Read Bike Week Blues for Free Online Page B

embroidered on the back,
holding her cell phone, and grinning like a stereotypical Cheshire
cat. For a person who’d been in the pits of depression less than
twenty-four hours earlier, she’d made a remarkable recovery, I
thought.
    “Thank you, thank you.” Ruthie ducked her
head modestly. “All good wishes are gratefully accepted.”
    “You’re getting much more than wishes,”
Penny Sue said enthusiastically as she rounded the counter and
poured a cup of coffee. She smiled above the rim of her mug.
“You’re going to get the royal treatment.” She grinned at me. “In
fact, we’re all getting the royal treatment.”
    “You sure are chipper this morning,” I
observed, filling my own mug.
    “Of course, I’m here with my best friends.”
She motioned at the sun streaming through the sliding glass doors
that faced the ocean. “It’s a beautiful day,” she paused
dramatically ...
    “And?” I prodded. I knew something was
up.
    Penny Sue held up her cell phone, giggling
like a teenager. She punched in a few digits and a message began to
play. A man’s voice sounded, low and slow as if he were whispering.
“Penny Sue, I’m sorry I was so abrupt yesterday. I do care about
you and didn’t mean to hurt you. So much is going on. I need some
time. I’m going away for a few days; I’ll call when I get back.
You’re very special to me, Bun—” Her thumb hit the off button.
    “Wait,” Ruthie said. “What was that last
part? I couldn’t quite make it out.”
    I nudged Penny Sue with my elbow. “Yeah,
let’s hear that again.”
    Penny Sue pursed her lips huffishly. “It’s
just a nickname.”
    Ruthie arched a brow. “Did he say, butt? He
calls you Butt?”
    That got her. Penny Sue drew up to her full
five-foot-eight stature. “Not butt—Bunny,” she said smugly. “As in
Honey Bunny.”
    I gave a low whistle. “Honey Bunny? That is
serious.”
    Ruthie nodded. “Like I said, it was all a
misunderstanding. Rich was probably acting tough in front of his
friends. You know how men are—have to play Mr. Macho all the time.
Besides, you don’t know who the guys were. He said they were
friends, but one of them could have been his wife’s brother or
cousin or something.”
    It was good to see Penny Sue back to her
sassy self. I clicked my mug to hers. “I know you’re relieved. I’m
happy for you.”
    “Yeah. Yesterday was completely out of
character for the Rich I know. It threw me for a loop. He’s not the
chest beating, macho type. Yet, all’s well that ends well.” She
opened the refrigerator. “Y’all want a bagel or some cereal?”
    “Raisin bran,” I said quickly, still feeling
stuffed from the decadent chocolate desserts we’d eaten the night
before. Even miming the Rocky Horror Picture Show’s dance
numbers did little to work off the heavy dinners.
    “What’s in the news today, Ruthie?” Penny
Sue asked as she poured three bowls of cereal.
    “Weather for Bike Week is supposed to be
perfect. Record crowds are expected.”
    “That’s good,” I said. “Last year was rained
out—a real bust.”
    Ruthie flipped to the front page and scanned
the headlines. “An Atlas V rocket is scheduled to go next week.
They haven’t announced the launch time, because of the terrorist
threat. It’s taking up a military communications satellite.” She
looked up from the newspaper as Penny Sue slid Ruthie’s cereal onto
the counter. “Do you think we’ll be able to see it from here?”
    “Sure, a perfect view from the beach,” Penny
Sue said between bites of cereal. “As the crow flies, Cape
Canaveral is only about 30 miles. I hope it’s a night launch. When
the shuttle goes at night, it’s like the sun coming up. You can’t
believe how it lights up the sky.”
    “When will they announce the launch
time?”
    “Twenty-four hours in advance.”
    Penny Sue shook her head. “This terrorism
stuff is a real bummer. I hate to fly anymore, it’s such a
hassle.”
    “Better safe than