Page 35 of Kipp

‘My darling, sweet boy,’ Kipp said, cupping Dale’s face. ‘I’m so sorry you had to experience this. No one should be put through what that sonofabitch did to you. And also not what he’s trying to do to you now either.’

Kipp could see that while Dale was comforted by his words, there was something else on his mind too. And without wanting to push too hard, Kipp knew that he needed to know. If there was anything else in this story, he needed to hear it.

‘You can talk to me,’ Kipp said. ‘No matter how big or small an issue. I’ve got your back. I’m your Daddy, and I’ll never judge you.’

Kipp could see that Dale wanted to talk.

But there was something holding him back.

‘Okay, how about you put your face close to my chest,’ Kipp said, gently guiding Dale up close once more. ‘Just talk to my heart. I’ll hear you. Let it all out.’

‘Okay, Daddy, it’s just…’ Dale said, his voice soft and with a hint of fearfulness to it.

Dale went on to explain that Benson said he owed him money. And that he was charging interest on the debt and making threats. The truth was that Dale did technically owe him a little, something like fifty bucks. But as Dale needed to run away from him, he never got the chance to give him the money – even though in truth, Dale couldn’t actually remember how or why he owed it.

‘I feel ashamed,’ Dale said. ‘Please don’t think I’m a thief or dishonest. It’s not like that, it really isn’t, Daddy.’

‘I know it’s not,’ Kipp replied, giving Dale a reassuring hug. ‘This asshole is holding this so called debt over your head. It’s not fair. No real man would do that. And something tells me that you don’t owe him a cent. I know how men like this operate. They look for manipulations, schemes, anything they can to get control. But don’t worry, I’m on it. This motherfucker won’t know what hit him.’

Kipp thought back to the wisdom of his Uncle Joe.

While Uncle Joe did believe in peaceful resolutions where possible, he was also an old school realist too. Sometimes harsh words needed to be uttered. And on rare occasions, a degree of physical edge could be applied too.

Kipp wasn’t going to fall into the same trap his brother walked into. This wouldn’t become a blood feud. But Kipp was going to do whatever it took to put Benson out of his sweet Dale’s life for good.

The only question was precisely how Kipp would do it.

It would need to be quick, to the point, and final.

And Kipp knew that he couldn’t give Benson a single inch to wriggle and worm his way out. It might be brutal, but Kipp knew that this was very much a one-and-done situation.

But rather than dwell on how to resolve everything, Kipp knew that he had more pressing matters to attend to. He had a sad young man who needed cheering up. And there was only one way to do it.

‘Come on baby boy,’ Kipp said. ‘Works out early today. We’re heading to The Tap House. And we’ve got something to celebrate.’

‘What’s that, Daddy?’ Dale asked, a look of innocence and hope in his eyes.

‘This is the beginning of the end for Benson,’ Kipp replied, a knowing look in his eyes. ‘And once he’s gone, it’ll be just you and me, kid. Now tell me that ain’t a future to look forward to and celebrate?’

Dale smiled and buried his head once more in Kipp’s powerful chest.

Kipp knew that there could yet be a bump in the road ahead, but for the time being at least it was time to help his darling boy relax. And if an hour at The Tap House couldn’t do it, then nowhere could!

The Tap House was getting a little busier for its lunch time period and as soon as Kipp and Dale stepped inside, they were greeted by the always welcoming embrace of Trey.

‘Friends, this is an unexpected surprise,’ Trey said, flashing his charismatic smile. ‘But I certainly ain’t complaining. Let me guess… one beer and one mocktail?’

‘I think let’s make it a whisky and a real cocktail this time,’ Kipp replied, exchanging a look with Trey that made it clear that something had gone down.

‘Of course,’ Trey nodded in response. ‘Take a seat, I’ll bring them right over.’

As Kipp and Dale took their seats, Kipp waved over toward Axel who had stopped in for a customary lunchtime drink. Chopping trees was thirsty work, that was for sure. And knowing Axel, he was already planning his evening return to The Tap House once his afternoon’s work was done.

There was a friendly vibe all around them, and Kipp could see that Dale was slowly relaxing back toward his normal, carefree state of mind. The cocktail helped too, and Kipp was happy that his boy was seemingly able to take his mind off the unspeakably awful Benson.

‘So… feeling a bit better now?’ Kipp asked, reaching over and placing his hand on Dale’s. ‘I can’t imagine how tough that must have been.’

‘It was bad, but I’m so happy I told you now,’ Dale said. ‘I feel silly for not saying it in the first place. I just didn’t want you to think any less of me.’

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