Page 27 of Marx

The rest of us share a look and then all bolt for the door. I’m already gaining my strength back, and I’m feeling pretty good. Last night after Church I passed out in my bed and woke up 16 hours later, fully refreshed. I reduced my pain medication too. I’ve had worse pain in my life and managed to make it through. Royal was not a gentle man. I’ve had all manner of broken bones and injuries. I have half a spleen from a particularly bad beating because he was annoyed I got my monthly cycle. Every month that I wasn’t pregnant he would beat me, not even fathoming that the reason we weren’t getting pregnant was because he was 67 years old. Each time I got my monthly I felt blessed, until I had to take my punishment. Almost eight years into ourmarriage and I found out I was pregnant with Bee. I was terrified and excited and nauseous. Looking back I’m glad that I took all those beatings. If I had fallen pregnant early on in our marriage I would never have had the strength to leave.

“Come on Lovely, we’re missing the show!” Blanche hisses.

We push through the door and come to a stop. Chewy looks left, then right and then decides that it’s better for us to all sit at the counter, seeing as that’s where Judge is standing with an odd look on his face. We all take a seat and I turn at the sound of motorcycle pipes outside. There was a time where the sound of the pipes would frighten me, now they make me feel safe. I grin at Mad Dog as he walks into the diner and his eyes land on us all perched up at the counter.

“Hey Mad Dog, come to offer moral support?” I ask as he takes the seat next to mine.

“Nah,” he chuckles. “Was in the neighborhood.” He gazes around the diner, sizing everyone up, “And I’m on protection detail. I know Judge is with you, and Chewy and Blanche are dangerous in their own right, but you can never have too much back up. Right?”

I smile and pat his rough hand. “Especially with Marx about to put us on lockdown.”

“Especially with that,” he agrees. “But he knows you women well enough to know that none of you would listen if he put his foot down and said you had to stay home.”

A grin stretches my lips. That’s pretty much what happened this morning as I got ready to come out with the Girl Gang. I have no idea why Marx has been hanging around my house helping out. I mean it’s not unwelcome, as I still struggle with things. I can’t pick up Bee or anything and getting dressed is a pain, but Blanche helped with that this morning while Marx looked grumpy on the couch. He tried to forbid me from joining the Girl Gang, and I let him know exactly what I thought of that.I’m grabbing life by the balls and I definitely don’t have time or space in my new life to be bossed around by a man. Actually, no, that’s not quite right. I’m happy to be bossed around by my Pres when it comes to club things. I may not be an Ol Lady, or a club member, but I still feel in my bones that the DRMC is my family and that I’m a valued member of said family. I’m just not happy with being bossed around in my own home by a man that is not mine.

“Ah dude, wanna stop staring at my sister like that?” All our heads snap toward the kid from before, who is standing behind the counter of the diner, staring Judge down. He looks to be around sixteen or so, but big for his age. He’s half covering a girl around his age, a small brunette with a cherubic face.

“Sorry, I was looking for Kaia,”

Both kids share a look. “What do you want her for?” The boy asks, his eyes narrowed.

Judge’s cheeks color and he runs a hand over his bald head before gripping the back of his neck. “I, ah, just want to have a word with her, if thats OK?”

The kids share another look before the boy flicks his head toward where we’re sitting. The girl nods and then walks toward us. I quickly turn around to make it look like I’ve not been staring and eavesdropping.

“Hello ladies and men!” She greets us cheerily, a big grin on her face. “Welcome to The Diner, what can I get y’all?”

“Well, aren’t you the sweetest thing?” Pops says. “I ain’t never seen you round these parts, are you a new hire?”

Her cheeks pinken a little and she shakes her head, “Naw, my momma owns this place. Jax and I are helping out after school,” She tips her head to the boy that’s glowering at Judge.

“Huh, is that so?” Pops says, running a hand down his chin, eyes narrowed.

“Ah shit,” Mad Dog mumbles beside me. “This just got real messy.”

At that moment a dish clatters to the ground as Chewy yells out “Timber!” We turn to see Judge on his ass on the floor, covered in waffles and sauce, Kaia looking mortified.

“Mom! What the hell happened?” The boy yells, rushing to his mother, the little brunette waitress at his side.

Mira turns wide eyes our way. “MOM” she mouths and we all turn to watch the scene playing out in front of us. Now that Kaia, the boy and the girl are all standing around Judge we can see it clear as day. Those kids are tiny versions of the very, very large man sitting on the floor.

“Ah hell, kid. Let’s get you cleaned up and sort this shit out, huh?” Mad Dog says, gripping Judge under the arm.

He’s such a good man, and a good father, I can see how Marx and Rhodie have turned out the way they have.

“Ah dammit, I wanted to watch him grovel to that little lady with syrup dripping down his bald noggin,” Pops grumbles and I snort because I can see exactly why Chewy and her brothers have turned out the way they have.

Kaia and her kids clean up the mess Judge left behind, and watching them you can feel their closeness. The boy acts as a protector to his mom and sister and the daughter fusses over the both of them. They’re a sweet family that would make a great addition to the club,ifJudge can get them to listen to him.

“Sorry about that ladies and gent, what can I get you?” the girl asks, back behind the counter in work mode.

“Oh oh, can I get a banana shake? And popcorn if you have it?” Mira asks excitedly.

“Um, sorry, we don’t serve popcorn,” the girl says, her brows pinched.

“That’ll do. Anyone else?” Mira asks.

We all nod and order different flavored shakes, waiting for Judge to return. I’m sure Mad Dog is in there counseling the big man, so I take this moment to move toward Kaia, who is busy making sure the floor isn’t sticky.

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