Chapter 8: 7x3= a Flag

The grey morning sky set the mood for the day of Lester's burial. It couldn't have been written into a script any better than nature had done. Familiar faces gathered together, but a pall hung over them and smiles were hard-pressed to find. Little was said, no one really sure what to talk about, in worry of showing any disrespect. Cigarettes were gladly smoked, giving a reason not to talk, as they stood in the front yard of the Winston house. Piney, JT, Lenny and Jake, all chose to wear their dress uniforms for the occasion, while the others found the best they had and tidied it up.

Each vehicle had been washed and cleaned and a funeral sign put on each one, including the bikes. An Army car pulled up and the same captain at the airport, got out and walked past the group and up to the front door. Stan answered and invited him in. Piney was curious and went in to see what he was there for, not having any idea what it was about. He came in, as the captain was explaining the details of the ceremony and what would take place. Stan held back his tears, thanking the captain gratefully. The captain shook Lorelei's hand and then stood in front of Piney and held his hand out to him. Piney shook it and then smartly snapped to a salute. The captain knew it wasn't demanded to salute indoors, but under the circumstances, he smartly returned it to Piney and put his hand on his arm and squeezed it, then walked back to the car and left.

Piney looked at his dad, who was happily grieving, holding his mom's hand.

“What did he say, dad?”

“Your brother will get funeral for a hero, with full honours.”

Piney's loss was eased with the knowledge his brother's life was being honoured, medals being awarded posthumously, for his bravery and valour. Piney went out to relay the news and that brought heartfelt congratulations, knowing it was a little bit more, to make up for the loss, such a high price to pay for metal and coloured ribbon.

They let the time tick away, waiting until there was none left to postpone the inevitable, as they got into the cars and the bikes began leading the procession to the funeral home. Faces showed sympathy and forgiveness to them, as they passed, the citizens of Charming showing their respects to one of their own. The procession stopped at the funeral home, parking in the designated area for them. The shine on the hearse reflected the attention to detail paid to it, as it sat in wait to play its part.

The small room was filled with guests already, many being some of Lester's friend's and school mates, while a large contingent of soldiers stood together in the waiting area. The guys recognized the soldiers from the airport and went to them, introducing themselves to them. It wasn't long before they were outside talking and sharing stories about Lester. Stan came out and told them the ceremony would begin shortly, ending the moment of lightness and returning them to the heaviness of rites and passages of the dead.

With the ceremony and speeches done, pall bearers took their place. On the one side, Stan, Piney and JT, raised the coffin to their shoulders, while three of Lester's unit, stood on the other side and raised him up as well. In synchronized movement, all six walked as one, carrying the body of the fallen to the hearse. They lowered him down and transferred him onto the rollers in the hearse, sliding him inside for his last ride above ground.

The quiet click of the door was louder than anything, as it signified the beginning of a parting. A parting of mortals and a welcoming to the spiritual. Everyone started up their vehicles and formed the procession that would take them to the cemetery. Wayne Unser was waiting in his patrol car and led the procession with his lights flashing, clearing the road ahead of traffic. They travelled the route unfettered, many paying respects and bowing, while others had hung flags along the route.

Lester wasn't the first to come home in a box, Charming already laying five of its sons to rest. The elders knew this wouldn't be the last procession they saw, before this war was over, but the young ones took it hard, seeing someone their age, falling in contradiction to their belief they were invincible. They slowly pulled into the cemetery and drove along the lane to the grave site. The people at Dubrowski's had set up the site and had everything ready for their arrival. The bearers once again raised Lester up to shoulders and carried him to the site and laid him on the elevator stand. For now, it would hold him up with everyone, keeping his place among the living, but only a button to push and he would descend into the earth and rest forever, among those that had passed before him.

