Running Lean

by Diana L. Sharples

  He gorged himself on barbecue dripping with Sloppy Smith’s signature sweet sauce and Aunt Sally’s pecan pie, but slipped back up to his bedroom just past three o’clock.

  Things I love most about Calvin Greenlee. #9: Your motorcycle. Okay, it scares me. But I love the idea that you can fly. Happy Birthday, Superman.

  Didn’t she remember the motorcycle was dead? They hadn’t talk about the Yamaha much when she was in the hospital, but she called it his “miracle steed” that had carried him to her rescue. Maybe she thought he could fix the bike again. And maybe he could, if he could find a replacement engine. Or every single part to rebuild the old one.

  He sighed. The note was still nice, and he really missed the flying part.

  After the meal, Mom brought out gifts and made Calvin open them in front of everyone. Clothes from Mom, of course. Plenty of embarrassment there. Peyton and Ryan gave him a gift card to load apps onto his phone. Tyler would know exactly how it worked.

  Where was he? No way would his best friend miss his party. Something was up.

  Oh, yeah! He could text him. Calvin pulled out his phone. His fingers fumbled over the little keys until he’d typed his question—where r u? Not long after pushing send, his phone chirped the four o’ clock alarm. Calvin eased over to the gazebo to read the next note.

  Things I love most about Calvin Greenlee. #8: Your deep voice. It sounds like a love song, even though I know you can’t sing well. But at church you raise your voice anyway, and I think that makes God smile. Happy Birthday, Mr. So-Not-American-Idol.

  Leaning against a post, Calvin shook his head. “I’m definitely getting a mullet wig and learning all the words to ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ to get her back for this.”

  Munching even more cake and spilling crumbs, his cousin Matt squinted up at him from the gazebo steps. “‘Achy Breaky Heart’? What’s that?”

  “Old country song by a guy with a mullet.”

  “What’s a mullet?”

  Calvin smirked. “You need to get out more.”

  Sunlight glinted off a white SUV rolling up to the workshop, pulling a landscaping trailer holding something covered in a big blue tarp. Calvin stepped away from the gazebo post. Patty Moore’s SUV? Bringing the ridiculously tardy Flannery, no doubt. But why did she park by the workshop instead of out front with everyone else? Pulling a trailer loaded with … what?

  Calvin launched himself across the yard toward the truck. The front passenger door opened, and Tyler stepped out.

  Calvin laughed. “Dude! Where you been? You missed the piñata and party hats.”

  Sunglasses hid Tyler’s eyes, but his cheeks creased in a broad grin. “Ah, I knew this would be a good day.”

  They slapped hands and held on. Flannery bounded out of the SUV and leapt onto Calvin’s back, almost knocking him over. When Calvin recovered his footing, he noticed that everyone was forming a circle around the vehicle.

  Calvin grabbed the back of Flannery’s neck and shook her a little. “Okay, what’s under the tarp?”

  Her dad stood behind the trailer. “Happy birthday, Cal!” The metallic gate clanked down against the gravel driveway.

  Calvin’s heartbeat accelerated. Flannery and Tyler followed him to the trailer. As Dave climbed up beside the blue-covered, suspiciously motorcycle-shaped cargo, Tyler tapped a white envelope against Calvin’s arm. “Got this for you.”

  Calvin gave Tyler a mock scowl. A card? Now? While Dave worked at removing the tarp, Calvin ripped open the flap. Several sheets of paper inside. Forms.

  “What’s this?”

  “Maysville, next month. Cabin for the weekend, track, lessons, all paid for. And this”—Tyler touched the pages underneath—”is an application for District 29 MX membership. You’ll need to fill that out and send it in for next season’s racing.”

  “Racing? But, my Yamaha—” The words stalled in his throat when his eyes jerked toward the tarp. A corner slipped away, and a knobby tire poked out.

  “Yamaha-shamaha,” Tyler said. “That bike couldn’t even compete in vintage races anymore. From now on, you’re riding a real machine.”

  “Huh? Ty? Dude. What did you do?”

  Tyler tapped the papers again. “Paid for the weekend trip. Happy birthday, bro.”

  Calvin gestured with both arms toward the bike. “What’s that? You’re giving me a bike?”

  “Whoa, no. I don’t have that kind of cash.”

  “We paid for the bike,” Dad said, suddenly behind him.

  Calvin whirled. Both his parents stood there, grinning.

