Monkey Business -13- by Melanie Brown

Monkey Business Part 13

By

Melanie Brown
Copyright © 2024

Fuming, I glared at my bike lying in the dirt on its side. I kicked it in the engine,. “Stupid bike!” Several other bikes blasted down the track behind me.

“Did that help?” asked a man walking up to me. He looked to be about mid-20s, nice looking, sandy brown hair.

I didn’t look up. “A little,” I pouted.

The man knelt by my bike and lifted it upright. He started glancing over it. “I’ve got my trailer just over there…” He pointed. “I think I can get you going again.”

I honestly couldn’t imagine how he could. I grumbled, “I don’t have any money on me, even if you could.”

He shook his head and turned to smile at me. “I think I have enough spare parts to get you going.” He ran his fingers along the chain. “This chain is worn out. See how it kinks? I’m surprised you got this far. I’m sure I have an extra chain.” He held my bike upright by the handlebars and coiled the chain up on the saddle. “Let’s go see.” He started pushing my bike over the berm where I crashed. I stumbled in the loose dirt.

“Hey! I didn’t say yes!”

Looking amused, he turned back to face me. “You want back in the race, right?”

I nodded.

“Well, let’s see if I can fix you up.” He rolled my bike up the slight hill, and rushed it across the track and then across the field towards a pit area. He pushed the bike at a run towards a wooden box trailer painted black. The tongue was still attached to his pickup, an aging Ford F-250. I had to run to keep up with him.

The back of the trailer was open and a long ramp led into it. He pushed my bike up the ramp and set it on a stand. Inside the trailer was a workbench and tools hanging on the wall. Lying on the floor were several motorcycle tires. After the bike was on the stand, he started counting the links of the chain.

“I got a chain just like this. It’s a bit long so I’ll have to cut it. We’ll have you fixed up before the next moto.” He picked up a device from his work bench. I recognized the chain breaker as one similar to what Nick has. He crouched down and with a stiff brush he’d dipped in kerosene, he cleaned the area around the counter-shaft sprocket. “I don’t see any cracks, so I think we’re good.”

“Mister. I can’t pay you!” I said with a whine.

He flashed a grin at me. “Don’t worry about it. I’m just doing my good deed for the day.”

“Are you sure? I hate to put you to any trouble.”

He waved his hand. “Honey, you’re good. Don’t worry about it.” Terrific. He thinks I’m a girl. I guess it’s an easy mistake, with my long blonde hair, my small stature, the pink leathers and the leathers do give me the illusion of a waist and racing in the powder puff class. Maybe I should work out.

He had me hold the chain while he crimped the master link on. He grinned as he patted me on the butt and said, “Let’s check it out.” He rolled the bike off the stand and then coasted down the ramp. He got off the bike after rolling to a stop.

He held the bike for me and pointed at the saddle. “You do the honors.” I looked at him for a moment before getting on. He just nodded. I pulled the kick starter out and kicked it through. It took a couple kicks, and then the engine roared to life. I pulled the clutch and snicked it down into first gear. I slowly let the clutch out, and it rolled forward. I rode it around the area by his trailer, and it all seemed good.

“I think you’re good to go,” grinned the man. He laughed. “Sorry. I never introduced myself. I’m Alex Wright.” He chuckled. “You’ve met Mr. Wright.”

I held out my hand, and he took it. He held it lightly as he shook it. I said, “My name is Randy Gardner.”

Alex flashed me a broad smile. “Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Gardner. Do you mind if I call you Randi?”

I shrugged. “Everyone else does.”

Two men walked from around his trailer. One appeared to be Nick’s age and the other possibly in his forties. The older man stopped and shook his head at us. Alex had his hand on my shoulder.

“Wright, what is it with you and jailbait?”

Alex frowned. “What are you talking about? I just fixed her bike pro bono. I’m going to walk her back to the starting line.”

The older man sneered. “Yeah, right. You fixed it for nothing.”

Alex stood up.”I think I’ve just been slandered! I have nothing but noble intentions.”

The other man laughed. “What is she? Fourteen? Fifteen?”

“Not that its any of your business, but I’m seventeen!” I exclaimed.  “But more than that, I’m not…”

Alex interrupted. “Did you hear that announcement? You need to get back to the starting gate!”

The other man laughed. “That’s still jailbait, Al!”

Alex patted my backside. “Seriously, get going,. Your race is about to start.”

I started the bike and turned around to face the man. “Thank you, Alex!”

“You’re more than welcome!”

I popped the clutch and hurried off.

As I rode up to the starting line, Becky raised her face shield. “Hey, girl. Where you been? I heard you crashed and thought you were out.”

I said, “Some guy fixed my bike. I had a broken chain.”

Becky looked at me with a puzzled expression. “What was this guy’s name?”

I shrugged. “Alex something.”

She was silent for a moment. Then she said, “I know of that guy. He’s an old guy who likes girls our age. You need to be careful around him.”

I grinned, “Hey, careful is my middle name. Besides, he seemed nice enough. He didn’t even charge me for the repair.”

“Just watch yourself.” She lowered her face shield and revved her engine. I turned to focus on the starting gate and released my clutch when the gate dropped. The bike ran smoother than it ever had almost no chain noise. I think I did good. One moto I even tied Kat. But since I didn’t finish the first moto I got 4th overall.

*  *  *

I rode up to Nick’s pickup. He and Colin had already loaded his bike onto the trailer. He was talking to someone. When I got close, I saw that Nick was talking to Alex. I stopped my engine, got off my bike and walked over to them. Colin was sitting on Nick’s ice chest.

Looking at me and laughing, Nick said, “Hey, squirt. I understand you met this wise-guy today.” He punched Alex in the shoulder

I smiled at both and said, “Yeah. He fixed my bike. Apparently, the chain was shot.”

Nick nodded. “Yeah, I thought it was looking worn. Thought it had a little more life in it.”

Alex said, “You’re lucky it didn’t bust the case. Anyway, I just stopped by to make sure our little powder puff racer had a way to get home.”

Colin stood up and stepped next to me. He put his arm around my waist. He said, “Of course.” I tried to pull his arm away but couldn’t.

Alex said, “Well, I guess I’ll be heading out. It was very nice meeting you, Randi. And hey, good to see you again, Nick.” Funny that he didn’t acknowledge Colin.

I waved. “Thanks again!”

Alex just smiled. “Sure.” He got into his pickup and drove off.

Colin said, “You need to watch that guy.”

I laughed. “You’re one to talk.”

Nick groaned. “Let’s get your bike loaded. I’m beat.”

As Colin and Nick rolled my bike up the trailer’s ramp, I asked, “How did you guys do?”

Nick looked at me and chuckled. “Second place overall. Colin is really helping.”

I shrugged. “That’s great. I guess.”

Nick patted his truck’s door. “Okay, make like a tree and let’s get outta here.”

We all climbed into Nick’s truck, and Colin put his arm around my shoulder. We headed out.

End of Part 13