She calls it Sal. Bing does. It is her motorcycle. Don't ask me what kind it is or how much power it has or whatnot. It is purple. It is huge. It's name is Sal and Sal scares the shit out of me.
Bing has wanted a motorcycle her whole life. She finally bought one on her 40th birthday. I wasn't in the picture yet as her partner, but I was her friend and I told her that I hated it.
I still hate it.
It lives in our backyard shed in the winter and as soon as all worries of frost are over, Bing hauls that thing out to the garage where it sits until the snow flies again.
Okay. Bing looks good on it. There. I said it. I admitted it. I like to see her swing her leg over the side and her foot gain purchase on the other side, bobbing a little. She snaps her helmet and leers playfully at me and well, yeah, she's very bad ass. Very cool.
I would be just fine if she just sat in the driveway on it.
But, no. She has to go places on it. That is what scares the frack out of me. She has this helmet on to protect her. Nothing else. If she goes flying off that bike, there is nothing to protect her. Can't they make some body armor for her to wear?
She doesn't even like wearing the helmet. Says that she loves the freedom she feels when she rides. I always forget to call it her helmet. I call it her hat. She patiently corrects me every time. Winks at me, smiles a seductive smile and asks me if I want a ride, baby.
NO. I do not want a ride. You couldn't pay me to get on that thing. This disappoints her. She swears that once I try it, I will beg her to take me on rides all the time.
I'm half afraid that she is right, so I have never taken her up on it.
Bing knows that Liv is NEVER to have a ride, we have discussed this. Even when Liv is 40 and Bing is some saggy faced 87 year old rider, she is not to let Liv near Sal or any other motorcycle.
Sal came out of the shed yesterday. A very special Mother's Day gift to me, I suppose. I frowned. Bing laughed. Told me to calm down.
She started it up, revved it a little on purpose just to bug me. Leered at me, asked me if I thought she looked hot.
I replied that no, she just looked like a fool. (Secretly, I did think she looked kind of hot, but wild horses could not have dragged that fact out of me.) She threw back her head and laughed. Winked at me and took off down the driveway, off to play Born To Be Wild.
I closed my eyes for a second and mentally put a big safe bubble around her.
I looked down at Liv. "Don't ever ride a motorcycle, Liv. Promise me."
Liv paused. "Well," she said, "I'll try not to, okay?"
No try. Do.
We walked back into the house and even though I left the church years ago, I said a short prayer to Saint Jude to keep Sal intact and Bing safe.
I hate that frackin bike.
13 comments:
I'd love to have a bike, but it's just not in the budget and won't be for a very long time. Still, I'm going to take the motorcycle training course our college offers, just so I can experience it.
I doubt I'll look hot on the thing.
I'll save telling you my motorcycle story. But I know what you mean too. I had a boyfriend that wanted one desperately and I told him no no no no no!!! As soon as we broke up, the next week he bought one. He convinced me to go for a ride. I was freaking the entire time!!!
By the end of the summer he dropped it on the road though and totalled it. He was fine - just embarrassed. Even though we were broken up; at least I didn't worry about him anymore though!
I'm not big on motorcycles either. I like to say I'd rather ride a bike I can power, not the other way round. I figure at least then I have a fighting chance.
But there is something to be said about all that black leather.....
I don't blame you. I hate those damn things.
I really don't like driving around them. I'm always waiting for them to fall over. They should have their own little padded lane.
Bikes make me nervous, too, and Tim's determined to get one. Soon. He says the rides will be wonderful getaways for us. I just hope not the permanent getaway.
But you do have to admit there's just something sexy about them. All that power throbbing between the legs?? Clutching onto the one you love??
I'm with you, they scare the crap out of me. I told me kids they would never get near one and long as I'm alive. Same goes for hubby!
my ex had a bike and it was fun, but it did scare me a little, especially when he told me a fter the ride about the bad accident he had had on it!
Dont think I have to worry about Lolly riding a bike, she wouldnt do anything that risks messing up her carefully GHD-ed hair! x
She is right... you would love it if you ever rode on it. Hubbz isn't a motorcycle guy, which I am glad about. But I had a roommate who was and I used to love love love going riding with him. It reallyis intoxicating. But The Boy is never to know this nor get one of his own because as cool as they are, there are just too many idiots on the road! Shivers! Good thing you have those Safe Bubble super powers!
hah.. Tell Bing if she wants to go on a road trip with me I'll fire up the piglet and we can ride in formation together. You can stay home with Liv and Mrs. Bones (who HATES my bike) and watch TV or knit or do whatever non-riders do while those of us that love the freedom of 2 wheels are off enjoying the open road.
Riding the piglet is pure zen - there's no other way to describe it. We'll see you in a hundred miles or so.
I LOVE motorcycles. I would have a Harley now, if buying one could squeeze into our budget (it might, but can't). I have ridden all my life. My Dad and I would tool around on his Harley. If his Harley had been smaller, I would've taken it.
So, I do understand - on an intellectual level, but I just love those bugs in my teeth, and my hair whipping every which way.
Love the beast.
.
I loathe motorcycles and I am glad that Adam is too cheap to buy one.
I'm slowly working my way through your archives, Maria, and very much enjoying the journey! I couldn't resist a much-belated comment on this one.
There's a quote in my "About" that says something like "There are only two opinions about motorcycles - either they transfix your spirit with transcendant, angelic joy, or your uncle Ernie died on one or you think they should be illegal." I've had so many conversations over the years with people who fell on the other side of that divide, that I wished so desperately that I could somehow make them feel the joy I feel so they could understand, but I've never been able to bridge it.
But once, last summer, I was having a chat with an online friend and after a lot of frustration on my part, I told her that there are just those moments when the bike seems to disappear beneath you and the feeling is as close as I can imagine to the feeling of flying...and I just can't understand that there are these wings out there for everyone, and in the name of safety, some people choose not to fly.
She said I should use that as my motto when/if I start some moto-company someday.
Seriously, loving your archives here. Your writing is an inspiration!
Hmm, I should leave a comment with my email address in case you want to send me an e-smack upside the head. ;) taobikerblog at gmail dot com.
Post a Comment