The kids(Katie & Donny)^^^

April 7, 20017

The first full week of spring in our area, the world turns it's eyes on us. Garden city, hosts a very famous golf game. One that a young talented amateur started long ago. The bike club take advantage of the extra tourist in the area to help out with raising money for the local hospital. One that specializes in the care of children.

There are two bike clubs in our local area. They are both very different from each other. We have a different views on everything. Who rides and who doesn't. Charter fees. When a member can no longer ride. What get member kicked out of the club.

And what bike is better, Harley or Honda.

There is one thing we both agree on. Sick children, when we started dating I told Griffin about the hospital. The club became a permanent sponsor of the work they do. Both clubs support our local children hospital. We often get together to raise money for the hospital.

We hold a three day event mid spring, the same time of year of the big sports event. The children's hospital benefits from the from the extra people in the area that come to watch the masters play. We hold a poker run and craft sale. Ending with a fair held in the parking lot of the hospital. That way all the children from the hospital can go.

The poker run attacks groups of riders from far and wide. Hundreds show for to support children. We give rides, have a bake sale, and sale raffle tickets. The prizes we get from the local shop owners. It is as much fun for the kids as the riders.

With the riders comes the groupies....

Young girls who aspire to become ol'ladies. If they know what I did. They would run the other way. Like now....

"Damn look at the gap between her legs." He looks to me, as if I am one of the boys. I only nod, but don't stop unloading my car. I am helping the prospects with setting up the shop's baked goods both.

"Just look Char!" He can't understand why I don't like helping him check out other women.

I swing my head in the direction he is looking. I see a very young girl long blonde, she is definitely his new type. "Looks like that would be statutory, too me" I smile back at him. He storms off not understanding why I don't like checking out chicks.

He has joked about a three some in the past, but I don't share...it says so in my permanent record.

"Doesn't play or work well with others"

He know this, I have told him offen enough. Over the past few days I have even reminded him, "That if he finds another woman that can do for him better that me, he just has to let me know." And I will be out of his hair.

Later in the morning, my daughter and I, are sitting under the shop's canapés, watching the prospects try to quickly sale cakes and cookies that the charter wife's have made. We giggle at the young men trying to sale as much as they can. I'm sure bets have been made on who sales more.

"So what do you think about the new meat?" My baby girl looks over her sunglasses. Eyeing the young prospects.

"Well they are too young and a little undeveloped for my taste." I find it strange, but nice to have this conversation with her. We have gone from mom and baby, to bitter enemys, too bffs. It's been a long road. Twenty two years in the making.

"Yeah, I never did understand you and dad." We have talked some, but she has seen alot. Today is the day I will discuss the what's been going on. My nerves are on edge at the thought.

"Mmmmm. What about the rogues. Anything new there?" We both look over to the rival charter. They are all good looking men.

Much like our club the men are working the both to sale food their women have made. Their new members do most of the grunt work

"Nice" she takes a long look."but it's the same old same old."

"I have to admit, we have the better looking charter." My eyes stray to our vp. John is over at the grill flipping burgers to sale.

"John!" She hisses to me.

"What can I say, look at the man." John is stunning in his black t-shirt and jeans. My eyes linger on his beautiful body.

After we get a eye full of John we set our eyes on one of the passing guests. One of the out of town riders steps up to buy a brownie. He is a fine looking man. He is tall, and well built. He has the body of a rugby player.

"My, my..." My daughter sighs.

"Hello ladies, nice day?" He waves to us.

We both turn in his direction. "Having fun?" My daughter smirks at him. At that moment my other half and John show up.

"Prospect!" He shouted "you got a customer, take care of this man" to me he growls " keep your eyes to your in your head, Char."

That's the way it works. He can look and drool over whom ever he wants to. Me on the other hand. I have to keep my eyes in my head. Not any more I think, soon things will change.

"Why don't we take the baby to the house, get some lunch and give Lanie a quick nap? That way she will be full of energy for the fair." I suggest, knowing that Griffin will be to busy with the grill and girl watching to care.

"Sure sounds good, should I text Donny? Looks like Jake is going to help the prospects." Katie notes. Her good natured husband has jumped in to help Jerry box up a cake. Jerry's egerness makes me wonder what's the prize is for who sells more.

"That would be perfect, I need to talk to you both anyway. There are some things I need to go over with ya'll." I told her as we get Lanie in her carseat.

