Page 52 of Cannon

Sitting with Barbara at a table with Jamie, Fury, Molly and Breaker, we had exhausted our tales of Bandit. We sat quietly, watching the room. It was loud and getting louder. Jamie had already said that Bandit would have loved this before Mella had got her claws into him.

Molly broke the silence eventually, saying, “Given any more thought to our proposition, Barbara?” and tilting her head, waits for a reply.

“Well, there’s hardly a rush, is there? You haven’t got a building yet, or even a location.” Barbara tilts her head at Molly, grinning.

“I think we should build from the ground up. That way we can be ultra-modern and have room for expansion when we grow. I don’t want to have to open a third location,” Jamie slips into the conversation.

“Erm, how big a plot of land are we talking about? For this ultra-modern expandable practice?” I ask them.

“In a perfect world, at least twice the size of our existing practice’s plot. The building itself would need to be twice the size, preferably with a parking lot to match. The lot we have gets manic when we’re fully booked. It’s a wonder there haven’t been any accidents as yet.” Molly muses, and Barbara is quick to jump in.

“Don’t jinx us by saying that, Molly. You know what happens when you point out something like that. We’ll have a rush next week of accident victims if you’re not careful.” Barbara tuts and shakes her head.

“What’s going on in that tiny mind, Cannon? I’ve seen that look before,” Breaker asks.

“Usually before he rushes upstairs with Barbara, the dirty fucker,” Fury adds.

“When we bought the pet crem, it included the land to one side. There was some talk about a plan to put a pet-themed shopping mall there, but it fell through when the pet crem went up for sale. I’m not sure exactly how much land we own, but if it was big enough for even a small shopping mall, surely it would be big enough for a medical building like you’re talking about?” I’m sure the land would cope with it, but what do I know!

“It would have to have a big footprint for the size of building I’d want and a parking lot to boot.” Jamie looks doubtful.

“Not necessarily,” Fury throws out. “Just because your current building is a single story, doesn’t mean your new one has to be. Instead of going wider, go higher. Hospitals aren’t single story so why should your practice have to be?”

Jamie frowns at Fury. “For a dumbass, that’s not bad thinking, my man.”

“Thank you, woman. I think.” He grins at us all.

“We’ll need an architect on board for this project. No offence to Guardrail and his team, but this is going to be a specialist build. There will be a lot of considerations that none of us here will probably even think about until the damn place is built. I’ll look into that next week, after we look at the land beside the crem and decide if it’s big enough.”

“Well, there’s plenty of open land around us. Someone must know who owns it, we just have to find them. Ha, a job for Bull, I would think.”

“What’s a job for me? I have enough on my plate.” Bull is walking by the table and can’t help but overhear his name being mentioned. Explaining what we’re thinking, he is quick to join in. “Piece of cake. Five minutes tops. Bank will be able to tell you how much land came with the purchase of the crem. He doesn’t miss things like that, and I bet Pens will know an architect who fits your needs, too. Christ, it’s half-built already!” He walks away laughing, but somehow I don’t think it’s going to be that easy.

“I’d better get my thoughts together then, as it seems we have a plan for the new location, if nothing else. I bet I’ll be due to have the baby about the same time as the damn new building is due to open!” Barbara winks at me. “How are you at changing diapers, Daddy-o?”

“I’ve never done one, but how hard can it be? It’s only shit and piss, after all.” I shrug it off as if it’s nothing but the look I get from all three women tells me I could be missing something important in Barbara’s question.

Tanner’s arrival diverts my attention, and I don’t get to ask what the hidden significance is in the question. Out of uniform, and already with a drink in his hand, he approaches and asks if it’s okay to join us. I make room for him by my side and quickly thank him for the escort this morning. It made everything much more fluid and smoother than having to have all the bikes stopping at each junction.

Tanner looks completely at ease with everyone and everything that’s going on around him. He fits in extremely well, and I’m reminded that I was going to speak to Pres about Tanner and Bill joining the MC. I still have my doubts about Bill being comfortable with it, but I think Tanner is a perfect match.

“Where’s Bill, Tanner? I thought he’d be here with you.” I take a swig from my water bottle and wait for his response.

“You know we’re not that tight at work, don’t you? He thinks I’m too much of a loose cannon, no pun intended, and I think he has a rod up his ass because most days he won’t bend with the breeze. He threatened those guys in the cruiser that day, when you were there, but that doesn’t count as bending the rules. He’s such a freaking hypocrite at times. I like the guy, don’t get me wrong, and he’s always got your back, but there're just times when you don’t know which way his mood swing will go. I told him I was coming here and asked if he was coming with, but he just asked why?” Tanner shakes his head and I catch him taking a good look at Pattie as she walks by. I’m not giving him her history but I’m not going to encourage him either. If he follows up on his interest, they can sort that out themselves.

“Neither of you guys knew Bandit, so it doesn’t matter that he hasn’t come.”

“No, I know we didn’t know him, but he was one of you. That should count for something. I might not be able to celebrate Bandit’s life, but I can support you guys by hearing about him and sharing in that. If I’m intruding, I can slip away and leave you all to your grieving.” Tanner holds his hands up and I’m not sure if I came across all wrong with my statement.

“No, I’m not suggesting anything of the sort. I think it’s great that you chose to do this. It shows the kind of person you are that you wanted to be here. In fact, I think you fit in here very well. I’ve thought that from the get-go.” I watch for his reaction.

“Hell, I might just get myself a hog and move in!” He laughs at his joke, and I laugh too, but for a different reason. Looking around, I see Pres with Ghost and Thorn. I excuse myself and slip over there.

“Hi, Ghost. Thorn. Have you got a minute, Pres?”

He looks at me and says, “I know what you’re going to say, or ask, and I think so, too. I’ll have a chat with Tanner and if he’s up for it, I’ll bring it up in Church. Okay?”

“Jamie is right about you, you know that?” I grin.