Page 87 of Praying for Thunder

FIFTEEN

TRUSTING YOUR PAST

Calm before the storm? That isn’t what I felt the night we rolled into the event in Arizona. It was the opposite. There were more bikes than my eyes could see. So many different clubs, and club enthusiasts, roaming the vast valley. Tents were near each group of bikes. Different bonfires spread throughout, lighting the night since there wasn’t a streetlamp for miles.

Do I dare say, I was where I belonged? Yeah. The souls present were my people. The good. The bad. The willing… because there was a common need. To seek the truth.

There was a strong purpose to this gathering. I just didn’t know what it was.

My face still covered, I followed the Titans past a band on stage and the rear of a variety of booths selling artwork, food, and beverages. Generators couldn’t be heard over the bikes, but were there providing electricity.

Many eyes raked over us, reading our vests, our bikes, our postures, our threat. The clubs present were bigger than ours, but darkness can be felt by all. Even the like-minded, just as dark ones who appreciated our criminal actions.

In an area off to the far right, closer to the middle of the event, a lone fire was lighting the section being held for us. There was a tall stick in the ground with our logo on it. A porta-toilet off in the distance.

Parking my bike next to Chubs and Roam, I couldn’t help but have the longing to meander and experience something I’d never been a part of. I asked them, “Have you ever seen so many people at once?”

I appreciated when they didn’t tease me for being hidden for most of my life.

Getting off his bike, stretching and groaning after the hours we’d endured, Chubs smiled. “It is quite impressive.”

No warning, I took off, running past bikes to Onus. “Dad! Can I set up the tents later? I’m dying to walk around.”

Going through his saddle bag, he shrugged. “Ask your mother.”

Chubs and Roam were catching up and stumbled when they overheard him.

I asked, “My what—” but Sharell’s blue eyes pleaded from under her blonde hair. All prior excitement vanished for me. “Oh.” I guess this was how I was to be explained to other clubs. “Sure.” It felt like a violation to Rosa and Anita, but I soberly, and in a monotone, asked, “Mom, can I please do my chores later?”

As if relieved she wasn’t going to get struck again, she nervously smiled. “Of course, baby. Need some money?” She pulled cash from the front pocket of her jeans that were so tight they must’ve been cutting off blood circulation.

Who was I to deny the upside of a new mom? “Sure.” I took the cash, then turned away only to stop when Onus annoyedly cleared his throat. “Sorry.” I turned back around and kissed Sharell’s cheek. “Thank you.”

“Not one hair,” warned Onus.

Chubs and Roam nodded, then left with me.

The atmosphere was electric. It was like a fair, or what I had seen of one on TV. No carnival rides, but all the junk food a teenager could want. The delicious smell of fried food and sugar was a constant in my nose. These vendors were preparing to feed drunk people all night.

Roam pointed to one booth. “Ever have an elephant ear?”

I cringed. “Not that I know of. But, I think Grandma fed me a rat a couple of times.”

“Good God, Hellion,” gagged Chubs. “You’re joking, right?”

Is that a trick question?

“Only smiles tonight!” insisted the gentle giant, who truly wasn’t meant to be a biker. He approached the window of a vendor on wheels. “One elephant ear please—”

“Is that a candy apple?” I squawked in amazement.

“And a candy apple.”

Chubs leaned against the wall of the truck. “Hundred bucks he pukes by eleven.”

Eating what was so sweet, they were up there with Rya’s kisses, we continued to walk around the grounds. Eventually, I noticed a huge area that hadn’t been occupied yet. It was off to the left corner of the enormous compound. Not a parked biked, yet the fire was being tended to. The stick in the ground had a symbol of a horse with his mane blowing in the wind. There wasn’t a club name attached, like ours.

That’s when I noticed another empty section across from the horse sign. The same, a fire being tended to but no club name claiming it.