A Family Man

by osborne, Sarah

  Beth grinned at her niece’s obvious enthusiasm. She was glad that Amy and her mom had resolved their differences, and even though it looked like Maria would never speak to her again, as long as she maintained a good relationship with her daughter, that would be enough. “Ready to go, sweetheart?” Amy nodded and turned on the radio. She much preferred traveling with her aunt. Unlike Joe, she had decent taste in music and they would be singing all the way to the motel, where they would be meeting Joe for their overnight stay.

  THIRTY-THREE

  Maria gazed out of the window as her daughter hurried down the garden path. She would have liked to go outside to meet her, but there was no way she was going to have anything to do with her bitch of a sister. Her progress to the front door was halted as she checked her reflection with a frown. Just recently she had noticed how she was starting to look her age. There were shadows under her eyes, and her skin had lost its youthful glow. It looked like the years of substance abuse were finally catching up with her, and she knew that she should be taking better care of herself, but the chronic stomach pains that had plagued her for the last year or so meant that eating wasn’t always possible. Her doctor had said they would improve if she stopped drinking, but that was easier said than done. She could stay sober for days, sometimes weeks at a time, but whenever she got stressed, the old Maria reared her ugly head and dived straight into a bottle.

  Joe would only be able to spend a couple of hours with his mom before heading out to Bay View. It would have been nice to have longer but he was joining his brothers on a run to Vegas. Beth would be staying with her before she and Amy joined him in Bay View in four days' time. As he watched her struggle out of her chair, it became clear she wasn’t going to be able to carry on living alone for much longer, although how he was going to broach the subject with her, he had no idea. If he as much suggested she could no longer cope, she would rip him a new one. He smiled as Beth wrapped her arms around his waist. “You want me to talk to her?”

  “I dunno, girl. I don’t know how much longer she can cope. There’s no way she’ll move to Seattle, and she’ll fight going into a home, tooth and nail.”

  “Leave it to me, Joe. She’s less likely to flip at me. If you say anything it’ll end up with you and her yelling at each other.”

  “Have I ever told you what an amazing woman you are?”

  “Not often enough, Joe.” She kissed him, then turned and followed Sophia into the kitchen.

  Sophia knew that they were talking about her, and she had a pretty good idea that she knew what they were talking about. She was well aware of her limitations these days and certainly didn’t need reminding of them. There were days when she could hardly get from one side of the room to another. That didn’t mean that she was going to give up her independence without a fight, and there was no way she was moving to Seattle. Her friends were here, and she enjoyed the California sunshine too much. “You kids hungry? There’s a pie in the oven.” She may be getting old, but it would be a cold day in hell before she couldn’t cook a hot meal for her son.

  “Here, let me help.” Beth took the pan of vegetables from her. “Why don’t you sit with Joe. He won't be here long, and I’m sure you want to catch up.”

  She would have loved to object, but as she eased herself carefully into the chair next to her son, Sophia knew that she wasn’t kidding anyone. The morning’s baking session had exhausted her, and she knew it was written all over her face. Her eyes met Joe’s. “Not one word, son.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it, Ma.” Joe grinned. “Can’t speak for Beth, though.”

  ~ oOo ~

  The Bay View to Vegas charity run was one of Joe’s favorites. The clubhouse there always offered the best hospitality, although he had no intention of indulging in more than a lap dance. He had given his word to Beth that he wouldn’t cheat, and when Joe Taylor gave his word, he kept it. As he and his brothers headed south, carefully avoiding Alcaran territory, he couldn’t stop the grin spreading across his face. This was what he had always lived for, and it never lessened in its appeal. But now that he had Beth and Amy, his life was richer than it had ever been. It wouldn’t always be perfect, he knew that. But at this moment in time it was about as damn near perfect as it could be. Yup, today, life was good.

  ~ oOo ~

  For pretty much his entire adult life, Joe had always put the club above everything, and as far as he was concerned, nothing had changed. He was beginning to think, though, that maybe Wolf felt differently. There had been jobs that in the past would have been handed straight to him that were now being given to Samson or other nomads. Nothing had been said, and he was still a very active member of the Seattle chapter. It just felt that over the last few months he spent more days working nine till five at Seattle Auto, and more nights sleeping in his own bed than he ever had done before. He hadn’t minded; there were enough protection runs to top up his income, and Beth earned good money. So, despite spending more for a caregiver to go in daily to help his ma, they were financially secure, and he was getting to spend some quality time with his girls.

  Today, though, as he watched his President and the big nomad head through the chapel doors, he couldn’t help but feel a little pang. He knew that the Serpiente MC had been stirring up shit and the Tucson chapter had been badly hit, and he guessed it was retaliation time. Pushing himself away from the bar, he walked slowly towards the chapel. It wasn’t like him to push himself forward. He would always follow orders, and, if asked, would happily volunteer for jobs that others would shy away from. But this should have gone to him; there was a war on and he was a soldier. He should be there.

  His progress, however, was halted by a hand on his arm. “Going somewhere, Joe?”

  “Wanna talk to Wolf. Shit in Tucson, I should be there.”

  Bugs grinned. “Wassup, bro? Feeling all left out?”

