Chapter 1 Dysfunction the family middle name
Chapter One
Dysfunction The Family Middle Name
The sun set another day in the dusty Montana mountain small town of Kippajoe with a population of only 964. It was an isolated area hidden away from the other small cities in Montana down by the valley. The townspeople were simple but educated, groups of southerners settled there. There were three small schools in the area. The town folk are friendly but guarded since there was a fair amount of crime activity that took place in the town. Everyone is in everyone’s business since neighbors live so close to one another. Usually, the town would be quiet after sundown but not tonight. Some Kippajoe folk were getting ready to attend a backroad women’s cage fight. Since the town is small and not largely populated recreation and entertainment in the mountains was scarce with only one movie theater in town and two bars. With people’s minds not having much to do after clocking out another work shift some individual started the gatherings of the fights only few selected trusted community members know any information where the fights even take place not even the fighter’s families rarely know where their loved ones go to fight that’s if they even have loved ones to care if they come home. The members of the group that orchestrates the cage fights (Birdie flies) the name originated from the nickname given by online bidding viewers making comments comparing women dropping from fatal blows to that of birds being shot from the sky.
Belle Huck was a fighter in the Birdie Flies. This was her third year of fighting. She was getting ready for her fight that night at her family home with her grandmother and four older brothers Tazz, Abel Jackson and Elliot. Belle and her brother’s parents gave them up when they were small children, joining a self-sufficient cult in another state. The cult only accepted converted children whose parents would dedicate their own and children’s beliefs to the cult. Deloris Huck, Belle’s grandmother, wouldn’t allow her grandchildren to be taken to an isolated cult to never see them again she wanted to protect them from that kind of life. Deloris before Belles mother and father could depart snuck in the night to secure Belle and her brothers in her custody before the bus arrived in the morning to take them. Out of fear of missing the one-way bus to their new desired life they surrendered the children to Deloris leaving Kippajoe to never look back.
Deloris had little money. She was a retired dairy maid, she raised cows and bottled fresh milk for the towns people even running her own operations of producing mass amounts of dairy for the townspeople. She lived in a rugged three-story white house her husband built that home he died 20 years later of lung cancer leaving Deloris behind having to fend for herself and the grandchildren.
When Belle grew old enough, she heard about the Birdie Flies from her brothers. It was a way to help make the bills since her brothers never could keep jobs they looted and stole for their money, which never lasted. Tazz and Jackson even used to compete for cash, but male fights became obsolete since they never brought in large crowds female fights just were more popular made the Birdie Flies more profit. Elliot was the only decent of the four he committed horrible deeds with his brothers even helping at times, but he always made sure his kid sister was taken care of and was safe to the best of his abilities of course Tazz was the most violent exposing Belle to violence and drugs sometimes protecting Belle was futile to Tazz’s rage. Abel was more mysterious, the conniving whispering voice in Tazz’s hot headed ears like that of a puppet master. Jackson a Brilliant addicted thief who was good at picking any lock since the age of ten. He stole anything of value even if he didn’t need it.
It’s nearing eight o’clock fight starts at 10. Belle gets ready in her room she wraps her hands in bandages to absorb her sweat and to protect her hands. Her hands had medium sized fingers you could see her veins showing as she tightened her grip. It was still summertime, so her kin kissed by the sun giving her an olive color with brown freckles peppered all over her body. She is wearing a black tank top with matching black biker shorts. Belle’s medium height sprawled onto the floor; she was doing crunches preparing herself to be in constant motion as she pulled herself every crunch her auburn long curly hair whipped forward as she raised her chest to her knees. Her chocolate Carmel eyes focused on the photo on an old photo of her and Nanmaw on her nightstand. You would guess this was her first fight by the expression of worry that spread across Belle’s face.
Nanmaw, Belle’s grandmother, calls to her from the kitchen
“Did you eat supper yet? You know you can’t be your strongest without a meal Button” Her voice was loud and clear, but it shook some her lungs were weak yet still maintaining its high pitch. Button was Belle’s nickname since birth Nanmaw gave her since Elliot remarked that his sister had coal button eyes when they were kids.
