Rebel Betty
Page 16
“Moved many in the audience to tears. “The heroin epidemic is destroying the lives of husbands and brothers, daughter and sons. But it is my belief that the love of our families is our greatest source of strength.”
"In her speech Gilbert referenced her career in the motorcycle industry, and her interest in mechanics became an inspiration for the more unconventional aspects of the facility. In addition to receiving counseling from therapists and counselors, residents of the treatment facility will be given the option to receive vocational training from Gilbert, who gained worldwide renown for her development of the Rebel Betty Motorcycle company and clothing line, which was acquired by a competitor before her retirement from the industry.”
“I still can’t believe you sold the Knucklehead,” Thad said, looking up at her as she mixed sausage into the waffle dough
“It was a part of my past, not the future. And besides, the press covering the auction was good publicity.”
“And it made a hell of a lot of money.”
“That, too. It should keep the light on for a few years, at least. The next bike that I build will probably have a sidecar.” She reached over and ruffled his hair. “Maybe then you will ride with me.”
“The sale of Gilbert’s 1947 Harley Davidson Knucklehead provided a significant source of funding for the center. The auction, held in December, brought in a record amount for a motorcycle of that year, though the winner of the auction has chosen to remain anonymous.”
“As though we both don’t know who bought it,” Thad grumbled. “I wish your ex would stay out of our lives. The way he circles around you…”
“Don’t worry, Rocky, he keeps his distance. It’s your brothers that he comes around for. Those boys are thick as thieves.
He kept reading, skipping over the parts that chronicled the construction of the clinic. After finishing the front page coverage, he turned to the back section, where he was surprised to see a picture of himself kissing Lara after her speech, one hand draped across her belly. She looking stunning, clothed in a slinky red dress that had done nothing to disguise her pregnancy, and the eye of every man in the room had been drawn to her like a moths to a flame. Kenzie was holding on to Lara’s other hand, looking for all the world like her oldest child, which she was. Though it had taken years, the wounds on the little girl’s heart had finally healed. She was whole again, a bright, happy child who loved her family and looked forward to the birth of her baby brother with maniacal glee.
He would have to call the newspaper and see about getting a print of the photo. Maybe he could use it for the back copy of his new book about the burial mound. After two years of excavation, the dig and his book, were nearing completion. From the field out back, he could faintly hear the hum of the volunteers and students as they back filled the grids with dirt. Human remains had been discovered in the heart of the mound, and after being studied and dated, they had been returned there. For him, it had brought the journey full circle.
Placing the paper to the side, Thad walked over and put his arms around his wife. Though he could barely reach around her, she had never seemed so beautiful to him
“What should we do today, Larry?”
The answer came to her lips immediately, along with a smile. “Let’s go make a few more memories.”
Acknowledgements
For my circle of writing friends: Becky, who has been with me from the beginning, Wanda who is always there to lend a hand, and Sandie. You guys are the best.