Chapter 201: Rye
*A dark past doesna mean yeh can’na have a bright future. – Nessie*
The morning after their return, Nessie came in at her usual time and was surprised to find Zee already cooking. First batch of muffins were cooling on the rolling rack, a few strips of bacon were sizzling on the grill and fruit cups were being made.
“Yer up early.” Nessie said heading straight for the grill.
“I have an early riser.” Zee said as she heard coffee being poured in the dining hall.
Nessie said nothing else as she removed the bacon and set it on the paper towels to cool. The kitchen door opened and a woman walked in. She stopped when she saw Nessie.
Nessie looked her over and smiled. She was tall and skinny, almost too skinny. She had a short black Bob with a gray patch on her right side. Jeans and a blue Clubhouse polo indicated that she worked at the daycare. In red block letters, Miss Rye was embroidered on her chest.
Even though she did not know the woman’s name, Nessie was sure that she knew who this was.
“Rye, this is Nessie. Rye works for Karan at the daycare.” Zee packed up the breakfast. “How is little Michael today?”
Rye brightened instantly when Zee asked about little Michael. The woman pulled out her phone and handed it over so the other women could see the live feed.
“Nurses notes said that he had a good night. Feeding tube should come out again in the next few days. He’s almost four and a half pounds.”
“When he comes home, we’ll have to have a baby shower for him.” Zee smiled at the young mother.
“You guys don’t have to do that.”
“Nacht.” Nessie scoffed. “These big bad bikers love a reason to party.”
“And babies.” Zee added.
As she spoke, Nessie moved over to Rye and took her left hand in her own. Looking at the palm, the seer was assaulted with sadness and loss and pain. Looking up the woman, she smiled with tears in her eyes.
“Yeh’ve had such a hard road. And yeh’ve walked it by yerself for so long.” Nessie tucked some of the silver hair behind Rye’s ear. “Yeh don’t have to walk it alone. Yeh won’t walk it alone. He needs yeh just as much as yeh need him.”
Rye’s eyes flicked to the phone that Zee still held.
“Not Michael.” Nessie whispered. “Yeh know who.”
Pulling her hand back, Rye stiffened and her face hardened. “No.”
Nessie saw it in the woman’s face. Fear. Anger. Sadness. Hatred. She knew the woman had to work past her own issues. If neither of them could move past what haunted them, neither would see the blessings they were being given.
“Rye, are you okay?” Zee asked.
“I need to get to Michael.” Rye took her phone and shoved it in her back pocket and left. Zee looked over at Nessie who was grinning.
“What the hell, Ness?” Zee asked.
“Right. Let’s get breakfast started.”
And with that, Nessie began to pull out trays of prepped food. Zee was still confused but went about her regular morning routine.
A while later, Nessie grabbed the bag that contained the muffin, fruit cup and bacon. Looking around the room, she saw exactly who she was looking for. Nessie approached the table with the white bag. Chance looked up from his half eaten omelet and smiled at her.
“I hear that I should congratulate you.”
“Aye. And thank yeh.” She smiled and sat the bag on the table between Karan and Chance. “I’m afraid I upset yer friend and she didn’t take her muffin.”
Karan looked a little confused before it clicked. “Rye.”
Chance stood up and grabbed the bag. “I’ll take it to her at the hospital. You have that other thing to deal with.”
Karan groaned. “Glad you remembered that.”
“Everything okay?” Cookie asked concerned.
“We have a third grader who is causing problems for his teachers. She has a final warning and then her kid is out.”
“Have fun.” Chance said walking out, leaving the rest of his breakfast on the table. He was usually very good about cleaning up after himself.
Not just because it had been instilled in him by his parents. But also, it was the perfect opportunity to flirt with the girls.
“Don’t even think about it, Nessie.” Cookie laughed. “Those two hate each other.”
“With every fiber of their being.” Karan added. “Hell, they probably borrowed some fibers from other people to hate each other with.”
Priscilla and Camille sat down at the table with plates of fruit, egg whites and a half slice of whole wheat toast.
“Yeh ever hear a good story that starts with sitting at home eating a salad?” Nessie asked.
“I’m on a diet for prom.” Camille said pushing her “All of my stories start off with a salad.”
“Pretty sure it’s a requirement at this point.” Priscilla agreed.
“Ness, can we have pancakes the day after prom?” Camille practically begged.
“Aye, we can do that.”
