MC: Pres: Book Four (25 page)

One and a Half Weeks

Ben

Tess corners me and says she needs help getting the Little Brothers and Sister up to the Club with the food.  If they needed transportation Petey or Patches would have arranged for it.  Since they didn't, I'm thinking she's surprising Patches.  It works out perfect because Rich became an Officer today and he needs to be at the Club to show a presence with the other Chapters.

I help her gather the kids up and hear her talking to Rich.  He's getting the rest and going to the Bakery for desserts.  The rain in Laconia is pushing Brothers our way early.  They weren't due for a couple of days.

At the Club, Rich pulls in on the side of me and we unload.  Once everyone is in I look around, find Patches and ask if Rich told him his news knowing damn well that he didn't.

I watch Patches face light up.  He spins Rich around telling him how happy he is.  I'm relieved to see he means it. 

My Officers come in and everyone slaps Rich's back.  They know he's earned it and it wasn't an easy battle for him.  Bob, Digs, Driscoll and Bull come in.   They're here at my request.  Since all my Officers are here I look for Tiny.  He whistles and I find him laughing.  He was watching me.

“Welcome Brothers and your families.  My name is Ben James.  I am usually called Pres.  Our Officers are here tonight.  If you have a problem that our Prospects can’t help you with, find one of these men.  Some rules: Drugs are not allowed on the property.  This is not negotiable; you will be escorted off the property.  Women and kids are respected in our house.  We do NOT tolerate disrespect to our women or the beating of any woman.  What you do in your house is your business and not our concern.  Fighting in house with your Brothers will get you escorted off the property.  There is a ring, range, and empty field out back.  Have at it in one of those areas.  Because of the old ladies and kids in attendance you will have to refrain from brawling inside.”  Brothers laugh.  The women look relieved.  “Dinner will be delivered by the Little Brothers and Sisters.  Breakfast will be delivered from our Bakery at seven am.  I am told sandwich makings will be available for lunch tomorrow.  If you do not have a room assigned, you will be issued a cot.  All I can say is, find a spot Brothers.”  People laugh again.  “For those registered for the meet, the hotel is relocating guests and your rooms will be available tomorrow at three.”  A cheer goes up.  “For the Officers going on the tour of the yard and Security, a Prospect will be here at eight tomorrow morning to guide you to our VP in the Security building.  For the old ladies and kids, there is a beach down the road and playgrounds at the end of this road and by the Ice Cream Cone.  A list of group activities is on the board at the Bakery.  There are maps of the area in the hallway.  Make yourself comfortable and enjoy your visit to our yard.”

I chat with our Chapter Officers and make sure they all have rooms.  I see my Officers greeting and talking to random Brothers.  They make me proud.  Little Ben announces dinner and people make their way to the dining room.  I talk with our New York Brothers making plans for training.  Once the old ladies start gathering kids and the Little Brothers and Sisters leave I find my Officers.  I pull Steve, Danny, Tiny, Geek, Doc and Rob.  We have a drink to Rich and watch them leave.  Danny gathers Digs, Bob, Driscoll and Bull bringing them to the meeting room.  My Officers are sitting at the table.  The Brothers sit on the other side.

“Where are Chet and Allan?”  I ask Steve.

“Working.”

The Brothers are looking nervous.  “Relax Brothers.  We voted on new amendments for the new year.  Because of rising membership numbers we need Officers to help manage the Club.  You along with Chet and Allan have been selected as having Officer qualities with proven loyalty to the Club and Brotherhood.  If you are not interested in the position I need to know now.”  I watch and see it sink in.  They relax then smile.  No one says fuck, so I go on.  “We have a new tier of Officers called Secondary.  We have to add a total of six Officers by next year.  I have two slots open now for full Officer positions.  This is the same position that Doc, Danny, Geek, Rob, Rich and Patches hold.  Secondary Officers will be proving themselves in the positions slated then moved up from there.  Again, this would be by next year.  Every Club Officer has an administrative job.  Tiny is Prospects, Geek is Computer Security, Doc is medical, Danny is Buildings, Rob is mental health, Patches is Associates and Rich is Security.  With our structure now Bob you’ll be in Security under Rich and Digs you’re in Computer Security under Geek.  The administrative jobs are not fine-tuned yet but there is plenty of work with the way we are growing.  You’ll have to be patient with us while we figure it out.  Driscoll and Bull you’ll be on the second tier.  Your job isn’t clear as of tonight.  We’ll work on that after the meet.  I need to know if what we are working toward works for you?”

