MC: Callahan (24 page)

I get to Security and go right in to the meeting room. Danny, Cloud, Bob, Driscoll, Bull, Chet, Sam, VP, little Ben, Patches, Allan, and Geek are already here. Our partners are not. I sit and listen to them talking about the kids going back to school. I’m thinking this is odd. We’ve been going out twice a week to pick up bidders or auctioneers and kids. The only Officers not here are Pres, Rich, and Digs.

“Where are our partners?” I can’t hold it in.

“Don’t know, we got a text to be here at ten. We don’t run Security, so we never know what’s going on,” Patches says with a smile, making everyone laugh.

Pres comes in with Rich, Digs, and a smiling Jessie. Digs and Jessie sit. Pres walks the length of the table to the head then looks at us for a good thirty seconds. “Brothers, I have all the evaluations from the Security partners. According to you they are all ready to move into HS. Is there anyone that feels someone is not going to work out or something isn’t right with any of the Brothers we’ve been training?”

I think about all of them, not getting a bad feeling from any that I’ve worked with. I shake my head no. Pres watches all of us then turns to VP. “No, even asked Jeremy.”

He nods and looks at little Ben. “Jeremy has been in on the training me and Jessie ran. He met all of them. My question to him was about Family Security. S8 is the only one he didn’t like for Family Security. He didn’t give a reason.”

VP looks surprised. Pres nods. “He doesn’t have a problem with S8 in HS. He didn’t give me a reason either. I asked only about HS. I’m glad you were more specific.”

I nod, looking at little Ben. So am I, but I wonder why he isn’t good for the family. “What do we know about S8?” I ask Geek.

It’s Digs that answers. “I looked when little Ben told me. He lost his family in an accident; it was a DUI.”

Pres nods. “Makes sense. Good job, Little Ben. So we have a fortified HS team. More Brothers moving into Security and some changes coming to the Little Brothers Program.” I look around the table. Cloud and Jessie are smiling. “The Little Brothers will be taking on a VP, Jessie, and will vote on SAA and Security. I am told these positions will be filled by Ricky and Darren.” He looks around. Holy shit! Ricky will be an Officer in the Little Brothers. I hold my smile.

“The Little Brothers have proven themselves and the new Officers will get Little Brother Officer cuts. Jessie thinks they need more experience before wearing an Officer’s cut and little Ben left it up to me. I don’t think the Brothers are ready to accept them right now, so I agree. They will have their bible added to the charter bible with a vote at Christmas. Do I have a nay on the Little Brothers bible, cut or appointing their own Officers?”

No one says a word. “Patches, you will be relieved of overseeing the Little Brothers Program with the Kids Center. I know this is not a loss you’ll mourn.”

Patches smiles. “They’ve been doing it themselves for almost a year now.” We laugh.

“Little Ben will coordinate the Summer Program and any special events with you. Cloud, you are still supervising and working directly with their Officers. The Little Brothers will run their own programs, activities, and training. Geek, you are still overseeing IT Security. Little Ben and his Officers are to be treated with respect and acceptance by all Brothers. I’m confident that when they need it, they will ask for our input and help.” Little Ben throws him chin.

“Now Security. The ten Brothers that were trained learned more in the month of training than the whole three month course. One on one we get the results we want. I don’t think it’s because they’re learning anything different, you’re explaining why to them, you give them different perspectives. You are Officers for a reason, the best of the best. Everyone has a different job but it’s all about the Brotherhood when you boil it down. You’re teaching them that. We need to continue training this way. I know some of you have too much shit to do at your regular jobs, but we’ve found two new IT experts, one ex admin assistant, and an ex food service manager. We have more experienced help. Tell me what you need and I’ll find you help.”

VP clears his throat. “Want assistant doin fuckin’ paperwork.” The table explodes in laughter.

Pres smiles. “Done! Anyone else?”

“I like training, it’s different when it’s not ten Brothers. I see when my partner gets it or doesn’t. I was going to ask to keep doing it,” I tell him. Everyone agrees.

“Good. Sunday at the picnic I want the HS patches and the new cuts for Little Brothers.” I nod. “Danny, what do you need to keep training going?” Considering they live together they never talk Club shit. Danny won’t say anything unless we’re in a group like this.

“If John is going to keep running things he needs a raise. He’s spending a lot of time working for no extra pay.”

