49. Cooper
49
Cooper
T rinia is back at work and I have to admit the shop feels complete with her here. Even though it was against my wishes. I like the sounds of her shuffling around with the mess in the office I created while she took the time she needed to recover.
Did she need to be off work for three months following her surgery? No.
I guess not technically, but one can never be too careful.
I wanted to make sure she took it easy and healed in a stress free environment. Even if the lack of responsibility ultimately did stress her out.
Last week after she literally fucked me into agreeing to let her come back, we called the surgeon, Dr. Ahmed, and he confirmed it was time to start living a normal life again. He assured me she was as healthy as she can possibly be after we sent him her records from our follow up cardiologist here in Boston.
Well him, the cardiologist, along with the radiologist who reviewed her scans and two other cardiologists I contacted for a fourth and fifth opinion all said she recovered perfectly.
Trinia wasn’t happy about being dragged all over eastern Massachusetts and in and out of various doctors offices but she’s back at work now. So she got what she wanted in the end and I have slightly more peace of mind.
Just another thing to add to the list of discussion topics when we eventually get around to rescheduling our couples therapy appointment with Dr. Bennett.
Leaning against the wall I peel back the curtain, just a little, to watch her work. Though my joy is short lived when she huffs a breath and rolls her eyes.
“I know you’re there.” She turns, spotting me and I pull open the curtain.
“Did you seriously not do anything while I was out? This place is a fucking mess.”
Her hand is propped up on her hip as she angrily tosses a pile of receipts on the counter.
“It’s a little behind I admit.” Stepping towards her, I reach for her hands and bring them up around my neck. “I wanted to get in and get out as quickly as possible so I could go home to you.” I kiss her and she lets out a frustrated sigh.
“You should have let me come back sooner then.” She smacks the back of my head. A single laugh slips out and she narrows her eyes as she looks up at me.
“Well you’re back now. What can I do to help?” Pushing back her hair I start kissing her neck.
“No! Don’t start. If you want to help, you can leave me alone and let me work.” She plants her hands firmly on my chest before pushing me back out into the lobby.
“Come on, zhena. Let me help, really.” I plead standing firm not wanting her to stress.
“You’re being audited Cooper! Did you not even open the mail?” She yells before grabbing an envelope and shaking it in front of my face.
“Well, we are married now so I guess technically we are being audited.” I correct her just as Theo walks in. Making his way across the shop floor in perfect time to overhear.
“Whoa bro.” He laughs and when I turn to look at him he has a mocking grin on his face.
“Perfect! Theo get your brother out of the shop and away from me before I mysteriously become a widow.” Trin pushes me in Theo’s direction before yanking the curtain back in place. “And get the damn door installed! Slamming a curtain doesn’t give me the same satisfaction.”
“You shouldn’t be slamming anything! We are happily fucking married or did you forget!” I shout back through the black fabric as it waves on the hooks.
“Theo!” She screams from the office and a second later Theo’s hands grip my shoulders.
“Come on bro. Let’s go throw a few rounds of darts at Murphy’s.” My brother bribes me with a cheap good time as he guides me towards the door.
“Dear god, yes, please.” I hear Trinia mumble from the back. More under her breath than actually to either of us and my grin tugs up at my lips.
I won’t lie and say I haven’t enjoyed the complete joy that’s marital bliss but both of us have been tip-toeing round each other for months after Vegas, it’s nice to finally fight with my wife.
It’s sick I know, but I love Trinia when she’s mad. I’m excited for when she comes home tonight all frustrated and annoyed knowing she will fuck me like she hates me.
Walking down the sidewalk Theo slaps me out of my thoughts as his hand comes down on my back. “How bad is it? You want me to call Luna and have her help with the audit?”
“No, don’t bother. I’m sure Trin will call her if she needs help.” I reply, waving him off as I pull open the door.
Stepping inside the bar is loud, even for the middle of a weekday, and the aroma of draft beer and cigars waft through the air. Instantly I spot Jenna behind the counter and she flips me off before walking away and whispering to her coworker.
“You sure are popular with the ladies today.” Theo teases as he walks past me to order us drinks and grab the darts from the bar.
Lining up to throw my first dart I broach a topic that doesn’t involve Trin, Jenna or myself, “How’s the wedding planning coming along? Are you finally ready to walk down the aisle?”
“Oh I’m ready, but I don’t know about Luna. Some nights I wake up, dripping in sweat from a nightmare that she never shows.” Theo looks away twisting a dart between his thumb and index finger.
