Page 85 of Wild Cub

I point at my right shoulder. Close to the art on my skin already. Two worlds colliding. We have some time to kill and I need a distraction.

I turn my head to Memphis, “Memphis, can I ask you something?” One of the only men so far that I truly have no information or story on.

“Sure, I guess,” The tattoo buzzes off for a moment.

“What is your story? The first time I met you, you gave me a huge hug and said ‘You seem like you need it’. How did you know?” I ask, Alexander inching closer towards us, leaning to hear this.

The tattoo gun continues, prickling on my skin. “Well, like you I was once in the helping field, counseling young adults. But the city of Memphis is not what it used it to be when I was growing up. Unfortunately, I lost quite a few young people.” He takes a pause.

“I guess you could say that I didn’t handle all the loss completely well. One day I showed up to one of the local bars and sat, get this, Johnny. You could say right place, right time.”

“I take it that Johnny talked to you.” I say to hear the rest of it.

“He did. Told me a bit about the Wolves and being a family. I needed a distraction for a while. What turned from a distraction with an expiration date turned into a family that gave me a bigger purpose.”

“What purpose was that?” I inquire.

“That I will tell you another day. But for now, I need to finish.” He says. I have a feeling my friend has not truly found a purpose, maybe we need to reignite that fire of helping people.

For the next two hours, I grip Alexander’s hand as Memphis rips into my shoulder. This is what love looks like, like a reminder of forever. Forever and always until the road ends and even after.

“We have one last thing to do,” Alexander says, helping me with my shirt. He’s almost giddy, like a kid on Christmas morning. He leads me out back to the open air, lightly grabbing my left shoulder.What do you have planned, buddy?He clears his throat and everyone looks our way. This much attention is overwhelming.

“I wanted to formally announce that Teresa is mine and agreed to be a part of this family. You all know what that means.”

“Hands off, fuckers,” most of the men respond with cheers and claps. I smile big; I have a family. Even better, I have Alexander.

Alexander takes me to talk with everyone I haven’t met. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a bubbly, blue-haired woman sitting on Johnny’s lap.

“Johnny, my man.” Alexander claps him on the shoulder in greeting. “Teresa, you remember Topaz, right?” Alexander nudges me, playfully.

I flash a large smile. “Nice to see you again. What brings you around here? Thought it was for families.”

She giggles. “Oh, I am family.”

I jerk back, confused.

“Topaz is Johnny’s daughter,” Alexander snickers out. Everyone’s laughing but me. I’m so stunned that I’m at a loss for words.

“Um…” Guilt, complete and utter guilt. I had already played nice during our first meet, but did not realize she was more to the club. “I’m so sorry… I didn’t give the best impression and I got territorial. I’m ashamed of myself.”

She gets up from Johnny’s lap and hugs me, careful of my shoulder. “Oh. No, I admire that. Shit, if he screws up with you again, can I shoot my shot?”

Wait a damn minute. “You’re..”

“Eyes for only women? Yep.”

I can’t help but laugh. I’ve been an idiot, thinking someone was going to slide in and occupy Alexander’s time. I think this may be the start of a beautiful friendship.

We spend the afternoon meeting more people, and I commit myself to learning everyone’s names. The mark I agreed to is permanent, a reminder of the decision that will alter my future. That future is Alexander, even if a family may not be in the cards. I look at this man who has captured my heart and I can’t help but smile. For the first time in a long time, I don’t feel lonely or lost. I feel accepted, secure.

The moment of bliss ends abruptly when my phone buzzes in my back pocket. The world stops in place. Aggie’s calling me, and I feel the ground beneath me dissipate. My hands shake, my body trembling, and I look at Alexander from across the way. When he sees the fear in my eyes, he’s bolting to my side. I have no choice but to answer. “Aggie.”

“Child, you need to come to Memorial.”

“Jeremiah?” I’m panicking now.

A pause. “You need to come down to the morgue. I think it’s Lucie”No, God no please.

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