Rachel volunteered occasionally when Ellie's health allowed.
Mark helped with practical projects.
And Ellie became the workshop's most outspoken consultant.
She had opinions about everything.
The seats needed more pink.
The teddy bears needed helmets.
The snacks needed chocolate.
And whenever the adults discussed a new idea, she insisted that they ask the children what they actually wanted.
Virginia considered that the best advice anyone had given the program.
On Ellie's seventh birthday, the Blue Ridge Riders organized a small gathering at the workshop.
It was quiet, private, and designed around the little girl's comfort.
Rachel had worried that Ellie might be too tired, but her condition was stable enough that morning for a short celebration. The family brought a cake decorated with pink motorcycles, and several club members arrived carrying small gifts.
Doc stood beside the familiar black trike.
Ellie entered in her wheelchair.
When she saw the cake, she gasped.
"Those are my motorcycles!"
Hank grinned.
"All five wheels?"
Ellie laughed.
"Some of them!"
The old biker pretended to look disappointed.
"Guess we'll have to do better next year."
Ellie smiled.
"Yes, you will."
Everyone laughed.
The celebration lasted less than an hour.
Ellie became tired, and Rachel prepared to take her home.
Before leaving, the little girl asked Doc to come closer.
He knelt beside her wheelchair.
"What is it, Princess?"
She reached into a small bag.
Inside was a folded sheet of paper.
She handed it to him.
Doc opened it carefully.
It was a drawing.
Two girls sat beside a black motorcycle with pink seats. One had light-brown hair, and the other wore a pink crown. Above them floated a bright blue sky filled with crooked yellow stars.
Doc stared.
"Who's this?"
Ellie pointed toward the first girl.
"Me."
He smiled.
Then she pointed toward the second.
"Sophie."
Doc's breathing changed.
The little girl watched his face.
"I asked Mama to help me draw her."
The biker looked toward Rachel.
She smiled through tears.
Ellie pointed toward the motorcycle.
"See? There's room for both of us."
Doc covered his mouth.
For several seconds, he couldn't speak.
Then he lowered the drawing.
"Ellie..."
The girl smiled.
"Do you like it?"
He nodded.
"More than you know."
She looked pleased.
Then she reached toward his hand.