AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Another day,” said Dex. “Another day.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
“What are they up to?” frowned Kat, watching the men at a table in the corner, whispering as if they were planning the takeover of the world.
“I have no idea,” said Lauren, “but I can tell you that Trak has been gone a lot lately, and it’s really bugging me. I mean, I don’t think he’s fooling around or anything. He wouldn’t do that. Would he?” She looked at the other women.
“No. None of them would,” said Erin. “And if you’re suspecting that of him, it would be thirty men fooling around because we’re all seeing the same thing. They’ve been sneaking around the island and taking the boat out every damn day. What the hell are they doing?”
“Maybe you should just let them do their thing,” said Matthew, standing behind the table of women.
“Oh, good morning, Matthew. Do you know what they’re up to?”
“Not entirely, but I know it’s good. Let them be. Let them have this. I don’t think any of you realize how hard it’s been for these men to just step back and do nothing.”
“No offense, Matthew, but it’s hardly nothing,” said Lena. “Tailor and the others are still involved in many of the projects and missions we do around here. No one is going to fool me into believing that they’re not putting their lives in danger.”
“I know, I know,” he nodded.
He took a seat at the table, the women all turning to face him instead of their husbands. Behind his back, Matthew gave a thumbs up and a wave, the seniors quietly moving out of the cafeteria.
“Listen to me. Being an operative at the level of these men isn’t easy. It’s like driving on the autobahn for your whole life, then being told you have to drive in a school zone for the rest of your life. You all know that. But not doing it, not being an operative, is harder than doing it. They’ve been going non-stop at a thousand miles per hour for their entire lives. Suddenly, we all say stop, and we want them to do nothing. Can you imagine how difficult that must be?
“They sit here watching their sons and daughters contribute at the highest levels to the organization, to G.R.I.P., to the missions. Yet they’re relegated to ‘soft’ jobs.”
“They’re not soft!” said Lauren. “I need Trak to do some of the things he’s doing.”
“Yes. Youneed,” smiled Matthew. “Honey, I know that you need him, and he knows that you need him, but what he needs is to still feel like a useful man. He needs to feel like a man who has a purpose other than loving his wife and children and grandchildren.”
The women nibbled on their bottom lips, staring at the wise man. Matthew was still as handsome as ever, but it was his commanding presence, the way he spoke that made them all listen intently. It was like George C. Scott delivering the famous speech from Patton.
“Did you know that Tailor and Alec spend two hours every day at the school reading to children?” Lena and Lissa stared at one another, shaking their heads. “They do. Them big boys crawl down on the floor so as not to frighten the children. They spread those long legs out, kids huddle up to them, holding on for dear life as they read book after book, giving the teachers a break.
“And Antoine and Luc. Were you aware that they serve meals every day at the homeless shelter downtown?” Montana and Ella smiled, shaking their heads. “Yes, sir. They show up every day. They serve those men and women, sit and talk to them. Just their presence lets them know that they matter and that there are people who understand.
“Here’s a good one for you. Ghost, Ian, Nine, and Gaspar are guest speakers at three of our universities in the city.” Erin, Faith, Grace, and Alexandra went wide-eyed. “That’s right. Your big, tough, no-nonsense husbands are molding minds by teaching military history and strategy.”
“They’re supposed to stay out of sight,” whispered Faith.
“Out of sight is as good as dead,” said Matthew. “These men need to feel needed, need to feel involved. Let them have that feeling. They’re all off serving our community in the only ways they know how.”
“But how do you explain Baptiste, Bull, Rafe, and Vince disappearing at night?” asked Lily. “I just know there’s someone else.”
“There is,” said Matthew. “A mama with five hungry mouths to feed who has been running from her abusive husband. They’ve been watching that house for weeks now, leaving groceries, doing minor repairs. Anything to lessen her burden. Two nights ago, the husband showed up with several weapons in his truck. Our boys took care of him. That mama and her babies can sleep better now, knowing they will always be safe.”
“I can’t believe this,” whispered Rose. “How could I have been so silly?”
“That such men still exist, still live amongst us, is a gift that we will not soon understand,” said Matthew.
“Is that a famous quote?” asked Lauren.
“It might be,” he grinned. “One day.”
“Matthew,” said Erin, shaking her head. “I should have known. I’m sorry.”
“Me too, Pops,” said Marie. “I knew Dex wouldn’t cheat on me, but it was all so weird. All of them going off at the same time, whispering, moving about like thieves in the night. I should have known.”
“Now you do,” said Matthew. “They’re good men. All of them. If they weren’t, I’d straighten them out. So would George or Sven or Teddy. No need to worry about them.”
