Behind the Hood (Behind the Lives)

by Hansen, Marita A.

  “Can I have yours too?” he asked with a grin.

  “Sorry, it’s against hospital policy.”

  He shrugged. “Your loss.”

  Tama headed back to the car and jumped in. A silver SUV pulled up, blocking him in. He wound down the window and went to shout abuse, then quickly ducked down. He watched as Nike’s uncle got out of the driver’s side and opened up the back door. Tama’s mouth fell open as Mr. Daniels and Annie helped a battered looking Jayden out of the car. Without looking up, Jayden was led into the hospital, seemingly unaware that he’d just walked past his wife’s car.

  What the fuck happened to him? Tama wondered. Did Leila do that? His phone started ringing. He snapped out of his shock and pulled it out. “Yeah?”

  “You fuckin’ bastard, why’d ja hurt my sister,” Sledge yelled.

  Tama gritted his teeth. “I did nuthin’, ya shite. It’s your fuckin’ fault. You left the door unlocked and she jumped my bones while I wuz sleeping. She had my cock in her hand and her disgusting lips all over me.” Tama shuddered. “I just pushed her away and told her I wuzn’t interested. Next thing I know she slaps me and starts screaming that I hurt her.”

  “Really?”

  Tama wished he was in front of Sledge so he could smack him. “I wouldn’t fuck your sister if she wuz the last bird on this planet. It would be like fuckin’ you and I’m not a faggot.”

  After a moment’s pause Sledge spoke. “It wuz Mikey who left it unlocked. I’m sorry; I should’ve known it wuz bloody Juliet’s fault. I’ll give her a good slap up the head for ya. I’ll also tell Ash, but I don’t think he’ll back off. He’s livid you knifed Maia.”

  Tama ignored the parking attendant indicating for him to move. “Yeah, w’sup with that? I saw Ash give Nike a man hug.”

  “Ash won’t speak about Nike. Smacked me one when I asked why Nike has been comin’ round lately. I reckon it’s to do with business shit.”

  Tama shook his head. Bloody Nike wasn’t as clean as he thought. And Nike looked down at him. Dirty bastard. “He’s fuckin’ deliverin’ drugs for Ash, ain’t he?”

  “Pro’bly. When Ash doesn’t talk, it’s usually to do with drugs.”

  The parking attendant knocked on Tama’s window.

  “Look, bro, I’ve gotta go. I’ll call ya later.” Tama hung up, flicked the attendant the finger, then moved out.

  As he drove he wondered whether Jess knew anything about what Nike had been up to. He didn’t think so. She was way too sweet. Well, he was definitely going to tell her. He wouldn’t mind popping over to see her today, but with helping Leila he’d lost his opportunity. Unfortunately, he’d have to wait until tomorrow when Nike was at work.

  Anyway, he needed to take care of Jayden, then discipline Mikey. Bloody nark had caused both him and Leila no end of trouble today. He loved his cuz, but the kid needed reeling in.

  15

  Mikey

  Mikey kicked a stone as he lumbered down his street. He didn’t want to go home, but he knew his mother would send the cops after him if he stayed away for too long. No doubt she would have heard about the stabbing. But it wasn’t his fault. If anything he’d tried to stop it by knocking that damned blade out of Tama’s hand.

  Mrs. Lennox yahooed at him, snapping him out of his thoughts.

  “Hello, dearie, how are you?”

  Mikey glanced at his neighbour. The old woman stood up slowly with a little digger in her hand, her retro hairdo more solid than the rocks surrounding the garden.

  His gaze darted to his house. His mother didn’t like their neighbour, and had told him not to talk to her. He could see movement through the cracked lounge window. He stopped and considered going back to Sledge’s.

  “Sweetheart, you alright?” Mrs. Lennox asked.

  He forced himself to smile. “Yeah, I’m good, Mrs. Lennox. How’re you?”

  Her face lit up, and before he knew it she was yaddering on about her grandchildren. He wished he could walk off, but he didn’t want to be rude. He liked his old babysitter. She’d always been nice to him.

  “Michael! Come here. Now!”

  He flinched at his mother’s voice. He didn’t need to look at her to know she was livid.

