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OMR · 10-17-2007, 08:20 PM

Chapter 4

It had been 10 years since that night in his kitchen when his dead wife suddenly came back to life and came home. He couldn’t explain it… actually, he didn’t want to as some where in the back recesses of his mind he had a feeling that this was not “right”. Sandy was the same, yet different. She was still the stunning, golden haired beauty that he had fallen in love with so long ago … only now she seemed to watch him more… like a cat watching a mouse… something to play with. He just couldn’t put his finger on it.

After his initial shock at seeing her, he peppered her with question after question… which she delicately deflected one by one, until he was reduced to silence and just stared at her. She said, “Don’t ask questions you can’t handle, Slow Boy”. Now what the hell did that mean? She made soft, low cooing sounds and lightly touched the gash across Glen’s nose. The blood had congealed and she turned to the refrigerator to get an ice pack which Glen promptly applied to his bruised cheek. The cold stung, but felt good on his sensitive skin.

In retrospect, he should have asked more questions… no he should have demanded answers. But, in the end, he had accepted that she was now somehow alive and that all that he thought he had known was out the window. Better to keep that door tightly shut!

They had made hard passionate love that night. Sandy had taken the lead and done things to him that he had only read about. Glen was too embraced to ask where she had learned these things. Why question a reprieve, he thought. It was only later, lying in the dark with the window cracked open and a cool breeze blowing across his body that the questions came pounding back. He silently slipped out of bed and padded down the hall towards the living room. Sandy had not moved and seemed to be in a deep sleep. But all was not what it seemed to be, he thought.

He turned on the small lamp in the living room and sat down on the long overstuffed couch. The leather felt cool to his touch. His mind was still refusing to grasp what had happened. How could a wife, who had been killed in an car crash, who had been buried in a cemetery not 10 miles from here… how could she suddenly come back to life and appear in his kitchen? Well, it was really her kitchen too…

Glen got up and went to the refrigerator and pulled a chilled dark beer out of the carton. Opened it and empted it in one long continuous pull. He didn’t even feel that he had tasted it, but somehow felt better after drinking the slightly bitter brew. How was he going to integrate all this? He needed to be on his bike. That’s where he did his best thinking. That’s where he could just empty his mind and let life flow through him. But he wasn’t able to ride. In fact his leg had stiffened up considerable and now he could just sort of drag it along, trying not to put his full weight on it. Funny, he hadn’t thought about his injuries since first seeing Sandy.

He stood up and glanced at the mirror over the couch. The bloody gash was now cleaned with antiseptic and the bruise cheek was swollen and starting to discolor slightly. His right ankle looked like a grapefruit but he could tell it was only a sprain and not broken. At least that won’t keep me off the bike, he thought.

The beer was beginning to take effect and tiredness welled up in him. He turned off the small light, threw the empty bottle in the trash and limped slowly down the hall back to the darkened bedroom. Sandy hadn’t moved. She was still lying in the same position he had left her in. The light from the street light illuminated her beautiful body barely covered by the sheet. He could smell her sweat mixed with her distinct perfume. Desire stirred in him again and he could feel other swelling taking place as he slipped back onto the bed. Sandy slowly turned toward him and they started all over again.

That was 10 years ago and life returned to normal. There were some odd things that had changed. Little things like the car and the way it started without keys and the way the television came on when he walked into the room and the way the door locked when he walked out. Little things that he knew he should be questioning but couldn’t or didn’t want to…because there were dragons here… some things are better left unsaid, not questioned, not looked into…. Just accepted.

His wounds had healed. There was only the slightest of scars across the bridge of his nose. Sandy thought it made him look dangerous. But he didn’t feel dangerous. He felt… different… yes, that was it. He was different. Sandy was different. Only his bike was the same. He still rode as much, probably more. He had gone back to the park as soon as he could ride and search for that single track he had taken. It all seemed to start from that ride. He began to think that somehow, that ride had changed the past. But that was silly. How could riding a bike change the past? How indeed. But, in fact, he began to think of his life in terms of Before the Ride and After the Ride. But try as he might he could not find that single track… that lighted path to… what or where? He knew he had been there. He had crashed and he had found his dead wife very much alive when he got home. All from riding his bike on a path he could not find again?