“Why would you dream of that? Luna loves you. It may be all happening fast but I know it. You’re perfect together.” I remind him of what I know to be true.
“I don’t think it’s me, I think it’s more her parents. They’ve been harassing her and it’s not like mom’s been taking it easy on her either.” Theo mentions as he throws the dart. It flies through the air with so much force the tip sinks into the board all the way up to the barrel.
Stepping forward he grabs for the shaft and yanks the dart out of the single twenty spot and turns on his heels.
“I don’t think we need darts brother. I think we need something a little stronger.” His eyes narrow before he nods his head in agreement.
We finish our pints of local draft beer, leaving the glasses with a twenty on the table before we walk out the door and head back to the shop to pick up my truck.
* * *
Pulling into the plaza parking lot I can sense Theo’s energy in the passenger seat shift. Noticing where we are he’s getting focused and falling into that place in his mind he always did as a kid when he would dissociate.
Finding a space in front of the martial arts gym my buddy owns, I put the truck in park and look over at my brother.
“I’m not your brother in there.” I nod towards the door with an MMA logo on the glass. “I’m whatever problem you need to work out. Hell, imagine Mr. Adamovich if you need to but figure your shit out. You won’t be getting back in this truck until you do.”
Theo doesn’t say anything, just opens his door and steps out onto the pavement, reaching his arms above his head in a stretch.
We didn’t have much in the form of extra curricular activities as kids but our mom had us in mixed martial arts classes since Theo was old enough to form a sentence. She always said she wanted to make sure we were able to defend ourselves in all the ways she could never defend herself. Neither of our fathers were stand up gentlemen but Theo’s dad was a real angry drunk she met at the ski lodge she tended bar at.
Theo wasn’t old enough to remember but I was, and I heard everything. Every slap of his hand against her skin, every punch as his knuckles connected with her ribs, every shake of plaster as he slammed her up against our shared bedroom wall.
Luckily, he bailed on all three of us after Theo went through a stint of growth pains as a toddler. He cried for weeks before it finally passed and that’s when I started helping care for him. I made a promise to him in the middle of the night when our mother had fallen asleep on the floor next to his crib that I would always be there for him.
I’m not sure if I’ve done a very good job of keeping that promise but I can be there for him now. As he is preparing to make the biggest decision of his life.
I follow his lead as we walk into the dojo. Gabriel’s head whips to the door the moment it closes and a huge smile spreads across his face right before a punch from his current opponent knocks him to the mat.
Jumping to his feet he shakes off the punch, scolding his student before stepping out of the ring and walking our way.
“Cooper! Theo! Nice to see you boys. It’s been too long since I’ve had both of you on my mats.” His Brazilian accent is thick as he shakes our hands and I’m instantly transported back in time when I was 13 and Theo was 10.
Gabriel was coaching us at his first location in Manchester, New Hampshire when he gripped my shoulders with rough calloused hands and told me to always watch my left side and keep my weight on my toes.
“Theo here has some shit he needs to work out. Mind if we jump in? I ask, realizing we probably should have called first.
“You boys are always welcome here. Go sign a waiver at the front and I’ll have Shane bring you some gloves.”
The cheap shot who I’m assuming is Shane nods, unwrapping his hands before stepping off the mat and heading towards the front desk. We follow and a few minutes later we are stepping into the ring.
The mouth guard I purchased from the vending machine outside the locker room hangs from my mouth as I chew on it. Theo has a matching one fitted perfectly between his teeth. Always the suck up as Gabriel watches us from the ropes.
Stepping to the center we tap our gloves and start to circle each other.
“Figure your shit out and leave it here, Theodore. Get your head straight.” I remind him, nodding before the light in his eyes turn stormy and his steps become more intentional as we circle each other.
I return his nod as I attempt to clear my mind and get into the right head space just like Gabriel taught me as a kid. I close my eyes and when I reopen them a breath later Theo’s stormy expression has turned thunderous.
My brother swings first and I block. Raising my right arm, keeping my elbow tight, I throw a hook with my left fist. My punch collides with his ribs causing Theo to huff out a low grunt before he swings again. This time he kicks his leg out, edging me to take a step back, and follows with a quick jab right to my jaw.
“Fuck.” I spit, raising my fists to protect my face with my forearms. He swings his leg up again, this time striking my ribs with his knee and I’m done taking it easy on him. Meeting his stare I can tell Theo has gone to the place in his mind where he hides.
The place where he existed the entire year he was locked up in prison and the times he spent in jail. The place only Luna was able to pull him out of.