“Nanmaw You know dog gone well I can’t eat before I go it makes me slower, I have to be my best tonight.” Belle says louder trying to stretch her voice from her bedroom down the hallway to the kitchen down the stairs. Her voice was raspy with a tom boyish tone to it. Belle had a southern accent along with the rest of her family.
“I know I ….. I just worry bout cha button” Nanmaw mutters with a saddened tone as if she was talking to herself. Belles sits on her bed, her head hung low as she spoke.
“I’ll come home like I always do Nanmy” Belle replies to her voice shedding softness and warmth. Belle looks in the hallway mirror to primp herself before scurrying in her room. She checks her complexion, Belle’s face had a soft oval shape to it she was not thin faced nor was her body, but she wasn’t heavy either she had some curves to her body with fit tone qualities to her arms and legs her stomach flat. She had a low bridge button nose. Her honey chocolate deep brown eyes looked back at her. She had pillowy pink big lips, her faint smile toothy and genuine. Sun kiss Brown freckles peppered below her eyes and nose. She had big spiral curly copper red fiery short hair her skin was tanned from hours of working out caring to the few remaining family horses on the Huck land which was only an acre.
Belle looks to her shoes and the old wooden floors. She bends down to tie her boxing sneaker laces. As she bends down, she can hear the wooden stairs creaking, someone was coming up the stairs. She suspected it was one of her brothers considering the speed and pace the person was going up the stairs. Belle knew Nanmaw couldn’t move that fast, she had bad knees. Belle could see Elliot's head poking around the corner of her bedroom door. Elliot wavy sandy brown hair covered his eyes he looked to the ground, and he stood in belles bedroom doorway. Belle noticed the sullen look on his face. He usually had a perky smug look on his face when he talked to belle on a good day. Belle felt like a child, like she was in trouble, she knew her Elliot was unhappy with her, it was in his nature to be protective of her like he would with his own child if he had one. Elliot sits beside Belle he turns his body to face her side. He starts to braid her hair like hes done for her since she was just a small girl.
“Mercy you aint no good at braiding” Belle says with a chuckle at the end. It was her way of trying to lighten the tense mood.
“Don’t think you goin distract me Jezebelle you know good n’ well you shouldn’t be doin this shit no more …... and I will have you know I’m a damn good braider thank you” Elliot only called Belle by her full name when he was being stern with his her. His voice soft but with a medium roar at the end of his sentences.
“Yeah, and I’ll make sure to eat my fruits and veggies too Mr. Sir” Belle said sarcastically, she rolls her eyes as she finished tying her laces.
“Jezebell cut the shit” Elliot says in an exhausted reply
“I’m serious my birthdays coming up next month I’’ll be 25! I’ll only be two yeers yuunger an’ you can’t treat me like your baby sister an’ more” Belle says looking at Elliot now.
“Better git use to that you always goin be my baby sister.“ Elliot said it as though that was a matter of fact he continued talking. “You don’t have to do this no more Tazz shoulda never even told you bout the Birdie Flies.... me and nanmaw worry sick bout cha”
“What choice do I have? Us losing the house I ain’t never goin let that happen I’ll die before that” Belle argued back
“Maybe that’ll come sooner than you think girl” Elliot said with confidence. Belle shook her head with a frustrated look her brows frowned her eyes squinted she didn’t want to entertain Elliots warnings.
“I ain’t got time to do ths with you I gotta start walking best I get there before the other fighter does” Belle starts to gather her things to head downstairs as she does so Elliot stands firmly in front of Belle; he anchors his legs to the floor like a unmoving tree in protest. Belle slings her backpack to her shoulder and stands up in front of her bed. Elliot was 5’10 so he stood four inches above Belle looking down into her eyes, his expression blank. Elliot pushes Belle back to the bed with one arm with half his strength.
