Wild Ride

by Rebecca Avery

  “Go… before I change my mind… but slow!” she said.

  He looked back at her once more and said indignantly, “Umm… the neck.”

  “I’m serious Chuck… go or I will chicken out,” she ordered.

  He started the bike up and then said, “Ok… here we go.” With that he slowly took off forward.

  After the first pass around the circle drive she looked over and could see her brothers jumping around with excitement and waving at her. God she had missed being with them like this.

  As much of a pain in the ass as they could be sometimes… she missed them. Her mother no longer looked as worried… or stressed… and even waved too as they started the third pass around the drive.

  “Ok, your turn is over,” he said, pulling up to the sidewalk and killing the engine.

  “Should I let you get off first?” she asked

  Looking over his shoulder he grinned at her and his thoughts were mirrored in his eyes. She could feel herself blush and looked away but not before a small grin of her own escaped containment. If only he were serious.

  “If that’s how you want it,” he said with another grin.

  “Stop it,” she whispered before releasing her arms from around his waist.

  “Do you see this?” he asked, releasing one of the handle bars and displaying his arm which was in fact covered with small bumps as though he was chilled. “Keep it up and see what happens,” he threatened. This time he actually looked serious. Was he?

  Chapter Five

  If she wasn’t the judge’s granddaughter he would… but she was so… that wasn’t going to happen. Putting down the kickstand, he felt her scoot to the side. Soon enough she was no longer pressed against his back but was standing, holding onto the seat instead.

  He got off the bike and knowing he couldn’t stand another second of her plastered against him with her legs gripping his hips. He scooped her up in his arms, carried her to the chair and sat her in it.

  After taking each of the boys on a ride around the circle, he pulled up to the sidewalk and Matt hopped off. “Come on, Carla, you know you want in on this action too,” he smiled at her.

  Meredith started giggling and wouldn’t look at him and the boys started jumping up and down yelling that it was their mom’s turn. With a shy smile and a roll of her eyes Carla came over and got on the bike behind him.

  On the third time around the circle she leaned forward and said, “I can’t thank you enough for today.”

  He could only smile. They were a great family and just needed a reminder of what they had. It was amazing to him how quickly people who had it all… a family that loved them… could lose sight of that when hard times hit.

  If he’d had something like this growing up… love and support… maybe he would have went to art school or some shit like that.

  After parking the bike and letting Carla off, she said, “Ok, time for showers.”

  The boys both groaned and moaned about not wanting to go to bed yet. He snuck over to the bushes and pulled out his large Nerf gun. Turning to Ben he aimed the gun at him and said, “Better get moving there, private, we got a lot of ground to cover tomorrow and a battle to fight when we get there!”

  Ben squealed and then ran laughing into the house. Matt remained where he was until Chuck turned the gun on him and pulled the trigger shooting him in the arm. He then took off running for the house as well, laughing the whole way. Carla smiled her thanks and then looked to where Meredith sat.

  Taking aim at Meredith he said, “This here gun says I’m in charge. If you give me any shit… any at all… fight me… or pinch my ass again… I’m going to pump you full of sponge loaded bullets.”

  “Meredith!” Carla said in shock.

  “Now who owes two quarters?” Meredith asked him.

  He couldn’t hold in the laugh or the smile. Carla rolled her eyes at them and then headed in the house after the boys. He stuffed the helmet and the Nerf gun in his backpack and zipped it up before handing it to Meredith.

  Looking down at her, he put his hands on his hips. Better to get whatever this was they were doing… playing… teasing… flirting… whatever… out in the open. Reigning in this attraction to her was not only smart but necessary.

  “Thanks for making me do this, Chuck,” she said suddenly as tears formed in her eyes. Oh no…not that…anything but that.

  He wasn’t real sure what to say as she swiped at her tears, “Sure…anytime.”

  Then, realizing she was on the verge of really crying, he knelt down in front of her and tipped her face up and said, “The fake foot thing really might help. If they don’t come with fake hair I can always paint some on it so it blends in with your leg.”

  She laughed through her tears and said, “You are obnoxious, do you know that? I’ll shave my damn legs already.”

  “Need some help?” he asked with a grin. Damn shouldn’t have said that. The words conjured images in his mind better left alone.

  Leaning forward she said, “You’d like that wouldn’t you?”

  “Every bit as much as you would,” he said as he watched her lips move. He’d like to kiss that smart mouth of hers. So much for reigning in the attraction.

  She finished wiping the last of her tears as he stood up. “Come on. Let’s get you upstairs. I have to get going, I need to get to work early to start prepping for a paint job I got this weekend,” he said.

  “Paint job?” she asked as he knelt down with his back to her and she again moved against him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

  Standing up and adjusting her, he said, “Yea it’s the last of four custom motorcycles we built.”

  Handing her his backpack and then grabbing the chair, he headed toward the house.

  “Will you take a picture of it and bring it with you so I can see it when you’re done?” she asked.

  “I’m doing the base coat tomorrow and then Saturday I’m doing the detail work. You want to hang with me at the shop on Saturday while your mom and the boys are gone?” he asked.

