Che’s Story
“Get my gun” I said to Riv as I stood from my chair on the deck. Fuck. Shadow Wolf. I thought we was done with that mutha’ fucka’ but he found us. Gotdammit. We’d been free a’ him for a while… it needed to be for fuckin ever.
“No, Che” River said with a pleadin’ stare.
“I aint askin.’ That fucker attacked us before, n’ I aint takin’ a chance. Get my damn gun.” Then I whistled for Mac, “Come!” He was runnin’ towards the truck, n’ I didn’t need dat fucker messin’ wif my dog. Mac came runnin’ back, n’ Riv went to get my gun from the lockbox under da bed. I just stared at the truck while I waited for him to come back. The last time me n’ Shadow Wolf faced off, I put him in cuffs, n’ I planned on standing my ground again.
When he got back with my gun, the driver’s door of the pickup opened and a woman’s voice shouted, “River Hill. Don’t you dare shoot your mother!”
“Mom?! Is that you?” River yelled back.
“Goddamn right it’s me, and don’t you dare shoot me!”
“Are you alone?!” I shouted in my best in-control-law-enforcement voice, holster over my shoulder n’ hand on my gun.
Then the passenger door opened up and I was ready to draw. Another woman slowly came out with her hands in the air, n’ said loudly, but in a soft voice, “It’s just me.” When Riv saw who it was, he bounded off the formerly quiet deck n’ started runnin’ to her.
“Riv, NO!” I shouted, tryin’ a hold him back, I was still suspicious, “Anybody else with you?” I yelled. Riv slipped through my grip before I could confirm that Shadow Wolf wasn’t with ‘em… I swear to god I’d shoot him dead right there if he stepped outta that fuckin’ truck.
“No one else! I’m not here to cause trouble” His mother yelled again. “It is just me and Aponi, we’re unarmed. I just want to see my son.” She had parked the pickup far from the house and moved cautiously, she was clearly expectin’ the hostile greetin’ she got.
“Come,” I said to Mac who had returned to my side. I walked down the steps of the deck n’ slowly made my way towards the truck, my gun holster was still slung over my shoulder n’ restin’ on my bare chest. I wasn’t convinced that it was just the two of ‘em, or that they came in peace. Yeah, Shadow Wolf was the evil one, but Riv’s mom aint never gave two shits about us either. She was always a bitch to me n’ never stood up for Riv. She reminded me of a mob wife…. she knew all Shadow Wolf’s fuckin’ secrets n’ kept ‘em. She knew where the bodies were buried (probably literally), she knew ever’thin he did, includin’ bullyin’ his own fuckin’ son, n’ harassin’ me… n’ she never did a gotdamn thing about it. So, Fuck ‘er.
River was already huggin’ Aponi by the time I got to the truck. While they hugged, I cautiously peered in t’ the cab n’ bed a’ the truck, keepin’ my hand on my gun. Yeah, Aponi was there, and I trusted her… but I did not trust his mom, she was married to Bernard (Shadow Wolf’s real name) for sumfin’ like thirty years, they aint no way she’s squeaky clean. I’m a cop, I know how this shit goes.
River pulled outta the hug and asked, “Che, can you believe my sister and my mom are here?!” He was so excited… dat made one of us.
“Nope” I said as I walked over and gave Aponi a light hug. “I wanna know why she’s here” I said motioning at his mom with my head. Riv shot daggers at me, but I just didn’t trust any of it.
Aponi whispered in my ear, “It’s okay, Che. Trust me.” I did trust her, it was their parents I didn’t trust.
“I’m here to see my boy” She answered with a cold tone and a deadly stare.
“Why? Ya’ had a coupla’ years t’ do dat, why now?” She just stared at me, but I wasn’t backin’ the fuck down. Riv was emotional, so I had to be strong. “Money?” I asked. I mean what the hell else could she want right? She knew Riv had a little money now… his parents were criminals. Con artists; I wasn’t cuttin’ her no slack.
