#46 In Roads-Wild thing
There’s a birthday party in a neighboring town and everyone’s geared up for a great time. A mob of locals and friends of all ages are milling about outside, but it’s mostly crusty old bikers who know each other.
The pretty girl with the black cherry hair is an unfamiliar face, and it’s obvious she is not one of us, but she’s making the rounds to meet those who are old enough to be her parents. Renee says she’s never been to anything like this, has never seen the band but has heard they are great and she’s excited. Everyone’s getting along. There are attractive waitresses handing out free shots of mango-flavored rum. The reserved 29 year old who works in a doctor’s office takes one but settles on a beer before I ask what she wants to be when she grows up.
“Funny you should ask,” she says. “I’ve been thinking about that very thing lately. Maybe it’s my age, you know, almost 30? I don’t know, but I’m starting to get that unsettled feeling, like I need to do something different. I really like animals and would like to do something that involves working with them but I’m not sure exactly what. I do need to go back to school. I guess I just need to make some decisions.” We discuss how important it is to listen to that little voice inside us and to keep learning and experiencing new things.
When the music stops we chat a bit outside as she excitedly tells that tonight is her first experience swing dancing, how much she loves the band and how much fun she’s had. She’s ecstatic. She’s been hanging out with the younger party animals all evening and seems to be fitting in well. Next thing I know she’s strapping on a helmet and climbing on to the back of a Sportster. I giggle. Welcome to the wild side of the street, Renee.
