Jamie placed the beer at his feet, balanced the pizza with his one hand while with the other hand he tried to open the motel door with the magnetic key. As usual, it took several swipes. The green light finally flashed and he quickly reached for the handle. He pushed the door open with is hip, picked up the beer, nearly dropping the pizza, and backed into the room. He turned. "I brought pizza and beer so we can eat while..." his voice became a soft mumble. " I... I didn't realize... I'm sorry."
"You're embarrassed. I'm flattered, I think." The words came in a soft, soothing tone as she twisted around from the sink. She was naked except for the towel wrapped around her head. Jamie just stood before her speechless. She sensed his discomfort. "You had better put the pizza and beer on the table before you drop them and close the door too, please." She moved towards him as he placed the food on the table. "I'm starved, how about you?" Her hand brushed his arm and she said with a giggle, "If it would make you feel more comfortable, I could borrow one of your T-shirts. Remember, you put all my stuff in the wash, or you could just..." her hand gently tightened on his bicep and he glanced down at her bruised knuckles.
They had met that morning outside a gas station just near Williston. Jamie had just fueled his bike and had parked it at the side of the convenience store. She was sitting nearby on a small backpack and leaning back against the wall. The soft light of the early morning sunlight flattered her face and soft brown eyes and almost hid the small mouse under her left eye. She smiled as he dismounted.
"Good morning," Jamie began. "It looks like it's going to be another nice day."
"Ya, I sure hope so" she replied. "You're up and traveling early."
A brief conversation ensued. While they talked about traveling in Montana, Jamie observed her dusty and greased stained denim jacket, the tattered jeans with the ripped knee, and her well-worn sneakers. Her smile did little to hide her tiredness. "I'm about to get a coffee, would you like one?" Jamie asked. "That is if you're not waiting for someone or with someone. I would not want to intrude," he added shyly.
"No, I'm alone. A coffee would be very nice."
Moments later he reappeared with coffee and muffins. "I thought you would like one of these too," he said as he handed her a muffin. "After all, I was having one. It will tie me over until breakfast. I brought cream and sugar for the coffee too."
The coffee and the muffin tasted good. She had not eaten since noon the day before. While she ate, she stole repeated glances at her benefactor as he leaned against his motorcycle, sipped his coffee, and perused a map of Montana. He looked at the map through bifocals. His grey hair and beard were short and framed a tanned faced. He did not appear to be your typical biker even if he did wear a T-shit, leather vest, and jeans. "My name is Sheila. Is that a Harley?" her words broke the silence that had grown between them.
"Oh sorry, I didn't mean to ignore you," he replied as he let the map fall across the handlebars and rest against the windshield. "No, it's not a Harley. It's a Yamaha. Something that is a little smoother on these old bones. My name is Jamie, by the way. Pleased to meet you, Sheila."
"I'd like to get a bike," she said her voice trailing off. Then she continued in a dreamy fashion, "I want to experience the freedom of the open road and feel the wind in my hair."
"Well you have to be careful. Accidents can happen at..."
She didn't allow him to finish his sentence. "Thanks again for the coffee and muffin. It really hit the spot." It was as if she did not want him to spoil her dream with sobering facts. "Where are you headed?" she inquired.
Jamie explained that he was on holiday and heading to the Detroit area to visit his brother and some friends. It was a leisurely trip, he explained, because he was semi-retired. A service station employee pushing a caretaking cart interrupted their conversation. "I see you are still here," the employee scoffed. "Shouldn't you be somewhere else?"
"Oh sorry, I can see that I'm taking up valuable parking space," Jamie replied sarcastically as he turned and waved at the empty parking lot. "Thanks for encouraging my return patronage. I'll be off shortly!" The attendant looked shocked and hurried off.
"Bitch," Shelia muttered under her breath.
Jamie smiled and offered her another coffee. "No thanks," came the polite reply. "But I would appreciate you minding my stuff while I went to the bathroom."
"Just put it up on the pillion seat. That way it won't be swept away by a frenzied employee." Shelia laughed and disappeared into the store. When she reappeared moments later, she stood by the bike making awkward small talk. Then after taking a deep breath she looked him straight in the eye and asked.
"You wouldn't have another helmet for this thing, would you?"
"Here you wear the good one and I'll wear the beanie. I'm heading east, you know."
"Perfect," came the reply. In short order, the beanie helmet was retrieved from one of the saddlebags and bungee cords secured her knapsack to the sissy bar rack. Jamie hardly noticed her presence behind him as the big V4 ate up the miles along Highway 2. Late in the afternoon, he could feel her falling asleep against him. He found a motel in Devils Lake and stopped for the night.
On his way to the nearby pizzeria, he had put their dirty clothes in the wash in the motel's laundromat. On his return with the pizza and beer, he had placed their clothes in the dryer. He had fantasized about a moment like this while he was putting their clothes in the washing machine and again when he placed them in the dryer. Now, his fantasy was coming true. Sheila's naked body was only inches away. Jamie was aware of his pounding heart, his sweaty brow, and the searing heat of the touch of her fingers on his arm. His gaze moved from her hand to her breasts. They were beautiful. He could barely breathe. The silence that filled the room was broke only by the wheezing of the air conditioner.
