Page 24 of Rebel
“No, but I will be,” he grumbled. “You remember when I told you that my good-for-nothing mother had taken off and left my little sister, Josie?” Monster had gotten to know Drifter after his wife’s burial. Some of the guys even referred to them as best friends, and he had to admit that was pretty accurate. He and Drifter had discovered that they had a lot in common as they got to know each other over the years. Drifter’s wife had left him after just six weeks of being married. She had run off with another man, leaving him heartbroken. Plus, they were both from broken families. Drifter had kept in touch with his mother because she had custody of his younger sister until Josie turned eighteen. Even though Monster had never had his parents in his life, he had to admit that he admired Drifter for putting up with his mother’s bullshit when it came to Josie.
“Who is Josie staying with now?” Monster asked. She was about fourteen, and Monster couldn’t imagine her being happy in foster care. Hell, he fucking hated foster care, and he had spent his entire childhood in various homes. At first, he hoped to be adopted, but at the age of eight, he realized that families didn’t want a kid—they wanted a baby.
“She’s being held by Child Protective Services until I can figure out what to do next. My grandmother offered to take her in, but she’s eighty-five now. Josie would end up taking care of her, and that’s no life for a kid,” Drifter insisted.
“No,” Monster breathed, “it’s not. He knew from experience, too. A lot of the homes that he had stayed in over the years used him as a servant. He’d do their yard maintenance, clean their houses, and he even took care of the other kids in the home. Most of the families told him that if he didn’t help out, he’d bekicked out, but he didn’t care. Monster wanted to be kicked out of those awful places. He dreamt of being out on his own. Maybe that’s why when he found Heather, he held onto her as tightly as possible.
“She’s three hours away from here, and I’m feeling pretty hopeless,” Drifter admitted. “You have any advice for me?”
Monster shrugged, “Why not take her yourself? You are her only relative young enough to be able to take care of her, right?” he asked. Monster knew that Drifter’s father was never really in the picture, and he had just one sibling—Josie.
“I could take her in, but I have no idea what to do or how to take care of a teenage girl,” Drifter admitted. The terrified look on his face was almost comical. Monster felt bad for his friend, but he had to admit, the thought of Drifter taking care of a teenage girl was hilarious.
“It’s not funny,” Drifter shouted. “I need advice right now,” he said, “not someone who is going to laugh at me.”
“You’re right, I’m an ass,” Monster insisted.
“Correct,” Drifter agreed, “you are an ass, but that still doesn’t help me with what to do about Josie.”
“What does CPS say? Did they offer any help?” Monster said. He honestly had no idea what to tell his friend.
“They say that I should take her in because a girl her age should be in a safe home with a relative rather than a group home where anything could happen.” Drifter ran his hands through his short, dark hair, making it stand on end. “I guess I know what to do, I’m just terrified to say it out loud.” Monster nodded and gave his friend his best sympathetic smile.
“You know that the club will back you, Drifter. Whatever you need, just ask.” “Thanks, man,” Drifter said. “I know that I can always count on the Toxic Monsters, but it’s good to hear you say that, man. I guess I’ll call the woman back and tell her that I’ll take Josie in.”
“I think that you’re doing the right thing,” Monster said. “As someone who grew up in the system, I know how tough it can be. Josie is a strong girl, but even she might have trouble in the group homes that they stick kids in now.”
Drifter nodded and pulled his cell from his leather jacket. He held the phone up to his ear, as if trying to drown out some of the noise. “Hello, I’m trying to reach Miss Blitz. This is Daniel Simmons—Drifter. We talked earlier about my sister, Josie.” Drifter listened to whoever was on the other line and smiled. “Okay, I’ll just call you Blitz then. I’ve thought about everything, and I’d like to move Josie here to live with me.” He was quiet for a few more minutes, and the scowl on his face didn’t bode well for the happy ending that he was hoping for.
“I can’t just move there,” he insisted, “I own a business here and can’t move. She will have to come here to live, or I’ll have to come up with plan B. Hold on a sec.” Drifter nodded back to Monster's office, and he nodded, following his friend. They went into the quiet room, and Drifter put the call on speaker.
“Sorry, it was noisy out where I was. This is much better. What were you saying, Blitz?” Drifter asked.
“I was asking how you’d feel about me sticking around town for a few weeks to make sure that Josie is safe and happy.” Monster could see Drifter’s anger ramp up—his face turning bright red. He put his hand on his friend’s arm, trying to stop him from doing or saying something that he’d regret.
“Suit yourself,” Drifter growled. “I can’t stop you from sticking around town. But I can assure you that my little sister will be safe and well cared for. As for her being happy, I have no clue if she will be. How happy would you be if you grew up without a father and a mother who just took off on you for no good reason?” he asked.
Blitz sighed into the other end of the line. “I understand, I didn’t mean it the way that it sounded. I was once in Jodie’sshoes, and for some reason, your sister reminds me of myself when I was her age. I’m just trying to help her, Drifter,” she insisted. “I’ll drive her to you myself. We’ll leave in the morning, and we should be with you by lunchtime. Text me the address where you’d like to meet.”
“Shit, I have a funeral tomorrow. Can you meet me at my funeral home?” he asked. Monster motioned to him to put the call on hold. “Hold on for just a minute, Blitz.” He cupped his hand over the phone and shot Monster a look. “Don’t be upset, but are you sure that it’s a good idea to meet your little sister at your funeral home? Shouldn’t you work her up to the fact that you work with dead people?”
“I guess you’re right,” Drifter admitted.
“Good, then have them come here and I’ll entertain them, give them lunch, and make sure that they stay here until you are done with your funeral,” Monster offered.
“You think a bar is going to work out any better?” Drifter asked.
“Than being surrounded by dead people and mourners—yes,” Monster said.
“Fine,” he mumbled, removing his hand from the cell. “Blitz, change of plans. I’ll text you the address and you’ll meet with my friend, Monster,” he said.
“You all do have some pretty strange names down there,” she teased. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” Blitz said, ending the call.
“What now?” Monster asked.
“Now, I try to find stuff to outfit a bedroom for a teenage girl,” Drifter said. “Any ideas?”
Monster held up his hands, “Don’t look at me,” he insisted. “I don’t have kids.” He immediately put his hands into his pockets and looked at the floor. Every time he denied his daughter’s existence felt like a betrayal, but telling people about her andHeather usually led to a very long story and a pity that he didn’t want.
