Chapter Eleven: Part and Parcel
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
Izzy's Point of View
I had been around guns for most of my life but when I pulled that trigger the recoil almost knocked me off my feet. I watched as the bullet found its mark in Jimmy Chase's forehead. I watched with morbid fascination as the blood began to spread along the tiled floor until it looked almost like a halo had formed around his head.
"Bella," Jax whispered gently. "Give me the gun."
I passed it off with nerveless fingers not taking my eyes off the person who I killed. I killed with no hesitation and even as I continued to look at his lifeless body, I felt no remorse. I didn't feel a thing. Then anger was still there and I didn't really feel relieved. Which might've been the worst thing. The person who had threatened my life for the past two months was dead and there was no relieve, no satisfaction, just a dead body bleeding all over my kitchen.
"Get her outta here, Jax," Clay ordered. "I'm going to call Tig and Happy in."
"When'd Happy get in?" I asked.
"Stopped by on a Charity Run," Jax said, throwing an arm over my shoulders, "heard what happened and decided to stick around for a few days."
"Oh," I mumbled.
"You okay?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" I asked.
"Well, you just killed someone," Jax said. "It's okay to feel guilty or conflicted."
"I don't."
"You don't?" Jax questioned.
"Feel anything," I explained.
"We're going to St. Thomas," Jax announced before I had a chance to sit on the couch. "Where are your car keys?"
"Jax, I'm fine," I retorted.
"Bella, you look like hell…"
"Gee, thanks, Jackson," I muttered. "Is that why you're so successful with the ladies?"
"Bells, you were jumped and then you killed someone," Jax explained. "We're going to the hospital."
"Just call Tara," I whined.
"Isabelle, for once in your life could you just do what I tell you?" Jax growled.
"Fine," I muttered.
Three hours later I was released from St. Thomas with pain pills for the rib that I had broken. I had been told that I would have some nice bruises on my biceps from being held so harshly. By the time I had arrived back home any evidence that the Jackals had been here had been wiped. Jax escorted me through my house and into my bedroom where Marco was waiting.
"I can take it from here, Brother," Marco whispered.
"She's got a broken rib and a black eye," Jax explained. "They gave her pain pills, told us to watch for complications, if any. She's gotta be cleared by a Doc to ride bitch again."
"Okay," Marco sighed.
"It's over, man," Jax smiled, clapping Marco on the back.
Before he left the room Jax kissed my forehead and then presumably showed himself out, I was a little too out of it from vicodin to notice much of anything. The next morning, however, everything hit at once. I let out a little squeal as I rolled out of bed. My face, arms, and torso ached, throbbing in time to my heartbeat. I wished that Jimmy Chase was in front of me right now because I'd love nothing more than to return the favor. The bastard was lucky he was already dead.
My morning routine was a lot longer than normal. Mostly because I had to move around carefully until the pain medication kicked in. Once it had, I poured some coffee in a to-go cup and made my way to my car. By the time I entered the diner, things were slowing down from the breakfast rush.
"I'm so glad you're okay!" Anna exclaimed pulling me into a hug the second I walked behind the counter.
"Annie, broken rib," I whispered, hugging her back nonetheless.
"You handled it?" Anna asked, in a way that I knew she already had the answer to that question.
"Yup," I smirked.
"That's my girl," Anna praised. "We don't need the boys to handle our shit."
I slipped my apron on over my jeans as I moved filling remaining coffee cups and handing out meals. When the last of the breakfast stragglers cleared out I followed Anna to the back room. She fell into her chair, immediately pulling off her boots.
"Damn swollen feet," Anna muttered. "Juice has been bullying me to take it easy."
"He's bullying you?" I repeated skeptically. Not a lot of people could bully Annemarie Winston into something she didn't already want to do. So, I don't that Juice was bullying her, trying to convince her to take it easy, was another matter entirely.
"Whose best friend are you?" Anna huffed.
"You are eight months pregnant," I pointed out. "Most people would take it easy."
"My job's not that difficult," Anna grumbled, crossing her arms over her very pregnant belly. "Anyway, I heard someone has to be around to keep you from pouring boiling hot coffee on customers."