“CHE!” Riv shouted, he didn’t appreciate my attitude. Too bad. “She came to see me.” Aponi put her arm around Riv, and the other around me trying to assure me they came in peace.
“Yeah, I see dat. Why you here Ms. Hill?” I asked again, still starin’ her down.
Still lookin’ straight at me, “Because I realized it’s about damn time.” She paused, “I reached out to Chaske because I want to meet and know my grandchild.”
“Well, he aint here” I barked back at her… I know, I know, I was bein’ an asshole. But who the fuck did she think she was just showin’ up outta the blue when shit was goin’ good n’ fuckin’ up our world?
“No but my son is. I talked with Chaske for a long time on the phone time trying to convince him to let me meet his Mineola. He made me admit that I had unfinished business with my own Mineola and my daughter. He said, Maybe after I fix those relationships, he’ll let me meet my grandson.”
“So, it’s not that you missed me, you just want to see the baby…” Riv started to say. His excitement started to disappear and there was hurt in his eyes.
“No, baby!” she said sternly, cuttin’ him off. “I love you, and missed you so much, but I never fight your father. You know that. Your brother made me realize that if I don’t start fighting your father, I will lose the rest of my family forever. This is long overdue.” Then she took a deep breath, looked Riv in the eye n’ said. “I am so sorry, baby. I should’ve done this a long time ago.”
Riv stepped away from me n’ his sister n’ gave his mother a huge fuckin’ hug. But I still wasn’t buyin’ it.
“So, where’s Bernard?” I asked.
“He’s away somewhere on business, so, I decided to go see my children.”
“I forgot you hated flying, Momma” Riv said. ‘Momma?!’ Fuck dat shit, she been ignorin’ his ass his entire life, now she’s Momma? After that, the two of them basically forgot me n’ Aponi were there.
“She showed up in Chicago the other day… unannounced” Aponi said quietly, “She asked for your address, I decided it would be better to bring her here… besides I wanted to see Two Spirit Pond for myself. The pics River sent were beautiful.”
“Ya’ coulda’ called” I said bumpin’ my hip to hers playfully.
“She wouldn’t let me; she wanted to surprise her baby boy” She said with an eyeroll. “It was easier not to fight her.”
“So, this is your home?” His mother asked as she walked with Riv towards our cabin. It was dark but the stars n’ the lights from the house lit things up a little bit, “It’s very beautiful here.” Riv told her all about it as they walked.
Me n’ Aponi lagged behind, she had her arm around my waist, “It was stupid to bring her here” I whispered to my sister in law.
“She was going to find you and come no matter what” She whispered back. “I thought it would be better if I came as a buffer.” She was quiet for a little while we kept walkin’. “I know there’s a lot of bad blood, but I want my family back too, Che.” I understood dat. I mean I hated not havin’ a family… I had River now, and The Village, yeah… but there’s somethin’ about havin’ that shared history. I remembered how happy Riv was when Chaske and Aponi first found us. I knew he wanted this, no matter how bad an idea it might be.
“As long as that family don’t include Bernard” I said sternly, she playfully hit my chest with her free hand, scoffed, then put her head on my shoulder as we walked.
“Agreed, we’ll move cautiously.”
I could hear Riv telling his mother all about Two Spirit Pond as the two of them walked up the steps of the deck. He was so fuckin’ excited. They walked through the French doors into our fuckin’ house…. She was in our home. That felt so wrong.
Aponi and I stood out in the yard with Mac lookin’ over the pond, “Even in the dark I can see it’s beautiful here” she said, then looked up at me with a smirk and said, “I can’t wait to see it in the morning.”
“So, you stayin’ the night?”
