MC: Callahan (16 page)

Climbing back in bed, I feel better than I thought I would. My Brothers have my back and I’m going to spend the next week playing and making happy memories with my kids.

We’re at Mystic Aquarium and the kids are having a blast. Tiny has been relaxed and so patient with them. I think once the initial shock wore off I understood what the week of vacation means to him. He has a hard time with rape. That’s why he never dealt with the women when the club ran them. When Tess was raped he took the Brothers and got rid of the rest of the Outlaw crew that did it. Now he’s giving Diego attention in a good way so he feels the difference. All the kids are getting his attention and they’re all so damn sweet to Diego it’s beautiful to see. He’s smiling more and gaining more confidence. He pulled his own clothes for the first time today. He doesn’t match but he’s dressed in everything he’s supposed to be wearing. Ricky high fived him, making him laugh with sound. He’s making more and more sounds every day. He’s signing more too. When he doesn’t have a word one of the kids will teach it to him.

I look up at Tiny; he’s smiling at the kids running along the glass. “You’re a good man, Peter Callahan.”

He looks down at me with a scowl. “That’s big Tiny to you, babe. Haven’t been Peter for more years than I was.”

I laugh. “All right, big Tiny, I don’t care what those other guys say, you’re a good man.” I walk away fast.

“What other men?” He lunges toward me and I run with a squeal. “Come back here, woman, and tell me what other men.”

Shit, he’s fast. I round the corner, trying to stay away from people. I hear the kids behind me laughing. I’m lifted off the floor and in a half a second I’m over his shoulder. He slaps my ass in front of all these people and I can’t stop laughing. “What other men?”

“I can’t breathe.”

“Stop laughing then.” Now he’s laughing. He slaps my ass again and I see Diego’s face. He’s crying.

“Tiny, Diego, behind you.” He turns around and slides me down so fast I’m dizzy. Sandy is holding his hand.

Tiny kneels down. “What is it, little man?”

He signs, ‘Momma hurt.’

Tiny laughs. “No, she was laughing. We were playing. See the other kids are smiling.” I look around and the kids plaster smiles on, making me laugh.

Ricky steps forward. “Tiny doesn’t hurt anyone. He’s a good dad. My dad wasn’t nice like him. The Brothers don’t have bad dads, only good ones like Tiny. Come on, let’s go see the sharks.” He takes Diego’s hand and pulls him over to the shark tank.

We watch Ricky talking and signing to Diego then he hugs him. “He’s a good kid,” Tiny says, putting his arm on my shoulder.

“Yep.”

*  *  *

It takes two and a half hours but the kids finally get tired of the aquarium. Whatever Ricky said to Diego calmed him down and put him back at ease with me. I need to watch my movements with him until he’s comfortable and understands better. All but Sheila and Ricky take a turn on my shoulder while we walk the water front. He seemed happy to be up there.

We hit a restaurant on the way back to the reservation. Tonight they’re having a barn dance. I’m as excited as the kids. Cloud’s grandmother has come to see us twice, once at the lake where she took the little boys for a walk and once at the house to let us know about the dance. Both times she’s put hands on Diego and left him looking calm and happy. She told Nancy he’s going to be just fine and gave dream catchers to all of the kids. She’s not what I expected. I pictured a shaman to be carrying a big stick and wearing moccasins or something. She’s funny and wears Nike sneakers. At Cloud’s party she was dressed in Indian clothes and spoke mostly in another language. I guess I expected her to look like that every day.

When we get back to the house Danny is here with all the kids. Well, just the little ones. I get out of the truck, but he has Nancy’s door already open. The kids are running wild in the field. “I can stay here or in the ranch house. It doesn’t matter to me either way. Cloud’s kids were anxious. I decided to get them away for a few extra days.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, stay here. Tiny needs the company and I wouldn’t mind doing some girly stuff with the girls,” Nancy says to him. She’s smiling, so she must have something in mind.