  “I’ve gotta go, Mrs. Lennox.”

  His neighbour’s wrinkled brow pulled together. “Dear, if you need someone to talk to, I’m always here for you.”

  Mikey knew she was concerned about him. She’d called the child welfare department a few months back after his face had been badly bruised. But on that occasion it hadn’t been his mother’s fault. Instead, it was just the result of a fight with some kids that Tama had insulted.

  “Don’t worry ‘bout me, I’m fine. She’s just mad cos I stayed out all night.”

  Her expression stayed the same. “If you need anything, please come to me.”

  “Yeah, thanks, bye.” He walked off, and pushed open the gate.

  His mother was glaring at their neighbour, her large frame filling the doorway. She stepped back into the house to let him pass, then slammed the door shut.

  “I’m sor—”

  She pushed him hard. He fell back, landing on the couch.

  “Where the hell have you been?” she snapped. “I’ve been scared half out of my wits worrying about you.”

  He looked up at her angry features, so different from his. Sometimes he wondered whether they were related—he wished they weren’t. She reminded him constantly of how much he resembled his father, which was why she probably treated him like crap.

  “Well, answer me, boy. Where’ve you been?” She raised a hand.

  Mikey shrunk into the couch. “I wuz just out walking.”

  A slap landed hard across his face. He’d known it was going to happen so he moved with it to lessen the impact. But it still stung like crazy.

  “Don’t lie to me! The police came over last night. Said people saw you chasing a girl with Tama. She almost died. What kind of son did I raise that would do something like that?” She shook her head, her face distorted with disgust.

  Mikey grabbed his cheek and looked down. God, he felt sick about what had happened. He wished he’d had the guts to tell Tama to back off.

  “I don’t want you going anywhere near your cousin,” she said. “He’s a bad influence.”

  Like she could stop him. She didn’t know where he went half the time, except for school, which he actually liked. The adults there were nice to him and genuinely interested in his thoughts. The school counsellor and nurse were the ones that paid him the most attention, always asking where he got his bruises from. He just told them that he’d gotten into fights with other kids, which occasionally was true. Anyway, what good would it do if they knew the truth? Bloody nothing. His mother would beat him even worse for opening his stupid mouth.

  “Well ... what do you say?” his mother asked.

  “Yes, Mum,” he lied. As soon as he could, he’d go looking for Tama. He didn’t get to talk to him last night at Sledge’s house. He’d tried but Tama had come in late, muttered a few things then crashed. He wondered whether his cuz remembered stabbing Maia. Considering how much booze and drugs Tama had taken, he doubted it.

  His mother indicated with her head. “Now, go have a shower. You reek.”

  Mikey stared up at her in surprise. He didn’t know why, but she seemed to be going light on him today.

  “Stop gaping at me and get in the shower,” she yelled.

  “Yes, Mum.”

  He quickly ran into the bathroom and locked the door behind him, then pulled off his hoodie. Shit, he did reek. He biffed it into the laundry basket, along with his top, jeans, and undies. He examined the bruises on his arm. They were paling a little, not looking so bad. He’d been so shitfaced last Friday he couldn’t remember how he’d gotten them, but knew it would have been his mother. No one else gave him bruises like that.

  The door handle jiggled, making him jump. “I want to get your clothes for washing,” she called out.

&n
bsp; Mikey quickly jumped in the shower and turned it on. “I’m in the shower!”

  He heard her swear then stomp off. Relieved she was gone, he relaxed under the water, letting it wash away the smell of BO and weed. He didn’t like the smell or taste of marijuana. He found it too sickly and only smoked the shit because the others did.

  As the warm water relaxed his muscles, he closed his eyes and brought up an image of Maia. She was so pretty, and he loved her smart mouth. She didn’t even have balls and she was twice as gutsy as he was. It took a lot to stand up to Tama, and she did it with a grin. He wished he could visit her in the hospital; maybe bring her some flowers and say sorry. Tama wouldn’t be able to stop him since it would be too risky for his cuz to go there.

  He rinsed off and got out, wrapped a towel around his waist, and unlocked the door. He poked his head around the corner, listening out for his mother. When he couldn’t see or hear her, he ran for his bedroom and closed the door behind him. The room was spotless, the bed made, everything in its place. He didn’t like giving her more excuses to be mad at him.

