How we Ride

The next day, Lola found her mother waiting for her in the living room. Lola stood at the steps, waiting to see if she noticed her. Gladys looked up from the newspaper she was reading.

"Come here," she said

Lola was slightly startled, but she detected no anger in her voice. She climbed down the steps and sat next to her on the couch.

"Lola…your father and I have been talking…and…we've decided to extend your curfew."

Lola was floored, but in a good way.

"On the condition," she continued, "that you tell us where you're going and who you're going with."

Not too bad…it's a start

"Ok," answered Lola

"Lola, you have to understand that all these rules that we have are for your own safety. I don't want you getting hurt or worse. But I realize that I've been far too controlling over you…over you and your sister."

She sighed and looked at the coffee table. It seemed she wanted to say something more, but held back.

"Sweetie, go eat breakfast now or you'll be late for school,"

"Ok mom…and thank you,"

Lola embraced her mother and went to the kitchen to find something quick to eat.

Later at school

It was near the end of the day by now and Lola was anticipating a day hanging out with Rodney. They agreed to meet up after school. As promised, she phoned her mother and told her where she was going.

"You be careful," said Gladys, "keep your eyes open."

"Yes mom…" replied Lola, slightly annoyed, "see you later."

"Be home before it gets dark, ok? Love you,"

"Ok mom, love ya too,"

Lola hung up the pay phone. She turned to face Rodney.

"Ready to go?" he asked

"Yeah," she answered

They both walked out of the school building and walked towards Rodney's garage.

When they arrived, they found Rodney's dad to be busy with customers. They made their way to the back showroom and looked over the bikes.

"So take your pick,"

"Huh?"

"Pick a bike to try out,"

"But…I don't know how to ride…"

"I'll teach you,"

"I don't know…"

"Why not?"

"My mom always told me 'if you buy a bike, you might as well buy your coffin'…she says that they're too dangerous,"

"Not if you know what you're doing,"

"That's true…"

"It's not hard…you can ride a regular bike right?"

"Yeah,"

"So it'll be a cinch…"

Lola looked over the large array of bikes, she couldn't decide on one. Rodney could tell she was having a tough time deciding, so he made a suggestion.

"Try this one, this is particularly easy to maneuver," he pulled up a red Suzuki Bandit 500

"Ok, I'll give it a try,"

She pulled out the bike into the open air, at the entrance to the track. Rodney came along side her and started to explain the parts of the bike.

"And this is for the brakes," he said gripping the lever, "let's try it out."

"Ok," she said climbing on

Rodney put the bike in neutral

"Alright, I'm just gonna push you and you try the brakes,"

He gave the bike a good push and Lola tried the brakes. She did it too quickly and almost lost her balance as she came to a stop.

"Alright not bad, just take it easier next time,"

Lola giggled at herself out of embarrassment

"Now let's try to move the bike. Start the bike,"

Lola did so. She started the bike off slowly; all the while Rodney was jogging beside her.

"Hey, this isn't so bad," said Lola

"See? You're doing great,"

Lola smiled and met eyes with Rodney. They looked at each other for a moment. She felt something; but found herself uneasy the more she thought about it. She felt her cheeks become warm.

Just then their moment was interrupted when Lola felt herself moving faster, Rodney couldn't keep up with her. She looked on the trail and saw that it was becoming a hill.

"What do I do?!"

"Keep it steady!" yelled Rodney from behind her

Lola gulped, and put on the brakes slightly

She smoothly made it down the hill, and made the turn at the end. She then came to a slight, but abrupt, stop at the bottom.

"You catch on quick," yelled Rodney from the top of the hill

Lola waved to him. She saw him turn back. After a moment or so, she heard the roar of an engine and saw Rodney come down the hill on his own bike.

"Wanna try the trail now?"

"Sure,"

She started her bike up again and followed him down the trail.

