Solidarity
by Adelle Laudan
Smashwords Edition
Copyright © 2010 Adelle Laudan
This book not available in print
Cover illustration by Adelle Laudan © 2010
Smashwords Edition License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Ebook ISBN 978 0 9865413-8-4
Ontario, Canada
Dedicated to all
Downed Riders
&
Families
***
A friend knocks on your door.
A brother walks right in and says,
“I’m home!”
~1~
Gut wrenching pain jolted him awake several times in the night. Unable to convey his agony with anyone, he concentrated on the rhythmic beat of the rain dancing on his window to lull him back to sleep. It seemed like only minutes passed before the hum of the floor cleaner outside his door nudged him awake. Shag pried his eyes open a mere sliver. Rays of sunlight reflected through the lingering raindrops and cast tiny rainbows on the crisp white sheets.
His leg lay exposed atop the sheet. Bruised and battered, aged tattoos of naked women now resembled characters from a B-rated horror flick. The only remnant of his other leg lay beneath a heavily bandaged stump.
Shag choked back the vile substance being pumped into his body through a long tube stuck down his throat. The slight turn of his head sent a streak of liquid fire down his spine, erasing all hope he might wake up any moment from this God-awful nightmare.
Anger and confusion duelled within him as he desperately tried to grab hold of a thread of memory, but all he managed to do is unravel more questions.
Warmth spread the length of his body and eased the panic within. Shag closed his eyes and welcomed the darkness of a drug-induced sleep.
* * *
“Come on.” Larry gave the cord binding his sleeping bag to the backrest on his bike a final tug. “We were supposed to be on the road an hour ago.”
Shag laughed at his friend’s inevitable impatience. “Chill brother. We got plenty of time.”
Shag’s old lady bent over to pick up a piece of paper, giving him the perfect opportunity to pat her behind.
Lucy shooed his hand away as she stood and clasped her hands at the back of his neck. “You just remember your promise, and come home to me in one piece.” She whispered in his ear and stole one last nuzzle against his neck.
“Don’t you worry ‘bout me, Sugar. You know I’ll always come home to you.”
As much as he’d miss her, he’d looked forward to this trip for almost a year now. Larry, Bones and he meticulously planned every aspect of the run to Michigan for the Easy Rider Rodeo. All three of their bikes were primed and ready to rock the 650 clicks ahead of them.
Every inch of his low-rider’s’ sleek lines sparkled. Long before he’d opened his eyes, Lucy buffed every inch of her and made sure the saddlebags were packed with everything needed. He’d sure lucked out with Lucy. Even after ten years, his crotch still ached at the memory of her bent over a bench while an artist tattooed a portrait of his face on her left cheek, forever emblazoned to his memory and her sweet ass.
Not bad for a mangy old biker.
Shag chuckled as he tied back his long, dark mane. He’d just straddled his ride when he heard Bones’ bike gearing down. Seconds later he rounded the corner of his driveway. His massive frame dwarfed his midnight blue, Fatboy.
Bones’ size alone had mothers pulling their children close to their sides. If they took the time to look real close, they’d see the twinkle in his baby blues. Bad assed biker. The same guy they protected their children from, spent much of the riding season organizing Toy Runs for kids in need.
Only a fool would mistake his kind heart for being a pussy. One time a guy was foolish enough to slap a chick in his presence. Before the guy could turn his head Bones picked the asshole up with one hand and threw him through a plate glass window.
“Finally.” Larry furrowed his brow. “What the fuck is up with you guys? Am I the only one who wants to get there before night fall?”
Bones laughter set the chains holding his vest together in motion. “Relax, little man.” He pulled a bandana from his pocket and wiped his brow. “The girls at the Rodeo won’t start the party without ya.”
“Very funny.” Larry folded his arms across his firm chest. “I wanna get there sometime this century.”
“Well quit your whining and let’s go.” Shag laughed.
In a matter of moments they were off. If someone looked dead on at them, they’d think Bones rode solo. His mass covered Larry riding directly behind him and Shag tail gunning. Larry might be a pain in the ass most of the time, but his ’53 Indian Chief was a sight to behold. The iridescent cream paint changed color at each bend in the road. If it wasn’t for the black leather he wore, he’d of been lost in the color scheme with his bald head and fair complexion.
