"I know we're already married, but I wanted to propose again and this time with my grandma's wedding ring and to show that I still want to spend my life with you."

"Oh Rimmy. You are such a sweetheart. I will always love you 'til the day I die."

"I'm glad to hear that, cause I love you with every fiber of my being and I'm very fortunate to have you in my life. I never thought I would have such a loving and caring woman like you in my life. I am very blessed."

"I'm the one who is blessed to have you in my life, Rimfire Maverick. All you did the day we met at Hooters was be yourself. You introduced yourself to me and we started a great friendship which over time, turned into a loving relationship and now is a great marriage."

A couple of months later, they reaffirmed their love and commitment to each other in front of a judge. Some couples do that to make sure they still love each other.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

2 yrs. later, Throttle and his family had moved into the 2-story house he had paid for free and clear. During the move in, Throttle noticed that Michelle wasn't being herself and it worried him. He had an idea as to what was bothering her, but he needed to find out for sure if his hunch was right.

He walked out to the garage and noticed that Michelle was sitting on the bike. What he didn't like was the tears streaming down her face. His hunch was right. He walked up to her and put his hand on her right shoulder.

"Michelle, honey. You ok?"

I looked his way and slowly shook my head.

"Its Tony, isn't it?"

I nodded my head and wiped my face with the back of my hand.

"Its been 12 yrs. and he still doesn't want us back in his life. I feel so lost without my other son in my life. I miss Tony so much, Throttle. I feel like my life isn't complete without him here with us. He made me feel like I wasn't suppose to work to make sure he had food, clothing and a roof over his head."

"I hate to say this, but be glad we have Tyrone in our lives."

"You're right, you shouldn't have said it. Our family isn't complete without Tony. That's all there is to it."

Throttle could tell that I was upset, but there really wasn't anything he could say that wouldn't get his head bit off.

"Why don't you come inside and lay down for a bit. Maybe you'll feel better after a good nap."

I scowled at him. "A nap! I don't need a fuckin' nap! I need my son back!"

Throttle backed up a bit and put his hands up in defense. "Hey, no need to get upset and yell at me."

"Just open the garage door. I'm going for a ride to clear my head."

"I'd rather you not go anywhere right now. Every time you do, I never know when you're coming back. Just come inside and relax."

"I said Open. The. Garage. Door."

"And I'm telling you I'm not doing it. You're staying here. End of discussion."

I was getting very pissed at him that I wanted to hit him. He knew it too. I had been sitting the on the bike the whole time. I wasn't going to hurt the bike. I loved that bike.

Throttle noticed how mad I was getting by the look in my eyes. They started glowing like Modo's does when he gets mad.

"That's new. I think you need to calm down."

"And you need to open the fuckin' garage door before I blow a hole through it."

Throttle decided to step in front of the bike and cross his arms over his very chiseled chest.

"Go ahead, but you'll have to go through me and you don't have the guts to do it."

Thing is, he was right. How could I tell Tyrone and Silverdawn that I had killed Throttle to get through the garage? I got off the bike and got dangerously close to his face.

"Open. The. Fuckin'. Garage. Door. Now."

Throttle unfolded his arms and grabbed my hands in his and stared into my eyes. He saw the hurt in my eyes.

"Babe, its ok to hurt. You don't need to act like this isn't bothering you deeply. I'm hurting inside too, but I'm not lashing out like you are. I just want you to calm down and relax."

I looked at our hands together then looked back up into his eyes. I started crying again. He wrapped his arms around me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and cried into his shoulder.

About 5 mins. later, Silverdawn came out to see where her son was. She noticed that Michelle was crying.

"Everything ok, sweetie?"

Throttle looked at his mom and smiled. "Yeah, we're good, mom. Michelle had another breakdown."

"About Anthony again?"

"Yeah, but this time she lashed out at me."

"She didn't hut you, did she?"

"No, mom. She didn't hit me. She was close to doing it, though."

"I came out here to see where you 2 were and to let Michelle know that someone named Jake called. He wants her to call him back when she can."

Throttle had me face him and wiped the tears from my face.

"Feel better, honey?"

"A little. I'm sorry for lashing out."

"You don't need to apologize, Michelle. You know we'll all be there for you when this happens. We'll find a way to get Tony back in our lives. Now, can you tell me who Jake is?"

I gasped in shock. "I hadn't heard his name since high school. Did he call?"

"Yes, he did. He'd like you to call him back when you can. Would you like me to go get your cell phone?"

"Please?"

Silverdawn nodded and went back inside to get my cell phone.