"This is pretty fun," said Lola as she gripped the handle bars

"I told ya so,"

"I guess you were right,"

"You're a fast learner. It took me forever to get the hang of it,"

"Thanks, I have a great teacher,"

Their moment was interrupted once more, this time by the sounds of other bikes. They looked over their shoulders and saw that Andy and the gang were gaining on them.

When Andy was next to them, he was slightly shocked to see Lola riding a bike.

"Hey…you ride?" he asked

"Apparently I do…"

"Gnarly,"

Then the other guys caught up with them as well. Tony and Chris snickered at the sight of Lola riding the bike. Nods, on the other hand, was the silent type.

"Hey girl, got your training wheels on?" said Tony

"I thought I liked the view from behind," said Chris looking her over

Lola clutched the handles furiously

"Try to keep up," said Chris as he sped ahead

Tony then Nods followed suit. Rodney noticed Lola's temper rising.

"Lola…"

Lola revved the engine and sped up after them. Rodney and Andy chased after her. Lola was catching up to the guys. Chris looked back and was surprised to see her there. They started to speed up, but Lola was keeping up with them.

"Not bad, for a chick,"

"A chick?!" growled Lola

Lola revved up once more and slowly pulled away from the group. They passed through a muddy part of the road. Chris was too close to her and ended up getting mud in his face from her back wheel; he started to lose control and ended up falling off his bike.

Lola laughed victoriously, but found herself beginning to lose control of her own bike. She tried to steer but there was simply no traction between the wheels and the road. The bike started to skid on the mud, it seemed she would crash. But then suddenly another bike came up next to hers. Lola didn't notice how he got there so fast. He leaned over and grabbed the handle bars. He then slowed his bike and the bikes slowly came to a stop.

Lola opened her eyes and saw Andy taking off his helmet.

"You ok Lola?"

"Yeah I'm fine, thanks,"

They heard a sputtering and coughing behind them, they turned to see Chris struggle to his feet. Rodney just arrived on the scene and parked his bike. He went to Chris to help him up, but he refused his help.

"Why you little bitch,"

He went towards her aggressively, and she was about to defend herself but Andy stepped in between them.

"Don't you touch her," he said stopping Chris in his tracks

"This doesn't concern you," snapped Chris

"You mess with Lola, you mess with me,"

Chris backed away from Andy. He gave a glare, but Lola didn't even flinch. Chris turned and walked towards his bike. He kicked a pebble from the ground furiously and picked up his muddy bike. He then rode it off back towards the garage.

Tony and Nods were straddled over their bikes, just waiting to see what Andy would do next. Andy just went to his bike and got on it. Rodney and Lola went to their bikes as well. They all started their engines. Tony and Nods pulled away from the group. Rodney came beside Lola.

"Lola….where the heck did that come from?"

"I don't know...I just…did it," said Lola as she looked towards Rodney

"That was reckless and dangerous,"

"But she pulled it off," interjected Andy, "you have awesome skills Lo."

"Thanks, I...I didn't know I had them, I was just so furious I…couldn't control myself,"

"Lola, can I talk to you for a minute," said Rodney

Lola and Rodney got off their bikes, he then pulled her to the side of the trail.

"I gotta say that was some pretty sweet moves. But you got to be careful, you only started to learn to ride," said Rodney

"Yeah I know," said Lola feeling a little low

"I don't want anything to happen to you,"

Lola looked up at him

"You're parents would kill me…"

"Is that all?"

"No…of course not," he grabbed her hand and held it in his, "you're very important to me…"

Lola felt a knot in her throat.

"You're like...a little sister to me, I just couldn't forgive myself if something happened to you."

Lola's hopes were shot down.

"I see," she mumbled

"Promise me you won't pull another stunt like that again,"

Before she could reply, Andy was up to them.

"Give her break, that's how she'll learn," snapped Andy towards Rodney

"She's gotta take it nice and easy," he refocused his attention towards Andy

"She's gotta get room to learn,"

Rodney gave Andy a look. Lola felt caught between them. Just then they heard someone calling out to them. It was Rodney's father from a distance. Rodney then took off towards his father to see what he needed, leaving Andy alone with Lola.

