Biker Mike

I have butterflies in my stomach as I walk to Flags. I hope Mike from next door is not there. This is my secret. I don’t want anyone to tell Gogo who I am really meeting. Like Romeo and Juliet.

Maybe not such a good comparison! That play did not have a happy ending!

When I reach Flags, the bikes are parked outside. The bikers are already in the cafe. Probably sitting at the back. I walk in, trying to remain cool, but my heart is beating, and my legs feel like jelly.

Mike stands up and pulls out a chair for me.

“Hi, I’m Mike,” he says, and he turns to the other guys and introduces them. I hardly hear their names.

“This is Zoe,” Mike tells everyone.

He orders me a chocolate milkshake. I’m grateful for something to drink, because I can take big slurps on the straw and look relaxed.

The bikers are talking loudly and telling silly jokes. I begin to calm down.

Then one of the guys gives a loud whistle and they all stand up, scrapping their chairs noisily. It’s time to go.

Mike gets up too. “Thanks for meeting me,” he says. “See you at Youth Club on Friday. We are planning a night ride. Wanna join us?”

“Thanks Mike, I’d love to,” I say, trying not to sound too eager.

“Great, we’ll grab our burgers and then leave from the car park. Bring a warm jacket. It can get cold on the back of a motorbike. I’ll borrow a helmet for you,” Mike says as he rushes off to join the other bikers.

I hear a roar of powerful engines and in a swirl of dust they disappear down the road.

I wander out into the street in a complete daze. A night ride with Biker Mike!

I am half way to Gogo’s house when I remember the bread and milk and turn back to the spaza shop.

I have to walk past Dube’s Den. I am just in front of the garage workshop when I see Mike from next door, carrying boxes in his arms. He puts the boxes in a big bag and comes to meet me on the road.

“Hi, how are you?” he asks.

“Fine,” I say. Ecstatic would seem like an exaggeration.

Mike sees me looking at the big bag and tells me he has picked up spares for the garage.I get a strong whiff of perfume, not oily spares. But I am so busy thinking about night rides that I don’t think about the unusual boxes.

I look up and see Gogo waving. Mike from next door had joined me at just the right moment. Gogo sees us walking up the road together and I am happy for her to think I have been with her friend’s grandson.

***

Tell us what you think: How does it feel to keep a secret that no one else knows but you?