Jonathan was delighted with the Triumph. We opened the garage, took off the sheet and let him look at it properly. I am keeping the rest of the birthday morning to myself.
On Saturday we took it north on Sheridan. It was sixty-two degrees and clear, exactly the sort of October day his cardiologist had suggested. I came out wearing the second helmet. Jonathan hadn't known I had bought one for myself.
We went through the curves in Evanston, past the Baha'i temple and along the bluffs. I had seen all of it from the car, but I noticed the lake much more from the bike. I was also holding on quite firmly.
We stopped at a hot dog stand in Highwood and ate at a steel counter. A man asked about the Triumph, and Jonathan explained that it was the new version of the one he had always wanted. I let him tell the whole story. We had nowhere we needed to be.
Home by four, with red cheeks. I patted my old car on the way into the house. Gerald still thinks the replacement may come in November, but it had been a very nice day without either car.
— Ash