“And future us could be tomorrow.If the right dog came along.”
His jaw flexed once and relaxed.“Yeah, that’s a big if.But if sounds good.”
“It is good.”She slipped her hand around his elbow.“Now, take me over and introduce me to your new friend.”
***
Silly
“Miss Danielle, I finally made it back for Silly’s vest.”Jock held the door open for her, dropping a kiss on top of her head as she ducked underneath his arm.
“It’s ’bout damn time.You two kiddos been hiding out and making babies.Gotta be.”
Silly looked up at Jock, and he shook his head, eyes wide.
“You didn’t say anything?”she hissed in a whisper.“You sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure.I haven’t been back since I dropped off the vest.”His whisper wasn’t as quiet as Silly would have liked, and obviously Miss Danielle wasn’t hard of hearing, because she answered.
“No, missy, your man hasn’t said a thing to Miss Danielle.Just y’all are young and fertile.This is the time to be doing it.Not like my oldest daughter.She was nearly forty before she gave me a grandchild.I’d about given up hope.”The always-vocal Black woman came out from behind the curtain at the back of the store and bustled around the edge of the counter to rush Silly, arms open wide.“Don’t be mad at nobody, Sylvia.”
She let herself sink into the hug, feeling like the older woman was putting parts of her back into place, comforting and healing all at the same time.Head pressed next to Silly’s, the woman whispered, “You’re going to be brilliant.”
“Oh, you’re going to make me cry.”Silly sniffed.“I can’t be a badass biker bitch if I cry.”
“Sure you can,” Miss Danielle said, holding Silly at arm’s length.“Just wear waterproof mascara.”
Silly laughed and stepped back.
Jock’s arm immediately went around her.“Baby?”
“I’m good.”She flicked tears off her cheeks.“I need to see my PO vest, though.I’m ready to be a badass biker bitch.”
“How’s that dog doing, Jock?”The vest must have been beneath the counter because Miss Danielle already had it spread out over the cabinet.The woman looked up at Jock, waiting.
“He’s good.Really good.Almost healed up.”
“How’s he getting along with that big ole beast you brought south?”
“The boys are getting along so well.”Silly laughed.“It’s like they’re old roommates or something.Cracks me up sometimes.Now—” She made gimme hands.“I’m ready to try on the vest.It looks fabulous, as always, Miss Danielle.”
Silly picked up the vest and danced over to where there was a three-way mirror.She grinned at her reflection as she swirled it around her shoulders and shoved her arms through the holes.It drifted down and around her hips, the front lapels parting in the middle.She twisted to look at the back and laughed in excitement.“It’s perfect.”The vanity patches on the front made her laugh again.“I’d forgotten a couple of these.They’re awesome.”
Miss Danielle walked up behind her and held out a hand.Silly lifted hers and caught two metal bits of what looked like jewelry.“What’s this?”She looked them over and squealed.“It’s extenders.They snap into place, right?”She fiddled with the first one and got it into place.“Jock, Miss Danielle gave me vest extenders.And they’re boobs.Oh my god, they’re boobs.That’s amazing.”She threw her arms around the woman and squeezed.
“You’re welcome, Silly.Wear them in health.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
