Outlaw

[🗡]

      Diego listened as his grandfather spoke. Honestly it was nice knowing that he was a lot like his father but at the same time he didn’t want to upset his mother by the constant reminder. Even if he couldn’t help it. But the moment Dan squeezed Diego’s shoulder he calmed down a bit.

      “Really?

{♫}

Dan followed the squeeze with a gentle pat before he moved his hand away again. He knew Diego didn’t remember those times, felt bad that he didn’t even remember his biological father, but at least Eli had always been great with those kids.

“Mhmm. You were what kept her going.” 

[🗡]

     He smiled a little as his grandfather’s remarks. Yeah, that sounded like mom. “So… I’m a lot like him then huh? Minus looking Hispanic but as in interests too?” He paused a moment. “I-I don’t make her u-upset do I?” That was the last thing he ever wanted his mom to be.

{♫}

“Oh yeah, we used to say that a lot when you were growing up too. Same with your Abuelita. She said it too.”

When his grandson started to stutter, he reached his hand out and gave Diego’s shoulder a firm squeeze in reassurance.

“Absolutely not. I’ll tell you, after your dad passed away, you and your brother were the only joy she had in her life for a long time.”

[ Ⱥ ]

  “I’ve heard that many a time… You’ve never seen me before. I’ve just got an unfortunate face is all.” Arthur stated, not wanting other people to overhear their conversation. That’s an issue he honestly didn’t want considering he is trying to stay low and out of the law’s and his former gang’s radar. “But I’m sure if I was the man you’re mistaking me for I’m sure he’d explain to you in private of course..”

{♫}

“Oh, then I apologize for the mix-up, sir. I certainly  know the feelin’.” 

Dan finished his drink, set the glass down then turned his attention back to Arthur. He was 

 “If you do hear anything. I got a small camp   just north of town here. Probably only going   to be there another night or so, unless I get  some information sooner. Again, sorry for the  mix up.”

 He would’ve winked- but- he only had the one eye.

[ ⚜ ]

  “Oh okay… What kind of music did you play?” It was really nice to talk to someone about music and his experience with The Messengers and not get judged for it. Really nice to have a girlfriend who actually supported you. “In your band, what did you play?”

{♫}

“Well depends on who you ask. Any of us  old buggers will just call it hard rock, but then   younger listeners lumped us in with the  classic rock category. You know how it is.”

It really didn’t bother him though, he always thought it was good to stretch across a few genres- gain a greater audience in which to share your passion with.

“Lead singer, lead guitar. I know you’re  all about jazz, but did you ever hear   ‘bout a band called ‘Outlaw?’”

[ 乇 𝔩  𝔦  ]  

  Eli was about to reply with a snarky comment but then Dan went on about Ellie. He may be a bad person with shitty life choices but when it came to Eli’s kids, he at least tries to be a decent human. Even though one of his sons were dead and the other didn’t want anything to do with him. So that gives him at least a better chance with Ellie. “How sick?”

{♫}

“Well, they were worried at first that it  was small pox. But turns out it’s just  the chicken pox. She’s itchy, she’s  miserable, but she’ll be fine.” 

 Eli’s only saving grace was how he was when it came to him as a father. He might not have been the ideal husband that he saw his daughter marrying...but he at least gave a shit about the kid.

“Which- speaking off; we ought to  stop and buy the girls some more  medicine.”

[ ◎ ]

  Diego was silent as his grandfather spoke, nodding lightly in return. The last statement made the oldest feel even worse for not being able to remember him, let alone mourn him properly. He wasn’t even sure if that was normal. “Was he? How’d they even meet?”

{♫} 

“They met at a boxing match- your dad was one  of the fighters that night. After he won, your mom  had snuck outside for a smoke, and he tried to pick  her up...”

And Dan then laughed because he knew what his daughter was like. 

“Apparently, according to your dad, your mother gave him a hard time, refused to give him her name. But gave him her number. Poor guy called her up asking for the ‘mystery girl.”

[ ⊕ ]

  Carson wanted to believe Dan but he just couldn’t. He didn’t understand why Emma seemed to like him so much. Especially in the state, he’s in. Carson was broken beyond repair. He knew the rumors about himself, and those rumors only encouraged him to think like that. “If you say so…”

{♫}

“You and I both know she doesn’t say shit  unless she means it. Might not be the most talkative- but if she says it, she means it.”

Dan paused as he got back to the door, and turned around to look at him.

“I’m having the family over, this Sunday.  If you’d like to join us, you’re more than  welcome to join us.”

[ ◎ ]

  Diego never really asked or talked about his real father, he saw his mother got whenever he was brought up so Diego just stopped. He still couldn’t help but wonder about the man since Diego just remembers him vaguely. He nodded at his grandfather’s response. “Did he make mom happy?”

{♫}

“Yeah, he did. ‘Least most of the time. He  liked to try and make her laugh. Especially  when she didn’t wanna.”

He smiled a little. Emma had really loved Shaun, and Dan had no doubt that Shaun had loved her in return. But it just got too much for him. Too much too young, which lead to his ‘accident’. But he really didn’t want to tell Diego that.

 “And he was crazy about you.”