“It’s going to work out. We had nothing to do with the guy’s death. I just can’t figure how he got in the first place!” Numbers cried out in a frustrated tone as he slapped his leg.
“She wants to bring everyone down to the station,” Bones announced. “She’s going to call. Annoying, and where the hell did the needles come from? We probably should have followed up on that motorcycle plate ID. You still got it, Numbers?” Bones asked.
“Yep. I have it.” Numbers nodded.
I held my breath. The longer the conversation went on the more I felt as if I betrayed him and the club. I was watching the drama unfold right in front of me and not able to say anything. “Hey, I’m going to head home. It’s been a crazy night. Thanks for inviting me,” I said meekly as I tried desperately to sneak away. I waved and the others said their goodbyes to me.
My getaway option didn’t quite work as Numbers touched my arm. “Are you sure you’re okay? I’m sorry about all of tonight. Let me make it up to you,” he said gently.
“It’s fine, I just want to get home and get some rest. Nobody has done anything wrong,” I added in a tired voice.
“Correct. Okay, well I’ll give you a call tomorrow. It was nice to see you tonight, despite the circumstances.” He sighed.
We were standing in the moonlight with the streetlight shining on our faces, two feet apart from one another. He closed the gap and kissed me full on the lips.
I felt the fire run through me. I placed a light hand on his chest to move him away when he went in for a deeper kiss. “Goodnight, Numbers.” I turned on my heel and got into my car with him standing there, looking a little perplexed. My stomach was in a stranglehold of knots the whole way home as tears streamed down my face.
Is it worth it? I gripped my steering wheel as I drove through the silent, dark streets of Holbeck. My darling mother, it was me and her. I had to do what I had to do. She was my rock. The incentive was with the money I could go take a look at suitable independent living arrangements for her with the additional care she needed.
I pulled in the driveway and swiped away my tears with the back of my hand before entering my house. I kept struggling to get my mind under control. It was racing, trying to figure out solutions. If Doc found out about my dealings with the club, I would be in a whole world of hurt, and I would be implicated. I sat in the darkness with my head in my hands cursing my choices.
As the moments passed, I managed to go through the motions and fall asleep in my bed. My sleep was fitful, as I tossed and turned, but I managed to get a few hours in.
I woke up in a mild panic, a sinking feeling in my gut. I dragged myself up and jumped in the shower to restore myself. The beads of water rushing over my skin did the trick and made me feel less dead. As I wiped the fog from my bathroom mirror, I saw the bags forming under my eyes.
You’re going to need extra makeup today, Mia. I slid on a long maxi dress and grabbed my phone to call my mother. I saw there were a few text messages.
One of them was from Numbers. Good morning beautiful. I hope you have a wonderful day. Don’t let last night get you down.
The weight of a thousand bricks was on my shoulders and I wanted to take it off. I ignored the text and called Mama. “Hey, Mama. How are you? Are you ready to go take a look at some places today?” I asked gently. My mother knew she needed help and she wasn’t belligerent about the choice I made. I didn’t want to pick the place without her input, though. I wanted her involved in the full process.
“I’m as good as I can be, dear. I’m looking forward to going to see these places. As much as I don’t want to leave my home. I don’t want the extra strain on my baby girl,” she said kindly.
I could feel my bottom lip about to go and tears started to flow. I hoped in my heart I was making the best decision for her.
She must have caught the sniffle on the other end of the line. “Don’t you worry about me, sweetheart. I’ve had a good life. I’m not gone yet, they just need to have bingo and a good social life, and I will be a happy spring chicken!”
I giggled with her. “Mama, you always say the right things. We’ll get you into a wonderful place.”
“I look forward to you getting here. See you soon.” She clicked off.
I packed up and drove the few short miles to her house ? my family home where I grew up. Seeing it brought back nostalgic memories. It made me think of my father’s wide open smiling face and running into his arms after school finished. Her place had a wide driveway, and the lawns were kept neat. It was a two-story house with a homey feel and a wraparound porch. The cicadas welcomed you as soon as you arrived. I knocked on the door and peeped through the side curtain.
My mother had a walking cane to help her along, so it took her a little longer to get to her destination.
I waited patiently as she ambled to the door.
Smiling widely, she had curled her hair the night before, and she seemed happy enough. “Ah, you’re here! I’m ready to go.”
“Do you have your purse? You know sometimes you forget it,” I mentioned to her.
“Yes. I have it right here.” She patted her hip where her aqua leather purse hung over her shoulder. My mother was quite the showstopper. Her outfit was matched to the purse today. She wore teal pants, white flats, with a striped teal and white top.
“Okay, then we can go. You look good today. I like that lipstick,” I praised as I held out my elbow for her to hook her arm around.
“You know I like to look my best. We are going out, I want them to know they’re at least getting a good-looking tenant. A woman has to keep herself up, you know.” She winked with a grin as she took my arm.
I laughed easily with her. “You do… oop. Steady there.” I navigated a little wobble with Mama to the car and opened the door for her.