  “But—”

  Despite the fact that he’d rescued Stacey, his stunt with the Yamaha on the Interstate had gotten him into major trouble. If the bike hadn’t died that night, his parents would have taken it away. As it was, they’d revoked his driving privileges for the summer as a consequence. His trip to Charlotte wouldn’t happen if he couldn’t ride with her parents.

  “Mind you,” Dad said, strolling to the side of the truck, “this one isn’t street legal. Trails and track only. And we’ll talk about the payments later.”

  Calvin held his breath as Dave finally yanked off the tarp. Blue fenders and gas tank, sweeping lines, high ground clearance …

  “It’s … it’s….” The 2012 Yamaha YZ250 from the shop. Practically new, Flannery had said. Just right for him. Someone had convinced his parents of it.

  Something clicked next to him.

  Tyler grinned at the picture he’d just taken with his cell phone. “Brilliant. Promised I’d print this and send it to Stacey.”

  So somehow she knew. And that explained her note about the bike. Calvin laughed and climbed into the trailer with Dave. The man tossed a strap over the rear of the bike, then reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out an envelope. “I’m supposed to give you this too.”

  Calvin stroked the tapered seat of the motocross bike. Shaking a little, his hands reached for the grips.

  “Earth to Calvin.” Dave tapped the envelope against his chest. “Read this first. I’ll get the bike unloaded for you.”

  They were all determined to torture him.

  Calvin opened the envelope. Inside was a gift certificate for Dave’s shop and a note.

  For your birthday … You saved our daughter’s life, and for that we are eternally grateful. We want to give you something that could save yours, although we hope you’ll never have to use it for that. This gift certificate is for a new helmet to go with your new motorcycle. Happy birthday and happy riding.

  Stan and Kate Varnell

  Tears stung Calvin’s eyes. “Wow. Oh, wow.” He blew out his breath and refolded the note. He handed the envelope over the side of the trailer to his mother then pointed at Tyler. “This new machine is gonna whup your butt, dude!”

  “Yeah? We’ll see about that. You got until November to be ready for the winter races. Think you’ll learn to keep it upright by then?”

  “Ha!” Calvin turned and dove for the final clamp at the front of the bike.

  Things I love most about Calvin Greenlee. #1: Your heart. You loved me, even when I was at my worst. You stayed with me, even when other guys would have bailed. You knew what was right for me, even when I was blind to it myself. You rescued me, even after I’d pushed you away. I don’t deserve you, but you’ve chosen to love me anyway. My heart aches to hug you right now! But I know you’ll be there when I’m ready to rejoin life. I love you, Calvin. Happy 17th birthday.

  Lying in bed, Calvin read the note again. This one was over the top. But the core message, the poetic phrasing, the image in his mind of Stacey forming every letter perfectly like she always did—brushing her hair back behind her ears, maybe sitting cross-legged in her bed—it connected him to her.

  What she claimed he did for her—he couldn’t have done anything less.

  Their relationship might never be easy or “normal.” Between what her parents had told him and the research he’d done, he knew Stacey could battle anorexia for the rest of her
life. Even after she acknowledged the dangers of eating disorders, even after she recovered to the point where she could come home and go to school, the deep mental baggage she carried could haunt her forever. Stacey’s burden would be heavier than he could imagine.

  Calvin closed his eyes and drew a shaky breath. The future was a big question mark for both of them. Her life would impact his as long as he tied himself to her, as a boyfriend, as something more, or just as a caring friend. Whatever happened, he would never abandon her.

  He got up and tiptoed downstairs. A drawer in the kitchen was stuffed with school supplies, from crayons to calculators. Calvin extracted some notebook paper and a fresh pen, and took it back to his room. He wasn’t poetic like Stacey. He couldn’t write long, emotional notes. But she wouldn’t expect that of him. Sitting cross-legged on his bed, Calvin wrote his feelings.

  I miss you so much. I wish you could have been here for my birthday party, but it’s ok. I’ll tell you everything when I come to visit you. I can’t wait! I’m trying to imagine if you’ll look different, but it doesn’t matter. I just know you’ll be beautiful. You always were and always will be. It hurts that I can’t see you right now and hold your hand. But soon. Soon we’ll be together again. I love you … always, Calvin.

  Acknowledgements

  I’d be nowhere without the support, encouragement, and help of a whole bunch of folks. First, though, I need to acknowledge my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who set me on a new path several years ago with a vision and a mission: to write books that would enlighten and entertain teens. What started as a prayer for my daughter, who was about to enter the world of twenty-first century “teendom,” turned into something far greater. I am grateful and humbled by God’s grace, which has been with me throughout this journey.

