THE LAST FEW weeks have flown by. Kim and I spend time with Tommy on a daily basis. It doesn’t hurt that Killer and I are still living at the clubhouse so I’m always around. It’s easier to be in the common room knowing Tommy is here now. Killer is still off looking for Neil with no luck. So, to keep myself entertained when I’m not doing schoolwork I keep Tommy company as he works around the clubhouse.
Tommy doesn’t complain or bitch about the horrible jobs he has around the clubhouse. They’ve got him stocking the alcohol behind the bar, cleaning up, running to the store, and a list of other jobs. Whenever I can, I keep him company and we talk about things we’ve been up to since the last time we saw one another. I can honestly say I owe this man my life. He saved me on a regular basis and won’t let me apologize, give him thanks, or anything else. It’s just who he is.
I’ve been to the doctor and I found out what we’re having. I’m the only one who knows at this point. So, I’ve planned a gender reveal party. It’s for the entire club since we need something to boost our spirits. Everyone is frustrated because Neil is still out there and no one’s any closer to finding him.
Rich and Tommy have been helping me get things ready. Maria is still here, and I begged Slim to let her out for a little while as long as she stays by my side since the men who are stuck babysitting me are usually right there. The guys agreed she could if she wanted to. Inside they’re all a bunch of softies when it comes to the women in the club. Well, not the house bunnies. Plus, they understand why Maria did what she did. I’m no longer mad or upset with her. I’d have done the same thing as her to get my baby sister back.
The common room of the clubhouse has been transformed today. We’ve cleaned it from top to bottom and then decorated it with pink and blue everything. There are streamers, balloons, the paper plates, cups, and silverware. I even have chocolate wrapped in blue and pink wrappers around the room. Killer got me a rocking chair for our room. Tommy was nice enough to move it to the common room with me because I love sitting in it and holding my belly.
I definitely have a belly now. It seems as if I went from a flat stomach to this huge belly protruding from the front of my body. I’m not going to complain one bit about it. My stomach showcases our babies resting safely in my body until they’re ready to be born.
“Gwen, I’m gonna head back to my room now,” Maria tells me as she looks at the time.
The other ol’ ladies should be here soon. They don’t feel the same about Maria as I do and don’t understand the compassion I feel toward her. None of them were in the situation I was caused by Neil and my father, so I don’t expect them to.
“Are you sure? You don’t have to,” I inform her.
“Yeah. Today is a day for your family. The guys will be back soon and the ol’ ladies will be here to help with what’s left. Thank you for asking me to help you,” Maria says, walking back to her room as Rich follows her.
Maria still has to be locked in the room, so everyone knows she doesn’t do anything to contact Neil. Slim showed his trust in her today by letting her out of the room to help me. I sit down in the rocking chair and begin rocking while placing my hands on my stomach. A smile covers my face as I look at the room around me. Tommy is sitting at the bar with a beer in his hand and a sandwich in front of him. Rich is hooking his phone up to the stereo system so we can listen to music.
Just as the opening beats of Just the Way by Parmalee and Blanco Brown plays as the ol’ ladies’ race through the front door of the clubhouse. They’ve got bags on each arm as they head straight to the kitchen. Getting up from the chair, I follow them so we can prepare the food. Tommy trails behind me to make sure there’s nothing else left out in the SUV and