waited.
Bells rang out, like a real bank would have. I was confused at first that a gas station would have a proper alarm and the bank in Mesquite. I cocked my head before realizing what it meant. Eddie might not have gotten any money at all. The cashier might have seen the gun and immediately hit the button. The cashier might have been packing his own weapon. I hadn’t heard any shots, but I was still anticipating the worst.
I had to keep myself occupied, so I twisted the handle back, revving the engine. Each jump in the RPMs seemed to match my heart. Thump, thump, thump. Rumble, rumble, rumble. I waited, the bell still ringing and alerting the world.
Eddie finally came around the corner. As he sprinted, he stuffed the gun into the back of his jeans. I’ll never forget the smile on his face.
I leaned the bike vertical, pulling the stand in with my foot. My hand danced at the throttle, ready and waiting to twist it back and get away as soon as Eddie wrapped his arms around me.
He got closer, and I heard his breathing and his boots clomping on the sidewalk. Leaning forward, I allowed him to slide behind me, and I looked past him to see if he was being followed. Seeing no one, I relaxed just a tad.
“Good to go, Darlin’,” he panted at me as he slid behind me on the Harley. I waited a second to make sure he was secure, then took off.
Seventy-seven dollars. That was what Eddie yelled in my ear as we rode down State Highway 58. It would be more than enough, and I was surprised to say we were going to make it to Esther’s exactly when we said we would. Three days after leaving Colorado Springs and the first snowfall of the year, we were riding through the California desert.
I had put more miles on the Harley in that hour after the robbery than ever before. The highway was nerve wracking at first, but I soon fell into the constant rhythm of passing the trucks and holding the throttle steady. Eddie’s sure grip behind me was steadying and calming, as usual.
I knew we couldn’t stop, but I would have loved to have given the control back over to him. He was the man, and I loved that about him. Eddie loved control, and he loved being at the helm. Maybe he thought it was fitting that I would ride into Bakersfield, and maybe even to my sister’s house.
Bakersfield was seventy-nine miles out. I could hardly believe it. If I wasn't concentrating so hard on keeping the Harley upright, I might have let out a tear. The sun felt amazing on my skin. Even though I knew I’d be redder than Satan when we finally arrived, I loved the thought of never needing a scarf again.
I was so excited to sit down with Esther and talk to her. I hadn’t seen her in years, and I missed her so much. Hearing that Dad had spoken to her in a similar manner brought us even closer. She had promised not to tell my parents where I was. I knew she’d tell them I was safe and had contacted her, but they wouldn't be coming after me any time soon.
What were Eddie and I going to do for work? Where were we going to live? I don't think either of us had any idea. The world was our oyster, sure, but we couldn’t just rob some place every time we needed money. I wanted to settle down with Eddie and find a place to live.
One thing at a time, I told myself. We weren’t even in Bakersfield yet.
The buildings began to grow in their frequency. The billboards were advertising Fomoso Dragway and the Bakersfield Sound. It felt so friendly compared to Colorado Springs. To the east, there were foothills that mirrored the ones to the west of my hometown. I breathed a sigh of relief. My body was tired. I was sure Eddie’s was, too.
He still gave my shoulders a squeeze every once in a while, reminding me that he was back there; my rock. The farms gave way to houses, and they gave way to the actual town of Bakersfield. I was glad to slow the bike down and enjoy the stops and starts of the small city’s traffic.
I felt so comfortable on the Harley.
Bells rang out, like a real bank would have. I was confused at first that a gas station would have a proper alarm and the bank in Mesquite. I cocked my head before realizing what it meant. Eddie might not have gotten any money at all. The cashier might have seen the gun and immediately hit the button. The cashier might have been packing his own weapon. I hadn’t heard any shots, but I was still anticipating the worst.
I had to keep myself occupied, so I twisted the handle back, revving the engine. Each jump in the RPMs seemed to match my heart. Thump, thump, thump. Rumble, rumble, rumble. I waited, the bell still ringing and alerting the world.
Eddie finally came around the corner. As he sprinted, he stuffed the gun into the back of his jeans. I’ll never forget the smile on his face.
I leaned the bike vertical, pulling the stand in with my foot. My hand danced at the throttle, ready and waiting to twist it back and get away as soon as Eddie wrapped his arms around me.
He got closer, and I heard his breathing and his boots clomping on the sidewalk. Leaning forward, I allowed him to slide behind me, and I looked past him to see if he was being followed. Seeing no one, I relaxed just a tad.
“Good to go, Darlin’,” he panted at me as he slid behind me on the Harley. I waited a second to make sure he was secure, then took off.
Seventy-seven dollars. That was what Eddie yelled in my ear as we rode down State Highway 58. It would be more than enough, and I was surprised to say we were going to make it to Esther’s exactly when we said we would. Three days after leaving Colorado Springs and the first snowfall of the year, we were riding through the California desert.
I had put more miles on the Harley in that hour after the robbery than ever before. The highway was nerve wracking at first, but I soon fell into the constant rhythm of passing the trucks and holding the throttle steady. Eddie’s sure grip behind me was steadying and calming, as usual.
I knew we couldn’t stop, but I would have loved to have given the control back over to him. He was the man, and I loved that about him. Eddie loved control, and he loved being at the helm. Maybe he thought it was fitting that I would ride into Bakersfield, and maybe even to my sister’s house.
Bakersfield was seventy-nine miles out. I could hardly believe it. If I wasn't concentrating so hard on keeping the Harley upright, I might have let out a tear. The sun felt amazing on my skin. Even though I knew I’d be redder than Satan when we finally arrived, I loved the thought of never needing a scarf again.
I was so excited to sit down with Esther and talk to her. I hadn’t seen her in years, and I missed her so much. Hearing that Dad had spoken to her in a similar manner brought us even closer. She had promised not to tell my parents where I was. I knew she’d tell them I was safe and had contacted her, but they wouldn't be coming after me any time soon.
What were Eddie and I going to do for work? Where were we going to live? I don't think either of us had any idea. The world was our oyster, sure, but we couldn’t just rob some place every time we needed money. I wanted to settle down with Eddie and find a place to live.
One thing at a time, I told myself. We weren’t even in Bakersfield yet.
The buildings began to grow in their frequency. The billboards were advertising Fomoso Dragway and the Bakersfield Sound. It felt so friendly compared to Colorado Springs. To the east, there were foothills that mirrored the ones to the west of my hometown. I breathed a sigh of relief. My body was tired. I was sure Eddie’s was, too.
He still gave my shoulders a squeeze every once in a while, reminding me that he was back there; my rock. The farms gave way to houses, and they gave way to the actual town of Bakersfield. I was glad to slow the bike down and enjoy the stops and starts of the small city’s traffic.
I felt so comfortable on the Harley.
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