“If my favorite brother in law let’s us.” I let out a scoff and kissed the top of her head. River loved his siblings; there was no way I could say no to his sister. When we finally made our way to the deck, the two of them were sitting there, havin’ a beer n’ catchin’ up, like none a’ the shit she let Bernard do to Riv n’ me ever happened. Aponi and I joined them, we sat on the deck drinkin’ beers. Da’ three of ‘em were talkin’ loud n’ laughin’. I just sat next to ‘em, pettin’ Mac’s head in my lap tryin’ a read Ms. Hill. I hope she was bein’ real with Riv; he didn’t need her rejection again. It was so loud out there that I had to wonder if Craig n’ Colton could hear us at their house.
When his mother got up to use the bathroom, I asked Riv, “What the fuck are you thinkin’?”
He looked at me and just said, “My mom’s here. She came to see me.”
“N’ da the last time one of your parents came to see you, I put him in cuffs. Somethin’ aint right here, Riv.”
“I’ve been waiting for this, Che. I knew eventually she’d come around.” Man, you shoulda’ seen the look on his perfect face, so hopeful, pleadin’ with me to let him have dis.
“She’s one a da’ reasons we ran away, Riv. She didn’t protect you from him. I don’t trust her for shit.”
“Neither do I” Aponi said, I kinda forgot she was there. “I am very cautious, that’s why I’m here, I asked her all kinds of shit on the ride here. I think she’s being sincere but I’m cautious. I’m willing to try. I just want to put all this shit behind us.” I listened to Riv n’ his sister… they wanted to believe it. They wanted to believe their mother wanted to be with them. Fuck dat, I wasn’t lettin’ my guard down.
She came back and said, “It really is beautiful out here. But it’s getting late and we should find a motel or…”
“Che, is it okay if we stay?” Aponi asked me ‘cause she knew River’d say yes. Riv looked at me with a face that said, ‘please, please, puleeeeeaaaase can they stay?’
I cautiously gave in, “I guess Two Spirit Pond got its first guests.” Aponi nodded at me with an appreciative smile. She knew I was just lookin’ out for her brother. We got their bags outta the truck and brought them each to their cottages.
River took his mother to her cottage n’ I took Aponi to hers. “This is even cuter than the pics Mineola sent me” She said with a squeal as she took it all in.
“We just finished ‘em n’ are gonna post ‘em on Airbnb in a couple days. I already wanna get a bunch more” I said makin’ small talk. Then I got serious, “So what the fuck is goin’ on wid dis, shit Aponi… you know, wid yer mom?” I asked. She knew what I meant.
“No clue. Like I said she showed up in Chicago unannounced. I talked to Chaske last week and he said she called and wants to see the baby and he told her no.”
I think I raised my eyebrows when she said dat, “Day-um, dat’s harsh.”
“He told her to fix things with her own kids first, then they can talk to her about meeting her grandson.”
“So, that’s why she’s here, she was tellin’ the truth. Man, if dat bitch hurts Riv…”
Aponi cut me off, “I will not let that happen, neither will Chaske. That’s why I came with her.”
“What about Bernard?” I asked, she laughed when I called him that.
“Who knows” She said rolling her eyes. “He’s unpredictable, but mother accidentally admitted that you scared him last time he came after you.” Yeah, I was prouda’ dat. “He isn’t comfortable without his local goons at his beck and call to back him up and bail him out. You have a network here; you have a badge now… I don’t think he’ll come back here.” I smiled a little at dat, nah, I smiled a lot at dat! I scared Bernard. The great Shadow Wolf was scared a little ole me. I liked dat thought a lot. Me n’ Aponi talked for a long time, I aint never had a sister, n’ I admit, I liked it. “Okay, I gotta get some sleep.” She said tryin’ a’ kick me out.
“G’night” I said, then hugged her. “You guys leavin’ tomorrow?” I asked her.
“Can we hang out tomorrow, and leave on Monday? I wanna hang with River but I don’t want to cramp your style. You okay with that?” I was okay with that, n’ I knew Riv would love it.