The guys on the STR board seemed to be the same. This was one of the pleasures of his life… reading and posting on that damn board. He had even changed his handle to After the Ride. He didn’t think anybody else even got it. He was surprised when several of his ridding buds came over to the house for beers after a ride. They didn’t say a word about Sandy being there. In fact, none of their friends said anything. It was like she had never gone away… and he was afraid to ask how this was possible. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, stupid, he thought… then also thought; beware of gifts from strangers….

So life drifted on…. day after day…. Ride after ride. Until 10 years had passed and that Ride and its consequences had been pushed to the back of his mind. 10 incredible years of extended bike trips to Moab and Whistler, climbing vacations in the Alps, helicopter snowboarding in the Canadian Rockies. All with glorious Sandy by his side, sharing and making each and every day and night special. It was the happiest of times… it was the best of times. And yet he sometimes felt like he was holding his breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

On Friday, it did….

foofighter · 10-17-2007, 08:23 PM

yyyyyyyyaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh

Singletrack Angel · 10-17-2007, 08:30 PM

I can't wait for chapter 5!!!!

OMR · 10-17-2007, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singletrack Angel

I can't wait for chapter 5!!!!

Ahhhh, but you must, pretty young grasshopper....

PacMan · 10-17-2007, 08:36 PM

It's back.

HELLZ YEAH!!

genusmtbkr5 · 10-18-2007, 02:07 AM

now you got me hooked as well.

slowSSer · 10-18-2007, 07:52 AM

very nice, OMR.

so, this is what you do for "work"?

OMR · 10-18-2007, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowSSer

very nice, OMR.

so, this is what you do for "work"?

In real life I'm a (starving) Realtor that has had to go back to work (tech sales) to put bread on the table and pay the mortgage.... bummer!

as it has cut deeply into my riding time! double bummer!!

CeeDubb · 10-18-2007, 01:08 PM

Oh yeah!! Thanks Gregg!!

I got my crack fix and hopefully I can stay on this high until Chapter 5 hits...

xhuskr · 10-18-2007, 02:23 PM

this made me go back and find/read chapt 1-3 (guess I missed them)....thnx for brining us to a world or reality-fantasism (real word or G.Bush word?

) Anyway...can't wait for Chapter 5....bring it on!

roadkillross · 10-18-2007, 03:21 PM

when is this getting published???

OldDogDan · 10-18-2007, 08:47 PM

Well that was very cool & different! I think I know how it ends, but I'm looking forward to Chapter 5. Can you post links to the earlier chapters? This is why STR is way more fun and friendly than MTBR -- thank you.

devodoc · 10-18-2007, 09:21 PM

So after spending the last few months being a "newb" and a "lurker" (I think that's what I'm called) this is what prompted me to my first post. Maybe I should have signed up for that Stephen King site instead. Great story - how do I find the earlier chapters? (I know, I know- my ignorance is showing...) Can't wait for 5!

OMR · 10-18-2007, 09:29 PM

You have only to ask:

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Chapter 1 : [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]http://www.socaltrailriders.org/forum/general-discussion/7820-ride-chapter-one.html[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Chapter2: [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]http://www.socaltrailriders.org/forum/general-discussion/7837-ride-chapter-2-a.html[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Chapter 3: [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]http://www.socaltrailriders.org/forum/general-discussion/8419-chaper-3-ride.html[/SIZE][/FONT]

Sleep tight......

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldDogDan

I think I know how it ends

PM me and let me know where you think this is going... let's see how good you are, grasshopper.

KeepsWhatHappens · 10-18-2007, 09:31 PM

A man of many talent you are Gregg! Let me know if you need any photography for the upcoming book.

John

OMR · 10-18-2007, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devodoc

So after spending the last few months being a "newb" and a "lurker" (I think that's what I'm called) this is what prompted me to my first post.

Actually... you are now called part of the Tribe... welcome, new grasshopper!

TBlazen · 10-18-2007, 09:34 PM

Mudman · 10-18-2007, 09:43 PM

I'm going to print these! haha this will be the first time I actually WANT to read in years... Thanks OMR!