"Oh, shut up," I ordered. "It's nothing you haven't done before. Hell, you would've done it before and after me if you were here yesterday."
"You know me so well," Anna laughed.
The grin that spread on Anna's voice would've been frightening to those not use to it. Of course, I knew that grin well. It normally preceded us getting in loads of trouble. The office settled into a companionable silence as we went over inventory and accounting, making sure that all the vendors and our employees had been paid. When we heard the ding of the bell over the main door start going at regular intervals we walked back out. Anna hadn't put her heels back on, choosing instead to wear a pair of slippers she kept in the office, that looked like giant sneakers.
"Nice shoes, Anna," Janice laughed.
"Be quiet, twerp," Anna retorted. "Otherwise I'll call a truant officer, I know for a fact that Charming High doesn't have an open lunch."
"You're such a nice boss," Janice responded, walking off with a platter of food.
"Did you hear that they found bones out on 44?" Ms. Cavaungh asked Ms. Watson.
The two women were some of the nosiest women in Charming. If anything happened that was recent they'd be the first to know about it; and would tell anyone else they could. Which would be the reason why they were currently gossiping loudly in the diner, at the booth closest to the front door and the counter. People were listening, some more subtle than others as one of the girls refilled their coffee cups.
"Oh, dear," Ms. Watson replied, looking suitably aghast at the situation.
"Three bodies, can you even imagine?" Ms. Cavaungh shook her head. She then turned shooting an accusing look in our direction.
Anna and I exchanged glances knowing that any bones buried anywhere near Charming probably had something to do with the Sons. I listened to the two gossipers conversation as I served coffee to the people sitting at the counter. I smiled as Anna served two older gentlemen their food before waddling over to me.
"I'm gonna go visit TM," Anna said. "Bring 'em some sandwiches."
The unspoken part of that little plan was finding out what the fuck was going on.
"Good idea," I agreed.
"I'll call you later," Anna said.
She grabbed her bag and jacket before walking out of the diner. A few moments later I heard the roar of her '69 Camaro as she drove out of the parking lot and drove in the direction of TM. If anyone questioned Anna's lack of sandwiches, they didn't say anything, knowing better than to get involved in SOA affairs.
Anna's Point of View
I drove into the giant lot that TM occupied, parking next to Gemma's Cadillac. I left my purse in the car, knowing that no one would be stupid enough to steal it. With a surge of energy I lifted myself out of the car, kicking the door behind me as I walked over to the garage. I placed a gentle hand over my stomach wincing at the solid kick I got in return.
"Take it easy kid," I whispered. "Jesus."
I walked over to where Tig, Bobby, and Chibs were gathered around the lunch tables.
"Anna," Bobby greeted, giving me a hug. "How's the kid?"
"Still kickin the holy hell outta me," I shook my head.
"Hi, Annie!" Lowell whooped from the boxing ring.
"Hi, Lowell," I responded.
"Pay attention, Lowell!" Chibs barked seconds before Half-Sack clocked him.
The Scotsman then turned his attention to Half-Sack, "oh, ye're getting cocky now? Ye can beat up a druggie, prospect, don' mean shite."
"Who's the bitch?" I asked, eyeing the skinny girl suspiciously.
Crow-eaters were a dime a dozen but they didn't hang out the garage or the lot in the daytime. I always though of them as vampires; they only came out at night. They also traveled in hordes. Each new one was brought by someone who had been there awhile. So, while it was a possibility that I hadn't met them all, I knew that they were only allowed to come around during parties.
"Half-Sack's new squeeze," Bobby said.
"Is that the girl from Indian Hills?" I questioned.
"The very same," Tig smirked.
"Hmm," I muttered. So that was the girl Izzy had been talking about. The one who Gemma smacked with a skateboard.
I turned my head to see Clay driving up; he was the first motorcycle spot, right next to Jax's bike. He left his helmet on the handlebars before walking towards us.
"Hi, sweetheart," Clay greeted hugging me to his side as he kissed the side of my head.
"Morning," I smiled.
He smiled at me before his eyes narrowed as he glanced at the boxing ring. He had always been protective of Lowell, "who's idea was this?"
