Chapter 23
-:- VICTORIA -:-
I am using Chaos's truck since he is currently on his hog. While at work, he has been sending amusing emojis. He needs to be focused on his work instead of goofing off! I can imagine Winter or Target giving him a telling-off about not working seriously enough.
“Do you have everything you need, Corey?” I ask as I watch him pick up his schoolbag from the back seat of the truck.
“Yeah, I’ve got everything, Mom. Will you come for me when school’s out?”
“Of course, I will. Now, you have a great day. Learn as much as you can, and we will make a pizza from scratch when we get home tonight.”
“Yay, see you later,” Corey shouts as he heads into school. I watch him until he is inside and then head to the clubhouse, where I need to speak with Mia about Bethy not wanting a funeral.
Walking into the clubhouse a while later, I take a seat next to Mia who is reading a meal plan that Bitty is showing her. “Bitty, I do not think that Meat will agree to a daily meal plan. He likesto cook what he thinks is good for everyone to enjoy. You know I mean that some don’t like one meal but enjoy something else. That is why he creates meals the way he does. I am going out on a limb and saying no to your plan. Speak to Meat because he’s the man of the kitchen.”
Amelia walks over to where we are sitting while drying her hands on a tea towel. “Bitty, I told you, Meat is the boss of the kitchen. He allows us to do mostly what we like, but if you piss him off, I am going to make your life miserable. You get me? Now, come on; we need to get this chicken stew on for tonight. I want it to simmer slowly all day long.”
Once Amelia has taken Bitty away with her and they continue bickering in the kitchen, I look at Mia and give her a small shrug. “Can I talk to you for a minute about Bethy’s funeral?”
Mia gives me all her attention. “Of course, I’m all ears.”
“Well, you don’t really need ears because Bethy’s will states that she does not want a funeral, or a goodbye party or anything. She just wants to slip away quietly. The lawyer is dealing with everything under Bethy’s last wishes.”
“Oh...do you think she had a feeling that things were going bad?”
Thinking for a moment before I reply, “I think the amount of trouble that Art kept bringing to her had her thinking at some point something bad was going to happen.”
“If you want me to do anything you know you only have to ask. If at some time you want to do something in Bethy’s memory, we all will help. A fund-raising event or something in her name would be nice, don’t you think?”
“Maybe. It is something we can think about in the future. But right now, I want to just come to terms with what has happened.” I stand and give her a small smile.
“Where are you going?” Mia asks.
“I’m going to find Jack. I want to do a sneaky look at the house Chaos has put an offer on.”
“Oh, he’s with BS, I think. The office is in the same hallway as Specs’, Axel's, and PT’s.”
Walking toward the common room, I say, “Thank you.”
I give a wave to Heather who is wiping down the bar as I pass through the common room and quickly find the office, which has a plate stating Sergeant at Arms—BS.
Knocking on the door I wait for a response. I’m not one to barge my way into a room I’ve not been invited into. The door opens and BS gives me a smile, “Hey, Victoria, what can I do for you?”
“Well, I’m here for Jack if it’s possible to steal him for maybe, uhm, two hours?”
“Jack has to report to the range. Is it important?”
I check my lip as I consider finding the house myself, but I have no idea where it is, and I don’t even know the address so can’t put it into the truck's GPS. “Hm, I suppose not.”
As I start to walk away, BS stops me by holding my elbow gently, “What was it, Victoria?”
“I wanted to have a sneak peek at the house Chaos has put an offer on. But, you know, I don’t know where it is, or I’d just go by myself. I can’t even put it into the GPS...”
“Okay, I’ll take you. I know where it is. He told me about the offer the other day.” Turning to the room, BS barks, “Jack, get yourself to the range and show the fuckers what you’ve got. Don’t let me down. You’re the only prospect I’ve got, and you best show them you are the best one I ever had.”
Jack leaves the room, gives me a quick “Good morning” and a hug, much to BS’s amusement. But both BS and I can see Jack is eager to get to the range and prove his worth.
Thirty minutes later BS and I are standing outside the house, and I’m amazed that it is larger than I had imagined. The yard needs some attention, but it’s not at the stage where you’d pull your hair out with stress.
