Page 7 of Rocky

“Rocky Colten Rush, you know damn well we raised you better than that. That was no way to talk to a lady.”

“Nani, did you hear the story? She was rude to me first and put her hands on me. How was I supposed to respond?”

“Like the gentleman we raised you to be.”

“Come on, Nani. You know I struggle with all that gentleman stuff. Tell her GP.”

My grandfather chuckled. “He’s definitely no gentleman. Have you seen how he handles women?”

“Well, he didn’t learn that from you.”

“Nani, women these days are nothing like you, so they don’t get the same respect and treatment a woman like you would.”

“That might be true, but I’m not buying that with this situation. That woman clearly has a fear of motorcycles, and seeing that her son had just been riding with a virtual stranger scared her.”

“But she signed the permission slip and?—”

“It doesn’t matter. Based on her reaction, you should have gathered that she didn’t know what she’d signed. Your response shouldn’t have been to make her feel irresponsible.”

“I didn’t try to make her feel irresponsible. I simply pointed out?—”

“No, that’s petty or whatever you young people call it. She was scared, and you didn’t make her feel any better. You know you were wrong, or you wouldn’t still be thinking about it.”

Nani was right, but Rue’s feisty attitude threw me for a loop. I didn’t like that shit, but I was also intrigued by it.

“I guess you’re right.”

“You know I am. You need to apologize the next time you see her.”

My grandfather remained silent but nodded his head in agreement. He rarely said much, but I could always tell where he stood. I wasn’t sure if I’d see Rue tomorrow, but if I did, I’d be sure to take my grandmother’s advice.

“Shit!”

The flower shop had just opened for business. I looked out the window and saw Deacon approaching. I shouldn’t have been surprised by his visit after the conversation we had yesterday. His number was still blocked, and there was no telling how many texts and voicemails he’d attempted to send.

“What do you want, Deacon?” I asked before he could greet me.

“I can’t come and see my baby mama?”

“I’d rather you didn’t, but your son hasn’t seen you in two months.”

“I tried to see him yesterday, but he wasn’t where he was supposed to be. I spoke with the lady who runs the center, and she said he can come back.”

“He’s not going back to that center. You didn’t hold up your end of the bargain, and?—”

“Fuck that!” he shouted, slamming his fist on the counter, causing me to jump. “He’s my damn son, and he goes where the fuck I say he goes.”

“He’s not going?—”

Before I could finish my sentence, Deacon had reached across the counter and grabbed my neck.

“Do you need a reminder of how this works?”

“Let me go!” I gasped as his hand tightened around my neck.

I used one hand to try to pry his from my neck while the other held a pen. I swung it toward his face, and it made contact with the corner of his eye, causing him to release me.

“Fuck!” he shouted, covering his eye.

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