Page 67 of Disturbed Lucidity

It was a strange feeling. One I wasn’t ready to admit.

Making sure she was settled, I twisted back around and grabbed the grips on the handlebars. I hoisted the bike off its stand and balanced it upright, feeling the heavy weight settle between my legs when she reached out and grabbed my shoulders. Looking down under my right arm at her bare thigh, splayed outward several inches from my hip, her foot tucked back under her, and her booted shoe hooked on the rear peg, I wondered if I should have told her to wear jeans.

Not that she would have listened to me.

I settled back slightly and started my bike, the rumble vibrations instantly soothing the tension in my body as her hands closed around my waist. Kicking the bike in gear, I eased off the clutch and my bike rolled forward.

Driving through the town of Destiny, I tried to imagine what she was seeing. I knew she wasn’t an avid rider, maybe only a few times; so, she was still a newbie. A virgin. Everything must seem brighter, freer, just more as she pointed at everything that fancied her delight.

I could feel her legs pressed against my hips, her hands squeezed tight around my waist, and the wind whipping around us. The swirling vortices of air ruffled and blew against our clothing. I could only imagine the amazement on her face when I drove us out beyond the town’s limits and into the early morning sun. The wind whipped through her hair, kissing her pale skin as she got to experience the freedom of riding. There was nothing else like it in the world. The sun rising high above in the east illuminating the open road, the wind at my back, the freedom of the road before me. The farther I rode, all the worries and complications of life faded away.

On the road, nothing mattered.

Just the next mile.

Northern California was beautiful, but it was nothing like the Smoky Mountains.

I knew I would always miss the long winding mountain rides in the early morning hours as the mountains surrounding Nantahala National Forest woke to a new day. The morning dew seeping up from the ground, creating a blanket of mist and fog that would soon envelop the entire area, rolling through the trees like some mysterious living entity until the sun rose, forcing it to shrink back into the ground. I could get lost in those mountains, never see another living soul again, and I would die a happy man.

The freedom of the Smoky Mountains was unparalleled, and I wanted Ivy to experience it all. In some ways, she was that small innocent child, before Hell opened up and consumed her. All she knew was pain and suffering. I wanted her to see that there was more to this world than pain. That there was happiness too.

Not that I really knew what that was, but I knew it was out there.

It was going to be a beautiful day with clear skies. Absolutely perfect for riding. The temperature was warm, so I knew she wouldn’t be cold. The further out from civilization I rode, the more relaxed she became when I heard her laugh out loud, extending her arms wide like she was flying.

Smiling, I let her enjoy the moment before gunning the bike, holding on tight as it lurched forward, causing her to squeak as she quickly hugged me tighter. For the next hour, I just enjoyed the ride with her wrapped around me. She slid her hands down from my chest to my waistband, laying her head against my back while she slowly relaxed against me.

Seeing the sign for Castella and the Castle Crags State Park up ahead, I slowed down and made the next right turn, leaving the wide two-lane highway for a much narrower secluded two-lane road where the entrance of the park loomed ahead.

A little while later, I pulled into a campsite and cut the engine.

Ivy didn’t move.

Looking over my shoulder, I smiled upon seeing the shock on her face. Her eyes darted everywhere and nowhere as she took in the ruggedly beautiful park with its massive rock formations. The state park was picturesque and breathtaking, for sure.

But at this moment, all I could look at was her.

“I have never seen anything so beautiful before in my life.”

“Neither have I.”

“Why are we here?”

“Meeting some people.”

“Who?”

“You’ll see,” I said, holding out my hand to help her slide off my bike.

Walking her over to the picnic table, I heard the familiar rumble and turned to see several bikes ride into view. With a grin, I stood and watched while bikes rolled closer, lined up perfectly in even rows as they each slowed to a stop, and the engines shut off.

Brothers smiled, stretching as they joked and kidded around with each other. Women straightened their clothes and laughed while they took in their surroundings. A van pulled in next, followed by four more bikes bringing up the rear. The women happily walked over to the large vehicle, waving and smiling when the side door slid open and kids jumped down, running wild, when one in particular screamed loudly.

“Pop-pop!” The most beautiful little girl in the world smiled as she ran toward me. Grabbing her, I hauled her into my arms and hugged her tight as she placed a sweet kiss on my cheek.

“Pop-pop, you camping too?”

“Just for the day. Ivy and I have to get back before dark.”

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