“Yeah.He’s one of the Kings.He’s the club chaplain.”She pauses, “Oh my God, honey, I didn’t mean to scare you.It’s a small town and the Kings they like to know what they can about everyone.Mellow helped you out, Earl called Paul to look into you because well, things don’t go down in Freedom Falls like that.”
Of course her brother is in the club.Of course people are talking and connecting dots any way they can.Small town life.
“Anyway,” she continues, “Earl said some drunk idiot tried to grab you at the Black Rose tonight.”
My stomach twists.“Something like that.”
“You all right?”
I sigh hating reliving all of this.“I’m fine.”
“Well good,” she states briskly.“Because if that idiot shows his face around here again my brother, faith or not, will gather up the brothers and probably toss him in the Gulf.”
The casual way she says it should probably alarm me.Instead it makes a strange little bubble of laughter rise in my chest.A giggle escapes me.“I think he already got the message.”
“I heard.”Her tone shifts slightly.“You met Mellow.He’s the VP.Solid guy.”
I lean against the couch.“Yes, he did tell me they call him that.”
“Don’t let the road name fool you.”She laughs and keeps on like we are the best of friends.
“I figured that out.”
Marlaina laughs again.“He’s actually one of the better ones.”
Better ones.The phrasing is oddly comforting and concerning at the same time.“Well,” I say slowly, “tell him thank you if you see him.”
“I’m sure he’ll hear it eventually.And knowing how some of them fellas are you will probably get a chance to tell him yourself.”
I hesitate.“Why?”
Another small laugh.“This town is basically a gossip factory.But the Kings don’t give a second thought to rumors.When they see something, they do something.And I have a feeling Mellow will want to follow up and make sure you’re not bothered anymore.”
Fair point.I chose this country town because it was a slower pace without the distractions of a city.I guess people tend to talk more to one another because of it.
“All right,” she says.“Get some rest.And Lucy?”
“Yeah?”
“If anybody bothers you again, you let someone know.Keep my number.You got people in your corner here.”
“Um, okay.”
Without another word she hangs up.I set the phone down and stare at the dark screen for a moment.One of the better ones.The phrase echoes in my mind.I walk to the window and pull the curtain aside slightly.
The street outside is quiet.
A porch light glows across the gravel road.A dog barks somewhere in the distance.
Normal.
Peaceful.
Nothing like the noise and chaos of the bar earlier.My wrist still aches slightly where the man grabbed it.
I rub the spot absently.Then I hear it.Far off at first.A low rumble.
Motorcycle engine.
