“You sound pretty sure about that.”
“Well, Iamyour mother.”
That doesn’t make you right about this.
Silence fell heavy between us, and I wasn’t inclined to break it again. In fact, I had finished my meal and was about to excuse myself from the breakfast table when she spoke again.
“You know, I’ve been meaning to ask you about this fundraiser you’re planning. What is the event?”
“A poker run. It’s a motorcycle ride to various locations collecting playing cards, and at the end, the winning poker hand gets a prize.”
“A motorcycle ride?” she asked, almost managing to keep the distaste out of her voice. Nothing could hide her deep frown. “With a bunch ofbikers?”
“Yes, Mom,” I sighed.
“But those men from the biker gangs…they’re hooligans.”
I swallowed my laughter as I tried to imagine what Butch would say to being called a “hooligan.” My mother was being insulting, but at the same time, she was so out of touch with the people that existed outside of her social circle that she couldn’t properly express the discomfort that she felt around big, badass men.
“The ones I’ve met are good people,” I said. “And it’s not going to just be men from the motorcycle club. Anyone that rides a motorcycle can participate.”
Butch had assured me that most of the people taking part would be “weekend warriors,” regular people that rode in their spare time instead committing their life to it like the members of Outlaw Souls.
“Well, regardless, I thought it might be nice if your father and I got involved.”
I straightened my spine as her words registered along with shock. I set my fork down and stared at her face. She looked sincere.
“What?”
“For heaven’s sake, Sabrina. I get involved in all sorts of charitable causes. Is it really so odd to you that I would offer my help for this one?”
Well...yeah.
“It just doesn’t seem like your kind of thing.”
“Look at it this way. Your father’s presence will bring attention to the event, and every fundraiser needs as much press as it can get. The turnout is guaranteed to be even bigger, and you’ll make more money that way.”
I could read between the lines there. She was going to make sure the press was there to see them helping out the soup kitchen once again. It would be good publicity for my father’s campaign.
While that agenda annoyed me, I couldn’t deny that she was right. the bigger the event, the better it would be for the soup kitchen. I thought about Butch. It was so important to him that this shined a positive light on Outlaw Souls and Black Satin…
“Okay, that sounds great. You guys can help out with the party at the end. It’ll be at the soup kitchen.”
“Fantastic.” She grinned. “I’ll make some calls today, informing some of those reporters that love to follow your father’s every move.”
Her voice was slightly bitter. The media didn’t always work in our favor, since they were always looking for dirty laundry. My mom’s reaction to that was to use them in any way she could.
“Thanks, Mom.”
I reached out and grasped her hand briefly, giving it a squeeze.
“I’m happy to do it, honey,” She looked down at my hand for a moment, then back up at my face. “Just make sure you wear your engagement ring to the event. We don’t want the press to see you without it.”
I glanced down at my bare finger and frowned. I’d worn the thing for the engagement announcement, and then taken it off and put it right back into its box on top of my dresser. But I’d have to get used to wearing it. I’d be adding a wedding band to it soon enough.
Butch
The parking lot of the Blue Dog had never been so full of motorcycles. Every bit of space was taken and people kept arriving. We hadn’t even started the poker run yet and it was already a success. There was a table set up right in front of the building where two girls from the strip club were signing the participants in, taking their money, and giving them their first playing card. The day was sunny and bright. Perfect riding weather.
