Ride Free by Debra Kayn Page B

Thelma has a birthmark, but only they know where it is.”
    “Crank and Shadow are…?”
    Reefer pointed them out. “Don’t ask me which is which.”
    “Oh my Lord. You’ll have to fill me on how they all got together.” She fastened her helmet. If she’d thought the women were hard to tell apart, their husbands proved even harder with matching beards and potbellies. What were the odds that one set of twins would claim another set of identicals?
    One by one, each motorcycle reared to life and set the small town on its toes. The office personnel came out to wave goodbye, and people along the street stopped to watch the precession.
    Sarah held her head high. Not for the others, but for herself. The fact that she rode behind Reefer and her dream came true brought out her pride. She wanted the world to sit up and catch her exit.
    Reefer spoke over his shoulder, “We’ll be getting on the highway in a few minutes. Hang on until you get a feel for the road and how the bike moves. If you need me to stop, pat my belly. I won’t be able to hear you going that speed.”
    She squeezed his waist. The hum of the seat beneath her grew faster in vibration as the rumble of the engine increased. The wind blasted her face, and she found herself having to breathe through her mouth to get air into her lungs without difficulty.
    His hair tickled her face, and she moved her head over to the side. The asphalt blurred underneath the bike, and she lifted her gaze. She closed her eyes. She believed this was the closest thing to riding the wind, her hold on Reefer the anchor she needed to keep from floating away.
    They took a beautiful journey through the coastal mountains lined with evergreen trees, wandering creeks, and an occasional deer snacking alongside the road. She’d driven Highway 30 a few times before on shopping trips and to gather with other tribes. This time, however, everything showed up sharper and more grandiose.
    Three hours later, they crossed the Freemont Bridge into the city limits of Portland, and she found herself in danger of losing her bladder. She pressed her legs around Reefer and hoped this Margarine woman didn’t live much further away.
    Reefer rolled to a stop against a red light. He turned his head. “Doing okay?”
    “Yeah, I’m good. I have to pee.” She bounced on the seat. “How much further?”
    “About five minutes.” He pointed up the hill. “She lives up there.”
    Sarah knew the area. “But that’s Knob Hill.”
    He nodded. “Yep. Welcome to the neighborhood.”
    The light turned green, and traffic moved forward. She learned how to balance her weight with the curves and to stay out of Reefer’s blind spots, so he could navigate traffic. And, soon they turned onto the road and climbed the hill to their destination.
    Mansions dotted the hillside, each one surrounded with manicured lawns and enough property to allow privacy. She stared at the area around her, surprised that not one person came outside to see what the commotion from all the riders was all about. Maybe this trip happened often and the neighbors had grown used to the noise.
    She watched the other forty or so bikers slow down, and in a semblance of order that rivaled any marching band, they parked in the driveway of the biggest house on the whole hill, with Reefer pulling in last.
    Without the hullabaloo of the motorcycles, the hum in Sarah’s ears left her in a daze. “I really have to use the restroom.”
    “Hey, Thelma!” Reefer winked at Sarah when both women turned. “Take Sarah in to use the restroom, will you?”
    Both women headed towards Sarah, their steps in sync. She kissed Reefer and let Thelma and Louise take each of her arms. They guided her around the crowd and through the front door. She almost forgot about having to use the bathroom at the sight of the inside of the house.
    “This place grows more glamorous each time we come,” the twin on her left commented.
    “I’ve never seen such a place before.”