Fosters: Blackhawk (14 page)

Cloud looks at me and smiles.  Friggin
kid.  I need to learn how to block him.  "I'll talk to
Chris." I just nod.  The boys help him pack and load his
clothes.  Joey gets some pictures and books that are on his
table. Walk around admiring his things.  He has a deck with
nice furniture on it.  He's comfortable here.  I grab the
throw blankets I see and put them in a box.  In his room I
take little things that look like they mean something and a picture
on the wall.  It's Cloud and his sister on horses on the
reservation.  It's beautifully done in charcoal, they're in
their teens looking so happy, both with long hair being blown back
by the wind.  The only color is their green eyes. 
Beautiful. 

I take my box to the van and cover it with his
coat.  They get everything he wanted,  he puts me on my
seat and digs in his pocket.  "Do you have someplace to put
these?  I don't want them in my pocket all night."  He
hands me a bunch of hair ties.  

I smile putting them in a pouch in my purse.
 "I've never seen your hair tied."

"Only for work or when I'm riding with a
helmet."  He pecks my lips and closes the door.

Parking at the Family Center I'm amazed with
everything here.  It's absolutely beautiful. There really is a
drive in with adirondack chairs.  I laugh as the boys sit in
almost every seat trying them out.  Cloud gives us a tour as
we walk toward the center where the people are.  Everything is
HA and Joey notices.  She's so happy with everything she
sees.  My kids say thank you for the help with the house and
the new van.  People just nod smiling at them.

We're introduced to Mitch, Jamie, Ben, Juan and
his family, Beau and his family and Tall, who is very tall. 
We all turn toward the ruckus that's coming closer on gators. 
Mitch laughs.  "Every time, they do the same thing.  When
they get here they'll tell me they're home.  It's kind of cute
but every friggin time it's the same.  You might want to move
your little ones so they don't get trampled."  Ben and Jamie
laugh.

Jeremy climbs up Cloud and Jacob climbs
me.  We all watch with smiles.  The kids come running to
Mitch as if they're on fire.  

She smiles, "What are all my lovely children
trying to say to me all at once so I don't understand any one of
them?"

They all look at the pretty little girl that's
the spitting image of Mitch.  "We're home."  They all hug
her and we laugh.  We're introduced to them and they pull the
kids over to a table.  Jeremy and Jacob go along holding
Christian's hand.  

Mitch introduces me to Kevin.  "I remember
your voice but never saw you.  Thank you both for helping me
when I couldn't."  They nod with sad smiles.  

Mitch pulls me to a table and asks about
Joey.  She wants to see the x rays and talk with a doctor that
helps her with the robotics and surgical hardware.  I'm
friggin floored.  I tell her I'll get her the information but
DSS may take forever signing off on it.  She waves that away,
"Ben already sent paperwork to the lawyer. With our lawyer and the
MC's judge it will be done by next week." I cry.  Next
week.  She comes around and holds me.  I get myself
together and apologize. "You should have seen me when we got Lori,
I was a mess."  I laugh.  I find that hard to believe.
 

"They deserve to be happy.  They’ve been
through so much and they can still smile."  I tell her feeling
steadier than a couple of minutes ago.  

She smiles the most beautiful smile I've ever
seen.  "That's because of you.  You do one of the most
important jobs there is.  You fix what their parents broke and
don't understand.  Look at them, they're not broke anymore and
they're happy."  

"Thank you, I do it with a lot of help from
people like you and the MC.  Our life has changed so much in
one week."  I tell her.

She waves her hand, "You were doing it long
before we came along."  She looks above me and smiles.
 "Aleena this is Clouds girl CJ."  

I turn and see a beautiful woman that is the
female version of her brother.  "You are so beautiful Aleena,
I'm happy to meet you."  She laughs.  

"You're the one that's beautiful, what I
wouldn't give for that head of fire."  She hugs me.
 "It's nice to finally meet you.  I think it's been two
days now."  

Me and Mitch laugh.  "It has been an action
packed week."  

Aleena's eyes light up, "And nights and
mornings."  

"Oh shit not another one?  Are you in my
head too?"  I ask her looking at a smiling Mitch.

Aleena hugs me again, "No it was a guess but now
it's confirmed."  

I laugh, "We're going to be great friends
Aleena."

