The Label (long)

[ThomWill]

I am not a man who harbors a lot of unrealistic expectations; keeping it real just makes real contentment so much more likely. I am often pragmatic to a fault and will go with the flow when others might have made waves. Two weeks ago I found myself at a dealership looking at a 5 year old motorcycle that was really not the one I wanted; the one I was lusting after, but one that fit my needs AND my budget in a way that the one I really wanted won’t until after both my daughters are out of college.

 

Beautiful, and powerful, and with only 5000 miles on the odometer obviously not much used. A small shallow scratch near the lock on the right saddle bag and a smallish dimple in her tank where someone dropped a cell phone were the only things that kept her from looking show-room new.

 

And then there was the label. Right there on the tank where it had been carefully placed all those years ago before the first gas found her carbs. Honestly, I am not at all certain why it bothered me, but at a stop light on my test ride I found myself picking at the corners of it; which is probably not the best thing to be doing before one signs the papers. “Why would someone leave that label there?” I wondered “and how the heck am I going to get it off after all this time?”

 

“Penny”, I named her right there in the show room because she shined like a new one; and for two weeks and over 1000 miles, some touring and some my normal commute, we have gotten to know each other. She is achingly pretty and oh so nice but not the one I thought I wanted and I fear that like two shy people completing a marriage arranged for them as children, we got off an awkward start.

 

And then there was the label… staring at me every mile, reminding me to wear my helmet, picking at the corner of my vision. “Unclaimed”, I decided, the label makes her look unclaimed, as though the first guy who took her home from the dealer did not care enough about her to take the time to carefully peel it off and let her shiny black paint see the sun. For two weeks now, I have absentmindedly picked at it ,of course, and so it was worse than ever, dog eared and sticky.

 

Until today, when after a couple of very nice rides together in the autumn sunshine I finally did battle with that label. After 5 or 6 years it was really not in any hurry to let go, it clung to her paint, just above her cute little dimple, for all that is was worth but I am a very patient man and so 4 fresh terry towels, a hair dryer, WD-40 and elbow grease eventually prevailed. As I took a fresh, clean, towel and removed the last vestiges of that label, it occurred to me that I have claimed her as my own and like that young “arranged” husband looking across the table at his new bride, I have realized that sometimes love does not come the way that we expect it to and that this thing, this shiny new thing devoid of that label, is just the thing I should have wanted all along.

[Monty]

Nice story. I enjoyed it.

[Owen]

Some people, a way with words have...

 

Nicely told.

[mhaigwood]

Cool sometimes we get what need, not what we think we want. Great story

[Dragonslayer]

Nice story Thom,

I too have been known to spin a yarn or too. Welcome aboard, but, we have a rule in these parts.

Where's the pics.

Looking forward to meeting you for the next N. Georgia Meet & Eat 11/13/10 2nd Saturday of the month, every month. BlackJack from Snellville is the organizer.

He don't post much but, he's a great guy and a good friend.

[Yammer Dan]

Yeah you are Hooked!!! Now buy her all kinds of pretty things to wear!! Spend lots of time with her and pay heed to her every whim. It's just starting!!

[BIG TOM]

Nice......

[coy55boy]

I have realized that sometimes love does not come the way that we expect it to and that this thing, this shiny new thing devoid of that label, is just the thing I should have wanted all along.

 

Aw, ain't love grand? Congrats Tom!

[mrich12000]

Loved your story! Would read your book if you wrote one or two or three...