CHAPTER 1
The sound of a motorcycle pierced the air as they sat sipping their brews in the bar. It was rare enough to hear a car engine go by never mind the roaring sound of a bike. If the Weasely Limo ever drove up one never knew of its arrival until the occupants entered the premises. Daniel the chauffeur was much adapt of closing the door firmly but softly. This loud noise returned and suddenly stopped in front of the bar. Of that the patrons were sure.
In walked a rough looking man. Unshaven with long sandy blonde hair draped back in a loose ponytail. It belied curls of youth.
“Give us a beer!” he demanded as he reached the bar, never sitting down.
Barry hesitated…
“Didn’t you hear me” the young man bellowed?
“You said ‘us’ so I was waiting for the other person.” Barry’s glib reply surprised even himself.
The patron just glared. “Give-me-a-beer” he said slowly.
Barry nodded and quickly pulled the lever for the brew. He hoped the guy wanted draught as his delivery for bottled beer had not yet arrived today. Delivery was always late after a holiday weekend.
The patron grabbed the glass and quickly swilled the beer down his gullet. Slamming the glass on the bar, he reached in his pocket for some bills to pay.
Barry drew a deep sigh as he was sure this guy would have walked out without doing so.
“Ah there she is!” the patron said a little more softly.
Everyone turned to see Bess walk in. She was late as usual but no one ever questioned why. And she never told them.
“So this is where you are hiding out eh, babe!”
His voice startled her. Obviously seeing this man did not bring pleasant thoughts to her mind as the look on her face was more horror than anything else. When he did not get a reply from her, he continued…
“So this is where you are hiding out eh, babe!”
Barry moved quickly to stand beside Bess and drew his arm around her, then spoke. “Yes she lives here!”
The patron just laughed. It sounded evil. “I don’t believe that! With you!” he pointed at Barry. “And what about my kid? Did you adopt him?”
Barry let his arm droop from Bess’s shoulders. ‘She had a kid? No one knew. Perhaps that was why she was late everyday. And how did she end up with this creep?’ All these thoughts passed through Barry’s mind in an instant.
“You didn’t answer me!” the patron growled edging nearer to Bess. She stood her ground and stared him in the eye. For a moment or an eternity they glared at each other. Everyone in the bar was curious to find out the past of these two.
Bess too was lost in thought. How did she ever get involved with this bum? Sure they both came from the poor side of town. Oh not only were they poor they lived on the wrong side of the tracks too. Bess’s dad owned a small little pub at the corner of the street. Mostly bums and bad sorts hung out there. Her dad made her waitress there to help bring in the patrons. But she was never passed around. Although she did have a wild streak in her back in those days. Ahh so long ago. Rick was one of those bums that hung out at the bar. He was well known in the neighbourhood and was also highly suspected of the many robberies of the convenience stores and other businesses in the area. But no proof ever held up in court. And so he and his little gang roamed free pillaging the business whenever they liked. Her dad’s place never got robbed. Little did they know she was the gang’s girl! By becoming such it was a way of protecting her dad’s place from getting hit. But it became rather obvious why, so the eventual happened. But this time the boys were all liquored up and someone pulled a gun. Her father lay bleeding to death on the very floor where he made his livelihood. She had to tell the police the truth. With her testimony they were able to put the whole gang in prison. Until now….
Feeling his breathe on her, she shivered realizing the past was not over. Here was Rick once again threatening her. Only this time she had a child to protect, his child. Chills of fear crept over her.
All this time Barry was eyeing the old flintok rifle that hung over the bar. Would it work? Could he reach it? He didn’t think the patron was armed but….Oh where was Davy when you needed him?
CHAPTER 2
Rick who’s real name was Jesse Richard James and his twin sister Victoria were born in a run down shack along the railroad tracks. His father used to work the railroad until he lost his arm and a leg when he fell under a rolling train. His mom cleaned houses for the well to do but it was never enough to get them out of the area. His father thought it would be a good joke naming his son Jesse after the famous outlaw but his mother always called him by his middle name of Richard. Rick never liked the named Jesse himself. Thinking despite the fact that it belonged to an outlaw it was a sissy name for a boy. So Rick was what he came to be known by.
He fell in with the gang at a young age. When he was supposed to be in school he often skipped and rode out with the boys. Once he became old enough to get a license he stole his first motorcycle. It was so easy. After that boosting cars brought in quick cash, until he got caught. Still being a minor he was given a light sentence and put in juvenile detention for a year. But once he got out he fell back in with the boys in the gang.