With Rodney gone, Andy looked towards Lola. He smirked at her. Lola found herself smirking as well.

"You don't catch a break do you?"

"Nope,"

There was an awkward silence between them. Lola was deep in thought.

Should I? But…what about Rodney?...but…do I really want another warden in my life?

Andy walked towards his bike. Lola was still debating internally. He revved up his engine and was about to pull away, but then he felt Lola grab his leather jacket.

"Andy…" she began, "I've been thinking about what you said to me before…and…I have an answer for you."

"Oh yeah?"

She looked down with her eyes closed, and took a deep breath. She then looked up at him straight in the eyes.

"Yes,"

He turned off his engine, there was a devious smile on his face.

"Now was that so hard to do?" he said getting off his bike

"No…and yes at the same time…I just had so much to think about…"

"Sometimes, you don't have to think. You just go for it,"

He kissed her as he whispered those words. And for the first time, Lola kissed him back.

Later,

Lola arrived home and felt a joy in her heart. She was giddy and overwhelmed; she never thought for one second that she could have a boyfriend, just like the other girls. And she knew her mother wouldn't approve, but that was part of the excitement.

Gladys was in the kitchen. She noticed her daughter come in the front door.

"Hi Lola,"

"Hi mom,"

She took note of her cheerful disposition

"Why are you so happy? Did you have fun?"

"Yeah, it was fun. I saw some really cool bikes,"

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, there were antiques and a bunch of other models…"

"I hope you're not thinking of riding any of them…they're too dangerous," Gladys looked up from where she was working, "right?"

"Yeah, I won't,"

"Ok,"

There was a pause between them

"Anything else happen?" asked Gladys

"Not much else,"

"Alright,"

She turned back to the mixing bowl

"Well, you better get started on your homework sweetie. I'll call you when dinner is ready."

"Ok,"

Gladys went back to her cooking; Lola went upstairs to her room. She shut the door and jumped on her bed. She grabbed her pillow and squealed into it. She then held it as she giggled to herself.

Oh she's gonna kill me when she finds out…I'll relish this moment. Me…with a boyfriend? Who would've thought? What's dad gonna think? What's Kate gonna think?

She smiled more but then she started to remember something that had happened in this room before. Her smile grew slightly faint.

I remember that time…I told Kate that I wasn't ready for a boyfriend…and that guys were losers…heh, if only she knew what I got myself into now…

She thought about that more

Am I really ready for a boyfriend now? I guess…I…just have to roll along with it. Not think too much about it…just…let it be…

Lola closed her eyes and thought about Andy. She felt dreamily content. She almost fell asleep but then heard her mother call her for dinner. She went downstairs and did her best to conceal her happiness.

After dinner,

Lola and Kate were helping with the dishes when Gladys came in with the last of the plates.

"Here you go," she said, "oh, Lola, I'm going to have to talk later, ok? You're not in trouble or anything."

"Um…ok," she replied with a slightly confused look on her face

Gladys looked around and put her hands on her hips. She walked away muttering, "Now where is this boy?"

The girls then heard her yell from the bottom of the steps, "Brandon! I told you take out the trash already! Get away from those games and do your fair share of the chores mister!"

With their mother out of the kitchen, Lola looked over questioningly at her sister, whom was nearing her due date.

"Beets me," Kate said shrugging her shoulders.

Lola kept pondering what it is that her mother wants to tell her.

Afterwards,

Lola was putting away her books in her backpack when there came a knock on her door.

"It's me,"

"Come in,"

Gladys opened the door and came in Lola's room.

"Sweetie, we need to talk,"

She motioned for her to sit down on the bed.

"Lola, I know I've been very strict with you. And, it's really hard for me to let you go."

She sighed heavily, Lola looked on.

