A/N: Thank you for your reviews. Reviews makes me happy, and spurr me to write more.
The full chapter title is First Day Back = Hell?
I hope you enjoy it.
I can't say the day started particularly well. I was woken up by the sound of a car honking. "What the fuck?" I said out loud and watched as Gem came racing back in. She'd obviously been awake for a while. The upside of having a fenced in backyard and a dog door. I didn't have to get up early and take my dog for a walk, or let her out. She could get out on her own. And she'd obviously been out and been spooked by the person honking the car. I got up from the comfort of my bed and headed over to the front door. I looked out through the peephole and saw Gemma in her car. I opened the door and waved to her.
"Good morning," she said when she reached me at the doorway. I headed into the kitchen, I needed coffee. It was too early to be awake. Or at least I thought so until I saw the clock on the wall. It was nine am already. I still hadn't responded to Gemma's good morning, because I was still basically asleep. And that was because I hadn't gotten my coffee. I could find the coffee pot, but I couldn't find the coffee.
"Gemma, where's the coffee?" I asked because I was too tired to search for it. She pointed to the cupboard above the coffee maker. I sighed and she just laughed. I made the coffee and stared at the coffee pot as I waited for it to be ready.
"Cass, did you really sleep in that t-shirt?" Gemma asked me and that was when I realized that I was still in my pjs. I just nodded in response. I needed coffee to function properly in the mornings. I'd been that way since I'd started working at the school.
"Stop Gemma, not in the mood," I said sleepily and then stifled a yawn. I looked at the coffee pot again. I just kept wishing it was done already. I could now smell the coffee. I sighed and squatted down. Gem was sitting by my feet. I sat down on the floor and petted Gem's head, she licked my face.
"Damn, you are like your old man," Gemma said and I looked up at her. I just rolled my eyes at her and turned my attention back to Gem who was still licking my face. I'd gotten used to it while I'd been on my way back here. Gem had woken me up several mornings by either licking my face or barking and then licking my face. I didn't mind it one bit. Max used to do it all the time.
"The coffee is done," Gemma said and I looked up at her. She was sitting at the kitchen table with her bag in front of her. She was obviously waiting for me to go with her to the fundraiser. I just sighed and got up from the floor. Gem trotted out through the dog door again. I turned around and reached into the cupboard to get a cup, and smiled when I saw the size of them. They were huge. It suited me perfect. I filled the cup up, and then sat down at the kitchen table with Gemma. When I'd taken a sip of it I already felt better.
"I function better with coffee," I said as I cradled the cup in my hands. It smelled amazing, and it tasted just as good.
"I know sweet heart." Gemma said and she stayed seated. I had a feeling that she had more to tell me. To me it was too early to talk about anything that didn't involve my coffee.
"You know Clay isn't happy that you're back." Gemma said and I just sighed. I was not in the mood. I took another gulp of the coffee.
"He'll have to deal with it. And I'm not in the mood Gemma," I said frustrated as I glared at the coffee in my cup. I'd already drank half of it.
"Cassie, are you going to let the boys know that he's your father?" Gemma asked me and I just shook my head.
"Can we just leave it be, at least until later?" I asked and this time around Gemma nodded. I drained the cup of the last of the coffee and then got up and put it in the sink.
"I'm going to get dressed. So you stay put Gemma," I said, I didn't want her snooping around. Not that I had too much here that was mine. I went in to my bedroom and over to the closets. I opened all three and checked what clothes I could find. There was a lot. I found a lovely white tank top with a crow on it, it made me smile. I put it on along with a pair of jeans shorts.
"How did you know my size Gemma?" I asked and she just shrugged her shoulders. She was still seated by my kitchen table. I eyed her out before I felt a wet tongue against the palm of my hand. I looked down and it was Gem wanting my attention. I scratched her behind her ears.
"Come on, let's go." Gemma said and got up from the chair. I cocked an eyebrow and just shook my head. I walked over to the living room and grabbed Gem's leash. I connected it to the collar and then brought her with me out to Gemma's car.
"I hope you don't mind." I said as I opened the door to the back seat. I was still amazed at how easily Gem got around with just three legs. She got into the car easily.
