Motorcycle Gang

 

            Carter and Jason were best friends. They had met each other in kindergarten and had been inseparable ever since. Now they were starting sixth grade and would finally be at the top of the elementary school. They had epic plans for the school year that mostly revolved around football at recess. They were on their way to school, discussing tactics, when it happened.

            An enormous noise drowned everything else out. A roar of motorcycle engines echoed all around them. Carter and Jason looked behind them down the street and saw at least twenty motorcycles coming their way.

            The boys gaped from the sidewalk as the motorcycle gang rode by them. It was a continuous roar of engines as they passed.

            When the motorcycles had gone and they couldn’t hear their engines anymore, Carter asked, “Have you ever seen so many motorcycles together before?”

            Jason started to shake his head, but then he said, “Maybe at a parade or something. That was pretty amazing!”

            “Yeah. Did you see how they were all wearing matching jackets? That was really cool.”

            The football tactics were forgotten as the boys discussed the motorcycles. By the time they reached the school, they had both vowed that they would be part of a motorcycle gang together when they got older. They were planning what they were going to put on their matching jackets when Jason suddenly had a great idea. “Hey, I have a cousin who has a dirt bike. Maybe he would let us ride it and try it out.”

            Carter agreed wholeheartedly. They decided they would head over to Jason’s house after school to plan when they would get to ride the dirt bike.

            School seemed to take forever that day. Carter and Jason got to be the team captains during recess football, but their minds were elsewhere. They weren’t playing their A-game. Finally, school ended and they walked to Jason’s house. Jason called his cousin, Andy, to ask if they could ride his dirt bike. Andy agreed, so a few minutes later, Jason’s mom was driving both boys over to Andy’s house.

            Luckily, Andy only lived a short drive away and was pulling his bike out of the garage when they arrived. “Hey guys!” he said cheerfully when Carter and Jason stepped out of the car. He had just graduated high school last spring and was currently working for a lawn care company. Both boys idolized him.

            Jason and Andy gave each other a fist bump and Carter waved. Jason immediately launched into the story of how they had seen the motorcycle gang this morning and how totally awesome everyone looked in their matching jackets.

            “So, do you guys want to go for a ride?” Andy asked when Jason had finished.

            “Of course!” Jason cried excitedly.

            “Definitely,” Carter agreed.

            Andy showed them how the dirt bike worked, then demonstrated by kicking it to life and zooming off down the street.

            Carter couldn’t wait for his turn as Andy returned and Jason climbed onto the bike. It took Jason a few tries to get started, but then he zoomed around like he had been riding his whole life. Finally, he came back and it was Carter’s turn.

            Carter eagerly put on the motorcycle helmet and sat astride the bike. Andy coached him again on how to get it started and how to speed up and slow down. “It’s just like riding a regular bike, but with a lot more power,” Andy said as he slapped Carter on the back.

            Carter clumsily kicked the bike to start it, and almost before he was ready, he was off. Trees and mailboxes zoomed by him before he remembered he should probably slow down. He wondered if he should be scared, but this was so cool! He welcomed the wind blowing through his helmet and over his body. As he reached the top of the street, he let out a joyful, “Woohoo!”

            When he came back to where Andy and Jason were standing, Carter couldn’t control the enormous grin on his face. “That was unbelievable!”

            Carter and Jason had an amazing time with Andy and his dirt bike. When Jason’s mom came back to pick them up, they were already making plans for when they could come again. Carter leaned back in the seat, totally content. “This has been the best day ever!”