This one is a sort of sequel to my ficlet for Day 19, "Leon." -Akumu
CLAIREMBER 2022
Day 30 - Made In Heaven
The highway stretched across the flat plain, disappearing into the distant mountains. Clear, blue sky capped them in every direction.
"Wanna go faster?" Claire called over the motorcycle's rumble.
"Yeah!" Sherry said.
Claire twisted the bike's handle, and the wind whipped Sherry's face harder. The cacti and rocks that dotted the plain raced by faster. The oversized pink vest that Claire had given Sherry – the one with the angel and words "Made In Heaven" embroidered on the back – flapped like a flag in a hurricane. Sherry gripped Claire tighter, grinning.
Blue bled to orange, then orange to red. The sun beat them to the mountains. Sherry knew what that meant, but her heart still sank when the motorcycle slowed, pulled onto the shoulder. The black car that had been following them parked behind the bike. Leon got out, his blue suit still pressed even though he'd spent the past few hours driving.
Claire climbed off the bike and removed her sunglasses and helmet. Her brown hair tumbled free. The breeze caught it and swept it to the side.
Unfastening the helmet Claire had lent her, Sherry inched off the bike so the grease wouldn't stain her yellow overalls.
Leon held up a Polaroid and snapped a photo. He pulled it out and shook it.
"Did you have fun?" he asked Sherry.
"It was awesome!" she answered.
"I'm glad. Are you ready to head back?"
"No, but I don't have a choice, do I?"
"No. Sorry."
"Okay." She held out the helmet to Claire. "Thanks for letting me borrow this, and keeping your promise to take me riding. It means a lot to me."
"It was my pleasure. Keep the helmet – for next time."
"There's gonna be a next time?" Sherry asked.
Claire winked and smiled.
"Let's go, Sherry," Leon said. "We got a plane to catch. Mr. Simmons won't be happy if we miss it."
Sherry hugged Claire. "Promise me you'll visit as soon as the semester ends."
"I promise. And you know I always keep my promises."
"You're the only person I've ever met who does. I'll e-mail you as soon as I get back to my room."
"I'll keep an eye out."
While Claire stood by her bike, Sherry raced to the car and got in the passenger seat. Leon passed her the developed photo, which showed Claire removing her helmet and Sherry sliding off the bike.
As Leon pulled onto the road, Sherry waved at Claire. She waved back, climbed on the bike, and shot off in the other direction.
Cradling her new helmet and the photo, Sherry watched Claire disappear in the rearview mirror.
Bye for now, Claire. I can't wait 'til next time.
Thanks for reading! I hoped you enjoyed my series of Claire ficlets this year, and happy Clairember once again to all my fellow Claire fans! -Akumu