They all nod saying yes. They’re all smiling.  “Bob and Digs the HR office is closed until after the meet.  The Monday after you are expected there to fill out paperwork.  I will meet you there with your new Officer cuts.  Driscoll and Bull you will be expected there on Tuesday and I’ll meet you there with the brand new Secondary cuts.  One of the Officers will talk to Allan and Chet.  I would rather you didn’t talk about this until we can talk with them.  We will have a recognition meeting when we have all the Brothers slated to be Officers moved into position.”  I look at my Officers.  “Did I miss anything?”

Steve nods.  “Fuckin paperwork never ends.”  Everyone laughs.

“We’re working to ease that right now Brother.”

“Congratulations Brothers.  You made it here by showing respect and loyalty.  You’ll get that back from us.  If you have questions ask anyone of us.  Let me rephrase that, ask anyone but VP.  He scares the shit out of the new Officers.”  Danny tells them laughing.  Everyone laughs looking at Steve.  Fuckin Danny. 

“He scares the shit out of the old Officers.”  Tiny jumps in.

“Fuckin Brothers.  Do you have any questions?”  I ask the Brothers.  They shake their heads no.

“Congratulations Brothers, go have a drink or whatever the fuck you want to do that makes you happy.”  They stand thanking me and the Officers.  Once the door is closed I let a breath out.

“Pres?”  Steve asks.

“I’m not sure we should have done that until we have the jobs clear.  We need them but I don’t know what the fuck they’ll be doing.”

“I know what I need.  You need to know it in order to get me help?”  Steve asks.

“I guess not VP, it’s just getting so big I’m having trouble keeping up.  I don’t want to leave anyone without the help they need but I don’t have enough time in my days to meet everyone to get that all straight.”

“That’s what we’re for Pres.  We got it covered.  We know what we need.  You picked each one of us for a reason.  Let us do the job you chose us for.”  Rob says.

I look at him.  He’s right; I don’t need to micromanage them.  I smile and nod.  “You’re right.  If you need me I’m here.”

Fuckin Steve laughs.  “Bet that fuckin hurt.”  They laugh.

“In case you haven’t noticed everything is changing fast.  I never saw myself managing almost two hundred fuckin Brothers.  We started with twenty eight.  You have one department, I have all of them.  It’ll take some adjustment on my part but I’m trying Brothers.”  I run my hand through my hair thinking about the direction we’re moving.

“If you need us we’re here.”  Danny says, they all agree.

“Thanks Brother, let’s get a fuckin drink.”  I say ending our meeting. 

Danny

I meet up with Kate in the common room.  She’s telling an old lady about her shopping trip with Tess.  She’s cracking up telling her about the margarita mix.  I realize this is the same woman we met in New Hampshire when we went up there.  I’m glad she came down.  They’re making plans with the kids tomorrow.  I step closer and the old lady looks up at me.  Kate smiles, I put my arm around her waist.  “The kids have a class with me at ten.  They’ll be done at eleven.”  I tell her.

“We’re meeting at the house at twelve.”  She gives me a smile.  I nod, she remembered.  Ben comes up and puts his arm above mine.  The woman congratulates us.  Saying she heard but forgot all about it until she saw us.  Ben throws her chin and asks Kate if she’s ready.

I look at them.  Hammer asked me to talk to his VP.  “I’ll have to meet you at the house.  I need to talk to her man about a building he’s looking at.”

Ben tells me they’ll wait.  He takes Kate over to the bar and has a drink with Digs and Bob.  I find the VP outside; he’ll get the plans sent down so we can look at what he wants to do and what the structure will allow.  Going back in I see it’s getting rowdy by the bar.  Bob is standing on the side of Ben and Kate.  Looking around I don’t see any more of our Officers.  They must have left.  I walk into the room and someone throws a punch to a Brother who is clearly drunk.