Reverend Madock of their church, Charming United, took over the proceedings and said all the words he knew to say on this occasion, adding in many personal moments Lester shared with others in his life. When he finished, he passed his position to Captain Geoffrey, who stood at the podium and gave his own eulogy. Stan and Lorelei were proud and honoured, to know they had raised a fine son, the captain's words expressing his own pride in leading Lester. Even the stalwart faces of his colour guard, were hard-pressed to remain unemotional, as they stood at attention and listened.

With speeches and last words over, the honour guard were readied and the captain had them prepared for salute. The seven white rifles were loaded with blanks, but as each command was given to fire, bodies shook with shock, at hearing the reports. When the third volley was finished, the echoing sound faded, leaving the scene cloaked in thick silence. A lone piper stood away from the site, the skirl of his pipes sounding, as he filled the bag with air. In moments, the haunting sound of the pipes began playing Amazing Grace, filling the emptiness of space with the melody.

Tears fell and were wiped away by some and proudly displayed by others, as they listened. It was the voice of Lorelei singing along, that soon had the others joining in and singing with her. The piper moved forward in step towards them, hearing their voices unite with him. When the last chorus was sung and voices went silent, he played the last chorus solo, fading slowly away and holding the last note in sustain, then the silence blanketed them again. Some began to weep at the beauty of their last rendering to Lester, then a lone corpsman stood near the foot of the grave and blew Taps on his bugle.

Every word, every note, brought a further finality to Lester's time with them above ground. The honour guard came forward and stood three to a side along the coffin. Following the captain's order, they began lifting the flag and tri-folding it, shaping it into a traditional triangular shape. Pristine white gloves passed it man to man, until it was given to the last and tightened smartly into shape, then presented to the captain. He placed one hand under it and one hand over, then walked with ceremony to Mrs. Winston and stood before her. She looked at him, her eyes awash with tears and emotion, as he bowed to her and presented the flag to her. Stan held her shoulders tightly, partly in comfort, partly in support. The captain stood and saluted her, then turned slightly to Stan and held it, then snapped his hand down and turned on his heel and stepped back to his men.

As a cohesive unit of one, they marched slowly from the site. finishing the last of their offering of ceremony. One by one, white rosebud stems were laid, everyone taking the last moment to say farewell. Stan and Lorelei watched the small procession of people pass in a line, taking a rose and placing it atop the gleaming wood of the coffin. A young woman, was standing with the soldiers and they were comforting her. One took a letter from the inside pocket of his jacket and gently handed it to her, as if it's worth was important to handle it that way.

JT stood and watched and then motioned to Piney to check it out. The soldiers were comforting her, as if she had suffered a loss at Lester's passing. He didn't recognize her and neither did Piney, the black veil over her upper face blocking the view, but she was being helped by a couple of soldiers, as she came forward and took a rose and kissed it softly, before placing it on the coffin. She let her hand rest on the top of it for a moment, then began walking away, with the soldiers.

JT and Piney went over and stopped her, asking who she was. The soldiers seemed protective of her, so they used as gentle a manner in how they talked to her. She raised her veil and neither knew who she was, by recognition as a local. She was very attractive and slim, her looks putting her in her early twenties. Her blue eyes were paled with sadness, but sparkled with the tears she shed. Piney felt his place was to ask her and introduced himself to her. She took his hand gently and held it, looking at him like he was someone to her.

“My name is Rachel Underwood. I was dating Lester and we were going to get married, when he came back.”

Piney was floored, never having heard his brother talk about her once, or his parents mentioning anything about her. Piney had a look of disbelief on his face, as he digested her words. She could see it and took the letter from her purse, that she had been handed earlier. She gave it to Piney to read and he took it out and began reading his brother's last words to anyone.

The more he read, the more her words were truth to him. For two years, Lester had been dating a girl from his college in Stockton and had fallen in love with her. He had felt the same as Piney towards his father, siding with his brother, but keeping his life personal, never saying anything about himself to his parents. Now, he was meeting someone who had shared something with his brother, had grown close enough, that they wanted to share their lives together. She looked at him and he looked at her, at once the strangeness of being unknown, became a closeness of family.