"Bobby's," Tig replied at the same moment Bobby answered, "Tig's."
"Lowell, get outta there, you've lost enough brain cells for one day," Clay reproached
Before anyone else could respond, Jax walked out of the garage eyeing the scene before him before questioning, "how's sugar ray one nut lookin?"
"E's wicked fast, great right hook," Chibs praised.
"Hey, Annie," Jax greeted, surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"Came to visit," I said. "I heard we have a little problem?"
"You've heard?" Jax sighed.
"Yup, so has Iz and half the town."
"Holy shit," Jax rolled his eyes.
"Um, what?" Clay questioned. "What's going on?"
"Water and Power dug up some old bones out on 44," Jax explained.
I glanced in between Clay and Tig; neither seemed surprised by the admission. In fact would see as if they've known the bodies were there. Clay, Jax, and Tig then began to have a silent conversation; one I wasn't included in and wasn't supposed to be privy too.
"Call a meeting," Clay ordered finally.
"You should head back to the diner," Jax told me, slinging his arm over my shoulders and leading me away from the others. "Or go home. Are you supposed to be on your feet?"
"You sound like Opie and Juice," I huffed. "I don't wanna be at home by myself, I'll be bored outta my mind."
"Anna," Jax reproached.
"Jax," I replied.
He rolled his eyes swatting me upside the head. He took care not to smack me to hard in my delicate condition, causing me to roll my own eyes and smack his arm. I hated how everyone was coddling me just because I was pregnant.
"What are you going to do about the bones?" I asked.
"Anna," Jax frowned. "It's club business."
"It's also the new town gossip," I shrugged.
"We'll take care of it," Jax said, sharply.
"Jax," I tried, wanting more information.
"Annie, you know better," Jax reprimanded.
"Alright," I huffed.
Izzy and I walked a strange line within the Sons of Anarchy. Even if we weren't Old Ladies we would've been involved. We grew up surrounded by everything Sam Crow stood for and as a result of that we were kept more in the loop. We were more accustomed to knowing everything, even if we weren't supposed to. It was one of the reasons why we tended to push and needle them for information, we wanted to help. It was a matter of loyalty, we would do anything for them, which they knew. The Sons just wanted to keep us safe. Sometimes, though, we knew only as much as all the other women. It drove me crazy. I wanted to know, and I wanted to help.
I knew that nothing would come from arguing about it. If anything they wouldn't tell us anything out of spite. Frowning I moved toward my car, halting when a hand grabbed my arm.
"Be careful," Jax ordered, firmly. "Close down the diner before dark."
"Jax…"
"Do what I told you," Jax interrupted.
Izzy's Point of View
"Iz!"
My head snapped up in the direction of Half-Sack's voice. He was walking through the back door, a small smile on his face. I tilted my head wondering what happened to put him in such a good mood.
"What?" I questioned.
"I was just wondering if I could get some coffee?" Half-Sack replied.
"Of course," I yawned.
I walked over to where all the prospects were sitting. He was sitting next to Tex with Ace on the other side. Braden and Grayson were next to Ace, keeping an eye on the diner as a whole. Three hours later, Anna had yet to return from TM, which made me all the more anxious to know what was going on. With the constant stream of people, gossip had only gotten all the more outlandish, as people came up with their own explanations as to what was going on. Of course the Sons were always at the center of every tale.
"So, do you guys know what happened?" I asked leaning on the counter and lowering my voice.
The prospects weren't allowed in Church yet. Sometimes if other members were away, they were allowed to sit in and watch, but they weren't allowed to vote. The fact that they were here instead of the emergency Church that had no doubt been called. Still, there was always the off chance that they'd know something.
"What the others told us doesn't make sense," Half-Sack shook his head.
"Can you tell me anyway?" I whispered.
