“Holistic.”
“That’s the one. Damn, Creature, so you’re not just a dumb fighter after all?”
“Wouldn’t go that far. It was a buzz word for a while for the social workers at my group home.”
“Anyway, we tell these kids straight up that most of them aren’t ever going to make a living fighting. We discourage underground stuff. This is just so they can be good at something, take that mental discipline to whatever else they choose to do. We do picnics, outings, activities, things to build their sense of self-worth, to improve their social skills, allow them to see a little more of the world. We take them to fancy restaurants, teach them how to use the cutlery properly, how to order, how to address service staff. All kinds of things. You know, social worker stuff, but unburdened by bureaucracy.
“We’re not trying to help everybody, just everybody we possibly can, so we’re not stretched too thin. I even have a university professor on the payroll as a consultant. She’s all clued up on the social work research, helps design programs for these boys.”
“Yeah, that sounds good,” I say. “Real good. Your speech was good, too.”
“Hey, fuck, I got to be a salesman half the time now. We don’t charge these kids anything. So, you interested? I could use another partner. Penny and I are starting to get overloaded, and her tattoo shop is getting big, you know. She’s picking up a new client every day almost.”
I think about it, even though I don’t really need to. “Count me in,” I say.
A broad smile erupts on his face. “Great. How about all that stuff with your girl’s old man?”
“That’s all done,” I say. “He’s back in the States, awaiting trial, no bail. Police received a tip on financial records kept at his house in a hidden safe. His crew is getting picked up one by one.”
“Bet they’re all flipping upward, now, aren’t they?”
“Of course they fucking are,” I growl. “Bunch of spineless fucks, all of them. When the dust settles, I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes away for consecutive life sentences. He has a lot of fucking skeletons buried and they are going to get dug up.”
“Nothing will follow you back here?”
I shake my head. “Shouldn’t, but if it ever does, I’ll be out of here.” I pause. “You know, for the boys.”
“Okay, good. Hate to make a point of it, but they’re my priority.”
“It’s fine,” I tell him, waving a hand.
“Hey, I got to get back to it. You come by Monday morning, half-seven, I’ll show you where everything is. Going to need all your tax info and that stuff as well if you have it. Say ‘hi’ to your girl for me.”
“Yeah, thanks.”
Pierce mimes a pregnant belly. “Everything going well?”
I grin. “So far so good. We’re going for an ultrasound next week.”
“That’s fantastic. It’s a boy, right?”
I laugh, can’t keep myself from beaming. “That’s right.”
“Got a name?”
“We’re naming him Thom. With an ‘h’.”
“It’s a good name, man. I’m happy for you.” He leans into me, and is now wearing a smile that’s more pride and joy than anything else. “We just found out. Penny’s pregnant, too.”
“No shit,” I say, clapping him on the shoulder. “That’s fantastic. Were you trying?”
He shakes his head. “But we’re going to roll with it.”
“Get a chance to fall in love all over again,” I murmur.
“I don’t know why they call you Creature,” Pierce says. “You’re all sentiment.”
We shake hands, I leave.
I went to Pierce’s gym to ask for a job to work with the kids, figured he’d do a fighter a favor. Just as well he was looking to hire, anyway.
Dee will be pleased.
I climb into my car, receive a text, and pull out my phone. The bank transfer went through. The several million I had earned with literal blood and sweat are now in Australia. Going to have to find someone to help me invest that, look into getting a bigger place.
The clock in the dash reads half-past three, which means I’ve got thirty minutes to get across town.
Plenty of time for just one more thing.
Epilogue Two
All the kids have been picked up, and together with the other staff I check all the rooms, tidy up, make sure nothing has been left behind.
“Caro— sorry, Deidre, go home.”
I look at the headmaster of the school, an older man with white hair and thick glasses and the sort of kind smile you only ever see in movies.