Chapter Five.
Fanatic
Quietly, I sat in the kitchen in the dark.
Dante would sneak down, I knew my baby brother.
It was just a question of when. Willow and Danny were asleep upstairs in one of the guest bedrooms. Willow understood exactly what was happening and agreed Dante needed a few sharp shocks before she arrested him in ten years.
That hurt, but Willow was correct. Dante was becoming one of those rich bastards who believed they could break the law and walk away without consequences.
A soft rustle caused my head to jerk upward.
Yup, Dante was on his way. Patiently, I waited, eyes adjusted to the darkness, as Dante entered and headed straight for the pantry.
He growled when he realised it was locked and turned to try all the cupboards.
They were all sealed shut, too. As Dante opened the fridge, I pounced.
“Stop right there. Thief!” I snapped, and Dante squealed and dropped the yoghurt he’d picked up.
“What the fuck?” Dante yelled as I flicked on the lights.
“You’re stealing. What were the consequences for that?” I demanded, yanking out my phone.
“Wait, what are you doing?” Dante squealed frantically.
“Calling the cops to report a thief. What else?” I replied and unlocked the screen.
“You can’t be serious. Micah, I’m hungry!” Dante howled.
“My name, you disrespectful shit, is Fanatic; only family calls me Micah. And why are you hungry? You were given thirty bucks to buy food; you chose sweets. Eddie bought you ramen and hot dogs to eat and a box of cereal, but that wasn’t good enough for Dante fuckin’ Michaelson.
There were leftovers, but they were beneath you. When will you learn?
“Dante, sheer luck of the draw had you born into this family and at a time when Mum was rich. Do you think Jodie, Christian, Jared, Aaron or I have forgotten what it was like to eat noodles, sausages, and chicken nuggets constantly? Our meals never varied from that unless the wanker that abused us had guests. Only then did we get decent food because of appearances. I’ve never forgotten watching Mum searching a bin for scraps Martin had left from his expensive dinners while she ate a stale piece of bread.
“You’ve no idea what true hunger is. Nor do you realise what Mum sacrificed because you never fucking lived it, you spoiled shit.
What we experienced is what Mum saved Eddie, Tony, Carmine, Serenity, and the others from.
And the older ones, those from Cody and above, know hunger intimately.
Christ, you think a few hours without a meal is starvation?
You’ve no clue. But I promise this, baby brother, you will.
The world is a cruel place, and if you don’t watch your back, it’ll strike you down.
Dante, you’re lucky, there’s a damn army around you, but you’re driving everyone away with piss-poor behaviour. ”
Dante stared. Somehow, I knew my words had reached him when Mum and Dad’s actions hadn’t.
“It wasn’t that bad for Mom,” he whispered. “Mum’s making up stories to make me behave.”
“That scar on Mom’s hip. Martin, the fake husband, kicked her there when he caught Mum stealing a slice of ham.
Mum’s arm was broken when Martin found her eating scraps from his plate.
According to that cunt, they were still his even if Martin didn’t want them.
No, Dante, nobody’s lying. Ask Grandad about the times we came to his shop, and he slipped us treats.
Or when Grandad hired me and gave me food to take home to Jodie and the others. Ain’t no lie, Dante.”
“But Dad hasn’t treated Mom like that!”
“No. But for years, that was our life, and it affected us all. I’ll break my back before Danny ever goes hungry.
I will sell every last thing, including my Harleys, to ensure my brothers and sisters never have to face starvation again.
Ask Tye and Carmine what they did to feed Serenity and Harley and keep them safe.
Shit happens out there, and you’re here being a spoiled shithead and having food fights and acting like a total cunt.
Nobody likes you, Dante, and that’s on you. ”
“You mean that?” Dante asked, sounding near tears.
“Yeah. Do you want the truth? Willow and I have stayed away because we don’t want your shitty, entitled attitude infecting Danny. Danny’s a good kid and your influence on him... yeah, not happening.”
Dante looked stricken, but I didn’t stop.
“It would be karma if Mum gave you up to child services. You deserve that. The last year you’ve been horrible, and frankly, I can’t stand you.
It shouldn’t be like that. Yeah, Eddie does shit.
She pulls pranks and acts out revenge. But none of Eddie’s actions is based on hate.
