“You want your usual?” I ask.
“Yep.” He sits down on a stool in front of me, and I pour him a pint of Guinness.
“She’s pissed because I told her I didn’t want her staying by herself. She wasn’t looking so hot last night when I left, and if I want to fix shit between us, I need to be there. Our hours are different and seeing her on the weekend isn’t going to cut it anymore.”
“Damn, look at you growing up and taking on responsibility.”
“You want to wear this or drink it?” I slam the chilled glass down in front of him.
He laughs. “She’s got your ass wound up, doesn’t she?”
“Pot meet kettle, brother. I could say the same for Blue.”
“Yeah, but we worked our shit out. You got a ways to go.”
“Trust me, I don’t need to be reminded,” I say.
“You’d better do it quick. You need to let Pres know and he’s going to ask for her background and your plans.”
It’s embarrassing how little I know about Ruthie. She comes from a broken home. Her parents split when she was younger and her dad was out of the picture and had been for a long time. Her mom was a real estate agent and her dad did some sort of writing. It left a lot to be desired when we’re joining our lives and about to raise a kid. Stone will grill both of us. I need to make sure we’re both ready. Right now, he’s paranoid and out for blood. Having a brother turn on his own club will do that. “I know.”
“Good, you better let her know the rules too. Assuming is what landed your ass in the doghouse in the first place. If she can’t handle it, you should figure it out before you label her your Old Lady and bring her into the fold. We got plenty of baby mamas who operate as outsiders. Make sure you’re thinking with your head too. Club can’t take anymore knocks right now.”
“I know. I wasn’t expecting to get so deep. Plus, if she was going to be betray the club, don’t you think she would’ve by now?”
“You should know from what Blue went through, it’s not always the person who’s plotting. It can be someone linked to them,” Shadow reminds me.
The thought is unsettling. Other than Blue, I have no clue who her friends are. I’ve never met her sister or her parents. “Damn, I been going about this ass backward.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Shadow sets down his glass. ?
?And you better proceed with caution, cause if you make her hate you, any plans you thought you had are over. You can only push her so far. Ruthie is used to being independent as hell. All of this is new to her.”
“You like her, don’t you?” I ask.
“She’s always been there for Blue and my boy. You’re my brother, but I have a soft spot for that girl. I don’t let Bolt call just anyone Aunt, you know?”
“I got you, brother. I’m going to do right by her,” I promise. I rap my knuckles on the counter and move down to the bar to help with refills and new customers. This domestic shit makes my head hurt. The only successful relationship I saw up close and in person was between my grandparents. They were old school. Women took care of the home. The man provided, and they both treated each other with mutual respect. My grandfather doted on her. She was his queen, and it worked because she treated that man like a king. His breakfast, lunch, and dinner were made with care. He always had a fresh uniform waiting for him, the house was always clean, and welcoming.
Grandpa would say I needed to give in order to receive. He said their marriage was a team effort. I wrote it off as a fluke as I got older and saw the divorce rate rise. They were from a different time. Most people didn’t have that kind of loyalty and sticking power nowadays. Times like this, I missed them most. When I needed someone to go to for advice. My brothers are there for me through thick and thin, but talking about emotional shit isn’t something we generally do.
My mind turns to one of my Grandpa’s friends, Ray. Ten years younger, the man had been a surrogate paternal figure. It’s been a long time since I got out to the home to see him. I try not to go any less than once a month, but the club has had me hemmed up. Tomorrow.
The bar picks up as the evening rolls in and I’m forced to focus on the organized chaos unfurling around me.
***
The Rest Home is one of the nicer ones in our area. It’s the least Ray’s family can do, considering they never come to visit the man. Originally from the Chicago area, he relocated after he lost his wife to work and eventually retired in a place that never got any snow. He said he’d spent enough time in miserable weather to last a lifetime. He and Grandpa met on the job at the small electrical company Grandpa worked for. I walk under the awning of the beige stucco building and wave at Beverly who’s working behind the desk.
In her late forties, the women with kind brown eyes, laugh lines, and a heart shaped face waves. “Hey, Skull long time no see.”
“Yeah, I’ve been out of town for work recently, Ms. Bev. How are you doing?”
“I’m fine, thank you.”
“Is Ray up and about?”
“Yeah, he’s out in the garden. He actually has visitors.”