“What are you doing with him?” Talon grilled as soon as I entered the cabin.

“He gave me a ride home, nothing more. It's nine miles to town. He was being helpful.”

“Don't you think it's a little soon for you to be on the back of another man's bike?”

No, I really didn't. The truth was, besides Drake taking from me whenever he wanted, we hadn't had a real relationship in a long time, so no I didn't feel guilty.

“You're reading too much into it. And do you know what, Talon? I really don't have to answer to you about this.” I sighed, she didn't deserve my irritation. “I'm sorry. Listen, I'm still sore, and I walked a bunch of miles on the way into work before Mickey saw me and offered me a ride and I worked on top of that. I'm just tired. Forgive me for snapping, okay?”

I plopped down on the couch and took my shoes off. I was tired. I curled my legs up to my chest and looked around, noticing that Talon set up a television and VCR on a small table.

“You did that?” I asked.

“Sue stopped by with a bunch of movies, but I have no idea how to make them work. I've never seen movies like that before.” She grabbed the box of VHS tapes and sat next to me.

I smiled wide. “E.T.! I love this movie.”

I got up and fiddled with the wires in the back of the VCR then sat down next to my daughter and watched the movie. Talon laughed about the quality of the film, and I laughed that she’d never seen a movie like this before. The movie ended, and I noticed Talon crying. “What is it, honey?”

“It’s nothing. It’s stupid.” She wiped away her tears and stood up to go into her room.

“Something has you upset. What is it? Don’t shut me out,” I pleaded with my daughter. She looked torn like she wasn’t sure what she wanted to say.

“I just miss my friends. I get it; why we're here. I never want to see you hurt again, but it’s hard.”

That took a lot for her to say. I stood and wrapped my arms around her. “I love you, honey. We’ll get through this. Why don’t you get ready for bed? New school tomorrow.”

“Alright, Mom.” She gave me a sad look, and I realized she was now taller than me. At five-three, I’d always thought she’d outgrow me, especially since her dad was so tall.

I placed my fingers under her chin, “Chin up, baby. It’ll get easier.”

She nodded her head, “I’m going to shower.”

I watched her walk away from me and prayed that she would get through this. I’d been scarred from my own upbringing. I never wanted this for Talon, but maybe she could see how hard I was fighting to make things right for her, for the both of us.

I walked outside and sat on the little porch. The air cooled down some, and it felt like the Indian summer might finally start coming to an end. We weren’t directly on the lake, more like across the street with several cottages blocking us from seeing the entire thing, but even in the early evening, it looked beautiful.

I wanted to stare at the beauty unimpended by the small cottages across the street. I thought about the boat slip I passed yesterday and decided that was precisely where I needed to go to clear my head. After letting Talon know I was going for a walk, I walked the short three minutes to the boat slip.

Up close, I could tell that it was newer, with the wood appearing more of an artificial material meant to withstand the weather. This close the lake looked more clear than green, and I realized that the unique green color was more of a reflection than anything. I sat on the edge and dangled my feet into the cool water.

The sky was growing darker by the second and the blue sky was suddenly tinged with pinks and hues of orange and red. It gave me peace, making me feel as if the world held a beauty I’d yet to discover. With everything I'd been through, I was angry with the world, but maybe I needed to start embracing this new place and hoping that there truly was beauty out there.

***

I AWOKE FORGETTING that I had no car and thinking about how badly it would suck for Talon and me to have to walk miles upon miles into school. The sun was barely up when I heard a knock at my door. Anyone coming here scared the bejesus out of me, and I had to remind myself that if it were Drake, he wouldn't knock.

Moving to the door, I peeked out of the window to see who was there. Mickey stood there with a carefree expression on his face. I wasn’t quite sure what to do about his interest in us, but I couldn't deny that we needed help and his aversion to violence against women soothed some of my worries. Not all of them of course, as I’d never in my wildest dreams thought Drake would hurt me.

I opened the door and sucked in the smallest intake of breath. Mickey smelled good, and I mean incredibly good. I had no idea what that scent was, but it surely was worn to seduce a woman. He was freshly showered. His hair was slightly wet, and I could tell he’d just trimmed his facial hair.

“Mornin’,” he greeted.

“Mickey?” I responded stepping outside on the porch not wanting to wake up Talon yet.

“Ye need to get her off to school?”

“I’ll be waking her soon.”

“Here,” he stretched his hand dangling keys in the air.

“Take my car until I have yers ready.”

“Mickey, that’s too much. Thank you for your kindness, but really it’s way too generous.”

“Nonsense. I’ll be riding until the weather breaks. I insist. Besides, what are ye going to do? Make her walk?”

I blew out a large puff of air. Mickey was right. Again. Resigned to the inevitable, I grabbed the keys from his hand, “Thanks, Mickey.”

