“Ha. Ha. That’s my family you’re talking about.”
She picks at my Henley. “I’m hoping they’ll be mine one day.”
“They already are, babe. Once this bunch lets you in? You ain’t going anywhere.”
“Good,” she says before peeking up at me. “I can’t wait for this to all be over and we can start living our lives again.”
“Going to work together,” I tease, “getting diarrhea together, surviving Pops and his great ideas together -”
“Sounds perfect.” She sighs dreamily. “Let’s go to sleep so you can leave tomorrow, fix everything, get back here and we can start living our lives.”
“Sure thing, bossy boots.”
Joy rolls her big, brown eyes and I watch as her long lashes flutter to rest on her cheeks. I take that as my cue, closing my eyes and drifting off with a fucking smile plastered on my face.
Joy
“It’s going to be alright, love,” Reid’s mom soothes as she throws a supportive arm over my shoulder.
In some ways it does make me feel a little better. I don’t remember much of my mom, but I would like to hope she was as nurturing as the women I have around me.
“When will Mr. Switch be back, Mommy?” Kit asks, still waving at Reid and some of the other men as they ride away from us, their pipes splitting the early morning air.
From what I could understand Niko, Pops, and Wire from the DRMC are staying here along with Flack and Chef from the Keep. The rest of the men have split up with Reid’s bunch going to New Orleans to talk to a good friend who may be of some help, with the others headed to Rose Grove to check in on Marx.
“Not too long, baby. But in the meantime we get to stay here with Switch’s family and you get to play with all your new friends,” I soothe, running a hand down her red waves.
The Big Littles wave Kit in their direction and she takes off without saying goodbye. Not even a second glance over her shoulder at her mother who is barely holding it together.
“Do you know what you need?” Chewy asks before making a weird noise as she drains the last of her Capri Sun. “You need a girls’ day.”
“No girls’ days!” Gallows barks from his spot in the driveway watching the last of the men leave.
“Um, I’m not so sure -”
“Trust me Joy, I got this.” Chewy nods once, hands me her empty pouch and beelines for Pops.
“I think a girls’ day sounds like a wonderful idea!” Reid’s mom says.
“I’m in!” Reid’s sister adds, hand in the air.
Gallows rolls his eyes but even Mercy looks somewhat interested. Since she arrived yesterday I’ve not seen too much emotion from her. Reid said she was ex military, and I guess you have to be a certain level of tough to not only survive that lifestyle, but to also become VP of a 1% motorcycle club. I’m stillnot too sure what the difference is between the Saints Outlaws and the DRMC, but whatever it is doesn't bother me. I’ve never felt safer than when I’m with the DRMC and their various friends and families. I take a deep breath in, and then let it out shakily. Reid will be fine. The DRMC will be fine.
“Do you want to come sit with me, Joy?” Reid’s momma asks, tipping her head toward the two rockers on the porch.
Well, the two rockers nestled between a variety of benches and chairs. It seems that the Manning family enjoys the outdoors. Not that I’m complaining, from the porch I’ll be able to see Kit and the rest of the kids. I may be a better version of myself than I was two short months ago, but I still fear a lot of things. The one that plays most on my mind is losing my daughter. She is the only thing that keeps me moving forward some days, and the thought that there are people out there who want to take her from me makes me not only shake with fear, but with rage.
“Sit, sweetheart.”
Reid’s momma gently pushes at my shoulders until the backs of my legs hit the chair behind me and I sit, the poofy, gingham cushion hugging me from behind.
“Did Reid tell you much about me, Joy?”
I tilt my head toward Reid’s momma and realize I don’t know her name. My cheeks heat as I take in her warm smile. “I’m so sorry, I’m just not sure what to call you. Reid just calls you ‘Momma’, he never told me what your name was.”
She smiles gently before waving a hand in my direction, “Most people call me Momma, but I know you have a Mama Debs, I don’t want to complicate things.”
“Oh, no, it’s OK. I like it.” I give her a small smile as I try out the word on my tongue, “Momma.”
