Page 122 of Irons

“I’m sorry I wasn’t around to help you and Brock. I was ashamed of my past and I let that keep me from coming home. I’m here now though, I want to be the stepson you deserve.” I lied again. I couldn’t care less about her, it was about Brock and only Brock.

“Why now? You’re late.” She said.

“I was in the war, then I was special ops, and I didn’t know about you or Brock. Nobody told me about dad, and I’m sorry. I’m here to do what he should have done years ago. I need to make sure you’re taken care of, you and Brock. I owe it to him.” I was on a roll with the lies. I didn’t owe my dad shit.

“How exactly do you think you can help?” She didn’t trust me yet.

“I know Brock was in some trouble over the summer. I’ve come into some money, and I can get you out of this town and away from everyone that has hurt you. Brock trusts me, I just need you to trust me too.”

“You look like Tony.” She said and that surprised me. “He was a good man.”

I Was surprised she didn’t say Robert, but nodded as I stood there with my hands up. “Tony brought me up, he taught me how to be a good man. I’m not perfect, I’ve made mistakes, but I’d like to make things right for you and my brother. I’ve heard you don’t like me much, but I never had a mother to guide me. Tony did what he could, but Paula couldn’t have cared less. I can give you and Brock a better life, if you would just give me a chance.”

“Paula neglected you.” She spoke softly.

I nodded so she could see me. “Nothing hurts more than to be neglected by the person you love more than anyone.”

“Your father was a good man.” She was delirious. The fucker gave her a slow death.

“When good men hurt they make mistakes. I know he didn’t mean to hurt me.”

She stepped out to where I could see her better and Jesus Christ, she looked like something from a horror film. Her lips were so dry they were chapped, she had sores on her face, and her hair had more gray than any woman I ever saw in her forties. From what I could tell, she was wearing one of my grandmother's moo moo nightgowns and she had bare feet.

“How do I know you’re not here to take my house, maybe throw me out on the streets to die alone?” She was ringing her hands like she was nervous.

“I don’t own this house or have any rights to it, but I do own a bike shop. Your son is a genius with cars, and I’d like to expand into restoration of old cars. I’ll pay him well, but I don’t just want to give him a better job. I want to give you a better lifeas well. One away from everyone that has hurt you. A fresh start, a new and good life.”

She took a step down. “How am I supposed to trust you?”

I was never a manipulator, Magnus was better with women than me. Shit, how could I prove it?

“Name anything you want, and I’ll send my girlfriend out to get it. You tell me what it would take.”

She took another step down and to say I was creeped out would be an understatement.

“You say you have a job for my son?” She took another step down.

“Not one that would take him away from you. It’s one that would benefit the both of you. I mean, it’s away from this town, but it’s not meant to take him away. I want to bring you both home with me.”

She took another step down. “He told me last night that he was leaving me. You’re trying to put me in a home.” She said.

Oh shit!

“Not a home, an apartment. Not here in Oklahoma either. I haven’t told Brock I’ve lined something up for both of you in Indiana.” I stepped back as she came closer.

“In Indiana.” She said.

I nodded. “Yes, in Indiana.”

Suddenly I could smell rotting flesh and almost vomited.

“You want me to leave my family and live in a skilled care facility.” Her eyes were narrowed on me. Holy shit, I was fucking special ops and feeling like a scared teenager in a 1980’s B-rated horror film.

“No, an assisted living center where people only come to help you if you call them. You’d have your own apartment and all the privacy you need.” I wasn’t sure being honest with her was the right move but I sure as hell took several steps away when she made it to the bottom of the stairs.

“Away from my parents, siblings, and my annoying nephew?”

Holy fuck she needed a shower. It took all I had not to vomit.

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