Page 101 of Sugar and Skulls

“Thanks to Katie I’ve had a lot of memories come back to me.”

A creepy smile spreads across his pocked marked face.

“Ah, I’m touched you finally remember me.”

“I remember you coming to my grandparent’s home. The heating and air technician they never called. But, they let you in after you convinced them they should have the heating unit inspected once a year. They were dead the next day.”

Dirk straightens taking a step closer to us. I hold my hand up to stop him. He doesn’t retreat but he doesn’t advance either.

“I also remember how excited Rick was when he was able to buy himself a bike. I remember the man who stopped by the house to pay him for the odd jobs he helped him with. You were pretty chummy. I bet you gave him loads of advice.”

I tap my knife over his groin. He winces but doesn’t miss a beat. “Oh, you know I like it rough, sweetheart,” he says as he grinds his hips up towards me.

Dirk clenches his fists beside me. I dig the knife deeper until I hear the rip of his jeans. Crow screams, “Shit, okay, okay.”

I ease up but I don’t remove it. “And, I remember you sitting in the front pew of the church when I set Father Gabriel on fire.”

He laughs at this. “Oh, I was so proud of you that day.”

“And, then there was Jimmy.” I stand up and walk around him.

My gaze strays to Dirk. His eyes soften. He didn’t know. No one did. Not even me. It wasn’t until I felt safe that I allowed my mind to wander to those dark places I had tried so hard to avoid. Being at the warehouse with my dad, Dirk, Raffe, Dan…the entire club, was the tipping point for me.

This man has wanted to destroy me for so long. It ends today.

“Such great lengths to hurt me. Why? Just to get even with my dad for killing your brother?”

He laughs manically as Dirk grabs a can of gasoline and starts dousing the floor and walls with it. I walk around to face him again.

“I didn’t give a shit about my brother. I did if for your mother. I loved her and she loved me. We were going to run away together. I was going to take her away from all this bullshit. But, then she got fucked up one night and made the mistake of fucking your dad. She got pregnant with your ass. I forgave her, it wasn’t her fault. My brother was always feeding her habit. I knew I needed to get her out of here, away from the drugs.”

Crow stretches his legs out in front of him, still unable to find a comfortable position. “We headed out of town. Our first stop an abortion clinic. But, your dad had us followed. He took her. I looked for her for months. Only after she gave birth did he let her go.” He narrows his eyes on me, spitting blood at my feet before continuing. “If it wouldn’t have been for you he wouldn’t have come for her. He fucking took her away from me because of you.”

He glances away from me. “I was taking her away from the drugs. She could have had a good life. You stole that from her.”

My mother was going to abort me. Wow. I was not expecting that. When my eyes meet Dirk’s, they confirm the horrific truth. He tosses the gas can to the ground and steps out of the car.

I shove my knife back in my boot. The ring on my hand catches my attention, shining black from my anger. I right myself and pull it from my finger. As I toss it back and forth in my palm I think about how much my dad loves me. How much he sacrificed for me.

I glance over my shoulder. The only mood rings I need are starring back at me, encouraging me to be strong. To protect what is mine.

I turn back to Crow. Carefully I set the ring on his leg. He stares at it, recognition crossing his face.

“When you see her in hell, let her know I got all my best qualities from Bill. Tell her to be prepared cause when I get there I’m going to rule that place.” I laugh, backing out of the trailer. When I get to Dirk he hands me his lit cigarette. I take a drag blowing it out as Dirk steps towards the door of the car.

“Wait. Wait. Let’s talk,” Crow pleads, rolling his legs under him so he can crawl to the exit. “I’ll leave town. I’ll leave the state. Hell, I’ll even leave the country.”

“Sorry, Crow. I learned a long time ago I have to protect what’s mine.” I take one finally drag before flicking the cigarette in the car. Flames immediately erupt, matching the ones I painted on the walls and ceiling of the car. “Till next time.” I give him the one finger salute as Dirk slides the door shut, locking it.

We both back away.

Eventually, Crow’s screams fade into the night.

“Let’s go,” Dirk says pulling me away.

“Wait, I want to burn the other one too.”

He stares at me for a moment. When I offer him a small smile he nods, he dumps the last of the gasoline in my car of dreams. I don’t need this one anymore. My dreams have come true. I have a family. I have my dad. I light a smoke and toss it in.

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