a yes from you and Prez.” He smiles at the Mayor and I’m ready to bounce like Mitch.
I giggle and put my hand over my mouth. Shit that’s not very professional. Little Ben looks at me. He’s weighing his words. “Yes. Anything you need the Princes will help.”
“Same here,” the Mayor says. Anita squeals and Deirdre hits her to stop.
Driscoll comes in with a big smile. “We’re ready LP1.” He walks to Deirdre and gives her a kiss then walks back to the door.
Uncle Danny stands. “All the building material that we could salvage came from the town dumps. Building with what we could find was a challenge. I’m honored I got the chance to help and learn here.”
Dakota laughs. “Felt better than the multimillion dollar houses I bet.”
“Yeah, let’s go get the houses set up.” He follows Driscoll out.
I look at Little Ben, but he’s telling the Mayor Uncle Danny’s name. Anita and I crack up at his expression. “Anything that I can do, please ask me. I can’t compete with his building or the Princes backing, but I’m sure there’s something I can do.” He looks a little shocked.
Trapper stands. “I may have a job for what you have that’s useful.” He takes the Mayor’s arm and walks out.
Little Ben laughs. “You are unbelievable. You hid all this from me?”
I shake my head no. “Nope, it was in my bag, on the table, I was even working on it in bed. You never asked.”
He looks at a laughing Dakota. “You knew?”
“Yes Prez. She needed help with the properties and getting a commitment from the hospitals. I helped where I was needed, but did not ask about the other parts either.”
I get a kiss as he’s walking out. “I got dinner and the boys.” He’s still surprised. We laugh when the door closes.
“Come on child, let’s go see those men straining and stretching to get the houses put in.”
Deirdre shakes her head. “You already have a man.”
Anita laughs. “Maybe I want two like you.”
Oh dear Lord. I follow them out telling Tammy we’re gone for the rest of the day.
***
Little Ben
I’m at the second neighborhood watching the houses be walked in and set down. They’re small one room little boxes, but they’re theme decorated and made with different sized and shaped windows. He really did use the dump to build and they’re awesome. I even saw a piece from the helicopter. They set the houses down on a big slab. This neighborhood looks tropical in color and decor. There are picnic tables and hammocks in front. The community building has a huge sliding window that’s open and serving drinks. I see Tom, the Town Manager, and walk toward him.
“This is the best day I’
ve ever had in office!” He’s a little excited.
“It is a good day. This is my first look here.”
He brings me around telling me about the site super that lives on the second floor of the community building. He’ll keep the walkways clear, make sure people clean up after themselves and clean the bathrooms three times a week. Everything else is taken care of by the parks department. The Fire Department will spray down the bathrooms once a week and the cement slab once a month.
I look closer and see the houses are on small frames keeping them off the ground. Uncle Danny is unbelievably talented. No two houses are alike and he has a small storage closet outside for them. Each house comes with a broom, dustpan, and folding table and chair that is set up on the side or in front depending on the placement of the house.
There are tin trash barrels at every light pole. That is about every four houses. He points out the outlets on the poles and areas cleared for sitting. They tried out the chairs at the poles to make sure everyone could fit.
“What happens in the winter?”
He laughs. “They don’t have air in the summer, but they will have heat in the winter.” He walks me to the back of one house. “They have solar powered heat lamps. Because the area is so small that’s enough to keep them heated to sixty-seven degrees. That was in zero-degree temperatures. If it is colder the community building has cots for those that need them. They have to be out by morning, but they’ll make it through the night.”
I laugh when I see Kevin Baxter putting towels in every house. “The truck was running late.” He shrugs. I slap his back and thank him for his help.
I ride to our newest town and see Dakota with Mayor Garrett. He’s making a list and nodding his head at whatever Dakota is saying. “Prez. I am glad you came to see this one. If you walk the outside walkways you will notice it is the compound.”
I look and start walking away. I hear Dakota tell him to get the Fire Department and Parks Department involved and how. I smile then laugh as I see Taylor, Brantley, Sheila and Jared’s houses. He made a mini compound. After checking it out, I tell Chet I’m headed to the Vets. He rides with me as Darren directs me to the first house. It’s a huge blue and white Victorian with a flag hanging in front. Nice.
Chet follows me through the front door. It’s another beautiful building. The decor is patriotic, the furniture heavy wood. It’s a home to be proud of.
Trapper meets me with a dog by his side. “Prez and company.”
I shake his hand laughing. “How the hell did you know it was me?”
“VP called.” He laughs.
“I have Chet with me today. He’s from the MC.” Chet shakes his hand thanking him for his service.
I smile and watch men walk up the stairs with duffle bags. “How many rooms are here Trapper?”
“Danny tore the existing down and built cell like rooms so everyone would have their own space. Sharing a room didn’t seem right. There are twenty-two rooms on the second and third floor. Each floor has locker room styled bathrooms and a laundry facility. The first floor has a suite for the building super. Every house has a retired military building super that was vetted and approved by Baxters. The Prince house has handicapped on the first floor and the building super on the second. It is the only set up that’s different.”
I’m bothered by the number of homeless Vets. I had no idea this was at epidemic levels. “I’m going up to see the rooms. Do I need you with me?”
He turns his ear toward me. “Are you upset with the housing?”
