Page 20 of Marlin's Faith
I didn’t really, but I’d meant it when I’d said I didn’t want to know. Marlin sighed and reached out into the dark, toward the edge of the table. He brought a dark bottle to his lips and swigged down some of the beer inside. I didn’t know what to say, and he hadn’t answered my question. I placed my hands on the edge of my seat and kept my arms straight. My knees I kept together as well, leaning forward and back, hoping he would speak so I didn’t have to.
He watched me for a few moments before smiling to himself, a fondness almost overtaking him. He slouched in his chair and saved me from having to make conversation by answering my question.
“Yeah, it was me.”
“Why?” I asked softly.
“Figured it might help, you know, with going out there, around other people. Something to concentrate on other than what you got going on inside your head.” He tilted his head to the side and set his beer, which was mostly full and still weeping condensation down the outside of the amber glass, aside on the table.
“Feel like taking a ride with me?” he asked. “I could use some wind therapy.”
“What, now?”
“Ain’t no better time. Can’t imagine you’re ready to go back to sleep, seein’ as you just woke up. No need to talk on the bike, you can listen to your music and bonus points, ain’t no one liable to be out this time. What do you say?”
I thought about it, I mean really thought about it, “I’ve never ridden before.”
He nodded and captured my gaze with his, “Ain’t no time like the present to learn. Why don’t you head on up and go find some of that gear we bought you today?”
“O-okay.” I stammered and pushed myself to my feet.
Marlin nodded and I went past him, opening the sliding door, I looked back over my shoulder at him and he smiled at me over his, giving me a last encouraging nod before I slipped inside.
I went back up to the master bedroom in search of the many bags we’d brought in earlier in the day. The bedside clock read that it was just after eleven pm, and I was startled to realize I must have slept harder and longer than I’d thought.
I rooted through the bags to find the one that contained the leather items and changed swiftly into what had been provided to me. When I was finally dressed, I stood staring wide-eyed into the mirror above the bathroom sink.
The leather pants were a touch loose, waiting for me to put on a bit more weight. The white tee beneath the leather jacket, however, fit well enough. I looked down at my booted feet and chewed my bottom lip. The clothing made me look sure; almost to the point that I could believe myself to be a capable human being.
I swept my long blonde hair over my shoulder and twisted it into a braid, certain that I wouldn’t want to deal with the wind tangled mess that was certain to follow if I left it loose. I tied off the end with a thick black tie and stared for several moments more.
I was scared. Nervous beyond belief, but comforted by the fact that it would be Marlin taking me for the ride. I trusted him like I could trust no other, so, with a deep breath, I clipped my new little music player to the edge of the inside pocket of my new leather jacket and went down to meet him.
He was at the bottom of the stairs and had changed from cargo shorts to jeans and leather chaps. He’d placed his leather vest over his leather jacket and the added bulk of the protective gear made him seem even bigger and more imposing than he did before. I swallowed hard, mouth suddenly dry.
“Ready to take a slice out of life, Baby Girl?”
I nodded mutely, and knew my eyes were wide. Marlin chuckled and opened the front door for me, ushering me outside. His bike sat in the circular drive at the bottom of the wide, gentle front steps. The porch light gleaming softly along all the chrome and glossy black paint.
“Faith,” he murmured softly and I tipped my head in his direction to acknowledge I heard, but I couldn’t tear my eyes from the imposing yet beautiful machine.
“Faith, Honey. I need you to look at me. I need to know you’re hearin’ what I need to tell you.”
I managed to tear my eyes free and look at him this time. He smiled and spoke sure and firm, telling me what he needed me to do as a passenger. How to lean with and not against, how to relax and go with things and to try not to remain stiff. I nodded carefully and he put a helmet on my head, adjusting the straps to keep it secure.
“Don’t you need one?” I asked softly and he chuckled.
“I got the required amount of health insurance and such, you don’t. Don’t worry, I won’t be ridin’ dirty.” He finished his sentence by pulling out a set of clear safety lenses from his saddle bag. Straightening he slipped them, gently and oh so carefully, over my eyes. With a last roguish smile, he swung a leg over and settled on the back of the machine. I took a deep breath. It was now or never, right?
“Get on up here, and hang on to me,” he said helping me up behind him. I settled against his back and bit my lower lip apprehensively. I didn’t think it would ever feel right having a man between my legs again, but this? This wasn’t awful. In fact, it was the exact opposite. I tried really hard not to think too hard about it while he put on a pair of safety glasses of his own. That accomplished, he fired up the motorcycle. I couldn’t help it; I jumped at the sudden noise.
“Hold on to me,” he ordered again, loudly over the rumble of the engine. I settled closer to him, placing my arms around his tight waist.
“Here we go!” he called and he let out the clutch and pulled us around the driveway smoothly and out onto the street.
He went slowly at first, then picked up speed. I closed my eyes and freed one hand just long enough to turn up the music in my head. When I returned my arms around Marlin’s waist, he poured on the speed and I found myself clinging to him just a little bit tighter.
The wind streamed across us both and carried our troubles far off behind us for the time being. For now, it was simply me, Marlin, the machine throbbing beneath us and the miles dissipating beneath the wheels. I couldn’t believe I had never done this before! The sensation was like no other. Freeing, in so many ways. We rode for, I don’t know, an hour? Maybe more? Until he pulled down this road and that, and the salty, briny smell of the ocean gave way to the heavier, earthier smell of what I presumed were the everglades.
