AllFreeNovel
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Sasha is busy in the barn, settling the last of the horses in their stalls. She put Ivan out in the pasture along with one of the other horses. John has already moved the trailer to a spot behind the barn. I’m sure there are a hundred other chores that need to get done in order to resume life here, and I feel like I’m in the way. I fish my keys out of my pocket and head over to where my motorcycle is parked and lift my leg over the seat tipping it upright. I hit the kick-start bringing the bike to life, and it sounds so much louder in this peaceful, perfect place. Sasha appears at the entrance of the barn. She’s put her hair in a knot on top of her head, and she still has on those sexy as fuck black muck boots.
I realize she is so much more capable than I was at twenty-three. That was a lifetime ago, and right now I’m feeling my age as my body aches from the exertion. I was so fucking clueless at her age, and the only thing I had going for me was the band. By the skin of our teeth we made something of ourselves, and even if it only lasted a short while, we managed to make some great fucking music. I see that in Sasha, in the passion she has for her photography, for these horses, and her family. She is on the verge of something great, and I get to watch it happen.
I have the feeling I’m going to get my heart broken in the process.
I tip my chin to her and slide my glasses in place. She gives me a small wave. John appears at the side of the barn, and he lifts his hand in a goodbye salute. I watch in my side mirror as he walks over to Sasha and gathers her into a hug now that the immediate work has been done.
I rip down the street but then slow to check out the houses and see how close the fire really came. The further into Temescal Canyon I get, I pass stretches of charred brush. I’ve seen the aftermath of wildfires before, but never did it feel like it was at my backdoor.
The last thing we heard was that the fire was only forty-three percent contained. I’ve lived in California long enough to know that this means we are not out of danger just yet, but the fact that the fire department have not mandatorily evacuated the area means the fire has shifted and the part that’s contained isn’t a threat, at least not right now.
The smell of smoke is thick in the air. I turn off on Sunset and take it to Palisades drive all the way up until I can’t go any further and the road is blocked. Houses that were once an architectural masterpiece have been reduced to blackened and soiled rubble. It reminds me of how quickly things can be destroyed.
I turn the bike around and ride down the canyon, back to the concrete jungle of Santa Monica. Once I hit the busy streets of L.A., it’s like a completely different world. People walk their dogs, enjoy coffee at one of the cafes, oblivious to the danger that was happening not too far away. It puts things in perspective for me. I spent a decade or more closing myself off, not fully enjoying life because I was afraid of something that is inevitable. I cannot spend my life alone, and I need tolive,not merely exist.
I pull into the lot of my record store and hit the kickstand before turning the engine off. I sit for a minute, feeling as if I can finally breathe, and run my hands through the tangled mess of my hair. Both my feet are planted on the pavement, and I lean back into the bike, letting it take my weight once again. Everything has been so emotionally charged during the last twenty-four hours that it felt right to give us both some space. I have things that need to get done at the store, and with John’s return, Sasha will be busy at her house.
In the middle of my thoughts, Angel appears from around the corner, a breakfast burrito in hand. It makes my stomach growl, and I realize I haven’t eaten since yesterday.
Angel raises the burrito to me in greeting.
“Did you install a tracker on my bike or something?” Between him and his nephew showing up at the most inopportune times, I wouldn’t be surprised. I lift my leg over the seat of the bike, shaking out my stiff legs.
“Why would I do that?” He asks before he takes another bite of the burrito.
“Because you always seem to know when I’m at the store.” I don’t mind that Angel comes over to check on me. I think it’s funny that he keeps track of my whereabouts.
“You’re always at your store.” He looks at me as if I’m stupid. “And your bike is loud as fuck,Amigo.”
I guess both of those things are true.
“Did you need something?” I ask, because I’m eager to get inside and take a shower.
“Nah, man. I’m just taking my morning walk. Lola likes me to stay in shape.” He shakes his belly that’s hanging over the waistband of his jeans and takes another bite of the burrito.
I chuckle and shake my head.
“You look like shit,” he says, pointing his burrito at me.
“Gee, thanks.” I roll my eyes.
“How did she like the camera?” Angel asks.
“Haven’t had the chance to give it to her yet.” I picture the camera sitting on my desk, and with everything that’s happened, I completely forgot about it.
“Waiting until you need a make-up gift, huh?” Angel asks, shaking his head with a smile.
“A make-up gift?” I ask, and then instantly regret it.
“When you get into a fight with your woman and you give her a gift to say you’re sorry.” Angel takes another bite of his burrito.
“That’s not what the camera is for,” I say, annoyed.
“Works every time.” He winks at me, and I shake my head.
“You hear about that wildfire up in the canyon? All those rich fuckers losing their homes.” Angel chuckles a little as he looks up at the still hazy sky. I think about Sasha’s home and how close she came to losing it.
I shake my head. “Yep, I heard.” I’m not elaborating that I spent all day and night trying to save Sasha’s house.
