"What about the extra sales from those last minute shoppers?"

"Sometimes it's not about the money, but about family. This year, I want everyone at the shop to spend more time with the people that mean the most to us, because you don't always know how long you'll have with them," she said, looking at me. There was a sadness in her eyes and I had a feeling that she somehow knew that I would be moving out soon.

"Okay," I replied. "You know that I certainly won't complain." I usually helped her close the store on that day. Now that Trevor was in my life, the last thing I wanted was to be stuck at the shop any later than I had to.

"If you want to invite Trevor over for dinner that night, you can certainly do so," she said, forcing a smile.

"I'll have to see what he has planned," I replied, happy that she was trying, at least.

"You don't know yet?"

"No."

We hadn't even talked about it. On Thanksgiving, he'd spent most of the day at Slammer's and I'd stayed home with my mother, who'd made a giant turkey. It had just been the three of us Jim, Mom, and me. Afterward, we'd met back at Trevor's and spent the rest of the night, burning off the calories by having wild, passionate sex. It was one of the best Thanksgivings I'd ever had.

"I'm making prime rib with all of the fixings that you love," she said. "You are planning on having dinner here, aren't you?"

"Of course," I replied, knowing that if I made other plans, she'd be heartbroken. We always spent it together, usually alone. This year, both of us had new men in our lives and next year, things would change yet again. The thought of buying Christmas presents for my son or daughter, brought a smile to my face.

"What is it?" she asked, noticing my grin.

I looked at her. "I'm just looking forward to the holidays."

"Does Trevor spend much time with his family during Christmas?"

"No," I replied. I filled her in on the kind of parents that Trevor grew up with and I could tell from her expression, she felt bad for him.

"I guess that might explain a little more about why he joined a motorcycle club."

"They really are like one big family," I said. "I really got to know a lot of them in Maui and they are nice people. You should really give them a chance."

She nodded but didn't say anything.

I yawned. "Well, I'm going to bed."

"Goodnight," she said, grabbing a bottle of wine out of the refrigerator.

"Since when have you started drinking wine?" I asked, surprised.

Vanda grabbed a glass from the cupboard. "This is just to help me sleep. I need something to unwind. Would you like some?"

It actually sounded good, but I had to watch myself, now that I was pregnant. "No, thanks."

She began opening the bottle. "Okay. If you change your mind, help yourself."

"Okay, thanks Mom," I said, leaving kitchen.

"Goodnight," she called out again.

I went upstairs and slid into bed. As I drifted off to sleep, I imagined Trevor dressed in a Santa-suit, with our son sitting on his knee. The image changed to a little girl, with blonde hair and blue eyes, squealing in delight as a Trevor presented her with a puppy peeking out of a red and green box. It brought another smile to my face. It was still there when I woke up the next morning.

Chapter Thirty-five.

I woke up around seven o'clock in the morning, feeling lost without Adriana in my arms. I waited until nine, called her, and we made plans to meet after she was done working at Dazzle.

"I don't think I can wait that long to see you."

"I know," she said. "I missed you last night and this morning."

"Me, too. My penis is even having withdrawals, it missed you so much."

She laughed. "Withdrawals? Have you been playing with yourself?"

"Hell yeah. I've been looking at some pictures of you on my phone. I needed to do something to get rid of my woody."

"Oh, my God." She giggled. "Next time take a picture and send it to me."

"Of my cock?"

"Yes."

I grinned. My little sex kitten. "How about you spend the night and see it in person?"

"That sounds even better."

"I was hoping you'd say that. Pack an over-night bag."

"Okay."

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

After we hung up, I threw on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, then stepped into the kitchen to make some coffee. As the coffee began to brew, I heard the doorbell. Not expecting anyone, and knowing that most of my friends called before showing up, I grabbed my gun and approached the door cautiously. When I saw who was waiting for me on the other side, I was in shock.

"Hello, Trevor," said my mother in a gravelly voice. She was smoking a cigarette and I could tell that both of her hands were shaking.

"Hi," I said, hiding the gun behind my shirt. I hadn't seen Mavis in almost fifteen years, and they'd been rough on her. From what I remembered, she was only in her fifties, but the lines on her face made her look decades older. She was also so thin, almost to the point of looking anorexic.

"You look good," she said, smiling. Some of her teeth were missing.

Meth, I thought, not wanting to pity her but unable to help myself.

"Thanks," I said.

She let out a ragged sigh. "We need to talk."

"We do, huh?" Why now? I wanted to ask.

"Yes. It's important."

"Is it about my brother?"

Her eyes widened. "You know about him?"

"Slammer told me."

"Oh. I forgot that he knows. Have you met him?"

"Briefly."

"That's more than what I've had. He refuses to see me," she said sadly. "I don't even know what he looks like."

I stared at her hard. "Not being able to see the person you love hurts, doesn't it?"

Mavis looked at me and her eyes filled with tears. "I'm so sorry, Trevor."

I sighed. "Why are you here?"

"Can we talk inside?" she asked. "It's cold out here."

I wanted to tell her to get lost, but she was still my mother and there was a part of me that didn't want her to leave. Not until she at least told me why she'd abandoned me.

I opened the door wider and stepped out of her way. "Come on in. Put your cigarette out first, though."

She took another drag of the smoke and then put it out with the sole of her boot. Shoving the butt into the pocket of her black wool coat, she stepped inside and whistled. "You've done real well for yourself, Trevor. Real well.

"Thanks," I replied stiffly.

She noticed my tone and turned to look at me. Her lips trembled. "I was always proud of you. You were a good boy. A smart boy."

I didn't say anything.

She looked away. "I know you're angry, Trevor. I can even understand why."

She could understand why? Fuck. "Would you like some coffee?" I asked, walking up the steps.

"Sure. That would be nice."

"Well, come on then," I said, when she didn't make any move to follow me.

"Let me take off my boots first."

"I'd appreciate it."

Still wearing her coat, which looked like it had seen better days, she followed me up the stairs and into the kitchen.

"Cream or sugar?" I asked, as she sat down.

"Neither," replied Mavis. "Thank you."

I set her cup of coffee down in front of her and she picked it up, her hands shaking so much, she could barely hold it.

"What's going on with that?" I asked, nodding toward her trembling fingers. "You still using?"

"No. I haven't used for a long time."

"You drinking?"

"No, not anymore. Just non-alcoholic beer sometimes. But, this isn't because of alcohol. I've got Parkinson's Disease," she said, shoving her hands into her lap. "I was diagnosed about a year ago."

I had a hard time believing her. "Is that right?"

"You don't have to believe me if you don't want to and I didn't come to ask you for sympathy."

"But, you came for something."

"Yes, I need "

I interrupted her. "Money?"

"No, I need to tell you something," she said firmly. "Something that I overheard."

"What did you overhear?"

"The Devil's Rangers... they've ordered a hit on you and your brother."

"How did you find this out?" I asked, not surprised.

"I overheard two bikers talking about it, outside of Sal's. They didn't even know I was there, they were so drunk."

I scratched my chin. "They mention how much?"

"I didn't hear."

"Thanks for letting me know about it," I said, yawning.

"What are you going to do?" she asked, looking a little surprised at my lack of concern.

I took the gun out from behind my jeans and held it up. "Carry this around, I guess," I said and then set it down next to me.

She frowned. "You should do more than that. They want you badly. You killed the president of their chapter and his second in command."