  Joe shrugged. Was that it? “Nah, but this job has my name all over it. Reckon Wolf thinks I’m going soft.”

  Throwing his head back, his VP roared with laughter. “He doesn’t think you’re going soft, you fucking moron. Wolf knows you’ll go wherever he sends you. No one’s given more to this club than you. But you’re a family man now.”

  “Don’t make no difference.”

  “Yes it does, Joe. I love this club, and will lay down my life if necessary. But I got an ol’ lady and a bunch of kids at home, they need me, too. It’s about balance. I go on runs and do what I need to do for the good of the club, but I don’t get seconded to other charters or take jobs that will keep me away from home for weeks or months at a time. I leave that to the nomads or brothers without families. It don’t make me soft, it makes me a husband and father.”

  “Beth’s okay with me going away.”

  “Maybe she is. But she shouldn’t have to be. There will always be times when your particular talents will be needed, but don’t go putting yourself in the firing line just to prove you’re a good brother. No one thinks any less of you because you make time for Beth and your kid. Family is what the Freaks are all about.”

  Running his hand across his head, he sighed and headed back to the bar. What Bugs had said made sense. Although it wasn’t unheard of, as a rule the nomads didn’t have old ladies and it was usually his younger, single brothers that would spend long periods away with other chapters. He’d never really thought about it before, and he certainly wouldn’t call any of his brothers with families soft, but it was clear that the ones with long, successful relationships were the ones who got the balance right.

  ~ oOo ~

  The drive from Beth’s office to their house was only fifteen minutes. Barely long enough to clear her head before the long, tree-lined driveway came into view. She loved her new job as a legal adviser for a small charity. It was engaging without being too demanding, and she felt that what she was doing was worthwhile. She had only been working there for a couple of months, but was already feeling like she belonged, something she’d never felt before.

  At
home, too, things were going really well. Joe was around a lot, and Amy had finally stopped trying to fight the world. They had been living in the house for twelve months, and it had quickly become a second home to many of Joe’s brothers. Barney would drop by once or twice a week to see Amy, and Samson would always stay when he was in town. Beth would never be much of a party animal, and rarely visited the clubhouse, but she was more than happy to entertain at home, so Sunday lunches or barbecues in the summer were becoming commonplace.

  Despite Joe’s concerns, Maria had not really caused any trouble. Sometimes, if she had been drinking, she would make what could only be described as abusive phone calls. But none had reached Amy’s ears, and Beth had ensured that child services were keeping a close eye on her, so mostly she was behaving. Whatever sympathy Beth had for her sister had long since disappeared. No one could have helped her more, yet it had never been enough. She had known that her being with Joe would drive a wedge between the siblings, but if she had thought for one moment that he and Maria had a future together, she would have stayed away. She knew Joe loved her. But sometimes, after one of those drunken calls, or when he watched Amy goofing around with her friends or with Barney, there would be an expression on his face that could only be described as regret, and, whenever she saw it, Beth’s heart would leap into her throat.

  It was irrational, she knew, he was committed to her. But she would get the horrible feeling he was settling for second best. Fortunately, those feelings never lasted long. In fact, as soon as he turned to her and smiled, they would fly away.

  The only real blip on the horizon was Sophia. Joe was paying for someone to go in every day for a few hours, but it was looking like that wouldn’t be enough. She was pretty unsteady on her feet and had fallen a couple of times. It had been a shock, the last time they had visited, just how frail she was becoming. But her spirit was as strong as ever, and she was determined to stay in her own home for as long as she could.

  ~ oOo ~

  Amy twirled and checked her reflection in the mirror. The dress was perfect. It clung to her curves in just the right places and showed off her best assets. All she had to do was figure out how to get it past Joe. There was no way on earth he would let her out of the house wearing it; in fact, she could hear him now. “Get the fuck back up those stairs, sugar and cover yourself up. Ain’t going out looking like a whore.” She sighed. He had never shown any interest in what she wore before, and now suddenly, everything was too short, too low-cut, or too tight. He had all but banned her from going to the clubhouse, even at family gatherings, and he watched her like a hawk, snarling at any brother that dared look her way. She was trying not to fight him over this, but he was becoming overbearing, and even Beth couldn’t get him to back off. As far as he was concerned, he was protecting her, although she wasn’t sure what from. Word had spread far and wide that the Tiny's kid was off limits, and as a result she hadn’t found anyone brave enough to even kiss her.

  It didn’t make her any less determined to lose her virginity, though. She was well aware of how men looked at her, and as she got older it was clear she had inherited her mother’s sex appeal. Joe couldn’t watch her all the time, and judging by the prospect’s blushes when she smiled at him, it was only a matter of time until she got her way. She was her mother’s daughter, after all.

  ~ oOo ~

  Sophia scowled at the brochures in front of her. Assisted living! Ha! Just because they put a kitchen the size of a postage stamp in the corner didn’t mean she’d be independent. It was bad enough that she had to put up with that nosy bitch coming round every day and reporting back to Joe every time she as much as stumbled. But there was no way she was going to be bullied into going into a home. This was Joe’s doing. Next time she saw him she would so put him in his place. Leaning back against the cushions, she closed her eyes. Hopefully she’d get the chance soon. She missed him so very much.

