CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

-:- DESTINY -:-

I walk next to Rock as we step inside Club Whisky. Jessica is buzzing with excitement because we’ve not been eating out, and she knows we have had to save money, so she sees this as a treat.

The notice board near the door as you walk in clearly states: Kid’s Time, and the rules.

Rule 1: No children to be unattended

Rule 2: Children running around screaming will be asked, along with parents, to leave

Rule 3: Children eat for free if they are well behaved

Rule 4: Parents will be banned if they do not apply the first three rules to their children

I grin at Rock because he is shaking his head while chuckling at the four rules on the notice board. If I was asked for honesty, I would have to say that it will make for nicer eating time if children are well behaved.

Taking a seat at a table with a reserved sign on it, I smile when a table two over has parents and other family members with a little girl, and the chef has brought her a birthday cake with candles burning. Everyone at the table is surprised to see the cake, which makes it obvious they haven’t arranged this, but the club has.

Turning to Rock, “That’s such a lovely thing to do.”

“Yeah, I agree. Eden is running the place for a month and I can see she’s implementing some changes. Not sure Silver or Pres will be happy because she’s supposed to discuss changes and I have a feeling she hasn’t done that. But that’s her problem, not ours.”

We order our meals and enjoy talking about day-to-day things. Then I remember Garrett’s telephone conversation. “Oh, Garrett wants somebody from the MC to contact him. Can you organize that?”

“Sure can. Do you know what he wants to discuss?”

“I think he wants to know where Jerica is and what’s happening with her. He wasn’t happy about her not telling me they had health coverage for Jessica. I’ve paid all her medical bills from my savings, so far anyway. I’ll be taking her to have her arm looked at again tomorrow and I’m thinking it’ll be the last time.”

Rock picks up his phone from the table where he’d laid it when we first sat down. Types out a message to someone, then points at Jessica, who is playing with the little girl quietly in front of our table, where Eden has placed a small table and chairs with coloring books and crayons. “Stitch is going to stop in and look at her arm. He mentioned it to me the other day, and thinks it’s time for the bandage to come off. He doesn’t think the doctor should ask for another x-ray, either. But he’ll be here soon. He’ll bring Gemmy with him. You’ve met Gemmy at the girl-gang meeting.”

“I met quite a few ladies, and hope I can remember everyone.”

“You know you are mine. We are we, and you’ll be my Ol’ Lady, and wife if you’d like to get married. An Ol’ Lady is a club wife, but I’m good with making it all legal like,” Rock states and I give him a shocked look.

I’m staring at Rock because I’m not sure what he’s thinking because we hardly know each other. How could he be thinking of Ol’ Lady and wife in such a brief space of time? I mean, honestly, he has only ever kissed me a few times. How do we know we are compatible in the bedroom department?

“Say something, Red.” Rock leans toward me with a frown on his face.

“Well, I’m not sure what to say. Of course, I like you or we’d not be sitting here. But, it’s a bit soon to be talking marriage, or whatever, don’t you think?”

“No, I don’t think. We are it for each other. You know you feel it, and so do I. I knew from the first time I set eyes on you that you were mine.”

“I admit I like you, but we don’t know if we are even compatible. You know, behind closed doors.” I must be giving a caught in the headlights look because Rock’s face softens, then gives me such a look it heats my whole body.

“Oh, we are compatible alright. I’ll be claiming what’s mine at the weekend. I’ve arranged for the Three Stooges to have Jessica overnight at the clubhouse, and you and me are gonna test out this theory as to compatibility.”

“Hi, Dest.”

I look up hearing my name called, and give a huge smile to Gemmy, who I remember from the meeting. Stitch is walking behind her, holding one hand on her lower back. It looks to me like he’s showing everyone in the club that she is his woman, and they best stay away.

“Oh, hello, Gemmy.”

Now, Gemmy grabs the seat next to mine and Stitch walks over to Jessica, who gives him a huge smile, also surprising me when she hugs him. “Kids love Stitch. When we have any, you can bet your last dollar they will be daddy’s boys or girls.”

Smiling at Gemmy because she has a ‘what can you do’ look on her face when she said the last, and I can imagine she is right when I watch how he is with Jessica.

“Have you met the kitchen staff?” Gemmy asks and I shake my head that no I haven’t. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to Cookie and Tony. They are the chefs, but everyone here is pretty darn awesome, so you’ll enjoy coming to eat here, even if it’s just you and Jessica.”

“I think the doctor will remove the compression bandage now, Dest. It’s time, and the answers Jessica has just given me tell me she’s not in need of it anymore. Do not allow them to x-ray it again. That will only be for one reason, and that’s making more money off of you. If you are not happy at all, you can give me a buzz and I’ll come to you. Or you can tell them to shove it and I’ll take the bandage off and monitor it for you,” Stitch says as he takes a seat next to Gemmy, throwing an arm around the back of her chair.