You can’t say that. Hatred spills from you like a leaky hose.
Nobody wants to be around you, Dante. And if you take president, you’ll lose half of Rage the moment you put that cut on. ”
“They wouldn’t leave!”
“Yeah, they would because they won’t follow you. Think about that. Because apart from your tiny circle, no one likes or respects you. Respect is earned, and you’ve done nothing but be a brat. Dante, you’re the failure.”
“You’re wrong!”
“Yup, nobody enjoys hearing anything bad about themselves. But everything I’ve said is true, whether you like it or not.
So, get over yourself, and soon, please.
I love ya, little brother, but I can’t stand you.
Go to bed, Dante, and think of those living on the streets who can’t remember their last hot meal.
Be grateful you’re not sleeping on a bench. ”
Dante looked at me and slunk off. I doubted he’d be back.
“That was harsh,” Dad said from behind.
“It was needed. I love you, Dad, but you’ve ruined Dante. If he’s to turn out halfway decent, stay the fuck out of what Mum and I are doing. It might hurt you and Dante, but in the long run, Dante will improve.”
“Never been prouder of you, Micah,” Dad whispered as I walked past him. He reached out and grabbed my shoulder. “You’ll be a great father.”
“I had a good example,” I replied and carried on to bed.
Sophie
I walked into the soup kitchen, my pride in tatters.
Mark followed in his wheelchair; his back and legs were bad today, and the kids trailed behind us.
They knew we were rock bottom, and the life had drained out of them.
There was no joy in our world. I still worked three jobs, but we weren’t making ends meet. This was scraping the barrel.
Today was the usual staff, but, strangely, a sullen boy was standing at the drinks station.
Behind him stood a man wearing one of those biker jackets.
The kid was handing out cans. I saw him staring.
Everything about him screamed money, and I hated him instantly.
Why did that boy have so much while mine struggled?
“Mommy?” Lisa asked.
“It’s okay, baby, let’s get some lunch,” I whispered, turning away.
Quietly, we got in the queue to receive a meal. We passed through the line until we reached the kid. He wore a name badge saying ‘Dante’. He quietly handed us a can of drink each without a word and offered a hesitant smile. I couldn’t return it; I didn’t have it in me.
Fanatic
There was something about that family. They were completely broken down, without even a spark of hope. Worse, they were the only family here. I turned to the supervisor, Mavis.
“What’s their story?”
“Oh, it’s tragic,” Mavis replied and told me everything. Dante listened in, and I saw him keep glancing over at the kids.
He was thoughtful for the rest of the day, but I didn’t press him.
The family left, and I prayed they were okay.
I’d already put a call in to Mum. She’d be able to help them.
She’d sent me a text saying she was on it, and I grinned.
When they came back, Sophie and Mark would have a different outlook. A far brighter one.
Eddie
Alert for Dante, I followed Mama Phoe into the soup kitchen. She’d told me why she was coming, and I’d asked to come too. Dante was here, but this family needed help, and he could suck it if he tried shit tonight.
I spotted Dante sitting with Fanatic with a pack of cards. Neither looked impressed, but they were talking. Dante gave me a look and then glanced away. Strangely, there was no hate, but a thoughtfulness instead. Something had happened.
Mama Phoe sat down, and Fanatic nodded before gathering up the cards.
People began entering as someone opened the doors, and I watched them line up for a hot meal.
This was heartbreaking. Everyone present had a story, and there was an air of resignation about them.
This could have been Tony and me. The thought made me shudder.
About an hour passed before the family arrived. Mama Phoe spotted them immediately and straightened. She waited until they’d finished their meal before approaching them.
“Hi, I’m Phoe, and you’re Sophie and Mark. This is my daughter, Eddie,” she said.
“Hi,” Sophie replied, looking confused.
“My sons saw you earlier. Mark, I’m very sorry to hear about your accident, and very angry your former company is messing you about. If nobody minds, I’d like to help, if possible,” Mama Phoe said.
“How?” Sophie was clearly suspicious.
“First off, I’ve contacted my lawyer. He’s happy to take on your case, and he’ll include extra damages for emotional suffering, the loss of your home, and many other things.
We’ll also pay your current lawyer, so he’s no longer out of pocket.
Sophie, I have a small house you can move into for now, until you get back on your feet.
