---It had been a rough start for my small family. It always seemed that me and my two kids just had each other to depend on.. I had divorced their absentee father when they were just babies and my recent 2nd marriage was a mistake from the start. Ok, fine.. we were better off alone anyway. Sooo, it was time for a new beginning. There just had to be some good changes in store for us that year. I would be 25, my son was just turning 5 and I felt it was to be a "milestone" for both of us. I wanted something very special for his birthday.
---I still remember the ad.. "purebred German Shepherd pups, white..". The perfect answer for my young son! The telephone number was from a little town way up in the mountains. The gruff voice on the other end said to look for the Harley wings painted on the garage.
---That Saturday I made the trip. It was a man’s place for sure.. a solitary mountain retreat.. a bikers hideaway. An older full dresser rested on the front porch. The puppies were penned nearby, with the father of the bunch (the biggest, snow-white Shepherd I’ve ever seen) dragging his doghouse toward my intruding car. A single word from his master and I was safe, but lets say that I didn’t waste any time. He grabbed a pup and led me inside.
---He was at least 10 years older than I, obviously a confirmed bachelor and as I came to know, a man of the world.. of many worlds. Our conversation ran smoothly as we drifted from dogs to hobbies to life. It became more intense- religion, politics, tragedies and triumphs. We met on every issue, every feeling, every nuance.. It seemed time stood still as an odd aura filled the room.. the Veteran & I touched souls. I had know him all my life.. a true brother. It was over 4 hours later when I finally rose to go.
---As I headed for my car, he laid his arm across my shoulder and practically dragged me to the garage.. the one with the wings. He wanted to show me something very special. As he creaked open the doors, the evening light reflected back from a dusty, but very chromed-out scoot. He rolled her out. She was a California custom.. a sixties dream. Her seat wasn’t 2 feet off the ground, with a front end that stuck out into the next county and chromed from end to end. She took my breath away..
--- My newfound brother was now telling me that I should be riding in the wind.. a sister.. a biker! He said the bike was made for me and I for her. Ok, now I am a little confused. What was he proposing? I was still shaking from our little heart-to-heart. I had to go, I had my pup and I said goodbye. Over the next week all I could think about was this man and his Harleys. It was so real, so close, so.. eerie?!! I told someone during that time that it was like he had said his last words.. to me.
---The next Saturday, he came by my house and it was like we never missed a beat. He talked about many things, but mainly about me & that bike. I tried to tell him that I’d never even sat on a bike, much less piloted one. I knew little of bikers and their lifestyle. I did know that a Harley was the sacred treasure of freedom for those special souls.. But me?? On that bike?? He was determined. I had to leave for work.. we split friends but still on opposite sides of this fence.
--- He died that day.
---On Tuesday evening, I was in my yard when my neighbor offered his condolences.. he had recognized my brothers battered "cage" in the paper.. I didn’t know.. it couldn’t be true.. I ran to the phone and dialed his home number in a trance.. it was on the business card he had given me.. the one with the Dixie Flag. His mother answered. I didn’t know what to say... I had just briefly met her son. How could I explain how he had touched my life? That I had lost a brother I had only met twice. Who would understand when I didn't myself? I said what I could, gave her my name & number and begged to be of use.. but she did not know me.. and his brothers were there.. and he was gone.
---Suddenly she repeated my name.. the girl who had recently got a pup? I said yes. She told me that 3 days before her son died, he had called her and spoke of me.. and that bike. He had wanted me to have it.. she said it meant a lot to him, and for me to come get it. She considered it his last wish.
---I brought Dixie home in the back of my old ’69 Cougar. Still don’t know how.. just took off that front end and shoved her in. As with any older Harley, you know the next 3 months weren’t easy going. She must had been fixed for show only.. the inner workings of the motor were shot or missing. My brother had known of my passion for old hot-rod cars, and that wrenching experience came in very handy. I found many new brothers in my hunt for parts and wisdom. The blood, sweat and tears made her real for me. But still I had to ride her.. I hand painted her with his symbol- The Dixie Flag.
---When she was ready, my soon-to-be ex offered to take her down the road first. She threw him off 3 times before he made it 20 feet. I went berserk the last time she went down. I was digging mud out of her throat as the carb dangled. Every piece of machinery I had ever been involved with had a distinct personality.. and this was a HARLEY! What was I in for? This chopper wanted me on board! Ten minutes later, I had her back together and I was astride my own "Rolling Thunder". I was now 25 and it was time for my "milestone"! My ex was leering at me and the construction guys at my neighbors house had all stopped working to watch the show.
---Clutch.. throttle and ROLL! A big swoop left, a smaller right and we were vertical.. and we were ONE! With the men's war-hoops of approval I could see but not hear left behind and a new life before me, I rode on. I grabbed the throttle even more to give her this long awaited freedom she craved, and I now shared. My ears deafened with the roar echoing behind me.. I had never felt more at home.. the road in front of me, the wind in my hair, and Dix rumbling beneath me.. I was gone for 3 days (and thats another story). Dixie knows how to ride.. and live! and she has taught me well.
---Why do these things happen? It was a milestone I never expected, the turning point of my life. I’ll never forget my brother, I love him and he knows it. He always rides with me.. my guardian angel, "Mad John". I thought he was mad, alright.. but he was so stubborn, so sure.. and sooo right! I am a biker.. and proud of it! Its been almost 20 years now.. and Dixie & I still have many roads to travel.. and more of my brothers (and sisters) to meet..
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