Stories On Two Wheels: Part 2

It had been a hot day. I’d ridden a good six hours in conditions I’d call “jockstrap in Galveston”. I concluded some simple business (I’d hoped to arrive looking reasonably presentable but I showed up looking like a dishrag and smelling like a gym locker). After that I spent another hour or two in the saddle getting roasted again.

I gave up on my plan to do the whole trip in one day. I’m just too out of practice with distance riding and it was too hot. I already knew I’d worked myself too hard. I’d need a gallon of water and an Ibuprofen as soon as I found a hotel.

Time wasn’t on my side. The sun was about to set and the skies looked stormy. I stopped at five hotels before I found a room. By then I was getting desperate! I was ever so happy to find a crappy hotel. It had AC and a bed. That’s all I could ever desire!

The sun had set and clouds turned ominously dark. I’d been wearing mesh gear and really wanted to be off the road before it rained. I hadn’t planned to be gone overnight so I had zero luggage; basically a wallet and a paperback.

I was reluctant to ride far from the hotel knowing a downpour was eminent. I shuffled in motorcycle boots a quarter mile to a Mexican restaurant. The waiter warned me the kitchen was about to close so I should order soon. I’d accidentally showed up 10 minutes before closing time! What a dick move!

The waiter was a nice guy and very laid back. He assured me that the kitchen would happily cook anything so long as I ordered quickly. He also said I’d have plenty of time to eat while everyone was cleaning up. I ordered immediately by pointing more or less at random to something in the menu.

Then I asked for a drink. What I really wanted was ice! I was cooked all the way to the molecular level from the day’s heat. Since I couldn’t figure out how to politely say “just pour a bucket of ice water on my head” I settled for a strawberry daiquiri (ice that’s crushed!). I tried to show restraint but drank it at the speed of ice-ache.

The restaurant was nearly empty. There was a lady in a nearby booth and a family across the room. The family had two rambunctious giggling kids which made me smile. The husband (it’s 2022 but I’m going to assume that’s what he was) headed for the car; herding the kids in front of him. The wife had a wrist brace and was moving a little slower. I wondered if she’d had a rough day too. In hindsight, I wrack my brain trying to remember anything else about them but all I noticed was “happy kids” and “wrist brace”.

The waiter brought whatever I’d pointed at on the menu. I don’t even remember what it was. But I do remember the daiquiri and two big glasses of ice water! While I was eating the other customer left. I don’t remember that person either.

I wanted to sit there and rest but I was the only guy in the restaurant. It was time to leave. I reached for my wallet but the waiter was all grins. “The lady with the children has already paid for your meal.” He announced. I was gobsmacked. Huh? Why?

“Do you know her?” He asked.

“No, I don’t know anyone here. How can I find her to say ‘thank you’?”

“I guess she wanted to remain anonymous. She paid for herself and the other woman and you and then left. Congratulations!”

Wow! What a nice thing to do.

I looked around for a reciprocal good deed to do. Rescue a kitten or something. All I could do was leave a tip and shamble back to the hotel.

I’d received two massive good deeds in one day. How awesome is that?

I found myself looking forward to buying dinner for some stranger as soon as possible. Ten minutes after I got back to the hotel a massive thunderstorm cut loose. I was so tired I barely noticed.

(To be continued.)