Epilogue Bedlam
“ I haven’t done this in a long time,” Ginny admitted, slipping my hand through mine. “But I’m glad we came.”
“Been years for me.”
I walked beside her in the cemetery, walking among the rows of graves until we approached Hesh’s headstone. Beloved husband and father had been etched into the surface, marking only two of the remarkable qualities I knew I had possessed.
I had the privilege to call him a mentor. Sponsor. Friend.
But more than that, he’d been my brother.
“I don’t know if you can see that I’ve kept your promise, Hesh,” I told him as Ginny placed flowers down. “I never forgot. All these years, I’ve sworn to watch over the two precious women in your life. I can happily report I didn’t fail.”
Ginny wiped a tear from her cheek as I held her hand tighter.
“I should have gone with you the day you left the clubhouse. You told me you’d be fine, but I should have followed my gut.”
Ginny rested her head on my shoulder. “It’s not your fault.”
“I know, but I think I’ll always struggle with feeling I should have done more.”
“I can understand that.”
“Hesh, I love your daughter. We’re having a baby boy and he’ll be named after you. Middle name, anyway. I want a junior.”
Ginny giggled. “I bet he would have loved giving his grandson his name.”
“You’ll always be in our hearts,” I added, hugging Ginny against me.
“I love you, Dad. Wherever you are, I hope you’re in a better place.”
We stayed for several minutes, standing in the sunshine, before I finally walked with her back to my bike. On the way home, we stopped at Ginny’s favorite ice cream shop. The same place she used to go to with Hesh. It seemed fitting.
By the time we got back to the clubhouse, everyone had gathered for a BBQ. Maddog stood in front of the grill, serving up hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, and chicken kabobs. Ginny insisted on the veggies.
I spotted my mom ordering club members to help the ol’ ladies with the food. She was in her element. Seeing her here, like she used to help out with the Desert Titans, meant the world to me. My ma was one fantastic, stubborn, crazy woman. I wouldn’t want her any other way.
When I heard another motorcycle, I looked up and caught Dagger as he rode through the gate. His son Chris followed on his bike. And with them? Audrey. She rode with Dag, resting her head on his shoulder as he rolled to a stop and parked.
When she stood, and he tugged her close, kissing her in front of everyone, I felt warmth in my chest for my brother. He deserved his happiness. It was a long time coming.
I grabbed a beer and joined Maddog, popping the top as I heard a whisper on the wind.
“Being a Bastard suits you.”
“It does. I guess I got exactly what I wanted. Hard to be disappointed.”
“Don’t worry, I’m sure to cause a little bedlam in the future.”
“You?” I asked. “Or me?”
Lucifer’s laughter was the only response.