“Yeah, we’re havin’ a cookout here tomorrow night to like, show off da’ new digs, I’m sure Riv’ll wanna show y’all off t’ ever’body.” She smiled at dat. She hugged me again n’ I left the cabin.
It was dark as fuck outside, n’ I made my way towards our cabin, Mac came runnin’ from somewhere; he ran ‘round me at first, den walked next to me… he was a damn good dog. I passed the other cabin n’ heard Riv n’ his mom talkin’ I left ‘em alone and just kept walkin’ back t’ our place. I decided to marinate the chicken for tomorrow’s cookout n’ make a couple of side salads.
Riv was still gone at midnight, so I decided to go to bed, me n’ Mac fell asleep. I aint sure how long I was sleepin’ when I heard River askin’ “Che, Che, you up?”
I was layin’ on my back n’ opened my eyes. River was straddlin’ my waist n’ his face was a coupla’ inches from mine. He scared the shit outta me, but I smiled at him anyway, “You have fun wid yer mom?” I asked… I regretted da’ fuck outta dat right away. He talked like a fuckin’ billion miles an hour about his talk with his mom. N’ he kept callin’ her Momma, I dunno, all I could think was she was gonna fuck him over n’ break his heart. Dat thought left when he reached into my underwear n’ stated strokin’ my restin’ beast.
“I’m so excited! Momma (Ugh… Momma) and Aponi are gonna stay for the party tomorrow and leave on Monday. I’m not ready for sleep yet.” He was pullin’ down my draws, but he kept talkin’. It took like a minute before he stripped us both and we was nekkid with him on toppa’ me straddlin’ my thighs, his long, skinny, reddish-brown dick touchin’ my big black one. He was wakin’ up my restin’ beast… oh hell, who da’ fuck am I kiddin’ that beast was awake and breathin’ fire. Quiet Riv was still talkin’ ‘bout his fuckin’ “momma” as he lifted his ass up n’ sat on my cock. My angry beast entered Riv’s cave in search of release… dat shut him up.
“Damn, you tight, Riv” I said. He was bouncin’ n’ writhin’ on my cock, I mean, like fuck! He arched his back pushin’ his ass down harder on my cock and moved his ass in a circle. He wrapped his arms around my neck and kissed me shovin’ his tongue deep inside my mouth. Riv was worked the fuck up, he was movin’ faster n’ pressin’ harder while we kissed… after a few minutes a’ dat he broke away from my lips and leaned back as he kept ridin’ me. “I’m so fuckin’ close” I grunted. Dat made him ride faster n’ harder; he started strokin’ himself in rhythm. It didn’t take long for him to shoot his load up inta’ the air, it landed with a splash on my face, hittin’ my lips, n’ nose, n’ between my eyes. Fuck, I was covered in River juice n’ dat sent me over da’ edge… well dat and his tight hole grippin’ my damn cock like a vice. I shot my load up his tight ass, den I moved in n’ out usin’ my cum for lube while River leaned in to lick his cum off my face, then kiss me. He pulled himself off my ass n’ lay next to me with his head on my chest. We fell asleep dat way.
River woke me up bangin’ pots n’ pan’s in da kitchen. I got up n’, pulled on my shorts, n’ went to see him in da tiny kitchen with Mac sittin’ next to him waiting for him to drop sumthin’. I walked up behind him n’ asked, “Whatcha’ makin’, bae?”
“I’m preboiling brats in beer and onions for the party… oh, n’ I’m making a vat of pork n’ beans too” he said with a chuckle.
“Smells good” I said puttin’ my hands up the back a’ his T-shirt. “You seen yer ma’ or sister yet?”
“Nope, been in here since I got up.” I kissed his neck then headed out t’ the deck to check things out, Mac was right behind me.
The first thing I saw was a kayak on the pond, Aponi waved to me then yelled, “It was just sittin’ on the pier and I couldn’t resist.”
