Page 14 of Ranger's Rise
“I’ll ask him tonight and let you know tomorrow...”
Anton stops Ranger. “Chat, Boss.”
Web laughs and Ranger looks at me. “I think he wants you to call Cort.”
“Chat.” Anton sits in between Ranger and Mounty and hits his leg. “Phone.”
Ranger hands it over and I’m laughing. Anton types and Web looks at us with a big smile. “They’re comfortable with you. I need help. They want to learn martial arts, cooking and a couple want to train like the Brothers. Doc is helping Alta with sports medicine, butAlder and Asa want to be EMTs like Patcher.With the Ms and Js, I can’t be everywhere at once. I have more coming. The Rs will be here by the end of the month. They’re seven.”
My eyes are burning, but I ask, “How many more are coming here?”
“Thirteen more that we know of. Falcon may add a few more. The As are good about helping and they’re more vocal than before the Ms got here. They’re more comfortable talking through computers than in person, but they’re learning. Maddox and Marco talk to us using the chat or text. Mateo and Mario talk to them the same way, but not us yet. Juan, José and Jacques speak Spanish and French but haven’t talked yet. They do understand English. Akai tested them with a program I used for the As when I first got them. They all know other languages but understand English.”
I nod wondering who the fuck would do this to kids. According to Doc, they grew up in a lab and don’t know how to interact with anyone outside the kids in that lab. They were all separated. I’m glad Web has them talking to each other at least or trying to. “I can do a morning martial arts class and give you some time on a weekend night.”
Web nods. “Thank you, if you get me the time, I can clear their schedules for the class. The weekend night I don’t really need right now. I only go to the Clubhouse and the As are good with the others. Patcher took Saturdays when the Js got here.”
“I got training and can do three classes a week. I’ll send you the times so you can schedule them. Amos will be pissed if you let anyone else teach them cooking.”
Web laughs. “I’ll ask him. Thanks, Brother.”
“I will train,” Akai says.
Web nods. “Get a list of martial arts, training with the Brothers and cooking. I’ll make a schedule for everyone to learn the things they want.”
“Ride,” Amal says.
Web laughs. “Put riding on it too, Akai.”
“They can go out?” Falcon asks.
“The As can, a couple at a time, but the Ms and Js can’t yet.”
What? “You’re hidden?”
Falcon looks at me. “Shielded. Web and the kids. The Club covers them and keeps them safe.”
“Pres has our back,” Anton says in that measured cadence.I smile at that. He gives the phone back to Ranger and hits the screen with his finger.
Ranger laughs. “He does, Little Brother. He’ll go up with us on Wednesday. He’s getting gear for Anton, Akai and Amal. He said to text him if he needs more.” He looks up from his phone to Web. “I can take a couple at a time out. Tuesday nights and Saturdays nine to twelve. I can be here Saturdays after that until three. I’ll train for Aerial at the same time I do the Brothers. That would be our normal shifts. During the week if you need me, just call.”
“When I get back, I’ll give you some time, Brother,” Falcon says.
Doc laughs. “This is good. They need more people to interact with and Web will need time.”
While they talk, I move over to the Js and watch from behind. They’re typing code, but I have no idea what it says. “Work. Happy.” I think this is Aris.
“They look happy to be working.” I agree with him.
“I train, Boss Freedom.”
I smile down at his hopeful face. “I’d be proud to have you in my class.”
He looks down. “Happy.”
“I am too.” Bending, I wait for Jacques to look my way. “Get better, Jacques. I’d be happy to see you in my class too.” I use French and see his smile. This poor kid is tiny but cute.
“Jacques,heureux.”
