Rumbling Thunder

by B. F. Harrolle

  “Sure you can.”

  “What happened to Keena?”

  “Nothing, why?”

  “I haven’t seen her.”

  He smiled at her. “Let’s just say, she needed some time off.”

  “Why?”

  “She was screaming at me. And calling you names. I should have canned her. But I figured she’s young and will learn the hard way.”

  Rainy put down her fork. “Why was she calling me names? I don’t even know her.”

  “She’s jealous of you. Said she’s the one who should be dancing with Pedro, not you. She thinks she’s a better dancer. Said the only reason you got the part was because you’re my daughter.”

  “So what did you tell her?”

  “I told her she was absolutely right. And there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it either.”

  Rainy’s jaw dropped open. “Dad..” Donavan grinned at her. “You didn’t really tell her that, did you?”

  “Oh yes, I did.”

  “That’s not the real reason is it?”

  “No, you’re the better dancer, Rainy. That’s a fact, but let her think what she wants. She’s not going to have it her way. Things don’t work that way in the real world. If you want something bad enough, you work hard to get it. Not cry because you feel you should have it.”

  “Dad, you know I wouldn’t care if you let someone else have the lead.”

  “No, but I would.” Rainy shook her head in disbelief and went back to eating her pork roast. After all, she didn’t get to eat like this at college. “What are your plans for the weekend?”

  “I was going to hang out with Mom. I haven’t seen much of her this trip.”

  “You know she works on Saturdays?”

  “I know, but I figured I could go to the dance school and help her out.”

  “I’m sure your mother will love that; she can always use an extra hand.”

  ***

  Monday, back at the studio, it was chaos with the dancers running around all trying to find out what was next. Most of them surrounded the information board. Rainy waited till they moved on. When she finally did get to the board, she could not believe what she saw. Donavan had her working with two of the young ballerinas. And one of them was Keena. Her weekend with her mother had been great. But coming back to the studio and seeing this made her feel ill. Especially after what her father told her about Keena calling her names. Why would this girl even listen to her?

  Rainy held her breath as she went into Studio three. The two ballerinas were waiting for her. She sent then to the barre to warm up. She then joined them. Afterwards, she showed them the new part of the dance. And to her surprise, Keena did everything Rainy told her to do. She was the perfect student. As long as the girl did as she was told, Rainy didn’t care how the girl felt about her.

  Later in the day, she was called back to studio one to work with Pedro. This time it was only her and Pedro. Tim had left the room telling Pedro after they warmed up to go through the dance and keep practicing until he returned. Starting the music, Pedro asked if she was ready. Rainy nodded her head and got on her mark. Pedro came up beside her and waited until the music got to their part. They each danced their parts. He reset the music again. This time when they started to dance, he started talking to her. “My mom still wants you to come to dinner. She doesn’t understand why you won’t come and see her.”

  “So why don’t you tell her why?”

  “I don’t know why,” he said as he lifted her.

  “Just tell her that her son is an asshole, that’s all.”

  He stopped dancing. “I said I was sorry. You have to understand, I didn’t get any sleep the night before. And I thought you were still away at school. And when you jumped on me, I wasn’t ready.” He had his hands on her arms, holding her in place. She tried to wiggle out of his grip, but couldn’t.

  “Let go of me!”

  “No, not till you stop being mad at me!”

  “That’s not going to happen. You’ve been acting weird towards me for a while now.”

  “Yeah, because you left me.”

  “You knew I was going to college, Pedro. It’s not like I never told you.”

  He made a moaning sound. “How would you feel if I went off to school and left you behind? Four years is a really long time, Rainy.”

  Now she placed her hands on top of his arms as if she was going to push his arms away, but she didn’t. She gazed at him with a sad expression. “What do you want me to do?”

  “Go to school here. Or somewhere that’s not three thousand miles away from me. You know, some place where we can see each other from time to time.”

  “I would like nothing more, but I have to stay there for at least one more year.”

