Monkey Wrench

Chapter 9

Dakota cautiously asks, "Is this why you don't like anything medical too?"

I turn to face Dax, "Once you have to go to different cities just for medical care to avoid unwanted attention, your perspective changes quite a bit."

Dax takes my hands before they say what they say next. "You probably don't remember this, but when the paramedics showed up you were starting to panic. I know you don't like medical stuff, so I avoided all technical terms. I held your hands and told you 'these guys are here to help'. I held on until you went unconscious. What is it about paramedics and ambulances?"

That was hard to listen to. I wanted to peel away from them and run out, but who are we kidding, I physically can't do that. Instead, I looked down while they said that looking at our hands. And, at the same time Dakota's touch is so comforting right now.

I revealed, "It meant that whatever my father did to us was bad enough that we couldn't skip town to get our own medical care in a place where people weren't suspicious. We were okay enough to get away from him and that was it. In those times, most of the time, it was unclear if someone was going to make it." Dakota is definitely surprised. But who wouldn't be when hearing this information. Dax holds my face and starts rubbing my cheek softly with their thumb. I continue but I realize I sound way too chipper for this type of conversation - oh well -, "Once my father turned on me, that was enough for mom and Blair. He went to prison soon after. Now, we know why," I chuckle to myself right after saying that. "Mom got her brother involved. Apparently, they really were protecting me all those years, but once he went after me, a fire unleashed in them that couldn't be contained." I look up at Dax and find tears running down their face. I pull my hands up to their face and wipe the tears away. "Dax, it's okay. It's done and over with. If this Sky person has a plan to end him, we should follow it."

Dakota speaks so softly it's barely audible, "I still cannot believe what all has been told to me today. I guess it's a good thing Sky plays dirty. He got you safe. If that didn't happen, I may not have met you."

I can relate to that. So many things have been unleashed today. I try to match Dax's tone, "I still can't believe you never told me you were in a mob, but it makes sense. I'm glad Sky saved me too, and I'm glad I have you too."

"I'm not in the mob; I'm in the mafia."

"What's the difference?"

"Lots, but we have bigger things to worry about. If we can take out your dad, would you want us to do that?"

I pull Dax into a hug, "Fuck, yes. That bastard deserves to die. And, that means Blair can come home."

"Okay. Let me text my dad to bring everyone back in here," Dax says gasping through a very tight hug.

I think being scared mixed with whatever I was injected with is the reason it was so difficult to move my body. Because now, I can move my upper body pretty good. I don't know what's wrong with my legs: they're dead weight.

Dax starts to ask a question hesitantly, "Momma Vasi, would you be comfortable with Miller dying?"

"Uhh. Yes. What's this about?" Mom cautiously answers.

With that, Dakota jumps right into business. "Let Sky know that his decision has been made, and he needs to come to the hospital to get it instead of whatever arrangements were made before. Pops, we're gonna make a deal with Sky and use his dirty ways to our advantage to take Miller out once and for all.

"I like the sound of that, but there's more to it, isn't there?" Pops says with a smile then going on to raise an eyebrow.

Dakota nods, "We're gonna need a sniper."

Mom interjects firmly, "Blair stays alive."

"That's why we have a sniper," Dakota says reassuringly.

"Oakley, go wait for Sky," directs Pops.

Hearing Dakota like this is definitely new. They definitely sound like they know what they're doing, and they're comfortable with it. Dakota seems just as comfortable calling shots here just like at work or with whatever relates to their degree. Dax is embracing who they are and they aren't afraid of it; they're comfortable like this: who they're meant to be.

Dakota may be hella concerned, but they sure as hell don't show it. I'm totally not paying any attention to what anyone is saying right now. I am so in awe of my best friend. What the fuck is going on? I am completely mesmerized by this person.

Their confidence.

Their comfort.

How they get so wrapped up in the things they care about.

How protective they are.

They know when to be serious and when to have fun.

They know what to say and what to do in almost every situation.

They show up when you need them most.

They can sense what you need before you even know yourself.

I don't even know what feeling this is. Before, I could never see my life without Dakota. That feeling is still there, but hella intensified. Before, I could eventually find myself getting over any thoughts of Dax not being in my life for whatever reason, but now, it's like I couldn't live if Dax wasn't here with me, and that terrifies me.

All the events from when Dax came and grabbed me from the house are all crashing down on me. My head is killing me, and I am exhausted. I cannot deal with anymore of anyone's talking even though I stopped paying attention long ago. I'm done with it. They can talk more elsewhere, just not near me.

I put my hands on my face like they're shielding my face from something, like when you go to rub your hands from your face through your hair but stop at the edge of your face, that's what I did.

I interrupt them, "Guys. Just stop. All of you get out, except Dakota. Y'all can keep talking about whatever it is away from me. Just leave. Now."

And with that, they left.