Page 124 of 12 Months of Mayhem

Theo takes his time picking us up, which I appreciate. I’ll enjoy getting used to sharing a shower with Charli. It’s much more fulfilling than any shower I’ve ever had, even in the somber mood we’re both in.

As soon as Theo arrives, we both get in and I try to prepare myself for what’s about to happen. “He’s pretty bad today. I hope he can keep it upright.”

“He’ll do what he has to. We just have to be behind him for it.” I’ve decided there’s no reason to try to stop him, I get why he’s doing it. He’s a shell of a man without the club. “He handed it over to me yesterday for a reason. He had a plan and I’m sure it’s going just as scheduled.”

“It just fuckin’ sucks to be on this side of it.” Theo’s statement doesn’t need a response. He’s hit the nail on the head and I couldn’t have summed it up better myself.

All of the bikes are lined up when we pull up. My father is standing in the front, next to his bike. Theo parks the car next to our bikes and we both move to get in line. I step off of my bike to greet my father one last time.

“I want you right behind me. I’ll lead until I give you the sign, then you take over. I’m gonna fly off the top of Black Bluff.” I nod and give him the gift of understanding. We both know his mind can’t be changed and neither of us are good with the dramatics. “I trust you to handle business if I miss.”

“I promise.” He won’t miss. The bluff is covered with rocks below. The landing will be fatal.

“I love you, Son.” He slaps my back one last time and I almost slip up and allow a tear to fall.

I look back at the guys waiting on us to lead the ride. I can’t imagine what they’re all thinking but I know they understand the depth of what’s about to happen.

The roar of the engines echo through the trees, igniting the adrenaline in every biker here. We all follow once my father’s bike begins to roll out. I know my father wouldn’t have wanted his last minutes to be anything different than this right here.

The irony of this moment isn’t lost on me. Charli is hugging my waist and for the first time in my life, everything has come together. I get to ride with my father, my girl has her arms wrapped around me, my best friend is right beside me and the entire club has my back. Life is full of moments that are most of the time underappreciated. This one will be burnt into my memory forever.

I fight the dread as the road to the bluff becomes shorter but I respect him enough to continue. We’re about a half a mile away when he signals for me to slow everyone down. I hold the signal and swallow around the lump in my throat when he holds up two fingers in a final wave to us all. Charli squeezes my waist tight and tucks her head behind my shoulder right before my father disappears over the bluff.

We keep the same slowed speed until all of the guys have cleared the bluff and then I accelerate. Road therapy is the best way to grieve and to process life’s challenges. We soar down the road, the wind cooling our skin and the view reminding us how beautiful life is.

Charli finally loosens her hold on my waist a little and even though everything is loud, I hear her clearly. “I love you, Zayne Forest.”

“I love you more, Charli.”

The End

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