It’s furnished, so all you need to bring is clothing. ”
“What?” Mark exclaimed, and I smiled. This was when I loved Mama Phoe the most.
“Mark, I know you worked with your hands, but I have some positions available at HQ. If you’d be interested, and Sophie, I can offer you the same?” Mama Phoe asked.
“I don’t understand,” Sophie whispered as tears welled.
“Sophie, it’s simple. Once I was you. Now I can help others. Honey, I’m offering a helping hand, take it,” Mama Phoe said.
Sophie
Was this for real? I held Phoe’s gaze and then glanced about for a camera. This was too good to be true. There was always a price to this kind of aid. I hauled the kids in closer, on guard, and saw awareness and sympathy in Phoe’s eyes.
“We’re not here to harm anyone. But to give you a leg up. Do you know my story?” Phoe asked.
The teenager pressed nearer to Phoe; I’m sure Phoe had introduced her as her daughter.
“Not really,” I replied.
“Hey, there’s a corner over there for kids to play. You can see us directly, why don’t I take the kids,” Eddie suggested with a concerned look. I judged this wasn’t suitable for children. Mark and I exchanged a glance before nodding to give permission.
Eddie grinned and led them away, and Phoe offered Eddie a fond glance before it faded, and she began to speak. “I lived in England until…”
Mark and I stared horrified at Phoe ten minutes later as she gave us a brief description of her life. It was a tale that belonged in a fiction book. And she’d lived this. When you thought nobody could be worse off than you, along came somebody who made you think twice.
“While my charity focuses on my three projects, this is something I do privately. I just want to help people. I wish there’d been someone around to aid me, but there hadn’t been, but the path I walked brought me to here,” Phoe concluded.
“There’s a genuine job?” Mark asked hopefully.
“Yes, and the moment you sign, you’re covered by The Trust’s medical insurance, which means you’ll see the best doctors.
The same for you, Sophie. You can come and join us if you like one of the positions.
There is a daycare at HQ and a bus which takes the children to a private school I own.
If you wish, your kids can attend there, or keep them in their current school; it’s your choice.
It’s a benefit I offer employees,” Phoe added.
Private school? My kids? That was something we’d never considered, even when we had money. But here we were being informed it was a perk. What the fuck?
“What if we quit or are fired? Do the children lose their places?” Mark asked suspiciously.
“Nope, I sign a contract guaranteeing them a place until they graduate,” Phoe said.
This seemed unbelievable.
“Look, you’ve got a room in the homeless shelter tonight.
But I brought this: a key to the house I’m prepared to let you stay in rent-free until you get on your feet.
Lockdown for the shelter is at nine o’clock.
It’s six now. If you want, we can view the house, and maybe you can move in tonight,” Phoe suggested.
Mark asked some more questions while my mind whirled. “Babe?” he prodded.
“Yes?”
“Want to see the house?”
“I don’t believe this,” I said, shaking my head. Hope was rising as I stared into the kind eyes of Phoenix Michaelson, who might be my own personal angel.
“This is real; I can guarantee that. Sophie, you can always say no!”
That was so true. Bemused and dazed, I got to my feet and began following Phoe and Mark out. Hopefully, towards a better life! With Phoe at our side, we can conquer the company and everyone else who’s kicked us while we were down. Finally, things appeared brighter.
Eddie
Happily, I smiled as the three children ran after their parents, who called to them. They were going to take Mama Phoe up on her offer. And good luck to them. A hand landed on my shoulder, and I glanced up at Fanatic with tears in my eyes.
“That could have been Tony and me,” I whispered.
Before Fanatic could speak, someone else did.
“No. That would never have been you.”
Slowly, I turned and faced Dante. Damage had been done between us, and I’d never forgive his words, but there was something in his expression that made me pause.
“As much as I hate to admit it, you were meant to be my sister. I’d have found you somehow,” Dante said.
Both Fanatic and I stared in shock, me ready to blast Dante if he was smirking. Instead, there was genuine emotion on Dante’s face, and it wasn’t loathing for once. “I’m an asshole, we all know it, but we’re family,” Dante said. He kicked his toe into the ground and walked away.
“Did we just witness the start of a new personality?” Fanatic murmured, looking amused.
“Eddie, get over here and help and stop being lazy!” Dante bellowed.
Then again, maybe not!