I take a breath and think about why I’m upset. “No Trapper, I think the housing is great. I’m just now realizing the problem we face with so many in need. We took a hundred homeless off the streets with the neighborhoods today and there are enough to fill five military houses. What the fuck are we doing in our country that there are so many people in need of shelter and basic care? We don’t live in, or even close to, a major city, this is in small towns. What do the cities look like?” He doesn’t answer. “We need change. I’m so fuckin’ proud of my old lady for taking this on, but it’s still not enough. We need to get to the bigger cities and problems to fix this. Making life better for more is what we do. I hope we find the people to help do it for more.” It’s such a daunting thought.
Trapper laughs and people clap making me look around. I didn’t realize I had an audience. “The men that stay here know this is a stepping stone. They’ll reach out just like you did for me. They’ll find a way to be useful and help someone else. This is a big problem and we do need change, but I don’t think you’re seeing how helping one is really helping hundreds. They will make you proud Prez. What you’re doing here is starting that change. Lily made the book for the program available to the public. She’s already taken a call from Providence. The change will happen as word gets out.”
I smile. My fuckin’ Lily. “Thank you. Hope is a better place to look at things from. I want to look around. If there is anything you need let me know.”
“No Prez. We have ways to make money already set up. We have a paint crew, a food vending service and Dakota said something about an ice cream cone for the summer.”
I laugh. No one says no to me, but I’ll take his one. “It sounds like Dakota has you covered. Thanks Trapper.”
I thank the men around me and walk up the stairs thinking about the Ice Cream Cone for the Brothers that came before me. I think we should incorporate that somewhere. A door is open and I knock. “Is it okay for me to come in and see the space?”
“Sure. You’re the guy that sponsors the houses, Prince?” When he turns toward me I see his arm. It’s a plastic piece with a hook.
“No. The Princes of Prophecy sponsor the houses, I am Little Ben, from the Princes.” He nods. I look around. It’s basic, but has everything he would need. “Is there anything you would need for the room that wasn’t thought of?”
He looks around. “A chair. Not the desk one but a comfortable one to read or just sit in.”
I nod. “What is your name?”
“Brian Dube.”
“Brian, I have a friend that makes robotics. I’m going to give her your name. When she calls or comes by to measure you, let her know if you need anything else. She is a wiz of an engineer. She’ll find a way to get what you need.”
He nods with tears in his eyes. I turn to leave then turn back. “Thanks for your service Brian.” I see a tear fall and walk out.
I check the bathrooms while talking to Dakota about Brian needing an arm. It’s the same set up as the group homes but bigger. Chet is going from room to room thanking people, but walks to me when I get to the stairs. “I have ten minutes looking at the kitchen and suite. I’ll meet you at the front door.” He turns back around and heads for another room. I smile. Brothers make me proud.
The kitchen looks like Cloud’s with cabinets along one wall. They are completely stocked. The suite is a nice setup with a sitting room, big bedroom and bathroom. It’s like the Club’s Officer rooms.
I call Darren and order recliners for the rooms in every house. I tell him I want a hand written note on every one of them thanking the men for their service. He tells me he’ll have it done.
I call the grocery bakery and ask for cakes to be delivered to every community building for forty-five and house for thirty. They’ll have them delivered today. I give the number to Brantley to get them addresses.
At the front door I meet up with Chet and ride back to Security thinking about the best way to get the word out. Trapper was right, people just need to know how to help so they can.
In my office I call Garrett. “I want you to do a press conference about the homeless neighborhood and military housing. Offer the book to anyone willing to read it. I’ll cover the cost.”
He laughs. “Finally something I can do.”
I hang up smiling. I get through reports and just finish signing off on them when my phone rings. “Turn the news on,” my dad says.
I hit the TV button and CNN comes o
n. “Alex?” I watch him explain about the houses and having to help people who need to find their strong. He’s so fuckin’ cute explaining about Brotherhood and helping each other, the reporter is eating it up. He shows a house he helped with and tells her about finding the window that was a fish tank in the dump. He answers everything and she asks what he wants people to know. He stops and thinks making me laugh. “My dads and Prez say everyone has something useful. I hope people see what they have and use it to help someone else ‘cause that’s what a good Brother does. Right?”
My dad laughs. “Fuckin’ kids.” He hangs up making me laugh. The reporter signs off and another comes on with Garrett. Holy fuck they’re doing it. I laugh. He offers the book, showing it’s not much, but can mean all the difference in the world to the community and people of the town.
When the reporter asks about startup costs he laughs. “It didn’t cost me anything. The houses were made from recycled materials right at the dump and a grant and donations stocked everything. The Fire Department and Parks Departments are helping keep the neighborhood clean. I did nothing and spent nothing to get this set up. I would do anything to help but it was Princes of Prophecy Women’s Center that did the work creating the program. The Baxters donating solar panels. The MC sending muscle to move the houses. Danny LaPonte and his family that built the houses and Ben Knight with the vision of helping more.” Holy shit he put it out there. Fuck I should have told him without names.
“Ben Knight the motorcycle gang’s President?” What the fuck does she know! Jesus. Gang. I want to throw the remote at her face on the TV.
He looks at her. “Ben Knight the Princes of Prophecy President. Do your homework before you ask a question. He has taken over the PD in five towns lowering crime, lowering taxes, helping citizens get higher paying jobs and now homeless; not to mention military veterans that deserve to be treated like the heroes they are. If that’s your idea of a so called ‘motorcycle gang’ I want in. Believe in something lady, it makes life happier when you do. I believe in the Princes and look at what it brought me. We can do this. It takes everyone pulling together to make a difference.” The screen changes to the news room and I laugh. Fuck. I don’t know if it was good or bad, but he got the point across. A reporter says something and a flash comes on.