Page 39 of Seamus: Unconventional
I nod and sit on the table so he can get at both of Vinny’s knees. I feel him before I see him. “Thanks, Mucimi. He’s calmer but not okay yet.” Looking up, I see his tears and look away.
“He will be. Mark had some words for Leon. Mase will get him here, I’m close but can’t stay.”
I nod. He did this for one of the meets with the boys and Leon. I feel his heat running through me but he’s gone when I look up.
Kristos’ eyes catch my eyes. “He calms us all. He’s got Natalia too.” That breath he takes shows how unsettled he was or is. It didn’t show but his eyes are rolling colors fast.“I’m still unsettled but calmer.”
The Blackhawks agree, I nod my agreement and Shadow chuffs. “Is Fairy with Mark?”
I get a yes in the chip while Shadow chuffs again. “Good. She’s good at catching his emotion. You okay, Brother?”
I see the pain but get a yes. He’s worried about Vinny and Mark. I am too but we’re all here to help.
“All set. I put a bandaid on his elbow but it stopped bleeding. I’m guessing Mucimi will have his cuts scars in a minute or two.”
I smile. “I won’t bet against it. You with us, Vinny?”
He leans back showing me his red face and swollen eyes. “He died, Seamus. He only got to be our dad for two years.” He’s back to crying so I go back to holding him tight.
“He told me it was the best years of his life. He got to teach you all the things he couldn’t do with his boy. He worked so much he said he hardly saw his boy but he saw you every day. He was honored you chose him, Vinny. He said you taught him how to live again.”
“I did?” He lifts his shirt up to clean his nose. It’s gross to see but I remember doing the same thing when I was a wee boy.
“You and Mark both did. My uncle told me I did the same for him. His wife died and he just lived. He said he didn’t care about much. He worked and lived with nothing that ever pulled him back into the world. When I needed him, he felt it, he had someone to take care of. He said it took a year before he realized I pulled him back. We were at the Highland Games at the time. The man loved me but was daft.”
Kristos and the Blackhawk boys laugh. I shrug. “Leon said it was like that for him. You pulled him back in.”
He nods without the tears and looks around. Moving for Kristos, I let him go and breathe deep while Kristos takes over.
Wápáyu makes me smile. “Me too. I’m going to make drinks.”
I watch Shadow follow him to the kitchen. “No spiking them,” I say more to Shadow than Wápáyu but the boy laughs.
“Fruit is all we’re allowed to add.”
I shrug at Ôkatuq. “I’d have tried for spirits.”
His eyes get huge.
“Alcohol, not ancestors.” Mase laughs with Mark on his back.
I take the older boy and hug him. “We take steps together. If it’s yours it’s ours.”
He nods. “I know. I didn’t expect it but Justice said we never do. I thanked him. I’ll thank him every day for the rest of my life.”
I tighten my hold. “We all will. He’s a big part of you and should always be remembered for those steps he walked with you. I don’t know what I would have done without my uncle. Every day, I thank him for getting me here.”
He nods and loosens his hold on me so I set him down. “I’m going to do that. We can still do the spirit party?”
I smile. “I’m Indian and love the tradition. I didn’t know about spirit parties until I got here but it’s part of me now.”
We all turn to Shadow and the bark. I roll my eyes. “Fine part of all of us. He’s not Indian but we’ll pretend he is.”
They all laugh. This is good. Christ. I breathe deep. RIP Brother.
***
Honor Club
