Pursuit For Lucidity (Crashing Waves) (39 page)

“
Hi there, what’s going on?” he asked.

“
I was just wondering if you’re as bored as I am,” I replied.

“
I’m very bored, actually.  I’m at the studio helping my mom with some paperwork,” he said.

“
I think I’m feeling a little bit adventurous tonight,” I replied.

“
Really?  Does that mean I should get the helmet ready and the bike warmed up?” he asked.  I could hear the smile in his voice.

“
Yeah, I really need to do something high risk tonight,” I replied.

“
Awesome.  Meet me at the studio in thirty minutes.  I’m almost finished here,” he said.

“Can’t wait,” I replied and began to drive to the stu
dio for that adventurous ride.

I parked my car outside the studio and headed towards the front door.  It was locked
, so I had to knock.  Stefano opened the door with a big smile.  As I walked inside, I noticed he was alone and everything was spotless and clean.

“
Where’s your mom?” I asked.

“
She left about ten minutes ago,” he replied grabbing a red and black motorcycle helmet from the office.  My nerves were getting in the way and I began to feel a little anxious, but I wasn’t going to back out.  I had made up my mind that I would ride on a motorcycle if I were courageous enough to run again.

Stefano turned off all the lights in the studio and locked all the doors and we headed out to
the parking lot.  I had never seen Stefano’s motorcycle.  Maybe it was because I had never looked for it.  He led the way and stopped next to a shiny red Ducati.  I stopped in my tracks.  I had never been on a motorcycle, but I knew that a Ducati was a racing motorcycle.  I was about to ride on a very fast bike.  I was hoping it was a Harley Davidson or some other motorcycle that I would just ride slowly and comfortably on.

“
Uh, this is your motorcycle?” I asked, my voice trembling.

“
Yeah, you don’t like it?” he asked.

“
I-I-I just t-thought it would be something slower, that’s all,” I replied.

“
Don’t worry, I won’t ride fast, I promise,” he said.

“
Is this bike even for two people, Stefano?” I asked, wondering where I would sit.

“
Yeah, look,” he said, putting his hand on a small surface in the back behind the driver seat.

“
Okay.  You promise you won’t go fast?” I asked.

“
I promise.  I don’t want your first ride on a motorcycle to be scary,” he noted.

“
All right, let’s do this,” I said, trying to put on the helmet.

Stefano helped me put on the helmet and showed me how to sit on the back and hold on tightly to his waist.  He sat down first and I grabbed onto him and propped myself up onto the back seat.  I was holding on so tightly to Stefano in fear that I may fall
off the bike.  I was glad I had worn jeans, boots and a leather jacket that night.  I would have frozen half to death if I hadn’t.  Stefano started the engine and it roared so loudly.  I held on even tighter as he began to ride.  I felt as though I was on a roller coaster.  My eyes were closed most of the time during the ride.  It was so exhilarating that I realized why people liked motorcycles so much.  The adrenaline rush was worth it.

He rode up a very winding road and I had no idea where we were or where we were going.  After what seemed like a very long roller coaster ride, Stefano
stopped his motorcycle on a cliff overlooking the entire city.  I had never been up there and did not know where we had stopped.  He helped me off the bike and took off my helmet.

“
Stefano, this view is incredible.  I’ve never been up here,” I said, my eyes soaking in the beautiful view of the city.

“
This is my secret hang out,” he replied. “So, what did you think of your first motorcycle ride?” he asked.

“
It was really fun, thank you.  And thanks for not riding so fast,” I said.

“
Thanks for calling me tonight.  I really needed to go out and do something,” he replied.

“
I’m glad I did.  I’ve been feeling like I’m going crazy lately.  This adventurous ride was a great distraction.  That’s a nice Ducati, by the way,” I said.

“
Thank you.  I begged my mother to get it for me after I graduated from college,” he replied.  “It was extremely difficult to convince her, but after months and months of begging, she finally gave in.  She does ask me to text her when I get home every night if I’m out with the motorcycle, otherwise she can’t sleep,” he said.  We sat on one of the big rocks on the cliff and admired the breathtaking scenery.  It began to get very chilly, so Stefano took off his jacket and put it over me.

“
Put your jacket back on, Stefano, you’ll freeze,” I said.

“
I’m a warm blooded Italian, I can handle some cold weather,” he replied, smiling. “So, what do you want to do after this?  I am your chauffeur for the evening, madam,” he said, changing his tone. “Would you like to go for a drink?  I promise not to drink, since I am your designated rider,” he smiled.

“
You pick.  We can hang out at any one of your favorite joints,” I said.

Stefano stood up and held out his hand to help me up from the rock I was sitting on.  I gave back his jacket, put on my helmet and hopped on the back of the bike.  I held on tight for dear life once again.  It seemed like he was riding much faster than the first time
, but I didn’t complain, it was very exciting.  Stefano pulled up in front of a very happening bar in Santa Monica and parked his Ducati.  We went inside and took a seat next to one another at the bar.  The lighting was very dim and the crowd was very young.  It was the type of place I would have picked to hang out with friends.

“
What do you want to drink?” Stefano asked loudly, so that I could hear him through the crowd.

“
I’ll have a cranberry martini,” I replied.

Stefano ordered a martini for me, and a ginger ale for himself.  He was going to keep his promise about staying sober
, so he could be my designated motorcyclist.

“
Thank you for not drinking, Stefano,” I said.

“
I wouldn’t put your life in any danger if I could prevent it,” he replied.

