Page 12 of Vortex

“Of course he was afraid of you. Why do you think he re-enlisted? He couldn’t bring himself to tell you that Romeo wasn’t coming home. To this day he regrets not having the courage to be there for you. You don’t know that?”

“No, I don’t know that. I thought he had been sent on another mission. I didn’t know he was afraid to see me. That is stupid.” I can’t believe I’m only just now hearing this.

“I’ll feed Howie after you change his diaper.” He stops mid-stride as he enters the room and sees us both staring at him.

“The hell you will. Get the diaper changed and be quick about it. You were quick enough to say it was nothing before he was born, now I’m holding you to that.” Barbara sees me looking confused and explains that before Howie was born, Cannon made the mistake of saying ‘How difficult can it be, it’s just piss and shit.’

She sets herself off laughing uncontrollably as she describes the first time he had it to do. He was throwing up and couldn’t even clean the baby’s ass, never mind changing the diaper. Cannon reappears carrying their son, and he is as white as a sheet.

“How did you choose the name, Howie?” I ask them both. Barbara looks at Cannon.

“Well,” he says, “I thought it sounded cool and unusual, so…”

“You are such a downright liar, Bret Calder. Tell her the truth, or I will.”

“What do you mean, the truth? That is…”

“He thinks I’m stupid, Allegra. He called our son Howie because it’s short for Howitzer and his club name is Cannon. Howitzer and Cannon! He thinks he’s so clever, but if I didn’t like Howie, he would have been called Frag or Pineapple. A little grenade, not a big cannon!”

“You knew all this time and said nothing?” Cannon roars.

“Allegra is the only one I’ve told, Sweetums. Your secret is safe with me. Unless you piss me off, of course.” I laugh at these two, as they are so well suited to each other. “Now go feed Howie and leave Allegra and me to some woman's talk.”

Once Cannon has gone again, Barbara gives me a look that says she knows something and wants me to talk about it. I play little miss innocent and say nothing.

“He’s a good man if you want him, you know? He doesn’t screw around like a lot of them do. He’s only had one serious relationship that I know of, and when she proved to be someone he didn’t like he let her down gently rather than just dumping her and walking away. Don’t give me the ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about’ look.” She folds her arms across her chest and couldn’t look more maternal if she tried.

“I’m not in the market for any man right now. I am in the market for a home. Which is giving me just as many problems as looking for a man would bring.” I fold my arms and it must look like a naughty schoolgirl having a tantrum.

“Oh, come on. You can’t tell me that Vortex doesn’t interest you. I know that if you gave him the right signals he’d be interested in you.”

“If I have to give a man signals, then I don’t want him. I want to be pursued, wooed, and captured. In that order and with romance.” ‘m sure my bottom lip is sticking out so far, I would trip over it if I were walking.

“You are being foolish and you know it. Men don’t know when to do those things or even what order to do them in without being guided through it. You will be a lonely old maid, vecchia zitella, if you stick to those silly beliefs.”

“How do you know vecchia zitella?” I am astounded that she can refer to me as an old spinster in Italian.

“I have been looking up Italian insults for when we fight. You will have an advantage over me if I don’t.” Barbara grins and winks at me. I can see I may have underestimated her as an opponent.

We talk for around thirty minutes throughout which she keeps feeding me tidbits of information about Vortex as though I don’t know she’s doing it. When Cannon comes back and announces Howie is asleep, I ask him to take me home. She has given me things to think about, though I’m not going to admit it.

I also have to start looking for a new job tomorrow. Bills don’t pay themselves, and I am not going to live off my savings!

Chapter 8

*~* Fury *~*

Jamie has gone to work, and I’m having a late breakfast at the clubhouse. I have a free day today, and I am at a loss as to what to do with myself. I am not working, that is for sure. Not at the bar, at the clubhouse, or at any of the other businesses. I am a free man.

The thought isn’t fully formed when Pattie walks in, grabs a coffee and sits opposite me. “Just the man. Mateo and I have been thinking…”

“Fuck me, that’s dangerous. How’s it working out for you both?”

“You can be such a dick at times.” With that, she stomps out of the kitchen. Well, that worked out better than I was expecting. I thought I’d been cornered into something there. Before I take my next mouthful, Pattie returns and this time with reinforcements.

“Fury. Listen to what she has to say and don’t be such a dick.” Pres gives me his evil eye impression and I almost drop myself right in the shit. I stop myself just as I’m about to say, ‘Fuck you, it’s my day off.’

“I don’t care if it is your day off, you’ll listen to Pattie or I’ll find you shit to keep you busy all fucking day. Are we clear?” He grabs a coffee and marches out.