10-17-2007, 08:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
foofighter Duan'er - 29'er remixed	yyyyyyyyaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh __________________ -Duan Dulce et Decorum Click the Button

10-17-2007, 08:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
PacMan Team Quarter Slot	It's back. HELLZ YEAH!! __________________ Harden The F*** Up!!

10-18-2007, 02:07 AM	#6 (permalink)
genusmtbkr5 Single Track Mind	now you got me hooked as well. __________________ Gene"GuidesNewWarriors" *http://www.warriorssociety.org/* *http://www.sharemtb.com/*

10-18-2007, 07:52 AM	#7 (permalink)
slowSSer ali'i hua	very nice, OMR. so, this is what you do for "work"? __________________ "...the weather will continue to change, on and off, for a long, long time" -Al Sleet, the hippy dippy weatherman RIP George Carlin http://www.myspace.com/setswim

10-18-2007, 01:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
CeeDubb 9.8m/sec² - It's the law	Oh yeah!! Thanks Gregg!! I got my crack fix and hopefully I can stay on this high until Chapter 5 hits... __________________

10-17-2007, 08:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
OMR	The Ride - Chapter 4 Chapter 4 It had been 10 years since that night in his kitchen when his dead wife suddenly came back to life and came home. He couldn’t explain it… actually, he didn’t want to as some where in the back recesses of his mind he had a feeling that this was not “right”. Sandy was the same, yet different. She was still the stunning, golden haired beauty that he had fallen in love with so long ago … only now she seemed to watch him more… like a cat watching a mouse… something to play with. He just couldn’t put his finger on it. After his initial shock at seeing her, he peppered her with question after question… which she delicately deflected one by one, until he was reduced to silence and just stared at her. She said, “Don’t ask questions you can’t handle, Slow Boy”. Now what the hell did that mean? She made soft, low cooing sounds and lightly touched the gash across Glen’s nose. The blood had congealed and she turned to the refrigerator to get an ice pack which Glen promptly applied to his bruised cheek. The cold stung, but felt good on his sensitive skin. In retrospect, he should have asked more questions… no he should have demanded answers. But, in the end, he had accepted that she was now somehow alive and that all that he thought he had known was out the window. Better to keep that door tightly shut! They had made hard passionate love that night. Sandy had taken the lead and done things to him that he had only read about. Glen was too embraced to ask where she had learned these things. Why question a reprieve, he thought. It was only later, lying in the dark with the window cracked open and a cool breeze blowing across his body that the questions came pounding back. He silently slipped out of bed and padded down the hall towards the living room. Sandy had not moved and seemed to be in a deep sleep. But all was not what it seemed to be, he thought. He turned on the small lamp in the living room and sat down on the long overstuffed couch. The leather felt cool to his touch. His mind was still refusing to grasp what had happened. How could a wife, who had been killed in an car crash, who had been buried in a cemetery not 10 miles from here… how could she suddenly come back to life and appear in his kitchen? Well, it was really her kitchen too… Glen got up and went to the refrigerator and pulled a chilled dark beer out of the carton. Opened it and empted it in one long continuous pull. He didn’t even feel that he had tasted it, but somehow felt better after drinking the slightly bitter brew. How was he going to integrate all this? He needed to be on his bike. That’s where he did his best thinking. That’s where he could just empty his mind and let life flow through him. But he wasn’t able to ride. In fact his leg had stiffened up considerable and now he could just sort of drag it along, trying not to put his full weight on it. Funny, he hadn’t thought about his injuries since first seeing Sandy. He stood up and glanced at the mirror over the couch. The bloody gash was now cleaned with antiseptic and the bruise cheek was swollen and starting to discolor slightly. His right ankle looked like a grapefruit but he could tell it was only a sprain and not broken. At least that won’t keep me off the bike, he thought. The beer was beginning to take effect and tiredness welled up in him. He turned off the small light, threw the empty bottle in the trash and limped slowly down the hall back to the darkened bedroom. Sandy hadn’t moved. She was still lying in the same position he had left her in. The light from the street light illuminated her beautiful body barely covered by the sheet. He could smell her sweat mixed with her distinct perfume. Desire stirred in him again and he could feel other swelling taking place as he slipped back onto the bed. Sandy slowly turned toward him and they started all over again. That was 10 years ago and life returned to normal. There were some odd things that had changed. Little things like the car and the way it started without keys and the way the television came on when he walked into the room and the way the door locked when he walked out. Little things that he knew he should be questioning but couldn’t or didn’t want to…because there were dragons here… some things are better left unsaid, not questioned, not looked into…. Just accepted. His wounds had healed. There was only the slightest of scars across the bridge of his nose. Sandy thought it made him look dangerous. But he didn’t feel dangerous. He felt… different… yes, that was it. He was different. Sandy was different. Only his bike was the same. He still rode as much, probably more. He had gone back to the park as soon as he could ride and search for that single track he had taken. It all seemed to start from that ride. He began to think that somehow, that ride had changed the past. But that was silly. How could riding a bike change the past? How indeed. But, in fact, he began to think of his life in terms of Before the Ride and After the Ride. But try as he might he could not find that single track… that lighted path to… what or where? He knew he had been there. He had crashed and he had found his dead wife very much alive when he got home. All from riding his bike on a path he could not find again? The guys on the STR board seemed to be the same. This was one of the pleasures of his life… reading and posting on that damn board. He had even changed his handle to After the Ride. He didn’t think anybody else even got it. He was surprised when several of his ridding buds came over to the house for beers after a ride. They didn’t say a word about Sandy being there. In fact, none of their friends said anything. It was like she had never gone away… and he was afraid to ask how this was possible. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, stupid, he thought… then also thought; beware of gifts from strangers…. So life drifted on…. day after day…. Ride after ride. Until 10 years had passed and that Ride and its consequences had been pushed to the back of his mind. 10 incredible years of extended bike trips to Moab and Whistler, climbing vacations in the Alps, helicopter snowboarding in the Canadian Rockies. All with glorious Sandy by his side, sharing and making each and every day and night special. It was the happiest of times… it was the best of times. And yet he sometimes felt like he was holding his breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop. On Friday, it did…. __________________ OMR .... An elder grasshopper of the Tribe

