of my soul to burrow itself there, along with all of my fond memories of him. A content peace floods the room, spreading a serene warmth. Emotions surface that I’ve not been able to embrace due to the day’s beautiful chaos. Appreciation, love, joy, admiration, and so many words that I can’t seem to express all crawl out of the woodwork, filling me fuller than I’ve ever felt before. My family is complete now. I never knew what that felt like until this very moment as Big is talking with Beth and Gunz, who’s is in utter rapture, unwilling to let his grandbaby down. Using his phone, he continues to snap pictures of her, and my sense of fulfillment rises.
Is this what true love and happiness feels like? I thought I knew what it meant when people speak about it. Now, I live it. Encompass it. And I damn well sure appreciate it. I’m beyond blessed.
To keep myself from crying, I dial back into Beth and Big’s conversation. “So what’s your plans when Jonesy finally goes into a home?” Big asks her.
Lifting her shoulder, she drops it in a severe shrug. “I don’t know. Gunz and I’ve discussed it, and I think I’d like to apply for a job at your auto shop. I think it would be a good move for me. Get me away from caretaking and into something new.”
Big’s hair slides through my fingers as he nods. “I’m sure we can work something out.”
Unable to contain myself, the words just slip out. “Why are you all buddy-buddy with Gunz all of a sudden? I thought you liked Runner. Now, Runner’s an asshole, so you’re what? Becoming best friends with Gunz? I’m confused here.” Not only am I confused, but I'm also too damn nosy and a little hurt, if I had to be honest. She’s talking to Gunz about what to do after Jonesy goes into an assisted living? What am I? Chopped liver? I’m here for her, too.
Blushing something fierce, Beth drops her head, playing with her damn hands in her lap. Gunz roughly clears his throat. “We’ve come to an understanding,” he replies for her.
A what? He's vague again.
“A what? You have a what, exactly?” There goes that hand on my knee, squeezing it again. Big wants me to shut up. Well, I’m not shutting up this time. Beth is my sister, and I take care of my sisters. I don’t care if I just gave birth, or that I’ve been through a lot in the past months. That doesn’t matter. She’s my sister and I’m here for her no matter what.
“I think someone needs their diaper changed.” Gunz ignores my words, and Big stands up, moving to take our daughter from his arms.
“I’ll be back in a few, and then we’re going to bed, Sugar Tits,” Big says on his way down the hall.
Guess I better talk fast.
“So, fill me in,” I look to Gunz, who appears a little sheepish. If anyone will give me answers, it’s him. Beth is busy over here acting too awkward to respond.
Gunz drops onto the couch with a sigh. Dragging his cut off the arm, he sets it on his lap. “When Runner pulled his shit, I got pissed. I feel bad about what he’s been doin’ to Beth. It’s twisted shit. So we discussed it and decided that we’d become friends.” He holds up his hands to stop me interrupting. He knows me way too well, because I’ve got a thousand questions. “Now, don’t worry; we’re not fucking. And she was gonna tell you, but I told her to wait until you gave birth.” Glad to know they were eventually going to enlighten me. That does make me feel a lot better. My nerves drop from a boil to a simmer.
He keeps on. “After the fucking in the clubhouse incident.”
“Which one?”
“The one where you almost broke his nose and Big had to manhandle you out of the room.”
See, I told ya I saw red.
I gesture with my hand for him to carry on.
Before speaking, Gunz kicks his booted foot onto his knee. “After that incident, I told Beth to stick with me. Tried to explain to her not all of the brothers are that big of assholes. What makes matters worse is that he’s been
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