I take a moment to think about the events of the last 12 hours. How I ended up here. Hell, the events of the last 33 years have led me here. I don’t have the mental capacity to sift through all of that right now. I’m struggling to find a balance between the pain and the joy, the resentment and the blessings.
My brothers of Golem Guerillas and I arrived back at our clubhouse after securing a mother and her two children in their home. We had taken out the trash, aka her abusive husband, and helped sort through programs available to benefit her and the kids now that she was a single mother.
The ringing of my cellphone caught everyone’s attention as I’m a Barbie Girl played through the main room. I flipped Sim the bird as I answered the unknown number. A friend at the police station, Bryan, was on the other end, completely flipping my world upside down. Apparently, a young woman delivered a baby boy but fled the hospital before any information could be properly obtained, the baby was in critical care, and the only thing the woman left behind was my brothers road name, Manasseh.
Bryan caught wind of the search and recognized the name, calling me right away. I hung up in a daze. My mind whirling at the knowledge that Manasseh had a son, I had a nephew, but that baby boy did not have Manasseh. He died 6 months ago when he was run off the road by a teenager. Judah, my president, listened as I relayed what I was told.
Gripping my shoulder, he squeezed to the point of pain, bringing me back to myself. I noticed all my brothers huddled around us, offering me their silent support as I worked through this. “Eph, he might not have Man, but he has you. He has all of us. Golem Guerillas has always taken care of children, it’s usually other people’s, now it’s one of our own. A third generation, except he needs you to be strong so he can continue to improve, so you can bring him home to his mishpacha.”
Unashamed of the tears freely flowing down my face, I placed my hand over his on my shoulder and met his eyes. “Thank you.”
Gad spoke next, he was the secretary of the club. “Sim and I will track down anything we can on the mom. I assume they met at the bar, since that’s the only place Man ever picked up the ladies.”
“I don’t want her anywhere near my son.” I spat out.
“Agreed. I meant so we can make sure the relinquishing of her parental rights was legal, so your adoption can be above board with no surprises later.”
I nodded my head, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you, you’re right, that would be a good idea.”
Reuben, our Vice President, pulled me up from the chair I was sitting in. “Go meet our boy, keep us updated on what’s going on, and we will have Prospect bring you whatever you need.”
And, now I’m here. Thinking of the beautiful angel I saw keeping vigil over my son, hearing her comforting words, and the feeling of my upside down world righting itself as soon as I saw her eyes and the love she freely felt for him. My b’shert. My soulmate. To find her at a time like this; my brother was busy orchestrating my life, meddling in matters of my heart. He had already given me the miracle of his blood, why not give me the other half of my soul.
“You are strong, little one, and we will make you stronger every day. Your family, your mishpacha are waiting for you at home. You will never know another day without love, you will never be alone again. And together, maybe we can convince Priscilla we are what she never knew she was missing?”
Priscilla 3.
My family sucks. I’ve heard talk of my aunts, so I know they do literally, but I never really had reason to believe the men in my life were so mean. I called my Uncle Wes as soon as I left the hospital yesterday. After a touch of small talk, I asked him what b’shert meant, hoping I was pronouncing it correctly. His response: to laugh maniacally, wish me luck and hang up.
I stared at my dashboard for a moment, not understanding right away that the call had disconnected. How rude! Then I called my mom and daddio. They answered on speakerphone laughing. At first, I thought it was sweet, how happy and in love they are after all these years and kids together, then I realized they were laughing at me. From what I gathered from their ramblings between guffaws, was that Uncle Wes called them to relay what I asked him and explained what it meant.
Except, no one was explaining to ME what it meant! Daddio sobered first, told me they loved me, I will always be his Principessa, to keep an open mind but be safe, and enjoy the ride. Then mom reminded me that contraception wasn’t only a man’s responsibility and to make sure I kept some “rubber hats” within reach and to call her when I was ready for a family dinner.
What in the fuck is going on? Is everyone in Steubenville high or drunk? Are my parents and aunts and uncles going senile?
Walking into work this morning, I’m a little nervous about seeing Garrett, er, Ephraim. Doesn’t matter what I call him, he’s hot regardless and that means dangerous sexy things. However, I have an overwhelming urge to see Aiden, that trumps all the lusty feelings floating through my body. That little boy owns me, and I maybe should heed Abby’s words, but I can’t.
I stow my gear in my locker and make my way to the
