The deep roar of the engine broke the solitude of the neighborhood, the vibrations rumbling beneath her. Smokey pulled away from the curb, and she tightened her grip. The wind lashed against her face as trees, streetlights, and houses rushed by. Seeing how Smokey handled the motorcycle with ease and expertise, the fear inside of her slowly slipped away.
At the stoplight, he revved the engine hard, and she gasped as the vibrations ran through her. Holy shit! I never expected that. Who knew riding a motorcycle would be this much fun?
The wind grew chilly, and she pressed herself to his back, feeling the heat emanating off his body. As they rode, she leaned with him into a turn, loving the feeling of complete freedom. Riding on the same road she took every day to work was more exciting from the back of a bike. She’d never noticed the way the sunlight played over the copper tops of the streetlights, or paid attention to the soft whoosh of water cascading from the fountain in Miner’s Square. Everything seemed familiar and different at the same time.
Smokey turned into the parking lot of the diner and pulled into a space. When he came to a stop and turned off the engine, Ashley climbed off the bike, her legs a bit shaky. He grabbed her arm to steady her as he straddled the bike.
“That’s normal for your first time.” He threw his right leg over the seat and tugged her closer to him, his arm curling around her shoulders.
“I’m okay. That was really fun!”
“Wait until we go riding along the mountain passes. It’s awesome,” he said as he led her into the diner.
Tingles skated down her arm. He’s making future plans with me. That means something, doesn’t it?
“Hiya, Smokey.” The waitress’s nametag read Maddie. She glanced at Ashley, then placed a hand on Smokey’s shoulder. “The back booth is free.”
He took the seat facing the front of the restaurant, and she slid into the one across from him while he chatted with the waitress, giving Ashley the impression that he knew Maddie pretty well.
“The specials for breakfast are banana nut pancakes, carnitas skillet with green chile, and Belgian waffles with blackberry syrup. I’ll bring you some water, and” –she pointed at Smokey— “coffee and cream. Is coffee good for you too?” she asked Ashley.
“Yes, thank you.”
“All right, then. Be back in a sec.” Maddie put the pencil behind her ear as she made her way to the kitchen.
“Is she a friend of yours?” Ashley asked, casually perusing the menu.
Smokey leaned against the back of the booth. “I’d say that, but I only see Maddie when I come to the diner. She’s the best waitress in the joint.”
“She seems nice.”
“She is. She got fucked by her cheating ex. The asshole doesn’t pay a fuckin’ dime in child support. Maddie works her ass off for her kids, and I admire that.”
“I do too. My mom worked two jobs, sometimes three, to put food on the table for my brother, sister, and me after my dad left.”
“That must’ve been rough. Do you help your family out now that you’re a high-powered career woman?” The corners of his mouth curved into a smile.
“I do help out. My mom works as a receptionist for a mining company in the Tech Center. I put the down payment on a nicer home for her, Jessica, and Tyler. Jessica’s my sister, and Tyler’s my nephew. She had him when she was a senior in high school.”
“I’m guessing the dad isn’t helping out.”
“That’s right—just like my dad. Why don’t fathers want to support their kids?”
Smokey inhaled and breathed out slowly. “I think a lot of men feel resentment, anger, and bitterness when they have to write their ex a check every month. Most hate to pay because there’s so much negative shit going on between them.”
“I can see that, but the money doesn’t go to the ex to live a luxurious life. It goes to the kids so they can eat every day, wear clothes that fit, and not end up on the fucking streets.” Her voice hitched, and she quickly looked down, blinking rapidly.
Smokey reached out and took both of her hands in his. “Kids are the fallout of their parents’ selfishness and disappointments in life.”
She looked up. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get so emotional.”
“Sometimes you have to. The memories are always there in the dark corners