The Brothers start circling.  I’m behind the first line of spectators.  Ben puts Kate behind him and looks over at me.  He nods.  I flip over and into the open center of the circle.  Stepping in between the Brothers I put my hands up for each one of them to stop.  The drunk bastard throws another punch.  I duck and sweep his feet.  Bob comes over stopping the other Brother from stepping in while the guy is down.  The fuckin Brother lands a shot on Bob while he’s watching me lift the drunk Brother.  Hammer jumps in yelling at the two Brothers, then all hell breaks loose.  I look at Ben, “Get Kate out of here.”  I yell over.  He’s fuckin hesitating.  He has Digs take her into the kitchen and starts wading through Brothers.  We throw fists until the Brothers stop acting fuckin nuts.  Hammer is fuckin pissed, he throws Brothers to his Officers telling them to line them up outside.  He apologizes to the old ladies and Ben.  He’s a fuckin scary guy when he’s pissed.  We watch him walk out behind his Officers.  We get everyone settled down.

Bob walks up to us.  “I can stay and keep the Brothers in line.”  He offers.

We both smile.  “This is why you’re our new Officer.  I’d appreciate it if you did.  I’ll let VP know to pull you off tomorrow’s schedule.”  Ben says.

“Thanks Pres.”  He goes behind the bar and talks to the Prospects.

“Bet he’s telling them to cut the Brothers off if they see they’re getting shit faced.”  I tell him.

We get Kate and walk out hearing Hammer yelling at his Brothers.  Chet pulls in on an HS bike.  We wait for him.  He throws chin as he gets closer.  “Pres, LP1.”  I laugh.

“I thought you were working?”  Ben asks him.

“Sticks sent me up here.  Orders from Rich; if it gets rowdy I’m supposed to escort the Brothers out.”  He says unsure.

“My Officers give you an order, you follow with confidence.  I pick the best.”  Ben tells him.  I just smile.

“Yes sir.”  He waits.  Ben smiles and throws him chin.  He walks by smiling.  Fuckin Ben. 

Three Days

Ben

I’m a little concerned, Danny is third.  Some asshole complains making it sound like our Brothers are cheating.  Rich and Danny ride his bike on the course to shut him up.  Rich hit everything; Danny hit the wrong balloon on one.  Everyone is stunned.  No one more than Rich.  Steve is watching with Casper.  He looks at me wondering what the fuck is going on too.  They start moving targets and Danny pulls into second.  We wait for the other Clubs to finish.  No one is even close to our three Brothers.  The cheer goes up.  Steve smiles at me.  I guess it was bound to happen.  Danny hugs Rich, I smile watching.  They are each other’s biggest fans.  I hope me and Jessie are like that when he gets older.

Casper calls for the top three.  Rich, Danny and Bob go up.  They get patches and Rich gets a trophy.  Casper gives Rich his trophy telling everyone he's glad Rich is the Brother training the PD.  Everyone laughs.

I hear Rich ask Danny if he let him win.  Danny laughs, "I've never played it easy on you.  If you win, it’s because you earn it.  It's not worth anything if you don't.  I'm surprised you’d even ask."

"I just can't believe I beat you at something."  Rich says in awe.  Everyone laughs.

"I think my shoulder played a part in this.  It's been bothering me on and off reminding me that I'm getting old."  We all crack up.  I move to Danny’s side.

"I'm not sure you'll ever get old dad at least not to me, always be my hero."  Rich tells him low then gives him a hug.  Fuckin nice.  I hug them both and make my way back to the stands by Tiny to watch the Prospects compete.

We hear a crash.  I stand up looking at the equipment shed.  Holy fuck.  I run.  Getting closer I see the kids in a group.  It looks like Jessie and Darren are keeping them together.  Thank Fuck.  I keep going and see Rich.  I ask where Steve is.

"He was on the stairs of the pay loader when it went through the wall."  I run to the back.  Holy fuck the pay loader has fuckin blood all over the glass.

I’m looking for Steve.  He’s not here, I start climbing looking for him in the debris.  Rich starts on the other side.  Fuck!  Rich yells for quiet.  He touches his head with one hand.  I watch.  He points toward where I’m standing I wave some Brothers over to help us move the roof pieces.  I watch Rich; he stops and looks at the pieces then the sun.  He points and we lift the next piece.  I go back looking at the debris; I see his leg and yell for help.  I’m telling him to give us a minute.  We move fast clearing the small shit off him.  Rich calls for medical help.

