Part 6
Potata-potata-potata… the big bike vibrated at the red light. Doc looked over his shoulder at the sweet thing clinging to his ribs. "You okay Hermee?"
By way of answer, the buxom matron leaned tighter into his wiry frame. "You know it, luv. I’ve been in much worse situations over the years." Sighing, she looked out at the rest of the pack. "The girls look like they’re happy don’t they?"
The medic reached down to give the knee hitched behind him a squeeze. "Yeah, you have raised a couple of really nice little chicks."
"Chicks? Chicks? I’ll have you know they’re damn fine women. Why, I’ll bet they’d run circles around any women you know."
Doc laughed at the motherly pride evident in her tone. "I know they would, darlin’, I know they would. That’s what I meant."
Hermione hmphed briefly then subsided, quite willing to be mollified. She relaxed against him, enjoying the ride for a moment. It had been a long time since she had felt this free. A very long time.
The convoy of large hogs wound its way through the rocky mountain splendor and then slowed to pull into a rest stop for a badly needed pee break. A line of bikers formed at the guardrail and a line of girls from Star’s business formed at the single rustic personal convenience. At the very back of the line the two sisters performed an impromptu version of the "River Dance".
"Do they always take this long?" Melly asked Star as she hopped impatiently from foot to foot.
"You shouldn’t have grabbed that cappuccino when we got gas." Despite her tone, her footwork was almost as impressive as her sister’s.
"Easy for you to say. Doesn’t seem to bother Mom though."
"She always seemed to be the type to hold things in." There was a thoughtful pause before Star continued. "Does she seem a little strange to you right now?"
"She saw Mique. That’s a little more than strange."
Just then, the furry being in question ambled over. He stopped and looked up at the two of them expectantly.
"Hey…" He said grinning, taking time to slide one hand into to the waistband of his jeans and give his arse a good hard scratch. "You two trying to kill off some ants or somethin’?"
The stone hard glare that he received nearly froze him on the spot. "Whoa! Back off Dynamic duo, no reason to get hostile— just hang it out and let it rip."
If dirty looks could be measured on the Richter scale the earth would have collapsed into a smoking ruin.
"Just because you have no qualms about letting it all hang out, doesn’t mean we’re all exhibitionists." Melly snapped.
"Yeah," Star chimed in. "We’re not all about to show the world what we’ve got. Some of us like to save it for a select few."
"What!" The catman exclaimed in surprise, "You girls have got nothing that a good airing out would hurt. I fact…" he was about to elucidate when the business end of a macramé mini bag found its way into his mouth. "Mmmmph!" He said around jute fibers and then stood placidly as the sisters adjourned in favor of the bushes a few feet away.
"Ptew! Cack… gasp!" Mique choked as he extricated the purse and walked back to his bike only to find Hermione leaning against it waiting like a terrier in front of a rat’s hole.
"You’d better not be sleeping with her yet. I know better than anybody how fertile you furry fiends are." Hermione hitched up a bra strap for good measure and looked at him unblinkingly.
Mique blinked. If he was capable of anything else it would have been a total surprise. Almost as much of a surprise as the knowing look in the Matron’s eyes. "M-m-m-mom… honest we only slept together—as in sleeping, not rolling around like two crazed weasels."
"A likely story." Hermione sniffed. "I know Amelia, and I know your type. Hooh boy, do I know your type."
"Type?" Mique asked an incredulous tone to his voice. "C’mon give me a break here, both of your daughters smell like the rutting fields of Oster. Come to mention it," he sniffed, "…so do you. HOWEVER… Melly is also my best friend and I would never do anything that she didn’t agree to first."
"Listen Ri… I mean Mique… Rutting fields? That just sounds rude. I really don’t mean to insult you—you are what you are. Besides, Amelia is a smart girl. Just be careful."
In light of what had just been thrown at him, Mique decided to do what came most naturally, he pouted. He turned on those big sad eyes and almost dared Melly’s mother to hurt his feelings. At first he thought that it was a lost cause and then, like sand through an hourglass she crushed him in a smothering embrace mumbling, "Don’t hurt my baby." in a quiet voice."
Before things could get too maudlin, Melly came up behind them. Clearing her throat pointedly, she said "Better get back to Doc, Mom. Percy’s about ready to move us out again." She stood for a moment watching her mother walk away before swinging onto the bike behind Mique.
Uncharacteristically Mique said nothing, rather he kick started the bike, waited for Melly to mount behind him and pulled out to lead the pack deeper into the mountains without a word.
Melly studied her friend’s face in the mirrors as they flew down the black top; he had a sober look that she’d never seen before and for some reason it scared her.
Melly wondered briefly what was going on with him. All manner of ideas crossed her mind, none of them pleasant. She couldn’t remember him ever being so subdued. They rode for several miles in silence, until she finally could stand it no longer. "What’s wrong Mique? What did Mom say to you?"
Mique almost couldn’t hear the words over the rush of the air passing by them but for some reason that really didn’t matter, Melly’s words cleaved through his skull like he had created them himself. A shudder ran down his whole small frame and he swallowed hard. ‘Oh shit.’
‘…Oh shit.’ Melly heard the words as clear as day.
(c) 2002 S. Day & M.C. Sak
Back *** To be continued