Page 69 of Ride with Zane

As I stroll through the aisles with my new besties Bonnie and Denise, we pass by a group of women engaged in a hushed conversation. Their eyes dart toward us, and I can feel their judgment as they whisper amongst themselves. Instinctively, I know they are talking about the club, judging them solely based on their appearance and reputation.

I take a deep breath, mustering up the courage to address the situation.

“Princess don’t.” Bonnie tries to hold me, but I can’t.

Turning toward the group of women, I approach them with a determined stride.Be nice, Ash, please be nice. “Excuse me, ladies,” my voice is steady but assertive. “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. It seems like there are some misconceptions about the motorcycle club that I’d like to address.”

The women look at me skeptically, their eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of disdain. One of them, a middle-aged woman with a disapproving frown, speaks up. “Oh, really? Aren’t you Harrison’s daughter?” She eyes me up. “And what do you have to say? Are you a part of one of those biker gangs?”

I smile politely, trying to diffuse the tension. “I am their president’s fiancée,” I reply. “And let me assure you, they are not a gang. We are a community, a family. We support each other and work toward making a positive impact in our neighborhood and town.”

The women exchange glances, clearly taken aback by my response. It’s clear they weren’t expecting someone to challenge their preconceived notions. But I’m determined to make them see beyond the stereotypes.

One of the women, a younger woman with a curious expression, speaks up. “But what about the rumors we hear? The violence and illegal activities?”

I nod, acknowledging her concerns. “I understand why you might have those concerns. But it’s important to remember that rumors and stereotypes can be misleading. There might be a few individuals who have chosen the wrong path, but they don’t represent the entire club. The Black Panthers uphold values of honor, loyalty, and respect. We stand up for each other and our community.”

The atmosphere begins to shift as the women start to listen intently. Their judgment starts to waver, replaced by curiosityand a willingness to know more. I can see the walls of prejudice slowly crumbling.High five to yourself, Ash!

By the end of our conversation, the women are no longer whispering among themselves. Instead, they are engaged, asking questions and eager to learn more. The judgment they once held has transformed into curiosity and understanding.

As Bonnie, Denise, and I bid them farewell, I can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. Maybe, just maybe, we have planted a seed of change. Perhaps these women will go on to challenge their own misconceptions and spread a more accurate understanding of motorcycle club culture.

The decision weighs heavily on my mind as I sit in my bedroom, contemplating my next move. It's time to have a serious conversation with both the mayor and dad. Taking a deep breath, I gather my courage and make my way downstairs to talk to Rock, but I come to a halt when I spot dad.

He's engrossed in a newspaper, and I pause for a minute. Since Rock and I moved back to his house Dad comes often to talk to Rock and spend time with me too. The two of them became close friends and I like it.

I clear my throat, catching his attention. “Dad, can we talk?”

He looks up, concern etched on his face. “Of course, cupcake. What's up?”

I take a seat next to him, my heart pounding. “I want to give a speech during the mayor's announcement ceremony at the upcoming autumn fair.” I’m not a big fan of being labeled the golden star of Newtok but I can’t keep the press away from me. Raven is so pissed at me for moving out of the town any time Ihave to leave an interview. In four months I’ll be in St. Moritz, and they’ll see me there.

“The mayor asked me to convince you to.” He chuckles. “What do you want to talk about?”

I take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. “I want to talk about them.”

He studies me for a moment, his expression a mix of surprise and pride. “The club? Does Rock know?”

I shake my head. “not yet but I’ll talk to him too.”

“That’s pretty brave to do. They deserve to know what The Black Panthers have done for this city.”

A sense of relief washes over me as my dad's words sink in. “I guess he’s at the Clubhouse.” I get on my feet and stop before walking outside. “Why are you here by the way?”

“I… well… sit down, cupcake,” he pats the couch. “I want to tell you something too.”

“The answer is yes.” I shake my head while taking my jacket.

“You don’t even know what I want to talk about.”

“You want to ask Pam to marry you.” I laugh at his surprised expression. “You still here?”

“It took me days to come up with a whole speech and you…” He pats his knees and gets up. “I guess I’ll see you in a few days.”

I kiss his cheek. “good luck and don’t forget the flowers.”

I watch him drive away, and I hop in my car and head over to the clubhouse. Rock is there, engaged in a conversation with Brick. I approach them, nerves tingling in my stomach. “Good afternoon gentlemen.”

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