  “Why?”

  “Because my Dad has already paid for the year.”

  “Okay, but will you the year after?”

  She put her head next to his. “You bet I will.”

  He chuckled as if he couldn’t be more pleased. “See, all I wanted to know was if you still love me.”

  She kissed him. “Now what do you think?”

  Right at the moment, Tim walked back in. “Do I have to separate the two of you? You’re supposed to be working on your dance.”

  They went back to work. But Tim never left the room again. So after the day was over, and Rainy tried to go to the locker room, Pedro stopped her. “What should I tell my Mom?”

  “How about tomorrow night?”

  He grinned at her and nodded his head like he was the happiest man alive.

  The next night at his family’s apartment, it was like old times with the six of them together again. They laughed and joked and teased each other. Rainy felt right at home with this family as if she was also a member. And at one time, she was.

  When it was time to leave, Pedro walked her to the subway. “I can’t wait until we leave for the tour.”

  “Why?” Rainy asked.

  “So we can be together more.”

  Rainy leaned in and kissed him. But when she tried to pull back, he grabbed her, pulled her up against him, and gave her a deep passionate kiss. He then pulled back. “Goodnight, Rainy. Call me when you get home.”

  “I will,” she mumbled and walked into the station. She couldn’t be happier. And couldn’t wait to tell her father that they had made up.

  However, she didn’t have to tell him. Donavan knew by the smile on her face. And she knew he was happy for her when he returned her smile.

  The last day before their tour, the five couples were with Donavan in studio one. He was working them hard. They had been at it since eight that morning. It was now one o’clock. Rainy was tired and sweaty. She needed to eat something and wanted to take a nap. Finally, Donavan gave them a time out. “Take thirty and be back here and ready to get back to work.”

  Rainy knew she wouldn’t have much time to get something to eat. She went to the locker room and grabbed some money and changed her shoes. Then she went across the street to Zack’s deli and got a cup of soup. She sat in a chair inside because it was cooler. She’d told Pedro she needed to eat. She figured he would come across the street and meet her, not having time to wait for him. She hadn’t eaten that morning. When Pedro never showed, she went back, not wanting to be late. She still had ten minutes when she entered studio one. She took a seat to wait.

  Rainy could feel the rumbling even though she was in a soundproof room. Making her way to the front of the dance studio, she glazed out the large picture glass window at the motorcycles as they seemed to fly by. It looked as if there were hundreds of them. The traffic light changed, and some stopped in front of the window. So close, it was as if the glass were all that stopped them from touching her. The traffic light changed and they were off again. Now there was a group of young ballerinas that joined her at the window to watch as the bikers passed by. The light changed again and another group of bikers came to a halt. One of them winked at her. Another one stuck his tongue out, wiggli
ng it in an inappropriate manner. Some of the ballerinas giggled, but Rainy became fearful and ran into her father’s office to hide. Donavan looked at her if he knew something was wrong.

  “What’s going on Rainy?” he asked, concerned.

  Rainy swallowed hard. She wasn’t about to tell him she was scared of a biker gang. Not when she had no reason to be afraid. After all, they were only passing by. “Nothing, Dad. Why do you ask?”

  He raised a brow, “For one thing, you’re pale.”

  She waved him off. “I just have a headache. It will go away in a little while.”

  “Sit down I’ll get you something to take.”

  “I’m a grown woman, Dad, and I’m capable of taking care of myself.”

  Locking his desk drawer he looked up at her and said, “I know that, Rainy, but I do care about you. And it’s not like I’ve never taken care of you before. I’ve been taking care of you since you were born. It’s a hard habit to break.” He waited a beat, as if he were waiting for her permission to get the pain medication.

