A Family Man

by osborne, Sarah

  Beth had told her he’d been hurt, but that he’d be fine, so she hadn’t been too worried and was eagerly looking forward to him coming home. Judging by the expression on her face, Beth, too, had been shocked by his appearance, although she had quickly hidden it and taken control of the situation, insisting he needed to rest and leading him, firmly, to the bedroom. She could hear them talking behind the closed doors, but couldn’t make out the words. Anxiously, she waited for Beth to come out, and as soon as the door opened she headed for the room. Beth frowned. “Amy. Joe needs to rest. You can see him later.”

  “No, I can’t. I need to see him now. I need…”

  “I know, sweetheart. Okay, just for a little while.”

  Joe opened his eyes as she opened the door. “Hey, sugar.”

  “Hey.” Amy swallowed the urge to cry.

  “You gonna stand there all day? Or are you gonna get your skinny ass over here and keep me company?” Grimacing, he pulled himself into a sitting position and held out his hand as she walked slowly towards him and climbed onto his bed.

  She was almost too afraid to touch him. His bare torso was covered with a large dressing and even under his tan, she could see how pale he was. Joe slipped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. “Don’t look so worried, sugar. I’m a little beat up right now. But I’ll be fine. I promise.”

  “Okay. Joe?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Don’t die.”

  “Not planning on it, sugar.”

  “But you could?”

  “Every one’s gonna die.”

  “You know what I mean. I want you to die when you’re old. When I’m old. I don’t want you to get killed.”

  “That makes two of us.”

  “But you could?”

  “Managed to stay alive this long, sugar.”

  “Joe!”

  “Okay, I’m sorry. I know you’re freaking out.” He kissed the top of her head. “I dunno what to tell you, Amy. Sometimes I get in dangerous situations and sometimes I get hurt. This time was worse than usual. But thinking about you and Beth got me through it. I can’t promise I’m gonna be around forever. No one can. But I can promise that while there is breath left in my body I will love you.”

  “You could promise never to go away again.”

  Joe shifted and pushed her away slightly so he could look her in the eye. “I’m a Freak, sugar. I love you and I know me going away is tough on you and Beth. I guess it’s selfish of me to want a life with you and a life with the club. Ma always said I was. But this is who I am, and it’s the only life I know. I am sorry that this has freaked you out and it will probably happen again.” He pulled her close to him again. “If you wanna go back to Cali, I’ll understand.”

  “Why would I do that? I love it here. I miss Jack and mom. But you and Beth feel more like my family. I don’t really want you to stop being a Freak. It makes you who you are. I just got scared when I saw how much you’re hurting.” She closed her eyes “I really love you. Joe.”

  “I love you too. You’re a good kid.”

  “I ain’t a kid.”

  “Sure you are.”

  Joe smiled as she snuggled closer, just like she did when she was little. He closed his eyes and let sleep claim him, still holding tightly to his little girl.

  When, two hours later, Beth peeked around the door to see if he wanted something to eat, they were both fast asleep in each other’s arms. Quietly she backed out of the room, closing the door quietly behind her, leaving Joe and his kid alone.

  “Beth.”

  “Hey, sweetheart. Is Joe awake?”

  “No.” Amy threw herself down onto the sofa, next to her aunt. “He’s hurt real bad isn’t he?”

  “I think traveling home took it out of him. He probably should have stayed in Texas for a while longer. He’ll be fine, Amy. He just needs a few days to recover.”

  “He won't, though.” Beth could hear the hysteria rising in her niece’s voice. “You know what he’s like. He’s gonna push himself and get an infection or something, an’ then he’ll get sick an’….”

  “Amy calm down. He will be fine. I’ll make sure of it.” She gave her a hug and stood up. “How about I get us something to eat?”

  ~ oOo ~

  Joe opened his eyes and took a moment to reorient himself. He was home, in his own bed. He looked around, and he was alone. The light through his window was telling him it was morning, and his inner debate about whether or not he should get up and find his woman was decided by the nagging of his full bladder. Gingerly he sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. As he shuffled slowly to the bathroom, he wondered if this was what it felt like to be old, but quickly dismissed the idea. Most old people don’t have a nine inch knife wound under their ribs.

