Chapter 6: Lady Luck

I only felt a little bit guilty when I called in sick the next day. I had some things to do before I met Shane. If I was gonna follow through with my plan, I had to get some information.

On my way out the door, my phone rang. I cringed; it was probably work. I had to answer it. In my most pathetic, sick voice I said Hello.

It was work, but not the Attic. It was the vet Clinic. Dr. Sam put Ms. Richter on the phone. Hello, Freddie. I dont know if you remember me, Im Duncans mom.

Yes, of course, I remember you. How is Duncan? I asked.

Well, that is what I wanted to talk to you about. Could you meet me sometime today? she asked.

I was not sure what this was about, but I told her I could meet her in about an hour. She gave me directions and said goodbye.

When I arrived at the address shed given me, I was a bit surprised. I was expecting it to be a caf or some public place, but this was a house. It was, in fact a charming craftsman style bungalow in Venice. I got out of my car as she was opening her front door. Come in. Please come in. she called.

I went in and was immediately greeted by Duncan. He was a large golden retriever that Id spent many weekends with at the clinic. He was one of our frequent boarders, as his mom traveled a lot.

We were seated, and Ms. Richter explained why shed asked me here. When she was done, I was shocked, flattered and excited. I couldnt believe what she was proposing. We discussed and finalized the details over the next hour and when I left, I couldnt believe what had just happened.

I found everything I needed at the library; and by the time I was off to meet Shane, I felt giddy as a child on Christmas morning.

Ramon had everything ready and it didnt take long for us to complete the deal. Ramon even offered the use of a loaner car for the next few days, but Shane had her truck so I thanked him and we headed out for my surprise.

I refused to tell Shane where we were going, instead only offering the necessary turn right at the next light directions. When we finally got there, Shane just sat in the truck grinning ear to ear and said Youre shitting me right?

What do you think? I asked a bit nervously, now that I was really about to do it. Ive always wanted one, but now I dont know.

*****, yes. You should do it. Shane said as she stepped from the truck.

In a little over an hour, I had my new set of wheels. A Harley. I got an extra helmet and we left Shanes truck parked where it was as we took off down the road. Shane and I cruised out of LA and up the coast for a couple of hours. Neither of us spoke, but merely enjoyed the ride lost in our own thoughts. Every once in a while, I could feel Shane release my shoulders or waist and throw her hands up in the air as she let loose a primal cry.

I smiled to myself; I hadnt ridden a motorcycle since I was in college. It was one of the few memories I kept of the first and only boyfriend Id ever had. Sammy Johnson. He loved motorcycles and he taught me to ride. I remembered exactly why I loved this and had longed for a motorcycle for so many years. It was freedom. The wind whipping your skin so that you felt like you were flying. Not to mention the bad girl connotations that a motorcycle conjured. I laughed inwardly with the realization that this was the greater appeal to me.the bad girl image. Everyone teased Dana relentlessly about being a geek, but that girl had nothing on me. *****, Sammy used to tell me that the term geek was coined just for me.

It was late when we drove back into town. We stopped to grab a quick bite and I told Shane I had one more surprise for her. I got a little lost, but eventually pulled up in front the house in Venice. I think I was more excited about this than I was about the bike. As I lifted the helmet from my head, I saw that Shane had the strangest expression on her face as she asked What are we doing here?

I pointed to the house and asked, What do you think of my new place? I move in 2 weeks from this past Saturday.

Shane just looked at me. What the ***** are you talking about? Youre joking right?

No, it is all mine. Really. I said and I watched Shanes face. It was covered in confusion and disbelief. After a momenet I explained the gift Lady Luck had offered me earlier that day. One of the clients at the vet clinic asked me to house and dog sit for her for the next 4 months. She got some movie deal in Greece. I paused for a moment, letting this sink into Shane. Can you believe it? I live here and watch the dog and she pays me to do it!

A big grin spread across her face and she said No way, man. This is awesome. How did you get hooked up with this deal?

I dont know really. The dog has been boarded at the clinic pretty often, and she said she remembered how well I got along with him. Since she will be gone for so long, she wants someone to watch the house and the dog. Im the girl. I answered.

We both sat there a moment longer, letting this sink in—-I still couldnt believe it all—Finally Shane said Congratulations! This is gonna be great for you. I couldnt say anything; all I could do was smile and nod my head.

As I dropped her off at her truck, I found myself once again asking this woman for a favor. Would you consider swapping wheels the weekend I move? I cant really move much on this.

Nah, man. Ill come help you move. You dont need to give me your bike. She said shaking her head.

Really, take it out for a spin. You know you want to. I can move by myself. It is the least I can do after all youve done for me the past few days. I grinned. But, wait, youll be loaning me your truck, so it wont even count towards the thanks I owe you. I laughed as I stood in an exaggerated act of counting the favors I owed her on my fingers.

Shaking her head she insisted, You dont owe me anything. I could see the excitement building in her eyes before she spoke, But itd be ***** if I could take the bike out.

Now that we have that straightened out. Can I ask one more thing? I asked

Shane rolled her eyes. What now? She sighed in feigned exasperation.

I really liked this woman and knew there was no reason to ask her to keep my secrets; she wouldnt say anything, so I simply said Promise me youll wear the helmet?

Shane grunted and really rolled her eyes this time yes, Mom. We both laughed as we hugged good night. I thanked her for everything again before she left.

I wasnt ready to go home just yet, so I drove down past the Planet. It was busy so I opted not to stop. Instead I went down to the beach.

I loved the beach and tonight it was especially beautiful. It was late enough that the beach was deserted and there was a full moon; its reflection off the calm water was like something shimmering up from the depths. I remembered sitting on beaches not unlike this one as a child imagining that the shimmering reflection was the lights of some underwater city. A city I wanted to run away to. I longed for the cool water to wash away whatever it was that hung on me, making me feel like a stranger, even in my own life.

Tonight, I did not have that desire. For the first time in my life I felt comfortable in my skin. I felt free to be myself. Most days I wasnt sure who that was, but I was slowly getting to know Winifred Gordon; and I liked her.