“Let me give directions to Security. I’ll have them stay at the ranch. We don’t need them at the house. They can go fishing or something.” He laughs, jogging to the other SUV.

“Why didn’t you tell me you wanted to do something with the girls?” I ask when he’s out of earshot.

“I’m having a good time with the whole family doing things, but when I saw him with all the boys I realized I could keep the girls busy while you do the male bonding thing.” She’s so damn happy about it I bend and kiss her.

“Love you, babe. Don’t leave the reservation without Security.”

“Nope, they have everything we need right here.” She turns toward the house, telling me she’s going to change for the dance. She calls the girls in and the boys start pulling bags from Danny’s truck. Elizabeth and Brenna run with Sandy to Nancy’s side.

My boys help get everyone settled and we head to the dance. Danny has the boys that can ride on bikes and I have the girls, Devan, Diego, and Nancy.

I dance with my old lady then all the girls. The Indians welcome us and interact with the kids like we’ve been here forever. Cloud’s kids know everyone by name and help us out when we need it. Jeremy and Christian stay close to Nunánuk, Cloud’s grandmother. Devan dances with Sandy, Brenna, and Elizabeth. They’re so damn cute everyone’s taking pictures. Nancy and the girls make friends with some of the women. I watch them talking and laughing. I’m glad we came. It’s another of those good memories we’re making.

“It’s been good getting away,” I tell Danny.

He nods, scanning people. I know he’s doing a head count. “Everyone looks happy.”

I smile. It’s been a happy time. “Yeah. You got anything planned while you’re here?”

“Not much. I was going to set up the targets and let the kids practice with the bows and take them swimming. They haven’t asked to do anything. I’m good to play it by ear.”

“Did you come down because of Cloud’s kids?” I’m wondering if I should be nervous.

He looks at me. “Yeah. Something’s got them nervous. You got a scout scouting Sheila.” I look over at the dance circle and watch the boy ask her to dance; he looks to be her age. She nods and lets him take her hand. Ricky stands in front of him and says something then nods and lets them pass. He’s watching out for her. Good boy. “Looks like Ricky’s got it covered.”

I smile at him. He throws chin my way. Little Badass. Jeremy and Sandy come over to me. I pull them up on my lap and they watch the dancers. Brenna and Devan come to Danny. I watch Elizabeth climb on Nancy. She looks back at us and gives me a nod. She’s ready. “Nancy’s ready.” I whistle and the kids come running. Sheila walks toward me looking down, embarrassed. Danny starts for the truck and I hold Sheila back. “You’re young to be doing the dating thing but spending time with a boy you like, with family and friends around, is normal, nothing to be embarrassed about. You get to have that just like every other girl your age. You keep it appropriate and we may even work out a way so you can do it more often. Yeah?”

She looks up all smiles. “I can keep it appropriate. Thanks, Tiny.” She hugs me then runs back to the boy, pulling her phone out.

Nancy laughs, watching her. “Smart man my Tiny is.”

“I’d rather know what’s going on than her hide it,” I tell her.

“That’s why you’re a smart man,” she says, walking toward the truck.

I follow Nancy to the truck with a very excited Sheila. “You talk to your girls about respect from boys?”

She looks up at me surprised. “Yes and the Little Brothers had a whole meeting about respect and how we should be treated.”

“Good, no one treats my girls with disrespect. You’re worth more than that; you get the best from everyone you spend time with. If someone can’t show respect to you and your family they ain’t worth your time. You find the good ones and bring them around being proud to do it. Yeah?”

She’s smiling. “Yeah. Thanks, Tiny.” She helps me get Sandy in then I drop Jeremy on a seat and get him buckled. He’s tired, but he smiles at me.