"As long as the dog doesn't mess the car up." Gemma said and I just laughed as I was about to sit down in the car I realized I'd forgotten my bag.
"I'll be right back, and don't worry. Gem's a good dog." I said as I ran back in to the house. I ran around in the house not being able to find my bag, not until I entered the bedroom, there it was on the bedside table. Where I'd left it. I grabbed the bag and opened it. Gun and ammo was still in it. That was all. I had the keys in my pocket, phone and wallet nowhere to be seen.
"For fucks sake," I cursed as I started running around the house again. I found the pre-paid phone, in the couch. I had no idea how it'd gotten there. It was on the bedside table when I went to bed last night. I sighed and dumped the phone in my bag. It made me realize that I would have to buy a proper phone. As I was searching for my wallet I heard the car horn. Gemma was getting impatient. I shook my head, just as I found my wallet. It was on the counter in the kitchen.
"I'm coming Gemma." I shouted as I walked out the door again. I fished up my keys, locked the door, and got into the passenger seat next to Gemma. She looked sort of angry I just smiled at it.
"Not my fault. Someone's been moving my stuff around." I said as Gemma put the car in gear and started driving. She looked over at me for a second and then focused on the road again.
"Or you put it there and forgot it." Gemma answered and I just shrugged. She could be right. I'd done it before. It didn't take us long to reach the school where the fundraiser was going to be held. I was going to help Gemma set up, along with some other women. When we reached the school Gemma parked the car and I grabbed Gem's leash just as she made her way out of the car. Gemma showed me around the yard of school and made her way up to the booth and tables that were set up for Sam Crow.
"Girls this is Cassandra." Gemma said and no one asked her any questions about. This was a first for me. Normally people would just torment me with questions about where I came from, who I was. That was the upside of Gemma being the queen of Sam Crow. I waved to them and they waved backed.
"This is Luann," Gemma said as she introduced me to a woman with dirty blonde hair, and a blouse covered with flowers. I just nodded and set about helping with packing things up. I wasn't paying much attention to what was being said. I'd tied Gem's leash to one of the poles that kept the roof up. It was blue and white striped. I didn't want Gem to eat the food that was being served, so therefore I'd tied her up. But I'd also put a bowl of water next to her, and she seemed to be content in the shadow.
As I continued to put stuff up I started to listen to the conversation again. It had taken a turn to something about busses. I cocked and eyebrow and looked over Gemma before I squatted down to pick some plates up.
"Tell everyone to leave room for the busses," Gemma said as she held a stack of plates in her hands. I just shook my head. I still couldn't believe how Gemma managed to pull these things together, but then again, I was never good at planning things out.
"Who we bussing?" the blonde asked, the one Gemma had introduced to me as Luann. I didn't say anything, I just listened in on the conversation as I went about my business. While they were talking I saw this brunette come walking up to our booth. I wondered what she wanted but since I knew Gemma fairly well, I knew not to butt in unless she asked for my opinion today and tomorrow. It was because she'd worked for a while to set this thing up.
"Oakdale assisted living." Gemma answered as she went about moving even more plates. Luann was holding navy blue napkins that she was stacking in a neat pile on the table. "Seniors are all kinds of compulsive gamblers. Triples our raffle dollars. God bless social security." Gemma finished with and then smiled at Luann who smiled back at her, at the same time both of them were rearranging things. I just walked over to the pot of food and looked down into it. Chili. I wasn't too surprised. The brunette I'd seen earlier walking towards the booth now started talking to Gemma. That was when I squatted down next to my German Sheppard and patted her head.
"Gemma," the woman said with an apologetic smile. I wondered what it was about, so I sat there in the shadow eavesdropping.
"Oh, hey April. 'Preciate you coming to help." Gemma said as she stood there watching April. I thought April looked worried, but I didn't say anything about it, then again, I was supposed to be minding my own business, but I wasn't. I'd learned from the master herself.
"No problem… Can I ask you something?" the brunette asked, looking all kinds of worried. It made me wonder what had actually happened. There was a lot that I didn't know about the club and my family.
"What?" Gemma asked as I saw how she titled her head slightly. I wondered what her facial expression looked like, however there was no way for me to see it since I only saw the back of her head.
