Chapter 21
BLADE
After getting on my bike, I ended up driving around town all day.
First, I drove down Bull Street, comforted to see that nothing had changed in the Squares, a 20 block area of historic landmarks framed by beautiful parks and expensive homes, then I passed Forsyth Park, the fountain still going strong.
After that, I headed through Oakdale, slowing down at all the familiar spots of my youth. We’d lived there for a short time before moving to Rose’s neighborhood, renting the cheapest house we could find in the area. I passed by the schools I went to, the parks I played baseball in, and everything was the same.
I drove out to the wildlife refuge, one of my favorite places as a kid. There was something magical about heading out there back then, to the quiet that only exists in a place reserved for animals. I felt more comfortable among the birds and deer, just going along and doing their thing. Getting away from people was one of my favorite things to do when I was kid, but once I got out of Savannah and hooked up with the Gods, I realized that it wasn’t people in general that I disliked, it was the people of Savannah.
Everyone in Savannah has something to prove. It’s bred into them. Passed down generation after generation, the constant need to prove that you are better than everyone else around you. It’s exhausting, and ridiculous, and completely against anything my entire soul actually feels naturally.
So, I did everything I could to get away from most everyone except Rose, until I finally had no choice but to leave.
But now, here I am again. Still feeling like an outsider.
After hours of literally driving down memory lane, I finally was able to shake off the embarrassment of driving by Rose’s place. I parked in front of McDonough’s Lounge to have a few drinks before going back to my hotel.
I walked through the familiar door and was transported back in time. I’d left Savannah when I was eighteen, but that didn’t mean I didn’t spend a hell of a lot of time in this bar anyway. A home away from home for the locals, nobody really cared if I was underage back then. I’d order a coke and sneak frequent sips of my bar mate’s drinks, ending up just as drunk as they were by the end of the night.
So, I wasn’t surprised to see a familiar face behind the bar.
“Hank, you’re still here?” I asked, sitting on a stool at the end of the worn wooden bar.
“Holy shit, Blade, what the hell are you doing here?” He came around the bar and gave me a huge bear hug, banging on my back.
“Just visiting my sister, man,” I said, beaming at him. “It’s good to see you.”
And it really was. We’d gone to high school together, played baseball together and spent many nights getting drunk together in this very bar.
“I can’t believe you still work here,” I said. He’d started working there right out of high school.
“Manager now,” he shrugged. “Jenny popped out a few kids, so someone’s gotta pay the bills.”
“Shit, man, I had no idea,” I said.
“Well, you haven’t really been back in a while,” he said.
A twinge of guilt hit me. I’d left everything behind back then, without saying goodbye, or even telling anyone I was going. I’d not even said goodbye to Rose and I always felt bad about it. I never thought too much about the other people I left behind, except for Sera and Rosy.
“Yeah, man, it was just best at the time to take off like that,” I said. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s cool,” he shrugged, opening a beer bottle and placing it in front of me. “You want anything else?”
“Whiskey would be good,” I said. He nodded and grabbed the bottle, pouring a glass.
“Thanks, man. So, how’s Jenny anyway?”
Everyone was always shocked that Hank had snagged Jenny, the prettiest girl in school, but she was crazy about him. Hank was always a little awkward due to his huge linebacker frame, but he was a hell of a good guy.
“She’s great, man.” His smile could have lit up the room. “She’s the best mom ever. The kids love her. We have a really good life.”
“I’m so fucking glad to hear that, Hank,” I said.
“What about you? You took off and never looked back, huh?”
“I guess so,” I shrugged. “It was better that way. But life is good now, man. I went through some shit, but I came out of it stronger.”
The shit I went through was all a result of leaving Rose behind. Leaving everything behind. But I rebuilt my life, first with the Goddamn Gentlemen, but once that club went south, I was blessed with this second chance for a better life. Once I found out the Gods wanted us — wanted me — I jumped for the opportunity to be a part of their family. I slept a hell of a lot better these days now that I spend my time helping people instead of running drugs and guns up and down the West coast.
I wanted to tell Hank all about it, but part of being a God requires a good amount of discretion. I had no idea what Hank was into now. The city has a way of pulling the best people over to the dark side. Hank’s lived here all his life, he may have some valuable information to share. If I revealed too much too soon about why I was here, he may be less inclined to share anything with me.
“That’s good to hear, man,” he said. “Sera said you joined up with some club in Oregon.”
“Yeah, that’s right,” I said, keeping my answers vague. “Doesn’t look like much has changed here, though.”
“Got that right,” he said. “Although, the town is growing. Same old assholes in charge of everything, though.”
“Old money ain’t gonna let
