-:- TARGET -:-
After reaching the cabin with Meat singing in the back seat of the truck, we set about grilling some steaks we’d stopped and picked up. Meat has not commented at all about how he ended up at the hospital, and Stitch is not asking him either. I know better than to push either of them, so I’m playing the waiting game at this point.
Chewing my steak, I stretch my legs out and give a sigh. The peace here is calming and just what all three of us need at the moment. Stitch opens beers and passes them out, to which I decline and grab a bottle of water instead. It’s been one hell of day, what with busting him out of the hospital and the traveling back and forth, I’m well ready to kick back and relax.
“I’m not gonna go through what happened, but I’ll tell you I was in there of my own free will.” Meat states, taking me by surprise as the stillness of the night had taken a hold. “No family, brothers dead apart from you two and Chaos. I needed a time out and it was a good way of having bed, meals and not having to look over my shoulder.”
I nod but don’t comment. Stitch does the same. We continue eating. A few minutes later, I take a breath and speak.
“I’ve been prospecting for an MC, full brother now mind you. Chaos, too. Good people, good place, we need a medic and a cook. Thought you two may need a brotherhood and I’m happy to put you forward if you’re interested.” I know now’s the time to be quiet. Let them think, especially Meat, as I’ve spoken to Stitch already.
“What’s involved?” Meat asks after a short while.
“Well, for you as cook, it would mean you would have control of the kitchen, all meals, ordering, etc. You would be a prospect for a year, which means a lower salary and anything they need you to do, you do. But after that time, you’re a full brother if you’re accepted. You will get full salary and you’re as close to them as a blood brother, without the danger that we’ve been facing.”
We discuss back and forth what is required of him, and what they do in return. I answer every question they both have as honestly as I can. I tell them everything that has happened since I’ve been involved, even the escapade Mia had with Shar.
Meat looks me square in the eye. “I’ll do it.” And with that, he stands and walks into the darkened woods without another word.
Stitch grins, picks up from our meal and states quietly, “He needs this Target, he’s been pretty lost. If they let him run the kitchen without interference, he’ll be happy and he’ll be a good brother.”
“Yeah, know that, Stitch. What about you?”
“I’m in. I knew before we went for Meat I would be, but I needed to make sure he decided the right way or I’d have gone with him to make sure he was okay. I lost him for a while and couldn’t find him, but once I knew he was in that hospital, I knew he was safe.
My Aunt Vera took you all under her wing and although she’s not your blood, she would do anything for you, but she has this soft spot for Meat and was worried. She’ll be okay with him finding a brotherhood and she’s older now. She needs to stop worrying.” Stitch states, rubbing his face with his hands.
“Let’s get some sleep, it’s been a long day. Meat will come back when he’s ready.” I chuckle, because you cannot guess what he’s up to at the moment.
****
Waking with daylight streaming on my face I hear, Thunk, thunk, thunk, what the fuck is that noise? Climbing out of my sleeping bag, I nudge Stitch with my foot. He’s awake instantly, standing and alert within seconds.
We both grab our weapons. In my case, a Glock 17 and Stitch has a Sig Sauer P320, which many veterans prefer.
We move to the main door of the cabin and I head to the door while Stitch moves to the window. Stitch peers through the window while I wait for his signal for me to open the door, but when he shakes his head and puts his weapon into the waistband behind his back, I relax and then open the door.
What we find is Meat, with cleavers. You got it butcher’s cleavers, which he is throwing at a tree, going higher and higher with each throw. Before I can ask what the fuck he is doing, he bellows and runs for the tree, jumping and fitting his foot on the first cleaver, grabbing the trunk of the tree and climbs from one cleaver to the next.
Turning my head, I look at Stitch, who must have the same shocked look that I have, and snap my head back when I hear what I can only describe as Tarzan’s war cry.
What we now have is Meat high in the tree standing tall with his hands on each side of his mouth, screeching the Tarzan call, wearing only his boxer shorts. I rub my eyes with the heels of my hands, turn and head back inside, thinking, what the fuck am I doing taking him back to the club?
Eventually Meat comes back in the cabin. He’s obviously had a dip in the water barrel as he’s wet through. His hair is still buzz cut so it’ll dry quickly at least. He grabs clothes, strips his boxers, dresses, then heads back outside where he sits at the bench, cleans the cleavers and never says a single word.
Looking at Stitch, I comment, “We’re doing the right thing, aren’t we?”
“Yeah, we are. He’ll be okay. He just needs direction and his brothers around him.” Stitch slaps my shoulder and chuckles.
“We need to be back at the club tomorrow, but we can spend the day here. I’ll contact our Pres and update him.” I pick up my cellphone and sit in the armchair, finding Axel’s number and call him.
“Yeah, you okay Target?” Axel states as he picks up my call.
“Hi Pres, I’ve found both my brothers. They are both up for talking to you and seeing what the club is all about. Stitch is well ready to find direction. Meat needs our help. He’s a bit lost, but if you’re going to give him the kitchen to do as he likes, he’ll soon find his stride. You won’t find anyone that can organize and run a kitchen as well as Meat.” I state and I don’t want to say too much about Meat’s crazy. They’ll find out soon enough, I’m sure.
“Okay Target, bring them in as soon as you can and we can have a meeting and set them up if they’re still up for it.” I hear someone knock on Axel’s office door, then he must cover the phone as it muffles, then I jerk away from the phone when a very loud, “Target, when are you coming home? I’ve missed you and you know you’ll need to see the club now it’s finished.”
“Wow, stop Mia, take a breather.” I laugh. We have a warm relationship and she leans on me, which is great. It’s like having a sister.
“Sorry, but I’ve missed you.” Mia giggles. “Are your boys coming with you? Will I meet them soon?”
“Yeah, they are coming. We’ll be home tomorrow.” I have to grin, as she called them boys when they are killing machines. Nothing like any boy you could imagine.
Axel must grab the phone back as I hear him say, “Mia, go make me a drink, babe, please.” Then she must walk away as I hear her shout, “Bye Target!”
Laughing, I can imagine Axel giving his gritted jaw response, but anyone can see he loves her and would kill anyone that hurt her, but she causes him issues at times.
“It’s alright you laughing asshole,” Axel chuckles. “She’s missed you and although she’s having lessons with Buzz and doing okay, I have to tell you she wants to fight with you. She’s still running with Petey and Dice has run with her twice in the evenings now. Make sure you do something with her Target, don’t break her heart.”
“I’d never do that Pres, she’s a sister to me and I’d do anything to keep her safe and happy, you know that. I’ll do some lessons with her when I get home.”
“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.” and as usual with Axel, no bye, he just cuts the call, which has me shaking my head and grinning.
We eat a meal bar then clean the cabin as we don’t want to leave it a mess when we leave in the morning. We’ll spend the day outdoors, starting with grabbing the rifles and heading into the woodland to find fresh meat for our mid-day meal.
The day continues with a full workout which includes sit-ups, push-ups, sparring and then a ten-mile run. Brotherhood, there is nothing like it, and I hope to give Meat and Stitch more brothers and a place they can finally call home.