I yelled back, “Dat’s why it’s dare”! Den I walked over to the pier n’ dropped the other kayak in. We bought two of em with all the vests, and other crap that goes with ‘em as soon as the pier was done, but we only tried ‘em out once. I was glad Aponi was getting’ some use out of our ‘em. I stepped into the kayak n’ paddled my way out to meet my sister in law leavin’ Mac behind on the pier. We bought him a life vest n’ I was gonna teach him to ride with me, but I wasn’t comfortable enough to try it yet… my buddy would have to wait for another day.
“Oh my god you guys, this place is amazing. I love it here.” Aponi said as my kayak pulled up alongside her.
“Us too. It’s a fuckin’ dream.”
“It sure as fuck is” Aponi chided back, I had t’ laugh when she said ‘fuck.’ I aint sure I ever heard her swear before.
“Have you seen yer mom yet?”
“I peaked in her cabin before I came out here and she was still sleeping” Then she giggled, “Hopefully she’ll stay that way until we leave.”
We held on t’ each other’s kayaks and talked. “River is so excited that she’s here, man, I just don’t trust her.”
Aponi nodded, “I’m trying to, Che. I asked everything I could on the way here… and yeah, I think she’s doing all this just to see Mineola, but I don’t think she’ll hurt Riv. Her biggest crime is not stopping father, but you’ve met him, you can’t win a fight with him. As long as she’s not around him, I think it’s all good.” I nodded in agreement. We paddled ‘round the pond with Mac chasin’ us from the shore. Eventually, Ms. Hill appeared on the pier with a cup of steamin’ coffee in here hand, Mac ran over to greet her.
Me n’ Aponi paddled towards her n’ docked the kayaks at the pier, den we all went to our cabin n’ me n’ Riv scared up some breakfast. We ate out on the round table on our deck.
“I slept like a baby” Ms. Hill said. “It’s really lovely our here.” Aponi agreed.
“So, this was just a wooded lot when you found it” Aponi asked as she ate her breakfast and looked over the pond.
“Yup” River answered, n’ told them all about how we bought the land, then put up our place, then the others, I was glad he left out the part about me getting’ hurt, I didn’t like talkin’ about it. He told them about our plan to rent ‘em out n’ hopefully build more. I was usually the one who got all excited about our place, it was cool seein’ Riv so into it like me, I just smiled at him.
I looked at my phone n’ started to push my chair back. “Ok, we got like three hours before people get here. Me n’ Riv got shit to do.”
“How can we help?” Aponi asked.
“I gotta finish up stuff in the kitchen” Riv Said.
“N’ I gotta go borrow some stuff from d’ neighbors.” I said.
“Aponi, you help your brother, I’ll go with Che, it’ll give us a chance to catch up.” Ms. Hill said with a smile. Fuck! River n’ Aponi were smirkin’ at me tryin’ not to laugh, they knew I’d rather gouge my own fuckin’ eyes out than be alone with her. I was just stared ‘em down. fuckers.
We all got dressed, then Aponi and Riv went to work in da kitchen, n’ me n’ Ms. Hill went to see the Westin-Halls to pick up some lawn chairs and a volleyball net. “So, you don’t seem thrilled that I’m here” she said to me as soon as the Bronco doors shut.
“I’m sorry, but you n’ Bernard aint exactly been parents a da’ year.” Dat shut ‘er up, she was quiet all da way to Seth n’ Zach’s.
I parked the Bronco next to Seths Atlas n’ went to open the door when she grabbed my arm. “I admit I was a shit parent; I just sat back and stayed out of Bernard’s way. I was wrong, this might be my last chance to reunite with my kids.”
I looked her in the eye, “Listen, Bernard put River through hell n’ you let him. I got him away from you as soon as he was eighteen. We’re buildin’ a good life here… n’ Riv is fuckin’ happy. If you do anythin’ to change dat, or if Bernard shows up, I will cut you outta his life so fast you won’t know what hit you.” I said. My voice was cold n’ my eyes were steeled. “He’s excited you came to find him. I aint. Don’t hurt him.” Den, I got outta da car.