My drink arrived and I sipped away.  It was made pretty strong by the bartender
, so I sipped slowly.  Stefano ordered a few appetizers, so that I wouldn’t drink on an empty stomach, since my dinner with Calvin was hours prior to our visit to the bar.

“
Can I have another martini, Stefano?” I asked.

“
Uh, sure, whatever your heart desires.  The martini’s are very strong here, Claire,” he noted.

“
I know, I can tell.  That’s good because I need something strong tonight to get my mind off the drama in my life,” I replied.

Stefano laughed, “D
rink all you want, since I’m not drinking.  I’ll take care of you and make sure you go to the ladies room instead of the men’s room,” he said, making me laugh as usual.

“
Stefano, how come you don’t have a girlfriend?” I asked curiously.

“
I just haven’t found anyone I find interesting lately.  Well, I did find someone I really like, but she only wants to be friends.  What can I do?  You can’t force love, can you?” he asked with a wink.

“
You just have to respect her wishes and be her friend,” I said, feeling a buzz coming on from the alcohol.  “I think I’m ready for another drink,” I added.

“
Claire, maybe the next drink should be the last one.  What do you say?” he asked.

“
Fine.  You party pooper,” I said.  The third drink arrived and I was feeling pretty tipsy already.  Although I was eating quite a bit of the appetizers, I began to feel very buzzed.  I felt myself saying very strange things and Stefano had to take away the remainder of the third martini away from me.

“
All right, no more alcohol for you, young lady,” I recall him saying.  I remember Stefano putting on my helmet and holding on to my hands with one hand while riding the motorcycle with the other hand.  The next thing I remember was a building and a parking garage.  I felt so dizzy and sick to my stomach.  I knew I was speaking to Stefano, but I had no idea what I was saying.

<><><>

I woke up in a strange place.  I didn’t know where I was or how I had gotten there.  I was on a soft sofa in someone’s living room.  I sat up quickly and realized my head was pounding.  The last thing I remembered was that I was talking to Stefano and rode on his motorcycle.

“
Hey, good morning.  How are you feeling?” Stefano emerged from the kitchen.

“
Oh my God.  Please don’t tell me we-,” I stopped.

“
No way.  I would never take advantage of a drunken girl.  You had way too many martinis last night.  It’s a good thing the bar is only a few blocks from my place, otherwise I don’t know how I would’ve given you a ride on my bike if we were far from here,” he replied.

I closed my eyes, so embarrassed about the whole night.  I almost wished I hadn’t
called Stefano for that ride.

“
Claire, you were talking about something last night when you were buzzing.  You kept talking about some guy named Alex.  You were saying something about his wife Angela.  Your speech was kind of slurred, so it was hard to make out the details,” he said.

“
I’m never drinking again,” I replied so ashamed of myself.

“
Your car is at the studio parking lot, so don’t worry.  I even have new toothbrushes in the bathroom.  You can stay as long as you’d like, we could even hang out and have breakfast and lunch together before you head out to the valley,” he said.

“
Could I just have a toothbrush so I could brush my teeth, please?  I really need to get home afterward if that’s okay.  I’m so sorry about last night, Stefano.  I usually don’t drink that much, but I’ve had a lot on my mind and it seemed like it would make it all go away,” I explained.

“
Don’t worry about it, Claire.  You were really enjoying yourself and that’s all that matters.  I was just worried about you getting sick, so I slept on the other couch next to you just in case,” he replied.

Stefano was so sweet.  I really wished I had met him before I met Alex.  It would definitely have been different.  I brushed my teeth and put on my jacket and waited for Stefano to drive me to the studio
, so I could pick up my car.  On the way to the parking garage, Stefano had a lot of questions for me.

“
So, who’s Alex?  Is he your ex?” he asked.

“
Yeah,” I said, looking down.

“
And Angela?  She’s his wife?” he asked.

“
Yeah,” I replied uncomfortably.

“
Hmm.  A love triangle, I see,” he said.

“
Not really.  It would have been a triangle if I knew about his wife during our relationship,” I explained.

“
I don’t think I should ask any further questions,” he replied.

“
Thank you,” I said, glad to end that conversation. 

“
Are you sure you don’t want to grab a bite to eat before you go home?” he asked.

“
Yeah, I’m positive.  My head hurts and I’m just not in the mood to eat anything,” I replied.

I hopped on the back of the Ducati and Stefano rode me to the studio to pick up my car.  He parked his motorcycle next to my car.  It was overcast outside and very early in the morning.  I took off my helmet and Stefano turned off the engine of his bike an
d took off his helmet as well.

“
We should do this more often, Claire, minus the heavy drinking of course,” he smiled.  I laughed, recalling the martinis from the night before.

“
Thanks for taking care of me Stefano.  I’m really sorry I ended up crashing at your place,” I apologized.

“
Don’t even think about apologizing.  I had such a great time last night.  Thanks for calling me,” he said, giving me a hug.  The next thing I knew, Stefano’s lips were pressed against mine.  I pulled away quickly with my hands against his chest, holding him away from me.

“
Stefano, what was that?” I asked, angrily.

“
It was just a kiss.  I thought -,” I didn’t allow him to continue.

“
What part of ‘friends’ did you not understand?  Friends don’t go around lip locking with one another, Stefano.  Just because I hopped on the back of your motorcycle and had too much to drink and ended up sleeping on your couch does not give you the right to kiss me.  I really like you as a friend and I don’t want things to change,” I said.