“Terribly.”
Leo smiled nervously.
Jim crouched.
“I loved that bike because Dutch loved it.”
“That doesn't make it mine.”
“He chose.”
Leo shook Jim’s hand.
Then asked:
“Can you still ride it tomorrow?”
Jim’s expression broke.
“You sure?”
“That's what Dutch wanted.”
Jim nodded.
“Then yes.”
Leo added:
“But don't wreck it.”
The room exploded in laughter.
Jim pointed at him.
“Your father is becoming problem.”
“He’s dead.”
“Still problem.”
The memorial morning began at 4:37 a.m.
Oakland was dark and cold.
Apex Iron Works had more motorcycles outside than cars normally passed the building in an entire morning.
Chrome reflected streetlights.
Engines rumbled.
Coffee steamed from paper cups.
Leather vests.
Helmets.
Old men.
Young riders.
Women who had ridden with Dutch for decades.
People who knew him once.
People who knew him only through stories.
By five-thirty the line extended blocks.
The official gathering point was near waterfront, but hundreds came to the shop first because word had spread.
The FXR ran.
And the boy who made it possible was there.
Leo hated the attention.
He stood behind Maria wearing a clean blue work shirt Rusty had bought him the night before. It was still slightly too large, but sleeves were rolled neatly.
His new safety glasses were tucked into shirt pocket.
Jim walked out in black leather carrying Dutch’s helmet.
Not for use.
The helmet was too old.
He had his own modern one.
Dutch’s rested against the FXR’s seat for photographs.
Jim climbed onto bike.
The crowd quieted without instruction.
Rusty stood beside Leo.
“Your switch.”
Leo looked.
“What?”
Rusty nodded toward motorcycle.
“Go.”
Leo walked.
Hundreds watched.
He hated.
His knees felt weak.
Jim leaned down.
“Kid.”
“What?”
“Forget them.”
Leo looked around.
Impossible.
Jim pointed beneath tank.
“Just you and machine.”
Leo reached.
Found hidden toggle Arthur built.
Flipped.
Click.
He stepped back.
Jim turned ignition.
The neutral light glowed.
He looked toward sky once.
Then pressed starter.
The FXR fired instantly.
The sound rolled down street.
For one second, nobody moved.
Then hundreds of voices erupted.
People shouted.
Engines revved.
Someone cried.
Someone raised fist.
Maria covered mouth.
Rusty put one arm around Leo’s shoulders.
The boy stared at motorcycle.
Jim did not rev unnecessarily.