10-17-2007, 08:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
Singletrack Angel I love Mustard	I can't wait for chapter 5!!!!

10-18-2007, 02:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
xhuskr Powered by Guinness	this made me go back and find/read chapt 1-3 (guess I missed them)....thnx for brining us to a world or reality-fantasism (real word or G.Bush word?) Anyway...can't wait for Chapter 5....bring it on! __________________ Slainte' sdyeti I am a student. The trail is my teacher. genusmtbkr5 Sign up for the pain, you'll love it. www.biketofinishms.com/teacmcrash

10-18-2007, 03:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
roadkillross Throw some Dee's on it	when is this getting published??? __________________ Offroadie-"I ride a fixed gear, but I'm no hipster." dirttorpedo- "i like the runs..........:

10-18-2007, 08:47 PM	#12 (permalink)
OldDogDan Senior Member	Well that was very cool & different! I think I know how it ends, but I'm looking forward to Chapter 5. Can you post links to the earlier chapters? This is why STR is way more fun and friendly than MTBR -- thank you.

10-18-2007, 09:21 PM	#13 (permalink)
devodoc Junior Member	So after spending the last few months being a "newb" and a "lurker" (I think that's what I'm called) this is what prompted me to my first post. Maybe I should have signed up for that Stephen King site instead. Great story - how do I find the earlier chapters? (I know, I know- my ignorance is showing...) Can't wait for 5!

10-18-2007, 09:31 PM	#15 (permalink)
KeepsWhatHappens Warriors Society Member	A man of many talent you are Gregg! Let me know if you need any photography for the upcoming book. John

10-18-2007, 09:34 PM	#17 (permalink)
TBlazen Rider Doooood	Kewl, I have more reading to do as i play poker....

10-18-2007, 09:43 PM	#18 (permalink)
Mudman Brass Knuckles N' Rice	I'm going to print these! haha this will be the first time I actually WANT to read in years... Thanks OMR! __________________ "I wear my scars like the rings on a Pimp." -Slug

10-18-2007, 09:53 PM	#19 (permalink)
devodoc Junior Member

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