Never Again(3)

I let out a loud sigh and put down my e-reader. “I don’t know... Bikes are very dangerous.”

“Come on, you know how careful I always am,” he defends himself.

“That’s not the issue.” Tired of bickering about the motorcycle, I get up, and take a few steps when his voice stops me.

“So what is the issue then? Come on, we have enough money to buy a reliable, used one. I don’t want anything expensive and luxurious.”

“I know that you’re always careful, but it’s the other drivers I don’t trust. You see the maniacs that drive on the road!”

Josh comes closer and pulls me in for a hug. “Nothing is going to happen to me and nothing is going to happen to us. You’ll see how much fun it can be.”

“I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I’m going to bed. We’ll continue this conversation some other time.”

Josh runs his fingers through his hair in frustration. “That’s what you always say,” he exclaims angrily. I close the bedroom door and throw myself on the bed. I’m still wearing the sweats I pulled on this morning. I hug the pillow, and close my eyes for a few moments.



~ * ~



“I’m so glad you finally changed your mind,” Josh cannot hide his excitement as we enter the motorcycle shop. Since March, he has been nagging me about wanting to buy a bike every day, but I’ve been adamant about it. After two months of talking about bikes non-stop, he finally wore me down and I said yes. However, I told him I’ll never get on that thing, so if he wants company, he can ask Matt to join him.

“Good morning,” a big, tattooed salesman greets us. “Can I help you?”

Josh quickly explains what kind of motorcycle he is looking for. They head off to the other side of the store. I walk around the room, checking out some other bikes. Josh kept going on about some Kawasaki bike, but that’s all I remember. I don’t know much about motorcycles.

“Honey, come here,” I hear Josh calling me. I approach him standing by a big black motorcycle. “This is Kawasaki ER-6f, the one I’ve been telling you about. Do you like it?” I stare at the bike with open mouth, and even I have to admit, it is beautiful. I nod, and he continues. “We’d have to wait a week to get the one I want, in the green and black combo. Is that okay with you?”

I shrug. I don’t really care. If he wants a green one, he should have a green one. The only thing I insisted on when I agreed that he could buy a motorcycle, was that it had to be a brand new one, not used. I want to know that it is as safe as it can be. Josh goes over the details with the salesman, and leaves the store with a wide grin on his face.

“You won’t be sorry you changed your mind. I love you so much.”



It’s fall already. Leaves on the trees are slowly changing color, the sun does not shine as brightly anymore, and Josh is still completely in love with his bike. Since May, not a day has passed that he wasn’t on his bike. I slowly got used to the thought of him riding around, and surprisingly, I’m not freaking out as much as I did when he first started going off on the bike. One time, he even managed to convince me to go with him. Only once around the block, but it was enough to see why he likes it so much.

“Hey, honey,” Josh sneaks up on me from behind just as I’m preparing a sandwich for later, and kisses me on the spot behind my ear that he knows I love. “I’m going on a ride with Matt, you wanna come with?”

I shake my head. “You know I can’t. I have my massage exams today. You know that.”

“Oh, yeah, right. You’ll do great! You’re already a pro at this. If you’re half as good in your practical exam as you were yesterday, massaging me, you’ll pass with flying colors.” He winks at me.

I’ve decided to get my massage license because I want to open my own massage therapy salon, and my Business Administration degree will be very helpful with handling a business. That’s why I practiced massaging like crazy for the last month and Josh generously offered his body to practice on. I’ve been getting better and better at this, and can’t wait to finally be able to do it professionally. Unfortunately, my own salon will have to wait for a while as I have to gain more experience first. However, I will send applications to various massage and beauty salons, I’m certain it will not take long for me to find a job.

“I know, but I’m still nervous. I hope I don’t mess anything up.”

“Don’t worry. You’ll do great. When I get back, we’ll celebrate, okay?”

I nod, give him a kiss, and we say goodbye. I wish I were half as confident as he is. I quickly pack my sandwich, grab my books, and drive off. September sun is just warm enough that I can still wear a sleeveless shirt and drive with a window down. I park in front of the building where we had our classes and massage practices. A few people I attended classes with are already here, and they are as nervous as I am to begin the exams. I quickly go over some things that I’m unsure about, and then we go in the classroom, where the written part of the examination takes place. Then, we proceed to the next room where everything is prepared for the practical part. One by one, we are called in. Finally, I hear my name. Legs shaking, I enter the room. The board of examiners gives me a lukewarm greeting and asks me a few questions, and then I proceed with my massage. When I’m finished, they send me out and call in the next person. After two excruciatingly long hours of waiting, we finally get the results. When I see I have gotten 100% on both the written and the practical part of examination, I squeal with excitement and skip to my car with a big smile on my face. Fishing my phone out of my purse, I call Josh, but he doesn’t answer. Huh. He’s probably taking a shower. I’m sure they’ve been riding down some macadam road with Matt again, I think to myself. During my drive home, I share the happy news with my parents and Sophie, and we all decide to celebrate together this weekend. When I park the car in front of our house, I notice Josh’s bike is not here yet.