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“We will. I may need some help getting the barn squared away just in case it rains,” Mom answers.
“I’m sorry to leave good company, but Mom and I need to get the shopping done so she can get some sleep.” I stand up. Both Rager and Reaper do the same. Mom is the last one up. Rager moves toward me, takes me in his arms and gives me a fatherly hug. I hug him back.
He softly says for my ears only, “Thank you, Billie. I would hate to miss your day or Raider’s. I love you, girlie.” I hug Rager a little tighter. Rager releases me and backs away. Reaper takes his place, and he has his own soft words for me.
“Thank you, Billie. Rager needed this and that makes you that more special to me. Love you.” I have tears in my eyes and Mom hands me a napkin.
“Let me get this hormonal woman out of here. It was good to meet you both. I hope we see more of you in the future,” my mom tells the two brothers as we walk out of the Post. Now all I need to do is get Raider on board with all of this.
27
THREE DAYS LATER
Raider…
It’s been a long couple of days. We found two more houses that the Brotherhood had been using. The last one is where they were cooking their dope. We destroyed their equipment slowly and then took the house down piece by piece. We couldn’t burn the house because it could have exploded and then all the chemicals would be in the air. It was a tedious job. I’m at home at last. I showered and changed clothes before I left the clubhouse. I didn’t want to bring anything home to Billie even if we had hazmat suits on.
I have also been concerned about Billie. When she received the prescription from her doctors, her morning sickness had let up a little. She had two days to eat and not be sick every time. Then it was like something turned and she has been so sick. She can’t keep water or any of the drinks that used to settle her stomach down. If she isn’t better by the morning, Frannie and I are taking her to the new doctor Billie has chosen. I have been scared to leave her side, but the last two days have been out of my hands. The club started cleaning the Brotherhood out of our community and we must see it through. Frannie was off today so I haven’t worried as much.
That’s another thing that has Billie so stressed. She’s not able to work. She worries about everything. My woman is a natural-born worrier. I’ve told her that I sent the prospects to help but she still worries. Frannie has even told her everything is running fine. One of the farm’s harvests is coming up and I don’t think Billie will chill until it’s over.
I walk into the house and I know something is wrong when I see Maggie sitting on the sofa crying. Maggie doesn’t ever cry. “What’s wrong, Maggie?” Then I hear Billie heaving.
“Billie has been bad sick all day and she wouldn’t go to the hospital until you got here. Where have you been?” I don’t even answer Maggie. I run to where I hear Billie. Frannie is there sitting on the floor beside the toilet.
“We need to get her to the hospital now. She has fresh clothes on. Go pack her an overnight bag. Nightshirt, panties, a brush, and toothbrush with that mild tooth paste she’s been using. Don’t forget some socks and house shoes. Move, Raider.” I want to take Billie in my arms but I know if Frannie is this concerned that I need to follow her directions. “Ryan, move my SUV in front of the back door. Put a pillow and a blanket in the back seat, with a couple of towels, and trash bags.” I decide to go to Billie’s room in the house instead of going to the barn. Ryan is moving toward the back door. I gather everything Frannie said to get and put it into one of Billie’s large backpacks. I go back into the bathroom and Billie is up and standing. Frannie has her ready to go. Billie looks like she may fall over any time.
“I love you,” I tell Billie.
“Love you back,” Billie mumbles.
“Pick her up, Raider. You’re going to need to carry her. She’s too weak to go down those stairs.” I do as Frannie tells me.
“Why didn’t she go to the hospital before I got here?” I ask Frannie.
“Because she’s stubborn. She said she was waiting for you to get home first. I called and texted you. I was getting ready to call an ambulance and take the decision out of her hands.” Frannie is frazzled, but she isn’t blaming me, just telling me the facts.
“I had my phone off all day and then I forgot to turn it back on. We can get her to the hospital faster anyway,” I tell her. “Billie’s barely conscious.”
“She’s worn out from being sick all day. The last time I checked, her blood pressure was lower and I think she’s dehydrated. When we get down to my vehicle, lay Billie down and cover her with the blanket and put the pillow under her head. I told Ryan to put towels and trash bags in there too. It’s in case she gets sick again. Make sure to put her on her side. You ride in the back with her and Raider, Reaper texted earlier. He should be arriving one day this week. Billie does not need any shit out of you two. I will be giving this same talk to him. The next few days, everything around Billie is Switzerland. That means neutral territory for both Reaper and you. Do we understand each other?”