As the prospect that had been here the longest, the other's looked to Half-Sack. Sure, they had their mentors but sometimes the prospects relied on one another. The prospects always got close to one another as they struggled to adapt to this new lifestyle. It may have been freeing to ask questions and know that they wouldn't be judged like they could be if they asked their sponsors. If Half-Sack noticed the sudden leadership role he had gotten, he didn't show it. He looked like he was going to argue against it, having heard the keep-the-women-on-a-need-to-know-basis thing. But, I also knew that Half-Sack's eyes roamed sometime, normally focusing on my breasts, ass, or stomach when they were showing, so using that information to my advantage, I leaned forward, giving Half-Sack a direct viewing of my cleavage.
I knew it was successful when I saw Half-Sack flush and pale, his eyes looking straight at my chest before looking away. I laughed as his efforts to either look me in the eyes, to the point where it was a little uncomfortable or look away.
"Sack?" I prompted.
"Uh, they said that the bodies were Mayans," Half-Sack mumbled. "Then they mentioned something about '92 and '93."
"Fuck," I muttered.
"Iz?" Ace questioned.
"Bells!" Tex shouted after me. "Come back!"
That was all I heard before the front door shut behind me. I hopped into my car, pulling out of the parking lot and driving towards TM. I remembered 1992 and 1993, during those two years the Sons were warring with the Mayans, a war that left a lot of casualties on both sides, my father included. It was during those two years that I realized that my family and I didn't live like everyone else. That our lives were more dangerous than anyone else's in Charming.
Thursday, November 11, 1993 (Fifteen Years Ago)
School had been going on long enough to fall into a simple routine. Every Monday through Friday was the same, wake up, breakfast, school, and then go to the shop to do our homework. Anna and I had been enrolled into the Gifted and Talented program, based on our parent's suggestion than anything else. I believe Mom had said, "If you don't want them in the principal's office everyday then you better keep the two of them busy."
Although, Mom did have a point that there was a direct correlation between Anna and I being bored and disrupting class, I didn't understand why every single class of ours had to be honors. It wasn't that the classes were difficult, per say, it was more to do with the fact that our classmates all thought they were the next Einstein.
"Isabelle Teller, please come to the main office," The principal's secretary requested over the loud speaker. "I repeat, Isabelle Teller, please come to the main office."
"Ooh," The kids in my Algebra class chorused eyeing me smugly.
I rolled my eyes already knowing what they were thinking. Ooh, Teller's in trouble again. I sighed apparently no matter how 'gifted' or 'talented' my peers were they would still 'ooh' whenever someone was called to the office. Personally, I didn't care whatever got me out of this stupid class was a godsend. My teacher gestured towards the door as I grabbed my backpack, slinging it over my shoulder as I walked out of the door and towards the office.
I couldn't have been in trouble. Anna and I hadn't even done anything remotely troublesome in months. Our last prank had nearly blown up our science class, pissing our parents off. We had been confined to either our houses our TM for the past month and a half, so we weren't going to risk being grounded even more than we already were. I opened up the door to the office, expecting Principal Merlin to have that stern look on his face. What I got was my Uncle Bobby waiting in the lobby, near the secretary who was looking at me sympathetically.
"Uncle Bobby?" I questioned. "What are you doing here?"
"Come on, Bells," Bobby prodded placing his arm over my shoulder. "I already signed you out for the day."
While Uncle Bobby wasn't related to me anyone bearing the Sons of Anarchy cut could pull Anna or I out of school. It had happen a dozen of times over the past two years. The adults in my life were worried about something. They would keep Anna and I out of school for no reason, and we had been staying at the clubhouse instead of our own houses. But, they wouldn't tell us what was going on. No one told us why the other charters were down here, Why there were people with guns on the roofs, and why the compound was locked down at all times.
"Why?" I asked as I was led outside. "Where are we going?"
"The hospital," Bobby responded. "Come on kid."
It was clear that Bobby didn't want me asking any more questions. And having been raised in this life, I was taught to listen to both spoken and unspoken orders the first time, especially if those orders came from a Son. Bobby must've grabbed my helmet from TM because it was thrust into my hands before he placed his own helmet on top of his head. He swung his legs over his bike, looking back at me. I scrambled onto the back of the bike, wrapping my arms around his stomach.
