This picture comes from the "Back
The Blue" Bash, put on by Arlington
Police Foundation to support Arlington Police Officers and I want to
thank Arlington
PD for permission to use.
And Your 5 Words
Body
Person
Silky
Crack
Pleasure
George’s body was stock still, as he gazed in awe at the machine in front of
him. He grinned, suffused with pleasure as he remembered days and
times long ago now when he was a different person.
A young man, eager to do a day’s
work, to go that extra mile and his superiors had noticed. It wasn't long before he was promoted and he
moved up the ranks.
He ran his hand over the
motorbike, feeling the contours, the coldness of the metal touching his finger
tips, the arthritis in his knuckles looking ugly as they skimmed over and
lightly touched the leather seat, silky,
no that wasn’t the word he wanted, soft maybe, no that wasn't right either,
damn this age thing in his brain. It was
almost as if his thoughts came and went and leaving a big crack crazing through his mind.
He looked around; the coast was
clear, he would just hoist his leg over and sit, one more time, on this
machine. What harm could he do? The saddle was low slung; he should be able
to manage it.
George placed his left hand on
the grip of the handlebar, leaned over to his left, he could almost feel the power
coursing through his body, he lifted his left leg in the air, grazed the top of the saddle as he felt for
the ground underneath his foot. Steadying
himself with both hands on the handlebars he lowered his posterior on to the
seat.
Another place, another time, a younger
time when his knees weren't arthritic, his heart was sound and healthy, no
popping tablets everyday to lower his cholesterol and control his blood
pressure.
He closed his eyes, felt the wind
rushing past him, brushing his shoulder length hair, the sting of the air as it
brushed his cheeks, he gripped harder, then lessened his hold on the throttle
as he tightened his grip on the brake lever.
‘Dad! Dad, what on earth are you
doing?’ Jemma’s voice came to him from
far away. ‘Get off there now! Honestly, taking you anywhere is worse than
taking my kids out for the day.’
George opened his eyes, took a
sneaky peek at his daughter standing there with her arms folded across her
chest. She was no fun some days.
Jemma shook her head slowly as
she helped her dad dismount from the motorbike.
‘I remember those days, Jemma. They were such fun. I used to take your mum on the back sometimes
just round the block. She would hang on
for grim life.’ George smiled at the memory.
Jemma pulled him away, quickly
ushering him towards another exhibit as the security guard began to approach
them.
Word count: 452