  He grabbed his good pants and shirt from the wardrobe, and quickly got dressed. He wanted to wear something nice for Maia, not his usual hoodie and ripped jeans. After brushing his hair, he took a few bucks out of the tin hidden under his bed, and stuffed it into his back pocket.

  The phone went off as he opened his door. He crept down the passage and into the lounge, listening carefully to where his mother was. He could hear her voice coming from the kitchen. If he was quick enough he could sneak out of the front without her knowing. He edged towards the door and quietly opened it, then stopped as his mother screamed out, “What?”

  Shit, she was wailing. What the fuck had happened now? Mikey gripped the handle, unsure of what to do. If he went to check on her she would make him stay, and he really wanted to say sorry to Maia. Plus, it would probably be his fault that she was crying. It usually was. He’d most likely get another slap or worse.

  He sniffed. Why the fuck should he comfort her anyway, she was never nice to him. God, he hated the thought of even touching her. He shivered. Yeah, stuff her.

  He closed the door behind him and ran.

  ***

  Mikey felt nervous as he approached Maia’s room. He hoped she didn’t scream at him again. He felt awful for chasing her through the window, but he’d wanted to get to her before Tama did.

  He tightened his grip on the red carnations he’d swiped from outside a dairy, and stopped in the doorway. Maia was sleeping in the nearest bed on his right.

  “Don’t be shy, Mikey. Come in,” a female voice said.

  Mikey’s gaze shifted to an anorexic looking chick in the next bed. How’d she know his name? He didn’t know her. He breathed in and walked into the room.

  The girl smiled. “I hope you’re here for me. You’re much cuter than your cousin.”

  Embarrassed, he bit the inside of his mouth. Girls didn’t usually compliment him, but then again he never stuck around long enough for that to happen. “Sorry, I’m here for Maia.”

  The girl pulled a face. “Typical, the cute ones never come for me, especially with flowers.” She paused, her eyes looking him up and down. “You’re a right sweetheart.”

  Mikey blushed.

  “Put the flowers in a vase then come sit with me.”

  He did as instructed, then sat down on a chair.

  She patted the mattress. “You can sit up here?”

  “The chair’s fine.” His cheeks continued to burn. She had a similar expression on her face to Tama when he was eyeing up a chick for a shag.

  “How come you’re visiting Maia? Are you her boyfriend?”

  Mikey looked down. “Nah ... I just wanted to say sorry for what happened.”

  “Why? What didja do?”

  “I…” God, he still couldn’t believe he’d chased her. “Tama stabbed her.”

  The girl’s face hardened. “That fuckin’ bastard. Shit, all your cousin seems to do is cause trouble.” She pointed to her head. “He bloody caused this too.”

  Mikey looked up. “Eh? Why would Tama bash you?”

  “No, he did way worse than that. The day after we had sex he stole my phone, then texted every bloody person on my contact list telling them I was a skanky ho, and that he wouldn’t have fucked me if he hadn’t been so Tui-ed out of his brain. My man went nuts.”

  Mikey sniggered.

  “It aint funny!” She sniffed. “And you shouldn’t be laughing at me. I saw what you were doin’ at that party. Shit, those two birds looked twice your age.”

  Mikey’s mouth fell open. “What wuz I doin’?”

  She smiled. “You’re kidding me? You really don’t remember?”

  “No, I wuz shitfaced.”

  “Good, then you probably won’t remember me comin’ onto you and you turnin’ me down flat.”

  Mikey shifted in his seat.

  The girl started laughing. “You should see your face. Fuckin’ hilarious. I’m just kidding. I never came onto you. Your cousin hit on me as soon as I walked in. Though, if I had half a brain I would’ve ignored him and gone for you instead.”

  Gross. There was no way he would have done her. Although the chick looked different, she reminded him of Aroha Summers. That old bird hit on anything with a dick.

  She held out a hand. “By the way, my name’s Stella.”

  Mikey ignored it. “What did I do with those chicks?”

  “They were all over you on the couch. You guys were shameless.”

  “Nah, that don’t sound right. You sure you’re not mistaking me for someone else?”

