Revving Up the Holidays

by A. S. Fenichel

  “You’re supposed to be on vacation, Isaac. Why don’t you go and play with that bike and leave the work until you go back to New York?”

  He was about to tell her that he couldn’t just stop working for two weeks. Ben had forced the vacation on him but he couldn’t make him stop working. But the idea that he might be able to put the motor inside the frame and get it secured before he went to bed stopped him. He nodded. “You’re right.”

  Her eyes widened. “I am?”

  “Yes you are. I’ll see you tomorrow. I assume the term is ending for you too?”

  “I still have to grade finals, but yes tomorrow is the last day of the fall term.”

  “Good. I want to get the kids something for Hanukkah. You can help me shop.”

  “That really isn’t necessary.”

  He smiled. “I want to. For the eighth night, if that’s okay with you.”

  “I think that would be very nice. Mom is coming to dinner then too.”

  He nodded and said good night before taking the back door toward the shop.

  He ran his hand along the motor, feeling the ridges and wondering why he wasn’t in Giada’s bed feeling the ripple of her ribs under his fingers until he reached those perfect globes. Her body and responsive nature drove him insane with desire. He closed his eyes.

  She’d said she loved him. His initial reaction to that was pure joy, immediately followed by terror. He’d gone after her to make sure she arrived home in one piece. He’d sat in the car and watched as she walked across the parking lot, crying. He’d thought of driving out without a word but couldn’t do it.

  Standing, he bent at the knee, took hold of the motor with both hands and strained to lift the heavy heart of the Harley. Inch by inch, he moved it into place within the steel frame. One step back and he could see what the bike had once been and would be again.

  He wondered about the rest of his life since he’d abandoned the Harley to his parents’ garage all those years ago. The man he’d become barely resembled his younger self. He’d lost the joy in his life.

  The clock on the wall told him it was near midnight when he secured the motor into place.

  He locked up the shop and found his bed in the guest room. Finding sleep would prove more difficult. He couldn’t get Giada’s teary face out of his mind. The words she’d spoken echoed through his mind every time he started to doze.

  He’d lost the last woman who loved him. Guilt washed over him.

  After a sleepless night he made his way back to the shop. He took the tins down to the bike shop and made arrangements for the fenders and gas tank to be repainted and even got the manager to put a rush on the order. It helped that they used to ride together back in high school. Then he went to see his mother.

  Barbara stood in the doorway before he made his way up the steep front lawn. “You look terrible. What’s wrong?”

  He smiled at her directness. “I didn’t sleep. Do you have a few minutes, Mom?”

  She pursed her lips and opened the screen door. “I’ll make coffee.”

  His mother’s coffee was still the best he’d ever had. Once he had a cup in his hand, he told her about Leslie. He explained that she died before he’d had the chance to bring her down to meet the family. He apologized for never saying he was seriously dating anyone.

  Her hand shook as she rested it on his. “You went through all that loss all by yourself. We could have helped you, Isaac. We’re your family. Why would you suffer all alone?”

  “I didn’t think I deserved to have support.”

  “Why?”

  “I should have driven her home.” He’d never said those words out loud before. He’d thought them a million times but he’d been too cowardly to utter them. For a moment he thought of Giada. “She was my responsibility. If I’d stopped working and taken her home as I should have, she would still be alive.”

  He had no idea what he’d expected. His mother could be cruel in her honesty. She might confirm that he was accountable.

  Barbara leaned forward and kissed him on one cheek and then the other. “You are not to blame. People die for no reason at all. We thought your father was a healthy man. He had an appointment for a physical and he canceled it a month before he died. I should have forced him to go. I should have railed at him until he went, but I didn’t. Still, it wasn’t my fault he died. It was his time and some day it will be mine. You weren’t in that car with Leslie because it wasn’t your time to go. I know that’s not what you want to hear, my sweet boy, but it’s the truth.”

  Ten minutes passed before either of them spoke again.

  “How is that bike of yours coming along?”

  “I think I’ll finish it before I have to go back to work.”

  She smiled. He could count on one hand the number of times he’d seen his mother smile or even look pleased about anything. “And will you take it with you this time?”

  He nodded.

  “But you’ll be careful. Nothing reckless.”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  As he was leaving, she put her hand on his arm. “What was the date that Leslie passed?”

  “November fourth, why do you ask?”

  “She would have been my daughter, I’ll light a yahrzeit.”

  He was touched by the idea that his mother wanted to light a memorial candle for Leslie. “She wasn’t even Jewish, Mom.”

  She shrugged. “But I am.”

  He gave her a quick hug and headed back to Sadie’s house.

  He’d lost track of time in the shop until two little shadows darkened the floor around his project.

  “We want to help you,” Abigail said.

  “Help,” echoed Daniel.

  They both had very serious expressions on their faces.

  “All right but you’re going to get dirty.”

  Abigail shrugged. “I changed into my play clothes.”

  Daniel nodded and tugged at his dark-blue shirt.

  The weather had warmed and it seemed that Sadie hadn’t forced heavy winter wear on the pair.