  What the hell…he must be possessed by Satan himself to play with fire like this… why did he ask her that?

  “I wouldn’t be in the way?” she asked against his neck. God Almighty, give him strength. Was she doing that on purpose?

  Swallowing hard he said, “No…but I’ll be in the booth part and you’ll have to watch through the window.”

  “Ok…what time?” she asked as he dropped off the chair in the breakfast nook.

  “Umm, I need to get there by nine in the morning so I’d have to pick you up around eight thirty,” he said.

  “Ok…I’ll be ready. I’ll dress more appropriately and I might even shave my legs,” she laughed.

  He climbed the stairs and made his way into her room and sat her on the bed. She scooted over as he stood up and turned to her.

  “Do you need anything,” he asked.

  “No, I’m good,” she replied.

  “Alright then… night, Edith,” he smiled.

  “Night, Charlie,” she laughed.

  He closed the door behind him and headed down the stairs. As he hit the last step Carla came out of the Matt’s room and said, “Hey, wait up a minute, Chuck.”

  He waited at the bottom of the stairs. After making her way down the steps Carla put her hand on his shoulder, smiled and then hugged him. He wasn’t sure what the hug was for but it was nice.

  “Thanks again,” she whispered.

  Meredith couldn’t seem to quit smiling as she changed into her nightgown. After brushing her teeth and getting in the bed she pulled out her laptop. She scoured through her emails looking for the ones she’d received on prosthetics. Nearly a year later she was finally ready to respond.

  Chuck seemed unconcerned with her missing foot. Maybe she was taking this whole thing too seriously. It was a major change in her life but she still had a life and she’d effectively wasted a year of it. She looked up when her mom knocked on the door and entered.

  �
�Hi, honey…what are you doing?” she asked with a smile.

  “Looking at ‘fake’ feet,” she giggled.

  “Chuck’s a sweet guy,” her mom said. “He definitely says whatever comes into his mind.”

  “Yea, but this is not just because of his comments. Tonight… tonight I realized how much I miss being a part of things and I want that back. I want my life back. I’m bored Mom… I’m done feeling sorry for myself. Dad wouldn’t have wanted that,” she said.

  “No, he wouldn’t have wanted that,” Carla smiled.

  “I’m sorry, Mom… this year long pity party of mine has been really hard on you. I didn’t realize… just how hard and I’m sorry,” she said through her tears.

  “It’s ok,” her mom said wiping at her own tears “We want you back too.”

  “I sent some emails out about prosthetics that Dr. Lykes had sent to me,” she said. “I’m ready to go back to physical therapy and I’m ready to be mobile again.”

  “I’m so glad,” her mom smiled again.

  “Chuck is right about one thing though…” she laughed.

  “What’s that, sweetie?” Carla asked.

  “I look like shit and I need to shave,” she laughed again.

  “I have to say I was a little nervous about him at first. Now that I’ve met him I can’t believe he ever robbed someone… and at gun point!” her mom said in amazement.

  “Is that why he’s on probation?” she asked, her smile fading.

  “Yea, he was convicted as a teenager and is still on probation. Apparently he recently saved someone’s life by hitting some guy with a gun. Grandpa just couldn’t put him in jail for it so… we got him instead,” Carla said as though contemplating the whole scenario.

  “He was pretty angry when he came in here to get me but he didn’t hurt me. He doesn’t strike me as the violent type,” she said.

  “Well just be careful around him. He’s only been here for a few days and we really don’t know him that well so…” her mother warned. They hugged and then she said, “Well I’m going to bed so good night.”

  After her mother left the room she shut down the laptop and turned off the lights. The events of the evening replayed over and over in her mind, each time bringing a smile to her face.

  She kept busy over the next couple of days with both a doctor appointment and a physical therapy session where they discussed her options for a prosthetic and the steps involved. She even got her mom to take her to the store to pick out an outfit and replace her expired makeup while she was out finishing the last of the back to school shopping for the boys.

  The boys had one more week of break before they started back to school. She’d been too tired both days to go downstairs for dinner, so Chuck and the boys had brought up a table cloth and they’d had a picnic in her room.

  When her mother came home from work Meredith listened as Carla gave Chuck instructions on where they would be over the weekend and phone numbers there. Then she heard him heading up the stairs. She could tell it was him by the way he walked.

  He knocked and then stuck his head in her door “We still up for tomorrow?” he asked.

  “Yea, eight thirty,” she replied.

  “See you in the morning then, Edith,”

  “Night, Charlie,” she smiled.

  When her alarm went off the following morning she was surprised at the energy she had. It seemed like the more she did during the day the more energy she built up. The past few nights when she went to bed, it was because she was tired… not because she’d never left it.

  She felt good… great actually. Maybe it was from the attitude adjustment that Chuck had given her but either way she felt good.

  She managed to get in the shower on her own and, grinning like a fool, shaved her legs. She was blow drying her hair when her mom and the boys came in to say goodbye before heading out on their trip.

  “What’s this all about?” her mother asked as she eyed the blow dryer.

  “Chuck invited me to watch him paint a motorcycle where he works today,” she said with a smile.