This is not why we are here.
“Stop hiding!” I yell over the rush of blood pulsing in my ears and my heaving breaths.
“Fuck you!” He screams as he throws out another jam. His fist knocks my defenses down and I finally open up. With a one, two punch I step into him forcing him back.
When his back is against the ropes I lean over him, “What’s wrong Theo? Luna having cold feet? Does she need a man to warm them up?”
A growl rumbles from deep in his throat as his face contorts into something I can only describe as animalistic. He plants his gloves on my chest and shoves me back. Bending low his leg swings out and the fucker swipes me off my feet. Knocking my ass to the ground.
As my back drops to the mat the air is forced out of my lungs. Theo doesn’t hesitate, instead he lunges, straddling me. Both of his knees holding my waist tightly in place, pinning me to the canvas as he lands blow after blow to my head.
“Flip him Coop! Get off your back!” I hear Gabriel shouting from the sidelines but Theo’s always been the faster more agile brother while I’ve been more solid brute strength.
Theo’s thighs flex as he holds me down, but when I shift my arm up to block I gain the upper hand and slam my glove-covered fist into his jaw. Knocking his head to the side, blood splatters from his mouth painting the canvas and my face.
When I get the chance I force my left leg up and twist before coming back around with my right elbow. A move he should have seen coming from a mile away but he is so far gone in his own head he’s rusty. Clouded by the emotional battle waging inside his own mind.
As he jumps up to his feet from his back I remind him that Luna loves him. Anyone with eyes can see that. They may have only met less than a year ago but the love in her eyes whenever she looks at my baby brother isn’t a quick lust that will fade. It’s a soulmate kind of desire. A love that not everyone gets to experience in their lifetime. One I wouldn’t believe in myself if I didn’t witness it first hand with my own two eyes.
“What are you afraid of? ” I press as we go back to circling each other. Both of us are dragging in rough lungfuls of air, failing to catch our breaths.
“I can’t fail her, Coop.” He admits, his voice almost a whisper as he lunges forward.
Swiping out my arm I block his hit and land one of my own. “Then don’t. Don’t be a little bitch and piss this all away.” I shrug and he lowers his gloves. Chest rising and falling quickly as sweat rolls down his face.
“It’s not that easy. What if…” Theo’s words fall as he raises his gloves. Barreling into me. My feet instinctually step back as he rains his fists down on me. I take them in stride as I continue to step back until my back hits the ropes. Knowing he needs this, I don’t hit back. I hold up my arms, blocking his blows, hoping he will tire soon.
“What if what? What’s got you so fucking up, bro?” I manage to get my words out between hits.
“What if she realizes I’m not good enough and leaves me? What if she ditches me like mom ditched dad?” His punches stop at his admission and I feel my eye bloom as it swells. Theo has blood dripping from the corners of his mouth that he wipes on his arm.
“You think that’s why mom left your dad? You think she just woke up and decided she was too good for him?”
My eyebrows pinch together as I shake my head. Questioning how much truth he knows of our childhood, of his parents. I look at him stunned for a moment, the confusion in his eyes urges me to continue.
“He beat her, Theodore. He would get loaded on anything he could find after getting wasted and running all the customers out of her bar. Then he would beat the shit out of her. She didn’t leave him because she woke up one day and deemed him unworthy.” I lean against the ropes and use them to support my exhausted body as I lower myself down on the mat.
Looking at my feet I take a deep breath before I raise my gaze to meet my brothers. “She left when she saw the opportunity to save us. He nearly killed her and the night before we left he came after you. That’s why she left him and we are lucky that’s the one time he didn’t put up a fight.”
Theo sits down next to me. Draping his arms over his knees he shakes his head, “Why didn’t she ever say anything?” His voice is a ragged whisper. He doesn’t even look up as he asks me and if he wasn’t sitting right next to me I wouldn’t think he said anything at all.
“You’re the baby, little brother.” Nudging him with my shoulder. “You know how mom is. She’s so strong and stubborn and high on her pride acting like everything is always perfectly fine.” Letting out a strained chuckle I lean my head back on the ropes.
Even with my eyes closed I can tell when Theo turns his head to look at me. It takes him a minute but he finally asks the question I’ve known was coming, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because little brother…” I suck in another ragged breath before blowing it out, “I promised you a long time ago that I’d protect you.”
After a few moments of silence, our heart rates steady and I assure him without opening my eyes that he is nothing like his father.
Theo is the best of us.