“Want breakfast?”
Daisy nodded.
The diner was closed.
Most restaurants were.
So Ray suggested something else.
“The gas station?”
Daisy stopped.
Fear flickered.
Ray noticed.
“We don't have to.”
She thought.
Then:
“Is my hiding place still there?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
They returned at nine-thirty.
Teresa drove Daisy.
Ray rode with Moose because his injured knee made riding impossible.
When their truck turned onto the highway toward the gas station, Daisy heard something.
A low rumble.
Far away.
She looked out the window.
“What’s that?”
Teresa smiled.
“I think Ray did something.”
The rumble grew.
The gas station appeared around the bend.
Daisy stared.
Motorcycles.
Hundreds.
Rows filled the lot.
More lined the shoulder.
Black.
Red.
Blue.
Silver.
Cruisers.
Touring bikes.
Old motorcycles.
New motorcycles.
Leather jackets everywhere.
Men.
Women.
Young riders.
Gray-haired riders.
Families.
The snow around the gas station trembled beneath the vibration of engines arriving one after another.
Daisy pressed both hands against the window.
Her mouth opened.
Teresa slowed.
“How many?”
A sheriff directing traffic answered as they passed.
“Last count?”
He laughed.
“Four hundred eighty-seven.”
More motorcycles appeared behind them.
By the time Daisy stepped from the car, the number had passed five hundred.
The engines gradually shut off.
One after another.
The enormous rumble became silence.
Daisy stood frozen.
Buttons tucked under one arm.
Ray waited near the gas station door.
His knee was wrapped.
A cane stood beside him.
He wore a red winter coat.
Not Santa suit.
Just red.
Daisy pointed.
“I knew it.”
Ray groaned.
Five hundred bikers laughed.
Daisy ran toward him.
Ray opened his arms.
She stopped just before touching him.
“Can I?”
His face softened.
“Yes.”
She hugged him.
The crowd remained quiet.
Ray held her gently.
Then Daisy noticed something else.
Boxes.
Hundreds.
Blankets.
Coats.
Boots.
Children's books.
Food.
Gift cards.
Backpacks.
Toys.
Ray looked toward them.
“These aren't all for you.”
Daisy seemed relieved.
“That would be too much.”
“Way too much.”
He crouched as far as his knee allowed.
“You know what happened last night?”
She nodded.
“I saved Santa.”