Page 59 of Final Ride

“I’ve got it, Dad. I’ll be right behind you.”

We drove out the laneway and it was kind of sad for me and Virge because this was the first real home we’d ever had. But Dad gave us the choice.

He offered to keep this ranch for us, but he wouldn’t be here with us no more. He had to live out the rest of his days in Texas. Had to. Couldn’t get away from it.

Me and Virge chose to leave Montana and stick with our Dad, and it was the right choice for us. Travis didn’t spawn us—wedidn’t know who did—but Travis was our real dad. Couldn’t get any realer.

Butte. Montana.

Dad pulled into a truck stop outside of Butte for our first rest stop. The dogs needed a run and Virge needed food.

Me and Virge leashed Max and Sarge and took them for a long walk around the highway property before putting them back in the truck and going into the restaurant to eat.

We glanced at the menu while the waitress stood at the end of the table coming on to Travis. Me and Virge loved to watch it.

“Hi. I’m Wanda and I’ll be your server.”

Whatever chicks needed for a fuckin magnet, our Dad had a truckload of it. Didn’t matter a whit if he was pushing forty. I winked at Virge, and he already had a smirk on his face.

“You on a trip with your boys?” She flipped up the end of her dark brown hair and laid a huge smile on Travis.

“Yeah, we’re moving to Texas.”

“You have a Texas accent already,” she said.

“Uh huh. I’m going home to retire.”

“Retire? You look kinda young for packing it in, cowboy.”

Travis laughed. “I’ve got a lot of miles on me.”

“Few good ones still left. I can see it in your eyes.”

Virge could see Dad starting to get a bit antsy, so he said, “What’s the special, Wanda?”

Wanda turned and pointed to a blackboard up above the counter—a long section with stools in front it. “Lasagna and garlic bread. Comes with coffee and a slice of pie.”

“Good enough for me,” said Virge. “I’ll have that.”

I nodded. “Me too. I love lasagna.”

“Make it three,” said Travis.

“Got it,” said Wanda. “You boys are easy.”

Wanda spun off to put our order in and Virge leaned closer.“That girl is so hot for you, she was ready to do you in the fuckin booth, Dad.”

“Shut up, Virge.”

I couldn’t stop laughing and Dad gave me a look.

Montana/Wyoming Line.

Dad sat on a bench under a big old shade tree while me and Virge ran with Max and Sarge along the dog path. This rest area had a huge wooded section for the dogs. Lots of trees and bushes and a creek running through the bottom of the little gully.

When we ran out the other end of the loop, three bikers had parked their rides in the big rig area, and they were standing in a little hub close to Dad’s bench.

Three against one was about normal odds for bikers. Dad told us most bikers were cowards and they needed the safety of the club behind them to give them false courage. If they were one on one in a fight, they weren’t tough at all.

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