Page 34 of Guarding Glenda

When we finally turned down the path that led to the old, refurbished casino that the chapter had turned into their clubhouse, I waited for some sort of relief that never came. Allie pulled into one of the parking spots in the weathered lot. The blacktop was worn from storms, salty air, and time. Cracks held weeds and the sandy dirt mix found around the clubhouse.

The casino was also worn and aged, but the old structure itself had held up during one of the worst storms the gulf had ever seen. The guys cleaned it up some, did some repairs inside, and got the HVAC running again before they set up shop.

Some of the members lived there, but some of the guys only stayed for parties or before and after runs.

Reggie said we’d get our own place eventually, but once he patched into Mobile, there was a lot of club business to handle and it made sense to be there with Hammer and the other officers. Even Leigh stayed for a while but he eventually got the house he’s at now. I was a little sad that Bruce went with him, but he was his dog.

Flashes whizzed in my head again. Me hugging Bruce’s thick neck, digging my face in as I tried to play off the tears as if they were only for him. Reggie laughing, then promising we could visit the dog. Leigh looking back with thinned lips and slits for eyes. His body moving like he was about to double back to where we stood, but then tugging on the leash as the two of them climbed into his truck.

“Glenda? Hey, you with me?” Linny’s voice was urgent.

Allie wasn’t in the driver’s seat, but instead leaning against the front end. Linny was standing next to me with my door open. Hammer was by the front door of the clubhouse, staring in our direction and smoking a cigarette.

“When did he get here?” I asked.

Linny gave a wobbly smile. “Not too long ago. Ready to go inside?”

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

As we got closer, Hammer’s face looked like he’d been in a fight with a few bruises and small cuts. He blew a plume of smoke out and smiled. “You good?”

“Yeah. Thanks for your help.”

“Sam said no cooking and cleaning for now. Doctor’s orders.” He cupped my shoulder with his big hand and I noticed the bruising there, too. “And president’s orders. Take it easy, okay?”

Smiling up, I said, “Okay. Promise.”

“He told me no driving or riding for now, too. So I’m holding onto your keys but you know the drill. If you need anything, just let me or Rogers know, and you got it.”

“Thanks, Hammer.” He opened the front door so we filed in. I headed to my room.

Once we made it to the door, I sighed as we walked in but still didn’t feel the tension settle like I expected once I got back.

Linny headed for the bathroom, and I poked my head in. She was unpacking my toiletries and putting them back in the shower or on the counter. That was the nice thing about the clubhouse. It used to be a casino. While the rooms were a little cramped, they had enough space to retreat every night, comfy beds, soundproofed rooms, and private bathrooms. As a kid, we had one bathroom in the house to share, and then in the military, I had no privacy at all.

“Hey,” Allie said from the doorway. “Wanna grab a bite?”

“I’m good. We had some pizza like right before you got there.”

She nodded, then smacked the doorjamb. “Well, I’m starving. You all set?”

“Yep. Go. Get some food.”

“I’ll see you in a bit,” she said then walked away.

Pulling the curtains open, I looked down at the pool. “So sad.”

“The chairs are still out there if you want to go sit,” Linny called from the bathroom.

She came out with the bag and started pulling clothes out. “We need to do some laundry.”

“I’ll worry about that later. You don’t need to keep doing everything. I’m really better.” Physically, anyway.

“Glenda!” Sofie squealed as she ran into my room and flung herself at me.

“Oof,” I grunted as I caught her, leaning back on the wall to steady myself.

“Sweet girl! You can’t jump on Glenda right now,” Linny said.