"Charlie's band's playing during the fireworks tomorrow night. He really wants his dad to come." April said and turned her head to what was my right, which was also where the scene was set up. Which made sense seeing as April was talking about a band.
"Uh. Shit, April.. I… I don't think Clay's gonna go for it." Gemma said shaking her head. She obviously knew what Clay's reaction would be which didn't surprise me what so ever.
"Ah, I'd never ask anything like this. Me and you understand what went down, but my kids… Charlie doesn't know. It breaks his heart that his dad can't come to anything around here, not the baseball games, no school stuff…" she pleaded with Gemma, trying to get her to get her to talk to Clay.
"A 'right, a'right, a'right. I'll bring it up to Clay." Gemma surrendered, which I found strange. I was going to question Gemma about it when April was out of earshot.
"Thank you." April said looking genuinely glad that Gemma had agreed to try and talk to Clay.
"I can't promise anything." Gemma said as she turned around and went back to working on arranging things. April just stood there awkwardly for a few moments before scurrying along putting herself to use.
"What was that about?" I asked genuinely curious and I also thought it would be good if I knew what it was about in case a fight broke out about it. Then maybe I'd be able to help defuse. Or at least that was what I thought.
"What?" Gemma asked as she turned around and faced me. I was still sitting on the ground with my arm around Gem whom was licking my face. "And do you always let your dog lick you like that?" she asked me and I just laughed lightly.
"I was wondering what went down that's stopping that woman's kids' dad to come here." I said and just ignored her question about me letting my dog lick me. It was something that made me feel secure. Mostly it was just my hand she'd lick but when I was sitting close like this, I'd let Gem lick my face too.
"Oh that. Her old man is the reason Opie spent five years in Chino." Gemma said without elaborating it. I had a feeling I didn't want to know more, so I didn't push the subject at all. I had no idea at all why he wasn't allowed in Charming. But if it had something to do with why Opie had been sent to Chino, it probably was something bad, which led me to believe that I didn't want to know more. I went back to working on putting things in order. Around noon Gemma came up to me again.
"Come on, let's go to the garage and see if they've fixed your truck yet." Gemma said and I nodded. I walked over to Gem and untied her leash, I'd kept her tied to the pole all morning, she hadn't minded, she'd been able to walk around there. I grabbed her bowl and turned it upside down to empty out the last of the water. I untied Gem's leash and headed for the parking area where Gemma had parked her car. I got in the car along with Gem and it didn't take long before we reached the garage.
When we reached the garage Clay wasn't there yet. So Gemma went in to the office to get some work done while she waited for him. Meanwhile I headed over to the clubhouse and sat down on the picnic table outside. I was going to stay away while Gemma dealt with my dad. I knew that he wasn't too happy with me being back, and I wasn't going to give him more reasons to be annoyed with me.
"Hey," the blonde guy from the previous day said as he walked up to the bench I was sitting on. Gem growled slightly and I just shushed her by putting my hand up.
"Well if it isn't the moron who likes to flash his cock at people he just met." I said as I unhooked the leash from Gem's collar. I folded it and put it in my handbag, which was big and filled with barely anything. But it was big because I needed to be able to fit the dog bowl into it. The only other thing I had in my bag was my keys, since I had my phone stuffed into my pocket along with my wallet.
"Sorry about that. So you new around here?" Half Sack asked me and I turned my head and looked at him. I was new here in one sense. In another not so much seeing as I was born in Charming.
"Not really," I said, and it was partially true. I just turned my attention back to Gem, and after a while looking at the row of bikes lined up. That was an image I had gotten photos of from Gemma, along with photos of the guys the bikes belonged to.
"So what brings you here, besides your truck?" he asked me and it got me to turn my head again. I cocked my eyebrow slightly. Just before I was going to answer I saw Clay and Jax returning on their bikes. I watched them and saw Clay heading up to the garage where Gemma was standing leaning against a wall. Jax was headed our way. I turned my head back to Half Sack and looked at him.
"Nothing in particular. I just wanted to see the town I was born in." I said shrugging my shoulders. I had no problem with lying to people. I just didn't keep too many major secrets from them. I had a few, but they were mine to keep.