Normally I liked riding with the guys but this time just felt bad. There was something important Bobby wasn't telling me. The fact that he was the one pulling me out of school not Mom, Dad, Uncle Piney, or Aunt Mary was troubling. And the fact that we were going to the hospital instead of the clubhouse or my house was all the more worrisome. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as we entered St. Thomas' parking lot. Motorcycles were lined up taking up nearly eight spots. There were more motorcycles then there were members in the Charming charter.
"Uncle Bobby, what's going on?" I asked the third time, no longer content with the knowledge that he didn't want me asking questions. The fear in my voice kept him from reprimanding me.
"There was an accident, sweetheart," Bobby finally said as he took my helmet and his and laid it on the handlebars.
I didn't protest when Bobby grabbed my hand, dragging me through the lobby of St. Thomas' and into the elevator. Taking the first right after the elevator put us smack dab in the middle of the ICU waiting room. Looking around at all the men in SOA cuts were both overwhelming, comforting, and frightening. I had only seen gatherings like this when something really, really bad had happened. Finally, I saw another reassuring face.
"Mom!" I cried.
I let go of Bobby's hand weaving between bikers three times my size before I was able to close the distance between mom and I and fling myself into her open arms.
"What's going on?" I babbled. "Why's everyone here?"
"It's your Daddy, baby," Mom whispered. "He was in an accident."
"But, he's gonna be okay, right, Mom?" I whispered, looking up at her.
I watched her swallow, noticing for the first time that she looked different. Mom was the strongest women I knew and to see her struggling with her emotions, made everything all the more clear. I disengaged from her hold, collapsing into the nearest chair.
"D-D-Dad's not gonna be okay," I whimpered. A statement of fact more than a question.
"No, baby," Mom swallowed hard, tears brimming in her eyes. "No, he's not."
"I want to see him," I stated firmly.
"Izzy, I don't think that's a good idea," Mom protested. "He's…"
"I don't care what he looks like!" I yelled loudly. "I wanna see Dad!"
I wasn't really aware of how inappropriately loud my tone was until I realized that the entire waiting room had become silent. In any other situation mom wouldn't have hesitated to yell right back, or any of the others for being disrespectful towards my mother. But no one said a word. It was so uncomfortably silent that we could all hear the 'ding' of the elevator announcing it's arrival on the third floor. The silence was shattered by the stomping of boots on the linoleum floor, and the screech of said boots as they skidded around the corner. Jax and Opie eyed the room before they came straight towards Mom and I.
"Ma?" Jax asked. "Why were we pulled outta school?"
"It's your father, Jax," Mom sighed. "There was an accident."
Jax didn't say a word instead his expression went blank as he looked around the room Apparently the six year age gap was enough for him to realize everything without having to be filled in on all the details.
"Can I see him?" Jax asked.
It seemed like Mom was more reluctant to tell Jax 'no', as she looked between the two of us.
"You and Izzy can go see him," She finally said. "The nurse said he'd be in a room in a few minutes."
Within twenty minutes, Jax and I were standing on either side of Dad's bed. Dad and Jax were like mirror images of one another. Mom had once groused that Tommy was the only one who looked like her. Jax had Dad's eyes and hair. I had Dad's hair, Mom's eyes, and incredibly fair skin, which Mom had when she was a kid before she discovered tanning... He was awake, which was remarkable given the fact that he looked awful. Not one patch of skin wasn't covered in road rash or some other kind of scrape. He was covered with gauze, and had dozens of wires attached to him.
"Don't cry, Bella," Dad whispered, taking my hand in his. He took Jax's hand in his other and smiled loosely up at us.
The simple movement took moments to complete and left the once strong leader of my family and the Sons exhausted.
"I love you both very much," Dad continued, his breathing labored which made every word all the more difficult. "I'm so proud of you two."
"I love you too, Daddy," I whispered.
"I love you, Pops," Jax said.
"Jackson," Dad stated.
I missed the look that passed from father to son as the two Teller men looked over to me. My vision was blurred by tears, my head bowed as I tried to wake up from the nightmare I was suddenly caught in.
"Iz," Jax whispered. "Come on."
"I want to stay here," I protested.
"Dad's sleeping," Jax responded.
