Wyatt Underwood

making a mistake right

 

once upon a time - good stories always start that way -

once upon a time a Harley rider rode into a desert town

filled his ride's tank, then rode to a cafe and entered

he ordered a cheeseburger, cocola, and fries

while he ate them a girl-woman approached

sat down across from him and shimmied her breasts

"Please," she said, "get me outa this town.

I promise I'll make it worth your while."

the Harley rider grunted and offered her some fries

when he finished his meal, they left together

the girl-woman shivered at her daring

he had an extra helmet and helped her put it on

they mounted and rode out of town a hundred miles

he stopped at a motel in the next town west

rented a room and they went in

she shuddered but smiled and shimmied her breasts again

they sat, he in the chair, she on the bed

studied each other in silence

"You're not eighteen, are you?" he said

she shivered again and shook her head

he grinned and teased her, "Twenty?"

she smiled adorably, but ducked her head, "Fifteen"

the Harley rider stared past the room walls at the horizon

"Does your mother know?" he asked, "Have you her permission?"

"How badly I want out and gone?  Yes," she said

"Specifically that I left with you?  No."

they studied each other in silence again

"I prob'ly should take you home," he regretted

"I prob'ly should feel grateful," she agreed

they sighed and left the motel room

re-helmeted, remounted and rode back

she directed him to her mother's house

her mother ran to them as they took their helmets off

her mother ran to them, ready to fight or cry

"Look, Mother," the daughter said

"This nice man gave me the best ride!"

the women hugged and walked to the house

the Harley rider put her helmet away

stared at the closed door

re-helmeted and rode

this time to the next town north

he stopped at a bar and drank three beers

danced with a waitress and downed a shot

before he risked going to bed

undreamed

 

the cowboy stares at the horizon

somewhere west of here draws him

he has no story in mind yet

just not here, not now, not this campfire

not these cattle, not this grass

somewhere that needs his strength

his intelligence, his skills

he grins and pours a cup of coffee

just now these cattle need just that

his strength, intelligence and skills

he stirs and sips, feeds the fire

sighs and slips into his bedroll

someday that west may draw him yet

right now duty and honor win the night