Free MC: Callahan by L. Ann Marie

need to look at bringing little Ben in as something at Officer level,” Rich says. We all look at him. “He needs to be in on the meetings, he’s doing more work than a second tier Officer and his loyalty and honor can never be questioned.”
    “Just turned seventeen. Not even a Prospect,” VP says.
    I laugh. “You can’t expect them to Prospect. Little Ben, Jessie, Darren even the little ones in the Club kids can’t be expected to Prospect. They already run Ops, know more about the Club than Brothers do, are trained better than the Brothers. I would vote ‘fuck no’ on them Prospecting.”
    Pres looks at VP then Danny. “Fuck. Looks like we have more shit to do. Bull, text Sam, we need lunch.”
    We go back and forth for an hour; we eat then go back to the kids getting in on merit; then Nomad status and membership payments. No one wants more members until we straighten out the Club problems. Once everyone is in agreement we decide when and how to patch little Ben in. My fuckin’ head hurts with all this shit. At least little Ben won’t be Prospecting. I’d be pissed the first time anyone told him to clean their fuckin’ boots. He deserves more respect than the assholes that are too good to help a Brother out.
    I get up to leave and Pres stops me. Shit. “Did it work out at the school?”
    “Thank fuck, I have a fuckin’ headache from all this bylaw and wording shit. We got it all straight, Danny went to talk to the superintendent to get them working on it faster.”
    He nods and looks for Danny. “Let me know if it doesn’t get taken care of. Jessie says your boys are good kids. Little Ben listens to Ricky. He gets things our kids don’t see.” I throw chin. I don’t know what to say. My kids are good and I’m glad little Ben respects Ricky. I know my kids are in awe of the Little Brothers.
    I leave just as Bob is throwing his leg over his bike. “Saturday I’m with the little guys, I’ll pick them up at ten.”
    “You need me with them?”
    He smiles. Never seen him smile so much. Amanda is good for him. “No, not this time. When they do their first jumps I’ll need you around, just in case.” He laughs.
    “Fuckin’ Brothers.” He rides away, laughing at me. Fuck, Nancy will shit a brick if she finds out. I ride to transport and pick up my truck and some paperwork. On my way home I call Dave at the garage to find out about the bikes; he’s delivering them to Security tomorrow. All the kids will have their own; he’s even got Sheila’s painted purple for her. The Club kids ride the compound streets all the time. Soon my kids will be able to ride with them. The thought makes me smile.
    As I get to the gate my phone rings with a number I don’t recognize. The assistant principal has Ricky and little Ben in his office. I wave away the Prospect and guard, turning around and driving back out. I wonder if I should call Doc and Steve then decide to hold off until I know what’s going on. When I get to the school I don’t know what door to go in. The school is huge. I see a visitor parking lot and pull in. At the door I have to hit a keypad. The voice asks me who I’m looking for. Fuckin’ dumbass people, like I’d show up for a fuckin’ tea party. I tell her the guy’s name and she buzzes me in. I go right into the office. A little guy that looks like a fire plug comes to meet me.
    “Mr. Callahan, I’m Mr. Mello, come this way.” He doesn’t shake my hand or throw chin, he turns around and starts walking. Rude bastard.
    I have a feeling my headache is about to get worse. “Why am I here?”
    “The boys will explain this to you. I have no reason to doubt little Ben but Ricky, with his background, is not being helpful and I need information.” He opens the door and walks in. The boys are watching the door. Little Ben looks relieved; I’m glad I didn’t call VP.
    “What’s going on, Ricky?”
    He looks surprised. “A kid in the courtyard was selling joints. When he put his