Memory Lane

Chapter 3. Harsh Truths

Desiree

Opie pulled into a parking lot in front of a building that read Diosa, there wasn't much more explanation than that. He parked next to a row of bikes in the parking lot and stopped the engine. I slowly got off the bike and took in my surroundings, trying to talk myself into mustering up the courage to go inside. However, when I saw that familiar Harley Davidson parked only 2 spots away, that courage fizzled out faster than I thought possible.

"Opie, I don't think this is a good idea," I was painfully uncomfortable and I wanted nothing more than to hide. I honestly don't know what came over me, why did I feel so gun-shy?

"Des, it's going to be fine, the hardest part is walking through those doors," he said calmly. I looked up at him and then back at the doors of Diosa, I shook my head as I began to lose my nerve. "Opie, please, not today. I can't do any of this today"

He let out a sigh and bit his lower lip, "alright, not today but soon." He handed me back the helmet and I gladly took it back. I didn't finally feel calm until Diosa was out of the rearview mirror, but then I felt guilty for leaving. I couldn't explain the sense of panic I felt when I thought about seeing my family again. To see the guys, Gemma,...Jax, I just wasn't prepared for that level of emotion yet. I mean, I had just gotten my piece of freedom and that was overwhelming within itself.

Opie rode us to his home; it was one of the few places that still felt familiar. I was surprised to see how little it had changed, but Donna always liked to keep things simple.

When Opie stopped his engine he had an expression on his face that I couldn't read. Perhaps he was trying to figure out how to explain my reappearance to Donna. "Desiree, there's something I need to tell you about...Donna." I was taken aback by his tone, why had he gotten so serious all of sudden? Had she fallen ill?

"She died three years ago."

"What?" my eyes grew wide, "what happened? Opie, I'm so sorry!" He remained calm and reached out for my hand, "it's okay," he closed his eyes, "um it was an uh retaliation." I paused for a moment as I read his face, I could always tell when Opie was lying to me. He always stuttered a lot and never looked you in the eye.

"Opie?" I called his name and he opened his eyes to look at me. He sighed heavily as he looked at me with sorrow-filled eyes.

"Tig," he paused for a moment, trying to regain his composure. "Tig killed her. It was supposed to be me that night."

My eyebrows furrowed, "Why would Tig kill Donna?"

"Clay ordered it, he thought I turned on the club. I was going through some sh** with the feds and an ATF agent basically set it up to look like I ratted."

"Aw Opie," I pulled him into a hug and held him in my arms. He pulled away and took my hand to lead me onto the steps of his front porch. I was nervous because I could sense that there was more bad news headed my way.

"Yeah, a lot has happened since you've been gone. Everything is a mess."

"Have you talked to Piney about Clay?" My question was so innocent, I had no idea of the magnitude it held. However, when I saw Opie's eyes start to produce more tears, I realized that Piney was also gone.

"Whole lotta good that did him, talking to Clay is what got him killed." He noticed my mouth drop and he continued, "My dad was always mouthing off to Clay about the best interest of the club. It eventually got so bad that Clay went up to the Cabin and killed him."

I turned away from Opie so that I could calm down. I was so surprised to hear how villainous Clay had become. The Clay I remembered was so different from the man I was hearing about now. He was never a saint, but he was also never this awful. "Is he still alive?" I asked hesitantly. Surely, Opie wouldn't let two deaths go unpunished.

"Yeah, Jax didn't let me kill him, some sh** about Clay being useful for the club."

"Why would Jax?" I shook my head, "this doesn't sound right"

"Your guess is as good as mine. He's become quite the little secret holder lately, he changed overnight."

"I don't think I know anyone anymore Ope; everything has changed." We remained silent for a moment, just watching the trees shake with the breeze. "So, what happens now? Are they going to turn themselves in?

"I guess," Opie looked far off when he said it.

"Ope, what are you thinking?" He remained silent as he refused to look at me, "Opie, you're not thinking of going back inside are you?" Still, he said nothing. "Opie, that's crazy! What about your kids?"

"Lyla can take care of them," he said quietly.

"Lyla?" I resisted the urge to ask, "Opie that's beside the point, you can't go inside again!"

"Desiree, if I don't go with them, it might as well be a blood bath. They are going in on bullsh** charges with witnesses that popped up out of thin air! They're going to need protection."

I remained quiet as the reality of his words began to settle. It seemed like I had come back only to be thrown into a world of chaos. I just wished that there was something I could do to help all of this. To ensure that everyone would be safe.

My mind raced as I tried to think up a way to help. "Look," Opie said bringing me out of my thoughts, "you can stay here for now. I'll let Lyla know and you can sleep in Ellie's room."

He got up from the step and turned around to open the door. Once he opened it I smelled a fresh scent of lavender, and the shower was running. "I guess she's here," he said underneath his breath. He walked into the bedroom as I stood there awkwardly. The house had barely changed, minus the absent pictures of Donna. In her place was a picture of Opie with a blonde woman, smiling big in wedding attire. I guess she had to be Lyla.

Opie suddenly emerged from the bedroom with a small blonde woman with wet hair following him. She looked beyond agitated and for a minute I thought her attitude was directed at me. But then I read the expression on Opie's face and knew that there was trouble in paradise.

"Desiree, this is my wife Lyla," I extended my hand out to shake hers and she looked entranced by me. "Wow, so you really are real," she said in a breathy tone. I stood there awkwardly as the room fell silent, "um thanks for letting me stay here for a few days until I can get back on my feet."

"No big deal, you can make yourself at home."

"Um, I'm going to go up to the cabin," Opie said more directed to me than to Lyla. She had a sour expression on her face when he said it, but he ignored her as he left the house. I tried not to stare at her as she let herself become emotional. I didn't know a thing about her marriage to Opie, and I wasn't going to start speaking where I didn't fit. It was so obvious that he was closed off with her, and I doubt he talked to her about the club. "Um, Lyla is it alright if I use your phone?"

"Yeah, it's in the kitchen," she said flatly. She turned around to go back into her bedroom and closed the door behind her.

I went into the kitchen and picked up the house phone on the counter. I opened the bag I kept my journal in and fished out the card that Patterson gave me. I stared at the card for a moment before I started to dial the number. I hope that my efforts are not in vain.