Chapter 13
927 Words
"I knew he would be upset. I wasn't thinking and now, well, this changes things." I said to Anna as Pepper hopped off my lap and stretched.
"Well, it shouldn't change anything. How is it our fault what's happening right now?" She gave me a quizzical look. I can't tell her about what almost happened between us, so I try to shift it in another direction.
"It's not our fault, but think about it from his perspective. He sees his chance of going to college going down the drain while we both get out of here. The plan was for all three of us to get out, not just us two," I said as a sad expression crossed her face.
"There's nothing we can do about this, though. I really need to talk to my dad and see if I can change his mind," she says.
"You're joking, right? Blade is exactly like my dad is. No, like he was. Once your dad's mind is made up about something, there is no changing it. You and I both know that," I said as I stood and headed for the door with Pepper behind me.
I sat on the swing and thought about where Michael might be. I pulled out my phone and sent him a text.
*Text* Hey, can we talk?
I put my phone down and rocked slightly as I waited for a reply. Though, no such thing has happened. The rest of the night I heard nothing from him. How am I supposed to fix this thing between us, if he won't talk to me?
Michael's POV
I knew I shouldn't have stormed out like that, but I figured she was going to be with me. I knew my sister was going, but knowing Melanie was going to be here gave me some comfort. Then again, that was when her dad was alive. I should have known she would leave now.
I don't really know how I got to the clubhouse. This really isn't the place to be. Though, it all seems to be quiet like right before a storm. The guys are sitting together, they look up when they see me but continue with whatever it is they're talking about.
I make my way to Spyder's room. When I opened the door, the only thing missing was the man himself. Everything is as it was. I'm not sure who's going to get this room, or who's going to be cleaning it out, but I need a minute with the old man.
Now I know he's dead, but this room is all that's left, so he's going to hear what I have to say. He was such a stubborn old coot, just like my old man, but really he had a generous and loving heart though he showed it in his own ways.
"Spyder, Prez. I knew you wanted to keep Mel close. I know you couldn't bare to lose the one thing you had left. I figured if I had to join the club, at least I'd have Melanie here. She's like a ray of sunshine, though I only figured out recently how I feel about her, she's a good girl. You know. Now, since you're gone she is going to be gone too, while I'm stuck here." I said as my phone chimed.
Of course, it's Mel. I ignored it as I looked around his room. There's a part of me that feels a little bit better.
"I hope that when she gets out she doesn't come back. She can have a life outside this place. I'll let her go. This way she can have a good life. A life without the club, and all the pain and suffering that comes with it."
I just resigned myself to my fate. Leaving here was a child's dream. That's all it was. The reality is I'm going to be a part of this club whether I want to or not. While both my sister and my girl have a life outside this place. My sunshine is gone and only storm clouds remain.
My dad walked in a few minutes later.
"Hey son, I didn't think I'd find you in here of all places." He says as he takes a seat next to me.
"I just needed a minute with the old man. Melanie is going to be going with Anna to college since Spyder is gone. I want to put my name in."
The look on his face when it came out of my mouth was priceless. I've fought him for so long that I dont think he thought I would have caved. Why, not? My reality is this and this alone, nothing else.
"Well, I'm glad to hear that son. Let's go tell the rest of the guys." He said as he hauled me up and gave me a big bear hug. The man was always good at those when I was a child. It felt good and it made me feel safe. Now it feels as if I'm being wrapped by a snake squeezing as it coils around, suffocating me.
I reluctantly follow him and he calls everyone to attention.
"Though we are mourning, I want you all to know my boy is putting his name in. We normally do this during church, but I figured why not have something to celebrate during this trying time. All in favor?"
It must have gone well, because soon I was being congratulated by the guys, but all I heard was the roaring in my ears.
- Writer