“Ye workin’ later?”

“Yes, so I hope the bus will bring her home.”

“It will. Middle schoolers ride with the high schoolers. Zeke takes the bus every day.” I noticed how Mickey’s accent didn’t always come out so strong and wondered how long he’d been in the States. I hated to admit it, but I liked the sound of his voice. The richness of it, combined with dialect, was near musical.

“You sure know a lot about him.” I was talking about Zeke. Mickey seemed to know more than most would about some club kid.

“His Ma just lives around the corner.” I wanted to laugh. So, that was Mickey’s thing; he helped the damsel in distress. Well alright, at least I knew his attention wasn't on me. I nodded my head and looked at him for the quickest second with skepticism. He caught it and amended his statement.

“She’s in the clubhouse quite often. That lass has a thing for my brother. Zeke’s a good kid, just needs some direction.”

Okay, so, wrong again.

I knew Talon would need to be up soon and I didn't want her to see Mickey again, so I nodded and quickly closed the screen door.

“Thanks, again,” I told him, got a head nod, and watched him walk away. I closed the door and paused. I had a small flutter in my belly. I’d forgotten what that felt like. He was kind, and it was scary. That was fucked up wasn't it; that a man’s kindness felt somehow like a threat? Is that what years of being with Drake had taught me?

I brought Talon to school and told her that the shop had loaner cars for everyone whose car they were working on. She looked at me skeptically. I wasn't even sure why I lied to her, but a part of me felt guilty. Still, there was another part of me that felt like I was being rebellious, and that it was okay because I deserved to have someone treat me kindly.

The school was easier than I thought it would be to enroll Talon in. I had worried about paperwork and transcripts, but once I explained in private to a very sympathetic principal why we were here, she assured me that she would take care of things. What that entailed, I didn’t know, but so many things about this town made me feel like they looked out for each other.

Talon seemed judgey and wasn’t overly thrilled about being there. I pleaded with her to make the most of it. After a quick goodbye, I stopped at the grocery store, picked up a few more odds and ends and went back to the cottage to get ready for my lunch shift.

The bar had a few men sitting at it when I arrived. None of which I recognized from the day before. Jack’s eyes lit when he saw me, “Hey, there, Marie.”

“Hi, Jack,” I said softly. Something about him, made me feel at ease.

“Evelyn’s in the back brewing tea.”

“Great I’ll get the coffee started.”

“About yesterday...” Jack began, but I cut him off.

“Don’t want to go there, Jack.”

“I know that, honey. What I was going to tell you was that if you’re still in pain and need a minute, you let me know, okay?”

I placed my hand on top of Jack’s, “Thank you.”

He shrugged his shoulders as if to say no big deal, then he got busy cleaning glasses behind the bar. I got busy with coffee and started my shift. An hour into my shift, once Jack knew that I had everything down, he said, “I got shit to do,” then left Evelyn and me to it.

Evelyn, I was learning was quiet around Jack, but she was anything but that around me. “Well, spill it,” she said while waiting for me to pour three tall drafts from the tap.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I replied.

“Everything. Yesterday, with Mickey.”

“He's just a friend,” I explained.

“Sure, mmhmm. If you don’t want to tell me.”

I laughed, “Silly girl. I’m telling you, he’s only being neighborly that’s all.”

She looked to the door and said conspiratorially, “Looks like the neighbor is paying another visit.”

My eyes trailed hers. Opening the door to Benny’s was Mickey, followed by three other bikers. I knew this, not only because of the matching vests they wore, but because of the beautiful custom bikes that I saw from the bar window. How I’d not heard them, I had no idea. I finished pouring the drafts for Evelyn, and she grabbed all three with ease. Then, I approached Mickey. “Hey, Mickey.”

“Marie, this is Jules, Daws, and Jarrod,” Mickey signaled to each man as he said their name. Jules was the man from the side of the road yesterday. He had stylish blonde hair that looked dyed and a long beard. Daws was clean shaven with long brown hair pulled back in a ponytail then there was Jarrod. Jarrod looked younger than the rest. He was a blonde with hair cut close to his head. He was cute if you liked the babyface look.

“Marie’s new around here, be nice,” he warned jokingly.

“I’m always nice. How nice can I be?” Jarrod joked, and Mickey met his joke with a glare that shut Jarrod up.

“I’m a gentleman. Relax, old man.”

“I’ll show ye old man when I’m shoving my foot up yer arse.”

Daws chuckled.

I interrupted, “What can I get you?”

“Drafts for all of us,” Mickey answered.

“You want a Guinness?” I asked remembering what I saw him drinking yesterday.

“Nah, get us Yuengling. We’re just on our lunch break. I’ll have a bacon cheeseburger, medium.”