I’m dreading going to bed again. All the shit from when I was a kid woke me up the last two nights. I stay downstairs as long as I can, then hope she’s sleeping before I climb in bed exhausted. Tonight is no different. I climb the stairs and hold my breath while turning the door knob. She doesn’t move, thank God. I drop my clothes and slide in gently so she doesn’t wake up. I’m fucked up. I need to let it go. It’s been years and I’m thinking of that fucker now, as a grown ass man acting like a pussy. I’m a good dad, I’m a good husband, and I’m a good Brother. Nothing but good in my life. I need to let the bad go. I’ll make sure my boys are safe. That should be my thought on all this shit; keeping my boys safe, showing them how to keep each other’s backs. I smile. My boys are never going to know that fear or pain. I’ll make sure of it. I think of José so trusting, but Billy and Jason always watch out for him. They’re cute. Now they watch out for Diego. Then my little Badass that’s my extra eyes watches all of them. They’re going to be fine. My mind settles and I sleep.

I open my eyes and smile. I’m on his chest looking right at his morning wood. He hasn’t touched me since we’ve been here. I was starting to get worried. Every night I’ve been falling into bed tired and in the morning he’s been up and out of the room before I’m awake; I’m glad he’s back to himself again. I reach under the covers and lock my fingers around him, stroking him and not being gentle about it.

Something about the way he moans puts a smile on my face. It’s like he’s saying ‘good job, babe.’ He raises his hips and opens his eyes. “My favorite part needed some attention.”

He smiles. “I ain’t complaining,” he says, but I know he won’t let me get away with this for long. I get almost a full minute before I’m lifted and sitting on top of him. “Let me in, Tiny Dancer.” I hold him so he can slide me down. Damn, I’ve missed him. He sits up, moving my legs around him and starts to move. Holy hell, it feels good. My hand holds under my tit, offering it to his mouth. I know just what he likes and give it to him, knowing how that’s going to feel. He growls, taking my teddy bear in his mouth and flicking it around. When he sucks hard I cry out. Pleasure shoots through me and he starts pulling me down harder. I rock my hips so his bar hits just right. “That’s it, babe, rub my cock where you need it.” I hold my other tit out for him. He takes me in his mouth and starts grinding me down on every stroke. My hood ring is going to set me off. My head falls back. My whole body is ready to explode, then I do. Holy shit, all I feel is the throbbing running through me. He growls and bites on my shoulder, causing a shudder to run down my back.

He holds onto me with both arms, trying to catch his breath. “Morning, babe,” he says then kisses behind my ear. I just grunt, making him chuckle.

He gets us to the shower and I get it together once the water hits me. We go about our routine and I realize I’m smiling. I love that we’re back to normal. Before I walk out the door I stand in front of him and pull him down for a kiss. “I love you, my big Tiny.”

He bites my lower lip then straightens. “Love you too, Nance.”

I walk out with my smile. Today we’re going to the village to check out the shops. We have appointments for hair and nails. The women here are just like at home. I was happy to hear all the things the village has to offer. There wasn’t one negative comment all night.

Danny is in the kitchen with coffee already made and four kids have breakfast in front of them. “Hey, Nancy, I had some Little Brothers practicing with me today. You’ve got some early risers in your house too.”

“I do. They usually stay in their room but with all the kids here I’m glad they didn’t.” Billy and Diego are smiling at me. I kiss their heads as I walk by to the coffee maker.

“They’re doing good with the martial arts. CJ must have them on a fast track.” He turns the burners on and starts cooking more eggs and sausage.

“She’s been doing extra with them in her yard. She says they’re quick learners.” I sit at the counter with the boys. Diego gets up and starts making toast. Danny smiles at him, then looks at me.

Sandy and Devan run into the kitchen fully dressed. Sheila must be up. I lift Sandy and get my usual “Momma,” from her with a morning hug.

Danny slides plates onto the counter. More kids come down. Aaron and Billy clear their places, then help Danny get the plates up.

*  *  *

I stop in the kids’ rooms and help them finish getting dressed and put toothpaste on their brushes. Sheila has the girls covered and everyone is downstairs, excited to get the day started.

