There’s an awkward moment of silence.
“You need me now, I’m here, Rosie. I won’t make the same mistake again. I’m not the smartest man, but I’m no fool either.”
“I know you aren’t, Pop. I never thought that.”
“No, you were too busy worrying you’d get me in trouble. I love this club. They don’t come first, they come with you. You understand? You need something or some
one taken care of, it’s going to happen. I know you left and we let things lie. Maybe it was for the best. I need you to know, Stone would’ve stepped up if he knew that dick was cornering you and taking pot shots at a fucking child. He would’ve kicked his ass from here to kingdom come. I want you to believe that. I never felt you did.”
The breath leaves my lungs in a rush. My head spins. “You sure about that?” I feel compelled to ask the question, though I’m not sure I want the answer.
“Positive. You’re Kings of Chaos, too. I’m sorry I allowed you to ever feel any less than that. You are my legacy, one I’m proud of. Hell, you’re the best part of me. I love my club. I proudly wear their colors. Doesn’t change the fact, when they lay me down, you’re the one good thing I’ll be remembered for. You got heart, grit, and smarts. You didn’t let the fuckers grind you down. You gave them the finger and forged your own path, it takes real moxie to do that. You may be a female, but you got a set of balls on you bigger than a lot of men.”
I laugh. “You always had a way with words, Pop.”
“I mean it.”
I nod. “I know you do.” It feels good to hear the words even after all this time. I finish my coffee and he finishes his food in silence. Pushing away from the table I move to make toast, grabbing his empty bowl on the way.
“I’m calling Stone now. We’re going to call you Rosie La Fleur.”
“I didn’t know you were such a romantic, Pop.”
“It’s a good name. It’ll go over well with this crowd,” Pop says.
“Stoners are supposed to be chill. They don’t care what I’m called as long as I sell them good product.”
“Already talking like a business woman,” Pop says.
“I understand the way people’s minds work, Pop. It’s not rocket science.”
“Yeah, you’d be surprised. Hey, Stone, how’s it going brother. … Yeah? Look, Dixie Rose is climbing the walls, and she’s looking for a gig. I told her about King Green. Do you think you could put her on behind the counter? … Yeah, I think she’d be a good fit, too. Solves the issue of who we put in charge. … Ha, yeah she can whip them into shape.”
I shake my head, blocking them out at they shoot the shit. From school counselor, to marijuana dispensary worker. There’s never a dull moment here with the King of Chaos.
Echo
We came up with a truce, but I can still feel the discord floating around under the surface. We managed to finish up our business. After the disappearance of Blue’s ex—the detective—the way we do things changed. We couldn’t be sure of how much he’d learned, or who he’d been siphoning information to. So far, no one had been coming around, but you could never be too good. Besides, routines get you jacked and killed. Change is always good.
I pull up in front of the clubhouse and curse my circumstances. I should be in my own place with my old lady, but Dixie is resistant. I’m trying to be patient, but at times it pisses me off. I’m wrecking my family, and causing drama with my club, and she’s got one foot in the relationship and one foot out the door.
The thought that she could leave so easily bothers me. I didn’t mean to fall for her. She was the least likely option. A few years younger, and the one woman my father would never approve of, she was on the ‘don’t even think about it’ list, until that day that changed everything.
~~
Past
My phone vibrates. Shit. It’s Friday, and I was counting on blowing off some steam in the clubhouse with a few of the girls. Being the low man on the totem pole is endless, backbreaking work. People think they go easier on us prospects who’ve grown up within the club, but I think it is worse. They get a kick out of seeing us tested and tried over and over. I pull my phone out and frown at the name. Dixie Rose. What the hell is Hoss’s daughter doing calling me of all people? My father has never hidden how he feels about blacks. Sure she and I are cordial, but we keep our distance to make sure we don’t rock the boat.
“I’m out, fellas,” I say, tossing my cards on the table. I bring the phone to my ear. “Yeah?”
“E-echo?”
“You’re the one who called me, and you’re not sure who’s on the phone?” I ask.
“Yeah, s-sorry.”
There’s loud music in the distance and the sound of voices, but I can still hear the fear in her voice. “Hey, what’s going on?”