Athena Sisterhood

by Dharma Kelleher

  “Weird deep-fried things?”

  “You know, deep-fried Snickers bars. Deep-fried birthday cake. Deep-fried coffee.”

  “Deep-fried coffee? How does that even work?”

  “Got no idea. But they’re always frying up something crazy.”

  “I’ll see what I can find. Y’all be careful on that contraption.”

  Shea and Annie took their place at the end of the line. Above them, people screamed and cheered as the ride whirled them in all directions. Despite the bustle of people, Shea found herself relaxing for the first time in weeks. No worrying about drug dealers or motorcycle clubs. Just a time to be a normal family, whatever the hell normal was.

  “Well, look who’s here!”

  Shea turned to see Labrys walking up to her wearing her Sisterhood cut over a navy quilted coat. Please, not now. All the joy escaped from her like air out of a balloon. “Uh, hi, Labrys.”

  “Taking the little one for a ride, prospect?”

  “Something like that.” Shea looked around to see if Jessica was in view. The last thing she wanted was for the two of them to get into a shouting match. Or worse.

  “You’re not wearing your cut, I see.”

  Shea shrugged. “No, just a night out with the family. It’s not a club function.”

  “You should be wearing it. Even with your, uh, leverage photo, we need to demonstrate Sisterhood solidarity. To show those assholes from the Thunder we will not be intimidated. I saw one of them walking around earlier with his old lady.”

  “Tell me, Labrys. Did you ride your bike here?”

  “No, I took the Audi. Why?”

  “Most MCs prohibit wearing club colors unless you’re on a bike.”

  Labrys tilted her head and folded her arms across her chest. “Did I just hear a prospect try to tell her president the rules of our club?”

  “Hello, Deb.” Jessica returned carrying a large drink and something wrapped in red-checkered waxed paper. Her expression hardened into a mask of contempt. “Why are you here?”

  “Excuse me? I don’t recall needing your permission to be here.”

  “Why are you here talking to Shea? Is this some club meeting I’m not aware of?”

  “Havoc, you need to muzzle your old lady.”

  Jessica’s jaw dropped. “Shea, you need to tell this bitch to step off before I show her how tough she’s not.”

  Shea stepped between the two women and held up her hands. “Hey, can we take things down a notch in front of my niece?”

  “Fine,” said Jessica, “but she needs to go. This is our family time. You promised.”

  Labrys scoffed. “Havoc, you—”

  “Labrys, shut it!” Shea’s eyes locked on Labrys, whose face flushed pink.

  “What did you say to me?”

  “I know I’m just a prospect, but we’re here for some family time. Club business and solidarity and whatever will have to wait for another night.”

  “Oh really? Dictating terms are we, prospect?”

  “If that means I’m outta the club, so be it. But I been neglecting my family for the past week or so and I intend to make up for that.”

  Labrys glowered at Shea and Jessica.

  “Aunt Shea, the line’s moving!”

  Labrys’ expression softened into a fake half smile as she glanced down at Annie. “Family is important. So I’ll leave y’all to it.”

  “Thanks, Labrys.”

  “But from here on out, I expect you to follow orders. Are we clear?”

  “Crystal.”

  “Y’all have a good night.” Labrys walked off whistling Melissa Etheridge’s “Come to My Window.”

  “Jessica, before you say anything, know that I hate her as much as you do.”

  “I doubt that’s even possible. You have no idea how much I despise that woman.”

  “Yeah, well, get to know her as long as I have, you’ll learn to hate her even more. Trust me.”

  “Aunt Shea, come on! It’s our turn.” Annie grabbed Shea’s hand and dragged her off.

  “Y’all have fun!” Jessica waved as they passed through the gate and took their seats aboard the ride.

  At first, the ride was like racing up a twisty mountain road at high speed, spinning the car they were in around and at various angles. Annie giggled and screamed with delight, bringing a smile to Shea’s face.

  Then the flipping and rolling began. Shea was feeling a little green when their car finally came to a stop. The operator unlocked their restraints. Annie jumped off and bounced up and down, “Can we go again? Can we?”

  Shea stumbled a bit as her equilibrium readjusted. “Maybe in a bit, Doodlebug. Your auntie needs a moment to regain her land legs.”