"Oh you have family here?" he asked me and I shook my head just as Jax came up to us. Gem started growling again and I had to shush her.
"I'm sorry, she isn't used to this many new people in such a short amount of time." I said apologetically. I couldn't exactly control Gem's growling. But then again, she was supposed to be a guard dog. Therefore, to me it was good that she was acting like one. Jax walked past us and basically ignored us. I snickered at that.
"Did you do something to offend him?" I asked and Half Sack just shrugged at first then he said, "Maybe he was in a rush to the toilet." Half Sack's comment about the toilet made me burst out into laughter and he looked at my funnily.
"Cassie," I heard my name being called, and so I looked up. It was Gemma. I rolled my eyes and stayed seated. I wasn't in the mood of talking to her right now. However, she wasn't going to let me be alone. She just called my name again, so I got up from the picnic table and headed over to where she was. "Here are your keys. And don't forget to be on time tomorrow." Gemma said as she handed me my keys. I was so glad my truck was done.
"Don't worry, I'll be on time. But I think I'm going to stick around here for a while," I said and then dumped my bag in my car and pocketed my car keys. Gem was walking around the lot sniffing. I wondered what it was she was searching for. Instead of calling her to come to me, I let her continue to sniff around. I knew she'd come running right back to me as soon as I called her name.
I went back to the picnic table and settled back down on it. I kept an eye on Gem as she sniffed around, I didn't want her to get hurt, and I had a feeling the guys were armed. Even I had a gun, albeit it was in my bag at the moment. Half Sack had disappeared into the clubhouse while I'd been talking to Gemma, so instead of going in I waited outside. I sat in the sun, soaking in it. It was comfortable. After a while, the guys were starting to come out of the clubhouse. I wanted to talk to Clay but he evaded me. However, Half Sack came up to me, along with two other guys, I know who the blonde one was. My stepbrother, Jax. The other one was the Mohawk guy again.
I watched as Jax took a cigarette and lit it. Before he said anything, he took a drag of it. "What is a girl like you doing here?" he asked and I just cocked an eyebrow as I heard a bike roar up. One of the other guys was leaving. The sound made Gem come running up to me. Since I was already sitting on the picnic table, Gem sat down by my feet. She was growling, so I just petted her head and she stopped almost instantly.
"Getting my truck that broke down yesterday back, and talking to a friend of mine," I said not even bothering to look at Jax while talking to him.
"And who's your friend?" Jax asked and I glanced over at him as I saw him puff out a cloud of smoke. It was just tendrils of smoke.
"None of your business. And I should get back home." I said as I pushed myself off the picnic table. It wasn't that late yet, but I planned on stopping buy a store and buying myself a new phone.
"At least tell me your name before you leave," was what I heard next, however it wasn't Jax who spoke up, and it was Half Sack. I turned around and started walking backwards. As I was walking, Gem got up and followed me.
"It's Cassandra," I said and turned back around and continued to walk to my truck. It didn't take too long to reach it. I opened the passenger door and Gem jumped up into the seat. When I'd closed the door, I went around the front of the truck and climbed in to the driver's seat.
"It runs a lot better," I said to myself as I drove out of the lot. I drove out to the highway and headed to the closest big city where I'd be able to find a store that sold phones. It didn't take me too long.
I parked the car and left Gem in the car, with the window rolled down enough for her to get air. I didn't want to bring her with me, not this time. I entered the store and looked around. I knew exactly what kind of phone I wanted. I bought an iPhone. It was just what I wanted. I got a silver one, and bought a red shell to it. The red was a similar shade as the red color I had on my truck. When I had my new phone and the number for it, I pocketed the phone and headed back to my truck. It took me almost half an hour to get back to Charming. When I was back in Charming I drove past the Teller-Morrow garage, I could see the lights on in the office, and a few bikes were still there. I didn't stop, I just continued to drive, I was heading back home. It was after all closer to seven pm.
When I got home I parked the truck on the driveway at first, because I had to open the door to the garage manually, and that was only because the remote didn't work. When I opened the garage door I saw immediately why the remote wouldn't work. The cord connection the door to the opener was separated. I sighed as I stood there staring at it. When I had gotten out of the truck, I'd closed the door after me and the bark of Gem brought me back to the present and I turned around. I smiled slightly at my forgetfulness and walked over to the passenger door of the truck and opened it. Gem got out and walked up the step and sat down in front of the front the door. I just climbed back into my truck and drove it into the empty garage. The inside of the garage was boring, it was just grey, the color of concrete.
