Simon nodded. “I did.”
“Yeah, so…they were wondering what you rode?”
Simon’s face was unreadable. “Harleys.”
Trent’s cheeks flushed and he shook his head slightly. “No, they, uh…meant…colors. Did you wear colors?”
Simon’s expression never faltered as he continued to stare at the burly hairball. “None of that matters now, does it? It’s a brave new world out there.”
Trent nodded in agreement. “Oh, you got that right.” He scooted to the edge of the seat and cupped his hands together. “They were just wondering ‘cuz…” he glanced to Lana then back to Simon, “one of the guys thought he recognized you.”
Simon’s expression remained deadpan. “And if he did?”
“Well, he was just wondering if you might want to talk shop sometime.” He gave Simon a slight nod. “That’s all.”
Simon finally broke eye contact and gave Lana a sideways grin. “Here’s the thing, ‘Squatch.” He sat forward and gave the man a hard stare. “I’m not that guy anymore. If they have an axe to grind, tell them to bring it over here and we can settle it straight away.” He lifted his wounded arm slightly. “With my busted wing, it might actually be a fair fight for them.”
Trent shook his head adamantly. “Oh, no. No, man, that’s not what…” He looked to Lana and noted her hard stare then he turned back to Simon. “That’s not what we…” He stood suddenly and had to duck to clear the AC vent. “I think I blew this. This isn’t what I was trying to do.”
Simon slid his hand under the pillow on the couch, wrapping his fingers around the pistol grip. “Why don’t you tell me what you came here for then.”
Trent sighed heavily and lowered his eyes to the carpet. “Okay. We all used to ride.” He shrugged slightly. “We weren’t with any clubs or nothin’. We just enjoyed the wind in our hair.”
Simon nodded. “And the question about colors?”
Trent lifted his face and their eyes locked. “They were just curious, that’s all.” He inhaled deeply, hoping he could choose his words wisely. “Hammer used to ride north of here, and he liked to hang out at biker bars. He said that he’d met a lot of guys over the years, but something about you just looked familiar. He thought that if you'd rode under a certain patch, maybe he could put the pieces together and remember where he knew you from.”
“Why didn’t he come here and ask himself?” Simon asked.
Trent’s cheeks flushed and he shook his head slightly. “Hammer was in an accident early on in this mess. His left side is nearly paralyzed. He can barely get around with crutches.” He shrugged again. “His old lady helps him in and out of their trailer and…” He sighed and reached for the door. “He just thought maybe he knew you.”
Simon let go of the pistol and motioned for Trent to sit down again. “Look, ‘Squatch…I used to lead a crew that…” He glanced to Lana and noted her wide eyes. He opted to be a bit more vague. “We weren’t exactly nice folks, and I was probably the worst of the bunch.” He sat back and crossed his legs, his eyes measuring the man across from him. “Rather than do what was best for my crew, I usually opted to do what was best for me.”
Trent nodded, almost as if he understood. “We all—”
“No, you aren’t listening.” Simon uncrossed his legs and sat forward, his eyes boring into the large young man. “I was selfish. I did things that I’m not proud of.” He looked back to Lana then smiled. “But I’m not that person anymore.”
“I was gonna say that it’s human nature to—”
“Not anymore,” Simon interrupted. “Now I have to consider what’s best for her.” He pointed to Lana. “Then I worry about what I might want.”
Trent nodded slowly. “Well, I’m cooking again tonight. Hammer might be able to show up, depending on how he’s feeling. I know he’d like the chance to meet you.” He slowly came to his feet. “Nothing fancy like deer tonight. Just some rabbits that we caught in the snares, but there’s plenty, and you’re both more than welcome to come by.” Simon watched him reach for the door then he paused. “I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression.” He swallowed hard and stared out into the surrounding woods. “We’ve all done things we ain’t proud of.” He turned back and gave the pair a sad smile. “We’re doing our best to make up for it now.”
Lana watched him step down from the RV and caught the door. “What time?”
Trent looked into the sky then back to her. “About dark-thirty.”
She smiled as she pulled the door to. “We’ll see you tonight.” She watched him trudge across the campground before she turned back to Simon. “Did you hear him?”
“Yeah, but I’m not sure I buy his bullshit.”
She stepped over his outstretched legs and straddled him. “No…he’s saying that there are other bikers here.” She licked him from his chin to his earlobe before she bit lightly. “They need a new leader.”
Simon sat back and stared into her eyes. “What are you thinking?”
She smiled as she pulled the joint from his vest pocket then palmed his lighter. “I’m thinking you can start calling me Empress any time now.”
12
Hatcher rolled over in the bed and sighed. “It’s too quiet. I need a fan or…” He sat on the edge of the mattress and pulled his boots on. He opened the bedroom window and breathed the cool night air. He could hear the bugs outside and knew that they’d chew through the screen to make a midnight snack of him, given half a chance.
He pulled the window shut and shuffled into the living room, a box under his arm. He lit a lone candle and pulled the coffee table closer. Spreading out an old towel, he set his pistols on the table and began to disassemble them.
The
