Bikeriders Serenade

A Visit from the Past

The night had grown quiet. Austin sat at his desk, the soft glow of his computer screen casting shadows across the room. His inbox was still flooded with messages from people sharing their stories, but as the hours passed, exhaustion began to settle in. He glanced at the clock—9:30 PM. It was time to head home.

Gathering his phone and keys, he was just about to stand up when a soft noise broke the silence behind him. Austin froze, his heart skipping a beat as he slowly turned around. His breath caught in his throat when he saw her—his mother, Lori, standing there, her eyes glistening with tears.

For a moment, he stood frozen, unable to process what he was seeing. Lori had been gone for years, yet here she was, as real as the day she left. Her presence felt warm, familiar, as if she'd never left his side.

Without thinking, Austin put down his phone and keys, crossing the room to her in an instant. “Mama…” His voice cracked with emotion as he reached out and took her into his arms, holding her as tightly as he could. It felt like a dream, yet so vivid it almost hurt. "I love you, Mama."

He pressed a gentle kiss to her temple, feeling the soft texture of her hair against his lips, something he hadn’t felt in what seemed like forever. The warmth of her presence brought a flood of memories rushing back—the sound of her laughter, the way she used to hug him after a long day, and the unconditional love she had always given him.

Lori pulled back slightly, tears still shimmering in her eyes. She reached up and cupped his face in her hand, her expression filled with pride and tenderness. “I’m just so proud of you,” she whispered, her voice full of emotion. “For making such an important, amazing documentary… and for being so brave to share your story.”

Austin blinked, tears of his own threatening to spill over. His mother’s words wrapped around him like a warm blanket, a comfort he hadn’t realized he needed until that very moment. "Why are you crying, Mama?" he asked gently, his hand covering hers as he held onto her, fearing that if he let go, she might vanish.

Lori smiled through her tears, her thumb brushing his cheek as she squeezed his hand. “I’m crying because you’ve done something incredible,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “You’ve inspired so many people to share their own stories and to get the help they need. You’ve given them hope, Austin.”

Austin swallowed hard, the lump in his throat making it difficult to speak. His mother’s pride meant more to him than any award, more than any praise from the public. In this moment, it was as if everything he had worked for, all the struggles he had faced, had been worth it just to hear her say those words.

“I couldn’t have done it without you, Mama,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “You’re the one who always believed in me. You’re the reason I am who I am.”

Lori smiled softly, her eyes full of love as she squeezed his hand once more. “I’ll always be with you, Austin,” she said, her voice soothing. “Even when you don’t see me, I’m there. In everything you do, I’m there.”

Austin closed his eyes for a moment, letting her words wash over him. The weight of his mother's love and pride settled deep in his heart, bringing a sense of peace he hadn’t felt in a long time. He wished more than anything that she could stay with him forever, that this moment could last, but he knew better.

When he opened his eyes again, Lori was still standing there, her gaze never wavering. “Keep doing what you’re doing, my boy,” she said softly. “Keep shining your light. You’re making a difference.”

Before he could respond, she leaned in and kissed his forehead, a gesture so familiar it made his heart ache. As she pulled away, her form began to grow hazy, as if she were slipping away into the background. Austin’s breath caught in his throat as he tried to hold onto the moment, but within seconds, she was gone, leaving behind only the warmth of her presence and the echo of her words.

Austin stood in the middle of his office, his heart racing and his mind reeling from what had just happened. He could still feel the imprint of her kiss on his forehead, the warmth of her hand in his. It was as if she had never left.

Taking a deep breath, he walked back to his desk, his hands trembling slightly as he picked up his phone and keys. He knew what he had to do now. He had to keep going. For the people who needed his voice, for those who had shared their stories, and most of all, for his mother.