Brick didn't know me. He had no reason to believe me.
But he did.
And I appreciated it.
I wanted in. Wanted to be one of them. After havin’ saved enough money to buy a dirt bike and a shotgun. And after havin’ saved enough money to have my stepfather steal it from me and stay away for weeks to spend it, I was wiser than I was smart.
Smart men don't join up with outlaw MC's.
But… wise men do.
I bagged those two turkeys, secured them to my pack, and spent the whole ride back picturing myself with those men.
As one of them.
Badlands.
It was everythin’ to me.
When I got home, I cleaned the turkeys and then held Destiny in my arms for the first time as Mama made dinner.
She started getting better after that. Started smiling again. Turning back into her old self.
But I was someone else entirely.
I would never speak of that day to anyone.
Not even Brick when I finally met him for real three years later.