When I'd parked the truck and put it in park, I got out of it. I grabbed my bag from the passenger seat and then locked the car. I closed the garage door and then headed in to the house through the kitchen door. I dumped my bag on the couch as I passed it on my way to the front door to let Gem in. Gem came in and she went straight for the kitchen, where the two bowls were. I just sighed as I closed the door again, and made sure to lock it. I went in to the kitchen and made sure to lock that door as well. While I was in the kitchen I stood there and just looked out the window for a few seconds. A fleeting thought about what had happened to me in the past came and went. I shook it from my mind and turned my back to the window. I went over to the cupboards and opened all of them. I was checking to see what I had. I had everything I needed in a kitchen. I also had a lot of food. I smiled as I grabbed a bowl. From the fridge I grabbed an assortment of vegetables and made me a salad. When the salad was done, I put some on a plate and ate it.
"Okay Gem, I'm going to take a shower. Should I leave the door open?" I asked my dog, and she just barked. I knew that it was strange to talk to my dog, yet I did. I had always talked to my dog. It was a hard habit to break. I had put my plate in the sink and headed over to the other end of the house. I took my bag with me from the couch as I went. I had no intentions of letting it lay around. I put it on my bed instead.
It didn't take me long to get out of my clothes. Well in the bathroom I dropped it all on the floor and went in to the shower. I turned the hot water on and just let it wash all over me for a while. I then proceeded with washing my body and my hair. It didn't take too long to wash my hair, seeing as it was fairly short now. When I got out of the shower I wrapped one towel around my hair and another around my body. I walked out of the bathroom and into my bedroom. I checked the time. It was closer to ten pm now. I sighed slightly and walked over to the closets that I'd left open that morning. I grabbed a t-shirt, it was navy blue with the word SAMCRO printed in bold capital letters. I wasn't too surprised, and I didn't care either. They were comfortable to sleep in, but then again, I always slept in t-shirts.
I settled down on the bed with my laptop. I was searching for pianos. I wanted to get my hands on a piano, it was the only thing missing in this house. I of course had internet, Gemma had taken care of that. So as I was searching the web for preferably a used piano, since they were cheaper, and made better music. At least in my ears. Especially after I retuned it. As I continued to search online time passed and it didn't take long until I started to yawn.
That was when Gem came in and jumped up and placed herself on the bed. I closed the laptop and set it down on the bedside table where I'd taken it from before I started searching for a piano. It was close to midnight, and I knew Gemma would kill me if I was late for the fundraiser.
I crawled in under the cover and my gorgeous German Sheppard just curled up right next to me. It didn't take me long to fall asleep. However I didn't get a restful sleep. I was haunted by nightmares, but the nightmares weren't just nightmares, they were also memories. Memories I was trying hard to suppress. When I woke up I felt worse than I had before I went to bed. I sighed as I ventured out to the kitchen. Thankfully, Gemma was nowhere to be found.
I easily found the coffee and the mugs this morning. I just smiled to myself as I made the coffee. It didn't take long for it to be done. When it was I sipped it slowly while leaning against the counter. I was looking out through the kitchen window. In the backyard I saw Gem digging. I just sighed. I put the cup down on the counter and picked up the two dog bowls. I washed both of them out and then filled one with water and put it down on the floor again. When I'd done that I got out the dog feed and put it in the second bowl after I'd made sure it was dry. I put it on the floor next to the water bowl.
I went back over to the counter and grabbed my coffee cup. I went out into the living room and turned on the tv. I had the news on, not paying attention to it. I was too engrossed in my cup of coffee.
When I'd finished my coffee I made breakfast, which consisted of milk and cereals. While I was eating it I saw Gem eating her own food.
