“It’s valuable because people we loved touched it.”
Silence.
Jim swallowed.
“That's all I got.”
He stepped down.
No grand speech.
Better.
A rider approached Leo afterward.
Old woman around sixty-eight with silver braid and patched leather vest.
“You’re Arty’s boy?”
“Yes.”
“I knew your dad.”
Leo had heard that many times recently.
This time he asked:
“How?”
“He fixed my clutch in Nevada.”
“Did he charge?”
She laughed.
“Too much.”
Leo smiled.
She handed small brass washer.
“What’s this?”
“Nothing important.”
“Your dad kept one in his pocket because he said every roadside repair eventually needed washer you didn't bring.”
Leo turned it.
“Why give me?”
“He gave me three.”
“I only needed two.”
Leo pocketed.
Throughout ride, strangers told stories about Arthur.
Not hero stories.
Better.
He hated instant coffee.
He sang badly.
He once refused repair because owner would not replace unsafe tire.
He kept candy in toolbox for children.
He was terrible at cards.
He could hear loose primary chain before anyone else.
Leo realized death had left him with only one version of father.
The sick version.
The tired version.
Now strangers returned pieces.
By noon, Arthur felt wider.
Not alive.
Nothing could do that.
But larger than hospital.
The FXR completed the entire ride.
One hundred eighty-seven miles.
No breakdown.
At final stop, Jim shut it down.
Everyone watched.
He reached beneath tank and flipped hidden switch off.
Then handed key to Leo.
The boy stared.
“Now?”
Jim nodded.
“It's yours.”
Maria intervened.
“Technically mine as guardian.”
Jim smiled.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Leo held key.
It was ordinary metal.
Too small for weight it suddenly carried.
Jim said:
“You don't have to keep it.”
Leo looked toward motorcycle.
“Dutch said that.”
“He was right.”
“What would you do?”
Jim shook head.
“Doesn't matter.”
“What would Dad?”
“Also doesn't matter.”
Leo frowned.
Jim crouched.
“They’re dead.”
“That sounds harsh.”
“It is.”
“But it’s true.”
“They left choices.”
“Not orders.”
Leo looked at key.
Then bike.
“I want to keep it.”
Jim nodded.
“Then learn.”