“Yes, sir.But I don’t think you have to worry.No one would believe me anyway.”
“That’s probably true,” he grinned.“Thank you for keeping this safe.We’re trusting you both in this.”
“We promise, sir.We’d do anything for all of you.Anything.”
“For now, just get healthy.Both of you,” said Ham.“Let’s get back to the other island.”
While the boats departed, Zane and Jeremiah looked at Ham, Rush, and the others.
“Sirs, we know that the others aren’t our blood brothers, but they’re our brothers all the same.We want to help them.We want to get them away from her,” said Zane.“Jeremiah can’t help right now but I can.”
“You’ll have a chance to help, Zane.We know what you mean.All these men here?All of them.They’re my brothers, blood or not,” said Remington.“We’ve been fortunate to be raised in an environment where family wasn’t about marriage.Family was about feeling connected to those around you and understanding who they are, what they believe in.
“We’ve been lucky to believe in the same ideals and principles and that they’ve been good ideals and principles.No one here has ever left because of a disagreement or unhappiness.No one.”
“That says way more than you think, sir,” said Jeremiah.“I’ve wanted to leave since I was just eight or nine years old.”
“I’m sorry,” said Saylor.“I should have tried to reach out to all of you when we were kids.Maybe we could have planned something together, instead of ending up running for our lives.”
“It all worked out, Saylor,” said Zane.“We’ll get the other boys and then, well, then I guess I’ll be starting a family.”
“It’s not so bad,” smiled Saylor.“You already know what you don’t want to do to your kids, although your brothers aren’t kids any longer.”
“I think we’re all just kids praying for our parents’ approval,” said Jeremiah.“Even Dad, I mean, Mike wasn’t there for us.He ignored what she was doing.How can a parent do that?”
“Most do not,” said Trak.Jeremiah, Saylor, and Zane jumped a mile.Saylor gripped her chest, taking in a deep breath.
“Trak?” frowned Ham.
“What?I’m trying to help.I’m quiet, what can I say?Anyway, most parents don’t harm their children.My father left because of my mother but he left my sister and I in the hands of a woman with mental issues and a drug and alcohol problem.I fought as I got older but my sister could not.”
“I-I’m sorry, sir,” said Jeremiah.Trak placed a hand on the young man’s shoulder, careful not to put pressure on his wounds.
“So am I.But you are learning what not to be.Now surround yourself with men that will teach you how to be.How to be a good man.How to be a good father.How to be a good husband.Surround yourself with those men and if they are us, I will be honored to help guide you to a peaceful life.”
With that, he turned and went to the back of the boat, taking a seat.He stared at the small landing behind the boat where Alvin was hitching a ride.He rubbed the alligator’s head and he chuffed like a mule.
“You’re so lucky to have him,” said Zane staring at Remington.He only smiled, nodding at the two brothers.
“I’m lucky to have all of these men, and women, to guide me.If you choose to stay, they will guide you as well.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Florence stared at her weak pathetic husband and the equally weak and pathetic man beside him.They’d returned without Jeremiah and with no explanation.
“He couldn’t have run off far,” she frowned.
“There were footprints,” said George.“We think the fire service was out there to investigate the houses being on fire.They must have let him go.”
“You think?Thinking isn’t good enough, George!” she yelled.
The other adults were standing around, all nervously moving from one foot to the other, not daring to look the woman in the face.
“Well, too fucking bad,Florence,” he sneered.“We tried and he was gone.Had we stayed any longer someone might have returned for us.For all we know he could be dead.Next time, move your fat ass and go get your wayward sons.”
Her face flamed red and Mike took a step backward as her fists clenched beside her wide body.She smelled of smoke, gasoline, and abundant body odor.It was plain she hadn’t showered in the two days since their return.
“Careful, George.You might find yourself without a home soon,” she said with an evil grin.
