Page 88 of Pigeon

“Let me do the honors, partner,” Livi says after she hugs James and holds up the sewing kit.

“You voted for him, didn’t you?” Ivy asks me when I put an arm around her shoulders.

“Of course. Was afraid if I didn’t, he’d go through with the body cavity search he threatened me with before,” I answer and laugh when Ivy’s eyes go wide. “I’ll explain that later.”

We grab a drink and raise our glass to James, toasting his new status. Tossing my drink back, I take the seat next to Ivy, pull her body into mine and look around the room. Everyone that’s important to me is in this room except for one.

Chubs’ absence has affected our club in a fundamental way. He was always the heart and soul of The Devil’s Angels, and he’s sorely missed. His loss is like having a death within the club. We’re all going through the steps of grief like denial and anger, but I don’t know of a single person here that’s reached the acceptance part. Not sure that will ever happen, even if he never returns.

Looking over at Lucy, my heart breaks for the tiny woman. If Chubs being out of our lives is this hard, I can’t imagine how she’s still standing. We’ve kept her close, even when she didn’t want any of us around, and we’ll always do that for her. She’s earned our love and loyalty all on her own, even without Chubs at her side, and that will never end. Even so, we’re a sad replacement for what she had with Chubs. Still not sure I believe God’s ever heard my prayers before, I send up another one hoping he’ll listen since it’s about the best one of us.

“Please, God, hear my words. Bring Chubs back to Lucy, back to us, safely. He’s needed here.”

The End

Epilogue

“Your room is ready, Mr. Johnson. Second floor, turn right at the top of the stairs,” the clerk says while handing me a set of door keys.

“Thank you.”

Taking the keys, I make my way up the outside stairs to another nondescript motel room on the outskirts of the city. Rundown, depressed area, I won’t be noticed because nothing about my clothes or car stands out. I’ve become adept at fitting in wherever I am, chameleon-like. If you look like the others around you, it’s easy to blend in.

Setting my duffle bag on the floor and food bags on the foot of the bed, I strip down to my boxers before I look out the window to study the parking lot. I always memorize the lay of the land, wherever I’m staying. Taking a moment to check all avenues for an escape or attack, I move to take a seat on the bed. Leaning my back against the headboard, I flip on the TV and listen idly as I open the take-out food bags. It’s been hours since I ate anything substantial, and I’m starving.

After eating and licking my fingers clean, I take a shower and pull-on clean boxers. Returning to the bed, my interest is piqued at the news story coming from the TV.

“Seven men were found dead today. The bodies were badly beaten and mutilated, and identification hasn’t been made as of yet. According to a source from the police department, the men were not killed at this location but were dumped there. Identifying them may be difficult since fingers, teeth, other parts of the bodies are missing. The police are not, at this time, looking at this as the work of a serial killer but rather a deal-gone-bad type situation,” the news anchor says.

“Sounds gruesome,” states the other news anchor while giving a fake shudder.

“Genitals were all missing too, so yes, very gruesome,” responds the first news anchor. “We’ll keep following this story and will report any new updates as soon as we have them.”

I grin because I know who those seven men were. Good riddance, the world’s a better place with them no longer a part of it. I pick up my burner phone from the nightstand when it rings. Answering, I don’t have to look to see who the caller is since only one person has this number.

“You have a hand in that? What’s on the news?” the voice on the other end asks.

“Played a small part,” I answer and jealously listen to the sound of a potato chip bag being opened.

“Are you close yet?” my brother questions.

“Yeah. I’ll be busy for a few days, so if you don’t hear from me, don’t worry.”

“Aria’s worried about what’s been happening around here, but Mom’s solid. Aria may never forgive you. You know that, right?” my brother asks with concern in his voice.

“I know. I can’t change the past, so I’ll have to deal with it if she doesn’t,” I answer in a low voice.

“Deal with it? As close as you two were? You were inseparable! I think you’re underestimating her capacity for anger and the resentment she’ll feel at being left in the dark,” my brother warns. “She mourned your death, brother. We all did, but it nearly killed her. She hasn’t been the same since, and now to find out you were never dead?” my brother trails off.

Aria has been my biggest regret, and knowing it changed her kills a part of me for real this time. Life is all about the choices you make, but I had few to choose from. Aria got caught in the crossfire, as did my mom and brother, and I’ve never stopped regretting that fact.

“I just hope we’re all alive in the end to argue about who was right and who was wrong,” I say.

“Yeah, me too. I’ve got to go. Talk later, brother,” my brother says before disconnecting.

Setting my phone down, I think of the challenges I’m facing in the next few days. I have to survive them because I have more life to live, far away from my current location. I have a lot of people to explain my decisions to and to beg for forgiveness from. One in particular, and that’s the one person who deserves everything I’ve got to give.

Standing, I pull on my jeans and hoodie, pulling it up to cover my head, grab the hotel keys and my wallet. Opening the door, I carefully search the parking lot for threats. Seeing none, I hustle down the stairs and to the vending machines I saw tucked into a corner under the balcony. Pulling cash from my wallet, I start the long process of buying enough snacks for a day or two.

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