Page 22 of Ask Your Mom If I'm Real

“When my dad and granddad were fighting,” she said out of the blue, “my mom said that Dixie helped convince my dad and granddad not to fight anymore.”

“I actually remember hearing about their feud when I was younger,” I said. “I remember going to the club parties and watching as everyone else had their families around but Silas. Grandpa used to say that it was sad that someone that loved like Silas didn’t have anyone to love him back. That’s why he was such a part of mine and my family’s lives. Because Grandpa felt like Silas needed someone.”

“I’m glad that Dixie gave my granddad that,” she said into my chest. “What’s your best memory about Dixie?”

Chapter

Twelve

I don’t know what to say except it’s Christmas and we’re all in misery.

—T-shirt

BAYOU

Past

“What’s this?” I asked as I stared at the bike in the yard.

“I know that your dad pretty much forbid you from having a bike,” Grandpa said. “But I don’t think that’s fair. He said that if you could pay for it on your own, you could have it. Well, I’m of the mind that if I have the money, I can share it any way I want to. And I want you to have this bike.”

“Dad will flip,” I admitted, excitement rising in my belly.

“Your dad will get over it,” he said. “And it’s not like I’m giving you something that you’re going to be able to just ride out today. You’ll have to fix it up.”

I looked at the bike.

It was a Harley Sportster.

I’d wanted one since I could remember.

And Grandpa had found it for me.

And bought it for me.

Oh, and pretty much gave the middle finger to my dad.

I loved my grandfather.

“What do we do first?” I asked.

“First we get it off the trailer together, because I’m not as young as I used to be, and I might or might not have strained a muscle getting it on there by myself,” he admitted.

I chuckled, and together we got it off the trailer and into his shop.

The moment it was under the harsh fluorescent lights of the shop, my heart started to pound.

I could see it now.

Shiny chrome handlebars, black, shiny paint, brand-new tires. Orange emblems.

“It definitely has potential,” Grandpa said. “Unfortunately for you, I’ll work on this on the weekends when I’m not at work. If you want to work on it when I’m not here, you’re more than welcome.”

“I feel like I’ll probably mess up more than I fix,” I grumbled.

“Bayou, you’ve been at my side with Hoax since you were six. I think that you know more than anyone other than Hoax would know what to do.” He chuckled. “Believe in yourself.”

“It’s hard to believe in yourself when you’re as fucked up as I am,” I grumbled.

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