\u201cGod, it\u2019s good to see you again!\u201d she shouted on the way up the stairs. \u201cIt has been way too long!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, it has,\u201d he replied, suddenly aware of the advantage in going up after her. The absence of risers on the spiral staircase offered very pleasant peeks now and then. He smiled, knowing she had thought of this, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat did you pack in this thing, kitchen appliances?\u201d Her suitcase was both too heavy and too bulky to be taking up a narrow cylinder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA girl\u2019s got to have her things. I\u2019ll be here a while, remember?\u201d She was already across the room, reconnecting with the small apartment and its large wooded view. \u201cI am so happy to be in this room again! Can we have some tea?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He set the suitcase down and grabbed her hand as she was reaching to open a window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSure, we can have some tea. But I thought maybe you\u2019d like to take a ride first. The conditions are perfect right now! Late afternoon sun, autumn just beginning to state its intentions, the wild open road beckons\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was interrupted by a supremely seductive smile, which suspended his words as well as his breath. Both escaped as a sigh, laden with the wonder of what was happening in that brilliant mind of hers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d She assumed her patented coy look, head tilted ever-so-slightly forward, eyes looking upward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d he thought. \u201cIt\u2019s really her. She thinks she gets away with that innocence act. She does, of course, because she\u2019s so good at it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She felt herself pulled quickly to him, surrounded by a properly welcoming embrace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m really glad you\u2019re here,\u201d he said directly into her eyes. \u201cNow, let\u2019s get this out of the way and decide whether it\u2019s tea or a ride.\u201d He pushed the suitcase across the floor with his feet, never really taking his arm from her shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAny reason we can\u2019t do both? You seem talented enough to do two things at once.\u201d Not five minutes into the visit, and she was already winding him up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His answer came in the form of a determined tug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moments later, they found themselves in full riding gear, staring at his beloved machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhew, that\u2019s a real classic you got there, huh?\u201d She gave it a once-over at least twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He smiled demurely. \u201cYeah, I guess you could say so. It\u2019s got some miles and years on it, but it\u2019s not slowing down. You\u2019d be surprised how much power comes from a seasoned and well maintained engine like this one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMind if I look a little closer?\u201d She bent downward, not awaiting his answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSure, go right ahead. But let\u2019s face it, they all look the same in some ways. What\u2019s really important is how well you maneuver it, how you move with it as if you\u2019re one with it\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She stood up and gave him a raised eyebrow. \u201cYeah, whatever, Zen guy. You gonna stand there talking about it, or are you going to start it up and let me feel the power? What\u2019s the bore and stroke, by the way?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He shook his head. \u201cGeez, you women\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She cut him off abruptly. \u201cSuch charming sexism, but please, continue. Don\u2019t censor yourself for my sake.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay, look, you women waste too much time asking about bore and stroke, shaft or chain, as if you have a clue what you\u2019re talking about! Yeah, displacement is important\u2014that\u2019s where the CC\u2019s come in, in case you didn\u2019t know; it\u2019s the amount of collective space filled up by the pistons. You know, they move up and down in the cylinders, that\u2019s what the lubricant is for, so they move smoothly and don\u2019t seize up\u2014anyway, what\u2019s really important, more than displacement, is technique. You don\u2019t want some piston just banging around in a beat up ol\u2019 cylinder. Things get damaged that way. You need power and<\/em> control\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cControl, huh? That\u2019s where you come in. I knew it,\u201d she smirked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He honored her comment with an impatient and insincere smile. \u201cSubtlety, that\u2019s what makes one machine different from another. They\u2019ve all got power\u2014that\u2019s what they\u2019re made for. But the brains behind the power, that\u2019s where it\u2019s at. Knowing just when to lean this way, or that way, when to give a quick thrust, when to ease into a curve. That\u2019s more than power, that\u2019s road smarts. And when two<\/em> smart people go for a ride, believe me, it\u2019s far more pleasurable than just gawking at some hunk of aluminum.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAluminum? Yours is made from aluminum?\u201d Her coyness gave way to slight incredulity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He stood proudly erect. \u201cNope. Pretty much iron and steel. This is old school, remember? It\u2019s not some newfangled plastic pocket-rocket. This one is durable, designed for the long haul, wet or dry conditions, winding road or straightaway. This one can handle it all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt certainly looks like it\u2019s in good shape. You take really good care of it, I can tell.\u201d She gave it another concentrated look from end to end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He shrugged with nonchalance. \u201cYeah, I do all my own maintenance. Every now and then, when necessary, I have it checked out by an expert. Even if you know all that\u2019s happened with it, sometimes it\u2019s good to get an expert opinion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She gave a quick clinical nod. \u201cYes, I agree. Now about this machine, you\u2019re obviously proud of it, and it is rather impressive, but so far all I\u2019m getting is a bunch of talk. So while you\u2019re knocking people who are only interested in hunks of metal, you\u2019re simultaneously delaying the real action. Do I sense some hesitancy, some insecurity?