  My critique partners have helped me more than I can articulate. I want to thank all the members of CYAW for your feedback and support. I especially want to thank Jill Williamson, who partnered with me at the very beginning and has been an awesome friend ever since, and Nicole O’Dell, who dropped everything to read the final version of this novel for me. Y’all rock!

  To the extraordinary women who have been like mentors to me, Nancy Rue and Eva Marie Everson: Your wisdom and encouragement has helped me through some of the hardest times with my writing. I don’t know if you know how much an encouraging word—or a walk in the woods—can mean for someone who is struggling under the weight of self-doubt. Eva, when I thought I was doing nothing but spinning my wheels, you helped me to realize that God is in control, and He gave me this task for a reason. Nancy, you helped to turn my darkest moment into bright sunshine! Your assistance when I was clueless and in despair was the absolute turning point for this novel and my career. Thank you both for being God’s vessels in my life!

  Thanks to the guys at Cycle Nation, Canton, GA—especially Shawn and Tyler—for keeping me straight with all the motorcycle scenes. I’ve ridden street bikes, but knew almost nothing about riding in the dirt and how to fix the machines. Thank you for reading those scenes and for not thinking I was a crazy person when I bugged you with questions.

  My good friend, Debbie Jackson, you are certainly one of the most interesting people I know! You give so much of yourself to everyone around you, even total strangers. Thank you for all the fun times we’ve had on two wheels, and for lending your insight into the medical aspects of anorexia.

  And to Lieutenant Weiland, sir … you rock! Thanks for helping me with police procedures and the cool cop lingo!

  To my husband, Brian, for your belief in me and for giving me every opportunity to write when we would have been financially better off if I had a paying job … I love you. You are my hero.

  To Sara, my beautiful dancing daughter … every word I write is for you, sweetie. It’s always been for you.

  And finally, to Pastor Clint, Josh, Sara, Logan, Olivia, and all the other teens and leaders at New Life Church: You’ve become my family. I draw hope and inspiration from your fellowship and your faith … and all the crazy things you do.

  Discussion Questions

  1. “Running lean” is an automotive term referring to the mix of too much air and too little fuel in a carburetor. This term can also be used as a metaphor for Stacey’s eating disorder. How do you think the term could be applied to both Calvin and Stacey’s relationships with each other, and Calvin’s with his struggles? How are they “running lean”? How did this impact their actions in the story?

  2. Stacey feels pulled in two different directions, caught between Calvin and Zoe. She wants to be loyal to both of them, even though they don’t like each other. Have you ever felt torn between two people you care about? How did you respond to the problem? Do you think Stacey could have handled it differently? If so, how?

  3. Why do you think Stacey reacted so negatively to Calvin’s note about the facts of anorexia and the Bible verse he added? What might this suggest to you about how to respond to one of your friends who might be going through difficulties or dealing with an addiction?

  4. Why do you think Calvin hid the truth of Stacey’s eating disorder from his parents for so long? Do you think he was right or wrong to keep it a secret? Why?

  5. Anorexia (Bulimia, binge eating, and other forms of eating disorders) is a dreadful and heartbreaking disorder that is not simply about being thin and looking good. Has this story given you new insight into why girls (and boys) engage in such harmful and extreme behavior? Have you ever known someone who suffered with an eating disorder? Discuss ways you might positively interact with such a person.

  6. Calvin is unique, because a lot of guys might walk away from a relationship where so much drama is guaranteed. Why do you think he stayed with Stacey after he realized she was anorexic? Was he right or wrong to break up with her when he thought she was cheating on him? Do you think seeing Noah with Stacey was the only reason he broke up with her—or was it an excuse to get away from the trouble Stacey was bringing into his life? Was it reasonable for Calvin to want a “normal” girlfriend?

  7. In spite of the fact that Calvin didn’t know how to pray for help for himself or Stacey, and didn’t take much time trying, he believed that God gave him a series of miracles—when another rider guided him along the Interstate, he was able to find Stacey before she collapsed, and his motorcycle made it all the way to the hospital before the engine seized. What does this suggest to you about faith? Did it change what you believed?

  About the Author

  Diana L. Sharples is an author and award-winning illustrator whose work has appeared in genre publications in the US and Great Britain. She currently lives in Canton, Georgia with her husband and teen daughter, and can often be found riding her Harley around northern Georgia. Running Lean is her first young adult novel

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  Running Lean

  Copyright © 2013 by Diana Sharples

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