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The magic between us makes everything feel possible again.
IKE, AKA THE MAN WITH SOMETHING TO LOSE
News of the TrinityChurch’s troublemaking at the hospital reaches the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department office just as I’m ready to leave. My club has already shown up to support me with their presence acting as a quiet threat to Sheriff OG Peepaw. If he makes our lives difficult, we can do the same for his people.
When I hear about the fundies taking over the hospital parking lot and blocking the exit, my head fills with increasing awful outcomes. First, I see them stealing away Oana. Then, I imagine them hurting my ma and sister. By the time I reach the hospital on the back of Val’s hog, I’m certain something has gone sideways, and my family is dead.
The sheriff’s department joins us on the ride over. As soon as we arrive, the deputies start ticketing and rounding up the Trinity Church troublemakers. Moving between the many vehicles, I hurry to find Oana, Ma-Journey, and Edith. My panic shuts off as soon as I spot my brother playing sentinel at our mother’s SUV.
Today isn’t the first time my brother’s rushed somewhere to protect my ass. I doubt it’ll be the last time, either. No matter where Otto goes or how long he’s gone, he always races home when he believes his people are in trouble.
After being reunited with Oana, I don’t want to let her out of my sight.
As Ma-Journey drives to the homestead while escorted by our club, Oana clings to me. Rather than talk about the shit that went down, I just tease her about how we can’t run around naked now that my brother and sister-in-law are back.
Soon, Oana meets Betty. The two rocker chicks—one 1970s rock, the other rockabilly—talk beauty tips while my ma explains to my pa what went down. Edith walks over to Auntie Poppy’s place to shoot the shit with Tuesday. That leaves me time to thank my brother again.
“I didn’t expect the fundies to take this route,” I admit to Otto as we stand near the back deck and listen to our women discuss eyeshadow. “The last time they tried to get physical, Rie’s hippies beat their asses.”
“This garbage is how they keep their people in line. When they win, they say, ‘Look at how God is on our side.’ When they lose, they say, ‘Look at how the devil is against us.’ It keeps their people feeling both righteous yet outnumbered. If the cult’s worried about outsiders, they aren’t focused on what’s happening within their community.”
“That’s smart shit.”
“No, man, we just have another little cult where Betty’s mom lives. These weirdoes find each other and build communities. The one in our new place is super into pagan crap. Same rules, just different marketing.”
I think about his word choices and ask, “Do you plan to stay there for good?”
“I don’t know,” Otto admits and looks at Betty who smiles at him with her painted red lips. “Her mom is sick but not dying. I considered pushing for her to move here. It’d be easier. But now, you and Oana are in the guest room, so maybe I’ll hold off on that for a while.”
“Sorry about that.”
“No, it’s all good,” he says and pats my shoulder. “Won’t take you long to get your own place put together. I figure I’ll give Betty’s mom an ultimatum. If she isn’t able to take care of herself by the time you move out, we’ll need to come back here full-time. I mean, shit, I’m paying her bills with the money I make from the club, but I’m only here part-time.”
“I’m glad you’re back.”
Giving me a sly grin, Otto wags his finger in my face. “You kept your naked ass out of my bed, right?”