I look at Frannie. I want to argue with her but right now is not the time. We need to move. I turn and walk down the stairs and straight to the vehicle. I do as I was told with Billie and it isn’t long until we’re on the road. Frannie drives as if the devil is on her tail and the normal forty-minute drive is done in less than thirty minutes. I have prayed on the way here and I will do anything for my woman and child to be alright. If that means getting along with Rager and Reaper, then I will do just that. It doesn’t mean I’ll like it, but I will do it.
The night goes by slowly. Billie’s new doctor, Dr. Jennings, keeps us updated. They started with fluids to keep her from getting more dehydrated. Frannie was right about that part. They have given her some stronger medicine for nausea. Billie is resting peacefully and the doctor wants us to remain in the waiting room so Billie can get some rest. We can go into her room when they have her situated and transferred from the emergency room. Frannie and I are left staring at the walls.
“Frannie, I wanted to argue with you back at the house about Reaper. I held my tongue. On the way to the hospital, I realized a lot of things. I know that Billie sees something in Rager and Reaper that I don’t. I know Billie is her own woman and the only way that we’ll work is if I start dealing with my problems head-on and quit avoiding them. That is the healthy way to do it. I want that for my family, I do. I wasn’t taught that in my home growing up. How could I be?” I take a breath and rub my hands down my face. “My mom ran from her problems when she was young. Instead of confronting Rager, she ran. Rager ignored his problems by not going after my mom. Mom couldn’t face the death of my brother, so she didn’t. She kept it all bottled up. I remember how she acted on my birthday and I couldn’t figure out why. I understand now it was because she couldn’t handle the pain. Since the moment I found out, I have that pain too from the loss of a brother I never even knew of. The thing is, now my mom is pushing me away and choosing Rager. Do I know that sounds childish? Yes, I do. It’s not a contest but I have been there every step of the way when my mom needed someone to sooth her after she had cried all night. I got a job to help my mom with household bills we had when I wasn’t even legal to work yet. Now, I feel like she’s pushing me away and I’m all right with that now.” I look at Frannie and there is no judgment there. She’s waiting for me to finish. “What I am saying is I will tolerate Rager and Reaper if I need to for Billie. Not for Mom, not for Rager, and not for Reaper. Mom is trying to make me accept everything that she and Rager have planned. The thing is, they can go along with any plans they want. I’m not fighting it anymore. I have a family to take care of. Don’t get me wrong, I love my mom. I am not judging her. If Rager makes her happy, then she’s going in it with her eyes wide open. I have decided to stay out of it, but I won’t be made to have a relationship with Rager. I will conduct a cordial relationship for Billie. If Rager and I ever have any other kind of relationship, it will be between the two of us. I need to work through my anger first. I don’t need a dad anymore,” I tell her.
“Raider, all the things you’ve told me, I understand that’s how you feel. I also know your mom loves you. If you two didn’t love each other so much, you wouldn’t be fighting. You are both passionate people. If the two of you didn’t love each other, then one of you would have walked away by now but you haven’t. You both want the other to understand where you are coming from. If I was to guess, I would think that your mom wants her second chance at the love she walked away from in her past. Second chances are hard to come by. Rager… I haven’t figured out yet. I believe he loves your mom and I know he wants to have a relationship with you as well. He just has no idea how to approach you without anger. Isn’t that how motorcycle club presidents approach most things.”
I laugh a little at that.
“You’re right. Thanks for listening to me, Frannie. I just needed a sounding board, because I’m telling Billie the same thing when she’s better. I want my ring on her finger and for her to have my last name. I will do anything to make that happen.” Frannie looks behind me. I turn to see Reaper standing there and I think about what Frannie and I have discussed. I get up and walk over to Reaper. He is eyeing me and trying to guess what I might be up to.
“My name is Raider, and I guess we’re related. I don’t like the situation that happened in Conroe and I don’t like the way you talked to my mom. No one disrespects my mom.” I say it but it’s hard coming out of my mouth. “That said, the only thing I’m concerned with now is Billie. I don’t know what type of relationship I will have in the future with you or Rager, but in front of Billie, we will be friendly, if you agree to it.”
“That sounds good to me. I would like to get to know you. Your Mom already kicked me in the balls for my actions at the signing and the part I had in her mistaking me for my brother. I think I paid my penance. I stood still and let her do it without a cup on.” That’s my mom, always going for the balls. I laugh and so does Frannie.
“If you two are even, then I guess we are too.” I put my hand out and we shake hands. This compromise thing isn’t so bad. Now if we could just get some news on Billie. The doctor walks into the room. I walk toward her just like Frannie and Reaper.