"It's time…that you knew why I'm this way you, and you're sister,"

She closed her eyes.

"Where to begin…" she took a moment to choose her words, "My mother... was too loose with me. She let me do whatever I wanted, so I took advantage and thought nothing of what could happen to me. But then I paid the price,"

"What do you mean?"

Lola could tell it was something very serious. Gladys hesitated, but then she gathered courage and looked straight in the eyes of her youngest daughter.

"Lola…I was raped when I was seventeen years old."

Lola was in shock. She couldn't believe that something so terrible happened to her own mother.

"I didn't realize what was happening at first…but by the time I realized his intentions…it was too late for me. I barely knew the guy…I just knew him through one of my friends."

Lola couldn't find words to speak. But then a question occurred to her.

"Was he…Kate's father?"

"No…he's…a different story…I actually had a relationship with Kate's father; Not this other one. So because I lived that horrible experience, I vowed I wouldn't make the same mistake my mother made with me. Then you girls come along. And true too my word I was strict with both of you, particularly Kate. Because I saw myself in her, she's just like me when I was young. Part of me was afraid that she'd get into trouble like I did, so I was tougher on her than you. You, Lola, didn't give me the motive like she has. You're more like your father, and I knew you would react differently.

Lola, I'm not saying that you're going to do what I did. I'm not saying that I don't trust you. I just want to do everything in my power to make sure that you don't suffer what I suffered."

Gladys turned away and stared straight ahead

"I've realized now that I was way too strict with you children. And that's why Kate did what she did…I know I'm to blame."

"Mom…no…that's not…"

"No, Lola. It's true. She was tired of my pestering…so she rebelled against me. It's my doing…I was the trigger,"

She put her face in her palms. Lola put her hand on her shoulder. Gladys revealed her tear swollen eyes.

"Oh, Lola…I don't want to make the same mistake I've made before. I've learned that you can't be too loose nor too strict. I have to be more balanced with you kids…and so…I will try to."

Gladys put a hand on Lola's shoulder. Gladys tried to hold back, but one tear escaped her eyes.

"If you want me to trust you with more responsibility, you have to trust me...alright sweetie?"

"Alright,"

"Good,"

Gladys held on to Lola tightly

"I love you very much Lola,"

Lola returned the hug

"I love you too Mom,"

"Allo sleeping beauty,"

"Ung??" Lola rubbed her eyes, the grey fuzz focused and she saw her husband standing over her. She looked around and found that she had fallen asleep on the floor, up against the edge of her bed. She moved her legs, causing the photos on her lap fall to the carpet. She yawned and stretched; her body was tense and she felt a pain on her back lower back.

"Ay," she said as she grunted, reaching behind her to massage her back, "what time is it?"

"Six,"

"Geez,"

She tried to get off from the floor but couldn't stand up.

"Gah…my ass fell asleep…"

Bugs chuckled

"Long nap?"

"I felt like four chapters of my life passed by…" she muttered. Then she held out her arms, "help me up!"

He bent down and grabbed her by the waist; he then hoisted her up and tossed her on his shoulder.

"Dammit…put me down!" she whined

"Make up your mind woman,"

He then tossed her playfully on the bed.

"Gah! You're not helping," she grumbled as she put her hands to her forehead.

Bugs got on the bed, looking over her, with his arms on either side of her. She peeked through her fingers and saw him grinning down at her.

"Don't get any ideas," she muttered

"Why I never!" He pretended to be offended

He leaned over and kissed her cheek.

"How about some tea," he suggested

"Mgmn…" she moaned

"English please,"

"Ok…" she said louder

She moved her hands from her forehead and looked at him with a smile. He smiled back at her. He inched in close and kissed her gently. As he got up from the bed, he quickly poked her stomach and went out the room.

"You jerk!"

She tried to get up, but she was so groggy, she couldn't budge.

"Eh…I'll get you later…" she muttered as she rolled over on the bed