As they turned onto the highway, all thoughts carried on the wind as the three of them settled in their rides and lost themselves in the open road before them.
* * *
“Shag…open your eyes, baby.” Lucy lightly kissed his cheek.
Her angelic voice carried in the wind and once again he awakened in a hospital bed. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t muster up the strength to open his eyes.
“Come on baby…I know you’re in there.”
Like opening a rusty old crate that sat outside a few too many seasons, his eyes opened. Bright sunlight temporarily blinded him, and he blinked rapidly, trying to focus on the blurred image at his side. The familiar scent of sandalwood caressed him and coaxed him to try again, until finally his gaze settled on her long black hair and a trail of tears glistened on her olive skin.
“Hi there.” Shag hardly recognized his own voice. It was as if someone took sandpaper to the inside of his throat.
“Don’t try to talk, baby.” Lucy pressed a cool damp cloth against his forehead.
Reality seeped in. The sight of his bandaged stump sent a shiver through his body.
“My leg…”
The flicker of fear in her doe-like eyes did not go unnoticed.
“Not now, Shag. You’ve been asleep for a very long time. You need your strength.”
As she moved the cool cloth down the sides of his face, his eyes closed, and try as he might, he simply didn’t have the strength to fight. Darkness claimed him once again.
* * *
The rumble of his belly sounded over the medley of engines, and his gas gage told his stomach it was time they both filled up. Shag signalled over his head and watched for Bones confirmative nod in his mirror. Soon they followed his lead off the highway and into a pit stop.
Twenty minutes later they sat in a booth scarfing down the greasiest burgers on the planet. Funny thing about putting a few miles on, it made almost anything taste good.
“Well guys, we’re almost half way there.” Shag stretched his arms up over his head and yawned.
“Whatsa matter ol’ man?” Bones wiped a trail of grease from his chin. “Do you need a nap?”
“You keep eating like that and we’ll have to roll you out of here.” He took a bill from his wallet and tossed it on the table.
“Well, I’m ready to roll. Let’s get back on the road. We can still make it there before dark if we leave now.” Larry pushed away from the table and stood.
“Yes sir!” Shag saluted.
“Fuck you.” Bones growled and sunk his teeth into a second burger.
“Well you can sit here and eat ‘til you blow up. I’m outa here.” Larry shouted back over his shoulder as he headed for the door.
“What’s his problem?” Bones shook his head.
Shag shrugged. “I guess he caught a whiff of pussy in the wind.” He winked. “I’ll go get him to relax a minute. You take your time, wouldn’t want to see you waste away to nothing.”
Bones devoured the second half of his burger in one bite.
Shag opened the door from the diner and shielded his eyes from the blazing sun. Quickly, he pulled his shades from his vest and put them on. Across the lot, Larry sat on his ride with his arms folded across his chest, impatience lined his brow.
“He’ll be out in just a couple of minutes.” Shag shouted over the screech of a transport pulling up to the pump.
“I’m not going to wait all day. I promise you that much.”
“Chill bro.” Shag patted his shoulder and meandered off to where his girl sat in the shade.
All the TLC sure paid off. She’d never run smoother. From his saddlebag he pulled out a light denim shirt Lucy purposely packed on top. ‘Remember how you burn baby and put this on when the sun gets hot’. The coolness of the fabric against his warm skin reminded him just how well she knew him.
If that means I’m pussy-whipped…I’m lovin’ every minute of it.
“Are we ready to rumble?”Bones rubbed his massive hands together as he neared his bike.
Shag laughed as Larry started his bike without a reply.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” He chuckled and winked at Shag.
~2~
“Sit down please, Mrs. Mann.” The doctor implored.
Lucy paced anxiously in front of the bulky desk. She hadn’t slept a wink since Shag opened his eyes three days ago.
“You need to sit, Lucy.” Dr. Lindon tried to soothe her. “You aren’t going to be of any use to anyone if you make yourself sick.”
