Page 32 of Shar: A Woman Alone

Trip grunts, and everyone is looking at him because theyknow something is going on. They just don’t know what, yet anyway.

Turning to look at Bank, I give him the nod. “Get it sortedout, and you all make sure Zara has the support she needs. We need her to besuccessful in this, for herself as well as for the investment the club isputting into it.”

“Will do, Pres. Pen and Zip are onboard with giving any helpshe needs. Gunner, don’t stress about this as we’ll watch carefully, and ifanything needs to be brought to your attention regarding the salon, we’ll dothat.” Bank looks at Gunner, who gives him a chin lift in recognition.

Tapping my knuckles on the table to gain everyone’sattention. “Okay, keep me informed on the progress with the salon, and let'smove on. Next, I want to discuss the junkyard on the edge of town. I spoke withMayor Stonewall and he’s suggested a few things we could consider. But I reckonthe junkyard is a good option. I have spoken to Psycho who was going to discussthe option with Porky. I offered them the chance to run the place, along withCroc here. Let them run it as they like as long as they stay legit.”

Murmurs, comments, and nods quickly spread around the room.RedLight speaks, catching everyone’s attention. “I would vote on this option asit’s a good one for the club, would bring in profits. The place has gone toshit the last few years, and needs people that want it to survive and succeed.Psycho, Porky and Croc are ideal candidates. They all three are like bloodbrothers, and I’m not sure if that house is still on the property, but if itis, we could do the fucker up so it’s livable, or we tear it down and get adecent trailer for the three of them.”

Croc leans forward and rests his forearms on the table.“I’ve spoken to Psycho and Porky. They are both interested, and although theywanted to keep the illegal shit, they really wanted to not feel tied down. Byoffering them the chance to run the place the way they want, I think will swaythem to stay, and if they do, they’ll run that place like a militaryoperation.”

“Anyone got anything else to say on this before we vote onit?” I ask, looking around, but with all the nods, nopes, and other I turn toBank. “Okay, get a look at the place, find out the costs and let me know, butlet’s just finalize with a vote. All for the junkyard purchase, and the threerunning it?” It takes seconds for everyone to give me an aye, and that’sanother business dealt with.

Croc speaks out once more. “Oh, the brothers will be backtomorrow. They had a long way to travel home.”

I give him a nod and feel happy that I brought them back towhere they belong. It’s going to be a discussion once they arrive about howthis is going to play out, for them, and the club.

“Next is an idea the mayor mentioned, and it was looking ata hardware store, which we need in town. But if we got a big enough store, wecould have half for hardware and half for tech shit. I’ve been looking at whatyou all have been doing, and what you are capable of. Before we bring this opento a full discussion, let me give you what I think would work.” I look aroundand everyone is paying close attention, so I continue, hoping this is not goingto come back and bite me on the ass. “We have the garage now, and if Cordremains manager, then we’ll have Torque, RedLight and Snore as mechanics, butwe’ll have to make Snore a full brother, of course.”

“I don’t mind managing the place, but I’d need RedLight andTorque closely onboard because I’ve not done shit like that before,” Cordstates clearly while looking at Torque and RedLight.

“Of course, we’re all in doing whatever is needed. If theplace is going to be successful, then you need to learn everything about thebusiness, ordering, selling, and pricing. While we take the pressure off bymaking sure every job is completed efficiently.” Torque looks at me, and I givehim a nod that he’s on the right track with his thinking.

“Okay, then. Cord, you are up as the garage boss.” Lookingaround, everyone agrees with that decision, and I move on quickly. “The tattooshop is Needle and Scribe’s baby, and they have it open and clients comingthrough. Do you have any issues at all?” I ask.

Scribe shakes his head no. Needle leans forward to speak.“We are doing okay, Pres. Now we have the place as it should be. We may need tolook for a receptionist because at the moment we have to keep stopping andanswering the fuckin’ phone.”

Chuckles are heard, and we can all imagine Needle answeringthe phone when he’s busy. He’s not the most patient of men at the best oftimes. But thinking of him taking his gloves off, answering the phone,rewashing his hands, then putting new gloves on before re-commencing to only bedisturbed again? It’s a nightmare scenario, and I look at Scribe who nods hishead at me because he must know what I’m thinking by the look on my face.

