After I googled the coroner's office, I dialed the number and waited for someone to answer. I still couldn't believe that Charley was dead. It didn't feel right and I knew Charley was a strong-willed woman. She never gave in when Limburger kept trying to buy her garage.

Someone finally answered the other end and I said who I was and why I was calling.

"Are you related to Mrs. Maverick?"

"I'm a long-time acquaintance. Her husband asked me to get her body released to him. He's still hurting from finding her the way he did."

"I understand. Will he be picking up her body?"

"No. He wants her body sent to Chicago and to the Last Chance Garage. It was her home for a long time before she moved to California yrs. ago."

"Who is going to receive the delivery of her body when it gets there?"

"I will. I currently live in Chicago with my family. I'll have something to keep her body on ice 'til I can get everyone from California to Chicago for her funeral."

"We'll send her in a cryogenic chamber 'til you're ready to bury her. We'll also send the very best casket for her."

"No need to do that. I know someone who can provide one for her, but thank you."

"No problem. I will have someone get her ready for transport and I will have the driver call you when she arrives there."

"Thank you and thank you for understanding."

"Not a problem. I am so sorry for your loss and give my condolences to her husband and any friends she has."

"I will and thank you. Have a nice day."

"You too." Then I hung up the phone. I noticed I had tears running down my face again while I was on the phone with the coroner. I was surprised I had held it together while talking with him. My next call was to Throttle and find out why he didn't tell me about Charley and why I had to hear it from his father.
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I had decided to just ride back home and ask Throttle instead of calling. I was actually glad I wasn't home when I got the call about Charley. I can only imagine what Tony is going through. She was his Aunt Charley.

After I got home, I opened the garage door and pushed my bike in. I parked it next to my other bike that my brothers brought. I hung my helmet on the left side of the handlebars then took my boots off. I went inside to talk to Throttle about Charley. I wasn't happy that he didn't call me after Modo called him.

I walked through the mud room and into the kitchen. He was getting something to eat. He had the fridge door open. I shut it while he was looking for something to eat.

He looked up and saw the look on my face. "Ok, what did I do this time to deserve that look?"

"Maybe not calling me about Charley. I had to find out from your father."

Throttle stood up and had me follow him to our room. He didn't want Ty and Richard hearing our conversation. I had a feeling that Ty already knows what happened to Charley.

After he shut the bedroom door, he had me sit down on the bed. He sat down on the bed next to me.

"I am so sorry I didn't call you after Modo called me. Ty had told me you went for a ride. I didn't want you distracted while riding. I know it's a lame excuse, but your safety on the road is more important."

"I get that, but you could have left a message. I had pulled into a rest stop when I felt my phone buzzing in my pocket."

"You're right. I should have left a message. To be honest, I didn't know how you would have taken the news. I was still processing the news I got from Modo."

"Does Tony know?"

"I don't see how he doesn't. He's living with them and my dad. Speaking of my dad, how is he?"

"He seems to be doing ok considering he lost your mom 2 yrs. ago. I made Modo promise me that he won't go down the same road Charley did."

"He'll keep his promise 'til the day he dies. He takes promises very serious. Its like swearing in blood."

"That's good to know. I called the coroner in California. I'm having Charley's body sent here to Chicago and to the Last Chance. Modo said Charley wants to be buried there."

"It was her home before her and Modo moved with us. Who's taking delivery of the body at the garage?"

"I will be. I need to call Christina and Fourby to let them know what's going on."

"Why don't we just ride over there. Its been a long time since we've been stopped by there."

"We could take the boys. Richard can ride with me and Ty can ride with you. Have you taken my bike for a ride yet?"

"Actually, I did. After the call from Modo, I took it for a ride. I needed to clear my head after the news."

Throttle noticed the tears on my face. He brought up his right hand and wiped my face with his bandana he took from his back pocket.

I didn't know I had been crying again. I stood up and walked to our bathroom to splash water on my face. Throttle followed a few seconds later to make sure I was ok.

I looked up and saw him in the mirror, standing behind me. I turned the water off then grabbed the hand towel that was hanging on the wall to my left. I dried my face then laid the towel on the sink counter. I turned around and faced him.

He saw the sadness in my eyes. I saw the same in his eyes too. I was tired of losing people I care about and love. Vinnie, Harley, Vinnie and Harley's daughter, Carbine, Morgan, Silverdawn and now Charley. Who's next?

I didn't want to entertain the notion of who could be next. Throttle grabbed a hold of my hands and brought me closer to him. He knew by the look in my eyes that I was gonna cry again. I wrapped my arms around his neck and cried into his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around my waist and held me. He rubbed my back while he let me cry it out. He knew I was close to Charley.

I wasn't close to Morgan or Carbine, and I wish I had gotten to know them, but they were my friends. They had helped me when Throttle was forced to leave for the 2nd time. Even though Carbine was younger than me, she was like a mother in a way to me cause she helped find a way for me to get Throttle back. Morgan, who was definitely older than me, was like a father figure to me. He talked to me like a father would a daughter.

Silverdawn was there for me when I needed help with the twins. She helped me be a good mother. She was an awesome woman. I will always be grateful for everything she's done to help Throttle and I be good parents.

I didn't know Harley all that well and I wish I had gotten to know her. The look in Vinnie's eyes was enough to know that she was well loved by not just Vinnie but by Throttle and Modo as well. She was the best bike jockey on Mars, according to Throttle and Modo. She cared for the guys during the war on Mars. They were lucky to have a good friend and bike jockey.

Vinnie was a pain in the ass, but he always meant well. He treated me with respect. He knew that I could kick his ass. He was there for me when Throttle was forced to go back to Mars twice. He would stop by my place and stay the night sometimes. We would have a great time. We watched movies, told stupid jokes. He even told me some stories of the early days before the war on Mars. He told some great stories. He even gave me full body massages after my showers. He never once tried to make a move on me. He knew I was very faithful to Throttle. Vinnie was an awesome friend. If I was in a fight, I'd want him backing me up. I wish I had gotten to know their daughter, too. Vinnie was so proud of his little girl. He loved her dearly. He was beyond heartbroken when his daughter passed away. I felt for him.

Charley was the best friend I could ever ask for. After I moved to Chicago, she helped me get set up in a place and even offered me a job at the garage. If she hadn't introduced me to the guys, I wouldn't have the family I have with Throttle. Charley has been there for me when Throttle had to leave twice. We had a whole week of girls' night. It was fun. She kept me occupied every day and every night. She didn't want me to spiral down the drain and hurt myself. I was very thankful for her and Modo.

Modo. I can't even imagine what he's going through right now. Poor guy. He tried everything to get Charley to not hurt herself. He took her to a psychologist, a therapist, anyone who could help her. I wish Modo had called me. Charley was there for me, I should have been there for her. I would have done a girls' night for months if it meant she didn't spiral down the drain and hurt herself. I feel like a bad friend for not being there for her. I am going to put together the best funeral ever and I'm also going to put together the best party ever in her name. I'm gonna make sure that Fourby is there, too.