“We moved into Grandma and Grandpa’s house.”
“Well now, they’d love that. How are you getting along there?” he asks.
“Good, it’s brought back a lot of great memories,” Skull answers.
“I love the vintage feel. It was like moving to a dream home,” I add. I also like the effect it has had on Skull.
“What’s going on with your grandchildren?” Skull asks.
“They’re submitting resumes now, and preparing to move. I told them they can live in my home if they can pay for the utilities. I think they’re both looking for a fresh start. I know what that feels like. I want to help them. Wanted to ask you and your lady friend a favor.”
“Shoot,” Skull urges.
“Help them adapt and adjust. Be a friend?”
“Of course, Ray. Any family of yours is my family too,” Skull says.
“Appreciate it.” Ray nods. “Boy is a mechanic. He can fix anything from bikes to cars. I figured it’d be a good fit for your crew. I know you said y’all are opening up the circle to others.”
“You want me to take him on as a prospect?”
“I think it could be good for him. You’ll have to feel him out of course,” Ray says.
“I’ll see what I can do, Ray. When will they be headed this way?” Skull asks.
“Over the next three months.”
It’s exciting listening to them talk. He’d be KOC’s first African American member. It’s a title that’s past due.
We spend the rest of the afternoon keeping Ray company. A few rounds of Bingo and lunch later, we leave. As we drive home, I plot in my mind planning a way to deliver the news burning on my lips.
My phone rings and I see my sister’s name flash on the screen. It’s good having her back in my life. We’ve agreed to leave Mom out of our relationship. We’ve always had different experiences with her, and the boundaries I’ve set are necessary. If she can’t put aside her bigotry and play nice, she’ll stay away from us. It was a tough decision to come to. I feel for her. The things she went through are unimaginable. If she wanted to get help, I’d be with her every step of the way. Instead, she’d let it bitter her, and ruin what should’ve been an unbreakable bond with me, her daughter.
“Hey sis, what’s up?”
“Dad’s dead.”
“What?” I sit up in my seat.
“He went on some fucked up binge, and hung himself in his hotel room in some seedy motel.”
I cover my mouth. “Oh, my God.”
“I don’t—I don’t even know how to feel right now. There were things I wanted to ask him. Answers to questions that died with him.”
I bite my tongue to keep my thoughts to myself. There was no such thing as a straight story with him. He always had a slant, an angle, or a lie. After all the drugs, I doubt his recall was anything to write home about. “I’m sorry,” I whisper. I glance over at Skull. Did he know about this? My father was many things, but a coward wasn’t one of them. More like too stupid to know when to quit. I saw him going out in a blaze of glory. This was too much like a whimper. “How’s Mom?”
“I don’t know. She went cationic when I told her. I’m still over at her house.”
“You need anything from me?”
“Not yet. Once I know what his wishes were, then the funeral planning begins. We’ll go from there. This is going to hit the news. I wanted to give you a heads up.
“Jesus, it never stops,” I say.
“I know. I love you.”
“I love you too,” I say hanging up. “My father is dead. He hung himself in his hotel room.” I study Skull’s response.