A Flicker of Redemption

Chapter 27

Chibs frowned hearing what the young woman told Gemma. Although she had told him she'd stayed at homeless camps, she never really went into details about her time there other than when she was taught how to fight by some of the homeless veterans and when some of the homeless guys got handsy with her. Just to hear her state that she was glad to have somewhere besides a homeless camp or having to squat to sleep did something to him. No one should ever feel that way. Shaking his head, he walked inside thankful he hadn't been seen until now, he asked Gemma to order a specific part for the car he was working on.

The Matriarch wrote down what was needed and sent in the part for ordering while Angelika filed the paperwork. Chibs couldn't help but look at the young blond a bit differently. Sure, he knew she had a horrific past. He knew she had stayed in homeless camps. Hearing she was grateful just for somewhere decent to sleep really hit him. He thanked Gemma before leaving the office, glancing at Angelika before he did, then walked to the picnic table by the clubhouse to light a smoke. Without the part, there was nothing else he could do for the car he'd been assigned. Tig soon joined him with his own smoke.

"Hey." Tig casually said.

"'ey there, brotha." Chibs replied.

"Done for the day?" Tig asked.

"Aye. Can't do anything until I get the part for the car." Chibs replied as he looked out into the garage.

Silence descended upon them until Chibs couldn't take it anymore.

"'ave you ever thought about what it's like being 'omeless?" Chibs' question took Tig off guard.

The SAA had never thought about it since he'd never been homeless before.

"Not really, no. Why?" Tig puffed on his cigarette.

"When I went to ask Gem t' call in for the part I needed, I 'eard Angelika tell 'er that she was just 'appy 'aving somewhere besides a 'omeless camp or 'aving t' squat t' sleep in. Got me thinking about what we take for granted that she never 'ad or 'ad t' give up." Chibs explained.

"You and Happy know more about her than the rest of us. I guess I never really gave it much thought since I've never been in that position." Tig replied, "It must've been hard especially for a young, beautiful thing like her at those nasty homeless camps trying to fend for herself and keeping dudes away from her."

"Aye, that's what I've been thinking about." Chibs commented, "For four years the lass 'as 'ad t' depend on just 'erself. 'er wits and instincts were all she 'ad at fourteen..." Chibs trailed.

"The fact that she's not prostituting or on drugs says a lot about her character." Tig nodded as he blew out a puff of smoke.

"The lass 'as 'ad a 'ard life, that's for sure. It is a miracle she didn't end up prostituting like others probably would 'ave in 'er position." Chibs sighed, "But, she put 'erself in lots of danger by 'itchhiking her way down here."

"She was hitchhiking?!" Tig exclaimed.

"Aye. I do believe Happy 'as given 'er an earful about it already." Chibs stated.

"What was she thinking?" Tig shook his head in disbelief.

"Probably to get out of the weather for a while. Get some miles without walking them." Chibs replied before snuffing out the remainder of his cigarette.

"It's still dangerous. Especially for a cute, young thing like her." Tig stated.

"I agree, brotha. But...she got 'ere safe so that's all that matters I guess." Chibs said.

"What are we talking about?" Jax inquired as he and Juice walked over to take a smoke break.

"Jackie Boy, 'ave you ever thought about what it would be like t' be 'omeless? With no one t' turn t'?" Chibs asked.