Page 83 of 12 Months of Mayhem
STITCH-Former Nomad now Brother
My head has been killing me for the last two days, and I can’t hide it from Grace any longer as I’m on my knees, pukin’ my goddamn guts out. She’s got a cool cloth on my neck and using another to wipe my forehead. It’s times like this I hate my special gifts, since I have no control over them and can’t stop the headache. Just have to wait it out. I know the pain in my skull is from hearing all the women’s thoughts constantly running through my head. Over the years, it’s gotten so bad that when someone I love is having issues or problems, my head lets me know with the intense pain shooting around in there.
Today, well, later today is Thanksgiving and I’m glad it’s here. Growing up with two maniacs as parents, the powers above rewarded me and my siblings with special powers or abilities, whatever you want to call them. I have the innate skill of being able to read one’s thoughts and emotions. It’s come to some good within our club, though not sure the brothers get it still to this day. In the beginning, I freaked the fuck outta them, that’s why I decided to go nomad. But once I met Grace and Damien, all bets were off, and I told Brick I wanted to stay close without even knowing the extent of trouble coming our way. It got even more complicated when Grace and I realized Damien had similar skills to mine. At first she wanted to ignore them, but we couldn’t ‘cause her ex had them also and was bullying poor Damien. So much has happened over the years and now we are also blessed with Joey. Sitting on the screen porch of my—no—our cabin, my mouth drops when I see a familiar deer with twin fawns following her. I get déjà vu instantly. Many years before, I was sitting right here when that exact deer made her presence known and spoke to me. Well, in my mind she did. Over the years she’s come and gone but never has she made me aware of her company like today. The two fawns are running around so I watch as she walks into the open area of the yard, away from the trees.
“Francis, it’s been a long time. How are you, my friend?”
“Fine, and you? Looks like you’re busy yourself.”
As our minds speak, I finally get what Emmie’s doing. This isn’t a Kumbaya moment like the brothers keep calling it. She wants us all to realize how very lucky we all are in our lives personally, and as part of the Grimm Wolves.
“Yes, Francis, you are right. Emmie’s intentions are pure, as always. Don’t let the young ones ruin it for her because she’s still fragile at times. I wanted to take a second to tell you how thankful I am for you. Over the years you’ve let me come here and have made it safe also. The two sheds you’ve put up I’m thankful for, as I am for the salt blocks also. Enjoy your day, my friend. Time for us to go.”
She makes a soft noise and the fawns run to her, and they immediately disappear within the woods behind the cabin. It’s not any more than two or three minutes later off to the one side I see an orange vest and feel my temper rising. Motherfuckin’ hunters on Thanksgiving, no way are they gonna kill my deer and her family. I storm out of the screen porch, bellowing at the two hunters. When they turn, I immediately stop. My God, they’re starving. I put my hands up as I hear the screen door slam behind me.
“Morning, friends. Can I help ya?”
The older of the two, probably the father, looks to where my deer took off then at me, his shoulders slumping down.
“No, we thought we had the trail of a deer and her two fawns, but looks like we didn’t. Sorry to bother ya, mister.”
Feeling my ol’ lady next to me, I look down to see that look on her face. Oh, here we go, the nurse practitioner in her is gonna come out. I move closer to the two men, hands still out, Grace following.
“Havin’ some tough times? No, not judging, swear to Christ. We’re gettin’ ready to have some breakfast, would ya like to join us? It’s warm in the cabin.”
“Sure would, but left my missus and two daughters back at the campsite. Wouldn’t be right to get warm and eat with them out in the elements. Thank you though.”
As they go to turn, Grace steps in front of me, catching their eyes.
“Why don’t you go and bring them back with you? Please, I’d love for y’all to enjoy a good breakfast. And to add to that, the club my ol’ man belongs to is putting on a huge feast for Thanksgiving, and I’d like to invite all of you.”
The boy looks excitedly at his dad, while the older man runs his hands through his hair.
“I can take you up on the breakfast, ma’am, but my truck broke and we ain’t got a way into town. Appreciate the offer though.”
Grace looks up at me and, yeah, she doesn’t have to say a word.
“Look, go grab your wife, daughters, and all your shit. I’ll run into town, grab one of our vans, and we’ll meet back here. We can eat breakfast then your family can take a minute to warm up and maybe even clean up a bit. No, not that you have to, but I always feel better after a hot shower. That’s the least we can do. Once we get to the clubhouse, I’ll talk to my president as we own a few apartment buildings, let me see if any are empty. If so, if you like, we can put ya up for a bit ‘til you get back on your feet. I’ll have one of the prospects come back with ya tomorrow and tow your truck into town so someone can take a look at it. No, no charge. This is what my club does. Oh, I’m Stitch, by the way, and this beauty next to me is my ol’ lady, Grace.”
As introductions are made, my soul lifts because this is what life is about. Treatin’ others the way you want to be treated. I grew up beyond rough and was abused by my own family and swore I’d never treat another human being like that. Grace clasps my hand as Thoran and Peter turn to go grab their shit and women. We walk hand in hand into the cabin, where Grace stands on her toes, giving me a gentle kiss.
“Thank you, Francis. You never cease to amaze me. Let me see what I have for breakfast since we have a few guests. Might want to put a call out to Brick so he’s aware, and he can tell Emmie about the additional guests.”
Damn, I’m blessed, I think as I go to the screen porch and grab my cell. Poor Brick, he’s gonna have to break it to his ol’ lady that, yeah, I invited even more folks to the dinner. Oh well, the women have been cooking for days, I’m sure we’ll have enough.
****
By the time the homeless family made it back to the cabin, warmed up, had breakfast, and took some showers, we were late heading back to town. Grace shared some clothes with Martha, Thoran’s wife, and even had some clothes for the two girls from a donation she was planning on for the shelter. Peter and Damien were close in size so that worked, and I gave some jeans and a few flannels and sweatshirts to Thoran. They all seemed to be amazed at what we were doing, which I know made my Grace happy. Brick already told me we have a few empty apartments, so he was gonna offer one to the family if Thoran would do some of the chores around the building in return. To me a win-win. We’ll see. Thank God I grabbed our largest passenger van as Thoran is beside me, with Martha and Grace in the middle bench seat with Joey between them. The four kids are split between the last two rows, squeezed in together with the food we’re bringing. My headache is gone and all I can hear is that deer thanking me, it’s almost like it heard Emmie’s request we all come prepared. Shaking my head, I glance in the rearview mirror to see Grace watching me, a small smile on her face. I grin back and pay attention to where I’m going, as we have precious cargo in this beast of a van. I mention to the family about Emmie’s request and Thoran starts to chuckle. I look to him and he explains.
“Funny, Martha does the exact same thing every holiday. No matter how bad it gets, she finds something to be grateful for. We’ll have our thoughts together by then, and thanks, Francis, for the heads-up. Kids, did you hear that, one thing you’re thankful for, okay?”
They all shout out, “Yeah.” As we get closer to the clubhouse, I can’t believe how excited I am. Usually I’m not the people person, some of my brothers are but today seems different. We’ll see.