Page 4 of Ringo's Silence

Not to mention they expect me to join in on the conversations. Something I try very seriously not to do just in case I have a stuttering episode. As a child that shit was embarrassing, as a grown ass man it’s worse than embarrassing.

Several years ago, Timber, the Prez of my club, convinced me to go to a speech therapist. At first, I refused to go. That worked for quite a while until he got the women of the club involved. Who the fuck can really say no to those women anyway?

They bat their eyes at you and give you those mom looks that just tells your sixth sense that they would be incredibly disappointed if you don’t do what they want. So off to the therapist my big ass went and it does seem to have helped some.

I’ve learned that I don’t have to rush through all the words at once and people still listen to you. According to the therapist, my mind was thinking the words faster than my mouth could say them which had me jumbling them altogether.

I’m just walking across the room towards the hallway when I hear the Prez calling my name. Looking over I see him and a few of the other guys sitting at a table having a beer so I head in that direction.

“Prez.” I nod as I walk up next to him.

“Ringo. I know you just walked in but I was wondering if we could ask a favor of you?”

“Sure. What?” I ask with as few words as possible. No need to push myself too much in case it all comes out wrong. The Prez understands though.

“The twins need a ride back to their bikes.” He nods behind me and I turn, seeing Sprocket and Gear sitting at the bar like two kids that just got a lecture from their parents.

“Do I...need to ask?” I look at my Prez.

“They thought it a great idea to hop in the back of Fiona’s car and scare her. She didn’t find it funny and had their rides towed. I’ve called the towing company. Everything is already taken care of. Their bikes are sitting out front waiting for them.”

“Fiona?” I ask.

“My sister is fine. They are lucky that she only had their bikes towed.” Blood says with a grunt.

“If we know your sister, that definitely won’t be the end of it.” Blade says, drinking his beer.

“Can you take them?” Prez asks, looking at me.

“Yes.” I nod.

“Thanks, Ringo. The rest of us are tired of their shit tonight.” He claps me on the back as I turn towards the twins.

I head back to the door, not even looking at the guys, knowing they’ll follow me out. Since I can’t take my bike, I hop into one of our SUV’s parked out front that we all have a key to, starting it up and waiting for the two goofballs to get in. Soon as their doors close, I back up and head back down the road.

“She’ll be after us.” Sprocket comments from the front seat.

“Well she shouldn’t. Tonight was payback for what she did last week.” Gear huffs.

“Children.” I shake my head.

“What does that make Fiona?” Sprocket snorts.

“Both of you...are lucky.”

“Why do you say that?” Gear asks truly purplexed.

“Baratta had been there. You both would be dead.”

“He wouldn’t shoot us. Would he?” He asks his brother who looks over at me.

Instead of saying anything else, I continue to drive through town. The one and only towing company is on the other side of town as you’re leaving. They thought it a great setup as it puts them a little closer to the bigger highways.

The twins continue going back and forth over whether Baratta might have killed them had he been there as I’m driving by Bella’s Brew.

Looking in the parking lot, I see the car that the kid was sitting in still in the parking lot and I think I see someone inside of it.

My brows draw together wondering what could have happened and why they’d have just sat there instead of calling for a ride.