Page 28 of RiffRaff's Reward
“Nah, we’re good, brother,” Kodiak replies.
Standing, I gather my empty bottles, give the two brothers a chin lift then head to my room to start packing up my shit. Before leaving, I toss my laundry in the washing machine and get it started, then walk out the door. Since the weather has turned a bit, we already have my bike tied down in the trailer, plus it’s loaded with things Joceline packed up on the sly to take back to Roanoke for her and the kids.
As I head to the store to grab drinks and snacks, I’m grateful that Cuda found out from Joceline what she and her kids enjoy so I can pick those up as well. Since it’s a long trip, Kodiak already picked up two tablets so each of the kids have their own, then he downloaded several kid-friendly apps that are age appropriate and got them headphones, so Joceline and I don’t have to listen to the warring sounds, while Conan found the kids travel pillows and blankets. It’s my hope that we’ll get most of the way home or at least, if we have to drive at night, they’ll sleep. I’m grateful that I’ve got Sirius XM so that Joceline and I can find music we both like to listen to.
I honestly don’t know how talkative she’ll be; she’s been through hell and back, but if she needs a listening ear, I’ll do so. Anything to help ease her mind a bit until she’s back with her family and safe.
“Call Jilly,” I command through my hands-free button. When the call connects, I say, “Hey, sweetheart, guess who’s heading home tomorrow?”
I hear her gasp before she replies, “I’m taking it you are? I sure hope so, you’ll be home for Christmas!”
“Yeah, babe. Not sure what time I’ll be hitting town, but I have to make a stop first, then I’ll come and pick you and the kids up so we can head to the clubhouse. We usually do family Christmas once we’ve eaten dinner, so even if we end up getting there a little late, we won’t miss everything.”
“We’ll wait to open our presents until you get home then,” she replies.
“No, Jilly, that little boy needs to know Santa found him and he doesn’t need to wait until later that night. He’s had a lot of upheaval in his little life so let’s start off like we intend to continue,” I instruct.
“Yeah, that makes sense. Well, how about you and I wait until we’re back home?” she asks.
“I can get behind that one,” I tease. “Especially if there are any sexy teddies involved.”
She giggles then says, “Maybe there are and maybe there aren’t.”
“I sure miss the fuck out of you, babe,” I tell her. “So fucking much it hurts.”
“Same,” she whispers. “But you’ll be home in a few days. Oh! Guess what? Ryleigh asked me and Kimber to help out at the club’s community store the next two days since there are so many who needed help this year. I wish you could be here, though.”
“You’ll really enjoy it, I think, plus it might help Kimber realize just how blessed she is when she sees how so many people struggle just to put food on the table, much less gifts under a Christmas tree.”
“I agree. Katie’s coming with us as well,” she replies.
“Jilly, I’m running some errands to get ready to leave, so I’ll talk to you tonight, okay?” I ask.
“Okay, handsome. I love you. Please be safe and I’ll talk to you tonight.”
“Love you too, sweetheart. Later.”
I pull into the parking lot of the department store which looks like a warzone with all the last-minute shoppers. Right now, I’m grateful as fuck that Ryleigh and the rest of the ol’ ladies took care of my shopping since I was gone because I would go bonkers if I had to do it myself even though I usually enjoy buying shit for other people.
By the time I’m done and standing in line, I’m even more grateful that I only had non-gift items to purchase. When I hear the woman in front of me let out a little cry, I tune in to the conversation only to hear that she doesn’t have enough to make her purchase. Seeing that she’s got gifts for a little one on the conveyor belt I say, “Here, let me get those for her,” while handing my card to the clerk.
The woman turns to me and says, “You don’t have to do that, sir.” The desolate sound of her voice is what convinces me that, yeah, I do have to do this.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
RiffRaff
“Ma’am,you’re buying presents for a little one, aren’t you?” I ask. At her nod, I state, “Then I’m gonna help. I know how much kids enjoy the magic of Christmas so since I’m able to, let me do this for you. Maybe one day, you can pay it forward and help someone who’s in the same boat you’re in today.”
Tears fall down her cheeks as she manages to squeeze between the carts and throws her arms around me. “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she murmurs into my chest. “I’ve been sick for months and just went back to work so this is all I can get for my little girl. Still, I’m grateful for having a job and she’s young enough she’s not going to know any different.”
I manage to extricate myself from her arms, pull out my wallet and hand her several hundred-dollar bills. “Put this toward groceries or whatever else you might need.” My voice is gruff when it dawns on me that while I’m not home to help at the store, I’m able to help where I’m currently at right now. I make a mental note to let Dragon and his crew know that if they’d liketo start a store like our house has once they reclaim Cedar Creek, I’ll help them fund the startup costs.
She clutches the money to her chest as she continues to cry. “Thank you for being a blessing to me and my daughter.”
“You’re welcome,” I reply as the clerk hands my card back to me then proceeds to bag up the woman’s purchases. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas to you and yours as well,” the woman replies.