His arms opened to her and Rachel knew what he was offering to her. It wasn't the comfort in sorrow he gave, it was the recognition of wanting to be part of his family, that he offered. Rachel accepted it and folded herself into him, his large frame dwarfing her petite one, as he held her to him. Mary saw the interaction and without knowing what was happening, took offence and strode over to them. JT caught her before she made it half way and stopped her. He told her who she was and her face immediately took one of sad compassion for her instead. She had JT let go of her and assured him she would be okay, then went and stood beside Piney.

He noticed her presence and let go of Rachel and introduced them to one another. They hugged in solace and shared in her loss. Stan and Lorelei noticed the incidents and wondered themselves, who this young woman was. Stan left Lorelei sitting with the flag in her lap and went over to his son and the soldiers gathered around them. It was Rachel looking at Stan, that had everyone turn to him, as he approached. Piney took the lead and took a couple of steps to him and stood with him, as he looked at Rachel.

“Dad, this is Rachel Underwood. She was dating Lester in college.”

Stan held his hand out and offered his condolences, based on his belief they weren't that close.

“Dad, Rachel and Lester were going to get married, when he got back from his tour.”

Stan looked at Rachel differently, seeing her in the new light shone on her. Her eyes were filled with tears, looking at him, hoping the man that Lester had told her about, wasn't the one before her. He held both hands to her slowly and she looked at them, seeing the acceptance of her in their offering, the truth of his heart, the purpose of his act.

Rachel took his hands and stepped towards him, their eyes focused on each other. Emotion spoke out, as words failed them and they hugged, comforting and sharing their loss, now knowing the two of them could just as easily be family, if fate had allowed it to happen. Stan cradled her to him, as he walked over to Lorelei, who sat with anxious desperation to know who she was. Stan sat her down beside his wife and watched as they looked at each other, then told Lorelei who she was.

Piney stood with JT and his friends, as he watched his mom break down and hug Rachel to her. They held each other tightly, Lorelei clearly bonding with the last remnant of her son, in an earthly form. Piney went over to the soldiers and began talking to them about Rachel and how they knew her. More and more, he saw another side of his brother, one he thought he was close to and saw that even he didn't know things about him and his life. That knowledge found its way to his conscience and he knew the feud between him and his father, had also affected they way his brother acted towards his father, as well as himself.

He looked at his mother and father with Rachel, treating her more like a child of their own, than a stranger. He held Mary to him and she accepted his comfort and leaned into him. JT could sense a communal desire to finish their business there, standing amongst the graves was beginning to creep them out. He tapped Piney's shoulder and whispered the desire to go and he nodded, understanding the duty to respect had been paid by everyone and asking more, was taxing their personal freedoms.

They went over to Stan, Lorelei and Rachel, sharing stories of Lester that they didn't know about. Piney told them they were heading back to the house and would meet them there, as guests were wanting to leave the cemetery. They all hugged the parents, many accepting Rachel as a family member as well, as they made their way from the site, everyone taking one last moment to touch the coffin as they went by.

The serene stillness of the grounds was fractured over and over, as one bike after another was started. Lester's unit stood at attention and saluted Piney and the others, respecting the brotherhood of men, as they all shared one in kind, the bikers and those in the cars flashing peace signs with their fingers. The bikes pulled out of the grounds and began the journey to Piney's parents house, Wayne standing beside his cruiser and holding his hand up to them, showing his recognition to them. JT bowed his head to him, the others following suit, as they passed him and slowly rode through town.

The gathering at the Winston residence was a crowded and somber event, as some shared thoughts of Lester, while others could do no more than offer condolences. It surprised them all, when Stan and Lorelei walked in with Rachel, who had agreed to join them and brought Lester's best friend, Corporal Mark Underwood, Rachel's older brother. So much of Lester's unknown life was coming out, that Piney's parents were rapt with them both, hearing so much more of who Lester was. The cane and severe limp, told of injuries sustained and healing, but his smile told them he was forgetting the reason he got them and was moving forward.