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n His tone echoed in his glare. \u201cNo, Miss Smart Britches. It\u2019s just that we\u2019ve never ridden together, and I thought it\u2019d be good to see if we\u2019re on the same wavelength. But since you\u2019re in such a hurry, let\u2019s see you get on. Just swing your leg up and over, then straddle\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI know how to get on, Control Master. Hey, let go!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He stopped her leg in mid-swing and stretched it just enough to make her feel somewhat naked and vulnerable. She liked it, of course. But she really did want to finish getting on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He, however, was enjoying the tease. \u201cSo you know how to get on, do you? Then why are you going so fast? Eagerness is good, but you must realize that each getting-on experience is new, therefore different, therefore should be savored. So let yourself down slowly. Take in the experience fully\u2026see how different it is\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He released her leg, and she eased herself down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, yeah, it\u2019s different alright. Noisier than I expected. You don\u2019t ever stop talking. You\u2019re worse than I am.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHey, you want to fight or ride?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes,\u201d she left the answer for him to properly apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cArgue if you want, but most people ignore the fact that getting on can be as gratifying as getting off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She fought to keep her snicker from becoming a full-fledged gut-engaging laugh. \u201cIs he serious?\u201d she thought. \u201cWrong time to ask\u2026note it for later.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He continued, as if not noticing her struggle. \u201cOkay, so riding consists of two things: physical action and intuitive action. Each one is as crucial as the other. Knowing when to use the throttle, when to ease off and maybe even come to a complete stop. How to read the road, always scanning for the best route and method to get there. Not rushing there, no, but taking one\u2019s time\u2014most people overlook that. They just zoom from Point A to Point Done never even thinking about how much the enjoyment builds up over time. We don\u2019t seem to be interested in anticipation anymore. Just \u2018bang!\u2019 the ride\u2019s done, on to the next one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She wiggled her impatience. \u201cHey, speaking of anticipation, you gonna get going anytime soon?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWould you listen to me? I\u2019m really serious about this\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019s never serious about this\u2026\u201d she mused silently. \u201cThere\u2019s always a punch line, even if it\u2019s days away\u2026oh god, I hope this doesn\u2019t take days\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, you\u2019re the passenger,\u201d he pointed to her authoritatively. \u201cBy getting on, you relinquish a lot of control to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI knew it!\u201d She slammed her fists down onto her thighs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHush, would you? So, I control the throttle\u2014I know you might not like that, but let\u2019s face it, the throttle\u2019s mine. You can request that I go faster or even slower. Just holler it out, or give me a hip check or something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She nodded with a feigned obedient stare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cStay close, as if we\u2019re joined at the hip. Stay with me in the turns, lean with me, and never lean too far away from me\u2014you could literally fall off. You can always get back on, sure, but you still don\u2019t want the ride to end prematurely because of some nasty crash. I\u2019m experienced enough as an operator\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOperator? That\u2019s like a controller, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He ignored her suspicion. \u201cWe\u2019ll start the ride a lot sooner if you quit interrupting. Okay, I\u2019m good enough operating this thing to understand that each riding couple has to find their own rhythm. We all know the basics\u2014get on, ride, get off\u2014but it goes from just a ride to a really pleasurable trip once we get into our own unique rhythm. It might take a few miles.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She thrust her chin forward and caught his glance with her overly-opened eyes. \u201cAnd the rhythm of a thousand miles must begin with the first beat\u2026which happens exactly when?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen you stop with your chatter. I\u2019m really trying to discuss with you an important philosophy to take into every ride. Please, this is so close to my heart, so much a part of who I am\u2026\u201d Even he started to giggle this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, to finish up, it\u2019s okay to scream out your delight along the way\u2014hey, it\u2019s supposed to be fun. You can sing to yourself, or get giddy with laughter, even talk, which I know you like to do. Just remember that my ear is only inches away and I do not wish to become deaf. So try to control yourself\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd if I fail to control myself, you\u2019ll do it for me, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He looked directly into her eyes and shook his index finger. \u201cI warned you already. To finish up, you\u2019re smart enough, and intuitive enough, to know when to tighten your grip on me, either with your hands or your legs or whatever. I trust you to hang on even when the riding gets rough. We\u2019ll ride till you\u2019re satisfied. Just scream out for me to stop if you need to. Ready?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI thought you\u2019d never\u2026yikes!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hours later, they stopped for tea.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cGod, it\u2019s good to see you again!\u201d she shouted on the way up the stairs. \u201cIt has been way too long!\u201d \u201cYeah, it has,\u201d he…<\/p>\n