“Angie is a big girl, she lived in war-torn countries and covered mega stories for huge publications. She went into it with her eyes wide open, and I’m sure she understands the cost,” Chalk said. “If she doesn’t, then we as a club have her back on it. The Road Warriors are after us as well.”
A pang of something that resembled jealousy sifted around my head, but I let it go and focused on the part where Chalk said the Road Warriors were after the Rebel Saints. “What does that mean? Are you going to start carrying a gun more regularly?” I asked cautiously.
Chalk’s expression went sort of blank as he seemed to shut down.
I knew he didn’t want to talk about it, but I wanted to know, so I could get my head around it.
He sighed heavily. “I’m part of the Rebel Saints and will always be. We have been in worse situations than this, but yes I’ve already been carrying a gun. I didn’t want to have to tell you this, but I do need you to just keep a close watch for the next few weeks.”
Gulping down the tight knot in my throat, I paused. My protective mother instinct kicked in as I thought about what this meant for me and Sarah. “Maybe I should get my gun license. I’m not a shrinking violet, Chalk. Keep me in the loop and don’t shut me out.” There was enough force in my tone to let him know I was upset.
“I won’t. I don’t want you to think that,” Chalk spoke softly as he grabbed my hand, drawing me to his lap. His smile could melt any woman’s heart, and he knew that. “Come on, don’t stay angry at me, we can work this out,” Chalk cajoled. “Here, I want to talk to you about this parent-teacher night in a few days. One of the teachers was happy about how Sarah is doing right now, the same teacher that kept snooping around, but hey she’s on track now.” Chalk handed me the flyer.
Meet the Teachers was the heading. “Okay, well, let’s go together. She has a science project and I’m going to help her with it.”
“Ah! Look at you two. Why am I left out?”
“Not at all. You have pool tables to reign don’t you?” I chuckled.
Chalk nodded his head. “I do. You should come next week and Teresa can look after Sarah. What do you think?”
Chalk’s willingness to include me into every area of his life made me less nervous about things. “That’s a great idea. I’ll have to pick up a leather jacket, so I can feel like a badass biker babe, now that I’ve been on the back of your bike one time.”
“You’re already a badass to me. You’ve been through a lot already.” His loving embrace tightened around me as he kissed my shoulder. “How are you feeling?”
“I feel pretty damn good. I can’t complain. I have everything I want. I have you, Sarah, the job, Mom and Dad. I’m grateful. I think we’re doing great.”
“Good, all I ever wanted was for you to be happy.” Chalk then kissed me.
“Do I look parent-y enough?” I was quizzing Chalk on my outfit which consisted of ankle-length chinos, a teal linen shirt, and boots, topped off with a necklace.
His eyes stayed on the road as we drove to Sarah’s school, but his lips moved into a smile. “Baby, you look great and to be honest, I’ve never seen you look better.”
“You look good, too.”
Chalk’s dimple came out as he took one hand off the wheel and squeezed my hand.
We pulled into the parking lot of the school. Several other vehicles were lined up in the space as I saw them getting out of their cars to enter the front foyer reception.
“Looks like people are already inside.” I’d been nervous about this all day.
“It’s going to be okay. Our daughter is a great student and there’s no need to worry. We’re going to go in here and find out about our little champion and that’ll be it.”
Chalk’s cheerfulness lifted a little bit of anxiety from my shoulders. I didn’t know what I had to be anxious about.
Chalk parked and we exited the car, walking hand in hand inside the school where a sign directed us to the parent-teacher conference room. Chatter was reverberating off the walls, letting us know we were moving in the right direction. We walked into a roomful of parents.
A woman with brown, curly hair was waiting with a pen, clipboard and a rosy smile. “Hi there! You must be Sarah’s parents. If both of you wouldn’t mind signing in right here and taking your name tags, just makes it easier for the other parents to greet you.”
Both Chalk and I looked at one another. How did she know who we were?
“I recognized you from the newspaper, so cool! You ride bikes and play pool. So awesome.” The woman’s name tag read ‘Amy.’ It seemed like Chalk had a fan; her cheeks got a little rosier as Chalk grinned back at her.
“You should come down and play, bring your friends. We have a lot of fun,” he invited.
Chalk was a man that had a certain light. He seemed to be able to mingle with all walks of life, from young and old and both sexes.
“You know what I just might do that. I just might.” She straightened her arm out and handed me the pen first. “Sarah talks about you all the time, that’s how I know who you are. The supermom who helps people get better.”