Page 4 of Christy

Me: Yeah, she does. Let me know the second you have them safe.

Mayson: I will. I saw how you’ve looked at Christy. I ain’t blind.

Me: I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.

Fucker doesn’t answer. Hopefully, that means they’re catching up and far enough up the mountain that they don’t have fucking cell service. I look around my office, and I know I’m not going to get any more work done. I grab my jacket and head out to my truck. I look at the front desk and realize that’s another thing on my to-do list. Haley is only part-time and doesn’t have a full legal background. She’s a great administrator, but I think I need a paralegal, too. Research in this kind of law can be a bitch, and I need another set of eyes.

I make the ten-minute drive over to Ma and Pa’s. I park, grab my phone, and head up the walk to the front door. I knock once and open the door. “Ma! You home?”

Ma comes hurrying in from the kitchen. “You didn’t go with them?” I shake my head. “I was still at work. I didn’t even know what was going on till Mayson texted me. I still don’t know what’s really going on.” Ma comes up and gives me a hug. “I don’t know that many details, but I have a feeling Anna’s helping those girls slay their demons.”

I let the words fall out without thinking. “Yeah, but who’s there to protect them from those same demons that’ve hurt them their whole lives?” Ma moves and looks up at me. “From what Iunderstand, they raided Jackson and Wyatt’s gun safe. They’ve got that plus the element of surprise. With those fuckers up there, that’s the biggest thing. I also know those two girls need to be a part of that. Theyneedit in a way I can’t describe to you. I just know they do.” She looks at me for a moment and continues. “Sometimes a person needs to save themselves, and both those girls are so much stronger than any of us know. They have to be to have survived their whole lives up there.”

Ma moves back toward the kitchen. “Now, I see you’re wearing a tie, which tells me you had court this morning. Come have a seat. I’ll get us some coffee, and we can visit while we wait for any news. You can also tell me why exactly you’re so interested in the well-being of the two y’all rescued from the mountain.” Ma really does see everything.

She gets us each a cup of coffee, and I loosen my tie, unbuttoning the top button of my dress shirt. She sets a mug in front of me and sits down across the table. I can’t count how many times I’ve sat at this table with either Ma or Pa and talked out a problem I was dealing with. They’ve always been here for me. I can’t imagine what Christy feels without anyone but Mary in her corner. She’s a strong woman, that’s for fucking sure. Ma gets my attention by leaning back in her seat and asking exactly what’s on her mind.

“I know it’s only been a couple of days since everything went down, but from what I’ve heard, unless you’re at work, you’ve been over at Anna’s.” I nod, but don’t say anything because I can tell by her expression that Ma is going somewhere with this. “I know you’re helping the girls with the paperwork to get identification and all that, but Anna mentioned…you know, I’m not one to interfere with my kids’ love lives, but…” My mouth works without thinking. “But what, Ma?” She gives me a smile and reaches over to place her hand over mine. “If you are interested in one of the girls, get to know them. Not as their savior who fixes everything and makes things better, but get to know them, their flaws, quirks, and personality. You have to let them see you, too. Not just the part that wants to come in and fix everything for them, but the part that is highly intelligent, funny, sweet, and kind. The part that makes you a great son, brother, and uncle. If you think one of them could be your person, you don’t save her. You help each other grow. If you don’t click like that, then you help them with their paperwork and identification and all that, and add someone to your world as a friend.” Nothing like your mom calling you out on shit you didn’t even see about yourself. I love Ma, but I’m not gonna lie and say I wasn’t thankful that she got a message from Anna just as she finished that sentence. Anna was letting her know they were heading back down the mountain and that all the women were fine.

About twenty minutes later, I get a text from Mayson.

Mayson: Heading back down the mountain. I think the girls are going to spend the night at Asher and Logan’s place. Mom…mom’s gonna need a night.

