Page 70 of Truck

“He is complex, I agree. He is a sweetheart on one hand, helps lots of people, never tells anyone he’s doing it. He hates women being hurt, and he cannot abide cheaters, whether it is a man or a woman doing the cheating. He is also the soldier that you would expect him to be. Cold and indifferent when he meets with something he needs to overcome. I see his aura, and he has a good one, there is nothing for any of us to worry about. Now, come on, let’s get this done.”

“Did you hear Truck telling Rides he, Truck that is, was on the night shift next week and he’s going to be bored stupid,” Rory asks, and I shake my head that no I hadn’t heard. “He says most people are using their credit cards at the gas pumps. They are doing nothing much behind the counter until someone uses the grocery store part of the gas station. I laughed with Cilla, because let’s be honest, it’s better than working your butt off lugging boxes around all day, or something like that.”

I stop and listen to Bono speaking, and laughing I might add.

*We’ll keep him company, Cilla*

“Don’t cause trouble, Bono,” I reply to Bono, but notice Rory is giving me an odd look. I grab her hand and hang on to her because I don’t want her rushing out of the shop.

*Would I cause trouble, Cilla?*

“Rory, don’t worry, it’s only Bono telling me he’ll keep Truck company on his night shift. I told him not to cause trouble.”

Rory nods, but looks a little uncomfortable with the conversation topic, and I know I’m going to have to get her into the mode of not worrying about them.

“Has Terrence moved on now, Cilla?”

That I was not expecting, and certainly not in the middle of a furniture store. “Yes, he wanted you to move on and be happy.” I don’t say more because I don’t want a blubbering friend I have to console here. “Now come on, let’s get this done, and Rory, you’ll get used to the boys, remember they mean no harm.”

Rory tells me the kitchen table story, and I keep giving smiles that show she has nothing to worry about. The boys, as I always call them, only want Rory to know they are not hostile, and I think she is getting used to the mayhem the clubhouse brings and, in any form, it brings it.

We choose beds, sofas, dining tables and chairs, dressing tables, and much more. “My feet hurt, Cilla. Do you think we can call it a day?”

“Yeah, we have most of the furniture. Let’s do kitchen appliance shopping online,” I reply and giggle because Rory looks like she is more than thankful we are finishing up for the day.

Back at the clubhouse I look for Finger who was watching over Ayla while I shopped. I find them in his club room and both fast asleep. Ayla giving small twitches of her lips as she is dreaming, and Finger with his mouth slightly open and a light snore escaping.

*You know we will watch over everyone, don’t you, Cilla?*

“Yes, I know that Tank. But not everyone is easy talking to ghosts or even recognize that there is such a thing.”

*Was you impressed we put that man back in his body? Was you, Cilla? It was exciting and we did it*

I walk out of the bedroom so Finger and Ayla can continue sleeping and head to the kitchen for a drink and maybe a sandwich. I wonder if Jo has any of the...no, probably not, the men around here don’t leave any leftovers for more than an hour or two at most.

“Stop following me, Tank. I’m tired and hungry,” I snap a little because I am tired and once I’ve eaten something, I may just go to bed and snore alongside Finger.

*You didn’t answer my question, Cilla. Were you impressed?*

I stop walking and look at Tank with a scowl on my face. “Yes, it was impressive. Now, can you go away so I can get on with my day?”

Continuing to walk I’m tripped up and taking a few staggering steps so I don’t fall I whirl around on Tank, who looks sheepish right before he poofs and disappears. “Asshole, you little, stinking, asshole.”

“Who is an asshole?”

I whirl around and give my best scowl to Books who is standing in his office doorway. “Tank. That’s who. He’s gonna get it, when I decide how to get my own back.” I storm away from Books but ignore the fact that he is chuckling.

After eating a cheese and tomato sandwich, drinking a soda, and stealing a carrot that Jo had peeled for the evening meal I walk into the common room and take a seat.

What I am not prepared for is my Uncle Clay to appear. I have not seen him in twenty years, but although old he is not hard to recognize. “Uncle Clay!” I murmur in shock.

*Hello, Cilla. I’m sorry to appear to you now, but I didn’t want to leave without you knowing I cared deeply about you. We lost touch and I never managed to find where you had gone. Your mother kept you well-hidden*

“She told me you didn’t want anything to do with me. That’s why I never came back, or contacted you,” I reply, and I notice Hot Rod is watching me closely from across the common room.

*I hope your mother meets consequences now she’s on this side. She was slimy enough that she always seemed to wriggle out of trouble, but I’m looking forward to meeting her here. I have to go, Cilla, but I wanted you to know that I always loved you, and so did your dad*

“I hope you find peace on that side, Uncle Clay. I loved you also,” I don’t get the opportunity to say more as I watched him disappear.