John^^^

March 1, 2017

It's strange how a moment from the past can stay hidden for years. That is until it comes back to you like some long lost friend. Reminding you of a specific event, or time that has long pasted.

That's where I find myself now. After Donny and Griffin have left for their day. I go about with the cleaning up. When I am in the middle of dusting I come to a complete stop looking at one of the many pictures of the kids.

There they are happily smiling holding cotton candy. Both their faces are covered in the sticky pink sugar. But, it's not their cute faces I am looking at. It's the tall figure just to the side of the shot.

You really can't tell who this person is. All you see is thick denim covered lege. His wide chest is covered with one of the Griffin's bike shops shrits. His face is not in the shot, but his bulky fram is leaning against a wall and, it unmistakable to me. John, was my life saver that day.

It was the first time he had ever called First Lady. It was a time when my kids were still small. And I was blind to Griffin's ways.

"We're going the the fair. We're going to the fair!" Both my ten year old daughter, and my eight year old son sing as they ran around my gran's dinning room table. Katie and Donny had been waiting for this all week. I clap my hands to get their attention.

"Ok you two go up, wash your hands and get your jackets. Your daddy will be here soon." They both ran for the stairs. I gather the last of the plates from our early dinner and walk them into the kitchen. I took a peek at the clock on the stove. Griffin should have been here fifteen minutes ago.

I grab my cell and call the shop. "Griffin's bike shop, this is John how can I help you?" The low gruff voice makes me involuntary shutter, but smile at the same time.

"John, it's me, Charlie. Has Griffin left yet. We are taking the kids to the fair, and he not home yet." I huffed into the phone.

"Ah, not there, well, he left like two hours ago." John studdard into the phone. In my motherly mind goes into overdrive with the possibility of what could have happened. At the time Griffin cheating was not on my radar. John's deep voice somehow brings me back from me small panic attack. "Um, well, he more than likely got side tracked by his old man. Tell you what give me ten, and I can go with you and the kids. I am sure as soon as he breaks away from his old man he will show up." For some reason his voice sounds strange,but I dismiss it.

"That sounds perfect John. See you soon." I hear him sigh into the phone.

"See you soon first Lady" his voice has become only a soft whisper before the line goes dead.

It was the first time he called me that. It never crossed my mind that he lied about where Griffin may have been. Now that I look back I can see it clear as day. John was covering for Griffin. And I realized that he has been doing it for years.

Before Griffin, I would have seen this lie with no problems. I never let a man get the better of me. My dad taught me to keep my eyes wide open. To not be fooled by people. To take care of myself. To handle my own business. He gave me my independents and pride. He did not want me to be one of those girls who needed a man to make their life complete.

I enjoyed my independents before Griffin. It never occurred to me over the past few years that I gave up my independents to Griffin. I much change this, but now is not the time.

I have to get lunch ready. So like the good wife I push these thoughts aside and get ready for the next part of my day. His lunch.

I get on the road with lunch. It takes me fifteen minutes to get to the shop. He is waiting for me. As I get his lunch and get out he grabs my hand. "John is out to lunch, help me." I know this is going to be bad. I can feel it in my gut. He never asked me to help unless it is to humiliate me.

"I need you to hold up the exhaust for the panhead. So I can get it mounted." He moves to the bike and picks up the heavy pipes with little effort. His lean frame may make him look weak but he had the strength of a bull.

The panhead is one I have seen in many occasion. The 1951 panhead belonged to the vice president of the charter. John... When I first met John he was a prospect. A new member who was still in the probation period of getting into the group. He flirted with me, and he was the one I was after at Cindy 's party.

I kneel beside the bike and try to hold the pipes in place. "Just hold it." He puts the pipes in the place. My legs and arms lock in to place, and I feel the weight of the pipes as soon as he takes his hands away.

"Just hold the damn thing in place." His frustration with my weak arms is clear in his words. My arms burn with the effort I am using. I grit my teeth as I use all my power to hold up my end. Then it happens. The pipes shift.

"Damnit! Char! Just keep the damn thing up!" He yells at me.

This is not my job.

I use to like knowing about cars and bikes. I helped my father work in his shop from the age of 11. At one point I ran the shop by myself. My father made learning how things works all fun, and I learned fast. I spent a lot of time reading hotrod magazine. My prefect recall of what I read made it easy for me to talk to men about what I read.

Now.......I hate it. I never thought I say that. I don't say it out loud either Griffin would make me feel stupid. He would turn my words aginst me, making it seem as though I didn't know anything to begin with.

I can change oil, rotate tires, keep a check on all the major parts of the tranie. I know that the light ticking sound one may hear when you started up a motor could be a problem with the lifters. This is only part of what I know.

This knowledge is what made him look my way. As I look at my refection in the chrome pipes I remember the first time we meet.

My friend Cindy invited me to a party at her home. She was interested in a charter member of Griffin's group. She wanted me, her best friend, weas a wing man. Someone to talk shop and help her get her man.

"You just have to be your self. Show up about fifteen minutes after the party starts. You know, make a entrance. I want you to ride your bike. Wear your best jeans and that black tee you just got. And don't forget to use your full face helmet." She takes a breath." They will go nuts when they find out that you are a girl who rides"

"I am not the one looking for a man here Cindy. How is this going to help you?" I huff

"You can help me by being my friend. They will be impressed that I know someone who can talk shop, and who knows you may find someone." She whines.

I love her to death, but she let's her blonde show to much. She is just so happy go lucky.

I can't deny her.

But when I show, I get a real charge from the looks I get. This is too much fun. I wait and take a look at the group with my helmet on waiting for the perfect moment.

All the members stop dead in their tracks. I am sure I have their full attention I take off the helmet my long mahogany hair falls below my thin waist. All eyes are on me.

"CHA CHA!" Cindy shouts and runs to my side. "Thank you." She wispers in my ear..

From there own we have the full attention of all the Road Warrior's Eastern Division charter. They all try for our attention.

Well all but him. I should have taken that as a sign. At the time he held no office. He was only a up and coming member. The current president, his father, was mentoring him to take his place when the time came.

I did not expect him to talk to me. I stayed near Cindy, helping her with her man. When I was not needed, I played with other guys especially John.

It didn't happen until the party was just about to break up. A young prospect, with nice blue eyes, was tring to get my attention. John had asked me some silly question about what bike I prefer. I only laughed at him and smiled. "I learned to ride on a lndain, but I ride the sport rod now."

That when Griffin chooses to speak to me.

"Who would be dumb enough to let a woman learn to ride on their Indian?" He looks over at me for what I thought is the first time of the night.

I give him my best fake smile. "I dont like it when people call me dumb. I have been driving a Indian from the age of 11." I hold his eyes for a moment longer. "The Indian is mine. A 10th brithday present. I learned on my own bike."

From there own he made me part of his life plan.

1. Start up his own shop.
2. Make president of the charter.
3. Have me as his prefect ol'lady.

"God Char! Can you do anything right" he throws the wrench half way across the shop. "Son of a bitch"

I flinch at his words.

This is what I married.

"I'm back." John's low voice breaks the tension between us. It stops Griffin's insult. I am not sure if John has heard any of the last few moments, but I get my answer when I turn to see his nice ice blue sad eyes and his hard expression. It tells me all I need.

"First Lady" he nods to me.

"You can go now Char." Griffin's voice still has a hard edge to it..but he add just enough sweetness so John will not question him. The look on John's face tells me he didn't buy it one little bit. Also he will not last long before he blows up at Griffin

Yeah, I am the first Lady...