Big Mike: WE PROTECT OUR FAMILY ON AMERICAN SOIL!
Another massive biker stepped forward to the edge of the busy sidewalk, turning his large body toward the street while glaring fiercely at anyone who stared too long. His solid presence alone created an impassable wall between young Lily and the rest of the busy world. Lily wiped away the last of her tears with the back of her sleeve, a radiant, happy smile breaking across her face as her fear completely melted away.
Lily: THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Jax: Where's your family at, kiddo? Are you here all by yourself today?
Lily: My dad went to buy us lemonade at the stand around the corner. He told me to wait right by the flag post because my leg was hurting so bad.
Jax: Smart girl. We'll hang out right here until he gets back. What's your name?
Lily: My name is Lily. I broke my leg falling off my bicycle last month.
Jax: Well, Lily, I'm Jax. And these ugly guys standing behind me are Mike, Bear, Hank, and Doc.
The bikers all laughed together, a deep rumble that made Lily giggle softly for the very first time that afternoon. Big Mike turned around for a quick second, giving Lily a gentle wave with his huge hand before returning to his guard duty watching the passing crowd. The warm sun did not feel so harsh anymore with five guardians standing nearby.
Bear: You know, Lily, that white cast looks a little too plain. Did your school friends sign it yet?
Lily: No... not really. None of them came over to visit me after I broke my leg.
Jax: Well, looks like we get to be the very first ones. Mind if I put our mark on there?
Lily: Really? You'd actually sign my leg cast?
Jax: It'd be an absolute honor, kiddo.
Jax pulled a thick black permanent marker out from an inside pocket of his dark leather vest. He carefully bent down and wrote 'LONE STAR PROTECTORS' in neat block letters right across the front of her white plaster cast. Lily watched with wide, amazed eyes as the other riders took turns carefully signing their unique nicknames onto the smooth white plaster.
Lily: This is the coolest thing ever! My dad isn't gonna believe this at all!
Jax: He better believe it. You're officially part of our crew now, Lily.