I grin, my heart lightening. “She knows we’re meeting then?”
“Of course.”
“Great. Okay, so I don’t suppose you wanna share the plan?”
“Eric will tell you in the morning.”
“Why not now?”
The priest laughs. “You always were impatient. I can’t talk to you further about this on the phone – you know why as well as I do. Curb your impulses for now. Tomorrow, everything will be revealed.”
“Fine. Imma say goodnight. I stink and I need a shower.”
Father Lorenzo laughs again. “Yes, go and do that. You don’t want to be reunited with your wife smelling bad. Such things leave a lasting impression.”
I snort. “Good night, Father.”
“’Night, son.” His voice is gentle and affectionate, and I am reminded that he’s not just my spiritual advisor. He’s also my friend. If he’s planned something, it’ll work. And whatever reason he has to keep the details from me, it’s probably good.
I get up, grab my towel, and go in search of the showers.
* * *
I am up by 5:00 am.
Who am I kidding, I hardly got any sleep. I get out of bed, go take a shower and get ready. I have my colt .45 in one boot, a knife in the other and a SIG Sauer P322 .22 in my jacket pocket. I’m good to go.
I venture out into the club house and find Caleb sitting at the bar, digging into a plate of sausages, bacon, scrambled eggs, and toast. He gestures behind the bar, “Help yerself.”
I’m surprised to find him there so early in the morning but what do I know about bikers’ schedules. Collecting a plate, I help myself to the generous buffet on display.
“You eat like this every day or is this in my honor?”
Caleb snorts. “My old lady, Myra, she cooks breakfast for everyone – most important meal o’ the day and all that. All other meals, we take care of ourselves.”
“How… motherly of her.”
Caleb smiles proudly, “Aye, she’s a good one.”
“You’re a lucky man.”
Caleb just grunts - a little smugly in my opinion.
I feel a stab of envy for him, his life, and his wife who takes it upon herself to mother an entire club. It’s very domestic and devoted. I never even realized that was what I wanted until this very minute.
I sit down next to him and eat my food. There’s also some coffee and I pour myself a cup.
“If there’s anything you need from us, now’s the time to say.”
I open my mouth to say I don’t need anything when I realize I don’t have transportation. “Uh, I wouldn’t be able to buy a bike off you, would I?”
He grins at me. “What kind of bike?”
“Something that can carry my gear and take me where I need to go.”
“I have just the thing for you. Wait here.”
I continue with my breakfast as he disappears out the door. My plate is almost clean by the time he returns. He’s holding a helmet in his hand, and a pair of keys. “I got you a Harley Davidson sportster. I think you’ll appreciate it.”