Helen called the airport and booked a ticket on the next available flight to New York. Happily for her, she would get to spend one more night with Marcus, as her plane was scheduled to depart the following afternoon.

The first red, orange and pink colors of the sunset were in the clear sky of Los Angeles, as the three friends decided to go out for a last cup of coffee together. Helen had only just put her heels on, when the distinctive rumble of Thunderheaders rocked the busy neighborhood.

“There are more Harleys in this world other than Marcus’s.” Michelle’s voice was reeking with sarcasm, as Helen glanced at her.

“It is him.” Helen spoke in emphatic tones. “I know that sound.” Without wasting any time, she turned around and strode through the bedroom door. Too impatient to run down the stairs, she chose to head towards the balcony. A simple glance down to the road confirmed her suspicions. It was Marcus. He even looked up at her and curled his index finger.

“What the heck…” She mumbled to herself. “What is he doing here?”

Baffled and in need of an explanation, Helen turned around again. She crossed the living room in seconds and stormed out of the suite, trying to guess why he was there, much earlier than he was supposed to be here. In fact, she was so curious about his visit that she didn’t use the elevator. Helen preferred to run down the stairs, feeling her adrenaline rushing through her veins. The lobby door slid open sideways, before she stepped outside. With a heavy heart, she crossed the street, believing that this would be the last time she saw Marcus.

“Um, hi…” She waved her hand hesitantly. “Aren’t you supposed to be at work or something?”

“Nope,” Marcus croaked, as a sly smile spread across his face. “David owed me two weeks leave. Today’s my first day.”

“And you wanted to go out with me before I left?” Helen wondered as curiosity colored her voice.

“No,” He said, his eyes glinting with amusement. “We’re leaving together.”

A gasp of surprise left her lips, as her eyes darkened with shock. Stunned into stillness, Helen stared at him, unable to utter a word. Marcus reached towards her, his shadowy eyes locked on her face, as his smile widened more by the second.

“You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.” He teased her.

“Oh, my God…” Helen spoke too fast. “You want to…”

“Visit your town.” Marcus finished her sentence.

Feeling her heart pounding like a drum, she spoke no more. Helen took a short step towards him and wrapped her hands around his back, resting her head on his shoulder, as he put his left arm around her waist. The scent of leather filled her nostrils, as she struggled to come up with a rebuttal. However, Helen was in such a state of shock that she could not do so. She held him tightly in her embrace, thanking her luck that she had met him.

“You think I was going to let you leave like that?” Marcus inquired, his baritone going up an octave.

“You really are something, you know that?” Helen stated in a wobbly voice as she leaned back.

“Go tell your friends.” He winked at her. “I’ll be waiting.”

“Waiting?” She squinted at him. “I’ve got plans with them. I wasn’t expecting you so early. I need to call the airport.”

“Whoa!” Marcus raised his hand in front of her face. “Airport? Nuh uh. Too public; too many cameras. Besides, James said you were not in a rush to get there. We’re riding.”

“Riding?” Another soft whisper escaped her, as she realized what he had only just suggested. Riding across the states had been a childhood dream for Helen, one that she had very little hope of fulfilling. Marcus was offering her a chance to add some adventure in her life. And Helen would not let it go to waste.

“Are you going to hug me again?” He teased once more.

“I’d love to,” Helen uttered, smiling down at him. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”

“Actually, I do.” Marcus said with a nod. “Go get your suitcase. We have a long ride ahead of us.”

“Ok.” She chirped, her heart leaping with joy. Still trying to wrap her head around the idea of traveling across the states with him, Helen sprinted across the lobby. Eager to share the news with her friends, she jumped up the stairs, feeling like a child with a new toy. Her heart beat faster and faster, as the door to the suite became closer. Helen stormed into it, her chest rising up and down, as Michelle and Olivia turned to her.

“Guys…” She gasped. “I can’t come with you. We’re leaving.”

“You’re what?” Michelle squeaked.

“We’re riding to New York.” Helen explained.

“Helen, you’re not making any sense!” Olivia cried out, furrowing her brow. “I mean, riding all the way to New York? Are you crazy? It’s three thousand miles away, for God’s sake! You said you wanted to be there ASAP.”

“Girls…”

“Don’t!” Michelle grumbled, the stiff look on her face sending shockwaves down Helen’s spine. “Don’t be stupid, alright? Go tell him it’s out of the question.”

Her friends’ words acted like a wakeup call. In her enthusiasm, Helen was about to do something very immature and out of character for her. She closed her eyes and banged the palm of her hand against her forehead, trying to catch her breath.

“You’re right.” Helen heaved a long, heavy sigh. “That was stupid.”

With a heavy heart, she left the suite yet again. This time, she was in no hurry whatsoever. Helen had to find a subtle way to tell him that his plan was not an option.

Riding across the states, when you know your parents need you. What the hell were you thinking, Helen? That would be the dumbest decision you’ve ever made.

“Where’s your suitcase?” Marcus wondered, as their eyes met across the street.

She remained silent, struggling to work up the courage to speak to him, as she closed the distance between them.

“I can’t.” Helen shook her head sideways. “I can’t come with you.”

“Oh, man.” He let out a sigh of frustration, dragging his gaze away from her.

“I’m sorry, Marcus,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “I shouldn’t have said ‘yes’. I’d love to do this with you, I really would. But, it would take us too long to get there.”

In a swift move, Marcus faced her again, reaching his arms towards her. Cupping her cheeks, he pulled her gently closer, tilting his head up. Their lips locked in a long, tender kiss, as Helen snaked her arms around his neck. Draping her hands over his back, she felt her heart fluttering, as he ran his thumbs across her cheekbones. His kiss made her feel warm inside, the sensation of his strong hands on her face comforting her, as the moisture from her eyes soaked his skin.

“I’ll find you,” he said, his voice a mere whisper, as he slowly leaned back.

“I don’t know if I can come back.” Helen breathed, pressing her forehead against his.

“You will.” Marcus put a little force in his voice, opening his eyes. “I’m going there. Wait for me.”

“You’d do that for me?” She asked in a soft, almost inaudible whisper.

“Absolutely.” He gave her a lazy nod. Moving his lips to her cheek, he pressed the “ignition” button with his thumb. Marcus planted a tender kiss on her skin, as the motorcycle engine roared to life. He spoke no more. Kicking his Harley into gear, he merely winked at Helen, as he rode off. She stood on the edge of the street and watched, the ample light from the cars behind him reflecting off his leather jacket, as his figure slowly faded in the distance.

A sea of bittersweet emotions rushed into Helen’s heart. Marcus’s will to ride all the way to Shandaken alone had given her a reason to smile. If anything, it proved that he wanted to share this epic journey with her and spend all of his leave with her. Still, she had rejected his proposal; it would take her at least five days to see him again. More than that, the situation at home had filled her mind with suspicion and negative thoughts. Completely clueless as to her parents’ problem, Helen could only guess on the impact that it could have on her personal life. However, she quickly chose to get rid of those unwanted thoughts. She had to focus on the situation and speculating was not going to assist her by any means.

You need to try and stay optimistic, Helen. Your parents love each other. Whatever it is they’re facing, they’ll get through it, like they always do. Be careful out there, Marcus. It’s a long, long way to Shandaken. I just hope we can spend more time together, while you’re there. Much more time…