“You ain’t going Jezebell” Elliot said with conviction
“You don’t trust me?” Belle questions
“Come on don’t make it about that!...... I mean What about Nanmaw huh? How you think she goin make it something happen to you what then?” Elliot says
“So, I’m supposed to just let her starve wait for you and Tazz to come up with something better someone gotta do something.... Look I’m goin be alright you and Tazz taught me how ta fight I’m gon’ win ... I’m gon’ win for us” Belle stands again slowly as she spoke her eyes now locked on Elliot’s. Elliot doesn’t budge his muscle froze in place. He wanted to be the barrier between Belle and that front door. It felt like the right thing to do.
“Get out of my way Elliot” Belle said gently they both stood still like a Mexican standoff neither one of them moved.
“I’m leaving” Belle said to Elliot with glaring eyes. Elliot knew that no matter what he did Belle would find a way to the fight, feeling helpless it was a lost cause to convince her to not fight he stepped aside with a saddened disappointed look on his face. Elliot couldn’t bear to look at Belle, he was at a loss for words. Belle put on her backpack and zipped up her sweatshirt and she headed out the bedroom door down the stairs leaving behind the echoes of her footsteps. Elliot left himself in her room, he stood in place motionless staring at the wall. Nanmaw was retiring to bed. She slowly made her way to the bathroom to wash her face the sound of her slippers sliding across the wood floors were the only sound left lingering in the house meanwhile Jackson and Abel were occupied trying to hide a jeep Jackson stole in one of the old barns on Nanmaws property. Meanwhile Tazz was boozing with his latest lady of the night. He was devilishly handsome, so he was quite liked around Kippajoe by a lot of the women. That is of course the women who didn’t mind his wild raging spirit. He was charming when he wanted to be. Tazz lazily sat next to a high blazing bonfire he started. The bombshell blonde next to him was disheveled wearing only a neon pink two-piece bikini with one of Tazz’s white button up dress shirts draped over her barley clothes body. The light of the big white moon reflected off her big black shades she wore.
Belle walks out the front door her pace fast she trots onto the path that leads to the driveway to start walking on the secret trail to the fight. As she leaves Elliot rushes down the stairs. He follows Belle in disbelief her throws up his hands as she walks out the door and shakes his head. Elliot heads to the brightly high flames of the bonfire to talk to Tazz. As Elliot walks up on Tazz and his scarcely clothed friend Tazz looks like he was disturbed from a peaceful daze he looks at Elliot with an annoyed stare his lady friend none the caring of the slightest what was going on.
“So you just gon’ let her keep duing this? Am I the only one that cares?” Elliot says to Tazz with anger in his voice. Tazz carelessly shrugs his shoulders in response and readjusts himself in his beach chair.
“Mother bird can’t let his baby bird leave the nest must be tough....” Tazz’s voice rumbles from his chest, his voice deep and hoarse.
“Yu sorry drunk fuck what help are yu anyway” Elliot spews back at his brother
“What were supposed to teach her a lesson huh? ...Do I look like a fucking after school special to you?” huh? So, what it’ll only make her stronger” Tazz whispered
“Guess I’m the only one cares enough to stop her god knows she won’t listen to me or Nan” Elliot scoffs he glances at Tazz.
“You know Yur meaner than a pissed off python.... thanks for having my back on this one asshole” As Elliot starts to turn to walk away Tazz’s date cackles starts to laugh the sounds like that of a hyena the noise filling the empty night sky. The air suddenly became thicker than syrup. The tension compounded with the stressful situation created metaphorical heat that became hotter and hotter like the flames of Tazz’s fire. Elliot stood still in front of the two, his expression perplexed he was uneasy. Tazz’s date was so wasted she was numbed now to the domestic conflict playing out in front of her. It had become entertainment for her she continued to mindlessly laugh. He realized this heated argument was turning into something else. Tazz following his intoxicated companion Tazz begins to laugh hysterically darted his gaze from to Elliot back to his date. Jackson nudges a concentrated Abel to get his attention. Abel was sharpening his knife blades at an old workshop desk in the back of the Huck family barn. His coal black wavy hair swung with the whip of his neck to look at his brother Jackson. Abel looked to Jackson with a displeased glance without saying a word which was common for Abel was like a mute only sparing words if he deemed it was worth his breath. He was a very serious individual, only shedding small smirks at the sight of someone else’s misery. Jackson nods his head in Tazz and Elliots direction.