  He let them do everything from handing him small parts to tightening bolts. His niece and nephew never lost interest. They were good assistants and when he told them to carry something carefully or asked them to hold a nut for him, they took the assignment seriously. They laughed when Daniel got grease on his hand and smudged it across his nose.

  The three of them had been at it an hour when Sadie walked into the shop. “Are they driving you crazy yet?”

  All three were crouched down as if they were catchers in a baseball game staring at the exhaust pipe they had just bolted into place. He noticed a bit of wiring that he’d neglected to hide from sight and tucked it inside the frame. “Nope. They’re my assistants. They do excellent work.”

  The two children smiled and started dancing around the shop. Isaac laughed.

  Sadie said, “Well, motorcycle assistants, it’s time to get cleaned up for dinner and it looks as if you will both need baths.”

  They groaned.

  Isaac said, “Your mom’s right. We can’t do any more until I go and get the tins back from the bike shop tomorrow anyway.”

  “The kids and I will be home all day. Maybe we can come along with you to the bike shop.”

  He almost told her no. He’d been doing things alone for so long, he didn’t know how to be a part of something bigger than himself. It would have been as if he’d slapped her hand away. To his surprise, he enjoyed spending time with his family. He’d loved helping each one of the kids tighten a few bolts and he didn’t care that the process had taken twice as long. It had been fun. When was the last time he’d had any fun? Hadn’t Ben said something to that effect? “Sure. That’s a great idea.”

  The kids started a new dance and his sister smiled before herding them out the door.

  * * * * *

  The seat was in place but mirrors and lights would be the final pieces in making her whole again. He ran his hand along the soft leather to the newly painted b
lack gas tank. Everything about the bike shined. Only one thing was missing. Shaking off the thought, he took one more look at the Harley before turning off the lights and heading toward the house for the last night of Hanukkah celebration.

  His mother was already in the kitchen cooking with Sadie. He leaned over his mom’s shoulder, kissed her cheek and plucked a sweet noodle out of the kugel she was making. She slapped his hand but not before he’d managed to snag a bit of the noodle pudding from the pan.

  He heard giggling from the living room. “The kids sound happy.”

  “Gigi is playing dreidel with them,” Sadie said.

  His heart skipped a beat. “You invited Giada here tonight?”

  His sister huffed. “Well, it was obvious that you two had some kind of falling-out. How were you going to fix it if you didn’t see her?”

  He shook his head. “Did Giada jump at the invitation?”

  Sadie frowned for a second but then shrugged. “She took a little convincing.”

  “I’ll bet.”

  His mother turned to Sadie. “Are Isaac and Gigi dating?”

  “Yes.”

  “No.” He tried to give his sister a stern look but he was too excited by the idea that Giada was in the next room.

  His mother raised an eyebrow.

  “Maybe,” he said.

  “You’d better go get cleaned up. We need to get the candles lit soon and dinner will be ready in forty-five minutes.”

  Isaac went out through the foyer entrance and avoided being seen in the living room. He took a quick shower and dressed before returning.

  Giada sat on the wood floor with Mark and the two kids, her legs tucked under her and her skirt spread out around her. The four of them spun a small top and used toothpicks to gamble on which of the Hebrew letters would appear. It was an ancient game meant to help children learn Hebrew. He’d played it hundreds of times as a child. But all he noticed was her smile and the way her skin glowed. She adored the children and they loved her.

  She must have sensed his presence. She looked up and her expression fell. His heart actually clenched at the idea that he caused her sorrow.

  “Time to light the candles,” Sadie announced from beside him.

  The kids jumped up, screaming with glee. Mark moved them in the direction of the dining room. Isaac made his way across the living room, and Giada met him halfway.

  “I couldn’t say no. Sadie insisted that I come for dinner.”

  “I know,” he said.

  She turned to go toward the dining room. He grabbed her arm. “I’m glad you’re here, Giada.”

  He hoped that at least some of the emotion he felt at seeing her again translated to his eyes. Her smile was tentative at best before she pulled away and joined the family for the final night of Hanukkah.

  “Your Uncle Isaac has a special eighth night gift for each of you.”

  Daniel rushed at him as if he was a bull, grabbing hold of his legs. Isaac laughed and lifted the little man into the air, gave him a light toss and replaced him on his feet.

  “We have to go outside.”

  “Coats,” Sadie called after the little ones as they rushed toward the kitchen and the back door.

  Mark helped her get them bundled up quickly.

  Sitting side by side in the driveway were a Big Wheel for Abigail and a little push-motorcycle for Daniel. Abigail screamed with delight and rushed over, pouncing on the Big Wheel. Daniel stood, wide-eyed, staring at the little yellow-and-red motorcycle.

  Isaac knelt next to his nephew. “Don’t you like it, buddy?”

  He nodded.

  Mark was running after Abigail who had already figured out the foot pedals on her bike.

  “Want me to show you how to ride it?”

  Again he nodded.

  A minute later, the three-year-old was pushing himself up and down the driveway with ease.

  * * * * *

  Isaac was terrified that Giada would leave before his mother got in her car to drive home. As soon as Barbara was out the door, he took Giada’s arm. His sister and Mark were on the couch with both kids fast asleep on their laps. He said a quick good night and guided Giada out the door.