  Rainy finally nodded her head, and Donavan went into another room to get something for her to take. She could hear the motorcycles and the ballerinas swooning over the bikers. Her curiosity got the better of her. She went back to the lobby and looked out the window just in time to see the sexiest man she’d ever seen. Okay, she wouldn’t go out with this guy, but damn if she could take her eyes off of him. He wore a black leather jacket, blue jeans and ankle-high black boots. His hair was long and looked like it was dirty. The color was blonde, she thought. He looked as if he didn’t know what a razor was made for. She couldn’t see his eyes because of his sunglasses. He turned and was looking right at her, she was sure. Then he grinned and when he did, it made everything about her that was female come to attention. Maybe Pedro wasn’t the best looking man she’d ever seen. And as hard as she tried, she couldn’t help herself. She smiled back. Then the light changed and he was gone. Even if it was only a few seconds, it seemed like a lifetime.

  She turned and was going back to her father’s office. Donavan was staring at her as if she had lost it. “I thought your head hurt?” He said.

  She took the two pills out of his hand and tossed them in her mouth, then went to the water fountain to get water to help her swallow them. “Thanks, Dad.”

  Donavan just shook his head in disbelief. “ Women,” he mumbled to himself. “ What is it about bikers that women loved so much? I’m sure if Jessica was here, she’d be looking too!”

  Rainy went back into studio one and changed her shoes to get ready for the afternoon session. Then she took a seat and waited.

  Donavan and Tim came into the room followed by all of the dancers. “Okay everyone, warm up,” Donavan ordered. Rainy stood up and went to the barre with the other dancers. But Pedro went to the other end. She craned her neck to see where he was. However, she wasn’t able to see past the other dancers to see him. Oh well, she thought. After all, they were only doing warm-ups.

  For the next four hours, Donavan drilled them. Making them repeat the dance over and over again. After the fifth go-round, Rainy was starting to feel the stress. Everything was starting to hurt. Her arms, legs, feet, and back. And she knew Pedro had to be feeling it. After all, he had been lifting her for five dances. And this was only act one. They had four more acts to get through. And if Donavan wasn’t happy with the first act, this was going to be a long week. Rainy was walking around between the dances and trying to recoup. Her father had to realize when she was at college, she had not been dancing. And this was taking a toll on her. Not in the shape she should be in for this tour.

  Pedro stood and watched as Donavan worked with a new dancer. He glanced over at Rainy and shook his head as if he wanted this to end. She felt the same way he did.

  Finally, Donavan said, “All the male dancers can go home for the day. All the ballerinas stay.”

  Rainy moaned. Why today? She wondered. And she knew it had to be after five o’clock. For the next twenty minutes, Donavan chewed them out for all the mistakes they had made, her included. He pointed out two. “If you’re not ready by next Saturday, we won’t go. Is that understood?” They all agreed with him. After all, they wanted to go home, it was late. “Alright, go home, and make sure you go to bed early. Be back here at six o’clock. That gives you two hours to work on this dance before the male dancers even get here. Have a good night.” And she was gone before her father could change his mind.

  She rushed towards the ladies locker room to change and get out of the building before her father called her back. And she knew he would. He would be harder on her than any other dancer. Sometimes it sucked to be his daughter. When she got to the locker room she heard someone crying. She stopped just outside the door and listened. Then she heard Pedro. She moved just inside the door to where they couldn’t see her, but she was close enough to hear what they said. “Don’t cry, babe. You’re making me feel bad,” Pedro pleaded.

  “It hurts me to watch you with her. And then you took her to your apartment for dinner with your family. How do you think that makes me feel, Pedro? Why are you playing this game?”

  At first, Rainy though it was Keena he was talking to. But then she realized it was Meka.

  “I’m not playing a game, babe, but she’s Donavan’s kid.”

  “So what?”

  “No, you don’t understand. I’m too close to being the top dancer. If I tell Rainy I’m with you, she’ll get pissed off and tell her dad. Then what will I do?”

  “This isn’t right, Pedro. You need to be honest with her. I’m sure she will be hurt, but at least it won’t be underhanded.”

