Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 137310 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137310 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
Chaos, obviously, was up front of that crowd.
A movement in front of us caught my eye, and I looked to see Carrie now had her head resting on Elvira’s shoulder, Dakota had climbed into Elvira’s lap and Vira had wound her arms around the little boy.
Only Vira’s profile was visible to me, but from what I could see, silent tears were rolling down her cheeks as her back remained straight, and her gaze stayed locked to the casket.
I’d never seen anyone cry with such dignity before.
And I loved she gave that to Big Petey.
Tabby was a mess, and Tyra wasn’t far behind her. They were curled into each other, holding on for support, but faced forward.
It didn’t take long before everyone had arrived, took their positions, and Tack, center casket, standing between Rush and Hop, didn’t delay in taking a step forward.
His gaze never left the casket.
Quiet greeted him, so when his gravelly voice sounded loud, it was like a thunderclap.
“Fuck you, old man, for being mortal.”
I couldn’t stop my mouth from forming a smile, because it was sad, but it was apropos.
Tabby let out a cry-laugh.
Tyra held her closer.
“Fuck you more for convincing us you weren’t,” Tack went on. “We all have our place in this brotherhood, but you held every place. Wherever we needed you. However we needed you. Whenever we needed you. You were there. Warrior. Wiseman. Healer. Priest. Hand-holder. Babysitter. Brother. Father. Granddad. Uncle. Husband. Partner. You went through the worst with us, and it was a rough ride, but you walked through fire with us, and finally, when we got smooth sailing, you fucked off. And gotta say, ’cause I know you like it honest, Pete, it pisses all of us off.”
It was definitely going to be the weirdest eulogy I’d ever heard.
And I could tell, absolutely the most perfect.
Tack put his hand on the casket and bowed his head.
Tyra, Tabby and Elvira all let out audible sobs when he did.
I knew why.
I’d heard all about Kane “Tack” Allen, and I’d seen that movie, and from what I heard, saw and knew, nothing bowed that man. He’d been through hell, personally and with his Club, and he’d guided his brothers out of it, his family, their families, and he’d done it eyes forward, head high, back straight, shoulders squared, vision strong.
Now he was bowed…
By the loss of Big Petey.
“Only thing we got to hold on to is you lived a life where you owned the wind, and in your time, you were wild like it. Wild like fire. Wild like the wind. And now you’re finally free.”
Not taking my eyes off Tack, I dug in my purse for a Kleenex.
Tack kept going.
“You were loved, because you were loving,” Tack told Big Petey direct. “Best father there was. Best brother there could be. Best man I’ve ever met. There were times when it felt like the angels deserted us, but they never did. There was an angel among us. And that angel was you.”
More sobs, these now coming from all around, including me.
“Tell that girl of yours we miss her,” Tack ordered. “And ride steady, my brother. We’ll catch you on the flipside.”
He took a moment, lifted his head and stepped back.
The second he rejoined the arc, Rush shouted, “On three!” and lifted his hand, three fingers extended.
One went down, the next, and the next.
And then the entire biker contingent shouted, “Wind! Ride! Fire! Free!”
Oh God.
I was sobbing openly now.
Rush stepped forward and yelled, “Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul.”
All the bikers raised a shout.
Okay, dammit, I was close to bawling.
Fortunately, there was quiet for a moment so I could get it together before Rosie and Tabby got up and went to Renae. Rosie took her mother’s hand and helped her out of her seat. She tried to take her daughter from her mom, but Emmeline held close to her grandma as she rose, and Rosalie gave up as they all walked to the casket.
Tabby, known to all as Pete’s surrogate daughter who stepped in when his girl was lost, bent and kissed the casket first. Rosalie rubbed her mother’s back as Renae did it last.
As they stood there, taking their own moment, Emmeline studied the casket and whispered, “’Bye-bye, Pawpaw.”
Renae released a silent, but visible hiccoughing sob.
And me?
Yep.
I was bawling. It wasn’t loud, but it was totally bawling and all around me I could hear sniffles, coughs, and quiet weeping.
Renae, Rosalie and Tabby returned to their seats, and the second their asses had found them, the bikers all began to move to their bikes.
I twisted to look for Dad, but Georgie caught my hand.
“Sit still, babe, not over yet,” she whispered.
Honestly, I couldn’t take much more.
But I would. I had to.
For Big Petey.
And for Hugger.
I sat and watched the wave of bikers make their way to their bikes.