I informed Griffin of our plans, he basically brushes me off. I am eager to talk to the kids, so his reaction doesn't bother me.

We all make it to the house at the same time. Lanie fell asleep on the ride, so Katie lays her down on the couch in the livingroom so we can hear her if she wakes up. Katie, Donny and myself work together to get our lunch ready.

"What did you want to talk about mom?" Katie asked as she sets the table. Donny looks up from his sandwich. His eyes shift back and forth between me and Katie.

"Well, you both know that your dad and I have not been getting along that much." I start slowly.

"That the understatement of the year." Donny rolls his eyes. "He's a complete jerk most of the time"

"That may be true, but I want you both to know he not the only one to blame. I agreed to marry him when I really didn't want to. It was a bad time in my life, and I was trying to live up to my grandparents marriage. In truth I should have been living my life for me." I say.

"So what going to happen?" Katie asked. I can see she is nervous about what I am about to say.

"I can't live like this anymore. I know Griffin is unhappy as well. It may come to divorce." I take a big breath. It feels like a weight has just been lifted from my shoulders. This is the first time I have spoken the words out loud.

"I for one am glad. I'm sick of him talking to you the way he does." Donny grumbed.

"I know it's going to happen, and I did not want either of you to be caught off guard. Both of you are grown and can understand what happening. You both have your own lives to live. I want to keep living too. I will not stay in this house and grow older by myself." I huff

"What your plan?" Katie asked.

"I'm going to sale the house and land. It's is solely in my name as well as granddad's shop. You both have you own life to live. Donny, you are about to start a great adventure. Katie you have a wonderful husband and child. There are not enough words to tell you both how proud I am of you." I try to hold my tears at bay as I say this.

"What about dad? Where will he go?" Katie asked. Her eyes shine with unleash tears. She will always be daddy's girl.

I take a deep breath trying to find the best words to break the next part of my news. "He has a place where he stays when he doesn't want to come home. I found about it last week. I wanted to know where he went, so I followed him. He's covered, the storage units behind the bike shop has an apartment. He added it when he started the storage business. It was going to be for the manager, but he never hired one." I reassured her.

"My god!" Donny slammed his hand on the table. "Is that what's he been up to?"

"Bud shhh! You will wake Lanie." Katie wisper shouts at him.

"Sorry sissy. I'm just so pissed." He mumbled looking over his shoulder to peek at the still sleeping baby.

"There is something more we need to talk about. The things in the barn." I need to distract them away from Griffin. I don't want them to be angry at him. "If there is anything of your granddad's that either of you want now is the time to say so." I look from one to the other.

"Well, I already have something." Katie twisted the class ring around her finger. It belonged to my dad. She wanted her something blue for her wedding to be from dad.

I look at Donny. "Bud? What about you? Anything in that barn can be yours you just have to say the words." I wait for him to speak.

"Mom, you know I have never been into cars, or anything like that. All those things in the barn only mean something to you. What will you do with what's in there?" He looks up from his plate.

"My dad has a friend who is a car broker. He makes his living by taking classic cars to auctions. I have already been in contact with him. I wanted to talk to you first." They both seem to understand what this means. There is potentially thousands of dollars in the barn.

"So when do you think this will all happen?" Katie asked.

"I can't say right now. But it will be soon, just know that your dad and I love you both, very much." I grab both of their hands. "You are our greatest accomplishments." They both smile back at me. It makes my heart a little lighter to see them still happy.

We cleaned up the table and kitchen. I answered their questions as they did not think of before. Katie comes up with a plan to store Donny's motorcycle at her house. They work on getting it there after Donny's graduation. By the time Lanie wakes up and has her own lunch it is well past one in the afternoon.

When we get back to the vendors area where the bake sale is just wrapping up. Jerry breaks his neck to open my door. The bright smile on his face tells me he came out on top in the sale.

"First lady, look!" He turns and I see the new club cut that's on his back. "I got my cut!" He holds out his hand to help me out of the car.

"That's wonderful Jerry. I'm happy for you." I give him a quick hug. Over his left shoulder I see John watching our exchange. I can't help but wink at him just to let him know that I caught him starring at me. John face goes up on flames of embarrassment.

Griffin takes Lanie and grabs my hand and walks us to the fair. Katie and Jake follow us hand in hand while Donny and Jerry run ahead of us.

I can't help but to think this may be our last family outing.