Page 50 of Truck

Taking a deep breath, I head to Coin’s room and check how Grady is getting along with his homework. It might be safer to stick with him because he seems to stay out of trouble.

Chapter 26

RORY

Friday, and I don’t have Grady this evening. It’s going to be different not having him at the house. I’ve gotten used to his talking while I’m getting breakfast ready. His questions about any subject you can imagine. He’s like a dry sponge, soaking up as much information as he can. It’s endearing, although tiring.

Walking around the diner, giving diners a top-off on their coffee while checking if they need anything is normal for me when I have no meals to give. I am not one to stand behind the counter doing nothing while I wait for something to need my attention.

Fallon is working with me tonight, and I’m hoping Shelby has done a good job teaching her what is needed. The last thing I want or need is to carry someone else’s weight. I look over to the counter and notice that Fallon is wiping down the counter while watching for diners needing anything. That’s good, and I hope she keeps that attitude.

“Rory, it’s time for your break. I’ll cover anything while you take your time.”

“Thanks, Fallon,” I give her a smile as I walk behind the counter and get myself a cappuccino. I’m not hungry, so I don’t bother with anything to eat as I head to the table near the kitchen door, reserved for staff unless the diner is full to bursting.

I take a sip of my coffee and look up when the diner door opens. Truck and Collins walk in and seeing me, they both head my way.

Truck leans down and kisses me before picking up my coffee and taking a sip. Nodding, he turns to Fallon who is watching from behind the counter. “One of these and tonight's special.” Truck takes a seat beside me and gives me a kiss on the cheek.

Collins places his order, then takes a seat opposite Truck at the table. “Are you good, Rory?”

I give Collins a smile as I reply. “I am, thank you for asking. What about you two? It’s not usual for you two to eat together on a Friday night no less.”

“It’s been a long week, and we were both hungry. When I told Collins where I was heading, he tagged along. Xero went to the clubhouse earlier because the gas station was covered. Mitchell is there and Ian is doing his apprenticeship, so stepping in when he’s not needed anywhere else,” Truck tells me.

“I thought he only did one day a week?” Collins asks and looks up when Fallon places a coffee in front of him, then one in front of Truck. She doesn’t loiter, which I’m pleased with because the last thing the diner needs is a server who is after one of the brothers that comes in to eat.

“Ian decided that whenever he had any spare time, he would put that time to good use and head over to the gas station. He’s a fuckin’ good worker. It doesn’t matter what you give him. He does it the best he can. He’s going to make one hell of a good brother when he’s patched,” Truck states.

I’m about to get up when Fallon walks over with three meals, placing one in front of all of us. “Eat, Rory. You’ve had nothing since breakfast, and don’t give me that look. You told me you hadn’t eaten, so eat what you want. I can cover the diner, and if it gets too busy, I’ll give you a shout.”

“Thank you, Fallon,” I respond with gratitude. I’m not hungry, but I eat because of the looks both Truck and Collins are giving me.

We eat quietly until Xero enters the diner, orders a coffee and a special before taking a seat opposite me. I give him a smile and continue eating. Collins, however, gives him a questioning look. “What are you doing here?”

“Well, I was going to eat at the clubhouse, but I overheard a conversation and thought I’d come and eat with you two while I fill you in on what I heard. Rory, maybe you can tell me if it happened?”

“If what happened?” I question.

“If you had a man die and then come back to life…” Xero leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table as he waited for my reply.

“Well, yes, we had a man collapse and die. He also took a breath and survived after the paramedic said he was deceased. It was all frightening to be honest with you. I don’t want that to happen again,” I respond with a shiver because it was not nice to see Bellamy die, but I am more than happy he survived.

“Now let me tell you. I overheard Cilla talking with Pres, and she told him it was Tank and Bono who practiced what they said was Rum’s Rescue. They told Cilla they grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and the ass of his pants and pushed him right back into his body…” Xero is enjoying the tale but…

“What did you say?” I ask shocked at what I’m hearing.

“Yeah, Cilla said that Truck said that Rum couldn’t die and if he did, they had to shove him back into his body. They were practicing doing just that, and this guy died here, and they grabbed him, making sure his spirit went back into his body and lived.”

Truck chuckles, and Collins is looking as shocked as I am. Now, I’m not sure I like all this spooky ghost stuff, so I quickly grab my half-eaten plate and walk away from the table. The three of them watch me leave, but I’m so quick that they don’t have time to say more to me.

“Are you okay, Rory?” Fallon asks, and I tell her what they had told me. Fallon grins and gives me a mischievous look. “Wonder if they can do it for anyone? It would be a handy trick, but better if they could yank spirits out of bodies, like exes that need to be got rid of, permanently.”

“I don’t have exes like that. I have a dead husband.” I don’t wait for her to comment on my statement. I quickly walk into the kitchen, my unfinished meal in hand, and gave Tracy, our cook for the evening, a small smile. I’m in the doorway returning to the counter area when I turn as Tracy speaks to me.

“Are you okay, Rory? You look a little on the pale side,” Tracy stops what she’s doing as she studies my face.

“I’m good. Just a little tired tonight. I’m ready to go home and have a day doing nothing much.” I remember my plans for tomorrow. “I’m taking Grady tomorrow to get a shirt and pants for the funeral.”