Page 17 of Bound By Consequences
“Are you looking for Gladys?” an older woman asked, moving down the hall.
“Yes. Do you know where she is?”
“It’s so sweet to see grandkids and great grandkids. She’s down in the poker room.”
I should’ve known my Gladys would be where the action was. She was never one to steer away from it, always being the center of it all. Hell, even bringing it. She was a spitfire, and it was why I was so drawn to her in the first place.
“Thank you.”
Knowing exactly where that room was, we took off, Remy coming back into herself by sitting up and then getting down to walk while holding my finger.
As we passed, several of the residents had their hands up for Remy to give high fives too. She always had a smile on her face doing it, and I’d always wondered what she thought about it, having all of these people who loved seeing her when she visited. One day maybe she’d tell me.
The poker room held three tables, one roulette wheel, and several video poker machines. The residents didn’t win money, though. Instead, they were able to choose different things they wanted to do that were the ‘extras’. Gladys liked her massages considering a very young blond man, Nate, gave them to her. She said he was ‘just so precious.’ Right.
Gladys was sitting at a round table with three other women and a dealer. The dealer was actually a worker here, but she wore a uniform to make the place feel as real as possible. Like I said, ten-star resort.
“Hey,” I announced, coming to the table as Remy took off to Gladys.
“There’s my girls!” Gladys cheered as she tossed her cards down, then turned and wrapped Remy in her arms tightly.
When we left our families over two years ago, I never knew we’d have this extended one. The Ravage MC and Gladys.
I met Gladys in the emergency room about a year ago. It was twisted and jacked up, and you probably wouldn’t believe me if I told you, but I’m going to tell you anyway. Gladys came in with her friend June who was in her late sixties and apparently very sexually active.
June somehow, someway got a condom stuck up inside of her, and she couldn’t get it out.
Gladys told me, “It was because his dick was so scrawny. Couldn’t hold the damn thing on if he tried.” It was that moment that Gladys and I bonded. It was totally messed up, but a great friendship came out of all the laughter.
“And how’s my baby girl doing?” Gladys cooed to Remy.
“Pay!” Remy yelled, and Gladys smiled.
“Sorry, ladies. My little one needs to play. I’ll catch ya on the flipside.” Gladys set Remy down and grabbed her hand, coming toward me. “Looks like we’re off to play.”
“Lead the way.”
Standing behind Remy and Gladys, I wanted to snap a picture it was so perfect. Little Remy holding on to Gladys’ hand all the while looking up at her and smiling. The guilt that burdened me from time to time started rising.
It was the one thing that I hated for my little girl, having biological family. When Katie and I left, we knew there was no going back, and we didn’t want to. It was the family part that we missed. Having everyone around and playing with the younger kids. There was always someone around whenever you needed them, and someone was always bored enough to do what you had planned.
Now, we were on our own and doing great, but I wished my girl had more of a blood family. Don’t get me wrong, Ryker has pulled us into his world with open arms, and we loved it. It was a family of our own choosing. I just hoped that later on Remy didn’t hate me because of the choices I’d made. I did them all for her, and I’d make sure she knew that. When the time was right.
This right here though was precious, and I burned it into my memories, pulling out my phone and taking a discreet shot of the two.
“There ya go.” Gladys grinned, leading Remy into the playground. This home was fantastic. The play area rivaled the most top notch daycare by a mile.
What I loved was the sitting area off to the side which was where Gladys led us. Remy would come up five million times showing us her finds from the area, and we each loved it. She was busy, and we were able to spend time together.
“So, how’s my bigger girl doin’?” It felt good having her call me her girl. While I loved my mother, she wasn’t the loving type and rarely showed any affection. Even something as simple as a pet name. Nothing. She was more of an order-her-children kind of mom. I couldn’t remember a time when she hugged me just because. It had always been in front of someone she was trying to impress.
This small bit from Gladys meant the world, and she didn’t even know.
“Good. Work’s busy. Remy keeps growing like a weed. Katie’s good. Overall…” I shrugged. “Good.”
“You do realize there are more words in the English language than good.”
I smiled. “Yeah, but good is the way I describe it. Tell me how you’re doing.”
