Why would you risk so much for one kid? Hawk's eyes find mine. Because every life matters, Eli. Every single one. But especially the lives of those who've been casted, forgotten.
Like Jaime, I say. Like Jamie. Hawk agrees. And like you before we found you. Not anymore, I say firmly.
No, Hawk says, not anymore. Now you're an angel. Forever. I touch the vest I'm still wearing. Blood stained now from holding patch.
A badge of honor of belonging. Forever. I repeat. And for the first time since the accident that took my legs, I know exactly who I am. Not just Eli Barn, not just the kid in the I'm an angel.
Protected and protecting. Part of something bigger than myself. I'm home. Patch comes home from the hospital 3 days later. The bullet missed anything vital, but he lost blood.
Needed surgery. I wait on the clubhouse porch watching the road. When the procession of bikes appears, I wheel forward eagerly. Doc's truck leads the way. Patch sits in the passenger seat looking pale but alive.
His arm in a sling, his face tired but smiling when he sees me waiting. There he is, Patch says as Doc helps him out. My hero, I shake my head. I didn't do anything. You saved Patch kneels painfully beside my You're wrong, kid.
You saved me. He taps his chest. In here, where it matters, I don't understand, but I'm too happy to see him to argue. The club throws a party to celebrate. Mama Carter outdo herself again.
Food, music, laughter. The mood is jubilant. We survived. We're stronger. We're family.
Patch holds court from an armchair, regiling everyone with an exaggerated version of the shooting. Bullet was this big, he says, holding his hands apart. Swear to God, everyone laughs. No one believes him. No one cares.
He's alive, and that's all that matters. Later, when the party winds down, Hawk finds me on the porch. He sits beside me, offers me a soda. Big day, he says. I nod.
I was scared he wouldn't make it. Patch. He's too ornery to die. Hawk takes a swig of his beer. Besides, he had something to live for.
What? You, Hawk says simply. The club family. We sit in comfortable silence, watching the stars emerge. Hawk, I say finally.
What happens now? What do you mean with the club? With us living here with everything? He considers my question. That depends partly on you and your mom.
Do you want to stay? Yes, I say immediately. But mom has been happier here than I've ever seen her. Hawk finishes. I stare at him surprised.
How do you know? Because I see her. Eli really see her. His voice softened. The way she laughs now.
The way she walks taller. She's found her strength again. I think about mom before all this. Always tired. Always work.