Anarchy

One by One

The next morning, Bobby and Clay were having a conversation.

"Is he really going through with this?" Bobby asked Clay, referring to Jax going nomad.

     "I didn't strike the goddamn match." Clay spit as he read some papers. He was annoyed at the accusation of burning down CaraCara.

"Maybe that's the case you make to Jax." Bobby eyed Clay.

      "If he really believes that I would burn down Caracara, I got no reason to keep him around. Need a full table. Vote's got to be unanimous." Clay walked off leaving Bobby troubled about the situation.

Going nomad meant that Jax would not be attached to any particular charter. Nomads travel back and forth in different geographical areas.

Jax pulled onto the cabin's drive way. He never got a chance to kick Piney out for the small getaway with Liv.

Liv. He hadn't told her. He hadn't told his mother either.

"Jesus Christ." Jax stepped back as a disgruntled Piney swung the door open.

      "What do you want?"

"No one's heard from you in weeks."Jax forced himself in.

       "So?" Piney laid his gun back down.

"So, I'm making sure you're not dead."

       "Well, am I?" Piney rolled his eyes "Olivia's been calling to check in on me anyhow..."

Jax took in the old man's appearance "You smell like shit. When's the last time you took a shower?"

        "You really come all the way up here to give me hygiene tips, did ya?"

"I got news. I wanted you to hear it from me. I think it's best I go nomad."

          "I gave you John's book so you'd make things right. And you gave me your word." Piney sat down on the edge of his chair.

"I'm trying, Piney. Did you read it?"

           "A long time ago."

"It's not exactly a how-to manual. It's half angry manifesto, half MC love letter. I'm trying to read between the lines here... see the path." Jax shared his doubt.

           "Your father saw this coming. Saw the feds, the Irish, guys like Zobelle. And he knew we were going to die bloody."

"We're not going to die bloody."

             "We will... if you give up." Piney points a finger at Jax.

"If I don't get away from Clay now, one of us is going to end up dead."

              "And we both know who that should be, don't we? If you're not number two when Clay's hands freeze up, who becomes leader then? I mean, tig? Bobby? You want to trust your father's legacy to those two clowns? This is just a detour on a very long road. I don't have a long road. You think about this move, son. 'cause it's just a reaction. It's not a solution." Piney takes a swig of vodka leaving Jax to process his thoughts.

"Guess you told him." Opie now, hopping off his motorcycle as Jax stepped out of the cabin. "Can't wrap my head around it either."

          "You called me on it months ago, man. When it comes to Clay, I'm not sure anything I do is for the good of the club."

"He's your father, Jax." Opie asserts.

          "My father died on five eighty...thirteen years ago." Jax rides off to go see the newly released Chibs.