Chapter 20
CHAPTER
TWENTY
Olivia
I’m still in a bit of shock from my outing with BamBam.
After we picked up several teething rings, along with some gel that the pharmacist recommended so I could put it on Theo’s gums, he brought me back to Hope House, unloaded everything, then left with the promise that he’d let me know when I was able to move to the apartment and start working.
“You didn’t win, Jasper,” I whisper as I grab the last of the clean clothes from the dryer, toss them into my laundry basket then prepare to haul all of it into the family room so I can get them folded.
“I’m going to rise from the ashes like the Phoenix I am and build a beautiful life with Theo and you’ll never be a part of that as far as I’m concerned. ”
I suspect that Jasper only left town to temporarily appease the Kings.
He’s got a vindictive streak a mile wide, so I know I’ll still need to be cautious and tread carefully.
It won’t be anything new for me to walk on eggshells.
But this time, it’ll be on my terms. Still, with the promise of my independence on the horizon, I enter the room where Ashley and Marge are watching television with a grin on my face.
Seeing Theo on the floor with one of those interactive toys over him has me giggling.
BamBam insisted on picking it up for him, and when I brought it in, Marge took it from me and got it all set up. Now, she’s on the floor alongside of him, cooing while he flails his arms, one of the teething rings clutched in his hands.
“You’re so good with him,” I remark once I’m settled on one of the couches, my hands automatically pulling an outfit out so I can start folding.
“Was the oldest of five kids, so I helped with the little ones,” Marge says.
“Then, of course, I was a mom to two myself. Until the day the devil came into my home one last time and wiped them out like they were a speck of dust.” She clears her throat, and I can see the sheen of moisture gathering in her eyes.
“The only good thing that happened on that day is he took himself out as well.” At my questioning look, she expounds a bit.
“He broke in and held us hostage, beat me almost to death after I attacked him for hurting the kids, then thought he could take on the SWAT team that was surrounding my house. Unfortunately… well, my Angus and Carolina succumbed to their injuries.”
“Oh, Marge,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “I’m so sorry. I can’t fathom the pain you feel.”
“It never ends,” she admits. “Came here because I fell into another abusive relationship. Only the nurse who helped take care of me while I was in the hospital knew about Hope House, and she made some calls and got me in. Best thing I’ve ever done, even though it hurts to examine the past to see what my part of it was, you know? ”
“Yeah, I understand. I think what’s been hardest to look at was how, because I felt like I had no choice, I stayed. Then, finding out I was pregnant, I felt stuck.”
“Still, when he was going to hurt Theo, you fought and then ran,” Marge says. “That’s more than I was able to do.”
“Marge, I got lucky is all. Jasper was drunk so he wasn’t at his full capabilities,” I reply. “Trust me when I say that there were plenty of times I wasn’t as fortunate. But something changed inside of me the day he was going toward Theo with a murderous look on his face.”
My voice is now barely above a whisper as those memories assail me.
Seeing the pure rage on Jasper’s face, alcohol wafting from his pores as he stalked toward where I had set Theo in his swing so I could put a bottle together.
His raised arm bearing down on my little boy’s head and face.
Me practically jumping onto Jasper’s back, hitting him with my fists to get him away from my son.
I’m so lost in what happened that fateful day that I don’t realize that strong arms are wrapped around me.
“Shhh, it’s okay, you’re safe now,” Marge croons.
“None of us will let that bastard hurt you or Theo ever again. But I don’t think we’ll be needed because your biker man will protect you with everything in him. ”
“He’s not my biker man,” I sniffle out through a giggle. “Marge, your hugs are as good as my mom’s were.” I see her wipe a stray tear away and realize that underneath her rough and gruff exterior is a woman just trying to get through this thing called life.
“That’s your takeaway from everything I said?” Marge asks, huffing as she pulls away, a small grin on her face. “Woman, he’s got it bad for you. Now, enough of this sad shit, let’s watch Hocus Pocus. It’s one of the only Halloween movies I enjoy.”