Danny is cooking and joking around with his helpers just like he does at the Diner. The kids are eating and Nancy’s smiling. It’s a good morning all around. The kids start cleaning up as they finish eating. Danny slides the last two plates to the counter and sits on the side of me. “Cloud built this kitchen perfect. Everything is easy.”

I swallow my mouthful. “The whole house is easy. He spent some time thinking about each room. I can’t believe he built it before he had his family.”

He laughs. “He knew what he wanted that’s for sure. I’m glad he found it.”

Nancy finishes cleaning the stove and counters, then collects the girls. They make a line and do hugs and kisses. “Have fun, Little Sisters.” I tell them all as they walk out the door.

Once our plates are put up we all go to the basement and carry the archery gear out. Danny shows the little guys how to put on the guards and then takes them to one side while I take the older kids to the other. After an hour we start a tournament. We’re playing around, making them laugh and trying to distract them when it’s their turn. Victor and José are in the lead, but Danny cracks them up with ‘moose poopies’ and they both completely miss the target. The little guys have a sporting chance and rally for each other. Diego hits a bull’s eye and everyone cheers him on. They’re a great bunch of kids. Victor wins the tournament and challenges me and Danny. While we’re aiming, the kids start distracting us, making it more of a laugh-a-thon than a tournament. Danny beat the pants off me, but it’s a good time all the same.

I turn from my target and see José and Aaron practicing with Diego. Since they’re not done I sit under the oak with Hawk and watch. The kids start shooting again and I notice how careful they are. They wait until everyone is done before they walk to the targets. Good kids.

“They’re pretty good for kids,” Danny says. Jeremy hits close to the bull’s eye every time. After every shot he stops and looks at the arrow as if it will give him the answer of how to hit the center. Danny yells over to him, “It’s the wind, Jeremy.” He looks at Danny then the target. Pulling another arrow, he sets it and waits. When I think he’s not going to shoot it, he lets go and hits the bull’s eye. I laugh. He looks over and throws chin to Danny. Fuckin’ kids.

We pack all the gear and bring it back to the basement, then change for the lake. “Cloud has canoes and preservers down there.”

I nod and check my boys. “Towels, sunscreen, and smiles are all we take with us. You ready?” They yell, jumping up and down.

Eagle Feather delivers us lunch at the lake. Danny arranged it last night. They even sent food for Hawk, making Christian happy. “The restaurant loves when Cloud has visitors,” he tells us as he’s walking away.

Danny looks at me. “We do tend to bring a lot of mouths to feed.” I laugh. That’s an understatement.

With everyone fed we take turns, bringing them out on the canoes. I have a quiet ride with Devan, Jeremy, and Diego. They point and smile, but only Devan asks questions about the stuff I point out to them.

As we’re gliding back, I lean to one side, getting noise out of them. Jeremy laughs. The little shit knows what I’m going to do. He holds onto Diego and Devan just as I tip us out. The water is at my waist, but I come up sputtering. Their life jackets keep them up and they’re bobbing in a circle laughing. We have a splashing match as I pull the canoe to the shore, then all the boys join in, making seeing the shore hard. Danny grabs the canoe laughing, but leaves me to the splash attack from the Little Brothers. I start grabbing them and throwing them away from me. We play until I’m exhausted and barely make it to the chair that I’ve decided is my refuge.

“It seems like only yesterday I was trying to convince you of what a good dad you’d be. You’re a great fuckin’ dad, Brother,” Danny says as I’m trying to recuperate. I throw him chin and turn back to the boys.

They start jumping from a rock that goes over the water like a dock. It feels good to sit and watch them play like kids should play. They even get Hawk jumping in with them. Danny gets pictures of them in a line jumping together. I hope they come out good. I’d like that as a reminder of the fun we had. When they start getting daring on the rock we call them in and pack everyone up for the ride back to the house. Christian sits in the back with Hawk, the trash, and our wet towels. He wouldn’t let Hawk ride alone back there. He’s another good kid that is going to be a good Brother.