The guys knew they had done all they could, as well as the girls and they quietly went outside and left Piney and JT to let Stan and Lorelei know they were going. Despite the new attachment to Lester's life, the couple came out and said goodbye to each and every one, thanking them for everything. Mark and Rachel came out and said goodbye as well, hoping they could all stay in touch. Promises were made and fate would decide if it happened to come to pass between them.

The ride to the clubhouse was slow and easy, everyone feeling the drain in emotion and how it took so much joie de vie from them. The rumbling growl resonating throughout the compound died, as bikes were backed in a line against the railing and Wally pulled to the clubhouse and parked close to the doors. They congregated in a group under the overhang, sitting on the picnic table. Jake opened the door and went in, then opened the loading door. Everyone walked over and to their surprise, several chairs and a couch were sitting just inside.

“Thought you guys could need some seating in there. I saw them sitting there at the curb and asked the owner if he'd hold on to them for a minute and I'd get a truck and pick them up. Clay got his grandfather's Ford and we loaded it up and brought it over. They said if we want the tables, they're buying new ones and said they'd phone and let me know. So, if you don't mind used, you got yourself some seating to enjoy.”

JT shook Jake's hand and hugged him, then looked at Clay. Clay gave him a look that said he was sorry for not telling, but hoped it was worth it, holding his arms open to him. JT accepted the offering and thanked him for his contribution, confirming his place in the club and a patch to wear when he got back from his tour. The standing rule still applied, no matter how much he did for the club, he has to ride American iron and JT said he would keep his eye out for a good one, if he spotted it.

Jake went over to his office and came back out with a paper bag. He took JT by the shoulder and led him along, the others following behind. He stopped at the front gate and opened the bag for him. JT looked in and then back at Jake, then at the flagpole beside him. He unravelled the rope and lowered it, so the snap rings were at his hands. He reached in and took out the flag, attaching the rings to it and then raised it to the finial, then tied it off. He turned to see faces looking at the Stars and Stripes waving in the breeze, a look of pride showing on each one. They all looked up at the flag, then JT felt Jake's hand on his shoulder and he put his hand up and hung off his, as they knew that moment was significant in remembrance, as well as a dedication to commemorate.

Lester's body going into the ground that day, was also the day that the building was no longer derelict, it was a living thing again in his honour, something coming back from the ground. That act on its own, spoke more about Jake, than anything they could hear, or read about him from any source. He was someone they could believe in, someone who represented a character of truth and understanding in their being.

Wally went to his car and opened the trunk and took out a small paper bag. He waved it at the group and waved them over. Once they were around him, he handed the bag to Jake.

“Sorry, I'm a little late on getting it, but my guy came through for me, finally. Hope you like it, it's supposed to be good stuff.”

Jake knew it was a bottle of liquor and as he took it out, he looked at Wally, seeing the number twelve and then, that it was a single malt scotch. He looked it over, staring at the dark, amber liquid inside.

“I haven't had a drink in fifteen years. I think today is a good day to have one. We need some glasses.”

Wally waited until everyone was trying to come up with an alternative and opened his trunk again. He took out a sleeve of plastic cups and began passing them out. Jake shook his hand strongly, thanking him for his gift, but more the show of honouring his word to him, that made him the grateful man he was. Jake cracked the seal and poured a good shot into every glass and despite the objection to the taste, they all drank down several gulps, in toasts to Lester, to Wally, to the club, to the clubhouse and finally, the most heartfelt, to Jake. The girls went to the pop machine to get sodas to drink instead and Jake used his key to open it up and let them have what they wanted. Baggies were unrolled and makeshift tables of boxes and drywall were used to roll joints. Everyone went inside and Wally pulled his car up as close as he could, to play the radio. One thing they said quietly, that was going on the list for Tom, was a new radio and speakers for Wally.