His sister Victoria was a beauty. She shared the same hair colour and lovely curly locks. He loved her dearly and did not want her to have this kind of life. So when the boys got into robbing stores and such, Rick saw this as an opportunity to help his sister out. Most of his share he gave to her so she could go to school. She graduated from secretarial school and got a good job in the government. When she had enough money saved she moved away and went to University in Montreal. By that time Rick was back in jail. Thanks to a botched robbery, a dead man (who he didn’t kill) and son he vowed he would someday raise.
Prison life was no different to being on the streets. Rick adapted rather well. And although he wanted to reform himself he found it much easier to deal in crime, even in prison it thrives as he found out. But now he was out, he didn’t know how but he meaned to change and turn his life around. How he didn’t know. But first on his list was finding Bess. Yes, he knew she squealed on him. But murder was not in his blood. Even he would have squealed on the boys if he could get away with it. Most of them were lifers now anyway and it would be many years before they could catch up to Rick.
And now here he was confronting the love of his life. Oh she was so beautiful. It took his breath away looking at her. And their son, he must be 5 or 6 at least. Rick wondered what he looked like. His mom had told him the news when she came to visit him in prison. He wanted so badly to see his son and hold him and promise him he would do everything in his power to keep him safe and out of harms way. But he couldn’t let his feelings show, not here, not in front of these strangers. He needed to get Bess alone and talk, no reason with her. Try to make her believe he was a changed man. Only he wasn’t. He didn’t know how to be. Look how he entered this place. No she would never believe him.
When the reverie had ended Bess demanded he leave. Rick hung his head and slowly walked out the door. It would not be the end of this relationship he vowed. Someday he would win her back. He just didn’t know how yet.
CHAPTER 3
The drive to Montreal was a long one. The wind was bitter off the St. Lawrence as he sped along the highway. Rick wished he had warmer clothing but he only had enough money for food and fuel. He was sure Victoria would take him in and help him. After all she did work for a lawyer or so his mom told him. Hah he laughed to himself, maybe she was a call girl and just made up that story for his mothers sake. Their mom could not have handled to lawless children.
He found the address of a walk up in a dark treeless street. Cars were parked on both sides making the roadway quite narrow. He parked his bike against the railing and proceeded to climb the stairs to her apartment. Rick took a deep breath and pressed the buzzer.
“Allo” her recognizable voice answered. “Qui sa?”
She spoke French! Rick wasn’t prepared for this.
“It’s me Rick, ah Jesse. Your brother. Can you let me in, it’s freezing out here!”
After a silence that seemed like forever he heard the door open, and there she stood. Oh she was beautiful this sister of his. They gazed at each other in the dim light for an eternity.
“Viens, viens, come in.” she told him.
He stepped into the alcove then followed her up the stairs to her apartment. It was cozy and warm.
“Mama” a child’s voice was heard.
“Shhh mon fil.” She pointed to a chair for Rick to sit on and disappeared down the hall. He could hear her soft voice talking to her son he assumed and then another little voice was heard. My goodness she has children. But she still held her maiden name. Was she not married? Rick never expected this scenario of his sister. But many years had passed and…
She entered the room and turned on the overhead light. “Well let’s have a look at you then.” Even her English had a french accent. And she was a woman now. A lovely one at that. Filled out in all the right places, not thin but proportionally built. Yes he could see her with a man.
“Where is your husband?” was all he could think of to ask her. It was not as he intended. Who was he to judge?
Victoria just smiled. I have none!
Rick could feel his mouth drop open.
Her laughter was bright and not forced. Ah my dear broder she spoke rather carelessly not pronouncing her words properly in English. You are not the only one who has a fatherless child. Or children as in my case.
“Who is the father?” he managed to ask.
This time she did not smile. “He was my boss” she told him softly. But he has gone now. Back home to Lofton to his family.
‘Lofton’ Rick’s ears lit up at that name.
“Why I have just left that town. It’s where Bess is living.”
“You saw Bess!” Victoria exclaimed. “I had no idea. Did you see your son too?”
“Ah so you know.” He replied.
Victoria nodded her head. Mom writes me often. She has even come here to visit to see her grandchildren Victoria told him. “Come to the kitchen, I will fix you something to eat and we can chat and get caught up on things.”
And so they were reunited this twin couple from the wrong side of the tracks. What is next for them? Stay tuned.
Here's a picture of Bess and her (their) son Dan.
Today is another lovely summer like day. I've got some serious packing done. Food mostly. The place is starting too look like a warehouse! LOL Hmm and I can smell turkey!
1 comment:
Good background info - you've left it quite open so that anything can happen - good or bad - in the next few chapters
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