Bitter Farewell by Karolyn James Read Free Book Online

his helmet.
    The first bike stopped and turned, waiting at the top.
    Danny looked up at the other rider and shook his head.
    No way, he didn’t want help.
    No way.
    Danny eased the bike out of the mud puddle and then moved up the hill at an angle. It definitely ruined the fun effect of being able to go straight up a hill, but a minute later, Danny was at the top and the first bike took the lead again. Danny quickly recognized right where he was. This was where the woods connected with the Hartley property. In fact, they were probably on the land by then. Danny darted to the right again and managed to grab the lead from the first bike. If he could get to the tree line, he could ride along the property line between the trees and grass and really get some speed on the dirt bike.
    Danny pushed and rode, looking back once at the bike behind him. The rider shook his head and Danny nodded.
    Come get me... Danny thought.
    The other bike started to creep up, inch by inch, just like Danny had to do a few minutes ago. Danny looked to his side and the rider shook his head again. Danny nodded again, thinking it was some kind of game. The rider then pointed forward and a second later slammed his brakes. Danny let off the throttle and looked forward just in time to see a split rail fence. The bike had slowed down a little, but it was too late. Danny hit the fence, crashed through it, and lost control. A second later, he rolled on the ground, grunting, right in the backyard of the Hartley property.

(6)
     
    When he came to a stop he stared at the sky, catching his breath.
    “Holy shit! Are you okay?”
    Danny blinked a few times and moved his arms and legs.
    Yeah, he was fine.
    He looked at the other rider, now standing over him without a helmet.
    “Jeff? Is that you...?”
    “Yeah, who are you?”
    Danny sat up and took his helmet off and dropped it next to him.
    Jeff looked shocked and took a step back.
    “Holy... shit... Danny...” Danny put a hand out and Jeff shook it. “I heard you were coming back, but I didn’t think...”
    “You still ride?” Danny asked.
    “Of course.”
    “Are you going to keep shaking my hand or help me up?”
    “Oh. Sorry. Yeah.”
    Jeff pulled and Danny stood up. He bent his legs and arms again, then stretched his neck.
    “That was insane man,” Jeff said. “I was wondering what the hell you were doing going straight for the fence.”
    “Wasn’t there last time I rode,” Danny laughed.
    “Yeah, it was just put up last summer.”
    Danny walked over to the wooden stakes on the ground. He had broken two in half and knocked a bunch more over.
    “If that was any other fence,” Jeff trailed off. “Man, you were lucky there.”
    Danny took another deep breath and turned to Jeff again. He pulled him in for a hug.
    “How’s it going man?” Danny asked.
    “Great. I own property five miles back. Married with two little boys of my own.”
    “Who’d you marry?” Danny asked.
    He smiled but his heart twisted. Don’t be her... don’t be her...
    “Remember Mary?”
    “Of course I remember Mary,” Danny said. “Christ, we were all in the same group of friends.”
    “Yeah, I married her sister.”
    Danny stepped back. “You married Janet?”
    “Yeah. Yeah. Happened right after high school actually. Something just clicked, you know? We dated... we got serious... she got pregnant...”
    “Good for you,” Danny said.
    He sighed in relief of everything. He hadn’t thought about the fact that maybe she might be married, or have kids. In his mind, time should have waited for him to come back. But that was ridiculous. And greedy.
    “I can’t believe you’re here,” Jeff said.
    “I can’t believe I ruined this fence,” Danny said. “Mrs. Hartley is going to be pissed, right?”
    Jeff shook his head. “No, man. She’s gone. She passed.”
    “Well, who lives here then?”
    “That’s sort of a funny story,” Jeff said.
    Danny looked at Jeff and saw him as the short fat kid he used to