Burning Man

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Waking up the next morning, I head out to the kitchen for coffee. Letti walks in and I ask "Can I talk to you a minute?" She nods and takes the seat next to me. "I just want to thank you for hanging out with Mouse. I know it's hard for both of you adjusting to everything but it means a lot to me and Hank that you're making friends with her." I tell her. "I like Mouse. We've both had it rough, you know. We understand each other." she tells me. "That's what your dad said last night." I tell her. "Things are different now. My dad is with me and I know he's trying. I love him for that. And Mouse, she's, well, she's had it really rough." she tells me. "Has she said something to you?" I ask. "When she was at the camp, she said Adelita would hit her and then yell at her for crying." she tells me. "She better be glad she's dead." I say as Hank walks into the kitchen. "Who?" he asks. "Adelita. Mouse told Letti that Adelita used to hit her and then yell at her for crying. She better be glad she's gone." I say. "Well, we don't have to worry about that shit again." he tells me and I just nod. "Let's get the kid ready and go eat. You wanna come Letti?" Hank asks. "If you don't care. Yeah." she says. We all get dressed and head out to the diner.

Walking into the diner, we have me and Hank on one side and Mouse and Letti on the other side of the booth. We place our orders and I see Mouse smiling. "It's good to see you smiling little one." Hank says. "I'm happy." she tells us simply and we all smile. "I thought we'd look at houses today. Called the realtor and we have to meet her at noon for the first one." Hank says. "Really?" I ask. "Yeah. Thought we could decide as a family." he tells me and I lay my head on his shoulder and he kisses the top of my head. "How did you two meet?" Letti asks as the food is being put in front of us. "He's been with the club for a long time and my dad's club always had dealings with the Mayans. There was a party at my dad's clubhouse one night and Hank's charter was there. This one guy, a hang around, was hitting on me and wouldn't leave me alone. The guy decided that pinning me to the wall and kissing me would help his case. Hank pulled him off of me and took him to the ring. Told him to never touch me again. He didn't even know me. After the fight, I patched him up and we became friends. Would talk and spend time together but then I started seeing this guy and he cut me off from everyone. Including my dad. I finally got away from the guy and made my way to the clubhouse and we've been together ever since." I say and Hank kisses me softly. "Best decision you ever made." he tells me. "Well, you bring us Mouse was the best one you ever made." I say and we look at Mouse and she's smiling. "Te amo." she says to us. "We love you too Mouse."

After breakfast, we head to meet the realtor at the first house. Walking around, it just wasn't what we were looking for so we head to the second one. Walking in, she says "This one is a four bedroom two and a half bath. Two car garage, comes furnished." We look around and I see the backyard and stand on the deck just looking. "What are you thinking Mami?" Hank asks. "This yard would be perfect for a garden." I say. "You like this one?" he asks. "Yeah. It has room for us and Mouse and for Letti when she stays." I say and the girls come outside. "You're making a room for me?" she asks. "Yeah. You're familia bebita." I say and she hugs me. Hank looks at the realtor and says "This is the one we want." She nods and says "I'll get the paperwork." We sign the paperwork and she hands us the keys.

Pulling back up at the clubhouse, we walk in and Coco asks "How'd the house hunting go?" I smile and say "We're moving in tomorrow. Have a room for Letti too." I tell him. He looks at us shocked and Hank says "I know you don't want her living out of a dorm room. We have the room now and she can stay with us anytime she wants. There's a basement we are setting up as a den for family night and shit." Coco hugs Hank and says "Thanks brother." Hank just nods. He hugs me and I say "She's familia." and he nods.

Mouse and Letti head over to the pool table and the three of us sit at one of the tables and just watch them. "Celia came by while you were gone. Looking for Letti." he says. "What did you tell her?" I ask. "Told her she wasn't coming near my kid." he tells me. "We'll protect her." Hank says and Coco nods. We look over at the girls and see nothing but smiles on their faces. "That right there makes it all worth it." I say and the men just nod.