Saranya Chapter 5 #3
There was excited chatter from the three women.
The oldest child, a girl I’d place as seven or eight years old, surprised me when I saw her signing.
What shocked me was that the pair I had assumed were her parents weren’t the only ones to respond in ASL.
All the adults in their group signed back.
There were three infants and a toddler to round out their numbers.
Unsurprisingly, my parents struck up a conversation with them.
I learned that they were part of a local bikers’ club called the Horsemen of Wrath.
The older gentleman, Diablo, holding the toddler, Chasin, was the girl's father. Her name was Jaycee. In addition, his wife, Jauhnna, held their baby, Kody. I noticed not only Diablo’s name on the front of his leather vest, but also a patch declaring him President.
The other two couples introduced themselves, and soon we were all enjoying the lights and commenting on them together.
A while later, I noticed Jaycee’s hands looked red. It was chilly at night, even in Florida. I took a pair of gloves out of my jacket pocket.
“Here, she can wear these if she’d like,” I told her mom. I had no idea how to sign.
“Oh, thank you, but she won’t wear them. I tried to get her to wear gloves before. She says it makes it too hard for her to talk. Her fingers are small, and they get clumsy, making the words distinct.”
“Oh, well, that makes sense. I wish I knew how to do what you all know how to do. It sure could come in handy. Maybe you could ask Jaycee if she’ll teach me,” I joked.
“She loves to teach. You can ask her yourself. She reads lips rather well. One of us will translate. She isn’t comfortable speaking yet.
She’s been deaf since birth, so knowing how to sound out words is hard.
She’s embarrassed. Jaycee’s helped teach our entire club.
All of Diablo’s club brothers know ASL, even the prospects,” Jauhnna stated proudly.
“Really? That’s amazing. You must be so proud of her. I bet it was tough when she was a baby and would cry, and then, as she got older, to figure out what she wanted. I can’t imagine not being able to hear,” Mom interjected. She’d been smiling at Chasin and playing peek-a-boo with her hands.
“I don’t know how hard it was, but I imagine it was challenging on her parents,” Jauhnna said. Seeing our confused looks, she smiled and explained.
“We’re not Jaycee’s birth parents. They died when she was almost three in a house fire.
Her dad rescued her, but died when he went back for his wife.
We met Jaycee when she was four, and her foster mom brought her into the Senior Center here in town.
We were helping out during a holiday event.
I lost my heart when I saw her. Soon afterward, Diablo surprised me by not only having her become our foster child but also by applying with the court to allow us to adopt her.
That was three years ago. She was the beginning of our family, or I should say this round,” Jauhnna said, exchanging a smile with Diablo.
“This round?” Dad asked.
“I’m older than Jauhnna, as you can see.
I was married young and have a daughter, Brooklyn.
She’s twenty-nine now. She’s given me three wonderful grandchildren.
My grandsons, Thane and Jai, will be six and four in February.
Their baby sister, Eden, is one and a half.
Brookie loves to tease me that I have a son younger than his niece and nephews, and another barely older than them,” Diablo explained, grinning.
“Wow, I would’ve never guessed you were old enough to have a daughter my age. But I have to agree it is kinda hilarious when you think of your grandkids calling Chasin and Kody uncle.” I giggled.
“Or to see people’s expressions when Brooklyn calls them ‘sister’ and ‘brother’ in public and tells her kids to hold hands with their aunt and uncle. She especially loves to call me mom,” Jauhnna told us.
“Yeah, that last one gets people since my wife is only six years older than Brooklyn. I’m a dirty old man. I robbed the cradle,” Diablo growled before kissing his wife.
His guys hooted and cheered him on. They had those around them smiling and laughing, or at least my family and I were. The other people sharing the trolley ignored them or sneaked looks at them. I swore I saw judgment written on their faces.
I heard someone harrumph and mutter, “Disgusting.” I couldn’t tell which person it was. Not one to allow that to pass, I spoke up.
“I think it’s beautiful. No matter your age, everyone deserves love, and to find it not once but twice makes you very fortunate.
As for age, you’re both adults. Who cares how old you are?
I hope one day to be as fortunate as you and my parents.
Those who stick their noses in the air or judge you for it are unhappy sourpusses.
” I made sure to say it loud enough for those surrounding us to hear.
Eyes shifted swiftly away from us, and bodies stiffened. Mom squeezed my hand and smiled lovingly at me. Dad was nodding and grinning. I saw Jauhnna mouth, Thank you.
I mouthed back, You’re welcome.
I pointed out to Jaycee, with her family’s help, my favorite displays.
She smiled and clapped her hands repeatedly throughout the tour.
I was sad to see it come to an end. As we disembarked, I tried not to stare as Scorpion went to the back of the trolley, brought a wheelchair with him, then opened it before turning to Swerve.
I’d wondered what Swerve’s disability was when I noted his monster of a dog, Dozer, was wearing a service dog vest, but I hadn’t asked.
Dozer was a Cane Corso, so he had taken up a seat of his own.
I watched as Dozer, with a bit of help from Scorpion, transferred Swerve into his chair.
It was done slickly. With us all off the trolley, we were about to wish them a good night when Diablo issued us an invitation.
“If you don’t have any plans, we’re meeting the rest of our club at a café nearby. We planned to get something hot to drink and some dessert. We’d love it if you would join us. However, if you have other plans, we understand.”
As he explained, Jaycee must’ve read his lips because she began to bounce on her toes and nod. She beamed her killer smile and signed the word “Please.” I’d learned that one during the ride. I glanced over at my parents.
“Thank you so much, Diablo. With such an enthusiastic invitation, how could we say no? We’d love to join you,” Dad informed him, as my father winked at Jaycee. A squeal came out of her.
The rest of the Horsemen and their wives laughed.
Jaycee latched onto my hand. As one big happy party, we allowed them to lead us down the street.
I briefly wondered where we were headed, but it didn’t matter.
I had no doubt it would be fabulous. As long as the coffee was decent and the desserts good, I’d be happy.
We walked for about five minutes before slowing to a stop outside a brightly lit, quaint café. Looking through the window, I saw a sea of leather vests with the Horsemen’s name and emblem on the backs. Their club seemed to be taking up most of the place.
“Don’t let them scare you. They’re a bit rough and can be uncouth sometimes, but they’re a good bunch.
You’re safe with us. Most people are intimidated by bikers.
If you don’t harm us or ours, then there’s nothing to worry about,” Scorpion said.
He was the club’s vice president, according to his vest.
“Lead away. We can’t wait to meet the rest of your club. We’ve never hung out with bikers before. Makes me feel like I’m living dangerously,” Dad said, winking.
This remark got everyone chuckling, and we still were when Scorpion opened the door and gestured the rest of us inside.
Crossing the threshold, I scanned the bodies with interest. I was excited to see how the rest of the Horsemen acted.
Their bodies turned one by one. Greetings were called out to their president, VP, and Swerve, as well as their spouses.
I noted the curious looks cast our way when they saw we were with them.
However, their surprise was nothing compared to mine when the tall, dark-haired Horseman who was the last to turn faced us.
Breath left my body, and my mouth dropped open.
Standing there was the last person I ever expected to see.
I blinked to clear my eyes, but the vision remained the same.
Staring back at me was none other than Cowboy. How was this possible?