Selah’s Wish (Imperial Knights MC #1)

Chapter 14

FOURTEEN

Butcher

It’s Christmas Eve and we’re volunteering at one of Roanoke’s businesses. I’m enjoying grabbing gifts from the back and bagging them up for parents to wrap up and place under the tree for their kids. I wish programs like this existed when I was younger. If they had, my family may not have fallen apart the way it did. The more I get to know the group from Roanoke, the more respect I have for them.

As soon as I put the last article of clothing into a bag for my latest family, Selah walks in with another approved application. “Do we have any more tricycles? This little peanut had to have surgery on her leg after a car accident, the family lost their only car and had to sacrifice a lot in order to pay for her surgery. She’s just finished physical therapy and asked for a bike for Christmas.”

“How old is she?” I ask, wondering why if she’s asking for a bike we’re looking for a tricycle. “And what did they lose making sure she’d be able to walk again?”

“She’s three. The dad broke his arm in the accident so he hasn’t been able to work so they had to let the lease on their apartment go. The landlord had some grace and gave them until the first of January to move out or come up with the back rent as well as January’s. The mom is a stay at home parent, so they don’t have a secondary paycheck coming into the household. She has no work history to speak of so nobody is willing to hire her. And like I said, they only had one car for the family and lost that in the accident. Damn slick roads. The other person hit a patch of black ice and spun out. He too was out job searching and is down on his luck and his insurance lapsed. It’s a sad situation all the way around.”

“Can we adopt the family? I’d like to help them out if I can,” I ask. “I can make a few phone calls, I could have their rent paid until the dad can return to work and I’m sure I could find a decent, used vehicle that’s reliable and could help them get to appointments. Maybe we can get together with the guys and get a pot together to pay off their medical debts.”

My old lady has a heart of gold and wants to help everyone she encounters. But that’s not realistic, and her next words prove that. “Whereas I know we can’t adopt all of the families and help keep them afloat, I think it’s acceptable with this one. Some of the stories I’ve heard make me want to dig out my checkbook, but we can only do what we can to pay it forward. I need to talk to Ryleigh; they may have a charity that we can donate to for the others in need.”

“What’s going on?” Dragon asks as he and Brick head our way. I tell them what I’ve learned from Selah in regard to the Peterson family. When I’m finished, and tell them what I’m thinking, they both demand they be able to pitch in.

Within twenty minutes, Brick has a new/used SUV on its way. He even paid a year's worth of insurance in advance through the dealership.

Dragon has grabbed an unclaimed stocking from the cabinet and has taken it around, sharing the story and getting monetary donations.

Selah made a call to the hospital and paid little Marissa’s bill in full, using club funds that both Dragon and I approved. After all, she’s made us a wack with all of her investments.

I got their apartment’s name and number and placed a call to the landlord. He’s a decent man but his hands were tied with the management and he could only offer so much on his end. He gratefully accepted payment for the next six months and agreed to call me if the family has a hard time after that time period has expired.

When we all accomplished our goal, and raised six thousand dollars for the family, Selah wraps her arms around me from behind and buries her nose between my shoulder blades. “This is the true meaning behind Christmas, my love. I wish your community had pulled together for you, Dragon, and Joceline back when you needed it. Take this in and let it be a reminder to you that not all families will break due to the lack of finances. Let it prove to you that the spirit of the holiday isn’t lost. You’re a good man, Butcher, and I’m proud that you’re mine.”

Her words hit me in the gut and I close my eyes, savoring the feeling. If my parents had let go of their pride and asked for help from friends and family, they may have made it through the fallout of Dad’s layoff.

“Thanks, baby,” I rasp out.

“Always and forever, Butcher. I love you to infinity and back.”

“Butcher. Selah,” Brick calls our names. “Come on, it’s time to reap the benefits of your hard work.” He waves his hand in the direction of the front room. “We just closed the doors and asked the Petersons to stick around for a bit. They were hesitant, but when we told them we had a surprise for their family, they decided to stick around.”

Selah’s smile is bright and full of excitement.

Dragon comes up behind me, slapping my back. “Giving feels good, doesn’t it?”

“It does, brother. It really does,” I say in response.

I give myself a few moments to mentally prepare for the onslaught of emotions that’ll be permeating throughout the room before trailing behind my brother. I’m not an empath by any stretch of the imagination, but I feel things down deep in my core, especially when there are kids involved.

The Petersons are sitting together in the middle of the room, looking uneasy about being surrounded by the lot of us. They’ll soon find out that we may be a little rough around the edges, but we have giving souls. The husband looks up at us as he tucks his wife deeper into the embrace of his arms.

“What’s going on?” Mr. Peterson asks.

“We heard about your situation,” Brick states. “And we decided that instead of simply giving you presents to give your kids in the morning, we wanted to help your family as a whole.”

Dragon steps forward and says, “My brother, Butcher, voiced his concern for your family and asked us to all pitch in and adopt your entire family for Christmas.”

Clearing my throat, I announce, “I may have had the idea initially, but the men and women of the Imperial Knights stepped up and got the ball rolling. We made a few phone calls and your medical bills for Marissa are paid in full thanks to my old lady, Selah. I got in touch with your landlord, and your rent has not only been paid up, but you don’t have to stress about making a rent payment until June, you’re paid up through May.”

Brick slaps me on my back in thanks before telling them, “We also managed to stuff this stocking with a few thousand dollars to get you through until you land on your feet. I also have a buddy who owns a used car lot in town, he gave us a family discount for a vehicle. You won’t have to worry about how you’ll get your daughter to any of her follow up appointments nor how you’ll get your groceries home.”

“I read on your application that you’re a bike restoration expert as well as a mechanic, is that right?” Jingles asks, stepping forward.

“Yes, that’s right,” Mr. Peterson answers. “My specialty is motorcycles, but I also dabble in classic cars too when it comes to restoration. I am, however, a certified mechanic. If it has an engine, I can work on it.”

Jingles pulls out a card and jots his name and number on the backside of it. “After the New Year, get in touch with me, I may have a job lined up for you.”

“Is this a dream?” Mrs. Peterson asks, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“If it is, nobody’s going to pinch you and wake you from it,” Selah says, walking over to her and placing a soothing hand on her shoulder. “We’ve all experienced what life is like when there’s nobody around to lend a helping hand, this is our way of reaching out and offering you our assistance.”

“You aren’t alone,” Dragon professes. “Now, how about we head outside and load these toys and clothes into your new car.”

“Don’t worry about insurance, it’s been paid as well,” I explain. “We wanted to make sure you had time to catch your breath before life starts throwing you more curve balls than it already has.”

“Thank you,” Mr. Peterson chokes out. “You’ll never know what this means for my family.”

“We have an idea,” Selah tells him as she walks over to me and slips her arms around my waist. “Like I said, some of us have been in your shoes.” I squeeze her to me before letting go and helping my brothers gather their items.

“Come on,” I say once my arms are loaded down with bags. “Let’s go check out your new ride.”