“Get with Justin or Josh and give him a raise,” Pres says, looking around the table. “Does anyone else need help, time, anything?”

Little Ben sits up. “Yeah, we need to get our money handled. I don’t know what my mom does, but we’ve been working for a while. Our money is sitting in the bank. Joey portions out pays, but we need more options now. It’s too much to just sit there.”

Pres looks surprised. “Why didn’t you ask her?”

“It’s Club business, you’re the only one that talks to her about it,” he says with a smile.

“Fuckin’ kids. I’ll talk to her about working with your money. If she gets pissed at me it’s coming back to you,” Pres says, making VP and Danny laugh. Jess is scary with the money shit.

“Anything or other help needed?” No one says anything. “Okay, your partners are at the shooting range. They will run Ops tonight. We don’t have many leads, but they run the show. Jessie is with Rich on controls. You are bystanders unless you’re needed. Your partners are stepping up to the HS bikes for the first time; don’t give them too much shit about it. They don’t know they’ll be patched into HS Sunday. Don’t mention it. I have nothing else, so unless you do, let’s get to work.”

We all stand. I grab Jessie in a hug. “You and little Ben have had each other’s back from the first day. I’m proud to see you still do. I’m proud of you, Jessie.” He hugs me back then throws chin. Danny hugs him, then Cloud, then Rich.

We text our partners, then watch them get their new bikes. It’s funny. Every single one of them is speechless, caressing the seats and checking them out. Their call numbers are on the back of the seats. They look at us to see if we’re fuckin’ with them. I throw Strapper his helmet and get on my bike. “Shit to do, you’re in charge tonight.” This is the first time he’s had the HS helmet; they usually have ear pieces. He checks in like a pro and we start our Op.

Running twelve to four, we net a new kid and four bidders. The auctioneer was gone. There is less and less every time. I’m not sure if we’re shutting them down or they’re getting smarter. I like to think we’re shutting them down. At the Club Pres tells the Brothers how we did. Another kid was sent home. Paul showed up himself today to take care of the media. The girl is the daughter of a senator. The Brothers cheer and drink. Our Partners are all in high spirits. I sit next to Danny. “Where’s VP?” I ask him.

“Jess needed him for something. He went straight home.” He looks concerned.

“Her meds still working?” I hope it’s not the meds again.

“I think so. She hasn’t said anything to me. She went to Boston today. I hope they’re still working.” He still looks concerned. He’s close to his sister. I would think she would tell him if she had a problem.

“You want to get out of here?” I ask. Maybe a ride would clear his head.

“Can’t, I have to get the boys home.”

I look around. “Where are they?”

He smiles. “Don’t know.” He looks at his watch. “I told them to meet me out front in twenty minutes.”

I laugh. “He’s going to kill you in your fuckin’ sleep.”

“I didn’t give them a beer. All he ever says is don’t give him alcohol. And I only sleep with one eye shut.”

I spit my beer across the bar. Fuckin’ Brother only has one eye. We watch Pres talk to all the Security Brothers. He’s got them smiling like pussies. When two move closer to us talking about Pres, giving them a pat on the back, I throw a tampon on them. The Brothers standing close laugh and give them shit.

I walk out with Danny. Jessie is sliding his belt on and little Ben and Ricky are sitting on their bikes. Little Ben is shaking his head. Danny laughs. “Get it together, Jessie. Where’s Darren?” Ricky points to the gate where Darren is waiting. We ride home, following them. I had no idea Ricky was with them. I’m thinking of the conversation I need to have with him. Shit.

I’ve got the kids in the kitchen while Nancy showers and gets ready for the picnic. I had her tied to the bed earlier and fucked the shit out of her. It’s been good. I’ve been making sure she gets that she’s the only one for me. I think she gets it. She was still dazed when I left her an hour ago. Since then I’ve been a short order cook for the kids. Luckily they all want some form of eggs. Diego helps with toast, then he wants to make eggs. I let him make Nancy’s plate, Billy makes the toast, while Sheila and Sandy get her coffee and juice. Ricky, Jason, and José take care of the cleanup. Nancy’s timing is perfect, and the kids are all smiling, giving her a morning hug or kiss. I love seeing her face when they show her love; she was made to be a mom with a big family.