  “It’s not underhanded. She’s the bitch that left me. Is she really that stupid to believe I would wait for her? Hell no. That’s not going to happen.”

  The ballerinas started to enter the locker room. Rainy followed them in. She wouldn’t look at Meka or Pedro. She couldn’t; she was holding back tears. It didn’t take long for the other women to run Pedro out of the locker room. Rainy changed into her street clothes and then she headed for Donavan’s office. She walked right in as if she owned the place. Her father and Tim were talking. She didn’t care. “Dad, I’m sorry, but you have to find someone else to fill my spot. I’m out of here.”

  She turned to leave, but Donavan grasped her right arm. “What are you talking about, Rainy? It’s too late in the game to drop out now. I don’t have time to find another dancer.”

  “Use Keena. She’s my understudy.”

  “What happened? You and Pedro are fighting again?”

  She pulled away from him. “I wouldn’t let that piece of crap touch me again for all the money in the world. I’m leaving, Dad. I’m going back to college.”

  “Really? You can’t dance for my company and you think I will pay for your college?”

  “You don’t have to worry about my education, Dad. I didn’t want to go to college in the first place. That was your idea, not mine.”

  The way Donavan looked at her she knew he knew he made a mistake. “I didn’t mean it, Rainy, please stay. Just tell me what’s wrong so I can fix it.”

  “You can’t!” she screamed and pulled away from him.

  He took hold of her arm again and said, “Don’t do this, Rainy. I do want you to go back to college. I’m sorry I wanted you to give up your summer. I realize I wasn’t being fair to you, but don’t run away.”

  “I’m done, Dad, and I’m gone.” She jerked away from him and headed for the lobby door, pulling the door open and going out. And as if the timing was perfect, a motorcycle pulled up. The biker wore a red bandana, a black leather jacket, blue jeans and back leather biker boots. He sported a full beard. He wasn’t that good looking, but she knew her dad was right behind her. The biker looked at her and pulled the motorcycle onto the sidewalk and waited.

  ***

  When Donavan opened the door, Rainy mounted the motorcycle and the biker pulled away with his daughter on the back. “Rainy, no!” He called
after her as his heart hit rock bottom. Now he really did have something to worry about. And there wasn’t anything he could do. His daughter was a grown woman. And there was no law against her leaving with a biker. He was so upset as he turned to walk back into the dance studio. Not having a choice because he still had a business to run.

  Chapter 5

  Mistake

  It didn’t take Rainy long to realize she’d made a big mistake. She figured she would get off the motorcycle as soon as the biker stopped at a traffic light. When the motorcycle slowed, she got ready to lift herself off the backseat. However, the way the seat was made, she was pretty much hemmed in. The biker had to slide forward to let her on the motorcycle, and he would have to do the same to let her off. So she tapped him on his shoulder and said, “You can let me off now.”

  The biker laughed and said, “I don’t think so.” As soon as the light changed, he gunned the motorcycle and the force threw her backwards. Rainy had to grab on to him or it would hurt her back.

  Maybe it was just as well, she was thinking. Because where would she go? Going back to her father wouldn’t work. She could go to her mother, but how long until her dad would find out? She couldn’t go to the penthouse because Quinn wasn’t home. She knew she could go to her maternal grandparents, only how would she get to California? And the irony of her situation was that she was the heir to the Masterson fortune, and she didn’t have two nickels to rub together. And of course, to make matters worse, her cell phone was in her dance bag still at the studio. Gee, Rainy, if you had a brain you would take it out and play with it. Dumb is as dumb does, as mom always told me. And this has to be your dumbest move yet, she was thinking. It wasn’t long before they were surrounded by other bikers. Even so, she wasn’t worried. The bikers would have to stop for gas at some point. And when they did, she would elude him.

  It was more than an hour later when four of the bikers pulled into a gas station. Most of the bikers all had women with them. “Take her with you, Barb, and don’t let her get away from you.”