Page 5 of Oz Wisdom

"Here you go." Nealy pushed open a door. "I'll find you something to wear so you can get out of that shirt.

Taylor looked down. Her shirt was most likely ruined. "Thank you." She closed the door and dropped the backpack from her shoulders as she leaned over the sink. The water was cool. She closed her eyes and scrubbed her hand over her face and neck. The water silenced and her fingertips dug into the edge of the lavatory as water dripped from her face. Slowly, she lifted her head and brought her gaze to her reflection. Her helmet. She would have laughed if she had it in her. How had she forgotten? She flipped the buckle and lifted it from her head. Quickly, she took care of business and removed her shirt. She grabbed the bar of soap and began scrubbing the stains under a flow of cold water. Furiously she scrubbed harder and harder. She squeezed her eyes and dropped the bar of soap into the sink. This was useless. But she needed what little she had.

The door eased open. "Here's a tee shirt, " Nealy said. "There's some vinegar under the sink but you may want to toss that.”

"Thank you." Taylor accepted the clean shirt and when alone again, she went to work once more trying to save her clothes. She had little to begin with and now she realized she could afford to lose nothing. She did have a sister nearby. It had been a while since she had talked to her, but maybe she would help her back on her feet. As she washed and twisted the water from her clothes the reality of the situation settled in. Taylor was free. She was on her own, but she was finally free from the club she had at one time trusted. And she was alone.

She draped the wet clothing over the edge of the sink and walked out to a large open space filled with women and kids. No men.

"Come sit down," Nealy called out.

Taylor eased into a seat next to Nealy and another woman at a table, dropping her backpack next to her feet.

"Taylor, this is Avery and Maeve.”

Taylor forced a smile. "Looks like we interrupted a gathering.”

"Just a family day. Nothing special.”

"What's wrong with Aunt V?" A little girl appeared next to Avery. Kingsleigh, Taylor thought her name was from hearing pieces of conversations.

"She's sad because something happened to one of her friends. She'll be happy again She just needs to be alone for a minute.”

"She's crying."

"I know sweetie.”

The little girl cocked her head. "You been crying too. And Aunt Nee.”

"You know how sad you get when your friends are upset? We're sad for Aunt V because we can't fix what's made her sad.”

"I can make her happy."

"You can?"

Kingsleigh nodded and skipped away. Moments later she walked past them with another young girl and a baby.

"Hold it little lady. What are you two up to?" Nealy asked.

"Babies make Aunt V smile. I don't have a baby to give her. And Mercy has tried to give her Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Grace but Uncle Brick always takes them back. Uncle Mac has two. He won't miss one.”

Avery laughed. "I don't think that's how it works."

"Never know until you try. That's what Daddy says,” the older girl, who Taylor recognized as Nealy’s daughter, stated and walked away with the baby, disappearing through a door past the bar.

Nealy shook her head. "I swear those two girls think they can pick and choose who they belong to.” She looked toward Taylor. "Taylor, do you have children?"

"No"

"If you ever do, be prepared to have your sanity checked regularly. They certainly test you at times," Avery told her.

"It worked!" Kingsleigh announced.

Avery twisted toward her daughter. "Really?”

"She even laughed,” Mercy added. "It's all good."

This was so different than anything that took place at the clubhouse where Taylor had been only this morning. This was refreshing. But was it the norm? Bikers. Old ladies. Kids. Spending time together in a wholesome environment? It could happen. But she had never witnessed it.

---