Beach House

Lillian

The next morning I wake the same way I had the day before. The soft sound of waves and the sweet breeze flowing in through the window. My long dirty blonde hair twirled in the wind as I poured my steaming tea. Finding my seat at the breakfast bar, unread documents stared up at me begging to be opened. With a long overly dramatic sigh I begin ripping open the envelopes maybe a slight more aggressively then needed. Advertisement, advertisement, oh an electric bill already and some more advertisement. They seemed unimportant to me at the moment so I pushed them all aside, except for one. The old fashioned handwriting caught my eye, making my curiosity go wild. 

My dearest Mollie,

if your reading this my time has come. As you know already I love you with all my heart, and I know you will accomplish much in this life. You have taught me many things, and I pray I have taught you just as much. I must get to the point as this letter should be short. Along with everything I own, you and your brother will also be receiving my motorcycles. Your grandmother says I love them to much, but we both know she's just jealous. I can only trust you to look out for them, your brother would sell them and pocket the cash rather than enjoy them. Do what you want with Danny and Carl but please keep old girl Lillian to yourself, I will live on in her as I always wished I would. Be strong, my brave girl, never let the wind carry you to far from home.

                                                   Sincerely yours,
                                                               Papa
Tears welled in my bright blue eyes as I read his last words. I sat in shock for what felt like hours, until three shiny keys inside the envelope caught my eye. Dumping the contents of the envelope on to the table, I examined each key individually. Danny was written on the first one, the same hand writing that the letter had been in, my grandfathers. Next was Carl's key and lastly Lillian's. Thoughts raced through my mind as I tried to figure out what to do with the motorcycles. I don't need all three, yes of course I would keep Lillian. The others were useless to me though. I couldn't let them just sit in the garage, they were amazing bikes. I didn't know much about the machines only what papa had taught me in what little time I had been interested in them.

One after noon when I was fifteen or so I slowly walked out to papas garage preparing to ask him if I could go for a swim in the lake. Before I could get the words out he said
"The Yamaha XS 750, what a beauty. Maybe even prettier than your grandmother," he giggled to himself while shining the fender with an old rag. "Don't tell her though, she would turn red with rage," I smiled to him as I looked at the bike, he eyed me eyeing her. "Would you like to learn a bit?" His eyes begged me to say yes, wanting to share his wisdom with his granddaughter. My head nodded in agreement as I walked in closer, within minutes I forgot all about the lake and my fascination began.

Finally, I decided to sell the two useless bikes, surely someone else could enjoy them more than me. So I threw on my hoodie and slipped my converse over my bare feet. Grabbing the three keys and my phone, I clomped down the steep wooden stairs leading to the small garage. The salty breeze slowly swept across my face, allowing me to let out a breathe I hadn't realized I was holding. My hand found the cold metal door knob and with one last breathe I pushed the door open. Automatic lights flipped on with the movement of the door opening. Sure enough three big shiny motorcycles stood in a row in the middle of the room. I found my self walking deeper into the work shop, I didn't want to, but I couldn't stop myself.
       "Oh Lillian, you miss him too don't you?" My eyes found the floor while my hand slid across the sleek shiny metal covered in red paint. Talking to the bike somehow brought me closer to papa as if he was really there. Shaking my head with the idiotic thought I snapped a few quick pictures of Danny and Carl, and hopped in my truck. I turned the engine, and speed off to the bar.

          "So, let me guess. Will the lady be enjoying another whiskey tonight," the same bar tender from the night before taunted me with a sly grin. His large arms leaned against the bar as his hands held his head in amusement. His brown eyes searched me for an answer while his black hair stood up in all directions. I returned his grin and giggled to myself.
           "Why the hell not?" I managed with a large grin. A laugh escaped his equally large grin, and once again I felt myself relax.