Page 26 of Walker

“That’s what I keep coming back to. I wanted to ask his friends, but I don’t think they’d tell me the truth either. Maybe because they don’t know, but mostly because they are the type to remain loyal to him, even in death.”

“You could change your perspective a bit.”

“Yeah? How do you figure?”

“Whatever he did or didn’t do doesn’t change who you are. It doesn’t change who your kids are or whotheirfather was. They got to know their dad, well, your daughter did anyway. I’m assuming she has good memories with him.”

I nodded my head because it was too hard to speak over my emotions.

“Well, that’s really all that matters now. What’s done is done. You either find a way to move on or you don’t. You were moving on before you found out the latest news. You were ready to move on from him even before he died because he wasn’t the same man you had been married to for years. Treat it like your marriage was already over and headed for divorce because of his lies and gambling anyway. Any other lies that were stacked up on top of that – including being with another woman – are moot at that point.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. I’m just waiting for that bitch to come at me over some money.”

“She won’t do that.”

“Why?”

“Don’t you think she would have already done that if what her daughter told Ariel was true?”

“Yeah, you’re right. She wouldn’t have waited for me to possibly spend any money that was left to us.”

“That’s what I figured too. Sounds like she was just running her mouth about shit to someone and maybe her daughter overheard. I’d bet money that her kid isn’t your husband’s. They might have slept together, but if she could prove paternity, she would have tried for a payout immediately.”

“You gave this some serious thought, huh?”

“I’ve been worried about you and Ariel. It’s not right that she got put in the middle of shit and had her dad’s name and reputation trampled on.”

“I don’t understand why you ever thought you weren’t worthy of dating again. Seems to me, you’re doing a better job than most of the supposed good men I’ve known my whole life.”

If there was more light in the truck’s cab, I might have seen the man blush a bit at the compliment. It wasn’t just lip service. He thought of me, my kids, and our plight. He took them into consideration and did his best to make me comfortable and try to give me a brighter side to look at.

“I’m curious about something.”

“What’s that?” He asked.

“Well, since we’re riding in your truck, is it true that you only put your old lady on the back of your bike, or is that some bullshit made up for Hollywood?”

His laughter was infectious. “Honestly, it depends on the biker. Some don’t give a damn who hops on the back. Others only allow family. Some will only put their old ladies on the back and not even allow kids on. There are a few who won’t allow their old ladies on either because they’re afraid they’ll get hurt.”

“That’s weird and hypocritical of them.”

“Nah, if they’re not comfortable with a rider, then it’s better for them not to have one. I’ve only ever seen two instances of that in my life though. One was because he had lost an old lady who rode with him when they were in an accident. She didn’t make it, and he was left with a huge helping of survivor’s guilt.”

“That’s understandable and incredibly sad.” Walker nodded his head. “The other?”

“He didn’t have the sense God gave a turnip. I don’t know how he ever got a motorcycle endorsement on his license to begin with, but he could barely keep the thing upright.”

“And he was in an MC?” I asked aghast that they would allow that.

“Fuck no. That dipshit somehow made his way to one of the rallies we attended. After he laid his bike down the second time, the road captain, for the charity ride portion of the event, booted his ass out. Made him sit on the side of the road and wait to be picked up by prospects.”

“That must have been embarrassing.”

“I don’t know that he was even capable of embarrassment. Never seen anything like it in my life. Hope to never see it again.”

I laughed along with him at the thought of a biker who couldn’t keep his bike upright. “So, what about you. Where do you fall into the spectrum?”

“Haven’t had anyone sitting bitch in a long time.”

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