  They followed the crowd and found Jessica by the ride’s exit. “Wanna try one of these deep-fried Sriracha balls?” She held out a white plastic fork, on the end of which was what looked like a reddish hush puppy.

  Shea’s stomach did a cartwheel at the thought of spicy food. “I’ll pass for now.”

  “I wanna try one!” insisted Annie.

  “I dunno, Annie. They’re spicy.”

  “I like spicy.”

  “What do you think?” Jessica looked to Shea.

  “I’m the boss, Aunt Shea. You said so.”

  Shea shrugged. “Let her try a bite.”

  Jessica held out a Sriracha ball to Annie. “I’m telling you, it’s hot.”

  “I can handle it.” Annie bit into it. For a second she appeared to enjoy it. Then her cheeks flushed. Her eyes and mouth opened wide with pain, her hand fanning the bite of Sriracha ball on the edge of her tongue, hopping around. “Hot, hot, hot!”

  “Here ya go, little princess.” Monster emerged from the crowd along with his wife, Julia. He handed her a large Styrofoam cup.

  Annie grabbed it and took a long drag on the straw. After a moment the pink faded from Annie’s face and she took a deep breath.

  “So good to see you again, Shea-Shea,” said Julia, reaching out to her. She had put on weight since Shea last saw her. Her skin was tan as always, but more weathered and sagging beneath the eyes. The thick braid that had always been her trademark had turned from mahogany to silver. She still wore a cut that read PROPERTY OF MONSTER on the back.

  “Good to see you, Aunt Julia.” Shea embraced her, catching a whiff of weed from her hair.

  Julia had always been like a fun aunt to her. At thirteen, Shea had confided to Julia about her attraction to girls. Julia hadn’t batted an eye and never told a soul as far as Shea knew, not even Shea’s mother, with whom Julia was close.

  And now Shea held proof of a secret that would devastate her marriage to Monster. It saddened Shea for what it would do to Julia. She hoped she wouldn’t have to play that card. But if Monster wouldn’t or couldn’t keep the Thunder from retaliating, she would do what was necessary.

  “Julia, Monster, this is my girlfriend, Jessica.”

  “Nice to finally meet you,” said Julia, shaking Jess’ hand.

  “Likewise,” said Jessica.

  “You’re early,” said Shea to Monster. Never in the years she’d known him had he set off her gaydar. Some people just hide it better than others, she thought.

  “Just enjoying the fair with my old lady.” He gave Julia a squeeze, then bent down to meet eyes with Annie. “Whatcha been eating that set your mouth on fire, little princess?”

  “Aunt Jessica gave me a Sriracha ball.” She continued to fan her mouth with her free hand, the drink firmly gripped in the other.

  Julia raised an eyebrow. “You giving this child spicy foods?”

  “First of all, she insisted on trying it,” said Shea. “Second of all, she’s fine. Mexican kids eat spicy food all the time.” Shea glared at Monster.

  Annie hugged Julia. “I missed you, Gramma Julia.”

  “Missed you, too, sweetheart.”

  Monster’s expression grew serious. “Shea, you and I need to talk.”

  “Jess, I’ll be back in a minu
te.” Shea led Monster over to a place next to one of the tents, out of the flow of traffic.

  “So,” said Shea, unable to keep from smirking. “Now you switch-hit for the all-boys’ team, huh?”

  Monster wouldn’t meet her gaze. “I don’t have to explain myself to you.”

  “No, but you might have to explain yourself to Julia. Or even One-Shot and the boys.”

  Monster looked up at her, fear and anger in his eyes. “Shea-Shea, please. You tell Julia, it’ll kill her. You tell the club, well…”

  “They’ll kill you. I know that. But right now they want to kill me and the gals in the Sisterhood. So if you want this to remain our little secret, you best convince them to live and let live.”

  “How’m I supposed to do that? Gator’s dead. One-Shot’s still recovering from the bullet you put in him. All ’cause you tried to break into the cabin. What the hell were you looking for, anyways?”

  “The hex you stole from the Jags. Somebody recut it with rat poison and people are dying.”

  “We sold that shit awhile ago.”

  “To who?”

  “I never met ’em.”

  “But you know who it is.”

