She giggled.
Then looked toward the motorcycle parked near the shop.
"Is that yours?"
He nodded.
"Sure is."
"Is it fast?"
"Fast enough."
She smiled.
"Can I sit on it?"
The old biker glanced toward her mother.
The widow hesitated.
Then nodded.
"Only if you hold her."
He smiled.
"Wouldn't do it any other way."
He carefully lifted the child onto the stationary motorcycle.
The engine was off.
The key was removed.
He held her securely while she gripped the handlebars.
Her eyes widened.
"It's huge!"
He laughed.
"Compared with your bicycle, I reckon it is."
She looked toward her mother.
"Mommy!"
The woman smiled.
"I see you."
The child pretended to twist the throttle.
Then made a ridiculous engine noise with her mouth.
The old biker laughed so hard that he had to steady himself against the motorcycle.
For one moment, something about the girl's expression struck him.
The way she narrowed her eyes while pretending to ride.
The crooked smile.
The mischievous delight.
He had seen it before.
On a young mechanic racing him down a stretch of empty highway decades earlier.
His laughter softened.
The little girl looked up.
"What's wrong?"
He shook his head.
"Nothing, sweetheart."
She studied him.
"Are you sad?"
The old man considered.
Then answered honestly.
"A little."
"Why?"
He looked toward her mother.
Then back at the child.
"Because you remind me of somebody I miss."
The girl smiled.
"My daddy?"
He nodded.
"Yes."
She seemed pleased.
Then she reached toward his beard.
"Did he have a beard like this?"
The old biker laughed.
"Not nearly this much."
The child giggled.
He carefully lifted her down.
Then led them inside to examine the bicycle.
The repair was simple.
A loose brake cable.
A worn pad.
And a rear-wheel bearing that needed adjustment.
The old biker placed the bicycle on a small work stand.
The girl watched him carefully.
Her mother stood nearby.
He showed the child how the brake lever worked.
Explained why the cable needed proper tension.
Then demonstrated how to check whether the wheel turned freely.
The girl listened with astonishing seriousness.
"Can I help?"
He smiled.
"Sure