A ride to Los Angeles

Chapter 8

Jessica

I grip the motorcycle's handlebars tightly. The last time I did this was years ago. In fact, I don't even have a license. My dad taught me how to ride his motorcycle when I was 16. Those were the rare moments I spent with him, so even though I wasn't very interested in motorcycles, I took advantage of his lessons just to spend more time with him and avoid going home, where my sad, often drunk mother was waiting for me.

After a heated argument a few years later, I cut ties with him for good, and with motorcycles too. Yet here I am today, back on one. My arm has fully healed, and it’s time for Tiphanny Meelver to return to her greatest passion. But Tiphanny Meelver is no longer in Mississippi; she’s all the way in Los Angeles now. So, I’ll have to take her place.

When it came to getting back on the bike after the accident, I overheard the Meelver couple having a rather intense argument, which is unusual for them. They are two people who always communicate calmly and find solutions together. However, when it comes to their beloved daughter, they take entirely opposing stances. Kassandra is very worried about the possibility of another accident that could have much worse consequences than the last one, while Marko focuses more on Tiphanny’s happiness, believing she should pursue her passion.

For the first time, I saw my parents in them. They used to have similar arguments because of me. My mom wouldn’t let me do anything without her approval, while my dad insisted that I needed more freedom. Back then, I might have thought he cared about my happiness, but the truth is, my dad never cared about my happiness. He probably argued with my mom just because that’s what they were used to doing.

In the end, Kassandra gave in and let me take the bike, but not before asking Martin to keep an eye on me and let her know if anything happened.

So, here I am, back on a motorcycle after all these years, surrounded by my new so-called friends and, of course, Martin. Everyone is on their bike, ready to ride through the streets of Jackson.

“I’m so glad you’re finally okay, Tiphanny!” Harper says during a stop. “It was so boring without you.”

Harper is a super cool girl with great energy—you could never get bored around her. She also seems to have the most personality. She has dark black hair with a few blue streaks, a fashion sense that reminds me of an art school student, lots of earrings in her left ear, and a motorcycle tattoo on her right wrist.

Kai, her boyfriend, has a similar style but keeps his hair simple, a dark chestnut color. His haircut reminds me of a K-pop idol or a young Leonardo DiCaprio, with a middle parting.

Cami, none other than Martin’s cousin, is probably the sweetest in the group, with a very positive and friendly attitude. She’s the kind of person who always sees the good in people. She has bobbed chestnut hair and a relatively simple style. She doesn’t wear earrings or have tattoos but knows how to do her makeup beautifully. She’s very close to her older brother, Theodore, who’s also part of our group and resembles her in every way.

They all seem like great people. They were thrilled to see their friend back and healthy, full of energy after the accident. Harper and Cami jumped into my arms, and the boys wanted to know how I was doing.

Tiphanny told me about all of them through messages, but I didn’t expect them to be this nice. As a teenager, I didn’t have any friends. My mom never let me go to parties, and I always had to be home by 7 PM at the latest. Not that I could have done much else anyway, because with my mom’s depression and drinking problems, I had to take care of the house and work odd jobs. Well, “jobs” is a bit of a stretch—I mostly mowed neighbors’ lawns or walked dogs in the park for $15-$20, which I saved for utilities. That is, if my mom didn’t find the money and use it to buy more alcohol.

“Tiphanny?” Martin asks.

Great, I got lost in my thoughts again.

“Yes, yes, I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?” Cami asks. “You seem a bit lost.”

“No... I’m okay, really.”

“I think we should go for another ride,” Kai suggests.

“Agreed,” several of us respond in unison.

The next few hours, we sped through the city streets. I decided not to think about anything and just enjoy the moment. I never realized how amazing it could feel to ride at such high speed. It’s like flying.

From time to time, we stopped and shared what had happened during the time we’d been apart. Sometimes, the girls would gossip, and I had to pretend I knew who or what they were talking about.

Eventually, while we were at a gas station to fill up, Harper and Kai decided it was time to leave.

“Ride safe, lovebirds,” Theodore jokes.

Kai rolls his eyes, then puts his helmet on and mounts his bike. Harper does the same, and off they go.

“Maybe it’s time for us to go too,” Cami says.

Her brother nods, and within minutes they leave as well, leaving me and Martin alone.

The sun begins to set, and the air grows cooler. It’s quiet now, much quieter than before.

“Do you remember?” Martin asks me.

I look at him curiously but don’t say anything.

“This is where we had our first date, just the two of us. We knew each other from the group, but we had barely spoken. I thought you didn’t like me or something.”

Tiphanny didn’t get the chance to tell me anything about her relationship with Martin or how it started. I thought their first date took place somewhere more romantic than a gas station.

Then again, even a gas station seems more romantic than where I met Frederic—at my house.

I look at Martin and see a spark in his eyes as he gazes at me. I don’t know anything about him, about his life, but one thing is clear: this boy loves Tiphanny deeply.

Did my husband ever love me?