  “Shea, if they found out I told you anything—”

  “And if you don’t tell me, I post that photo to the club’s Facebook page.”

  Monster rubbed his face and beard. “Why you gotta be like this?”

  “Because women are dying, Monster. Innocent women.”

  “Fine. We sold the hex to someone named Bonefish.”

  “Bonefish? Never heard of him.”

  “Me neither. I wasn’t involved in the exchange, so I never saw the dude. Just heard the name.”

  “How do I find this Bonefish?”

  “I hear he owns a bar.”

  “What bar?”

  “Sports bar called the Tenth Inning.”

  “In downtown Ironwood?”

  “Yeah.” He took a deep breath and let it out. “Jesus Christ on a cracker, I’m a dead man.”

  “Long as the Thunder backs off, you ain’t got nothing to worry about.”

  “Yeah, easier said than done. Now can Julia and me start spending time with Annie?”

  Shea studied him. She’d never seen him so humbled and broken like this. In his prime, he’d been a ruthless enforcer for the club. How long had he been living this double life? Years? Decades? And now the threat of exposure had completely unraveled him.

  “A few hours once a month.”

  “Bless you, Shea-Shea.”

  “Supervised.”

  “Supervised? What do ya think we’re gonna do? Molest our own grandbaby? I may be, uh…”

  “Gay? Come on, you can say the word.”

  “Fine. I’m gay. But I ain’t no pedophile.”

  “You prove you can handle this and you’re not involved in any violence, then I’ll consider unsupervised visits. I can’t risk exposing Annie to more of the club’s shit.”

  Monster crossed his arms and kicked the dirt. “I guess it’s a start.”

  “But I’m serious. I hear the Thunder’s hurt someone and you’re involved in any way, that’ll be the last you see of Annie. And I post the photo of you and your little bear cub. Oh and one more thing, that video of me shooting Hunter. I want it gone and not a word to anyone.”

  “Hand to God, I swear.” He held out his hand and Shea shook it. “Now let’s get back with them. I need to spend some time with my old lady and my grandbaby.”

  Chapter 30

  Indigo rode her K1600GT north on the dark road to Bradshaw City after she and Savage had spent the evening at Orphan’s apartment. Savage was riding at her five o’clock on her Honda Shadow 750.

  The worst of her cold symptoms were gone thanks to the home-remedy concoction Savage had given her, some pungent combination of kale, spinach, ginger, garlic, and horseradish. Maybe the cold germs found the remedy as distasteful as she did and skedaddled.

  The full moon glowed orange over the eastern horizon, burnishing the distant hilltops. This was the bliss she had longed for in the lonely days before her transition. Being acknowledged and accepted for who she was by friends who didn’t feel the need to put her in a box.

  Savage’s romantic interest in her had taken her by surprise. Indigo had all but given up on ever being in a relationship again. Too many lesbians wanted nothing to do with trans women. But Savage didn’t seem to have a problem with it. Indigo was almost afraid to hope this could turn into something long term.

  The ribbon of highway climbed through a series of sweeping curves. Mountains rose up to their right, blocking their view of the moon. To the left, the land fell away into a deep valley.

  A cluster of headlights appeared in her left-side mirror. At first she figured they were a couple of cars, but the throaty rumble of their engines told a different story. A group of Harleys. Four, maybe five of them.

  The Athena Sisterhood cuts she and Savage were wearing suddenly felt like giant targets on their backs. Indigo tried to ignore the tremor of fear creeping up her spine. Plenty of motorcycles around. Chances of them being Thundermen are slim.

  The other bikers caught up with Indigo and Savage and pulled alongside them in the oncoming lane.

  Nothing to see here. Just go on past.

  Indigo looked over. The biker next to her pulled ahead just far enough for her to see his Confederate Thunder patches gleaming in the moonlight. Her heart pounded.

  “Leave us alone!” shouted Indigo, her voice all but drowned out by the roar of the wind.

  The Thunderman kicked at her front tire. Indigo’s BMW bobbled for a second but recovered. She twisted the throttle. Her bike rocketed away from her pursuers.

  In her left-side mirror, she watched in horror as the other bikers converged on Savage, whose 750cc Harley Street had no chance of outrunning the Thundermen’s larger bikes. Savage’s headlight wobbled to the right and disappeared off the side of the road.

