Page 2 of Weatherman

I picked up a broom and swept my area clean, then sent a quick text to Lori to check on Pearl. I didn’t like the idea of leaving my baby girl with a stranger, but I had to work. Luckily, she loved being at Lori’s place and giggled a lot when I dropped her off. I was the one who cried when I left her.

Gossip flowed freely around me, and it was hard not to eavesdrop.

“Did’ja hear about Morris Cumber’s son’s wife’s cousin?”

“My husband complains about the kids not eating, but he’s the one who’s the pickiest at the dinner table.”

“Ground beef is on sale over at Ingles this week.”

“I’m headin’ over to Walmart for school supplies later.”

“The Dragon Runners are having a party on Saturday night.”

I stiffened a little as I bent over to scoop the clippings into the dustpan and dump them in the small trash can at my station. Everyone knew about the Dragon Runners Motorcycle Club in this town. They owned quite a number of businesses and had connections that ran deep.

The first time I met Betsey, the reigning MC queen, she scared me a little. She came in the salon with her jeans and cut the day I interviewed and got hired. Her heeled boots clacked confidently across the wood floor, and I noted the regal way she carried herself. I’d had Pearl with me, and the redheaded woman squealed. Yes,squealed.

“Lord have mercy, what a cute little girl. Here, let me hold her for a minute.”

Pearl had no problem grinning and reaching for her. Betsey had hitched out a hip like an expert and propped Pearl on it. “Who’s a pretty girl? Oh my, look at all them teeth. Aren’t you smart? Yes, you are! Yes, you are!”

Pearl had gurgled and grinned at the bubbling lady. I’d fought tears as I was reminded of my favorite person I’d left in Minnesota. Mama J was the mother of six children and had been my best friend and support when I needed it most.

It was Betsey who solved many of my moving problems. She’d turned to me and rapid-fired a handful of questions.

“You’re the new girl? Where are you staying? There’s an apartment across from Soap-n-stuff that’s open for rent. You need a good daycare? Lori, down at the tattoo parlor, is doing a daycare now at her house and might have a spot. Lord knows, she an’ Table don’t need no money, but she likes takin’ care of kids.”

In no time, Kimmie and I had moved into a two-bedroom apartment over a storefront in the downtown area of BrysonCity. It had been renovated and was cute, though a bit small. I shared a room with Pearl, of course. The window had a full view of a huge, stately house that was a local craft store on the bottom floor and a family home on the others. Betsey’s son, Blue, his wife, Psalm, and their kids lived there. Psalm made the most amazing soap.

Lori was married to Table, another biker in the club. They owned and operated Dragon’s Ink, a tattoo place not too far from the salon. Their house sat farther out of town, with a big fenced-in backyard that butted up to the river.

Town news and happenings surrounded me on a daily basis in the beauty shop. I heard all about the women of the Dragon Runners MC. It seemed they had their own club, and a strong one at that. So far, I’d not involved myself more than I had to. My emotions were too raw, and the move across the country to such a different place was still too new. Some days were better than others, and I could smile and be happy. Some were so hard, I barely kept myself upright.

The timer dinged, and Burna shifted in the chair, making the fake leather squeak. “Young lady! I’m done!” Her shout across the salon had several sets of eyes rolling.

“Coming, Ms. Jones.”

“It’s about time.” The woman sucked up the last of her soda and handed me the empty can. “I have a lot to do today.”

“I’m sure you do. Let’s go get you shampooed and cut.”

A couplemore scheduled jobs of coloring, cuts, and one perm later, I was finished. My day was long, but I had a nice pocketful of tips and a slow cooker ofkalopswaiting for me at home. I picked up Pearl, who was all smiles and giggles, from the sitter’sand then drove to the apartment. Kimmie was already there and dolling up to go out again.

“Bex got invited to go to the Lair tonight and said I could come with her. I bet they’d let you in too. Betsey loves kids and would probably take Pearl for a while so you could enjoy yourself.”

I rested my girl on my hip. “Thanks, but I’m good staying here.”

A few years ago, I lived to stay up all night and party with no limits. It was the lifestyle I chose and one I remembered well. My past still haunted me and probably would for the rest of my life, but I could either choose to wallow in self-pity or move on.

I’d done all the wallowing I ever cared to do.

Kimmie left a few minutes later, and the apartment quieted. I cooled the mashed potatoes and meat to feed Pearl, and she messily crammed the food into her mouth. She was getting so big and growing more every day from an infant into a toddler. She crawled like a cheetah and pulled up on anything that would hold her weight, taking tentative steps before plopping down on her padded rear. Potty training was around the corner. Her blonde hair was long enough to clip up in a small bow-shaped barrette at the top of her head. Her blue eyes and mischievous grin reminded me of her biological father, but she mostly looked like me.

“How’s my little Pearl? Did you have fun at Lori’s?”

Her answer was a short “En-gah,” and she showed me her baby teeth before she stuffed a carrot piece in her face.

I giggled with her.

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