  “Are you sure you’re up for that?” Carla asked with a worried look.

  “Yea, it’ll be fun…and it gets me out of the house. A theme park might be a bit much but sitting around watching someone else work I think I can handle,” she said with a reassuring smile.

  Her mother smiled and kissed the top of her head, advised her she would leave the door unlocked for Chuck and to make sure to lock it before they left.

  With that they left and she finished her hair and applied her makeup. If not for the stump she’d look damn good.

  She hadn’t realized she was listening for Chuck until she heard the front door open and the sounds of him talking.

  “Hey, Dana…what’s up?” Chuck said and then after a long pause she heard him on the stairs. “Hey…slow down, babe.”

  Dana? Babe? Who was he talking to? She’d not contemplated that he might have a girlfriend. Did he? If so why… maybe he hadn’t been flirting and she’d just misinterpreted his behavior toward her?

  “Umm… okay but I’m actually closer to you than the shop but I’m on the bike… and I’ll have a friend with me,” he said as he entered her room and smiled at her.

  A friend? She couldn’t quite help the disappointment those words caused. It wasn’t like this was a date or anything other than friendship.

  His words were accurate but it didn’t take away the disappointment. She was stupid for even entertaining that thought anyway. First he was a criminal and second she was handicapped. Besides they had absolutely nothing in common.

  She forced a smile as he said, “Ok, sit tight and I’ll be there in like ten minutes. Bye.” His eyes seemed to devour her and she told her racing heartbeat to chill… his look meant nothing. He set his backpack on the foot of her bed and unzipped it taking out the helmet he’d brought on Ben’s birthday.

  “Everything ok?” she asked.

  “Dana’s car died so we’re going to have to make a pit stop,” he said. “She just got groceries and has the kids with her.”

  Kids! Stupid her for not asking questions! It was too late to back out now without giving away too much.

  “Sure… ok,” she replied stupidly.

  “If I can’t get it started… I don’t know what to tell her. It’s not like I can pack everyone on the bike and the groceries too,” he said looking worried.

  “We could take my car…” she offered.

  A look of confusion crossed his face “You have a car…you can drive…?” he stammered.

  “Yes I have a car! I haven’t always been a cripple! It’s in the garage and hasn’t been driven in… but yes I have one. The keys are on the key holder in the kitchen,” she said unable to keep the sarcasm and hostility out of her voice.

  “I’m sorry…I didn’t mean…” he started. “And you’re not a cripple… don’t say that… you’re just a smartass with a disability, that’s all.”

  She was letting her disappointment at the situation ruin things. She’d looked forward to today for the past two… and she’d spent enough time pouting over her injuries. Chuck was fun… she could either settle for being his friend… or be a bitch… alone.

  “Sorry…” she said. “I shouldn’t have bit your head off like that.”

  Laughing he said, “Old people can be like that sometimes, Edith.” Then smiling and setting the helmet on her dresser he continued, “Forgiven… but we need to go… Gretchen is hard to handle when she has to wait or gets bored.”

  He presented his back to her and, as though they’d practiced it a hundred times, she jumped on and he grabbed her purse. After finding the keys to the house and to her car, they headed out to the garage.

  “I think you should drive,” she said. Then seeing the grin on his face as he looked back at her, she said, “I know… I know… you’re an excellent driver,” she laughed.

  After getting her settled in the passenger’s seat he said, “We should take your chair�
� it will be a whole lot more comfortable and cleaner than anything else we have in the shop.”

  With that he started the car and backed out of the garage. After pulling his bike inside they figured out that the garage door opener no longer worked so he got out and closed it on his way back in the house. After a few minutes he came back out the front door carrying her wheelchair.

  After locking the house he walked to the rear of her car and yelled, “Pop the trunk.”

  She had to lean across the seat to reach the latch for the trunk. After stuffing her chair in the trunk and getting in the driver’s seat, he started up the car and they were headed out. Looking down at the dashboard display he said, “We’re going to have to stop for gas soon.”

  Then turning to her with a knowing look he said, “Do you have a gas can?”

  “I think there is one back in the garage… why?” she asked.

  “Instincts,” he muttered, turning the car around and heading back to the house.

  After collecting the gas can from the garage and locking the house back up they drove to a grocery store not too far from her house. Chuck pulled up alongside another car and a tall woman with long red hair got out of the car holding an infant, as did an angelic looking little girl around the same age as Ben.

  “I’m only going to ask this based on past experiences… are you out of gas by any chance?” Chuck asked the woman she presumed was Dana.

  Looking thoughtful the woman smiled and then looked away. “Possibly…” she finally answered.

  Chuck walked over, got in the driver’s seat and turned the key then turned it back off and got back out of the car.

  “Yea… the little red light that looks like a gas can… when it comes on that means you need to stop for gas…” he said with a sarcastic laugh.

  “I’m sorry, Chuck… things have been crazy these past few weeks now that Melody’s home…” the woman said looking stressed and tired, but happy all at the same time.

  “Not to worry… I came prepared to unlock your door… change a flat tire… or even put in enough gas to get you to a gas station.” he said, pulling the gas can out of the trunk of Meredith’s car.