“Okay. I have an appointment tomorrow, but what if I cancel it and you take the bandage off after she comes home from school?” I ask, because I don’t want to get into debt when her arm is more than likely healed.

“That suits me. I’ll come to your place and do it. Then I can keep my eye on it when she visits the clubhouse.” Stitch is watching Gemmy the whole time he’s speaking. “Gemmy, what are you fidgeting for?”

“I’m waiting for you to shut it so I can take Dest to meet Cookie and Tony.”

I quickly stand because the last thing I want to do is annoy Gemmy when I’m just getting to know her. Rock stands too, but Stitch remains where he is, smirking at Gemmy for some reason!

“I’ll keep an eye on Jessica. You three go check out the kitchen, and maybe put eyes on Eden for a minute. Silver knows nothing about this kid’s thing, but I would vote for it. Look around and see with the rules in place, that everyone is having a great time. The kids will be gone, and all cleared away before the serious drinkers walk through the door.” Stitch is leaning back in his seat, and grabs a few fries from my abandoned plate.

Walking across the club, I feel a hand take mine. Without a second thought, I give it a gentle squeeze. Realizing what I’ve done, I look at Rock and he’s got the biggest, cheesiest grin going on. I stick my tongue out at him, but don’t let go of his hand. It feels reassuring and I feel safe. Wow, I think to myself. I’ve never thought of someone else making me feel safe.

Entering the kitchen, I see some very busy people. No one is standing around; they are all doing something. A server is loading the dishwasher, another is drying cutlery, ready to go back out to diners. Yet another is wiping menus. There’s a buzz of chatter but no shouting and the whole room smacks of professionalism.

Gemmy walks us over to a woman who is making desserts. They look amazing. “Cookie, this is Destiny. Destiny, meet Cookie. Cookie is our expert when it comes to our dessert menu. There is nothing she doesn’t know when it comes to a person's sweet tooth.”

“I’m not sure I deserve such high praise, but I do enjoy that side of my profession over entrée.”

“Hi Cookie. I’ll have to introduce you to my niece, Jessica. You would be her new BFF. She is cake mad. She’d rather have cake than ice cream.” I laugh as I remember the times that Jessica has had cake all over her face, never mind just around her mouth. With money being short, it’s not been too often lately.

“Maybe I should make her one of my tasting brigade for new recipes, if she’s such an ‘aficionado’?” Cookie laughs. “How old is she?”

“Seven, going on twenty!” Rock states. “I’ll go get her. She’ll love meeting you.” Leaving me in Gemmy's hands, he heads off to get Jessica.

“This gentleman here is Tony. What Cookie does for desserts; Tony does for entrée. His chicken truly is to die for. I was in the butcher's trade and I’ve never tasted anything so good, anywhere. His secret recipe coating is so yummy.” Gemmy raises her eyebrows at a plate of chicken that looks like it’s just come out of the oven.

Rolling his eyes, Tony puts a couple of pieces on a plate, which he passes to me. Gemmy looks like she’s going to explode until he does the same for her.

“I should damn well think so, after I’m shouting your praises from the rooftop.” She grumbles good-naturedly as she begins devouring the chicken off her plate.

Taking a careful bite from mine, as it’s still very hot, I can’t help the little moan that escapes from me. Gemmy is right. It is so yummy.

Tony smiles proudly as I continue eating, moaning and nodding my head at him. Hearing Rock's voice behind me, I turn and open my eyes wide to show how much I’m enjoying the food.

“That would be Tony’s chicken then, eh? We’ve all been there, Red.” Rock nods at Tony.

“This is a new one, Rock. You’ve not had it, yet.”

Rock grabs a piece from the big plate and takes a bite. Hearing the little moan it makes me giggle. Finishing the chicken in two bites, he turns to Cookie.

“Cookie, meet your soon to be ‘biggest fan’. Jessica, say hi to Cookie. I guarantee she is going to be your biggest hero. An even bigger hero than me.”

“Hi Cookie. That’s a cool name. I love cookies almost as much as I love cake.” Jessica positively beams at Cookie.

Leaning down, Cookie first shakes Jessica’s hand and then, taking her hand in hers, she looks to me for permission to take her away somewhere. Nodding, I watch them walk over to Cookie's area and Jessica’s eyes are like saucers as Cookie shows her the desserts that she has been making.

Talking with Tony confirms that he has a secret ingredient for his chicken. There’s definitely garlic, but also something else and that ‘something’ he will never share. Leaving him to his work, we walk quietly over to where Cookie and Jessica are busy tasting different things. Eavesdropping on their chat, I have to smile.