  Beth was cooking bacon. He slowly made his way from the bathroom to the kitchen, he stomach growling in anticipation. She turned as he approached and, smiling, wrapped her arms around his neck. “Hey.”

  “Hey.” He kissed her softly. “That for me?”

  “Yeah, you hungry?”

  “Yeah. Mmm, you smell so good.” He nuzzled into her neck. “I seem to remember asking you for a blowjob last night.”

  “You did. Right before you fell asleep. The mind’s willing but the body’s weak, I guess.” She laughed. “Eat your breakfast. Then we can go back to bed and finish what you tried to start.”

  “You wouldn’t be making fun of me, would you, girl? I’m a sick man.”

  “Maybe a tiny bit.” She piled the bacon and eggs onto a plate. “Now eat. You need to build up your strength.”

  He hadn’t expected to be able to eat much. For the last week he’d had to force himself to eat, knowing if he didn’t, he wouldn’t have the strength to get home. But suddenly, sitting at his own table with the breakfast that Beth had made in front of him, he found he was ravenous.

  Beth smiled as he polished off his food. She knew it was only a matter of time before he was back to his old self again. The challenge was going to be stopping him from trying to do too much, too soon. As soon as he’d finished, she took his hand and led him to the bedroom. “Lay down, I’ll be with you shortly.” She pushed him down gently on to the bed and kissed him softly before leaving the room.

  “Hey! Get back here.” Joe’s objection to being left alone was only half-hearted. His eyes were already closing, and Beth knew that when she returned to the bedroom he would be asleep. She had no idea how he’d managed to ride home, but it had clearly taken every last ounce of his strength, and it was going to take a while to get it back. She walked back through the empty apartment. To her amazement, Amy had gone to school without any argument; she hadn’t wanted Joe to be pissed at her. Beth shook her head, wondering how long that would last.

  The buzzing of the doorbell shook her from her reverie. She picked up the receiver. “Hello?”

  “Hey. I’m looking for Tiny. He in?”

  “He’s sleeping. Who’s this?”

  “Name’s Samson.”

  “I’ve heard him talk about you. Do you want to come up? I can always wake him.”

  “Nah, it’s all good. I’ll drop by later.”

  “Okay. Bye, Samson.”

  “See ya, darling. Oh, hey, what’s your name?”

  “Beth.”

  “Okay, Beth, see ya later.”

  Samson climbed back on his bike. Beth, so that was her name. Joe had mentioned that he had a woman and a kid, but he’d put it down to delirium, brought on by shock and loss of blood. He’d known about Joe’s relationship with Amy’s mom and knew that had been dead for a long while, but had assumed it was her he’d been talking about. Oh he’d definitely be back to see who that secretive fucker had squirreled away.

  The Seattle clubhouse was heaving, both Bay View and Salt Lake were in town, and the place was packed to the rafters with patches, sweet butts and hangarounds. Samson glanced at the clock on the wall. As much as he wanted to stick around for the party, he also
wanted to see Tiny before he hit the road in the morning. Reluctantly, he headed for the door.

  “Leaving so soon?”

  He turned and grinned at the sight of Spike with the skankiest pair of whores wrapped around him. Shit, that man had absolutely no standards. “Gonna see Tiny. He’s still laid up, and I’m heading up north in the morning.”

  “Wait up, I’ll come with. Ain't seen that big fucker for ages, and I hear he got banged up pretty bad. Keep ’em warm, girls, I’ll be back later.”

  Joe knew that he was missing one of the biggest parties of the year. But as he sat in front of the TV, with Beth resting her head on his shoulder and Amy lying with her head on his lap, he really couldn’t bring himself to care. He ran his fingers through his girl’s long blonde hair and gave a small smile as he felt Beth snuggle closer, the fingers of his other hand entwined in hers. Right now there was nowhere he’d rather be. He frowned as the doorbell buzzed. “Who the fuck is that?”

