Chp 2
I came back with some fruits, beers, paper toilets, some acrylic paints and a tube of chocolate ice cream. After I parked my bike and stashed the foods and stuff to their respectively places, I saw Billy talking on the phone in a corner. A little jealousy had sparked and before I turned into a violent Gunner, I went to search for my dear Uncle Tool.
He was painting in his room and I strolled in and sat next to him. "There's my favourite girl. Got the paint?", he asked. "I did, but they're sold out on the Byzantine", I answered. We sat in silence for a while before I said, "I really don't have the heart to ask him, but why Gunner never had any girlfriend after mum died?". "Your mum and he were committed at some point and suddenly they broke up. Both went into the Army, separate division. Your mum then met that douche bag after her service and got married, but as you know it lasted only two years. She was pregnant with you at that time. Her husband accused your mum that she was having an affair with Gunner when he was doing the same thing with his secretary. He beat your mum and treated her as if she's a punching bag. Gunner and I found out and beat the shit outta him", Uncle Tool explained.
"Why do you always call him 'her husband' instead of 'your father?", I asked. "That my dear, it's a story for another day. Now, off with you. I think Gunner was looking for you at the garage 10 minutes ago", answered Uncle Tool. I sighed as I gave him a bear hug and a peck at the cheek. He gave me a bear hug back and said, "Love you too cupcake". I went downstairs and Billy was still on the phone. I made a scowl as I walked to the garage and found Gunner, who was giving his bike a shine.
Gunner saw the scowl on my face and said, "What's the matter?". "How come no one ever mention about my father?", I asked, sulkily sat next to him. "Remember about what we said?", he asked. "First, we go lite until we have to go dark, then we go pitch black", I answered. "That's why", he said as he continued to wipe his bike. Gunner was the only blond in the team. My mum was a brunette and my hair is dirty blond.
"If you were my father, would you treat my mother in such manner?", I asked. "Hell no I would! I ain't him, Hannah. If I was married to your mother, I would never hit her, ever. Don't ask that kind of question!", he said angrily. "I'm sorry, Gunner. It's just that don't you think I should at least know his name?", I said. He sighed and said, "I didn't mean to yell at you, but I don't think you should know about him. He's bad news".
I leaned against his shoulder and said, "Why would I? You were the father in my life. You, Uncle Tool, Barney, Lee, Yang, Hale and Toll Road were the father figures in my life". He kissed my head and continued to wipe his bike.
(That night)
I stayed in my room till midnight, reading my novels. The shop house was quite. The guys were either asleep or went out. Suddenly my throat felt dried and I wanted some cold water. I left my bed and walked quietly downstairs. But I heard voices; it was Uncle Tool, Barney and Gunner arguing. I crept quietly and listened to what they were arguing about.
"Why?! She deserves to know the truth!", Gunner yelled. "We talked about this Gunner. I know how much you and Helena love her, but we all made a promise to her to never reveal anything to her", said Uncle Tool. "But I can't keep up with this pretending anymore! I'm so sick and tired if she keeps assuming that douche bag is her father when I'm RIGHT HERE!", Gunner yelled even louder. "Keep it down, Gunner or you'll wake her!", Barney yelled back.
I ran down and confronted the trio. "Cupcake, what are you doing up so late?", asked Uncle Tool, his voice was calm as if nothing had happened. "I wanted to get some drink until I heard something about my father. I have all the rights in the world to know who the hell he is!", I said angrily. "Hannah, we want you to know that everything we did was to protect you", said Barney.
"I'm sorry if I'm saying this Barney, but to hell with that! I WANT to know! I DESERVED to know!", I yelled and to only realised that my tears were streaming down my cheeks. "Sweetheart, whatever we're about to tell you, I want you to understand that we are protecting you from that pathetic excuse of man", said Gunner as he explained everything, "Your mother and I reunited back during her visit here during Christmas. She told me her husband was cheating on her only after a few months of their marriage. We…, reconnected and we kept everything in check until our little affair resulted in…, her being pregnant with you".
"Her husband was never you father, but Gunner was", said Uncle Tool. "After that, we found out that her husband was a drug king that controlled a cartel in Miami. He found out about your mother and Gunner and he beat her, trying to kill you who were only four months old in Helena's womb. We heard from our informer and we went after him. We hid your mother here and spread out the news that she suffered a miscarriage. All of us, including your mother had kept you under low profile so if that douche bag ever comes back, he'll never hurt you in any way he can", Barney explained further.
Gunner is…, my dad? For years I was searching for my father when he's just right under my nose. No wonder everyone kept saying like, "You're turning into a Gunner". I started to cry. Gunner approached me and wanted to comfort me, but I ran past him outta the shop house and I ran like hell. I didn't know where to go till my feet brought me to a halt, at my mother's grave. I knelt down and cried as the rain started to pour.