“Okay, you get a receptionist if you need one, but no damnclub chaser. If you get a woman, make sure she’s not looking for a fuckin’man.” Which, of course, amuses everyone once more.

“This hardware store, Pres, I reckon I could manage that. Iknow a bit about hardware stuff, and I have a link to a supplier I could pullour way,” Runner says, and I‘m pleased he’s spoken out.

“Well, it was you I thinking of as the boss, and Tin alongwith Glue would be perfect to work with you.” I look at Glue, who looked likehe was about to go to sleep.

“Yeah, I’m up for that, and we got the names for it, even ifthat’s not what they mean,” Glue laughs, nudging Tin, who is sitting besidehim.

“I reckon it’ll suit us, Pres. The town is desperate forsomething like a hardware store because, from what I’ve been hearing, townsfolkare sick of businesses closing, and then they have to order shit online andwait for the mail deliveries. We all know they are shit these days. We’d bebetter off going back to the old days with the Pony Express riders.” Now thathas us all chuckling because he’s not far wrong.

“The tech side I was thinking Gunner, as you’ve hadexperience working alongside Zip. Ryder and Taps are the other two, and if Tapswants to add any cyber shit to the business, he can if he wants, but he’ll beresponsible for that.” Nods again run around the room, and I can see theenthusiasm from each one of the brothers. This is giving them things to gettheir teeth into, and earn a living at something they have control over.

“I like all these business ideas, Pres. It’ll give us allsomething to get ourselves occupied with. I think stopping the illegal shitleft a void, and that void caused us all to worry about how we were going tomake enough cash to survive. This, however, may be less money, but it will bemore satisfying,” Shrapnel, our medic says, then he continues. “I would like tofloat from each of the businesses, if that’s possible. I can help where andwhen it’s needed. Let’s be honest, we don’t need me to be on twenty-four-hourcall for a cut finger. But if I can help at any of the businesses, then I’mhappy to do that.”

“I reckon that can be arranged, Shrapnel. Now let’s do avote so the officers can get on the ball with all this shit. Let’s run throughfrom the beginning once more. The Junkyard, raise your hands if you are an ayevote.” All hands are raised. “Garage hands?” Again, all hands are raised forthe brothers to run the garage. “Tattoo shop getting a receptionist?” Thatbrings chuckles and everyone looks at Needle who shakes his head, but we cansee he’s amused. “Hardware store?” I continue, and get votes again, “Lastly,the tech store?” All hands are in the air, and I feel satisfied this has beenone hell of a good church meeting. “Okay, church over. I’ll make sure you areall involved in the businesses you are tasked with. All officers of the clubmake sure you are there with answers and support. Oh, and Trip, get Thomas todrop…the price of the salon.” Yeah, I gave him a suggestive look, for which Iearned a scowl. We all know Trip likes women too much to want to mess with aman, but we also know he’ll play games to get what we need.

Walking out of church and heading to my office, I see Sharwalking into the clubhouse, heading my way. Now this looks serious, but she canexplain once we are behind closed doors. “You need to speak to me, Shar? Followme into the office.”

I had grabbed my phone and weapon as I left church andquickly check for any messages. Nothing that needs my attention, so I open theoffice door and hold my hand out in an ‘after you’ motion to Shar.

I take my seat behind the desk and look at Shar, who isstill standing in front of the desk. “Sharp, how is everything going with thebusiness ideas?”

“Good. We are moving forward with the junkyard, hardware andtech businesses. We have the strip club, diner, garage and tattoo shop, and ofcourse, we’ll be having Zara’s salon added on, too.”

Shar walks over to the window and looks out with thatfaraway look she gets. “I’m not going to be here much longer, Sharp. Once Zarais set up, and I’ve checked the other two businesses. There will be nothingleft for me to do here.”

I walk over and stand behind her, taking in the slight scentshe always carries, which reminds me of the roses outside Mr. Strickleton’shouse. “Is there no way we can persuade you to stay?” I ask, turning her by hershoulders gently to look at me.

“I don’t think so,” Shar sighs. “I’ve brought the garagepaperwork, all signed and sealed, over to the club. I’m pleased that I couldget that for you all.”

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