Gram may have meant what she said about not needing this house to remember my grandpa, but I can’t imagine this place without her in it. I will start living my life, but not until I secure her home for her. Maybe I should take Perry up on his offer to dance at Pink Lips. I am not conceited by any means, but I have taken great care of my body. I may not be an early twenty-something young thing anymore, but I can shake it with the best of them. I leave my Grammy to finish her cup of milk in the kitchen and go off in search of that asshole, Perry.
“About time you started listening to me. Your brother does what he’s told. I knew you’d come around. I see the way you look at me girl.” Perry smiles wide and proud.
He don’t know shit. The only look I give him is contempt. “Is that why he has a bloodied nose and split lip?” I’m going to find out just exactly what it is my brother does for Perry and if I can save my Gram’s house in the process, so be it.
“The days you ain’t working at the school you can come dance. Lenny will start you out on the slow days, until you prove you can bring in some regulars, and show him what you bring to the club. Don’t disappoint me girl.”
The only disappointment around here, is the disappointment I have in myself. If the school finds out about this, Gram losing her house will be the least of my worries.
“This stays between us. I don’t want mom or JT, and DEFINITELY not Grammy knowing anything about this.”
He scratches his beard and I don’t like the face he is making. Perry never does something for nothing. “Alright. I can keep a secret if you can.” He grabs my ass and I nearly throw up. “Can’t wait to see the way you move on stage.” He grins, flashing his grimy teeth at me.
What does my mother find so attractive about him? He’s disgusting. His beer gut is hanging from the bottom of his mustard stained shirt. The sight of his hairy belly button makes me choke back my gag reflex. She always has had a shit taste in men, including my father.
“Your mom is driving your Gram to her doctor's appointment in an hour. When they get out of the driveway, you’re gonna show me your moves.” His fingers dance across my arm.
I’m going to be sick. I won’t let him touch me. I don’t need him to get the job, but I do need him to keep his mouth shut.
“Don’t touch me! If you want to see my moves. You can pay just like every other man who will come to the club.”
I rush out the room and lock myself in the bathroom before I kill him.
“Can’t stay in there forever. I’m a patient man. You’ll come around soon enough,” he calls as he walks down the hall whistling. Fat bastard.
I sit on the side of the antique claw foot tub and count the yellow daisies on the wallpaper that borders the celling, trying to calm my temper.
Tread
Several days have passed since I laid eyes on Christa and I can’t shake her. She always did have that effect on me. If we hadn’t been so young, she might’ve been “ the one.” I was selfish back then. Hell, I still am, most days. I feel like shit. I haven’t been by the scrapyard to see to JT. I told the boys to keep an eye out for him.
I’ve been on the road for the past three days. Had to ride out to Louisville and handle a meeting for Rebel. He doesn’t like being away from Chelle and the kids if it can be helped. I don’t mind it. I’ve missed the freedom of the road. Well, it’s not like I have anyone waiting for me, is it?
Word on the street is there’s a new club moving in on our territory selling Devil’s Dust. That shit isn’t going to fly. Things have been quiet and peaceful the past few years. So it was only a matter of time before someone got brave enough to test us. Rebel heard they are based in Louisville, calling themselves the White Militia. I hear they are a bunch of fucking inbred skinheads from southern Ohio. But they have been keeping quiet. Staying far enough out of our