Losing You

long

Delilah

The day goes by smoothly. I get to know the prospect as an actual person, not just the club's b1tch boy. He is a nice, pretty chill dude.

"What do you think of that new transfer?" I hear myself asking. "Venom is a cool dude. What I heard is that his old chapter submitted his transfer after his siblings were murdered," he says. "What?" is all I can say. That's f*cked up. "Yeah, apparently, his sister got into an argument with some b1tches, who went and got men involved, and she got their brother involved. There was a shootout, and Venom was too late. When he arrived, both of his siblings were dead. From what I heard, they didn't have parents. Venom was the oldest and raising them, and he took their deaths very hard. His chapter actually requested his transfer, because he was getting into a sh1t ton of trouble, but don't say you heard it from me," he tells me. "No worries," I say.

We drive back to the clubhouse and I make sure to check the inventory and items we need for tomorrow's deliveries before walking back to my car. All I can think about is what the prospect told me about Venom. I thought my dad's disappearance was hard. Imagine losing your parents, raising your siblings and losing them too. I can see why he was crashing out.

"Delilah," I hear my name being called. I turn and find Lola, the daughter of another member, Devil. She is standing with some club members, Venom included, and her little sister. I walk over to them.

"Hey girl. Are you working?" she asks. "Just finished," I say. "Great. There's a party here tonight. Come through," she tells me. "I don't know. These parties aren't really my vibe," I say. "I know, I know, bikers and these trash club girls aren't my vibe either, but it's my dad's birthday, and he said it would be more family-friendly," she says. "Ew, that's even worse," I say and she begins laughing. "I'm good. I work early tomorrow," I try to say to get out of it, but she insists, and so do some of the other bikers. "Oh come on Delicious, I mean, Delilah. Why do you always act like you are too good for us?" Basic says. "Yeah, you should just come, we aren't all bad people like your dad," Raven says. Lola elbows him. I just look down. I hate when anyone brings him up.

"Fine, I'll be here," I say. Lola lights up at my words. "Great. See you later. Oh, and bring a Charcuterrie board please. Bring your mom too. It would be great to see her," she adds. "Yeah, sure," I say and turn and walk away, but make sure to glance at Venom before I do so, and his eyes are on me. His gaze is so intense. I try to fix my hair as I walk to my car. I know I look a hot mess.

I head home and mom is sitting on the couch. "I'm back," I say. "How did it go?" she asks. "Fine. I'm going to go shower. We have been invited to Devil's birthday party. We are in charge of the boards," I say. "Oh, I don't know Delilah. You know I don't really want to go. I already feel forced to go on Sundays, even though we technically have no business there anymore, since your dad isn't from the club anymore, so we aren't family," She is always going on with this nonsense.

"We are family to grandpa and all of my uncles. We can be there and we will be there as we were both invited. Don't bother saying no. We are both going mom. Please, just let him go. Do this for yourself. Get back out there. You are still young. You are drop-dead gorgeous, and you are just wasting away all for a man who just gave up on us and vanished," I shout, feeling frustrated for some reason. "Fine. Okay, don't get upset. I will work on the boards. I have everything to make a couple," she says softly. I nod and turn to go. "Oh, and Delilah. I know I need to move on. I'm really trying," she says. I don't say anything and just head to my bedroom. I don't just want mom to say it, I actually want her to do it. I decide to take a little nap before I begin to get ready.

Valeria

Maybe my daughter is right. I get all dolled up. Even though it doesn't feel right, I know it is the right thing to do. I finally made my peace with things last night, and it is time to move on. Not with anyone in the clubhouse, or anyone period, but I can at least go out and interact with others in a friendly manner.

My daughter meets me in the kitchen. She is wearing a little black dress with killer thigh-high boots. She has always been that hot girl. Our girly girl. She has always been a princess. She has the best style. She can make a paper bag look great.

"Wow mom. You look smoking hot. Maybe you will end up in a biker's bed tonight," she tells me. I wave her off. "H3ll no," I say, and she laughs. "Yeah, I'm not sure that I would be able to trust a biker," She says. "Delilah, not all bikers are bad people. Your grandpa and uncles are remarkable men," I say. She gives me this look of doubt.

"Do you really think that, mom? There are always those club women they keep as their property that they all have access to at all times. Do you really think grandpa and my uncles and cousins don't cheat on their old lady with those women?" I ask. I have always wondered if mom and my aunts just looked the other way. I have always felt disgusted by that part of the club.

"I can't really say, but I can't see your grandpa or uncle Lincoln doing that. I can't speak about the rest. I'm not a good judge of character. I trusted your dad blindly and look what happened there," I say. "Let's not think about that today. Let's just go have a little fun and come home early. We have work tomorrow," she tells me.

Delilah

We arrive and prospects come out and help us carry the boards inside. "Here goes nothing," Mom whispers and grabs my hand and squeezes. I know she feels nervous. I squeeze back to encourage her.

"You have nothing to be ashamed of. You did nothing wrong. This is all on him. You keep your head up, and don't let anyone's comment affect you. You come tell me or grandpa if anyone messes with you," I tell her. "I love you, my little bodyguard," she says. My parents never had more children, so dad and my grandpas always taught me to defend myself and mom. Grandpa Franco always said being a girl didn't make us weaker, and he is right. After dad left, it got worse. I am always feeling the need to protect her.

As soon as we enter, mom is flocked by the old ladies. My aunt, her twin sister, front and center with a wide grin on her face. I hate how much mom has isolated herself. She needs her twin. I grab some punch, sit, and scan the room for Lola. It doesn't look like she is here yet. I check my phone instead.

"Is this seat taken?" I look up and Venom wants to sit next to me. I shake my head. He is so long, he has legs for days. I wonder what else is long. I hate that my mind even goes there.

Nina

"What do I do, Granny? He is burning up!" I say. She takes the cold rag from me and puts it on his forehead. "Here, give him this to see if the fever goes down. Did he get sick again? You know his defenses are low ever since he woke up. He has to take care of himself," she tells me. "He doesn't let anyone go near him. All he does is work and sleep," I say. "Nina, you need to think about taking him to the hospital. I think this man has a family. What you are doing is not right, my child. You are taking this too far. If I could walk, and wasn't this old, I would have taken him myself. I curse the day Tito and Pine brought him here. He should have been taken to the hospital immediately. Please think about this. I don't want you to end up in jail," Granny says. I hate how she always inserts herself into my business.

"If I go to jail, you will go with me, so just do as I say. I know what I am doing. Now give me that rag, and put your phone right there too. I can't risk it with you," I shout. This old lady is always giving me trouble. I thought she had gotten over this and was on board. "You need Jesus, Nina. I will pray for you," she mumbles, but I just focus on my task. Getting his fever to go down, so I can continue with my plan.