I sign to Diego to show her what he’s been working on. Everyone is smiling, watching him open the book he made. “Did you do this?” she asks in a shaky voice.

He nods with that crooked smile, signing, ‘Yes.’

“You wrote a whole book, Diego!” She has tears.

He hugs her then signs, ‘I wrote all the words by myself. Billy, José, and Jason helped me learn. Alex said I need a book for school. I wrote my name and my family. Ricky and Sheila made pictures and Sandy help color.’

Ricky hits his arm. ‘We
took
pictures, dweeb.’ He signs.

‘Took pictures,’ Diego corrects himself.

He scowls at Ricky, ‘I not a dweeb, dweeb.’ I laugh.

Ricky hugs him. “You’re my dweeb. You did good, Diego, and your book is awesome.”

Diego is all smiles. Nancy watches them, then smiles at me. She loves this. I lift Sandy up and get her dressed. The boys and Sheila follow. We all make it downstairs and help get the truck loaded. Me and Ricky ride behind Nancy to the Club. When I get off my bike I look at Ricky. “You make sure you’re always covered.”

He gives me a serious look. “I know, Dad. I will.” He hunts down the boys. Their bikes are already here. I always get a hitch in my breath when he calls me dad. He asked if he could during our talk. I hugged him so he wouldn’t see how it affected me. Then he told me little Ben had the same talk with all of the Little Brothers. He did it again in more detail with the Officers. Fuckin’ kids.

I help Nancy get settled in the back with the kids. She has them signing up for games when I find Danny and VP. “Is Jess okay?” I ask VP.

He smiles. “Yeah, Boston took her off one of her meds. Said her body’s not fightin’ her joints no more. Was good news.”

I smile like a pussy. “That is good news.” He nods, still smiling. I look around to make sure no one has a camera. He hates smiling pictures of himself.

Pres calls for everyone by the stairs. He asks the Security Brothers training for HS to come up. All the Officers stand behind them with a hand on their shoulder. He talks to the Club then hands them their HS patches. Pictures get taken and the new HS step down. We stay where we are. Pres calls for the Little Brothers new Officers. Everyone is quiet. The Brothers have no idea what’s going on. Pres explains and tension eases. He was right about the Brothers not being ready for kid Officers. They get their new cuts and everyone cheers. The Little Brother Officers stay in front of us. Pres looks at the Club. “We have one more presentation. Diego Callahan and Niko LaPonte-James, come on up, Little Brothers. The boys come up the steps, smiling. I stand behind Diego. Danny stands behind Niko. Little Ben and Jessie stand in front of the boys and tell the boys what they will be doing. It feels like the first time Pres did this with Bob and Sam. They put their cuts on them and man hug each one. Diego turns around and jumps in my arms. Everyone laughs.

He signs, ‘I’m yours dweeb, Little Brother.’

Ricky and Jessie laugh. “Just Little Brother,” Ricky says, hugging him while he’s still in my arms. I put him down so he can get hugged by all the kids. He runs to Nancy and hugs her, showing her his new cut with Callahan on it.

Patches calls the kids for games and the Brothers find beer and their old ladies. I look around our table. These are the same people we sat with at the last party. Danny says it, though. Everyone nods.

“Does it feel like we’re getting old? The kids are Officers. I would have never guessed I’d see them get Officers cuts,” Kate says.

Pres smiles. “Only little Ben is a full Officer, the others are Little Brother Officers. They’ll run their own program with their Officers in charge.” Kate looks surprised. “Didn’t you listen when we did the presentation?”

Jess laughs. “She was probably staring at you or Danny, wondering when you’d take her to your room.” Everyone laughs as Kate looks embarrassed.

VP grunts, “Who gave the boys a room?” Danny laughs.

Pres stands up, pulling Kate up. “I did. Rich had one at their age, we had one too; it wasn’t as nice, but we had one.” We all watch like a tennis match. VP finally nods.

“Do me a favor. Don’t go giving my kids rooms and shit,” Cloud says. I crack up.

CJ smiles. “No friggin’ girl’s rooms here. Thank God!” The old ladies nod.

Music starts and we look toward the tent. A band I haven’t seen starts and people move in to the tent to dance. Pres and Danny start walking away, but Danny turns back. “You’re up, Geek!” he yells, making us all laugh.

“Not a fuckin’ chance, Brother.”