On the Back of His Bike

Part 1

       Riley lead a pretty average life. Grew up in a small town, she and her older sister were raised by a single mom. Graduated with a regular diploma and went to work right away to help take care of her ailing mother.      

       She ended up getting a job at the only book store in their small country town. She basically ran the place, as the owner was old and had no family to pass the business down to. Luckily, in a town of retired people and families, books were a common commodity. 

       She was just closing up the shop, around 8:30 in the evening, the sun almost completely set behind the mountains. Street lights began to flicker to life, giving the brick main road a picturesque look. Her phone began buzzing in her back pocket. After fumbling with her keys, bag, and stack of books she was 'borrowing' from work, she finally wrestled the phone from her pocket just in time to answer the call. 

       "Happy birthday, baby sister!!! I can't believe you're finally 21! Now you can legally be my DD when I go out!" She heard her sister laugh on the other end. Riley rolled her eyes as she began walking around the small corner book store, where her rugged old black jeep sat waiting. "Oh, lucky me." She droned, earning another chuckle from her sister. 

       "But thats for later. Tonight is your night, and you ARE coming out, even if I have to drag you." Ella threatened, her tone suddenly serious. Riley sighed dramatically as she turned over the keys in the ignition, having to try a couple more times before the sad clicks turned into the engine finally rumbling awake. "I really don't feel like it, Ell…" she attempted, but her sister cut her off quickly. "I'll see you at home in twenty minutes! If you're not ready by then, I'll help you. Love you!" She called before hanging up. 

       The girl sighed, glancing into her reflection in the rear view mirror. Her naturally dark orange/red hair was pulled back into a braid that trailed down past the middle of her back. Her bright green eyes contrasted her pale skin, light freckles dusting the bridge of her nose and cheeks. She was a carbon copy of her father, who she hadn't seen since she was 10. She sighed heavily. She was never able to look in the mirror and not see his face. She knew her mother felt the same way, and that's why Ella had always been her favorite. 

       On her short drive from the store to her family home, the thick Oregon wilderness enclosed the road as she drove just past the edge of town. She turned down an almost hidden dirt road, softly jostling in the seat as her small home came into view. It was a wooden cabin that had been in the family for a few generations now. Light seeped out from the foggy windows, the smell of meat and potatoes drifting from the open front door. 

       After gathering her things, she made her way up the front porch, scratching their family's black lab, Rosie, on her fuzzy head. The old dog happily followed her inside, where Olivia, Riley and Ella's mother happily messed about in the kitchen. Some days, she had a lot of energy, and she would spend as much of that energy cooking as she possibly could. It was a win win for everyone, as Olivia's cooking was amazing, and she got to feel useful from time to time in her sickness. 

       "Hey, mama." Riley called gently as she set her pile of books onto the white wood kitchen table. "Hey, baby. Grab me the garlic, would you? I have my hands full." Olivia called without looking. Riley walked over to a small glass dish that held their garlic, pulling a few cloves apart before peeling them one by one. "I'm making your favorite for your birthday dinner." Olivia grinned, stirring her meaty concoction in her pot. Riley couldn't help but smile excitedly. Beef stew steamed buns. Once she had peeled an absurd amount of garlic, she set it aside for her mother to handle. 

        "Ella is threatening to drag me out tonight." Riley sighed as she sat heavily in a kitchen chair, leaning back. "You should go out, Riley. You're so responsible all the time, it's weird." Her mother called casually over her shoulder. Riley scoffed, offended. "Thanks, mom!" She frowned. "And waste this amazing dinner you're making for me? That would be rude." She attempted, leaning onto the table top. "They'll still be warm in the pot when you get home. They're great for preventing hangovers." Olivia smiled, finally turning around to smile at her youngest daughter.