Page 54 of Truck

“Do you mean about his mother dying and being here?”

Rory nods. “Yeah. I know Jill has some financial stuff to sort out, and she asked me to look at some financials for her. But the funeral…”

“Stop worrying, Rory. Things happen when they should. Help when she asks you for help, but don’t worry too much.” I kiss her thoroughly before we walk into the clubhouse.

We both stop as we enter the clubhouse because Finger is standing looking at Ayla as though she is a traitor. Cilla is looking at her daughter, then at Bono, Tank, or Pyro. I’m not sure what’s going on until I clearly hear Ayla say, “Ank.”

“Oh, fuck, she said Tank,” I mumble as the realization hit.

“Who is Tank?” Rory asks, and I’m not sure how to answer the question, so I pick Rory up and throw her over my shoulder. I head to my clubhouse bedroom and shout for Cilla to watch over Grady until we come back. I intend to keep Rory busy until she forgets what she just heard.

Chapter 28

RORY

I’m more than thankful Truck had the foresight to get Grady new clothing for the funeral. I had tried to find the time to take Grady to the mall and get him a new shirt and pants, but I just didn’t get around to it. When Truck handed Grady new clothing and told him to wear them, be smart and stand up tall at the funeral, I kissed him. I didn’t even have to think about it. I was, and am, so grateful to him, just for being the fantastic person he is.

I’m standing beside Grady and Jill at the graveside of their mother. I didn’t know her so it doesn’t affect me, but I can see it’s ripping into Jill. Grady shuffles closer to me and when I feel his hand slide into mine, I give it a small squeeze.

The chaplain reads from the scriptures and offers prayers. They feel fairly meaningless to me, especially when Jill had informed me earlier in the day that the chaplain didn’t know her mother.

Jill is softly crying. Grady is dry-eyed, which tells me he didn’t have a solid relationship with his mother. Another prayer is started, and I mumble along with Jill. What surprises me more than anything else was the arrival of Truck along with most of the club brothers. They had all given Grady a small nod, which I’m sure helped him get through this service.

The chaplain continues, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

Jill sniffles as she tries to stop herself from breaking down. I understand some of this is relief that the suffering is over, but the rest is for the mother she has lost.

The chaplain continues as Jill takes a small amount of earth before throwing it onto the lowered urn. "In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty God our sister, and we commit her body to the ground. Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust…"

Grady takes a fistful of earth and aggressively throws it onto the urn. Jill turns to reprimand him, but I shake my head at her. This is Grady showing she wasn’t much of a mother to him, and he is angry about it. I wonder if he needs to speak with someone about his feelings! I will watch him closely, and if it’s needed, I’ll suggest it to Jill, and I’ll pay for it if necessary.

Walking to my vehicle I notice all the club brothers are quietly standing and waiting. For what, I’m not sure. Truck wraps an arm around my neck and points at Grady, then at Jill. “Come on to the clubhouse. We are holding a gathering for your loss. We didn’t know your mother, but we know both of you. So, let’s have a drink and honor her life.”

I don’t wait for Jill to decide. I give Grady a small flick of my head, and he climbs into my vehicle. Jill follows, which I’m happy about because I didn’t want to have a fight with her in the parking lot of the cemetery.

Two hours later, we are sitting in the common room of the clubhouse eating from an assortment of food Bessy and Jo, the cooks had provided. Grady is chowing down on a plate so piled high I’m not sure he’ll eat it all. Jill is nibbling and not looking at anyone. If she keeps this up, I’ll be speaking to her about lifting her spirits for Grady’s sake.

I sit closer to Jill and tap her hand. When she looks up at me I ask the question that I think is needed. “What is happening with your financial situation, Jill?”

“The funeral had already been paid for. I didn’t know originally that it was, but I have to tell you, Rory, I was relieved. There is an insurance policy, which is going through the process at the moment, so that will help with the medical bills that are outstanding. There will be a small amount left after that. What has…” Jill looks around to make sure Grady isn’t listening, then continues. “What has me angry is the fact that I had been paying rent on the house. But my mother owned that house, Rory. I was paying rent to my mother for her children to live in it. How the eff does that work?”

“What was she doing with the rent money?” I’m astonished that Jill has been struggling financially to support herself and her brother while paying medical bills, yet her mother had been taking rent money from her. It’s staggering. Unbelievable. Ruthless.

“I have an appointment to see Mr. Lawson at the lawyer's office tomorrow. Hopefully, I’ll have some answers about that. But there better not be a pile of bills that I need to pay because Rory, I’ll disappear if that is the case. I cannot face any more debts because of her. I’ve been working and paying for years and it’s got to stop.”

I hug Jill and feel her body shake as she cries. This woman has suffered more than she should have, but she’ll come out of it strong and positive. I’ll make sure that happens, and I’ll make sure Grady doesn’t suffer. They both have clung to each other, and it’s time they moved forward.

“Do you want me to come with you tomorrow, Jill?” I offer as support and not as someone being nosey or pushing myself forward.

“Would you? I’m scared of what is going to be said tomorrow, Rory. I would be grateful if you would come with me.”

“Hey, we are sisters now, so I’m more than happy to come, and if I can offer help I will.” I take Jill’s hand and give it a small squeeze.

We both look up when we hear shouting. “What the fuck! Ayla said Tank? Are you sure, Finger?” Tracker asks, but he’s nearly shouting so I’m not sure what’s going on, but he’s not happy.

Finger snarls, “She sure did. What the hell is going on, Cilla?”

Cilla gives Finger a nasty look right before she answers. “I can’t stop Ayla from saying what she wants to say. Tank, Bono, and Pyro are around her every day, and near enough all day. What do you expect? She listens to them telling her stories and saying their names to her. You tell them to stop talking to her and see what happens.”