With a sigh, bordering on tears, she flopped into a large cushioned armchair. Feeling very much like a little girl in the principal’s office, she drew her slender legs up to her chest and buried her head in her arms. Her long black hair draped around herself like a cloak .
“We need to discuss what is happening with your husband. It is not uncommon for someone in his situation who has been in a coma for this length of time to drift in and out of unconsciousness. His body is going to need a lot of therapy in order to function properly. Remember, he’s not only dealing with the loss of his leg, but living without a spleen means he’s at high risk for infection. For the rest of his life he’ll have to be real careful, since the spleen plays a crucial role in the body’s ability to fight certain bacteria. His leg will take a long time to completely heal. If the wound were to get infected...” His fingers steepled under his chin. “Let’s just make sure that doesn’t happen and concentrate on his therapy. It’s going to be an extremely painful and tiresome process.”
“It’s been six months.” Lucy cried. “I never thought I’d see those blue eyes again…” The last thread of her fragile demeanour broke and she sobbed uncontrollably.
Several minutes later, she peered over her folded arms to find the doctor reading from a thick file. “I’m sorry.” Lucky hiccupped.
“You’ve been very brave these past few months, Lucy. “ His voice calmed her. “Shag will need your strength more than ever to get him through this time. When it completely registers he lost his leg, it’s hard to predict his reaction. In the meantime you need to get some sleep.”
“I am not leaving this hospital.” She spoke firmly.
“How did I know you’d say that?” Dr. Lindon smirked. “We put a cot in his room several weeks ago. I think it’s high time you used it, don’t you?”
She rose, defeated.
“Doctors orders, Lucy.” His glasses teetered precariously on the tip of his nose. “You get some sleep and then we’ll discuss our next move.”
Through a veil of tears she nodded and turned to the door. Her proud stature born of her Cherokee heritage was withered and beaten.
Doctor Lindon rose from behind his desk and gently tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and guided her down the hall to her bed.
* * *
Like mercury climbing an old thermometer, adrenaline surged through his veins. Every on-ramp they passed brought more and more bikes—a sea of black leather and chrome for as far as the eye could see. Shag took a deep breath.
So much power in one place...what a rush.
It became difficult to see the lines on the road as a swarm of bikes engulfed him from all sides. Periodically, he’d look down from a rise in the road to see the cab of a transport break the symmetry of black on black.
“This is gonna take forever.” Larry shouted over the noise. “I’m going up ahead to see what’s going on.”
“It’s not going to be any better up there. Why don’t you just relax, we’re all in the same boat.”
Larry shrugged and twisted his throttle, weaving in and out of traffic until he reached he shoulder. Totally oblivious to the one finger salutes offered him by several disgruntled riders.
He better watch his step. There are some pretty heavy hitters on the road right now.
Shag shook his head and turned his attention back on the road, just in time to see a bike at the top of a hill go down, setting in motion a domino effect. He had nowhere to go—wedged in tighter than a sardine in a can. People honked horns and cursed at each other, whereas some ditched their bikes and ran to the shoulder of the road and scrambled over the guardrail. Pandemonium filled the three lanes, and headed straight for him.
Seemingly out of nowhere a semi pulled up beside him, inching precariously into his lane. As the chain reaction neared him, he knew he was going down and couldn’t move a muscle--like being frozen to the spot. In the same moment the bike ahead of him was shoved back into him, Shag put his arms up to protect his head. Thoughts of Lucy filled his mind as his body came down hard on the asphalt. The crunch of chrome and iron deafened him, but not enough to mask the cracking of his bones as his bike was swallowed whole, into the belly of the transport truck.
~3~
Lucy rolled back her shoulders and took a deep cleansing breath. She never knew what side of Shag lay on the other side of the door from one day to the next. With a definitive nod she put her hand on the door.
“How’s my man today?” Lucy walked into the room with yet another card wishing him well. She reached over his small bedside table and added it to the collection on the windowsill. Flowers, multi-colored balloons and a stack of magazines decorated every open surface in the room.
