Pops

Nursing my bruised ego with a pint of Jack, and cleaning my scrapes, I hear Ma’s words rumble through the silent room, “In due time, Pops, all will be forgiven. Until then, be true to yourself and know that every strategic move you make is for them, our sons and daughters.”

Master got a few licks in when I followed him and the others. Emotional words were spewed, some that hurt me deeply, but I have to remind myself they were said from anger and not maliciousness. Keeping his sister’s rescue a secret was a bad decision on my part, but at that time, I thought I was doing what was best. Master and Hemmi have a suspicion that their parents’ death was not a coincidence with what’s been going on with the Crumley brothers. I haven’t confirmed that, because my boys would charge in, and that’d defeat the reasoning behind their deaths.

“I miss you so fucking much, Ma. Nothing feels right without you here.”

Since my wife, the love of my life, was spiritual, and had the ability to connect to the other side, I’m not surprised to hear her rebuttal, “Let me go, my love. I’m your past, your future awaits you.”

“Dammit!” I seethe. “There’s no one for me other than you, woman. I’m sick of this argument. We had it when we sat down and penned our wills, and even after you’ve left me, we’re still having it. Enough already.”

“You’ll always have me, but open yourself up, and let another in. You can do this. I’ll still be here when you need me, but my physical body will never experience your touch, and yours will never feel mine. Your second chance is around the corner. Save her. Protect her. Love her. Just like you did with me. I’m sending her to you, dear. I trust you to help her bloom and show her what family means.”

“You ask too much of me,” I snap, then sigh, slumping back into my office chair, and pinching my nose between two fingers. “I don’t want anybody else.”

“You will,” she giggles with a tittering vibration filtering across the air. “Remember, I’m here if you need me. Call out if you do and I’ll come. But I’m going to leave you now so that you can go on without wondering if I’m hearing, and watching you find a reason to live with another by your side. Take care of yourself, love. Forgive me and yourself, husband. My purpose in life was fulfilled, and it was my time to join our lost loved ones.”

“I bet you’re having a blast with them,” I laugh. “Probably still running them amuck doing your bidding.” Tears mist in my eyes, knowing that this is our final goodbye, unless I need to seek out her wisdom. “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, crazy lady. You still own my heart and soul, woman, and I have a feeling you always will. I can’t promise you I’ll love another, but I will protect her, and give her a family like you’ve asked. But that’s as far as I’m willing to go. Take care, my Indian maiden. Keep my spot warm until I’m with you again.”

“See you one day,” she vows. A featherlight kiss lands on my lips and then vanishes. Grabbing my handkerchief from my front suit pocket, I pat my eyes, and blink.

“Soon,” I say, hoping it’s true. A knock on my door has me swiveling in my chair. “Enter.”

Luca comes strolling in, a manilla folder tucked under his arm. “Found their weakness, brother.”

“What is it?” I ask.

“Not a what, a who,” Luca answers, opening the folder and tossing it on my desk.

“Well,” I whistle. “Where have they been hiding this person?”

“Right underneath our noses,” Luca replies.

“In the states?” I probe.

“Since birth,” Luca responds.

“Then let’s go pick up our chess piece, shall we?”

“Behind you, Julius,” Luca remarks, a glint of elation resounding in his eyes. “We’ll finally have a winning move to make.”

“And make it, we will,” I avow.

It’s time to win this war against the Crumleys and bring my family out of hiding.

The End

I’ve left you with a story Arc that’ll be continued in Pops’ book, number 10 in the series. This is not a cliffhanger, peeps, since Hemmingway and Tyson got their happily ever after. But what it does do, is give you an inside glimpse into what to expect next. Stay tuned, because it’s going to be a doozy!