"Jax, I…"
"I know," Jax sighed, picking me up from my chair and cradling me to his chest as we walked us out of the room. Due to Jax's newest growth spurt, and my small stature, I fit easily on the side of his hip as he walked us back to the waiting room.
I didn't know it then but as I glanced over Jax's shoulder, staring at my father: bloody and broken, asleep in the hospital bed. That was the last time I ever saw my father . The loaded way he had said Jax's name would be the last time I heard his voice. Two days later he was dead. Two days later the nightmares started.
I never realized how messed up those two years were until I looked back on things. How much the adults in my life had hidden things from me. Poorly concealed excuses and orders to just do what they said as we moved from our house and moved into the clubhouse. For nearly all of those two years both the Teller and Winston family, along with the other members of the Charming chapter stayed in the clubhouse, sleeping in the dorm rooms and wherever else they could. The main room had air mattresses and sleeping bags everywhere.
With Dad's death everything exploded. Anna and I didn't go anywhere without an escort. Neither did Mom or any of the other old ladies. If you were tied to the Sons of Anarchy you were in danger, plain and simple. The Mayans had wanted something, whatever it was, I still wasn't sure, but they were willing to kill women and children to get it. When Dad died every single charter had come out to pay their respects. Even the charter run by McGee in Belfast had come to Charming. The funeral procession had scared people, kept them indoors as hundreds of motorcycles rode through the center of town and into the cemetery
"Izzy?"
I had barely noticed that I had parked next to my mother's car and had been sitting in my car in TM for God only knew how long. Based on the irritation on my brother's face it had been long enough. The flat of his palm banged against the window.
"Iz!" Jax snapped. "What the hell is going on?"
Jax had to jump back as I flung open the car door. Before Jax could say a word I growled, "they were Mayan? The bodies were Mayan?"
"Who told you?" Jax retorted.
"The better question is why didn't you?" I muttered, crossing my arms in front of me.
"It's club business," Jax stated firmly.
"Oh, I didn't realize all of fucking Charming was Sam Crow," I snapped.
"The fuck's the matter with you?" Jax glowered.
"They said the bodies were buried between 1992 and 1993," I explained. "I just…I…I have no idea what the fuck's the matter with me."
The anger that had almost flew me over here, poured out in a second, leaving me quaking and confused. Jesus, I was getting upset about fucking bodies that weren't even Sam Crow. 1992 and 1993 were not good years for us, it was the year Dad died and people were in and out of the hospital.
"You think that they might have to do with Dad?" Jax guessed. "Iz, what happened to dad was an accident."
"That's what they told us," I mumbled.
"Izzy?" Jax sighed.
He was using trying to soothe but I heard the undercurrent of frustration that comes from dealing with the same argument multiple times. And every time he repeated that it was an accident, we don't have a reason to believe that it was anything but that. But it just seemed odd. How could Dad not hear the semi? How could the semi not see Dad?
"I'm sorry," I mumbled. "Okay? I'm sorry, I was just thinking about that day about those two years."
I didn't have to clarify what day I was talking about as Jax's face softened. That day was probably one of the worst in my life, not that the nights following after were any better. Who knew that it was possible to survive on three hours of sleep every night for months on end.
"We're taking care of things, Tig and Clay went over to St. Thomas'," Jax explained.
I didn't want to know what taking care of things entailed. All I knew was I felt ridiculous for storming all the way over here. I was on edge about everything, the smallest of things had me flying off the handle. I didn't know what was going on anymore. Only that this felt like I was twelve all over again. I wondered vaguely if the nightmare were going to start back up.
"You know you're safe now," Jax whispered, his hand falling on my shoulders as his eyes connected with mine. "No one's going to hurt you. Not when we're around."
"I know," I sighed.
"Then what's the problem?" Jax asked
"I don't know," I confessed. "It just feels like something bad's gonna happen. Even with the Jackals dealt with, it still feels that something's coming. Something big."
You couldn't survive in this lifestyle without relying on that gut feeling. My parents had taught me that, Jax had taught me that. Everyone around me had taught me that. Right now my gut feeling was that there was something looming in the distance, and whatever it was, it wasn't good.