Page 116 of Irons

“That son of a bitch in Montana didn’t just attempt to violate my six year old daughter, he beat her mother and had a history of abuse toward women and children. The law gave him chance after chance, and he was constantly set free to abuse innocent children and women over and over again. Don’t judge me when it’s apparent you’ve served our kind of justice.” Clint was still obviously furious. “You should have come to me about Bobby the moment you learned anything about his disappearance.”

Wrenly let out a sarcastic laugh. “Right dad, like he would of come running to you, a cop.”

“Not as a cop.” He turned from looking at his daughter to me. “As the guy that hired and paid for your fucking attorney when you were in trouble. As the guy that was willing to bringyou into my home and raise you as my own son.” He pointed at Paula and kept looking at me. “If she wouldn’t have stepped in Tony’s way and then mine, it would have been done. I would have went to prison myself to protect you. I’ve respected your privacy, taken care of your home, and not once did I give in to that woman’s begging and pleading to learn where you lived. Charlie has done the same, put his marriage on the line because he refused to investigate your whereabouts. You wanted to live an independent life away from these people and this town, and that’s what we gave you. There should have been no question about my loyalty to you.”

I took a step forward. “You’re standing there next to the woman who threw me away like a piece of trash, and a man that was a cop and didn’t step in when he saw I was being neglected. Nobody stepped in to help, nobody gave me anything permanent. Your friendship with my parents spans far longer than I’ve been alive! Who did anything? Who lifted a finger and made me a priority other than Wrenly? Nobody knew where I was supposed to sleep from night to night, hell I didn’t even know. I belonged nowhere and to nobody. All I had was myself and the only one I could trust was your daughter. Not one adult gave me a reason to trust them, sadly enough, not even Tony. Yeah, he was great, but I wasn’t his priority either. So, I’d think you could probably understand why I turned your help away. So please, explain to me how I’m supposed to trust those two? I trust you, Clint. I know you love Wrenly, and she loves me, but do please tell me why I should trust those two.” I pointed at my mother and step father.

“We gave you leverage.” Mother said.

“Yeah, at the possible expense of Clint! What hurts him hurts the person I love most in this world. So no, you didn’t give me leverage, you gave me a reason to protect him.” I pointed atClint. “You know I could never use that evidence if you betray me. I would never do anything to hurt Wrenly, even if it means I have to go to prison or be sentenced to death.”

“We wouldn’t let that happen.” Paula said.

“Really? Because I know an eighteen year old boy that has carried the world on his shoulders all these years. You’ve driven by the house, bought his mom groceries when he was locked up, and Tricia sat by and let it happen.” I pointed at myself. “I’m here now and I’ll do for him what nobody did for me.” I was becoming too emotional and not staying on the subject at hand.

“Just set all that aside for now. We have time to put it all to rest later, because it’s not something that will happen overnight.” Charlie the fucking prick spoke up. “You made a call, Travis, let’s stay focused on that.”

I was too furious to look at them and needed to escape. I quickly stepped outside for some air, and Wrenly walked out behind me. She didn’t say a word, just curled up in my arms and let me hold her as I tried to calm down. I was quickly realizing that my healing was far from complete and all I did was fool myself for years. I couldn’t imagine how Brock felt. He felt the tension of Bobby’s disappearance and he was neglected and forgot about, just like me. He had it so much worse than me while watching our father wilt away and die. I’ll be damned if I let that happen with his mother. I want to be the person that fixes this shit for Brock. I want to be the person that was never there for me when I needed someone.

“We’re taking Emma to Indiana.”

Wrenly froze. “Umm…why and where are we putting her?”

“I shouldn’t have said we were taking her, I should have said I’m taking her. Brock has to work in the morning, and I think I need to pay my step mother a visit. I don’t care if I upset her, she can throw whatever she wants at me if she has a tantrum. It’s time she proves she’s his mother and she cares, at least that’s what Brock will think. If she can be convinced, she will give him power of attorney and let me move her into the assisted living center at the nursing home where Jenny works. Creed’s Lake has a good relationship with the administrator, and they have an apartment available. I’ll pay out of pocket until we can get her in there officially. Medicaid will eventually pay some and if I have to make up any kind of difference I will. The administrator said there are waiver programs through Medicaid for assisted living, but it takes time. They do accept self-pay situations, and they have to do some background checks and such, but they’ll make it work. Patrick is officially settled in at Creed’s Lake, and his apartment above the tavern is available for short term until I can find him a house. It won’t be a free ride, but it is a hand up.”

“You want him to have access to his mom whenever he needs it.” She said.

“I can’t treat this like I’m dealing with an adult man. He is eighteen and I can’t presume leaving Emma behind would be easy for him. If she refuses, I’m worried he will give in to her and pass up this opportunity. This way he’s not choosing to take care of himself and just abandon her back here, because I’m sure that’s what it would feel like for him. He said shame is what keeps her held up in that house. Maybe this is one time where it is best to leave the shame behind for a fresh start.”

“You’re a good man, Travis Irons. The best I’ve ever known.” She got on her tippy toes and pecked my lips.

“I’m not on the outs with your dad, but I do need some space to breathe. I think I’m going to get a hotel in Tulsa tonight. I have to fetch Magnus from the airport in the morning anyway.” I needed a better night’s sleep, and I wouldn’t get that at Clint’s. Wrenly and I were both shocked at what we learned about him. I had a lot on my mind, and I needed time to let it absorb.

“Are you upset with me, or can I come with you?” She looked a tad panicked.

“I’m not upset with you and you’re more than welcome to join me, but I presumed you were here to visit your family and wouldn’t want to leave them.”

She gave me the sweetest smile. “I’d rather be with you, plus getting a hotel doesn’t mean our visit is over. We’ll still have plenty of time to visit.” She pecked my lips again. “I only ask one thing of you.”

There she was, comforting me, and I wasn’t the only one that was shocked with information today. “What’s that?”

“Don’t try to do this on your own. Let me in to help you, Travis. If we are going to make this work with us, we have to be a team. We’re in this together. Let me take half the burden.”

Unscripted

Wrenly

Like most things in life, there is no script. No handbook, nobody to swoop in and twirl a magic wand. Nobody to come and take the ache from my heart. My father, the man that preached to me to always obey rules and the law, was living a double life. He has taken lives, risked his own freedom and the lives of not just me, but Heather and Jacob as well.

I knew cops weren’t paid well, they were public servants after all. Growing up I never questioned how I had the latest fashion, the latest cell phone, the car he bought me, or the vacations. I just thought, like most kids do, that my dad had a very intelligent way of handling his finances. Plus, Heather was a flight attendant and got discounts on travel, but the trips were very expensive despite the free flights. Did Heather not question it?

I was scared for my father. He didn’t have the protections in place that we had at Creed’s Lake. If he was ever investigated, he would face several life sentences, if not the death penalty.

Travis was right in everything he said. Tony, Tricia, or his grandparents could have filed for custody. My dad could have filed for custody well before Travis was arrested. Anyone could have called child protection services. And what the hell was upwith Tricia? Why did she sit back and let this happen to both of her nephews?

I wasn’t sure why Magnus was flying out to meet us, but I figured I’d find out as soon as we stepped back inside. Travis opened the door and allowed me to step in first. I stood with my arms crossed in front of me while Travis stood with his hands on his hips.

“An associate is taking the first flight out here tomorrow. We will need access to your files, a chance to check out your clubhouse, and for you to virtually attend a meeting with our board, which we call the Originals. It’s those of us that served in Delta Force together and founded Creed’s Lake. It will be full disclosure on your part if you want a partnership or an alliance of any kind with Creed’s Lake.”

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