  THIRTY-FOUR

  Maria started awake at the sound of the front door banging. “Jack, is that you?” Wiping her hand across her brow in an attempt to wipe away the ever-present headache, she slowly pulled herself to her feet. “You hungry? There's Pizza in the fridge.”

  “Nah, I'm good.” he dropped his bag on the floor and ran upstairs to his room.

  As soon as her son had left the room, Maria sank into the chair and rested her head on the table. She just felt so ill all the time these days, it was like just one long hangover. All she wanted to do was sleep. She knew the cause; it was no great mystery. Her liver was failing, and unless she stopped drinking, she would die. She was trying, but it was so hard. Jack was a pretty easygoing kid, but she was so lonely, and sometimes she found herself in dive bars looking for company and a little respite from her shitty life. She had to be careful, child services had been sniffing around, thanks to her whore of a sister. She might not be the best parent in the world, but she did love her kids and she wasn’t prepared to lose another one. She had been sober now for nearly a month. Amy was coming to visit in a few days, and she needed to be as sober and healthy as possible. Maybe, this time, she would be able to persuade her daughter to stay.

  ~ oOo ~

  Amy sat in the back yard of her mom’s house and stared at her phone. It would be easier to call Beth and get her to talk to Joe, but she couldn't do that. It wouldn’t be fair. She dreaded calling him, but she knew she had to man up and tell him herself. Taking a huge breath, she pressed ‘call.’

  “Hey, sugar. S’up?”

  “Hey. Can you come to Mom’s? I really need to talk to you.”

  “Problem?”

  “Please, Joe. I need to see you.”

  “Okay, I can be there in five.”

  Pushing down the panic that was rising in his throat, he stalked through his mom’s house. “Beth, I gotta go to Maria’s. Amy just called.”

  Beth looked up with a frown. “She okay? You want me to come?”

  “Nah, stay here. Ma will be waking up soon. If there’s a problem, I’ll call you.”

  There had never been a time when the sound of Joe’s Dyna wasn’t like music to Amy’s ears. Right now, however, the roar of those straight pipes as he came down the road was the last thing she wanted to hear. Reluctantly she walked slowly to the front of the house and sat on the front steps, awaiting his arrival.

  Amy didn’t even give him a chance to kill the engine before she ran to him. “What’s this all about, sugar?”

  “Can we take a ride? I really want to talk to you, but not here.”

  “Sure.” Taking off his helmet, he handed it to her. “Get on.”

  They didn’t go far, just to the park that she’d always loved as a kid. They dismounted, and he led her to a bench overlooking the duck pond. Amy sat next to him and stared at her hands. “Mom’s real sick, Joe.”

  “Sick how?”

  “Dying sick.”

  “Shit. You sure, this ain't Maria’s usual bullshit?”

  “Shit, Joe! You really think she’d stoop that low?” Amy sighed. “I know she’s done some shitty things, but this is for real.”

  Joe took her hand. “I’m sorry, sugar. I wish there was something I could say that would make things better.”

  Resting her head against his shoulder, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I’m going to stay here.”

  “What?”

  “When you go back to Seattle, I won't be coming with you. I have to stay here. Mom needs me.” She shifted as she felt him tense up. “Joe?”

  “She ask you?”

  “No.”

  “She tell you she’s dying?”

  “She didn’t have to. I’ve got eyes.”

  “Is there anything I can say that will make you change your mind?”

  “No.”

  “Okay.” Abruptly, he stood and without a backward glance marched back to his bike.

  “Joe.” Amy trotted behind him, trying and failing to blink away her tears. “Say something, please.”

  “Nothing to say, sugar.�
�� He held out his helmet and waited for her to climb on behind him. As soon as he felt her arms snake around his waist he pulled away.

  She was holding on too tight, her face buried into his back. It made riding difficult, but they didn’t have far to go and he couldn’t bring himself to tell her to relinquish her grip. She was obviously upset and he didn’t want to make her feel worse.

  He stopped outside Maria’s house and as soon as Amy had dismounted pulled away, leaving her staring behind him. He should have said something, reassured her that it didn’t change the way he felt about her. That he would always be there for her. Instead, he did what he always did when he was overcome with unfamiliar emotions. He rode. And rode. Out of town and through the desert, not caring that he was getting deeper into Serpiente territory, or how the sun was burning his face. Despite pushing his bike harder than he’d ever done before and the fact that he was riding on the ragged edge, the noise in his head was as loud as ever, and the tightness in his chest showed no sign of abating. Over and over again, he tried to tell himself that his kid would only be a day away. They had been apart before, and they would survive another separation. He was trying, but it wasn’t working. The voice of reason was being drowned out by the one screaming that he was going to lose her.

  Amy lay on the bed and buried her face into the pillow as her phone rang again. She knew it would be Beth, which meant Joe had taken off and hadn’t returned. Shit, she had handled this all wrong, and now Joe was pissed, which meant he’d probably come back and take it out on her mom, and there was no way she was prepared to stand back and watch that happen.