There were even a couple bottles of whiskey in the mix, but she took them home for fear he’d get into them on a bad day when left alone. Jack coupled with the heavy duty meds they had him take made for a lethal combination.
“I’m just fucking wonderful.”
Four months had passed since Shag awakened from the coma, almost a year since the accident. Each day she prayed to the Great Spirits of her ancestors to see the smile he’d once greeted her with every day.
When the reality of losing his leg had sunk in, he remained silent for almost two weeks. Gradually he talked again, but refused to discuss the loss of his leg, with anyone. Thankfully he agreed to therapy, a painful process he worked hard at on a daily basis.
Bones and Larry were frequent visitors throughout the long months he lay in a coma. Now, Shag refused to see them, or anyone else for that matter. At one point he even refused to see her but she wasn’t going anywhere. Thankfully he accepted that no matter what he did or how harsh he spoke to her, she wasn’t going anywhere.
“Bones called again.” Lucy fiddled with a flower arrangement.
“You know how I feel about that.” He shook his head. “Tell him to stop wasting his time and go for a ride.”
“He cares about you, Shag.” She sat at the edge of his bed. “He really wants to see you.”
“It ain’t happening. Do you think I want him or anyone else looking at me like I’m the main attraction in a freak show?” Shag rubbed his face roughly with his hands. “My God, Lucy, I can barely stand to look at myself.” He turned his back to her and stared out the window. From previous discussions not unlike this one, Lucy knew she was being dismissed.
“You’re coming home this Friday, Shag.” Lucy gathered a bag of laundry and her purse. “Do you really plan on keeping all of your brothers away? They were here for me like no other family could have been. Bones never left your bedside over the first month you were here. After that, they sat in shifts, Bones, Larry, and Tiny…all of them!” Lucy heard the tremor in her voice and cleared her throat.
She gazed down at the man she’d shared a bed with for over ten years, and wrestled with whether to cry or lash out at him. Not willing to risk saying or doing something she’d regret later, she opted to do nothing.
“You know, Baby, you can be as angry at the world and all who love you as long as you need to be.” She leaned over and kissed his flushed cheek. “I’m not giving up on you, and neither are the guys from the club. I want you to think about something for me. What would you do if it were one of them in this hospital bed?”
Silence permeated the room. It didn’t matter whether he responded or not. She’d given him something to think about. Lucy opened the door and took one last glance over her shoulder. “I love you, Shag. Don’t you forget it.”
* * *
Shag hated feeling the way he did, but most of all he hated the way he treated Lucy.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
A knock at the door stole his attention.
“Shag, you have a visitor.”
“Check the fucking chart. I’m not taking visitors.”
“Well tough shit, you’re getting one.” Bones’ familiar baritone filed the room.
Shag pulled the sheet up to his waist and held it firmly in place. “What are you doing here? I think I made it pretty clear I want to be left alone.” He turned away.
The sound of a chair scraping against the tile had him gritting his teeth. Before he opened his eyes, he knew Bones sat beside him.
“I’d like to know what the fucking big deal is about coming to see me. The sun is shining in case you haven’t noticed. You should be out there riding.”
Bones’ expression sobered and he stroked his jaw. “In case you forgot, you weren’t the only one who went down that day. While you’re up here with a serious hate-on for the world, a few people out there had to bury a loved one who didn’t make it.”
“I wish I...”
Bones shook his head vehemently. “Don’t, don’t you dare say it, you self-centered ass.”
Shag narrowed his gaze at his friend. “You have no idea how I feel, or what it’s like to wake up and only have one fucking leg.”
Bones stood and shrugged. “You’re right, I don’t know. You know, you would’ve liked the Shag I knew. Tough as nails, he was. It would’ve taken more than losing a leg for him to give up, especially with such a great gal as Lucy at his side.”
Shag opened his mouth, but his friend’s dark eyes silenced him. “Save it. Don’t you worry, you don’t want anyone around, you got it. You know how to get a hold of me.”
Shag swallowed hard as watched Bones leave the room.
“Son of a Bitch.”
