“You grabbed that toy like we were going to steal it.”
The Young Man smiled.
“I thought you might.”
“We looked terrible.”
“You still do.”
“Fair.”
The Leader continued:
“You wouldn't let me touch it.”
“No.”
“Smart kid.”
“Terrified kid.”
The Leader nodded.
“Those can coexist.”
The Young Man looked toward the old photograph.
“You scared?”
“When I saw the name?”
“Yes.”
The Leader took time.
“More than I looked.”
“What did you think?”
“That I was hallucinating.”
“Then?”
“That your dad was alive.”
The Young Man looked toward him.
The Leader swallowed.
“For maybe two seconds.”
“I thought he might be nearby.”
“Inside.”
“Driving.”
“Coming back.”
The Young Man’s expression softened.
“I’m sorry.”
The Leader shook his head.
“Those two seconds were worth it.”
“Why?”
“I got him back.”
“Then lost him again.”
“Then got you.”
Silence.
The Young Man stared into his coffee.
The Leader looked uncomfortable.
“Don't make this weird.”
“You made it weird.”
“Forget it.”
“No.”
The Young Man smiled.
“Too late.”
They sat quietly.
Outside, Route 93 kept carrying strangers past the diner.
Trucks.
Families.
Travelers.
Motorcycles.
Most never knew what happened in the gravel decades earlier.
That was fine.
The story did not need everyone.
It only needed the people whose lives changed.
The Biker Leader died at seventy-eight.
Not on the road.
Not dramatically.
At home.
The Young Man sat beside him.
The old photograph rested on the bedside table.
The miniature replica beside it.
The original remained at the diner.
The Leader had insisted.
“Things people use should stay where people can see them.”
The Young Man asked:
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
“Somebody could steal it.”
The Leader looked at him.
“Then chase them.”
Even near the end, impossible.
The final conversation was not profound.
The Young Man asked whether he wanted anything.
The Leader said:
“Coffee.”
Doctor had forbidden it.
The Young Man brought half a cup.
The Leader took one sip.
“Terrible.”
“You always say that.”
“Always true.”
Then:
“Bike still running?”
“Which?”
“Blue.”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Silence.
The Young Man took his hand.
The Leader looked toward him.
“You kept the toy.”
“Yes.”