“How bout tuh git his ass whipped ti’ll the cows come home again.” Jackson says to Abel with a mundane tone. Abel sighs and shrugs his shoulders he was merely tickled by the thought it wasn’t substantiated enough to satisfy his devilish appetite for violence and chaos.
Tazz ends his laughter in the blink of an eye, now looking at Elliot like a lion does a gazelle. Tazz lunges from his beach chair the long threads of his way brown locks swung like snakes around his head. His eyes were a dirty greenish blue lake watercolor, now his iris filling with black, he had a crazed look in his eyes. Tazz arms extended in front of him reaching for Elliots shoulders. Tazz’s hands gripped Elliots coat tightly his fingers like clasped talons like that of a bird. Tazz jerked Elliot aggressively to his face only Centimeters away from Elliots.
“Better watch yur mouth boy” Tazz snarled
If Elliot was a teapot kettle, he would be boiling steam. Elliot clenching his teeth his shaggy sandy brown strands shook with him as he was being rattled around by Tazz he grunted and let out short loud shouts. Elliot pulled back on Tazz’s black ruffled button up dress shirt now ripping the sleeve off by force. Tazz’s fist shooting at Elliots face like a rocket he lands one punch after the other now sitting on top on Elliots chest. Elliot in attempt to defend himself he clutched Tazz’s neck, Elliots doe brown eyes became harder to see with the blood that covered both eye lids. Abel and Jackson slowly walk up to the scene as this is happening, they watch in silence. Jackson was curious how this brawl would turn out. He begins to cheer as if he was a crowd member at a football game. He cups his hands around his mouth as he cheered.
“Whoauuuuu” Jackson cheers A small smile draws across Abels face as he watches.
“Aw come on boy git up yu just goin take that?” jackson taunts
“Damn it Tazz you’re killing my buzz” the blonde whined
Nanmaw was still in the bathroom refreshing herself for the night she was alerted by the commotion coming from the bathroom window she could oversee the entire back property from her bathroom window. She could hear Jacksons clapping mixed with the sounds of grunts of Elliot and Tazz’s fight. She had decided she wasn’t going to tolerate Tazz’s drunk rage black outs. This was far from the first time Nanmaw had to put a stop Tazz from beating one of his brothers. A gun or the hose usally did the trick Nanmaw was the only sense of authority to Tazz, He would never lay hands on a woman it was where he drew his moral line which was thin.
Nanmaw marched outside in her moo moo hair rollers, slippers and all with a shotgun in her hands. A gunshot rings out filling the air putting a silence to jacksons cheering. The gunshot stunning Tazz and Elliot putting a halt to the fighting they didn’t even notice her since they were too busy killing each other.
“Tazz Tamathin Huck if yu don’t stop beaten on yur bruther thuh next bullets go’n right in yur ass boy! And as for yu doll face yu got bout ten seconds to get yur trampy ass off my property” Nanmaw hollered
“We wus just horse playing Nanmy now don’t be call-” Before Tazz could finish he drunk rambling Nanmaw hollers again at the top of her lungs accompanied by another bullet to the sky
“NOW TAZZ”
Tazz slowly stands up he loosens his grip on Elliots coat letting him go. Elliots shirt and coat now painted with splats of his blood. Elliot rolls over to his side and spits out some blood. Tazz’s date lets out a yelp she scatters from her chair. She takes cover in Tazz’s car. Tazz follows in a pissed off dash
Nanmaw shoots a glare at Abel and Jackson as they stand there still. Abel looking unamused and un phased by her look, Jackson looks to his side to let out a shy cough. Nanmaw narrowed her eyes to the two and spoke
“Shows over boys”