  Indigo tried not to think about what they would do to her as a trans woman of color if they caught her. But she couldn’t abandon her girlfriend to those animals. She had to turn around.

  The Thundermen caught up to her as she slowed, surrounding her in front, on her left, and from behind.

  She swerved onto the shoulder and locked up her brakes. The Thunderman zipped past, one nearly clipping her. They disappeared around a curve.

  Indigo took a moment to catch her breath, then turned her bike around to look for Savage. The shoulder of the northbound lane, where Savage had disappeared, had a small gulley, unlike the steep downhill on the southbound side.

  Indigo putted back down the road in first gear with her high beams, struggling to hear or see anything that would indicate Savage’s presence. A glow of a headlight caught her eye. I see ya, girl. I’m coming.

  As she approached, the Thundermen came charging up behind her like a pack of lions. A heavyset Thunderman on a beefy Electra Glide kicked the side of her bike. Indigo struggled to maintain control but at the lower speed, she didn’t have enough inertia to resist the blow. The bike swerved off the road and plummeted down the hill. For an instant, Indigo felt the crushing weight of her motorcycle roll over her before she slid into unconsciousness.

  —

  Shea lay in bed next to Jessica, gazing into her eyes, after the two of them had made love for the first time in weeks. “God, I’ve missed this.”

  Jessica grazed her nails along the back of Shea’s neck. “Maybe if you spent more time at home…”

  “I know, baby. I know.” Shea closed her eyes, riding the high of her last orgasm, amplified by Jess’ electric touch. “If Monster can get the Thunder to back off, and if this lead on the hex pans out, maybe the three of us can take a vacation somewhere. Once I get this one custom bike finished, that is.”

  “That’s a whole lot of ifs,” said Jessica.

  “Trust me, it’ll happen.” Shea’s phone rang. “Good Lord! Who the hell’s calling this time o’ night?”

/>   “Just send it to voicemail.”

  “I intend to.” Shea rolled over picked up the phone from the nightstand. “Shit. I gotta take this.”

  “Why?”

  “Labrys, it’s eleven thirty at night. What the fuck?”

  “Got a call from Savage. A group of Thundermen ran her and Indigo off the road four miles north of Ironwood on Highway 89.”

  “They okay?”

  “Savage is fine. Indigo’s a little banged up, but she’ll live. You’ve got a bike trailer, right, prospect?”

  “Yeah…” Shea didn’t like where this conversation was going.

  “Does it have a winch on it?”

  “Yeah, it’s got a winch.”

  Jessica scrunched her face in annoyance and shook her head. Shea held up her free hand and shrugged her shoulders.

  “Go pick them up.”

  Shea took a deep breath and let it out. “Yeah, all right. This is why we should be laying low right now. Not wearing our cuts everywhere.”

  “Don’t tell me how to run my club, prospect. I will deal with the Thunder.”

  “How?”

  “Never you mind. Just get out there and rescue Indigo and Savage.”

  “Labrys, don’t do nothing stupid. You’ll get yourself killed.”

  “I know what I’m doing. You just do what you’re told, prospect.”

  “Shit. All right. I’ll go pick them up.” Shea slammed the phone on the nightstand. “Dammit!”

  “What’s going on?” asked Jessica.

  “Indigo and Savage got run off the road by the Thundermen.”

  Jessica buried her face in her hands. “I thought Monster was gonna get them to lay off.”

  “Maybe he hasn’t had a chance to talk to them. Or maybe he did and they blew him off. I don’t know. But I can’t let Savage and Indigo freeze to death out there.”

  “So why do you have to go? Can’t someone else pick them up?”

  “For starters, I have a motorcycle trailer. And as a prospect, I’m at the bottom of the pecking order.”

  “How long will you be gone?”

  Shea rubbed her face and sighed. “Not more than a few hours.”

  “Well, hurry home. This bed gets awfully lonely without you.”

  Chapter 31

  Savage was sitting with her arm around Indigo on the side of the road when Shea pulled up in the shop truck pulling the enclosed bike trailer. The full moon was almost directly overhead, giving everything a silvery glow.