Rain
Trout wavesme through the gate, and I drive forward until I stop at the clubhouse. Grabbing my bag and the cake I picked up, I get out of the truck and head inside.
“I have arrived!” I shout, making the girls turn my way.
“Finally!” Aspen says.
“Oh, what did you bring?” Maggie asks.
“I picked up a cake from the bakery,” I say, making the girls moan.
“I swear to god, I would give up my husband for the baker,” Kim sighs.
Chloe, working behind the bar again, giggles. “I didn’t know you swung both ways.”
“Back in my youth, then I met my man and decided to stop looking elsewhere,” Kim says.
“Huh, I would have never guessed,” Maggie says, looking at her thoughtfully.
I set down the cake and sit next to Maggie.
“Hey, Lisa, it’s been a while. How are you?” I ask as I take in the other woman.
“I’m doing okay.” She smiles softly.
Her husband, Cloak, was diagnosed at the same time as my dad. Only his cancer was much more aggressive, and he passed not that long after. She still comes around from time to time, but not as often as she used to.
“What can I get you to drink, Rain? The girls are having margs,” Chloe says.
“I’ll take one too, if you don’t mind. I can always come make it myself.”
She waves away my offer and gets to work making my drink.
“How was work?” Maggie asks.
“It was fine. Nothing exciting.” I shrug. “Now tell me, what did I miss?”
“I was just telling the girls that a house burned down in my neighborhood last night. It’s a single dad with two teenage daughters. They think it was electrical,” Kim says.
“Oh god. I can’t even imagine. Especially with the weather we’ve been having.”
It’s been cold. Really fucking cold for this time of year.
“I think we should bring it up to the guys. We could do a fundraiser. Take in a bunch of donations for them and help get them back on their feet,” Maggie says.
“I just went through my dad’s clothes. I have several bags set aside for donations. If the dad is a similar size, I’d give them to him instead of the shelter downtown like I was planning to do,” I offer.
“I might have some clothes that will fit too,” Aspen adds. “I have always had a problem with over-shopping.”
Maggie shoots her a teasing smile. “Just make sure they aren’t any of your clubbing clothes.”
Aspen rolls her eyes and smiles.
“You guys are too sweet. Think the guys will go for it?” Kim asks.
Maggie turns toward her. “Of course. I mean, I know I haven’t been around that long, but it’s no secret that the guys like to give back to the community when they can. This wouldn’t be out of the norm for them.”
Aspen and I nod.