Page 61 of Road to Absolution

From behind us, my brother grumbled, “No. He’s a dumbass, looking to get his ass kicked.”

Art sneered, “Better mind how you speak to me, Prospect.”

“Art!” gasped Viola.

A dark grey ceiling kept my focus as I passed underneath it. I barely heard Art say, “You know the drill, V. You want him to have special favors?”

She sneered, “You’re about to have special balls when I’m done with them.”

With speed, he faced her, the side of my head whipping into his arm. “Make your decision now, Viola. Puss out your man or let him battle it out like the rest of us had to.”

While Tucker answered, “You’ve made your point…” I stared at the dark ceiling that reminded me of the gloomy clouds constantly hovering over my life recently.

Viola sounded hurt. “Why are you acting like this, Artist?”

“Why? Look at what’s in my arms. Do you know how bad I’m suffering seeing her like this? Do you know what torture it is to have to watch her life with—” Without finishing, he faced where we had been headed. My limp body simply went where he went. As he carried me, he called out, “Prospect, prepare her room.”

From behind us, Tucker said, “Yes, sir,” but it sure sounded like, “Fuck. You.”

“Art,” Viola was the only one who followed us into his bedroom, “I understand you need to establish the chain of command and all that shit, but that man is my heart, and you’re being so shitty to him. Have some sympathy and remember it is his fucking sister, who is in shock, that you’re holding.”

My body lifted and settled as Art inhaled and exhaled.

Resting his head to mine, he said, “Babe, blink. You’re freaking me out.”

My eyes shut…

They opened…

The ceiling was all I saw.

Stressed, he said, “Thank you.”

Viola’s voice cracked. “Art, we have been in that hospital, terrified, for a fucking month. So tired, my friend. Please be kinder with whatever you are doing right now.”

His arms pulled on me, then started to shake. “Had I not tried to be with her in Daytona, maybe—”

Viola hissed, “Is that what this attitude is about?” She stepped closer. I could tell by her voice now next to me and her hand touching my arm. “Artist, no one could have known that an innocent vacation was going to, years later, be such an explosion. If that’s the case, all this is more my fault than anyone’s. Don’t forget who pushed you to talk to Pretty D to start with.” She sighed. “Lay her down. Let her rest.”

A kiss landed on my nose before Art walked me to his bed. Laying me down, he asked, “Would you like a lamp on?”

“I’ll be back for her as soon as her bed is ready.” I heard Viola leave the room and shut the door behind me.

On my side, head on his pillow, I didn’t move. I stared at the blue wall past him.

Squatting in front of me, he clicked on a lamp. “Babe, I need you to speak so I can breathe.”

Numbly, I asked, “Art, do you love me?”

He fell back on his butt.

With the time to recover, he leaned against the wall behind him. “I do.”

During a time in college in DC, Art was sent to watch over me from afar. Diesel had claimed it was because of some lurking enemies. When learning Kenny was alive, I quickly understood who that ‘enemy’ was. Noticing Art one night, we started talking… “But, DC… We talked.”

“I know where I stand with you. And I know where Boxer Boy stands.”

My lips struggled to move. “I’m sorry.”