~4~
The fragrant scent of fresh cut grass and magnolia blossoms wafted through the house as Lucy opened the window of the screen door. Shag had been home for three months now and manoeuvred around their small house quite well with crutches, but refused to venture outside. Prosthetics and the topic of riding again were adamantly deemed off limits.
Rather than push the issue, she concentrated on showing him how much she loved him, with or without his leg. At first he refused any visitors, but over the past couple of weeks their friends had become more and more persistent, and Shag’s resistance grew weaker and weaker. Finally laughter filled their house again when two or three of them sat together listening to tunes and tossing back a few cold ones.
The rumble of motorcycles filled the air. Shag looked up from his paper and his gaze fell on the open window.
“Oh great! Like that isn’t going to drive me insane.”
“You have to come see this, Shag.” Lucy stood at the door and looked at him through a veil of tears.
“What’s the matter with you?” He rose from the table and used a crutch to hop over to the front door. He swung it open and his jaw dropped.
Every member of the brotherhood sat idling outside their house. The pack split down the middle to reveal Bones behind the wheel of his 4x4. The truck veered to the left, revealing the best kept secret they’d collaborated over the past couple of months. Lucy breathed a sigh of relief at not having to hide anymore.
Shag’s eyes glistened as his gaze travelled the length of a custom built trike shining in all its glory in the morning sun. Recognition danced in his eyes upon noticing the front end of his bike.
He searched her eyes and swallowed hard in a futile effort to keep his emotions at bay.
“How? Did you know?” He furrowed his brow.
Lucy wrapped her arms around him and whispered in his ear. “Go see your new ride, baby.”
Bones stepped down from the truck and crossed the distance between them. He mopped his brow and dabbed the corners of his eyes before pulling Shag to his chest in a bear like hold.
His friend released him and both men wiped their eyes.
“What’s going on here, brother?”
“Well, my friend, we can’t go on a club run without you.” He laughed and ushered him to his truck. “We installed hand controls so you have no reason not to ride.”
A couple of guys from the club rolled the machine off the trailer, and as Shag ran his hand over the front fender, Larry handed him a helmet.
“I haven’t got all day, ya know.” Larry smirked and quickly turned away to sniffle into his bandana.
She didn’t even try to hide the tears rolling down her cheeks. “Go on, it’s time to get back in the wind baby.”
Shag scanned the sea of leather-clad men sitting on their rides. Bones now sat on his bike at the head of the pack. He pulled Lucy close to him. “Go get your helmet.”
Her brow creased and she stepped back. “Are you sure?” Club runs were usually reserved for the guys.
He chuckled and smiled the smile she’d ached to see for over a year. “Like I’m going to go anywhere without my co-pilot, but you better hurry or Larry here is going to have a conniption.”
Lucy ran back to the house for her helmet. Within minutes they were settled on the trike and ready to go. Shag started it up and leaned back in his seat, nodding his approval. He glanced back over his shoulder and smiled, not caring about his own tears and who saw them.
Shag signalled they were ready to roll and the pack opened up for him to join Bones in the lead. Lucy leaned forward and wrapped her arms around the man who held her heart in his hand. To see him smile the way he smiled right now erased any misgivings she might have had whether or not things would be okay.
Her gaze travelled over the host of bikes following them and she returned the smile of each and every one of them.
Solidarity of brothers. It doesn’t get much better than this.
Adelle Laudan lives in Southern Ontario with two of her four children still under her wing. Life as a single mom of two teen girls is, interesting, to say the least. When Adelle’s not writing, she enjoys, leather work, sewing and reading, and of course ‘Riding in the Wind’. It is her dream to show the world, not all motorcycle riders are rude, bad-assed bikers, with little to no respect for law, or people in general.
Through her stories she will show you the life-style she’s come to know and love. The side where men and women care about people, and spend most of the riding season participating in charity runs and raising funds for anyone in need. The side where family comes first before anything.
I invite you to travel the many twists and turns of being a published author. Be sure to hang on tight, as I hope it’s a ride you’ll not soon forget.
Wishing you Miles of Smiles
Adelle ‘Legs’ Laudan
Iron Horse Rider Series is available NOW
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