Chapter 7
I woke up before the sun had a chance to light up the morning sky. It was five am and I had three more hours to go before I was headed to the beach. I knew I wanted to pack food and find the old beach blanket my mom would take with us whenever we would go to the beach when I was younger. I had my swim trunks pulled out and laying on my bed beside the set of clothes I was going to pack. I still wanted to ask Double D about a telescope and going star gazing. Ever since I stared at the sky last night, I really had an urge to go. It made me laugh, to be honest. First the beach and then star gazing. What was up with these weird urges to go places?
I packed the change of clothes in a backpack I used to use for school. It was still in good condition and would keep the sand out of my dry clothes. Along with the change of clothes I packed, not one, but two towels. Just to be on the safe side. Better to always have a dry towel then one that was sopping wet because I got out of the water and dried off thinking I wouldn't go back in. On top of the towels I placed my hat; never went anywhere without it.
Zipping up my backpack I stared to change into my trunks. I pulled a t-shirt over my head to cover my chest and found my flip flops in the back of my closet. Since it technically wasn't summer anymore I didn't think I would be using them. The thought made me stop in my tracks. It wasn't summer anymore, so why was I heading to the beach? The water was no doubt going to be freezing. Yet I still wanted to go. I couldn't really just decide that I didn't want to go even if I wanted to. I was the one who had invited Double D in the first place. It would look weird to back out now.
I slipped the strap of the pack over my shoulder and walked across the hall to the bathroom. In the cabinet I pulled out a bottle of sunscreen and stuck it in the water pouch on the side of the bag. I think that was everything I needed upstairs. I looked at the mirror, and noted I was missing my hat. I looked all right. I had actually managed to get some sleep last night so there weren't any ugly bags under my eyes. I was glad for that. As for my dream, I didn't remember a thing. All I remembered was coming back from my drive, passing out in bed, and waking up before my alarm.
I let out a sigh and made my way out of the bathroom, down the hall, down the stairs and into the kitchen. I hadn't told Double D to pack anything to eat. The thought made me pause in front of the open refrigerator. The empty shelves made me remember that I had to go shopping, especially for lunch items for school. I rolled my eyes and closed the doors. Maybe we could stop at a sandwich shop on the way to the beach and pick up something to eat. I nodded at the thought. That's what was going to happen.
I looked at the clock—5:34 am. I still had so much time before I could head across the street. Why I got up so early was beyond me. I made my way into the living room and plopped down on the couch, grabbing the remote off the coffee table. I set my backpack on the floor and clicked on the TV. It was early so nothing good was on. I flipped through the channels until I found a show all about old cars. They were featuring the model T, which caught my attention. The show lasted the rest of the hour. The same show came on at six, but this time featured the Thunderbird, yet another car that caught my attention. I really loved looking at old cars. The show was great! It talked about the history of the car, the development, all the test drives it ever went through, to selling it. It was fascinating.
After yet another episode of the same show—the last time featuring the very first Ford Mustang—I made my way to a side door that lead to my garage. My bike was parked beautifully in the middle. I snapped my fingers and ran across the way to a stack of boxes that had all kinds of stuff my parents had left behind when they moved. I smiled and pulled out a rather large blue quilt my mom had made when she was younger. It was a patch work quilt, so she would tell me. It was made of all kinds of different fabrics, making each square different. I found my favorite and rubbed my fingers against it. It was a blue tie-dye square that always made me smile.
I refolded the blanket—after unfolding it to be able to find the square—and made my way towards the bike. I had found my other helmet and made sure it smelled all right for someone else to wear. Considering I only ever wore one helmet I didn't have to worry about the other smelling. I pulled my helmet over my head and left the other on the handle bar as I walked towards the side door that led into the house and pushed the garage door button. I tugged the second strap of my backpack over my other shoulder and walked back towards my bike. I held the blanket in my arms and threw a leg over the seat as I started the bike. It roared to life and I smiled happily as I kicked up the kick stand and road out of the garage. I had to stop in the drive way, put the kick stand down again, and close the garage using the code-pad on the side of the garage. When it closed I made my way across the cul-de-sac and stopped in front of Double D's house.
I turned off the bike, reset the kick stand and got off. Double D stood in the doorway, his bag clutched against his chest as he stared in my direction. My guess was that he was staring at the bike. I had no doubt in my mind that he was scared of it. I motioned for him to come over and he slowly made his way down the three steps that led to his front door. He walked towards me, slowly, and never taking his eyes from the bike.
"A-are we really going to take that," he asked, shaking.
I nodded, "perfectly safe. Just fixed her up last night. She's ready to go."
He didn't reply. He just stared at the bike and squeezed his bag in his arms. It gave me an idea that just might work. I grabbed the blanket from the seat of the bike and held it up for him to see. He looked at it for a moment before looking up at my face.
"This is a special blanket," I said. "My mom made this when she was younger. She always told me it would protect me from anything I was afraid of. It will work for you, too. There's nothing to be afraid of, Double D."
He looked from me towards the blanket. Slowly, he slid his backpack onto his back and reached for the blanket. He took it in his hands and ran his fingers over the material.
"It's very pretty," he said.
I smiled, "yeah. Do you trust me?"
He pulled his eyes from the blanket to look at my face. Our eyes met and he nodded. I could tell he was still scared, but I could also tell that he really did trust me. With that I smiled and grabbed the other helmet off the handlebars. When I turned to face him he was staring at the helmet I held in my hand.
"There is nothing to be afraid of," I said, taking a step towards him. He didn't move as I got closer. He only looked down at the blanket he held in his hands.
"I know," he replied. "Oh, before I forget. I hope you don't mind, but I made lunches for us."
I stared at him blankly for a moment. "Really? Thanks. I was going to head to the sandwich shop and get something to eat."
He smiled at me and I felt my cheeks heat, "it was no problem. I was up early anyway so I had plenty of time to make it."
He looked at the helmet as I moved closer and put it on top over his head. "I appreciate it." I pushed it gently down around his face and wiggled it a bit. It fit pretty snug and he said it was comfortable. He stayed still while I fastened the buckle underneath and adjusted it to fit his face. I asked him if he was okay and he nodded that he was.
With a smile I flung my leg over the bike and patted the seat behind me. He stood still for a moment before taking a few steps towards it. I held out a hand and helped him balance as he swung his leg over the seat behind me. I let go of his hand and turned from side to side, motioning to him where to put his feet. He did what I said a pressed the blanket and himself against my back. He was still shaking and I had a feeling he would for a while.
"Give me your hand," I said, reaching my right hand across my body to my left side.
He placed his hand in my and I tugged it across my stomach to hold my right side. He had to readjust himself behind me in order to reach all the way across. His legs pressed against mine, causing me to shiver and for my heart to beat rapidly. I silently prayed that he couldn't hear my heartbeat.
I tilted the bike just a bit and kicked up the kickstand. The motion made him sway and cling tighter to me. Somewhere in the back of my mind I thought it was rather cute. But the majority of my mind punched the idea out. I started the bike and heard him squeal, it was too late to back out now as the bike lunged forward and we headed for a beach.
