I headed downtown, arriving in a small park like area. There were a couple children playing, along with some adults sitting and reading the newspaper. I slowed down until I completely cut the engine and walked alongside my bike, pushing it down the sidewalks. I'd probably scare some kids with the engine growling if I zoomed through the park.
After walking for a bit, I plopped down on a rusty bench, stretching my long legs out in front of me. My motorcycle stood at my right side, patient, as always, until we would ride again. I yawned and stretched, raising my arms high above my head.
I wondered when Dad would decide to come back. Since he left three years ago, I had only seen him twice. And, every time I saw him, he seemed to be getting older and older. Like life was beating him over the head with a sledgehammer, eating away at him.
My dad was a strong person; I wouldn't ever deny that. But, he had issues. What kind of issues, I had no clue as to what. None of my business anyhow. Yet, he had things that it's like he can't ever shake off his shoulders. Things that constantly bear down on him.
Mom knows what they are. After all, they only lived together for fifteen years. They should know nearly everything about each other-even if they never got married. Besides, thinking of my mom in a white wedding dress and my dad in a tuxedo? Impossible.
I continued pondering why Dad was like he was when I heard a voice. "Hey, is that a dog or something?"
I looked up to see a girl standing in front of me, hands on hips. "What?" I questioned.
"Your bike," she said, pointing to my motorcycle. "Where's its leash?"
Laughing quietly, I patted the leather seat of the bike. "I've taught it to heel."
"Really? I'm impressed," she replied with a wry smile tugging at the corner of her lips. Then she laughed. "Sorry. I was just walkin' by and saw you sitting there with your bike. It was just kinda funny how you were sitting there like a dog owner while your faithful pet waited by your side."
I rose to my feet and looked at her closely. She was lightly tanned, natural though, not a typical fake tan. Her long dark hair hung in tiny braids that cascaded in a waterfall down her back. Slicked in silver eyeshadow, her deep brown eyes were still laughing even if she wasn't at the present time.
She wore a pair of faded bib overalls that sagged down over her orange T-shirt, which proclaimed her love for an oldie rock band. Wearing a pair of worn sandals, her toes were brightly painted in alternating colors of orange and magenta. A pair of headphones looped around her neck, still quietly playing, as she held the CD player in her left hand.
"Haven't seen you around here," she stated.
"Yeah, well I arrived yesterday."
"That'd explain it. So…how do you like the lovely city of Seattle? Beautiful, isn't it? The garbage sculptures are simply amazing."
"It's interesting, I guess," I replied.
"Interesting." She frowned, considering the answer. "Yep, that's Seattle for ya. Interesting." Then she laughed. "By the way, what's your name? We've been sitting here chatting, and I don't even know who the heck you are!"
I grinned, feeding off of her exuberant vibe. "Alanza."
"Alanza? Hmm…sounds like all gypsy and stuff."
"It's not."
"Stand for something?" she asked.
"Yeah, 'ready for battle'."
"Going into the army? 'Be All You Can Be' remember," she recited.
"No, it was my mom's choice."
"Yeah, my mom named me after an old friend. It was like her sister or something. And get this, I've never even met this friend! How annoying is that?!" she exclaimed.
I laughed. "So what is it, then?"
She sighed, then rolled her eyes. "Don't laugh. It's kinda weird."
"Like mine isn't?"
"True." She shrugged. "It's Max."