“Second that,” Jules said.

“Third,” Daws added.

“I’ll have the Cobb salad,” Jarrod said with a grin.

“Really, a fucking salad?” Daws asked giving Jarrod a side eye.

“What? I’m watching my figure.” Mickey gave Jarrod a look, and Jarrod started laughing.

“I’m fucking with ya. Bacon and swiss for me.”

I got busy putting in their orders and pouring their beers. It felt like Mickey was watching me while I did all of this. It confused me, because for the second time today, I had that weird butterfly sensation in my stomach. I threw napkins down in front of each of the guys, then set down their beers. “Should be about ten or so minutes for the burgers.”

Mickey grabbed my attention, “How’d the lass do this mornin’?”

“It was alright. She’s nervous.” I wanted to tell him that she was angry that she had to start over, but that wasn’t his business. It wasn't a story I should share.

“It’s a good school. She’s a pretty girl. Bet she’ll do just fine.”

Daws's phone vibrated on the bar, and he picked it up, “Aub baby,” he cooed then stood up and walked outside with his phone.

A man on the opposite side of the bar put a finger up requesting another, and I quickly moved away from Mickey. Before I knew it, more people came into the bar, and I began serving them. Evelyn got a rush on the floor as well, and the lunch hour seemed to get very busy. I set the burgers down in front of the guys and moved fast to make sure everyone was taken care of. I realized how quick the lunch rush could be, and all too soon, I was setting a check down in front of Mickey.

“My turn.” Jules grabbed the check and handed me a card. I quickly snatched it up, since I knew I'd have another order up in a minute. I slid the card through the machine. While it was printing, I grabbed the next order, placed it down in front of the lonely looking old man at the far end of the bar, then grabbed the receipt and set the slip in front of Jules with a pen to sign.

“Might have yer car done sooner rather than later. I’ll swing by and let ye know.” Before I could protest or say anything at all, Mickey was walking out the door followed by his friends. I grabbed the credit card receipt and the leftover dishes, and noticed a twenty under Mickey’s plate. The bill was only forty-five dollars. Twenty on forty-five was more than generous.

The next hour was still busy, then as quickly as the lunch rush started, it was over. The crowds came in fast and departed just as quickly. Today was way different than yesterday and an hour after the rush Jack returned.

“How’d she do?” he asked Evelyn.

“You’re right, Jack She’s a pro,” she responded. I realized he’d thrown me into the weeds on purpose. I liked being busy and feeling like I was good at something. I also really enjoyed working and not having Drake watching over me like a hawk. It felt good.

During the next two hours, I felt more carefree than I had in a while and by the time four o’clock rolled around, I was both tired and re-energized from working hard, if that even made sense? I drove home and found Talon sitting outside on the porch talking with Zeke. When I exited the car, Zeke quickly stood.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, pretty bird.” There he went with the pretty bird again. He walked past me and gave me a chin lift like he was much older than his fifteen years.

“How was school?” I sat down next to Talon and received a shrug in response. Her long blonde hair was braided in a loose braid falling off of her left shoulder. She had light mascara on, but other than that, wore no makeup.

“School,” was her one-word response.

Okay. Teenage drama.

“I brought dinner.” I moved to the car and grabbed the two Styrofoam boxes that Jack had sent home with me. “I sold a ton of these today. They looked delicious.” I sat next to her and opened the box. The smell of the burgers made my mouth water.

We’d been living on pasta and apples. This seemed like a delicacy. Talon grabbed her box and went to town. She must’ve been just as sick of the bland food I’d bought as I was.

“O.M.G. this is so good,” she said between bites. I couldn't argue with her, it was fabulous. My burger was nearly gone when I noticed Mickey walking up.

“Him again?” Talon asked.

“Mickey told me the car was almost fixed. I’m sure that’s why he’s here.”

Talon huffed, picked up her Styrofoam box and moved into the cottage. I let out a sigh, because... teenagers. Mickey approached with his casual yet confident stride. Where Drake made men fear him with his attitude, it felt like Mickey attracted people to him just by being himself. I realized then, that was power all in itself. He had the same jeans on from earlier, but wore only a white T-shirt. It was clean like he’d just changed into it. His icy blue eyes seemed to follow my movements as I sat the burger down and stood.

“Ye work tomorrow?” he asked with little greeting.

“No, tomorrow Jack has it covered. I'm doing some work around here. Not on again until Saturday. I wasn’t even supposed to work that, but Evelyn said she had to study and gave up her shift as soon as I’d offered to take any of hers.”

“Good. One more part will be in tomorrow morning, so I’ll swing by around lunch and grab ye.”

“Sounds good, Mickey. Thank you.” He gave me a head nod and walked away. Damn what a view it was.