Stop Laughing #2
“Let me walk you to your car.”
“Don’t you need to get back to class?”
“I’ll walk you to your car.”
“Has anyone told you you’re as stubborn as your father?”
He grins. “A time or two.”
“Well, you can’t escort me to my car. I walked here.”
“Then I’ll drive you home.”
“Creed, you have school.”
He raises an eyebrow as he grabs his backpack.
“I’m an adult.”
“And I’m a gentleman.”
In a boy’s body.
“Fine, drive me home. Then head back to class.”
Creed shrugs. “Last period is boring, anyway. My teacher won’t care. I have the best grades in the class.”
That doesn’t surprise me either.
As we walk towards his car, I ask, “Have you thought of going to a private school? Something that might challenge you more?” Based on the cars they drive, I don’t think money would be an issue.
“I did. The school has suggested it several times.”
“And why didn’t you go?”
“My dad. It’s the two of us. I don’t need to go far away to some fancy school to learn. Not when my family and my life are here.”
“You’re a very wise kid.”
He grins. “Yeah, I know.”
“And so humble.” Every day, I hope my son grows up to be just like Creed.
How is he going to do that without a father?
Will I be enough to give him what he needs?
There’s a car in Creed’s driveway as he pulls up to my house. It’s ratty and rundown. Old cars aren’t a big deal, but one that dirty…the owner obviously doesn’t care about it.
Creed pulls into my driveway, but his eyes go to his front door.
Standing right next to it is a woman…I really want to call her a hooker…but that feels a little judgmental.
“Who’s that?” It really isn’t any of my business, but I don’t like the intensity in Creed’s eyes, nor do I like the way she’s pounding on that door, shouting obscenities.
“The woman who gave birth to me.”
Oh.
OH.
“Maybe we should go for ice cream or something.”
“I’m not five. Ice cream doesn’t distract me.”
Then I don’t have any other tricks. “Want to visit The Cake Lady?”
“Yes, but I’m not leaving. Dad’s probably on his way. She needs to be gone before he gets here.”
What? That means... “Waiting for your dad might be a good idea.” Or the police. That woman is acting emotionally unstable. She might be on drugs.
“No, it isn’t. He can’t see her.” Creed takes off his seatbelt like he’s going to confront the woman.
What do I do?
What do I do? This is a family issue.
No matter how old he might act, Creed isn’t a man, and that woman can’t be trusted. I climb out of the car and chase after the boy. Thankfully, it’s not long…one of these days I should actually do some cardio.
Maybe after the baby is born.
“You need to go away,” Creed shouts even before he reaches her.
“Whoever you are, you need to butt out of my business. I’m here to see my husband.”
Wow, Creed’s mom sounds just as stupid as Darrel.
“Walk away. He doesn’t want to see you, and you know that.”
“Of course he wants to see me.” She fluffs her rat’s nest of hair, and I finally get close enough to see her eyes.
This woman is high as a kite.
The wind blows the scent of booze over to me.
High and drunk, what a lovely combination.
“My father hasn’t wanted to see you in almost sixteen years. Go away.”
If she was anything like this when Creed was a kid, I can see why he says it was bad.
Hidden under the decay caused by drinking and drugs are the remnants of a stunning woman. A woman models would be jealous of.
“Creed, is that you?” The woman stares at him. “Oh, my sweet baby. You’ve grown up.”
“Not that you cared,” Creed’s hard voice lacks any emotion.
“Of course I care. I love you. I came to see you. Your father wouldn’t let me near you.”
“Because you almost killed me once. He wasn’t going to give you a second chance.”
Oh my. I edge closer to the boy. Taking his hand in mine to offer him support that he probably doesn’t need, but I would if that were my mom.
He looks down at my hand, then at me.
“It was an accident.”
“You don’t accidentally leave an infant alone for days so you can go off and get high.”
“It wasn’t like that. They’re my medicine. I need them. You have to understand.” She steps closer and closer to Creed. “I was in pain.”
“No, you’re an addict. You were never hurt. You got addicted because you like getting high. Now get out before my father gets home. I don’t want him to see you here.”
“You don’t want me here. My own son doesn’t want to see me. Doesn’t want to get to know his mother.”
“No.”
Her attitude changes. “Give me money, and I’ll go. I need money.”
That thing…I can’t even think of her as a woman, which scares me. “Leave the boy alone. He doesn’t want you here.”
“Who are you? Are you his new mommy? Havoc would fall for a woman like you. Rich. Pretty. You want to protect the kid, hand me your purse, and I’ll go away.”
Never give a person like this money. It just makes them come back again, asking for more. “No. But I will call the police.”
“You must not know Havoc very well. He hates the cops. But neither of them are here. Give me your bag, and I won’t hurt you or the kid.”
“No. You won’t hurt the kid.”
Her brittle laughter hurts to listen to.
“You think you can stop me. A fancy woman like you. I’ve lived on the streets.
If one of you doesn’t hand me money and that bag right now, you’re going to be in a world of hurt.
I’ll rip up your face first, so Havoc won’t like you anymore.
What do you think about that? Ready to give me what I want? ”
“Don’t even think about it. You know what my father will do to you?” Creed tries to push me behind his back, but I stand firm between him and the threat. There’s no way I’m letting this woman hurt Creed again.
We’ll see how much I really learned from Leonie and Winnie when it comes to self-defense. I really should have tried harder during those lessons.
A truck roars down the street, coming to a stop in the middle of the road between the two houses.
Havoc jumps out with a gun tucked into his pants, a clear warning that he means business.
Would he shoot her?
I would if she tried to hurt Creed…I don’t think a father would hesitate for a second.
“You were warned.” Havoc seemingly ignores us and walks up to the woman.
“You can’t deny a woman the right to see her kid.”
“I told you what would happen if you came back here again. If you got anywhere near my son ever again.” The rage in his voice is second only to the pain.
“I was trying to help.”
Havoc snorts.
“I really was. He wanted me to threaten you. To warn you, but if you give me money, I’ll run. I’ll tell him you’ll leave him alone, and I’ll run.”
What?
“Who wanted you to threaten me?”
“I don’t know his name—”
“Tell someone else your stories. Go away before I blow you away. Don’t think I’ll hesitate to do it. Creed.”
“Yeah, Dad?”
“Get her out of here.”
Her…Havoc means me. “I’m not leaving.” Maybe a stranger will stop Havoc from doing what he’s talking about before he regrets it.
“Creed, carry her out if you need to.”
“He certainly will not. I’m too heavy.”
“You’re not too heavy for me.” A bearded man steps up.
How didn’t I notice him? The way he grins reminds me of the way Dylan described her husband. “Are you Rogue?”
“Pleasure to meet you, ma’am. It’s time for you to go. Now I can carry you out, which would leave my brother’s back undefended, or you can walk away and take the boy with you. Make sure he doesn’t watch his mother die today.”
The way he says that… “Let’s go, Creed.”
“I’m staying.”
“Creed, what’s the first rule?” Havoc asks.
The boy looks like he wants to fight, but he nods, not giving his mother a second glance. “Come on. You don’t need to see this.”
My heart breaks for the boy who has accepted that his mother is going to die.
“Havoc?” There isn’t much I can do for him.
“I’m kinda busy right now.”
“Don’t do anything your son will regret.” Because I know he won’t regret killing her.