Along for the Ride(Taylor Menezes) “Grandma!” He ran through the door and smiled up at me. His eyes always brought me back to a different time, a time when everything I thought I knew, was in fact a lie.
“Hey Handsome.” I kissed him as he crawled into the hospital bed and sat in my lap.
“Hi Mom.” Greg smiled and kissed me on the cheek. “How are you feeling?”
“Oh, I’m hanging in there.” I forced a smile. “I just don’t understand how all this radiation is going to help anything.” I shook my head. “They said that soon all my hair will be gone. I guess I’ll have to buy some new hats.” I smiled down at Toby who was playing with a toy motorcycle he had brought from home. Images flashed through my mind as I felt my arms wrapped securely around his waist, refusing to let go. The scraping of metal, the sound of skin against pavement, it all played like a broken record in my mind. Always playing, always the same break in the vinyl. Gregory’s hand touched my face as a tear slid down my cheek.
“You okay?” He asked with a worried expression.
“Just give me a moment.” I nodded.
“Are you having any pain? Do you want me to get the nurses?”
“I want to tell you the truth Greg.”
“The truth about what?”
“Your Father.” I sighed.
“Mom, you look tired. Why don’t you lie down? Here, where’s the remote for your bed?”
“I’m fine.” I snapped at him then sighed. “I’m fine.” I repeated gently. “I want to tell you the truth before it’s too late and you never know.”
“Don’t talk like that.” He shook his head.
“You need to know the truth.” I nodded.
“You always told me you didn’t know who my Father was.” He said quietly as Toby continued to play with the toy bike.
“His name was Gregory Dawson.” I told him.
“Mom, you don’t have to tell me.”
“It was forty years ago today.” I ignored him.
“Come on Mom, you need to rest.” He insisted.
“Shut up and let me tell you the story.” I frowned. “The nurses should be in soon with my medications.”
“Okay, okay.” He laughed and stood at the foot of the bed.
“This may take some time, you might want to sit down.” I said, motioning towards the chair.

His name was Gregory Dawson. He was always trying to protect me, that’s just how he was. He didn’t have anyone to look after him so he spent all his life looking out for everyone else around him. Living with Gregory was easy; he was the best guy a girl could ask for, a big brother at times, a fighter, and a lover. But mostly he was my best friend. He lost his family early on in life, all I knew is that both of his Parents were dead. He never talked about his past. He would always smile and tell me “There’s a reason it’s in the past and it didn’t make it to the present. It wasn’t meant to be brought up again.” I never pushed him to talk about his parents’ death; I would wait patiently for him to give me bits and pieces of the story. I always hoped I could get all of the puzzle pieces so I could put it all together. I never did.

He came over to my house one night, he told me to sneak out. He was always the rebel kind, the type of boy that every Father prayed his daughter wouldn’t fall for. I thank God my Father’s prayers were never answered. We left town on his motorcycle; looking back now I’m surprised I got on the back of that death trap, but I guess love makes you do crazy things. I had forgotten my helmet in my bedroom, I didn’t really care at the time, I loved the wind in my hair.

He was taking me up to our favorite spot, there was this hill on the edge of town that let you see all of the city lights. To this day, I can still see them if I close my eyes long enough. We were coming up the hill, fast. He always loved pushing his bike, testing it and seeing how far he could go on a single tank of gas. He smiled back at me until he realized I didn’t have my helmet on. “Take my helmet off of me.” He said. “Put it on.” I listened to him and put it on, figuring he knew what he was doing.
“Faster.“ I smiled.
“Can you do me a favor?” He asked.
“Anything.” I smiled.
“Tell me you love me.“
“I love you.“ I said as we rounded the turn and I finished snapping the clasp under my chin. It all happened in an instant. The scraping of metal, my skin hitting the pavement, sparks flying off the asphalt. Please God, no. I closed my eyes and tried to concentrate on the pretty lights, the ones I never got to see that night.
I opened my eyes to find myself in a hospital bed, sheets tucked under my legs. “Gregory?” I called out. A nurse came into the room and grabbed my hand.
“I’m so glad you’re awake.” She smiled. “How are you feeling?”
“Where’s Gregory?” I asked, panic rising in my voice.
“Miss can you tell me what your name is?” She asked. “You didn’t have any I.D. on you.”
“Where the hell is my boyfriend?” I screamed.
The nurse looked down for a moment before her eyes met mine. “There was a motorcycle accident.” She shook her head. “I’m so sorry sweetheart. The brakes on the bike failed and you guys were going pretty fast.” She trailed off.
“Where is he?” I cried.
“He wasn’t wearing a helmet and he suffered major brain damage.” She paused. “I’m sorry, he didn’t make it.” My heart caught in my throat and I couldn’t speak. “I’m sorry to dump all of this on you right now but I just got your blood tests back and we’re seeing some HCG in your blood sample.”
“So what does that mean?” I asked as tears started streaming down my face.
“Well...” She started. “You’re four weeks pregnant.”
“Oh my God.” I cried.
“I have his coat here.” She said, grabbing it off of the chair next to the bed. “I thought you might like to have it.” She said as she handed it to me. “I was looking for his wallet and I found this.” She pulled out a small box from her pocket, placing it in my hands. “I think it was meant for you. I’ll give you a minute.” She said as she walked out and left me alone.

I looked down to the small box that lay in my hands. Opening it slowly I let out a sob as I held the diamond ring in my hands. “I love you.” I said, slipping the ring onto my finger.
“Wow.” Greg looked to me with astonishment.
“I haven’t taken it off since that night.” I said, playing with my ring absentmindedly.
“That’s incredible.” He shook his head.
“Yes, well now you know.” I nodded, wiping a tear from my eyes.
“Thank you.” He nodded.
“You’re welcome.” I smiled. “Gregory can you do me a favor?” I asked.
“Anything.” He nodded.
“Tell me you love me.”
“I love you.” He said through his tears.
“Thank you.“ I smiled. “Now let me be, I want to see the lights.” I smiled as I closed my eyes.

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