  Her expression was somewhere between wearied and terrified.

  “Please,” he said.

  She didn’t resist as he led her to the shop and turned on the small lamp on the workbench. Most of the room was in shadows but the bike glinted in the light.

  She gasped. “You finished it.”

  “Almost. It still needs a few pieces.”

  “Does it run?”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t started it yet.”

  “Why not?” She ran her hand along the padded sissy bar and seat just as he had done while thinking of her.

  He’d imagined her on that seat a hundred times both in the past and recently. Was she thinking about straddling the bike? His cock jumped at the thought of her legs hugging the leather. He’d been a fool the other night when he’d left her alone in her condo. “There’s no point if I don’t have anyone to share the moment with.”

  “You have a family who loves you, Isaac. Those kids spent the first twenty minutes I was in the house telling me how they had helped you put the motorcycle together. They should share the moment with you.”

  He crossed the distance between them and placed his hand over hers on the handlebar. “I want you to share it with me, Giada. I want you to be the person I come to with news, good or bad. I want you.”

  She opened her mouth as if she had something to say, but then she closed it again.

  “Get on.”

  Fear crossed her face, but it turned to excitement and she complied with his command. She moved to the very back of the seat against the sissy bar. Isaac grabbed her hips and pushed her forward before climbing on behind her and pressing his cock tight against her ass. Her skirt slid up to the top of her thighs.

  She gasped and grabbed the handlebars to regain her balance.

  Reaching around her, he took her hand and moved it to the key. He took her other hand and put it on the throttle. They turned the ignition together and gave the bike gas. It rumbled to life between their legs. With his hand over hers, he gave it more gas and reveled in the sound of the motor roaring. His own shaft jerked and he wrapped his arm around, her tightening their connection.

  He leaned in until his mouth was on her ear. “I want you.”

  She took hold of his hand where it was spread across her abdomen. For a moment he thought she was going to get off the bike and walk out of his life forever. But instead, she pressed his hand down until it was between her legs and he could feel the dampness of her panties. His entire body was on fire as he turned off the bike and slid his fingers inside the elastic band at her thigh.

  She gasped as his fingers slid between her wet folds. He rubbed her clit, and she pressed her hips forward, riding his hand and the bike. Her neck and back arched until her head rested on his shoulder and he had access to her slim neck. Kissing the sensitive flesh just below her ear caused her to cry his name. She pumped her ass back and forth wildly as he pressed his finger deep inside her.

  “Come for me.”

  She exploded against his hand, gasping and panting.

  He loved that his words had sent her over the edge. His cock ached to be inside her. He reached into the saddlebag on the bike and found the stash of condoms he’d placed there with the hope that he could eventually convince her to go for a ride with him. “Can you turn around?”

  Languidly, she complied. Moving until she was facing him, with her thighs over his and her back against the handlebars.

  “Are those your favorite panties?”

  She shook her head.

  He gripped the elastic and with one quick pull, tore the thong and exposed her glistening pussy. His cock was out of his trousers in thirty seconds and he rolled the condom over the tip before she took over the job with her small, delicate hands. Her blouse had four tiny buttons and he slid each one through
its hole, exposing a white lacy bra that conveniently had a front closure. With two hands, he opened the frilly underwear and cupped one perfect globe in each hand, worrying the taut peaks.

  She arched her back and lifted her hips closer to his shaft. He wanted to take it slow but his need was too great. He leaned forward and took a nipple into his mouth. Nipping it lightly, she encouraged him with a deep moan. Sitting back, he lifted her with him, placed his head at her core and impaled her on his cock. Her mouth opened and he muffled her cries with his kisses.

  She used her thighs to lift herself up and slowly lower back onto him again. Her pussy tightly encased him in ecstasy and her tongue rivaled his in the desperation of the kiss.

  He would never last at this pace. He slowed the kiss and gripped her hips to slow her pumping rhythm. Magnificent didn’t even begin to describe Giada. He suckled one nipple and then the other.

  Her hand pressed between their bodies and she rubbed her clit. He couldn’t take any more. The sight and the gasps coming from her mouth were so erotic. He grabbed her hips and lifted her off him and let her drop again until he was buried deep within her. He did this again and again.

  Moaning his name, the walls of her pussy contracted around him. She milked his cock, pushing him over the edge. He wrapped his arms around her and buried his groans in her soft hair until the shattering orgasm passed.

  He kissed her ear, her cheek and then her lips. “You’re so beautiful, Giada.”

  She was a perfect fit in his arms. Holding her and caressing her back, thoughts of a future with her filtered into his mind. Maybe it wasn’t crazy to want more out of his life than a high-paying job. He brushed the thought aside and kissed her neck.

  He never wanted the moment to end, but she kissed him on the cheek and pushed back from his embrace. “I should go. I have finals to grade tonight.”

  She extricated herself from the awkward position and stepped off the bike. Reaching under her wrinkled skirt, she pulled the torn thong underwear down her leg and then looked for somewhere to dispose of them.

  “Here, give them to me. I’ll get rid of them.”

  She handed him the ruined material. “Somewhere that your sister won’t find them.”