"I think you'll stay home today. I don't want you to be spooked by the people." I said to Gem and she just looked up at me for a few seconds before going back to her food. It made me laugh. When I'd finished my breakfast I put the dishes in the dishwasher. I was still wearing the t-shirt when I heard a knock on my door. "Who can it be? No one knows I live here, besides Gemma." I thought to myself as I made my way over to the door. I had on purpose not registered my move. I did not want anyone to know I lived here. I'd even changed my last name again. While I'd lived with my mum and up until I left Boston I'd had my mother's maiden name, Eden as my last name. However, right now I had no last name, not registered at least. I was planning on changing it to Morrow though.
When I reached the door I looked out through the peephole. It was some guy I didn't recognize. I didn't open the door, or acknowledge the fact that I knew he was there. Not even when Gem came running in barking. I just went in to the back of the house, to my bedroom. Well there I grabbed my gun and put it in the waist of my shorts that I'd just pulled on. I didn't want to put the gun in the waistband of my briefs. The knocking had ceased and when I looked out the peephole, there was no one there.
"Could it get any worse?" I asked myself as I headed back to my bedroom. I was going to get dressed and ready for the day. I took the gun out of the waistband of the shorts and put it on my bedside table. While I was standing in the bedroom I pulled off the shorts and the t-shirt. I grabbed a black bra that matched my briefs and put it on. I had my hair down because I liked it that way. While I was looking through the dresses hanging in the closet I found one I liked. It was white with a gorgeous pattern. The pattern was made up of circle and squares in beige and brown. It had a black and beige striped ribbon around the waist that went up the back as a cross and around to create the straps that kept the dress up. The dress went all the way down to just above my knees and with it I was wearing a pair of black high heeled pumps.
I grabbed a smaller black bag and put the gun in it, it was loaded and the safety was on. I put the gun in a pocket that had a sipper, that way I wouldn't have to explain why there was a gun in my bag incase anyone saw it. I put my keys and phone down in the bag as well and then slung it over my shoulder.
"Stay," I said to Gem who had settled down on the couch. I didn't mind that she was on the couch, I would let her be anywhere I'd be if she felt like it. But then again, I loved my dog. When I went out the door I made sure to lock it. I headed over to the garage, where my truck was. I had open the garage door manually again, and made a mental note to fix it. When I'd backed the truck out on to the drive way I got out, but I left my shoes and the bag in the car. I refused to drive in high heels, so I put them on the passenger seat. I wasn't going to drive away from what was now my home until I'd made sure all doors were locked. So I closed the garage door manually and then drove off.
It didn't take me long to reach the school where the fundraiser was held. I was of course on time and I knew it'd please Gemma. When I'd parked the truck I grabbed my heels from the passenger seat and put them on. After that I grabbed my handbag and slung it over my shoulder. I locked the truck and headed over to the booth where Sam Crow was set up.
"Morning Gemma," I said as I came up to her. She just nodded, she was in full swing of putting the last touch on everything. To the right of our booth we had another big space. It had mirrors and Elvis props.
"Yea, yea. Get to work," was the response I got from Gemma, it made me laugh, but instead of arguing with her, I just walked around the tables that made up our place and started to help her out.
"Why do we have an Elvis station?" I asked off hand, and the answer came from Luann who just walked up to us.
"Bobby. He is an Elvis impersonator." she said and I just shrugged. I didn't know who he was. But then again, I hadn't met that many of the guys yet and what knowledge I had of them came from Gemma. I took notice of what Gemma was wearing. A gorgeous brown top and a pair of jeans with a pair of high heels. Casual yet gorgeous. Luann on the other hand was wearing a black top with a jeans miniskirt. I felt over dressed, but I didn't care. I liked the dress I was wearing.
People were starting to arrive and I could feel a lot of eyes on me. I wasn't too surprised though. I was the new person around after all. And not many of them had seen me before. Sure, some of them probably remembered my mum, and a lot of people who knew my mother said I was the spitting image of her. And I'd have to agree after I'd seen photographs of her when she was around my age.
"Well is he any good?" I asked as I grabbed a bowl and used the ladle to pour up chili in the paper bowls, so that people could come up and just pay for them and take a bowl. I didn't pour up many, seeing as I didn't want it to go cold. No one would want cold chili, even though it was edible cold, it was preferred to be eaten warm.