The kids n’ Petunia were already out of the house n’ runnin’ towards us, Ali jumped into my arms n’ threw his arms around my neck. “Hi Cheese.”
“Hi buddy”
“Yo stuff is ober dare” Izzy said helpfully when she reached me. She was pointin’ to the old barn where Freddy was already draggin’ a lawn chair towards the Bronco. Zach n’ Seth came out and greeted us, I introduced ‘em to River’s mom. The look on Seth’s face made me feel better. I had t’ smirk ‘cause I thought I might be overreactin’ about her bein’ here, but I could tell Seth was thinkin’ the same thing I was. We loaded up the chairs n’ the bocce ball set, Zach n’ the kids were talking to Ms. Hill, n’ Seth came over by me.
“So, River’s mom?” He asked.
“Yup, showed up late last night outta d’ blue with his sister.” Seth just looked at me tryin’ a read my face. “Riv’s excited, I aint” I said answerin’ his unasked question. He nodded.
“Well, it’ll be fun to see Aponi again!” He said excitedly trying to change the mood before we all said our goodbyes.
Petunia n’ the kids all chased the car n’ waved like they always did, as we drove away. I heard Izzy shouting “See you at da powty.”
“Well, they seem like a nice family” River’s mom said.
“Yeah, Zach and Seth are awesome parents” I said. Well, she got what I was sayin’, n’ dat was the end of our conversation. We drove to BroMax in silence to pick up more chairs n’ a volleyball net, n’ ball before we headed back home. It was pretty much the same atmosphere there with kid n’ dogs (n’ a goat) runnin’ around. Ever’ body was nice to Riv’s Mom, But they were all cautious.
We got back to our place, River’s mom went into the house to help Aponi, n’ me n’ Riv set up the yard for the party. We put lawn chairs on all the decks and the pier so people had places to sit n’ talk. We dropped the kayaks in the water n’ tied em’ to the pier, we set up the volleyball net over by the rental cottages, n’ bocce ball near our cabin. We were ready for a massive party… n’ just in time because ever’body showed up almost right at noon. N’ I mean everybody!
Our first party was a massive success. The music was playin’, the air smelled like brats n’ burgers, the food was awesome, people were taking turns kyakin’ in the pond, Zach got a volleyball tournament goin’. All The Villagers were playin’ drinkin’ eatin’ n’ havin’ fun. The kids n’ dogs were runnin’ around.
Aponi introduced herself to literally everyone… she fit in perfectly. Ms. Hill sat on the deck of her cottage n’ watched the party, several people went over n’ talked to her, like she was holdin’ court. She seemed to be havin’ fun.
There were so many people there! The Westin-Halls (includin’ Zach’s parents), the BroMax gang (includin’ Daddy n’ BA), Dylan and Gina’s family, Eli, Riley and little Mercedes, Craig, Colton, Ella, n’ Cay, Taylor n’ Noah, Maverick n’ RayRay, Mason N’ Raj, Ricky, Timmy n’ their dates, there were even a coupla’ villagers I didn’t know there, Hugo n’ Carty (Riv knew ‘em both from the Candle factory), Officer Any, n’ several guys from the force were there too. I loved seein’ those guys away from work.
The highlight of da party for me was when Brody gave us a sign he painted dat said “Welcome to Two Spirit Pond.” I fuckin’ loved it. It was me, River N’ Mac standin’ in front a’ da pond with the cottages in the background.
The next mornin’, we said goodbye to River’s mom and his sister. Aponi promised to visit again, and his mom promised to keep in touch.
“That was a nice surprise, I’m so happy they came” River said as we walked back to our Cabin.
All I said was, “It was nice to see Aponi.” River knew how I felt about his mother.
To be continued…
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