“I don’t like the really scary ones,” Briley says. Her head’s down as she labors over a pile of yarn and a crochet hook. Grace has been teaching those of us who want to learn, and right now, Briley’s trying to make a blanket for her little girl.
“Me either, although the psychological suspense ones are pretty good,” Ashley adds. “Like The Sixth Sense. I honestly had no clue that the doctor was dead!”
I giggle because I didn’t know either, although once it became known, I could see all the signs. “We were probably so wrapped up in the story, we missed the indicators,” I muse.
“I’m gonna make some popcorn,” Marge states, standing to her feet. “Does Theo need a bottle yet?”
I glance at my phone and nod. “Probably wouldn’t hurt, although it’ll likely have him dozing off.”
“Eh, babies his age do that, they eat, piss, shit, and sleep,” Marge teases. “I’ll make one for him so we’re ready.”
“Thanks, Marge.”
“I know it’s not a Halloween movie, but I’ve always loved this one,” I say as the credits for Practical Magic roll. Sandra Bullock is so dang talented!
“She was pretty funny in those pageant movies, too,” Briley adds as she stands and starts picking up the trash from our impromptu movie marathon.
We took a break for dinner, which was pizza today, one of my favorites, then I gave Theo his last bottle, a bath, then put him down for the night.
After that, we made a pitcher of frozen margaritas and watched movies.
While I had girl friends in high school, most of them were in college when shit hit the fan for me, so hanging out with these women has given me a sense of acceptance.
All of us come from a domestic violence situation, so it’s understood when one of us randomly bursts into tears for seemingly no reason.
“I liked her in the Speed movie. The original one, not the sequel,” Marge says.
“Tell the truth, Marge, it was really Keanu Reeves you were watching,” Ashley teases. Her ‘oomph’ as Marge throws a pillow at her has all of us giggling.
“Alright, ladies, I’m going to lock it all down while y’all clean up. See you in the morning,” Grace interjects.
“BamBam said something today, but I don’t know how to decipher it,” I admit as we end up in the kitchen to wash the dishes we used.
“Well, don’t keep us in suspense. Tell us what he said,” Marge demands.
“He said that while he knows I’m not ready for anything beyond friendship, me and Theo are his,” I reply. “What does that mean?”
Briley starts grinning before she blurts out, “It means he’s gonna make you his old lady, Livy!”
“But I’m not old!” I exclaim, which has all of them laughing. “What’s so funny?”
“Surely you’ve heard that expression before, haven’t you?” Marge asks.
“Yeah, BamBam told me that Issy was Rio’s old lady, only she’s not old either,” I mutter. My feelings are getting hurt because they’re all laughing and that’s something Jasper used to do whenever he felt I was being ‘stupid’, as he called it.
Ashley must see the look on my face because she walks over to me and grabs my hands. “We’re not laughing at you, Livy, not really. Bikers in a club tend to call their women their old ladies is all. It’s a cultural thing. For them, it’s more binding than a marriage is to us.”
“Really?” I ask, gulping.
“Yeah, really, and him saying that is letting you know where he sees y’all going as far as a relationship goes,” Marge advises me.
“Well, I um… I don’t know what to say, to be honest,” I reply.
“Talk it over with Beth,” Ashley suggests. “Okay, I’m turning in. Good night, y’all.”
“Night, Ash,” is repeated by each one of us as we all slowly separate and make our way to our respective rooms.
My mood is contemplative as I get ready for bed, thoughts of the time I’ve spent with BamBam rolling through my mind.
By the time I slide underneath the flat sheet, I’m no closer to understanding how I feel than I was to begin with.
The only thing I know for sure is he’s definitely someone I’d be willing to date.
First thing tomorrow, I’ll see if Beth has any tips for me because I don’t want to screw things up for either me or Theo. If that means I stay single the rest of my life, or at least until Theo’s graduated from high school, so be it.