"He is. He should be here soon," Gemma said as she looked over at a clock that was on the school building. I just shrugged and went back to paying attention to what I was doing. As an hour had passed and still no Bobby, Gemma pulled me aside.
"What?" I asked crossing my arms over my chest.
"Go to the garage and see if Bobby has left yet." Gemma told me and I just nodded. I knew better than to anger Gemma. I'd heard some stories from my dad and some rather horrific stories from my mother when I was younger. I drove off and headed for the club house. It didn't take me long to reach it. I drove up on to the lot and parked my truck close to the clubhouse. I left my high heels in the truck this time. I was too lazy to put them back on, at least for just walking over to the clubhouse.
I opened the door to the clubhouse and entered it. I didn't think about announcing myself when I entered, and it was a mistake. The first thing I saw was Piney sitting by the bar and Clay leaning against it. On the end of the bar a guy with a shave head was sitting, with his hand down his pants. He was playing with himself. I tilted my head and stared for a few seconds. I didn't even notice that Half Sack was in the room.
"What is it with you guys and dicks?" I blurted out without thinking. As I stood there he pulled his hand out of his trousers. It earned me chuckles from the guys.
"What are you doing in here?" was the response I got from Clay who'd turned around and walked up to me. It was clear that he wasn't happy about the fact that I was in the clubhouse.
"Gemma asked me to come and see if Bobby had left already." I said as I put my focus on Clay instead of on the guy with a shaved head. That was when I saw Half Sack from the corner of my eye. He was messing up his hair with his right hand.
"I have this condition. 'M not even gonna worry about it. CMD, compulsive masturbation disorder." he took a short pause before continuing to speak. "I couldn't get the right meds in Stockton. So it's a little out of control right now." the guy said and I just shuddered at the thought. That was when Clay got a hold of my attention again by speaking.
"Uhu. He left already." Clay said and I nodded. I didn't feel like sticking around, hearing about why a grown man was masturbating in public. And when Piney chimed in with ,"You know, I used to have that and then I uh turned thirteen," I just hurried out. It was getting too creepy and I didn't want to hear more of that conversation. When I got out of the clubhouse I hurried over to my truck.
In ten minutes I was back at the school, trying to shake the images out of my head. It was easier said than done. I put my heels back on and went back to the booth that we had set up.
"Hey baby," Gemma said as I walked up, I smiled and gave her a hug. I looked over at the Elvis station, and there he was. I rolled my eyes. He looked the part at least, and it seemed like the kids were having fun as well.
"I hate clowns," I said when I spotted a clown over by the egg toss. I turned away so I didn't see the clown any more. Clowns had creeped me out since I was a kid.
"Why is that Cassie?" came the question from Luann, I just looked over at her and I didn't say anything. I just went back to arranging things and then serving food to those who wanted it. I was not in the mood to talk about clowns and why I hated them. Especially not in a place with a lot of people around. My feet was not friends with me at the moment, the high heels were uncomfortable. But that happens when you were brand new high heels. So I inched out of them making sure no one saw me do it, and pushed them under the table.
"Drop it Luann," Gemma said quickly, and it took me by surprise. I mouthed a thank you to Gemma and then shrugged it off and went back to working. I was serving food when Jax came up and grabbed a chip from the bowl, I slapped him with the spatula I was holding. "Stop stealing food," I said as I put my hands on my hips with the spatula still in hand.
"Jesus. You're eerily like my ma' right now." Jax said as he looked at me. It struck something in me and I burst out laughing. I couldn't help myself. I hadn't even thought about the possibility that I might even be a bit like Gemma. It wasn't too surprising though. Especially not since how much I'd been talking to her the past couple of years. Gemma on the other hand didn't think it was funny. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the two of us. I kept snickering as I made my way over to Luann. I did not want to get yelled at. Sometimes it felt like Gemma could just as well be my mother. That was how she acted either way. It was quite nice, especially after I'd lost my own mother.
As the day went on people came and went. I didn't always pay attention to what was going on. I would overhear snippets of conversations, and every time I'd look over to the bouncing castle, there was a clown there. It made me shiver. After a while of just serving food I headed over to the were the kids were playing with water guns. It was fun to watch, and I got squirted once or twice with water. I didn't mind much.
