Page 22 of Here & Now
“I’d probably use it for display purposes in the shop. People love these old bikes.”
“I do too. It’s gotten a lot of use over the years.”
She sounded wistful, and with every sentence, he wanted to learn more.
“How long have you been coming here?”
“Since I was ten years old.”
“I won’t ask how old you are now.”
She chuckled. “I’m twenty-eight.”
“I’m just a couple of years ahead of you.”
“I guess we’re still young enough to volunteer our ages.”
He smiled. “I might not be so anxious ten years from now.”
“Everyone always says how fast time goes, and now I finally believe it.”
He nodded, hoping she’d keep talking.
“My family came here every year, and I never thought it would end.”
He stopped working on the tire and studied her. “Is this your last visit?”
She sighed. “I think so.”
Though he’d just met her, he felt disappointed. He liked the idea of seeing her again, but like all the other tourists, she was just passing through. The story of my life.
He resumed working on the bike.
“Part of the reason I’m here is to put the cottage up for sale.”
“What’s the other reason?”
She averted her eyes again. “Do you mind if we change the subject?”
He should have already fixed the tire and been on his way, but for some reason, he was dragging it out. “Sure. What do you want to talk about instead?”
“How long have you owned the shop?”
He didn’t mind talking about himself if it kept him here a little longer. “It’s going on four years now.”
“Wow, good for you.”
“I can’t take all the credit. I inherited it from my parents.”
“Oh. Do they live here too?”
“They live off island now, in Cape Coral.”
“Still close, then.”
He nodded. “Where do you call home?”
“Michigan.”