Sally makes her way to us with help from Driscoll.  She calls for a board from the paramedics, their afraid to walk into the debris, fuckin pussies.  Bob brings us a board.  We get Steve onto it, his arm and leg are broken but he’s fuckin smiling.  “Fuckin Steve, I almost had a fuckin heart attack.  You’re not allowed to do stupid shit unless I say so.  Fuckin Brother.”  He fuckin laughs then looks at Rich thanking him.  We get him out of the debris and the paramedics step forward grabbing the board.  I let it go and walk on the side of him.  Steve tells the paramedics to stop.  They don’t listen so he pulls his gun out and makes them stop.  Tess is watching with a smile.  Steve thanks her for saving the kids.  She bends and hugs him shocking the fuck out of everyone.  He has the paramedics put him in the back of his truck so he can go to Doc’s clinic.  “Fuckin pussies can’t even get me out; think I want them driving me anywhere?”  I fuckin laugh.  Fuckin Brother.

Doc has the boy brought to the ambulance telling the paramedics he’s stitched but needs to be checked for concussion. 

Little Ben stops them.  He asks the boys how he is.  The boy says his head hurts.  Little Ben nods.  “I’m ashamed that you’re wearing my cut.  We always take care of our own.  That means in everything.  You can’t pick and choose what times you want to follow that.  Wearing my cut means we live with honor and respect.  We don’t PUT people in danger; we help them out of it.  We take pride in knowing that honor and respect is our reward for keeping our Little Brothers, women and community safe.  There is no pride for you here today.  You disrespected our Little Brothers not listening and putting your hands on us, you disrespected our Club wearing a cut you are NOT ready to have on your back and you disrespected your Club by putting everyone in danger because you wanted to show off.  If you were in this Club you would be stripped of your cut until you’re ready for it.  Learn from this and remember what you learn.  It takes time and effort to get that respect back but you can earn it back.  I hope we see you again and you’re wearing our cut understanding what it means.”  He puts his hand on the boys shoulder and nods at the paramedics.  Every fuckin adult is standing here not saying a fuckin word.  We watch Little Ben go to Jessie and Darren.  He tells them to get the Little Brothers and Sisters to the Club, he’s riding with his dad.  They nod slapping his back.  They look thoughtful.  Not one of them is smiling.  I look at Rich and Steve.  I throw chin to Little Ben as he comes to Steve.  He climbs in the bed of the truck with his dad.

“Proud of you son.”  Steve throws chin.

Little Ben nods.  “He pushed Jessie down and hit a Little Brother from New Hampshire.  He could have killed someone.”  He has tears in his eyes and looks away.  “I didn’t get back there fast enough dad.  I tried.  I didn’t see that Jessie and Darren already got the kids out.  I was trying to stop him and didn’t see they got them out.”  Fuckin kid.

Steve puts his hand on Little Ben’s shoulder.  “Did what you were supposed to.  Every one of them are safe because you did something.  Even if it was giving Jessie and Darren time to get them out.”  Steve looks at me.

“I’m fuckin proud of you Little Ben.  You kept your Brothers safe.  Sometimes leadership sucks.  You see both sides, you always have to weigh the good against the bad.  You saved people.  One boys pride got hurt.  Today was a good day Little Ben.  Even if it doesn’t feel good right now, it was a fuckin good day.”  I tell him.

He looks at me with tears in his eyes.  “Thanks Pres.”  He throws chin and looks at his dad.   “We ready dad?  I could use a break from all this.”

Steve laughs.  I hit the side of the truck and Bob drives them to the clinic.  I look around.  “Our future is looking fuckin bright Brothers.  Fuckin Bright.”

The President from the New York Club comes to me telling me they will take care of the damages.  I tell him to call Danny when he has a chance, they trade numbers.  I call Kate and Jess telling them I need to pick them up.  We get them from the Club and drive to Doc’s Clinic.

Danny tells them what happened with Little Ben.  Jess is crying, "My boy is going to be a good man but he struggles with the sensitive part of his nature."

"That's what's going to make him a good leader.  If he didn't care he wouldn't be effective.  It's the leaders that have compassion, show fairness and morality to others that earn the most respect.  They earn their followers; in turn those followers earn the leaders respect and make the world a better place because of it."  Danny tells her. 

