Page 18 of Joker's Ghost
Derek and I park our bikes at the side of the garage, lower our kickstands, and he falls in step with me. “You know, I was thinking since I’m too old for the kid’s Halloween party, I could go later on to the adult party.”
I shoot him a look. “We already discussed this last week, and the answer is still no.”
“Yeah, but it’s not fair. Everybody’s got something to do but me. It’s like I’m lost in the middle.”
“I said you could meet up with your friends tonight.”
“The shit they wanna do is so lame. A big night to them is papering some houses and staying out after midnight.”
“And that’s not enough for you?”
Might as well test the kid and see what he says.
“C’mon, Dad, it’s not like I don’t know what goes on at The Gold Mine.”
Although I’ve done my best to keep Derek separate from my club life, he was born into it and has definitely seen and heard things. Just like any teen, he’s curious.
“When you’re twenty-one is soon enough.”
“You always say that, but now is the time I should be coming to club parties.” He presses further. “It’s not fair.”
“You came to the Fourth of July party.”
“Right, in the afternoon, and then you made me take Deana home before the real fun started.” He stops walking, and we face each other. “You told me yourself you prospected at seventeen and patched in at nineteen. That’s how old I am now.”
That’s what I get for telling the kid too much about my early life. It always comes back to bite me.
“And that’s how I know it’s better to wait until you’re twenty-one. Keep bugging me, and I’ll make you wait till you’re outta college.”
I had Derek young, and for the first thirteen years of his life, he was around the Raiders, my old club in New York. A bunch of degenerates who would slit their mother’s throat for a dollar. I worked hard to get him away from that life, hooked up with Daisy, moved to Vegas, joined the Serpents and never looked back.
Derek throws his arms up in the air. “That’s two years from now.”
Typical impatient teenage reaction.
“Keep bitchin’ and I’ll make it longer.”
I promised his mother, Desiree, I would keep him away from club life until he was old enough. I hadn’t been able to save her, but I damn well would keep my son safe for as long as possible.
“You think I’m not old enough, but I am.”
“Oh yeah?” I laugh around my words.
“I’ve had sex before, and most of the high school parties have weed and sometimes other shit.”
This was the hard part. Telling my son not to do shit I was already doing at his age. Shit, by twelve I could hot-wire a car and lift a wallet. At thirteen, I got laid for the first time, thanks to one of my father’s girlfriends.
“It’s not like I don’t know what’s going on, but you still treat me like a fuckin’ baby.”
He turns to walk away, but I clamp my hand on his shoulder, spinning him around. He might be a few inches taller than me, but I’m way bulkier and stronger.
“Watch your mouth.” I narrow my eyes and glare. Unfortunately, the kid has a strong dose of hard-ass from me.
He lowers his gaze to the pavement.
“Don’t be in such a hurry to grow up. It’s not as great as you think it is, understand?”
He nods, and I know that’s all I’m gonna get, so I jerk my head to the door. “Let’s get some work done.”
