Cade
The ride back took forever.
What was Avery’s full story?
Was she sick?
She didn’t look sick.
If she chose to tell me, I would listen. Till then, I would wait. I hoped I could help share the load.
When we drove into the workshop and she pulled off her helmet, Wrench looked once, then made like nothing had changed.
One look at her bike told me it wasn't going anywhere today.
She didn’t need more today.
She could have my bike for her trip, with or without me.
“So, we have loaner bikes…” Wrench lied.
She covered her face with her hands and we waited.
She dragged her hands slowly down her face, leaving her mouth covered, and looked from Wrench to me.
Two loud bros with nothing to say.
“I need to get to Rocky Neck tonight,” she murmured almost as a cry for help.
“No problem,” I said. “I can take you. You can take a bike. The van.”
“You can take me?”
“Sure. I was going there myself.”
She smiled, and my eyes threatened to spring a leak.
“Would you like to freshen up first?”
“Please.”
I led her toward one of the empty trailers in the yard and opened the door. “Take your time,” I said as I stepped away to the closest picnic table and let my mind spiral.