Mile a Minute

by June Taylor

Tom slowed down as he approached his grandmother's door, as the motorbike came to a standstill he turned the engine off. Mary got of the pillion, her face had a rosy glow and her eyes sparkled, she felt so elated. "Did you enjoy the ride Nan we've been fifty miles? ~ She's a beauty" said Tom patting the handle- bars of his pride and joy. Mary kissed her grandson "it's the best surprise I've had for a long time" she replied.

They went into the house and Mary was very surprised to see Janet her daughter and David her grandson's friend waiting for them. Janet looked so relaxed, and for once stayed for tea, she looked at her mother and smiled "You are mad going on that machine at your age" but really she was proud of her. Mary looked much younger than her age, she could hardly believe she was eighty-four today.
Janet's husband had walked out on her and their child to travel the world when Tom was only three years old, she had divorced him ten years ago and the last she heard about him was that he lived in the same county. Tom hadn't seen his father nor had any cards or presents from him when he was a child, he was curious and sometimes thought about looking for him but he didn't want to hurt his mother feelings. This experience left Janet feeling insecure and she didn't trust men at all but now that Tom had grown into a young man and had his own friends she was terribly lonely.

Mary looked at her daughter and wished she could meet a man who could make her happy again. She thought of her own marriage to John, they had been so happy together, before she became a mother she used to pillion ride on John's motor bike. They travelled everywhere on his bike, when she became pregnant with Janet, John added a side- car, it was such fun and the roads weren't so crowded in the 1950s.

Mary was sitting in her favourite chair staring into space; her thoughts were with her grandson. Six weeks had passed since her birthday and the surprise ride on his new bike.

Tom was in hospital with a damaged spine, he might never walk again, but all he could think of was riding his beloved bike.
The crash had been horrific, a car was driving at 95mph, as it went straight over the cross roads it hit the bike and Tom was thrown into a field, the driver of the car never stopped. Some hikers found Tom; they called an ambulance and got him to hospital. Mary turned and looked at the photo of John her late husband and said, "I'm sure you were looking out for him that day, he could have died instantly.
Mary sat with Tom for hours and as the Physiotherapist worked his legs and back she was there cheering him up. The months passed by but she was still there to encourage her grandson, she put up with his anger and tantrums but sometimes it was tough love she gave him with her plain talking. Tom began to give up, if he couldn't ride or go to the races he didn't want to live. Tom was staying in a disabled unit until the alterations were finished on his home, he had to have doors widened and bathing facilities now he was in a wheel chair.

The idea suddenly came into Mary's head, she asked Tom if he would come with her to look for a motor bike she had decided to ride again, she had to coax and plead but finally he agreed.

Tom's wheelchair was put into the boot of Mary's car and as she slipped into the driving seat she turned to her grandson and said "I really do appreciate you coming to advise me on the current prices of the motorbikes" "No problem " he replied.
They looked around the show room until Mary saw a bike she liked, it wasn't as powerful as Tom's but it would carry two people. Tom negotiated the price with the salesman and got a good deal, he felt very pleased with himself, and he had saved Nan a considerable amount of money. He got into the car and felt three feet taller although he couldn't walk; he wasn't so useless after all.

The bike was delivered to Mary's door the following week; she booked some lessons on a refresher course and felt justifiably proud of herself when she passed with flying colours. Her next cause of action was to have a special seat fitted so Tom could sit behind her.
Tom's mood changed completely when he saw what his grandmother had done for him. He loved riding on the pillion on his grandmother's bike and she loved his company, Mary used to telephone in advance to make sure there was a wheel chair available wherever they went.

Gradually some feeling came into Tom's legs, and his back had got stronger. It wasn't too long before he could stand for short spells, he had worked so hard with the physiotherapist things were looking much brighter for him, it was a year since the accident and he was much stronger.

Mary felt so excited and could hardly wait to tell her grandson the good news, as soon as she entered the room Tom asked "what have you been up to now Nan, you've got that look on your face". She sat next to him "darling I've been so lucky, I have managed to get accommodation on the Isle of Man for the TT Races. Will you come with me, the last time I was there was with your Granddad". Tom's smile lit up his face, just to smell the engines and the excitement of the crowds would give Tom immense pleasure.

The week's holiday on the Isle of Man was a huge success and Tom came back with renewed determination to walk and ride his own motor cycle again.

Janet invited her mother to tea for her birthday, and arranged for David to bring her in his car, otherwise she would turn up on her motor bike again,
Mary had bought a bottle of champagne to drink to the health of her grandson, before she had a chance to propose the toast, Tom got to his feet, he hadn't told anyone that he could walk again.

" I would like to thank everyone here for all the help and encouragement you have given me". Tom started to walk very slowly towards his grandmother as he continued

"Mile a minute Mary has been my legs for the past year and I love you to bits". He kissed her gently on her tear stained cheek. "Soon you will be on my pillion".

Janet stood up and nervously said " I have a surprise for you. David and I are getting married". There was an uneasy silence until Tom walked slowly to his mother, hugged her and said "if you want a toy boy that's fine with me" turning to David he shook his hand as he said "I'm pleased for both of you" he winked "just because you're my best friend, I won't be calling you DAD.

The End

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