The MC kids come running.  Jessie and
Darren hug me then go over to the kids.  They never say a
word.  Little Ben throws his chin out to the women.  They
smile and nod to him.  "That's throwing chin, it's a sign of
respect or a thank you.  In this case it's a sign of
respect.  They are always respectful."  Mitch tells
us.  Aleena laughs saying it's cute.  "Oh it's not meant
to be, don't laugh if they do it to you.  It is genuine;
they've learned it from their fathers.  It's not given
lightly."  

I take that in.  I haven't seen it much but
I’ll be watching now.  I finally meet Kate, Danny’s wife and
Jess, Steve’s wife.  We sit and chat as if we’ve known each
other forever.  Mitch introduces her friends and some of the
men that stop to talk to us.  Zack is funny and
friendly.  He has us laughing about some of the things his
team has done.  Food is brought out and put in front of
us.  The men all take care of their women.  I keep watch
on the kids in between talking and eating.  Mitch tells me to
relax there’s enough adults around and Lori is with them.  I
nod but still keep watch.  They eat and clean up without being
told making me proud.

Joey comes to us and pulls me closer to her head
to tell me Lori is going to get the machine and bring her to the
clubhouse to do her treatment.  I ask if she needs help and
she gives me a look.  I just laugh as she spins away and goes
back to Lori. 

The men get the fire started and music
starts.  Mitch’s boys pull a crate out and the kids throw
pinecones in the fire making pretty colors.  Jacob and Jeremy
think this is the coolest thing ever.  A few of the men come
over and I meet Chase, Aleena’s boyfriend and Ben James, Kate’s
other husband and the President of the MC.  Ben looks like a
President, he has commanding presence.  I thank him for all
the help he’s given to us.  He waves it away just like Mitch
did.  Aleena smiles at me then shrugs.  When some of the
women move on with their men Jamie, Kevin, Ben, Danny, Steve and
Cloud sit.  Ben James stands behind Kate.  Chase and
Aleena move to a chair by the table. 

Little Ben comes to the table.  “CJ, I
wanted to see if the kids can go to the after school program at the
Little Brothers and Sister Club?  Both schools have busses
dropping kids there.”

I look at him with a smile, “I don’t know what
that is Little Ben.” 

“It’s like a YMCA but built and run by the
MC.  We get homework help and adult supervision there. 
The reason I wanted them to come is because of the Brotherhood
that’s built there.  We do projects in the community and learn
to get along as a group with the games and challenges we can join
in there.  In order to take care of each other, we bond and
are bound in that Brotherhood by being together and learning about
each other’s strengths and limitations.  Patches and Tess run
it so we’re always protected and it will give Christian a way to
stay interacting with kids his own age.”  He’s so matter of
fact with all he says.

I look at him.  “How old are you Little
Ben?” 

“Fourteen.”  He tips his head and
smiles. 

Ben James laughs.  “He’s fourteen going on
forty.  It’s a little disconcerting until you get to know
them.”

“My contract with DSS requires an assistant on
weekday afternoons when most of the kids activity takes
place.  If Brenda is able to go along then yes they can join
you there.”

He smiles.  “Brenda has been helping Tess
there while she was looking for a job in the yard.  I think we
can work with that.”  Everyone laughs. 

He throws chin and walks to the kids signing to
Jessie and Darren.  I watch Jessie sign.  He looks at me
and signs ‘thank you,’ I sign back ‘you’re welcome’.  Steve
watches the whole exchange.  “Fuckin kids.” 

I laugh, “Isn’t he yours?”

“Yeah.”  He smiles.  Jess
laughs. 

“Is Joey able to go with them?”  I ask.

“All the buildings the MC owns are
accessible.”  Danny says. 

“The kid’s Center has physical security because
of the kids.  They’re always protected there and Patches is
there until the last kid is picked up.”  Kate says. 

“Thank you.  I think it will be good for
them, especially Christian.”  They smile at me.  It feels
good. 

“Cloud can start teaching them too.”  I
look at Chase.  “He’s there once a week to teach martial
arts.”   He says at my confused look. 

I smile and look at Cloud.  He
shrugs.  “It’s good for discipline and respect.”  I nod
thinking there is so much I’m going to learn about my sexy Indian
warrior.   Steve laughs. 

“Friggin people stay out of my damn head!” 
I feel my face turning red.  They all laugh.  “I need
Rich to teach me how to block you all out.”  Cloud hugs
me. 