Despite the crackle and fuzzy sound, it was enough to change minds and attitudes back to the free spirits they were. Jake was serenaded by them, as they sang along to songs played by the likes of, The Strawberry Alarm Clock, The 13th Floor Elevators and more of the sounds of the west coast rock scene. What caught all of their attention, was the announcement of a new British band making its debut in the USA. Despite the poor sound quality, Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin, came out of the speaker and captured them with its driving beat of the guitars and drums, the singer's voice, a constant stream of energy coming from within him. The Brits had invaded with something worthwhile this time, the way they heard it.

Jake was enjoying his re-acquaintance with alcohol, imbibing in the pungent spirit liberally. A boisterous side came out of him and he asked Suzy to dance with him, to a song he recognized. JT looked at him and wondered why such a fine man, one with such a loving heart, never became a father. Stories of his life had remained untold and there was little anyone could really tell him, except one person, Marlene Brock. He was going to make a point of talking to her about him, getting to know more about the man he admired.

The night wore on, the bottle finally emptied and consumed, as they sat around listening to the still of the night. Jake was passed out on the couch, leaning against Lorraine, with his head on her shoulder. There was little left in any of them to continue partying, so the call was made to head to the motel. They helped Jake into Wally's car and the girls piled in after, then the guys fired up their bikes, the sound amplified by the still air. No matter how quietly they tried to ride, the sound of the engines was more than the night air could absorb, its echoing rumble carried far off into the blackness.

They made it to the motel and JT went up and knocked on the office door, hoping to wake Marlene. The porch light came on and JT turned and gave a thumbs up sign to them. Marlene opened the door and looked JT up and down. Hesitantly, he explained the day and how Jake ended up in the condition he was in. Marlene seemed quite upset that Jake had been drinking and gave him a key for an empty unit. She closed the door, but stayed by the window, looking at them take Jake into the room, her heart saddened to know he had drank.

They made him as comfortable, as they felt comfortable doing and pulled the covers over him, leaving him to sleep it off. They went into their respective rooms and there was no desire for anything, other than the comfort of sleep.

Not long after eyes were closed and sleep taking over, Marlene snuck out of the office and down to the unit they put Jake in. Quietly, she went in, making sure eyes weren't on her. She pulled back the covers over him and began undressing him, until only his boxers were on. She lay beside him and gently stroked his head, brushing back his shaggy, salt and pepper hair.

“My poor, sweet man. You've kept that demon away for so long. I wish I knew what made you open that bottle again. Sleep well, my Darling.”

Marlene hugged Jake, who was snoring in his stupor and had no idea of her presence beside him. She kissed his cheek and covered him again, then stood and looked with worry at her life-long lover. She quietly snuck back out and walked whisper quiet in her slippers, back to her room. She pulled the covers up to her neck and lay in the darkness, remembering Jake's last battle with the demon and how he nearly lost everything, including his life.

Morning, found eyes opening in protest to the brightness of the day, the after effects of the alcohol doing it's historic duty to make things as unpleasant as they could. Pulling the covers back over heads, worked to relieve the pain, but nature's calling was greater and the need of relief outweighed the need for darkness. Squint-eyed bodies sat and stood, the feeling bringing an inner calm, that allowed them the chance to walk blindly back to bed and snuggle under the warm sheets with a warm body next to them.

No one made a move to get out of bed, until well after noon. JT and Piney stood outside their unit in just their jeans, having a cigarette and feeling the warm air around them. Keith came out of his and lit his cigarette and walked down to them. As he passed Wally's door, he pounded hard on it once, then shot a broad, wicked smile and laughed. Keith said hello to the guys and turned, when the door opened and a bleary-eyed Wally stuck his head out.

“Fuck! Let a guy get some sleep around here, will ya.”

He no sooner finished saying that, when he was pushed outside naked, Otto following right after with an unlit cigarette in his mouth. Otto walked towards the guys and shot his remark over his shoulder at Wally.