While I was watching kids playing with the water guns I saw Jax coming out with Opie and one other guys from the gym, and the other guy along with Opie had bruises. I watched them for a few seconds before I went back to help Gemma at the booth. I knew she'd have my head if I didn't return soon. And pissing of Gemma was not something I wanted to do after only being back home for two days.
When I got back to the booth Bobby was talking. "Seen Jax?" he asked and I chimed in. "I saw him with Opie." However Gemma wasn't satisfied.
"Why?" she asked, demanding to know what was going on.
"Boss wants us." was the response she got from Bobby. The sergeant at arms was there too. I had no idea what his name was though. Gemma sighed and said "You got two more hours in that booth."
"Sorry mother." the sergeant at arms said and the two left. I wasn't surprised when Gemma said "Jesus Christ, Clay." She wasn't happy at all. I just kept quiet and helped out with serving food. That was when the police chief walked up. They were talking about something so mundane as how fried food would kill the chief. However I did pay more attention when they started talking about the ATF agent. When the chief of police left I walked up to Gemma.
"Why is ATF looking in to the club?" I asked and she just glared at me. That was when the guys were walking by and Gemma walked up to them. "Why do I get a feeling that I'm missing something?" I asked Gemma and she sighed.
"Later okay?" Gemma asked me and I nodded. It meant I was going to get information. I wasn't sure if I wanted to know everything though. I went back to serve the food, and as the day continued to pass by I found myself highly preoccupied by thoughts of Half Sack of all people. He seemed to be a sweet guy. I was brought out of my thoughts when the concert began. I grabbed my high heels and put them back on. Me and Gemma were watching the band play and after that we headed home to my place. Gemma following in her car.
When I opened the front door I was greeted by Gem who came up to me and barked. "Yes I'm home now," I said and squatted down and petted her. When I had petted Gem I took off my high heels and went in to the living room. Sitting down on the couch. Gemma sat down in the arm chair next to the couch while my lovely dog came and settled down right next to me on the couch.
"First off, don't let Clay find out that you know anything about the club." Gemma said and I thought she was actually going to tell me something about the club. "The ATF are looking in to the club because of gun running." Gemma said matter-of-factly. I was taken by surprise, and Gemma could see that.
"Is it true?" I asked and Gemma shook her head at first.
"The charges are true," she said, but she didn't give me any other information. I decided to leave it be. Pushing Gemma to tell me things could mean trouble. In more ways than one.
"Are you going to tell me exactly why you came home?" Gemma asked me out of the blue and I just glared at her. I knew I'd have to tell her sooner or later. I'd prefer it to be later, a lot later. Or rather not at all.
"Cassandra. I can't help you if you don't tell me." Gemma continued to speak. I just sighed as I leaned back against the couch.
"Don't Gemma." I warned her. I truly wasn't in the mood. But then again, I never thought I'd be in the mood to talk to anyone about a stalker that killed my dog and that it was the reason I ran.
"Why not?" Gemma asked and I just shot a dirty look her way.
"Why do you think? Would you like to talk about a stalker that killed your dog and made you so scared that you ran?" I asked Gemma loudly and she was dumbfounded of course. I had just blurted out the reason I came home as a question.
"Point taken. But sweet heart, you don't need to worry. The boys can keep you safe," she said and I just glared at her. I didn't need protection. I had my dog, and the gun. Which reminded me of grabbing my bag that I'd dropped on the floor by the door. I got up from the couch and grabbed my bag.
"Gemma go home. I'm fine," I said and waited for Gemma to leave. It didn't take too long. I closed the door after her and locked it. I waited until I heard her car leave before I did anything else. It was nice when she'd left. I went into the kitchen, still carrying my bag. And refilled the dog bowls with fresh water and food. After I'd done that I headed over to my bed room.
"Good night Gem," I said as I peeled off my clothes. I grabbed the t-shirt I'd slept in the previous night and put it on. I crawled into bed, and not before long I was joined by Gem. I thought I would doze off quickly seeing as it had been a long day. However I was wrong. As I was lying in bed I just couldn't fall asleep. It was as if something was keeping me awake. "What is wrong with me?" I asked myself and petted Gem who was lying right next to me.