  “I’ll get it.” Beth stood and walked towards the intercom. “It’s probably Samson.”

  “Samson?”

  “Yeah, sorry, I forgot to tell you. He came round earlier, while you were asleep. Said he’d come back.” She buzzed him in and opened the door as the sound of voices came up the stairs.

  “Hey.” Joe nudged Amy. “Make yourself scarce.”

  “But.”

  “Do it, Amy.”

  “Fine.” She got up, and he watched as she flounced to her room, slamming the door behind her. She might not like it, but he didn’t want her to hear anything Samson had to tell him.

  He looked up as Beth walked back into the living room, followed by Spike and Samson. She smiled. “Can I get you guys a beer?” Spike gave what could only be described as a leer. “Sure, doll. Need a hand?” He wiggled his eyebrows. “I got a spare.”

  “No, It’s okay. I can carry two bottles of beer.” Joe looked up. “No Joe, it’ll mess up your medication.” She walked into the kitchen. “Have you eaten? I’m cooking chicken.”

  “Great. I love chicken.” Spike grinned and took the offered beer.

  Joe rolled his eyes. So much for a quiet night in. “Was there something you wanted?”

  Samson sat in the armchair opposite him. “Just checking in. Showing some brotherly concern.” He looked over to the kitchen, where Beth was preparing vegetables, chatting animatedly to Spike. “Your old lady?”

  “Yeah.” Joe had no intention of talking about Beth.

  “Spike know her?”

  “They met once, in Bay View. We weren’t together then.” He sighed. “She’s M’s sister.”

  “Shit, Joe. Your life’s just one big soap opera.”

  “Fuck you, asshole. Why you really here, Samson? I’m pretty sure it ain't to discuss my private life.”

  “Salt Lake is being disbanded, for now anyway. Dixon talking about going Nomad. Wanted your opinion.”

  Joe nodded. Unlike the other chapters, members didn’t need a unanimous vote to patch in. All they needed was the approval of the president to become a nomad. “Don’t like him.”

  “Gonna need a bit more than that, Joe.”

  “Fucker’s an asshole. He blackmailed his prez into giving him the VP position. Got no right to call himself a brother.”

  Samson grinned. “That’s what I thought you’d say. Vince put it to the vote at Salt Lake as to whether or not he kept his patch. They saved him, but no chapter will vote him in. Nomad’s his last chance. Or at least it was.” He stood up and put the now empty bottle on the coffee table. “I’m gonna head off. You look done in.” He looked back over to the kitchen. “Spike. C’mon, bro. Let's go.”

  “But I wanted a piece of chicken.” Reluctantly he followed the nomad down the stairs, whining as he went.

  ~ oOo ~

  Amy couldn’t help the grin that spread across her face at the sight of the big black Dyna parked outside the school gates. She could feel the eyes of her fellow students boring into her back as she climbed onto the back of his bike. The Freaks were cool; most of the boys wanted to be one and most of the girls wanted to be with one, so them thinking that Joe was her dad didn’t do her street cred any harm at all. As soon as she was settled, he turned and squeezed her left knee. “Ready, Squirt?”

  She tucked her thumbs into the loops on the waistband of his jeans. “Ready.”

  She loved to ride with him. Ever since she was tiny and would sit in front of him, she had loved it. She had tried to explain what it was like to her friends, but could never fully verbalize how it felt. Sometimes it was impossible to distinguish where Joe ended and the bike started. It was as if they were a single organism as they hugged the road, and when she sat behind him she became a part of it. There was nothing passive about being on his bike, she had to move with him, be as aware of everything around them as he was. As a passenger in a car she was a spectator, watching the scenery go by. On a bike, she was the scenery.

