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Ashe’s Son

There is nothing but the gang for her. A constant lover, much less children, are not in her plans. She doesn’t care to think about such things anyways.

A passing gang comes through Deadlock Gorge. They know the rules. They don’t fight with each other. They spend one night there. She drinks with one member, a handsome man named Leroy Parker, until she decides he’s good enough to take to bed. 

They leave the next morning. She never speaks to him again. They won’t ever see each other during their robberies and heists. Weeks pass with plans to make a big score. Nausea strikes Ashe one morning, and then another morning, and then another. She ends up with her face in the toilet before dawn even arrives. She’s muttering ‘oh shoot.’

B.O.B. endures her out loud thoughts as she curses herself and then that handsome man. She’s got a choice to make. Going through the pains of pregnancy, then taking care of a whiny kid is not something she wants, but, she starts to consider her family, and how Deadlock will need a leader when she kicks the bucket. Ain’t nobody going to do it better than her own flesh and blood.

She’s never been one to coo at a baby in a carriage, but she sure can make this one not feel alone. There will be no birthdays that she isn’t at, watching them grow up strong. 

Deadlock never lays low or disappears for long periods of time. They’re still out robbing banks. They’re just missing their leader for a little while. No one thinks that Deadlock is waning or weak; Ashe makes sure of that. 

Reuben Chester Ashe is born out in the red rock desert to only his mother and B.O.B. She raises her son, and keeps Deadlock going just as they’ve always done. Reuben knows the rules and he always listens to his mama. B.O.B. catches a worn out baseball with him as Ashe teaches her little man to shoot a gun. 

He’s got her looks. At the age of 17, he has a side part in his cleanly combed back, white hair and red eyes. Pale skin. He wears a black cowboy hat, a blue vest with the sleeves of his white button up shirt rolled up. There’s this resolve that works through his sturdy, deliberate silence. He seems aloof but is actually emotionally recluse. He’s calmly collected and dominate. A deep tone in his flat, low voice makes him sound certain and unquestionable. He tends to be matter-of-fact. Huge mama’s boy and obedient.

He’s deadly with his own rifle and carries a cigarette lighter for any sticks of dynamites that need to be lit.

The gang is his family. He does what needs to be done and whistles a nice tune while doing so. One day, Deadlock will be his to run. In the meantime, Ashe prepares him with all the tools he needs to succeed.