While I waited for my phone, I told Throttle that Jake was an old friend and former band member. I also told him about Sean, Seamus, Brian and Ian.

"Why didn't you tell me you were in a band?"

"Cause I didn't think it was necessary. Besides, that was back in high school. I didn't stay with the band for longer than a year. I left for the Marines a year after graduating. We formed the band while in high school."

"What was the name of your band?"

"The last time I knew, the band name was The Wolfpack 5. I was lead vocals, Brian was on the mixer, Jake was on lead guitar and the twins were on bass guitar and drums. Sean was on bass and Seamus was on drums."

"Who is Ian?"

"Ian is Jake and Brian's father. He was also the manager of the band. Jake also drove our tour bus. We toured all over the U.S. during our Senior year of high school."

Silverdawn had just brought out my cell phone and handed it to me. I hugged her and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"What was that for, sweetie?"

"Just wanted to let you know that I love you, mom. Do you think Tredz would be ok with me calling him dad?"

"That's something you'd have to ask him, but I think he would probably like that. He called last night before I went to bed. He asked how everyone was doing. I told him that you have been having breakdowns cause of Anthony not wanting us in his life."

"What he say?"

"He's going to talk to his grandson about that and hopefully have Anthony call and apologize."

"I highly doubt Tony is going to apologize for breaking my heart."

Then I looked up the number Jake called from. Its been so long that I had forgotten that Jake gave me his cell number. I went to my recent call list and his name was there. I hit the green phone icon and waited for him to answer.

Not long after I hit the icon and the phone rang, it was picked up on the other end.

"Hello?"

"Hey Jake."

"Mike? Hey, how you doing, girl?"

"Been busy since we graduated high school."

"We all knew you were going to the Marines. You still with them?"

"Nope. I retired about 15 yrs. ago. I train the new recruits once in a while. I've been coaching the Blackhawks during the winter, as well."

"Damn girl. You've been busy."

"I also have a family."

"When you get married?"

"12 yrs. ago. How's everyone in the band?"

"That's why I called. Our dad died last week."

"Oh god. I'm so sorry, Jake. How's Brian taking it?"

"Not good. He was closer to him than I was. I did a lot of traveling after high school. I was home when our dad died. He did make one last request before he died."

"What was the request?"

"One last concert and he wanted you to sing with us for our last concert."

"I don't know, Jake. I've been going through a lot right now."

"We're in Chicago for tonight only. We're performing at Quigley Field for our biggest and final concert. Will you at least come support us if you decide not to sing?"

"Are you guys at the ballfield right now?"

"Yeah, we are."

"Mind if I bring my family and we'll talk more?"

"That would be great. It might cheer up Brian."

"Don't tell him or the twins that I'm coming with my family."

"I won't. When you coming?"

"Shortly. Gotta get my son off his Xbox first."

"Alright. See ya soon, Mike."

Then I hung up. I looked at Throttle.

"Wanna go to the ballfield and meet the band? We'll take Tyrone with us, too."

"Can an old woman go too?"

I looked at Silverdawn and smiled.

"You're not old, mom. You look good for your age. And yes, you can go with us."

She hugged me. "You're so sweet to say that I don't look old. You're parents raised you well."

"I like to think so." Then I went inside to get Tyrone off his Xbox.

"Ty, turn off your Xbox and come down here please."

"Ok, mom." Then he turned off the Xbox and came downstairs.

"What's up, mom? Why'd you want me off the Xbox?"

"We're all going to the ballfield to see my former bandmates. I know you're old enough to stay home, but I would like you with us."

"Is grandma going too?"

"Yep. Since we don't live that far from the ballfield, we're gonna walk. Go get your shoes on. I'll tell your dad to change from his boots to his shoes."

I went back out to the garage to tell Throttle that he needs to change his boots.

"We're walking there?"

"Yeah. We don't live that far from the ballfield. Its like 2 blocks from here. Besides, its good for you."

"You get Tyrone off the Xbox?"

"Yep. He's getting his shoes on right now."

Just then, Tyrone walked out into the garage.

"I'm ready to go, mom."

"As soon as your father gets his shoes on, we'll head over to the ballfield."

Throttle went into the house and changed from his boots to his shoes then came back out.

"I'm ready." Then he looked at what his mom was wearing.

"Think you should change into some comfortable shoes, mom?"

"I don't have any comfy shoes, Throttle."

I looked at her. "I have some you can borrow for today, mom. They're right inside the doorway."

She went in and changed into the shoes I let her borrow. She showed me the shoes to see if they were the right ones. I nodded then she put them on.

I locked up the house and then we headed to the ballfield.