Page 27 of Wildcat

“Your ol’ man? Since when does Wildcat have an old man, and who the fuck is it…wait, I’m slow today. Do you mean Malcolm, Shadow? Holy shit, how—no—when did this happen?”

“About give or take fifteen plus years ago. Yeah, we’re a work in progress and big mouth over there hasn’t given me a chance to share.”

This starts another conversation, so by the time I answer all the questions it’s another thirty or so minutes. When everyone gets up to leave, Tink asks me to hang back for a minute. When they are all gone, she motions for me to come closer.

“I knew from the moment I saw the two of you together the end result is what I just heard. So after much thought and some talking it over with Noodles, knew that I had to find a way to keep the both of you here where you belong. Sorry, Wildcat, but your home isn’t New York anymore, it’s here at the ranch. And no, I didn’t push Dr. Cora out. That door just closed a bit and then opened for Malcolm. We’ve not asked him yet and not sure he’ll be interested. Time will tell. Know this, sister, no matter where you go or what you do, this will always be home. And your folks, sisters, and brother are welcome anytime. My job as your president, and more importantly your sister, is to take care of you and that’s what I’m trying to do. Please don’t take offense.”

I don’t say a word, just stand up and pull her into me, hugging her tightly. They broke the mold when God made her. And this world is a luckier place because she’s in it. After a bit we separate, then I smile before I turn and head toward where the intake is going on. I grab my phone and tell Malcolm to meet me at the first bunkhouse whenever he can get there. Also tell him to let my folks know I’ll be busy most of the day. Then I take the rest of the walk to get my head in the right place to help these women face a new day. The first one in their new lives.

TWENTY-FIVE

‘MALCOLM’

MALTY

If someone would have told me years ago this would be my life, I would have cracked up. But here I am on a ranch in Montana. Nope, haven’t gotten on a horse yet, which is pissing both Panther and Avalanche off. Oh well, can’t be perfect all the time.

Those two men are quickly becoming my friends. With that word in my head, it brings to mind another friend I used to have, or so I thought. I never knew how messed up Michael was. When Frankie told me we got the okay to speak to him semi-privately, it actually scared me, but I did it and I’m glad I did. It kind of gave me closure.

He wasn’t really thrilled about it, especially with Shadow and Rebel in the room, but true to their words they sat in the farthest corner on their phones unless he acted like an asshole. And he did a few times but after his last toenail was pulled out, he kinda mellowed out. Frankie didn’t ask him anything, though he spewed all kinds of shit her way until I screamed stop. Then I asked the one question I needed an answer to.

“Why?”

His head jerks back. They have him tied arms, legs, hands, and feet to a chair. He is in nothing but his boxer briefs. His body is covered in bruises—some old, some new. You can tell which are which by the coloring. His lip is split and one eye is black and blue. Some of his fingers are broken and I’m sure he has internal issues also. I don’t ask anything about that. I want to know why. And what he shares knocks me on my ass.

“What do you mean why, Malcolm? Are you trying to tell me you don’t know? Come on, after all of this and the years we’ve been together.”

Whoa wait, the years we’ve been together? What the fuck, he’s talking like a past lover of mine. Then it hits me like a frying pan to the head. He doesn’t give me a chance as he keeps babbling.

“You never truly noticed me. The real me, Malcolm. Let me refresh your memory ‘friend.’ I think it was eighth grade or ninth, not sure. That party we went to where they had whiskey and weed. We tried both together. Got totally wasted and ended up downstairs on the couch. You put your hand on my thigh while we were talking and I just knew then. So I got on my knees opened your jeans and grabbed your cock. I’d never done it before, even if it was my best fantasy. I took your cock and licked it before I sucked it into my mouth. You didn’t stop me or even push me away. You let me give you a blow job and right before the big finish, just as you were shooting your cum down my throat, you destroyed me when you whispered, ‘Yeah, Frankie, just like that. Take it, Beautiful, take all of me.’ When you reached out the next day to talk about it, letting me know that though it happened you were drunk and high but it wouldn’t ever again, and you didn’t want it to become a problem between us. You then told me how Frankie was the one for you and you were sorry about what happened. I laughed it off and even told you that she didn’t need to know because it was a one and done. We continued our friendship, or that’s what I let you think. Years, Malcolm, I waited, planned, did whatever I had to. Made connections with the worst of the worst, sucked so many dicks I lost count. Even let the freak Dario fuck me up the ass. It helped me plan that day. The day I’d dreamed about forever.

