*Some masks hide who we are. Others show who we want to be*
(Thanks to a ton of people who helped with this who gave me patience, suggestions, read through it and occasionally kicked my ass to get me back on the job. Thanks too to Frontma for the final edit.)
(Yes, this tale is supposed to be somewhat humorous and outrageous too. While not always comedic I'd like to think it is mostly a good-natured romp.)
*
As Rio and I pulled into the driveway of my house, I noted both the progress Aunt Jill's contractors were making on the extension being built to shelter the motorcycles that were now hanging out at the place and their number. I also saw a bike that I didn't recognize with a brazen gang emblem on the saddle bags -- Stormrider's, not Valarie's.
Rio was still sulking over Mercy being with her parents. It was Saturday night so she had less than a day to go before Homecoming ended and Fall Break began. The hope was that Mercy could convince her parents she was required to stay on campus for the week school was out. Considering what her family patriarch thought of women's opinions, we didn't think she had a prayer.
"A lot of bikes," Rio noted. "I don't care what Jill says, I'm grabbing a few beers."
"Don't run around the front yard naked or swing from the rafters and we'll do fine," I joked. I wasn't going to fight Rio on this -- I was preparing for a hung-over Rio at Church in the morning.
We heard laughter as we stepped onto the porch. I swung the door open and announced us.
"Jill -- it's me and Rio," I said. The laughter died down and I heard footsteps coming my way.
Jill and I met at the entry to the living room. We hugged, kissed and then she showed us in. Belle and Willa were regulars and Valarie was expected. The ginger-haired woman with a beer and a smile was unknown to me, though.
"Zane, Rio, this is Fontana Palmer, Valarie's mother," Jill introduced us.
"How's the leg, Old Lady?" Rio grinned. That's Rio for you. Fontana turned to Valarie.
"You were right -- you can't go ten minutes without wanting to punch her," she chuckled.
"I got it for you," Belle hopped up. Rio, in her foul mood, was ready to get in a scrap right then and there but I knew that was plain stupid.
"Come on, Belle," I intervened. "GF problems."
"Yours or hers?" Belle hesitated.
"Hers," I answered. Belle leaned past me and looked seriously at Rio.
"Mercy's in trouble?" Belle sounded concerned. Willa half-turned on the sofa to get a better view of things.
"She's with her," Rio bit down on the expletive for Jill's sake, "parents."
"Ah, what a bitch," Belle moved past me and led Rio to the sofa. "Isn't it great when the folks decide that you aren't good enough for their little pride and joy? Been there, done that."
Belle handed Rio her beer then looked back at me.
"Zane, two more beers," she ordered.
"Hi, Zane," I mocked myself, "Glad to have you back. How did the match go?"
"It is good to have you back, Zane," Jill touched my arm. "How did the match go?"
"What was the match in?" Fontana inquired.
"Oh, hi, Mrs. Palmer," I corrected my rudeness.
"He was in a marksmanship competition," Valarie jumped in. "How did you and Hope do?"
"Hope took top spot but it was close," I informed them. "The number two guy came in .02 points behind and third was .08. The team took third place." All I have to say is those two guys scared the crap out of me. Apparently they shoot moose with .22's in their spare time or some shit like that.
"Congratulations, Zane," Willa grinned. The room followed suit -- except for Rio. I motioned Jill to return to her chair and made for the stairs.
"Beers, bitch," Belle teased me. "Sorry, Jill -- beers, Punk." I opted to not make a scene so I dropped my bag, went to the fridge, and got two beers.
By the time I got back, Rio had buried her first beer and grabbed for her second. Belle took hers and winked.
"What? No tip?" I wondered.
"Oh, what were you expecting?" Belle tilted back her head.
I ran a hand through her hair, leaned in and kissed her on the lips. Our tongues darted forth, then danced back and forth within our mouths. I put a hand on her shoulder then let it migrate down to her breast. I squeezed it gently and Belle moaned. I broke the kiss and smiled at her.
"That'll do," I chuckled. Belle's eyes were alight and she was smiling as well.
Jill was looking into the fireplace and blushing, Rio was blasé, working through her beer, but the other three women were staring at me.
"Beer, Zane," Valarie leered. Fontana, far from being protective, patted her daughter on the shoulder.
"Oh, hell no," I waved off. "I was crawling through the woods all morning then spent the rest of the day riding in a bus with other smelly athletes. I'm putting my bag in my room and taking a shower."
"Are you sure you know what to do showering alone?" Valarie called after me. Bitch.
The first thing I noted was that someone had been sleeping in my bed. My money was on Fontana. I'd deal with that later but at the moment, all I wanted to do was get clean. As the hot water scalded away the grime and sweat I thought happy thoughts about Hope. She hadn't complimented me but she hadn't a bad thing to say about my performance either.
In a way I felt 'in the zone'. I caught the range, slope and wind changes like a pro and I thought her score showed it. I knew she wanted the team to do better but with the youth of the squad, coming in third out of a field of twelve felt good to me. For Hope, nothing short of first would do.
By the time I got downstairs, I was shirtless, wearing gym shorts, and drying my hair with a towel. The group had migrated to the den, the TV was on, and the conversation was muted. Jill's look told me I should have put on more clothes. I only wanted to unwind. The looks the other women were giving me were far less motherly.
