“Fuck you, Rex. You ever talk about her pussy again, family or not, I’ll beat the shit outta you.” I look up this time to find his face full of amusement, as mine is full of rage.

“You got it bad, man.”

“Shut the fuck up and get to work.” I throw a set of keys at him for his next job.

“Jolene wants us over for dinner tonight. Says it’s important.”

“Alright, what time?”

We map out the rest of the day so we can make it to his mom’s for dinner. Not how I planned to end my day, but whatever. Catching up keeps me busy and before I know it, Rex is walking in reminding me we have plans.

Arriving at my grandparent’s house, my gut twists. This is the place full of my happiest memories. Well, my happiest memories before Doll. Pop’s was always big on memories and making moments last. Aunt Jolene has the house now. She’s given it the modern upgrades, and added her own personal flare. Walking in the front door, I hear two female voices. Going past the living room that’s painted turquoise with a beach theme that includes huge sand dollars on the wall, we head to the sound of the voices. I stop in my tracks at the woman beside my aunt, the resemblance is uncanny.

“Talon.” The woman says looking at me with the same eyes I see in the mirror every day.

Her hair is lighter than mine. She’s tiny. Only five feet tall or so, skinny, and her face full of wrinkles. Time has not done her well. She looks fragile and broken. She may only be forty-nine years old, but she looks to be in her late sixties.

“Lucy.” I reply as the ice runs through my veins.

“I’m glad you remember who I am.” She says never looking away from me as Rex goes and hugs his mother.

“What the fuck do you want?” Might as well cut to the chase, she’s not here for well wishes.

“I’m moving back home. I want to get to know you son.”

I laugh. I can’t help myself, after all this time. “Nothin’ to know. I go to work, I come home. I got a club that’s my family. When I need to fuck, I got bitches to fuck. Nothin’ more to tell. Nothin’ more you need to know. I’m a grown man. You want to know me? That time was long before now.”

“You’ve got a business. You’ve traveled. I want to know about all that. Do you have a wife? Do I have grandchildren?”

“Some things come too little, too late. You want to move in here with Aunt Jolene, fine. Y’all sort that shit out. I’m outta here.”

And without another word, I leave. Tomorrow, I pull out for a transport. I’ll find a way to stay gone for a while.

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