Sidetracked by Dellani Oakes Part 52 by Dellani Oakes

“You don’t think Aiden is what?” her eldest son said from the hallway behind her. He rubbed his eyes, flinching away from the light. Dimming it by the nearby switch, he walked into the room. “What?”

“Hiya, Aiden,” Vanessa’s voice came from the phone. “The parties with the Private Golf Club. Have you been invited to go?”

“Yes. But I never went. I mean, I like golf, but I’ve already got scholarships and money. I don’t need theirs. I figured to save it for kids who really want it. They’ve tried to recruit me. Wait a second, is that—is that how? Oh, Jesus!” He sat on the floor, face in his hands. “No wonder Fonda’s parents wouldn’t do anything! Her dad is nearly as big a pervert as Wendy’s. And Inez’ folks are both stupid, and mean.”

“How do you know this?” his mother asked.

“The girls talked to me, especially once I got the truth from Wendy. They knew that talking to me was safe. I wanted to go to the police, but what could I do? No one would believe me. Those people are the cream of society.”

“I’m listening,” Vanessa said.

“So am I,” Aaron added. “We may not be the cream, but we’re gonna whip ’em.”

Vanessa chuckled. “I just imagined going after Dickie with a wire whisk.”

Aaron laughed. “Thanks for that image, Ness. If I ever need a cock block.”

“Doing my civic duty. We may not be strong enough to take these folks on, but I know some people who are bigger and badder than Dickie Bigby will ever be. I have to make some phone calls. Later.”

“Who does she mean?” Deirdre asked as Aaron pocketed his phone.

“Vanessa has friends in low places.” He wouldn’t say any more.

It was time for the boys to go to school. Aaron was going to drive them. Eoin was staying with Deirdre, and there was another police officer due any second. There was a tap a the door and they were all immediately alert. Aaron pointed to the office and Deirdre, with the help of her boys, went in. They stayed with her.

Aaron, weapon drawn, checked the peephole, frowning. The person on the porch wasn’t the one he was expecting. Turned away from the door, he faced the driveway, apparently waiting. He turned to tap the door again, and Aaron relaxed. Opening the door, he greeted the man.

“Teague. Dude, I didn’t know you were coming.”

“Vanessa hasn’t called?”

Aaron’s phone rang. “Vanessa,” he said with a grin. “He’s here,” he said when he answered.

“He made better time than I thought. Is Jasper there?”

“Not yet. Being slow,” Teague said when Aaron put the phone on speaker. “Who else do we expect?”

“I’m not sure. I called you and Jasper. He said he’d activate the Irregulars. I have no idea who’s coming.”

A black muscle car pulled up behind Teague’s truck. Jasper and a sultry black haired woman got out. She had a baby strapped to her chest, and a diaper bag over her shoulder. Aaron invited them all in.

Eoin bustled around the kitchen. Teague joined him, working in harmony. He and the woman were introduced, Jasper’s wife, Nadeya.

“Viv’s coming by in a few to get Pancho Villa,” Teague pointed to Nadeya’s son.

“Do not call my son that name,” she said. “Or I’ll be forced to shoot you.”

“I can’t remember his name and it always makes me think of Pancho Villa.”

“His name is Raymund, and you know it. Say his name.” She grabbed Teague’s shirt, pulling some chest hairs in the process.

“Baby Ray. Just f**king with ya, Nay.”

“Never tease a new mother about her baby,” Deirdre said as she took a seat at the table. “Especially one who can kill you. How old is your son?” she asked Nadeya.

“Six weeks today.”

“Nursing?”

“Yep. Getting fat and sassy,” Jasper said proudly. “Looks just like me, huh? Cute little f**k.”

Nadeya punched her husband. “I told you not to call him that, especially in public.”

“One thing you’ll discover about this bunch,” Jasper gestured to himself, Aaron and Teague. “We tease, and don’t know when to stop.”

There was a special tap at the door, three short, two long.

“Vivica,” Teague said. “My wife. She’s got the little nipper with her.” He checked the peephole and opened the door.

© 2018 Dellani Oakes