Tara
I wake up and my head is pounding. The room is dark except for a light coming in from under a door. I’m guessing it is the bathroom door. I hope so, because since I thought about it I need to go. I sit up slowly so I don’t hurt my head. I push the covers off and my twist around so my feet hit the floor. I get up faster because I can’t wait now. I walk over and push the door open. I don’t even close the door. I rush to the toilet and lift the seat and take care of my business. I wash my hands and wipe them on the towel on the counter. I leave the door open so I can find the light switch in the bedroom.
I find it and switch it on. I look around. I see a note on the night stand with bottles of medicine on top of it. I pick the note up and read it. Rome is in church with his brothers. I see the bottle of water beside my medicine but I think I need to eat before I try taking it. Rome tells me his spare key is in the top drawer of his dresser to use to get out and lock up when I leave. He said someone named Gertie would help me if I am hungry. I don’t really want to go out alone but if I am going to get live here, I might as well get used to it. I go to the dresser and get the keys out. I will take my medicine when I get back. I look down at myself and know I need to dress. I get the sweats I took off and put them back on. Then I pick my bra up and maneuver it back on under my shirt and fasten it. It takes me a few minutes because I am not good at it one handed.
I switch the light out and step out into the hall. I look up and down it and I don’t see anyone. I lock the door. I didn’t take the time to put my shoes on so I hope the floors are clean. I don’t think I even noticed earlier. I walk back the way we came and find the room were the bar is. I see a woman behind the bar. I walk up to her.
“Hello.” She says to me.
“Hi. I’m looking for Gertie. I’m Rome’s friend.” The woman laughs loud.
“You must be Tara. I’m Gertie. I’m Slick’s woman and you are Rome’s woman. I don’t think friend fits your situation.” The woman is bigger than life and I like her even if she did laugh at me.
“I didn’t know how to introduce myself. Rome left me a note and said if I needed anything to find you. I need to eat so I can take my medicine. Do you think you could show me where I could find something?” I don’t want to sound presumptuous. “Anything will do, maybe chips.”
“Follow me and I will show you the kitchen. I’ll fix you a sandwich.” Gertie starts walking down a hall and I follow.
“Don’t go to any trouble. Just point me in the right direction and I can wait on myself. I don’t want to be a bother.” I tell the woman while following her. We make it to the kitchen and I smell pizza before I get there.
“No worries, sweetheart. I am like a mom to all these boys. Someone needs to wipe their noses and tell them when to wipe their asses. Since Callie has arrived I have taken a step back. My ol’ man is in retirement but we are usually here two or three days a week. Bikers don’t know how to retire.
“Looks like you are in luck. The boys left some pizza, help yourself. The plates are over there and drinks are in the refrigerator.” Gertie keeps going on. I get a plate out and put a couple of pieces of pizza on it. I go to the refrigerator and get a bottle of cold water. “I’ll sit with you while you eat and we can get to know each other. Your ol’ man, Rome, I don’t know as well as others. He keeps to himself and is kind of quiet.” I sit at the table and start to eat. I chew the first bite and then open my water and drink some water.
“What is church? Rome has mentioned it a couple of times.” I ask Gertie. If I am going to learn, now is the time.
“It’s what our men call a meeting. No nonmembers are to enter unless invited. They say very little about what it is going on in there and if Rome does mention anything then keep it to yourself. What your man shares with you is between the two of you, only.” Gertie is trying to help. I just hope I don’t forget anything.
“Terrance told me that Honey Girl was giving you shit earlier. She is one of the low people in the line of people in this club. Terrance will not give you shit but Honey Girl will. Put her in her place. If you don’t, she will run over you. The brothers with ol’ ladies are out-numbered in this club. There’s three of us now. The other brothers bring the club girls in and they serve their purpose. It isn’t pretty. It is what it is. There’s no reason to disrespect the girls just don’t let them run over you. Rome is your man and just like he claimed you, so no man touches you, you need to do the same. Right now, there are only the two. We had some trouble a couple of years ago and out of respect for Callie the brothers have only brought Honey Girl in but they have hang arounds. They’ll bring more in as we grow. You are an ol’ lady and you stand your ground or some of those girls will eat you up and spit you out. I have seen Rome around Honey Girl and he is firm with her. I’ve never seen him with a club girl.” I have been eating while Gertie has gone on.
“Rome told me. I trust him until he proves I can’t. Rome said not to bring trouble to the club so how can I stand up to the club girls?” I ask Gertie.
“When another woman has her hands on your man that is not bringing trouble to the club. The other woman is bringing the trouble. You stand your ground and I don’t mean a slapping cat fight. You whoop their ass with your fist. The brothers will respect you for it and the club girls will learn to respect your territory.” Gertie is very serious. “The way you treat Rome and the rest of the brothers will get you respect from the club.” I finish the last of my pizza. I was starving. “You want more?”
“No, thank you. I am full. Thank you for helping me and the advice.” I tell Gertie “How long do these meeting usually take?”
“There’s no telling. They have some important business to take care of. They’ve been in there a couple of hours now.” I look for a clock and I see it is after nine. I am not tired but I would like some alone time. I get up and go to the sink and rinse my plate, then put it in the dishwasher. I dry my hands and walk back to the table.
“I am going back to Rome’s room to take my medicine and try to get some more rest.” I tell Gertie.
“Alright, sweetie. It was good talking to you for a bit. I will be around and if you need any help adjusting, you just come find old Gert.” Gertie stands up and walks to me and scoops me up in a big motherly hug. I hug her back.
“Thank you for your help and I enjoyed talking to you, too.” Gertie lets me go and I walk back to Rome’s room. I unlock the door and go in and switch the light on and lock the door from the inside. I drop my sweats off beside the bed and take my bra off and get comfortable on the bed. I take my medicine. There’s television I could watch but I am feeling tired again. I am thinking I am going to get up and switch the light off but my eyes close and I just fade out.