"Thank you my favorite brother.  You are very wise."  She says smiling with tears running down her face.  Fuckin women.

Danny

Ben gets us to Doc's, Rich, Patches and Tess pull up on the side of us.  Ben tells them to make sure the runs keep going.  New York is pulling out so one run isn't staffed with an Officer.  I tell them I'll keep them updated.  They leave Max with us. 

Jess goes right into the room with Steve.  Ben tells Bob to get back and help Rich and Patches with the runs.  We wait in the front room.  Little Ben comes out and sits with us.  "Doc's setting his foot and leg.  He already did his wrist."  Danny holds his hand; Max puts his head on his lap. 

After a while Jess comes out.  "He won't sit in a wheelchair and his wrist is broken."  She looks frustrated. 

I get it.  I stand and Little Ben stands with me.  We go in the room and I ask Doc about hand crutches.  His eyes light and he goes to the back room.  Coming out he has a hand crutch.  He has Steve stand and adjusts it to his height, he tries it out.  His fuckin foot has got to be killing him but he hobbles out.  Jess laughs.  Doc tells her he'll make the appointment with the specialist for when the cast comes off.  They can get him in a brace like Jess wore.  She hugs him thanking him for putting up with Steve.  Little Ben smiles for the first time since we got here.  I drive them home with Ben and Kate following.  When we get Steve in the house I ask Ben to walk me out. 

On the porch I stop and sit, he sits beside me.  "You know what Pres said was true.  Sometimes being a leader sucks.  Having all the pressure on you to do the right thing is hard.  Pres has a whole team of Officers to help him out with the tough stuff.  He's got Officers that he can trust to always have his back.  I see that your Little Brothers see you as the leader.  You need to make sure they're by your side during the tough stuff.  Your Brothers won't let you down; they'll have your back.  When Pres needs to work stuff out, he talks to your dad or Tiny or me.  He always figures it out, but he uses us as sounding boards or sometimes just to vent.  We are trusted, he knows it will never be talked about but he can use us when he needs us.  If you continue to be the leader for the Little Brothers, you need those Brothers you can trust to let the bad stuff out without judgement.  Being a leader means you know when to ask for help and who you can trust to get that help.  Use your Brothers Little Ben; if you don't let it out and keep carrying it around, you won't last long as a leader.  The pressure will beat you down." 

"I have Darren and Jessie and Lee.  They help me work stuff out but this is different.  That boy hit a Brother then pushed Jessie.  I thought Alex and Ally were still in front of the loader.  I was so scared.  He could have killed them.  Thank God Jessie got them out.  This is different than deciding about where the money is spent.  I was so scared." 

"It's ok to be scared.  It's ok to tell your trusted Brothers you're scared.  It shows you're human.  They won't think less of you because of it.  You think Jessie and Darren weren't scared?  I bet they wouldn't be afraid to tell you that.  They won't say it to the other Brothers but they'd admit it to you.  You can do the same.  It will make you a better leader and a better man."  I watch his eyes.  He looks relieved.

Nodding he stands.  "Uncle Danny you’re the strongest man I know.  You use it to make people better people.  If my parents say it's ok can I stay over?"  I nod and wait on the porch. 

Steve comes to the door.  "He's gettin clothes.  Said he was scared and needs to let it go with his Brothers help."  I nod.  "Thanks for givin him that.  He'll need it.  He's like Ben."  I nod.  "You're good for them.  Always lookin out.  Thanks."  Little Ben walks out.  He hugs Steve.  I throw him chin and walk back to the truck.

Ben and Kate are watching.  Little Ben answers for me.  "After what happened I need to bounce it off my Brothers.  I can't be carrying it around."  I clench my teeth and keep the smile off my face. 

"Very wise move Little Ben."  Ben says looking back.  Little Ben nods.  We pick up the kids from the Club and take them home.  Kate runs for Devan and Brenna and Ben goes for takeout.  I keep Max and the little guys busy playing soccer while Jessie, Darren and Little Ben talk.  I look over and see them all wiping their eyes.  When I look again they're laughing.  Fuckin Little Brothers are getting it.  Ben was right, the future is looking bright.