I can smell the asphalt on the still cooling road and the wildflowers littering the grass. The feel of the wheels on the ground has become a lullaby relaxing me with its song. Excitement replaces exhaustion. This is my chance to see into his life. To meet his family and see how he lived. I want a better understanding of how the man I love could be the way he once was to have peace and the belief that he’s truly over that backward thinking.
What kind of man would teach his children to hate? I understand now why he’s still struggling with his father’s death. Tomorrow will be a day for asking tough questions. Tonight I’m just a woman on a late night ride with the man she loves. I tighten my hold and let my thoughts drift away on the breeze. By the time we arrive at the clubhouse, I’m in a whole different world. Removed from the hustle and bustle of the city, they’re nestled in a small community that runs at a completely different speed.
I can hear the rock music from the parking lot. Bikes and cars seem to take up nearly every inch of space available. He lowers his kickstand, and I climb off on rubbery legs. I place a hand on his shoulder, and he smiles.
“It’ll pass soon.”
“Are they celebrating something?”
“Yeah, the weekend,” he says dryly.
“This is a normal Saturday night?”
“Pretty much. Told you my upbringing was a little different.”
“If by little you mean a lot, yes.” I step back and roll my shoulders. “What happened when you were a kid? Surely you weren’t here in the clubhouse.”
“No. I had babysitters same as everyone else. Mine just happened to be one of the club girls.”
“Club girls?”
“A group of woman who help around the club with various tasks and in turn we support them.”
“Things of a sexual nature?”
“If they want. It’s up to them what their bartering tools are.”
“How is that not prostitution?” I ask.
“Well, we’re not paying them money for it, you know?” He raises an eyebrow, and I realize I’ve just started on a very strange trip.
“Yeah. I guess?”
“You can’t look at this world with civilian glasses. It won’t make sense. Keep an open mind and ask as many questions as you need to. Assuming will only lead to misunderstandings.”
“Apparently. Your mother was okay with that arrangement?”
“She … wasn’t really in the picture like that, and my dad was the king of the castle type. I know. Shocker. Look, when we get inside you’re going to see my brothers letting loose. That’s a lot different than you’re used to. Everything is consensual and fun for all engaged. There’s a code here. You keep what you see to yourself. Can you do that?”
“Yes. I mean really, who would I tell?” I mutter.
“All right, try not to look too traumatized,” he says as we walk across the lot and inside.
I blink. It’s like a stepped into a den of inequity from the eighteen hundreds. The pungent smell of marijuana, cigarettes, cologne, and ardor fill the space. It’s exactly what I would’ve imagined a clubhouse would be like during a party. There’s a group of people grinding together on the floor, lined up at the bar, and in various stages of undress throughout the room. An archway opens up to a game room packed with people around pool tables, dart boards, and more than I can’t see from this angle.
“You doing okay?”
“Yes?”
He chuckles. “Let’s head to my room.” He guides me through the crowd, pausing to greet people who are stopping him. All eyes are on me.
At least now I know exactly why they’re staring.
“Whoa, what are you going back here, brother?”
A mohawked man steps up with his arm around a curvy redhead. I shift my weight from one foot to the other as she gives me a once over. I feel underdressed and overdressed at the same time in a pair of black skinny jeans and an off-the-shoulder black T-shirt. She’s giving me a look that screams ‘she’s not your usual one-night stand’.
“Taking a little break and showing Xia around. I’m taking her to meet D’Rose tomorrow.”