“Joey and Gerald were losers of Dario’s but did whatever I told them for drugs. Buck was a redneck who didn’t particularly like takin’ orders from someone of my skin color, if you know what I mean. Frankie, bet he’s burning in hell fuming that a woman of mixed heritage took him out. Didn’t think it would go down the way it did. I wanted you to know it was me, Malcolm, but by the time I arrived you were beat to hell, almost dead because those stupid fuckers were high and lost control. That didn’t stop me. I’d waited my entire life for that moment. Gerald ripped your pants down and I finally found Heaven on earth. When that bitch opened the door, I saw the cherry on the sundae, so to speak. Told Joey to grab her and keep her in the house. I enjoyed you thoroughly, Malcolm, because I knew it was gonna have to last me the rest of my life. You bitch, it was all about doing the most damage I possibly could. After I finished, I grabbed that vase and gave it my all. To my surprise you not only survived but recovered, while Malcolm here suffered through multiple surgeries and shit bags. And I was there to get him over every setback. Now let me guess, you two are back together. The Malcolm/Frankie show is taking prime time and I sit here while that other crazy as fuck bitch ends my life. Yeah, I know where this is going, not stupid. Hope I gave you what you needed to hear, Malcolm, to move on with your life and forget me.”

Michael smirks at me while I’m trying to process what he just said. I move closer and Shadow jumps up, moving right off to my side. She gives me a look I’ll never forget.

“You stupid motherfucker. I loved you like my own brother. I took you in, cared for you. Fuck, yeah, we had a moment when we were kids. Michael, most people experiment in their lives to figure out who they are supposed to be. Why didn’t you just come and talk to me? No, I wouldn’t have changed my mind but we could have tried to work it out. You wasted your life for nothing. I feel sorry for you, Michael. Wasting your entire life in anger, wanting revenge because of a demented dream you tried to force on me. My God, man, you could have had the world at your feet. Instead, you’re facing imminent death by the hands of another person you’ve fucked over. Thanks for the honesty and closure, brother. I’d wish you well, but it doesn’t even matter.”

“Malcolm, don’t leave me. Come on, we can get over this. Don’t leave, motherfucker. I did it all for you.”

Standing, I walk over to where my once best friend is tied to a chair. I lean down and whisper in his ear.

“I loved you, Michael. Wanted you to be my best man at my wedding, godfather to my children. Grow old, drinking beer, watching the games on a huge screen television. No, what’s happening is all on you.”

Then I walk out of the room with tears running down my face as I start to mourn my best friend.

The next morning at five, Frankie’s phone rings. She reaches for it and answers. In less than five seconds she looks at me then says, “Yeah, we’ll be there in a few. Thanks, sister.”

Then she pulls me close and whispers, “It’s time.”

Together we get up and get dressed. When I tell Frankie I need a minute or two she goes to make us some coffee. I shut the bathroom door, sit on the toilet, and let all the sorrow I’m feeling out. My God, how am I supposed to watch the one person besides Frankie I thought would always have my back die? Like I told Michael yesterday, be the godfather to my kids, if I had them, my best man at my wedding first. Fuck, it’s tearing my heart out. When I open the door, I actually scream like a little girl. Panther and Avalanche are both sitting on the bed. They stand when I come out. Panther comes toward me, putting his hands on my shoulders.

“We’re here for ya, brother. Been in touch with Zoey throughout the night and just so you know, it’s killing her. Rebel has done most of it because Zoey thinks you’re going to hate her. No matter how badass she tries to play, she has a tender heart. What do you need, Malcolm?”

“I need this shit done and behind us. What I want is to have the person I thought was my best friend back and not being about to hold hands when he dies. This is what I have, so guess just going to do my best.”

They start for the kitchen with me behind them. I stop dead in my tracks when I see Billie and Enzo sitting at the counter. When she sees me, Billie immediately walks to me, pulling me close, telling me she’s here for me. That they are my family. Son of a bitch. Enzo is right behind her and when he pulls me close, that’s it. My shoulders start to shake and he just holds on to me tighter. When I feel like I can function, I pull away. Frankie is right there when her dad moves away from me.

Avalanche comes toward me with a huge feather and a bunch of something burning. When I look to Frankie, her eyes are on the big man. I’m guessing this is something important from the way she’s watching him.

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