Page 8 of Protective Mountain Man

Explaining to my parents that I haven’t gone off the rails was a test of that new found courage.

“This isn’t the same as when Kaden left home. I just want the freedom to make my own choices and live my own life. Not follow some pre-desitined plan.”

“But what if you make the wrong decisions?” I was glad they were at least listening, if they were concerned I was throwing my life away.

“Well, that might happen.” I smile at my parents. “And that’s how I’ll learn from them.”

* * * * *

Five days later they met what they considered my first wrong decision when they met Falan. Not wanting to commit to living in town, Falan had been staying with a friend on the outskirts of town. But after five days of me sneaking off to see him, he declared it was time he met the parents.

Bringing home a leather clad, motorcycle riding, older man did not go over well. But Falan was determined to prove himself worthy. Helping my dad fix some things around the home. Helping my mom in the kitchen. In fact, during those first few first meetings, I got very little attention from him because he was so focused on my parents.

My parents were just coming around to the idea that Falan and I might be good for each other when it was time to tell my brother. The boys went off to the bar and returned looking like they might have rolled around in the dirt and Falan was showing signs of a black eye.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

Falan nods. “Kaden wasn’t buying that we could be so madly in love so quickly. But when I swore to him that I would lay down my life to protect you, that’s when he accepted that we are together.”

“I never thought I’d see someone like Falan give up the road.” Kaden has his arms crossed, giving me a warning look like only an older brother can.

“He’s not giving it up. In fact, I’ve been thinking I might get a bike of my own.”

“No you’re not!” This came from Kaden, Falan and my father all at the same time. Well at least these men were agreeing on something.

Later, when we were on our own, Falan asked me. “Do you really want a bike of your own?”

“I think it would be fun to learn how to ride. And I love the feeling of being on a bike. But I’m also happy riding on the back with you.”

“Good. I like having you close.” And with that, he went about demonstrating just how close he likes us to be.

Epilogue - Six months later

Falan

I watch Ariel tinker around with the computer. Her hair is wet, freshly washed, up in her signature messy bun. She pushes her glasses up to the bridge of her nose. Such a simple movement, but it still drives me crazy. Here in my garage, surrounded by my tools, my bike and my woman. I’m happier than I ever thought I could be.

The house is on the outskirts of town, but it’s a small town. The down payment was a gift from her parents. An unexpected show of support from the older couple who I have come to love. We are often over at their place for lunch or if something needs fixing. In fact, it was her dad who got me a part-time job as a handy man. And it turns out, I love that too.

I like getting to know people, working with my hands, being a part of the community. But the best thing is our road trips out of town. Ariel on the back of my bike, off to some great adventure.

“So, I’ve connected your phone to your laptop here. And now you can see what you're filming on the screen. Falan, are you watching?”

I shake my head. “I’d rather you just be here and do it with me.” I grin at her big, dramatic sigh. At first I didn’t want anything to do with her videos. Messing around with technology is not my thing. When she started making some money from filming our road trips and camping holidays, that was when Ariel suggested I start my own channel about bikes and building things. Now that I have this garage and all the stuff, I love messing around in here. One day I’ll build a table, another day some planter boxes Ariel wants for the garden. There’s always stuff to do on the bike and I found an old Triumph Bonneville T120 that I am slowly restoring.

“Okay, are you ready?” Ariel asks.

“Yes. And I know what I want my first video to be.” Walking over to the side wall I grab hold of a sheet and look over to Ariel. “Are you ready? Are you filming?”

She nods.

With a big flourish I whip off the sheet to reveal a new bike I bought just for Ariel. Her whoops of joy tells me she loves it. She hands me the camera as she hops on and reeves it up.

It’s such a small gesture compared to how she has changed my life for the better. I love life again. I really never thought that could happen. But with Ariel, everything is an adventure. And as much as I love having her on the back of my bike I respect her independence.

It’s going to be great, riding together. And when we have babies and kids maybe we’ll swap the bikes for a campervan. And that thought doesn’t scare me one bit. Everything we do together we find a way to make it fun. And I love to see my woman happy and laughing.

She once told me that leaving home was the best decision she ever made. But I like to think it was walking into that bar so I could rescue her. That was the best decision she ever made.

* * * * *