“You gonna stand there with your dick hanging out, or get some pants on and join us?”

Wally cupped his hands over himself and dashed back in, shortly coming out, doing up his pants. The guys were laughing, as they welcomed him, keeping his embarrassment level up.

“What the fuck, man? I finally had Ann-Marie enjoying some time with me, you know?”

“What do you mean, finally? I thought you two were banging each other every chance you got?”

“I wish, Piney. Last night was the first time in like, almost a week.”

“No shit? A week?”

“Yeah, no fucking idea why, either. She lets me do it one night and then she starts sleeping in the other bed. She acts like she wants to be with me, but it drives me fucking crazy every time I come on to her and she acts all cold, when we start getting naked. Last night was the first time she put out, like all the way put out, since she started working here.”

The guys were stunned to know that, thinking a sexy chick like Ann-Marie, would be putting out more than she did. Piney was the only one thinking of other reasons for her actions, thinking back to Suzy and her on the bench. Mary and him, decided it wasn't something they needed to share, the personal nature of what they did, something between them, but now he realized it was affecting someone, someone he was going to call brother. He now began the wrestling match in his mind, deciding how he was going to deal with this information.

One by one, doors opened and girls looked out, to see what was happening. The talk of girls and sex ended abruptly and they just smiled and said hello to each one, as they came out. When Ann-Marie came out with only the sheet wrapped around her, all male eyes were upon her, thoughts of her sexuality and their own desire to pleasure women, raced in their minds. Ann-Marie could feel the desire on her, at once feeling uncomfortable. The other girls noticed the eyes on her and looked at her as well, wondering why she had their attention.

The split of the sheet showed her thigh to her waist, as she turned to go back in. The side of her breast showed, giving a fleeting glimpse of her nudity. The door closed quickly behind her and the girls turned to the guys to know what was going on. Despite any real words spoken, no one had any reason why they were looking at her. The girls said they'd be out in a minute and wanted a smoke first. The guys gave them one and lit them, before they went back in and began dressing.

The guys stood there looking at one another, wondering among themselves about Ann-Marie. Otto gave Wally a poke with his elbow, as he stood beside him.

“How can that gorgeous hunk of woman, not want more sex? I don't know about you, but she looked sexy and I mean sexy. All naked under the sheet like that.”

“Yeah, and I'd have my dick it in right now, if you guys didn't interrupt me.”

“So, want to tell us what she's like?”

Eyes looked at Otto and then to Wally, just as interested in knowing the answer. He could see the interest and felt proud he had a woman the other guys desired. He described the things he knew they wanted to know and that was stats.

“That hair colour, is the same down there too and really soft. Her tits, they're like two soft pillows with these little nipples on them and her ass is great. She loves having her tits played with, but lately, she wants me doing other stuff to her, like with her pussy, I mean.”

That had JT taking note of Suzy's actions in bed and her new tastes in sexual pleasure. Everything Wally was saying, was something he noticed with Suzy. Before Wally could say more, the girls started coming out and joining them. Suzy looked JT up and down with an eye.

“So, you guys going to get dressed, or is the Tarzan look in for today?”

JT beat his chest and hollered like the TV Tarzan, then hugged her. He started taking stock of how she touched him and responded to him. What he did take stock of, was how she looked at Ann-Marie, when she came out. It was the emotion in her eyes, something more than friendship, something more intimate in nature. He looked at Ann-Marie and saw the glances at Suzy, sharing similar looks towards her. Things didn't make any sense to him, but it was something that needed investigating further. He wasn't having any trouble getting laid, like Wally was, but things had definitely changed, since they took up residence here.

There were too many variables to put together and nothing was making any sense, so he left it in the back of his mind to deal with later. He went in and finished dressing and was sitting on the bed, when Piney came in and sat beside him.

“I think we need to have a little talk, brother.”

“What about, bro?”

“Suzy and Ann-Marie.”

JT looked at Piney and saw he had knowledge of something, the tone of his voice confirming it. Piney could see he wanted it now, but shook his head.