  “Nope, it was you alright. And I don’t know why you’re lookin’ so upset for. You seemed to be havin’ a pretty good time. Is it cos of Maia? Are you sweet on her?”

  “No!”

  “Bullshit.”

  “What difference does it make? She won’t like me now after I chased her with Tama and the gang. I didn’t want to, but Tama would’ve gotten mad,” he garbled nervously. “But I didn’t know he wuz gonna hurt her. I just thought he wuz muckin’ about.” Man, why’d he say that? It wasn’t like she needed to know he was a loser.

  Stella shook her head. “You need to grow some balls and say no to your cousin.”

  Mikey dropped his gaze. Fuck, he felt ashamed.

  “Oh honey, I didn’t mean to upset you. It was nice that you came to say sorry to Maia.”

  He turned to look at Maia. “How’s she doin’?”

  “Not wonderful. She was screaming loads this morning. Plus, she bloody puked on me. The nurse gave her some drugs to make her feel better, but she zonked out.”

  Mikey stood up. He needed to get out. He felt awful that he’d been a part of hurting Maia.

  “Don’t go, love. Tama’s a mean bastard. I’m sure you could do nuthin’.”

  Yeah, he did nothing to stop it. Mikey turned to leave.

  “Don’t go, Mikey!”

  He stopped and looked down at Maia. “Tell her I’m sorry, will ya?”

  “Sure.”

  He picked up Maia’s hand and ran a thumb over her knuckles.

  “You alright?” Stella asked.

  “No.” He laid Maia’s hand down and lumbered out of the room. As he approached the elevator, he saw Nike and his wife walking down the corridor. In a panic, Mikey repeatedly hit the elevator button until it opened, then pushed past an old man and woman exiting. The man yelled at him and jammed his cane into the closing door. He kicked the cane out and whacked the ground floor button, praying that Nike hadn’t seen him. He didn’t need a beating to make him feel even worse than he already did.

  16

  Nike

  Since Maia was sleeping, Nike left Jess and Jake with his mother at the hospital, and headed for the Ratas’ place. He didn’t know how he was going to deal with Sledge. He didn’t want to upset Ash, but he couldn’t let Sledge get away with what he’d done. Maia was just a kid and Sledge was bigger than Tama; he could have stopped
him if he’d wanted to.

  Nike pulled the van over to the kerb, jumped out, and headed through the gates. He was surprised that Ash put up with living in Pleasant Parade. With the amount of money Ash paid him, it looked like the Rata brothers were making a killing from their business. But then again, Dante probably snorted all the profits. Nike ran a finger over the bullet holes in Dante’s red Holden, wondering whether they were drug related or if Dante had slept with someone’s wife again.

  Loud rap music started playing from inside the house, swiftly followed by Ash yelling, “Turn that fuckin’ shite off!” The music amped up as Nike walked across the lawn. He jumped up the stairs and knocked on the front door, wondering whether anyone would hear him over the boom of the stereo. When no one answered he knocked again.

  The music stopped, followed by approaching footsteps. The door pulled back and Sledge stared out with a surprised expression.

  All of Nike’s pent up rage over Maia’s attack rose at the sight of Sledge’s bull-faced mug. He launched himself at the youngest Rata. Sledge let out a holler as he went down. After a few solid punches, someone yanked Nike off Sledge and threw him onto the couch.

  Nike looked up at Dante, the tattoo around his left eye all the more menacing. Sledge’s brother was wearing his usual black leathers and an expression that said, “I gonna rip your fuckin’ head off.” Nike could also see a large fist heading for his face.

  “Dante, stop!”

  Dante halted an inch away from Nike’s nose.

  Relieved to hear his mate’s voice, Nike glanced over at Ash as he exited the passage. Ash had a towel wrapped around his wet body, his curving tattoos prominent against his olive-brown skin.

  “What the fuck’s goin’ on?” Ash yelled.

  “He attacked Sledge.” Dante indicated with his head towards their younger brother, who lay on the ground clutching his nose.

  Disbelief coloured Ash’s face. “Whatcha do that for?”

  Nike wrenched his jacket out of Dante’s grip and went to stand up. Dante pushed him back down.