Christmas with the Biker

Chapter 1 Graham –––––––– * * * * NORMALLY, I’M NOT a violent guy and am pretty level-headed. For the most part. But everyone has a breaking point; mine came on Christmas Eve, around two o’clock in the afternoon. It was totally unexpected and landed my a*s in jail. Worth it? Hell, yeah. The day actually started out pretty f*****g fantastic. I’d shown up early for work—I’m a master electrician—to complete a job my company had been commissioned for, which was a newly constructed hotel. We finished before eleven a.m. and not only did I receive a nice, fat Christmas bonus, but also found out I’d won two airline tickets in a raffle contest I’d forgotten all about. So I was on top of the world and feeling like anything was possible, which was why I stopped at the jeweler on the way home from work. My girl and I had been dating for over two years, and I’d been thinking about proposing to her. She was beautiful, and in fact looked a lot like a young Demi Moore. Although neither of us had talked about marriage, I knew I wanted her to stay in my life, and a ring would at least make my intentions clear. Anyway, after looking at several engagement rings, I purchased one I thought she’d love and had it wrapped in shiny red Christmas paper. “Bonnie is going to love it,” the saleswoman promised, handing me the small package with a tiny white bow. Smiling, I thanked her and wished her a “Merry Christmas.” “You too, Graham.” As I walked out the front door of the jewelry store, I found myself whistling to the Christmas music playing. I stuffed a twenty-dollar bill into the Salvation Army bucket. The man dressed as Santa Claus and jingling a bell, smiled brightly at me. “Thank you, young man. Have a Merry Christmas!” “You, too,” I said, grinning back. “Best time of the year. Except for the snow.” “The snow isn’t so bad,” he said, glancing up toward the thick, fluffy flakes that were falling. “To be honest, I can’t imagine not having a white Christmas.” He was right, but... I was missing my Hog. I hadn’t had it out since October and wouldn’t see it until March or April. It was one reason I’d been putting money away for a snowmobile. Not exactly the same thing, but it was still as fun as s**t. This money was now going toward the engagement ring, but I didn’t care. I was in the giving spirit and wanted to put a smile on Bonnie’s face. We chatted for a couple more seconds and then I went home to surprise the woman I loved. Turned out, the surprise was on me. ***