  She knew this little run was his way of saying sorry. Although he had been riding again for a week now, he still tired easily and could only manage short distances. Working, too, was proving challenging. Sometimes he would go in for an hour or so, but until he was fully healed, he had to avoid lifting or anything too strenuous and he was getting seriously impatient. For the last couple of weeks he’d been snappy and irritable, and this morning it had been Amy on the receiving end of his bad temper. Yes, she’d been slow getting ready for school, and hadn't turned down the radio when he asked. But there had been no need to rip into her like that, actually making her cry. She guessed Beth had said something to him after she’d left for school, although even her aunt was tiptoeing around him. She’d been in the firing line more than Amy.

  Joe pulled up outside an ice cream parlor. He’d been way out of line with her. Every time he thought about the look on his kid’s face as the tore into her, he was wracked with guilt. Beth had been pissed and pointed out, in no uncertain terms, that he had to make it right with her. Just because he wasn’t fit to work or go on runs didn’t mean he could take it out on them. He allowed himself a small smile as they walked to the parlor, and she slipped her hand into his. His kid had forgiven him already.

  They sat at the counter, Amy with a huge sundae and Joe a coffee. He grinned as she dipped her spoon in. “I’ll never understand how you can eat that shit.”

  “It’s heavenly. Thanks for this, Joe.”

  “Least I could do.” He ruffled her hair, chuckling as she scowled. “I’m sorry I was such a douche, sugar.”

  “S’ok, I know how frustrated you’re getting.”

  “Ain't no excuse.”

  “No, Joe, it’s not. It’s not my fault and it’s not Beth's.” She nudged him with her elbow. “You’re lucky we love you.”

  “Oh yes, I am.”

  She took a huge spoonful of ice cream. “Joe?”

  “Yes, sugar.”

  “I was thinking. Maybe I’d like to meet my…Barney, again. Would that be okay?”

  “Sure, baby. You don’t need my permission. Any particular reason why?”

  “I just want to know if he’d…If any thing happened…. You know.”

  “You want to know if he’d take care of you if anything happened to me?”

  “Yeah. It’s stupid, I know.”

  “No it ain't, Amy. It’s never stupid to have a contingency plan.” He took her hand. “It scared you, didn’t it? Me getting hurt?”

  “Yeah.” Her voice was tiny. “I never thought about you dying before.”

  “I’m pretty hard to kill, sugar.”

  “I know.”

  “Amy, I promise you that if anything happens to me, Barney will take care of you.”

  “Okay.”

  “But you wanna hear it straight from the horse’s mouth, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Okay. I’ll tell him you want to see him. You want me there?”

  “Please.”

  They fell silent, lost in their own thoughts. Amy swirled her spoo
n around the last of her sundae. “Joe?”

  “Yes, sugar.”

  “What about Beth? Who would take care of her?”

  “Beth don’t need looking after. She’s more than capable of taking care of herself.”

  “I know, but…”

  “The club would help her, if she needed anything.”

  “How could they? You don’t want her to have anything to do with the club. They don’t even know she exists”

  “I take it by that little statement you think I’m making a mistake.”

  “I know you don’t want what you do to hurt me and Beth, and you think that by not involving us in that side of your life, you protect us in some way. But we are involved, Joe. You have to make Beth your old lady. Introduce her to the club. That way she gets the protection and support she needs from the club as well as you.”

  “Wow, you’ve really thought about this.”

  “She was really worried. She didn’t hear from you for days. If the club had known about her, they would have kept her in the loop. As it was she didn’t know where to turn. That isn’t fair, Joe. You can’t just shove us in a box and get us out when it suits you. The club is a massive part of your life and it should be part of ours too.”

  “Shit, you are one smart kid.”

  “I ain't a kid.”

  “No, I guess you’re not.”

  ~ oOo ~

  Later, as he lay in bed, admiring Beth’s naked form as she sashayed across the room to join him. He pondered on Amy’s words. In the past, whether it was with his ma or Beth, the sticking point had always been the club and how much time he dedicated to it. He didn’t want it to come between him and Beth or it to be the thing that finally drove his kid away. Maybe she was right. The way to prevent that from happening was to involve them in that part of his life.