We talk about the changes to the city house, the
Women’s Center and the guys getting together for a planning thing
next week.  I keep tabs on the kids but I’m not really worried
about them.  Mitch and her three guys go to the Clubhouse to
set up the karaoke.  Chase moves onto the bench.  He asks
me about the kid’s activities and what they can or can’t do. 
Aleena tells me there’s a horse harness that Joey could use for a
trail ride.  Chase asks about coming over and if it would be a
problem.  I tell him I already have his CORY so it’s ok. 
Cloud looks at Steve, I watch Steve do the chin lift.  Chase
talks to Ben about security on the house and if the cameras were
placed ok.  I’m watching the reaction of the other people and
notice Kate watching me. 

“You don’t miss much, your like Steve and
Danny.  It would be fitting because of the kids you have to
protect.  I’m glad you’ve been found.  Tess knew about
Christian but didn’t know where he was.  Jeremy was her guide
but he wasn’t little in her vision.  It happens that way
sometimes.  Ally was in her visions but not with Down
Syndrome.”  She says with a smile. 

It hits me,  “Ally and Alex are in Joey’s
class.  How did we never meet?  They’ve been going to
school together for a year now.  I didn't see her come in with
you.  What a small and strange world we live in.” 

The guys are talking so Jess moves closer to me
and Kate.  “Ally's with Lily, Brenda's little sister. 
Jessie would tell you that it wasn’t time for us to meet.  Now
it’s time.” 

I look at her and smile.  “Is it just me or
are you sick to death of those damn cryptic messages.”  They
laugh, Aleena comes over and we chat about the damn kids and laugh
more.  “I feel like I’ve known you all forever.  It’s
oddly comforting.”

Jess touches my arm.  “That’s the way it
is.  Just let it happen, it works best that way.”  I nod;
I wouldn’t know what to fight anyway.  

Aleena pulls us into the building and we see
Mitch singing.  She’s unbelievable; I would never have thought
she could sing like a professional.  I swear this week is a
friggin dream.  The kids come in and dance.  Her boys
look just like their fathers, I wonder how that worked, they’re
twins.  Mitch’s daughters ask if Joey can have a sleepover
next week.  I’m not sure what to say.  “How about you
sleep at our house and see what she needs to do that.  If you
think she can work it at your house, she can stay the next
week.”  They go to ask Mitch. 

I watch the kids dance; the older boys are
really good.  “Danny enrolled them in dance classes.” 
Jess says in my ear.  She’s shorter than me I notice. 
She has a taller presence I guess.  Cloud comes up behind me
and starts dancing.  I laugh and dance with him. 
Everyone joins in.  When the song ends two guys go up and
start singing.  Cloud bows to me and goes to Joey.  He
lifts her out of her chair and dances with her.  Of course I
cry; I don’t feel bad though because Mitch is crying too.  Ben
hands us tissues laughing.   Friggin
guys.  

I notice Ben James dancing with a toddler, she’s
beautiful.  I look around and notice everyone is.  It’s
like a party for a modeling agency.  The kids are so well
behaved and they all look angelic.  I look up at the lights
thinking maybe it’s the lighting.  Christian comes to me and
pulls me down to his face.  "It's friggin weird but they are
all beautiful, I think it's cause they're beautiful inside. 
They all even think positive and happy like you."  

"Get out of my head and stop saying friggin."
 I say back to him.  

He laughs, "At least I didn't swear."
  

I laugh as I stand straight noticing Chase,
Steve and Danny are watching us, they're all smiling.  I feel
a little like I'm living in a fishbowl.  Christian laughs
again.  Damn.  Jeremy and Jacob come to me.  I bend
to them, they look exhausted.  I hug them and stand looking
for Cloud.  He's coming over with Taylor and Brantley.  
Christian is pushing Joey.  The MC people come over saying
goodbye.  Little Ben says he'll send an email to
transportation to get the kids to the Center on Monday. 
Aleena comes over with Chase.  Cloud asks them over for dinner
tomorrow.  I nod smiling.  I really like Aleena. 
The Baxter's meet us at the door, Mitch hugs us all telling me to
call Ben if I need anything and don't forget to email Joey's
information.  When we finally leave I'm carrying Jeremy and
Cloud's got Jacob.  

"I really like your bosses Cloud.  You
lived here and did everything with them like part of their family?"
 Joey asks.