“Too lemony. It overshadows everything else,” Jessica says. Cookie tastes the same dessert and her eyes widen. “You’re right. It is too strong.”

Dipping a clean spoon into another dish, Jessica states, “Not enough strawberry. Maybe strawberry pieces would be good in it. It would make it feel nice in your mouth as well as being tastier.” Again, Cookie tries it. “Oh, my God. Pieces would take it to another level.”

Looking at me, Cookie beams, “I need Jessica to come work for me. She is a natural at this. She could be a food blogger, she’s that good.” Cookie high-fives Jessica, and it looks like there’s been quite a bond created here already.

“I hate to break up this culinary experience, but we have to be getting back to Stitch.” Smiling at Cookie, we say bye to her and Tony as we leave the kitchen. Cookie shouts and asks us to see her before we leave the club.

Enjoying the meal and the socializing, time soon flies by and we have to head home. Jessica is quick to remind us we have to see Cookie before we leave.

Once back in the kitchen, Cookie and Jessica are soon joined at the hip and chatting away. Cookie produces a box that she hands to Jessica. Placing it carefully on the counter, she opens it, and we hear her gasp of delight.

“Aunt D! Rock! Look at this. It’s sooo awesome. They look sooo real. It’s just sooo cool. It’s the coolest cake ever!”

“A special cake for a special friend,” says Cookie.

Peering over her head, I see a cake in the box, but to call it a cake is an injustice. It is a work of art. It is decorated with beautiful flowers and each flower has a different butterfly on it. They look so real you expect them to fly away at any moment.

Rock smiles and ruffles Jessica's hair. “Aren’t you the lucky one, young lady?”

I catch my breath as I watch him. He hasn’t known her but a few weeks and yet he treats her as his own so naturally. He will make one hell of a father. I definitely need to do the bedroom compatibility test I think to myself.

Waking up early the next morning, I shower and get ready for a busy day. I have grocery shopping to do today, not my favorite chore, but at least it will get me out of the house for a while. Since spending time with Rock at the clubhouse, I’ve come to enjoy having people around me. I wasn’t a recluse, because I had friends at the Fire Department, but this is a unique feeling of ‘people around’. Hearing Jessica in the kitchen getting her breakfast, I head in there quickly. Too late, though.

“Jessica! I thought we agreed that there wouldn’t be any more cake until AFTER school. You’ll make yourself poorly if you eat it all so quickly.”

“I know Aunt D. But it’s just so delish.”

“Delish? Delish? What are they teaching in schools these days? The word is delicious.” I roll my eyes at her as she’s shoveling the cake into her mouth as fast as she can.

Having dropped Jessica at school, I make my way to the grocery store. I’m thinking of cooking a meal for Rock over the weekend if his plan to leave Jessica with the Three Stooges works out. Somehow, I think he’ll pull it off. He seems the sort to make things happen. I’m secretly looking forward to it, though I’m determined not to show it. Making me his Ol’ Lady isn’t going to go as smoothly as he thinks.

Taking my cell from my pocket, I ring the doctor that was going to check on Jessica's arm. Canceling the appointment with the receptionist takes only a moment and when she tries demanding to know why, I just cut the call. None of her darn business. I’ll get Rock to run us to the clubhouse so Stitch can look at it. He instills a confidence in his medical abilities with both his manner and the way he talks about it.

I’m pulled back to earth by a voice grating on my nerves. It’s like fingernails on a chalkboard. Nasally and irritating.

“Well? You hang out with that biker scum, don’t you? So, you’ll know?” Turning around, there stands Mrs. Philpott.

“What the hell do you want?” I demand.

“I want to know who Dragon is, in that club of bikers you hang out with. He’s a dirty piece of scum and I demand you tell me about him.” Mrs. Philpott now has her audience, which is what I think this is all about.

“They are bikers, not scum. That title is reserved for people like you that have no moral standing. There is no one called Dragon in the club, and if there was, he wouldn’t be ‘a dirty piece of scum’. Now get out of my face! Your son is a bully in the classroom and the schoolyard, but we’re not in either, are we? I’m not backing down to a bully like you. So, Mrs. Philpott. Put up or shut up! I’m done with you, your family and all the crap.”

“One of those bikers got my friend pregnant and then left her, high and dry.”

“Then your friend should have kept her legs firmly shut, as you should with your mouth. We’re done here, so for the last time. GET OUT OF MY FACE!”

Watching her make a hasty retreat from the store, I take a deep calming breath and carry on with my shopping. I’ll run this by Rock sometime and see if he knows anything about it.