“When we're alone, JT.”

Piney's set on his face and the look he gave him, had JT realize it was best to take his advice and wait until the right moment. His head wasn't prepared to deal with deep thinking, or issues to deal with. Everyone was milling about, deciding where to go for some breakfast, when JT said he would join them later. He and Piney were going to the clubhouse first and would meet them at Lumpy's Restaurant after. No one questioned them about their detour, figuring it was business related to Jake and paid no mind to it. Wally had the girls pile in, while the guys all started their bikes. After a few minutes to warm up, they left the parking lot and headed in different directions.

JT drove the few miles to the garage and pulled up to the gate, but didn't get off his bike. Piney stopped beside him and shut his bike off as well. JT leaned on his handlebars and avoided looking at Piney.

“What is it, Piney? I know something is up with those two, so give it to me straight, what do you know about them?”

Piney looked at the same imaginary point in space, as he took out his pack and offered one to JT and took one himself. JT accepted the light from him and waited, knowing he had to give his friend a chance to prepare. Piney took a long draw and blew out the smoke. Before it was finished, he began speaking.

“Suzy and Ann-Marie were kissing. Mary and me saw them the other day, sitting on the bench at the end of the parking lot.”

JT turned his head and looked at Piney, his disbelief showing.

“I swear, JT. Not only that, Suzy had her hand between Annie's legs, rubbing her like crazy and Annie had her hand up Suzy's top, feeling her tits. Shocked the shit out of Mary. We left them alone and walked past, down to the far entrance and came in. They acted like nothing happened and you guys had a fun time that night, if I remember the noises right.”

Despite Piney's attempt at humour, JT knew everything he was saying was true. It shook him to the core and rattled his head about all he thought he knew and could believe in about her. He continued to look off into nothing, but his eyes saw all they needed to. Piney saw it unnerved his friend, knowing he had to be the messenger and bearer of bad news to him, but he held fast, knowing he had done the right thing in telling him.

JT tossed the cigarette away and started his bike. Piney did the same and JT took off towards Charming and Lumpy's Restaurant. He pulled up beside Otto's bike and saw Lenny's bike there as well. Piney pulled up and parked as fast as he could, as JT marched to the entrance and flung open the door and began looking around. He spotted everyone and walked over to the tables. He stood firm, his face showing a determination to keep a rage under control, as he looked at Suzy and Ann-Marie, pointing at them as he spoke.

“You two, outside. Now!”

The forcefulness of his last word had them both get up and walked behind him, as he went outside. Piney came and sat down beside Mary, who knew instantly he had divulged their secret to JT. No one else knew, but were certain something of a grievous nature had taken place and the two girls were responsible for it. Mary and Piney gave nothing away, as they all watched out the window, watching the two girls stand with heads bowed and JT clearly losing it on them.

Suzy said something to him, making him turn and walk away to his bike. Before anyone could do anything, JT had it started and was racing out of the parking lot, cars screeching to a halt to avoid him, horns blaring in protest. Everyone got up and hurried outside to the two girls, now standing there crying hard and asked where JT was going. Piney took hold of Suzy's shoulders firmly and made her look at him.

“Where did he go?”

Through heaving sobs, Suzy looked at Piney and turned in the direction he went.

“To the motel, to see Marlene.”

Piney looked confused at what part Marlene played in it all, but if they told him she did, he was going to find out just what it was. Piney turned to Lenny, a look of worry on his face.

“JT needs his back watched, we need to go.”

Quicker than anyone else reacted, Lenny was on his bike and racing off after him. He was winding it out as far as he could between gears, the report from his exhaust echoing between the buildings, as he went to take care of his president, as he had sworn to do.

Before anyone started another vehicle, the screeching of brakes was heard from down the street once again. This time it was accompanied by the sound of crunching metal and then horns blaring steadily. Faces turned to one another in shock, as the realization of what just happened, sunk in.