I look up at Ma. “Mayson just said that Mary and Christy are gonna spend the night at Asher and Logan’s cause Anna needs a night.” Ma shakes her head. “Those boys don’t have any food, clothes, or anything for them. They need to come here. I’ll tell your Pa.”

Me: Ma said no, they’re staying with her. She’s texting Anna right now.

Mayson: Smart. Asher can’t cook for shit, and I know Logan can only heat up stuff, but he’s at work.

Me: And you’re such a cook yourself.

Mayson: Mom doesn’t cook all our meals, thank you very fucking much. I can make pancakes and mac and cheese, jackass.

Me: Dude, even I can do more than that.

Mayson: I’m learning, asshole. You still gonna come watch the game Saturday night? Logan and Nicky are working, so Asher and Ry are coming. Bullfrog said he was planning to stop by, too. I’m thinking wings and pizza.

Me: Yeah, I’m coming. I might come early. I need to talk to you about a couple of things.

Mayson: Everything okay?

Me: Yes and no. I got a letter from Tyson today. His sentence is almost up.

Mayson: Shit. Think he’s sober?

Me: Fuck if I know. Probably ‘cause where he’s doing time, I’m told it’s hard to get shit. The question is, will he stay clean when he gets out? I’ll bring the letter to show you and Jer.

Mayson: Yeah, come early, ‘cause you know I love our brothers, but both of them are a little… judgey when it comes to him.

Me: You’re right. I haven’t even told Shane or Grant I got a letter, and I’m thinking we don’t share it until at least you two read what he wrote.

Mayson: Probably smart. You do have a good idea every once in a while.

Me: More often than you, fucker.

Mayson: Whatever. See you then.

Me: Yep.

Ma stands up and heads toward the hallway. “I have to get some clothes together for the girls. Anna makes it sound like both engaged in some hand-to-hand combat and have the blood spatter to match it.” What the hell happened up there? “Did Anna say if they were hurt? Was it their blood?” I hear Ma opening drawers and her closet. “It didn’t sound to me like they were hurt, but do you want to grab the first-aid kit in case they are? You know where it’s at.” I get up and go to the front bathroom, getting the first-aid kit that’s been in that cupboard for as long as I can remember. I don’t have memories of living anywhere before I came to Ma and Pa’s. I was just a couple of weeks past my second birthday when I came to live here. My mom had finally succeeded in overdosing. I was found at home with her by a neighbor who heard me crying. I guess she’d been gone for a couple of days when the neighbor finally broke down the door. By that time, my biological father was already in prison, working on serving his life sentence. I don’t have any memories of either of my birth parents, but I know how lucky I am to have Ma and Pa as my parents.

The sound of a vehicle pulling into the driveway gets me out of my head. I take the first-aid kit with me into the living room and open the door. I see Christy and Mary walking up toward the door, and a truck driving off. Christy speaks up. “Mick dropped us off on the way to Anna’s. Madison’s car is there, so he’s gonna drive her home. We probably should’ve gone there first to cleanup, but—” Ma interrupts from behind me. “I’ve got some clothes both of you can change into. Between my clothes and some that Shandy and Brandy still have here, we’ve got you covered.”

As they get close, I see that Christy’s shirt has been pulled, and it’s almost hanging off her. The urge to take my shirt off and cover her up has me almost unbuttoning my shirt.

Both of them have blood splattered on their shirts and on their faces. Ma gives both of them a smile. “I hear you rid this world of some of the devils that live up there.” They both smile and nod. Mary speaks up, and I can see on Ma’s face that it shocks her as much as it does me. “Turns out my father was Anna’s devil too.” Ma ushers them both inside. “Well, let’s get you two cleaned up. I’ll get some food going, and you can tell me all about it. I really hope Joseph is one of the devils y’all dispatched, because if not, I might just need to make a trip up there to finally slay that bastard.”

I’m left standing in the living room, realizing that the men of our club might be willing to do what’s necessary to keep our family safe, but it’s the women who are downright scary sometimes.